[color=sandybrown][center][sub]T  H  E[/sub][/center][/color]
[color=sandybrown][center][h2]T o w n    o f    N e w    J e r i c h o[/h2][/center][/color]



[color=0E0D0D][center][sub][h3][b]T U R N    1[/b][/h3][/sub][/center][/color]

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[center][sup][i]L a s t   t i m e ,   i n   t h e   s t o r y   o f   N e w   J e r i c h o . . .[/i][/sup][/center]

Despite the appearance of optimism, Mayor Kane couldn't help but dwell on what lay beyond the borders of his fledgling town. The town's defenses were meager, and expeditions into the city still struggled in recovering the technology of the past. If his people were to survive, the mayor would need to act carefully and decisively to advance their interests. After all, they could be all that’s left of humanity.

He moves to his desk, taking a seat. Moments later, a frazzled old clerk burst through the door, clutching a stack of documents in his hand.

“I heard you call, Mayor?”

Jacob turns his gaze upwards, having pretended to be preoccupied.
“Arrange a meeting with the Chairman of the Council for noon, urgent business. And get me my good suit.”

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[center][sup][i]N o w ,   t h e   c o n t i n u a t i o n . . .[/i][/sup][/center]

	Mayor Kane enters the conference room of the Council. The place is small for being the legislative heart of known human civilization, and empty, except for Chairman Lawrence Ward and the newly arrived Mayor Kane. They're quiet for a moment, and a palpable tension builds in the air before the mayor breaks the silence. 

"Hello, Chairman."

	He walks across the room, which is furnished with a circular table and six chairs arranged around it. He chooses a seat next to the chairman, and lays the documents he'd brought on the table. Lawrence finally responds in a deep timbre that matches his large size. 

"I understand this is urgent. Is there... A reason why this couldn't be done in writing?"

	The mayor exhales, and places a hand on the table. "[i]Great Spirit,[/i] Ward. We work in the same building." The chairman mumbles something indecipherable, and shifts in his seat. "This is a matter of extreme sensitivity. Word of this getting out too early may be dangerous, and I don't like to waste paper." The mayor slides one of the packets of documents over to the chairman, who picks it up, quipping in a disinterested tone. "Really now?..."

	Lawrence scans the documents, taking on a progressively more perturbed expression. "Roaches? And Sheriff MacLeod has confirmed evidence of their existence?" The mayor nods. "He has. We've dealt with wildlife before, but in isolated incidents. Some reports of these insects go back decades, but the frequency of their sightings has increased drastically. Within the last month, there have been over twenty reported incidents, the most concerning being from the Beck boy. By his account, the damn thing tried to attack him before making off. They show the ability to act in coordination with one another, though their offensive capabilities or motives are an unknown."

	Lawrence processes the information for a moment, holding his small head in his chubby hand. He murmurs. "Is this such a big threat? They are just animals, aren't they?"

	They mayor responds. "Maybe. But after the sheriff investigating the reports, there's strong indication something else is afoot. That's why I've signed a closed mandate that this threat is to be investigated and prevented from escalating. The sheriff is going to form a posse from the best hunters and trackers available, and get to the bottom of it."

	The chairman looks at him for a moment before grumbling. "You want to keep this secret. How will you justify all this sudden movement? The last thing the people need nowadays is a big panic." 

	"That's part of your job. You're going to pass that land clearing ordinance Walter proposed, and I'll make a statement to the public that the sheriff is going to be assisting in clearing the forest of dangerous animals before we start cutting."

	Lawrence sighs, and sets the documents down. "I suppose that's acceptable. The people certainly trust the sheriff, they wouldn't think twice about it if he approves of the mission."

"Perfect. Oh, and there's this other matter, concerning the Old Machine. Once these issues are dealt with, of course..."

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	The evidence of the new threat surprises the government. The response is delayed by disbelief, but soon the mayor passes a secret mandate that the sheriff is to gather a posse and investigate the mysterious roaches. The best trackers in New Jericho are recruited for the effort, and the sudden movement is explained to the public as the sheriff assisting in a land clearing ordinance passed by the council.

	As a side effect, more lands will be available for farming (though a diversion from the bigger issue, the ordinance is completely real), and food production will be able to be increased. 

	The mayor also communicates with the council about possible ways to get the fabricator working once the more immediate issues are dealt with, and plans are made for the biggest expedition into the ruins since before the plague... All in good time.

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[hider=Turn Summary] X) Other: investigate the origins of the giant roaches, the threat they pose to New Jericho, and possible ways to eliminate or defend against them. 

A) Improve food: expand available farmland around pre-existing farmsteads, allowing for more food production to facilitate a higher population.[/hider]

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