Rifts - DMH - Journey to Rifle Ridge
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2026 6:34 pm
The morning Brad leaves for Rifle Ridge begins with a detour to Smith Falls. Lysanthra’s foster parents, Max and Byan Johnson, greet him at the door with warm smiles and a barrage of questions. Byan bounces her brows at Liz and Brad in a way that makes her groan, but she keeps loading her gear into the mobile clinic anyway.
Once everything is packed, Brad breaks the news that Sam, Steve, and Maya are joining the trip. They swing by Sam’s place to collect him, only for Steve and Maya to roar into the driveway on a brand‑new Wastelander motorcycle, tires squealing.
Sam stares, “How... and where... did you get that?”
Steve practically vibrates with pride, “Been winning competitions all over the region,” as Sam’s jaw drops.
“Dude! I invited you to come watch! I even offered to buy your snacks! But no! ‘Megana this, Megana that, I need to find...’”
“Yeah yeah,” Sam waves him off.
“Point is, I made enough to buy this.”
“I covered his snowboarding win in the Tribune,” Maya adds, unimpressed. “I tried to tell you.”
Sam rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry. Between work gigs and… searching… I haven’t had time.”
“Well, my man,” Steve beams, “we’re coming with YOU this time. I mean, that's what friends do,” He shoots Brad a brief, disapproving glance before leaning down to wave at Liz. “Hello again! Long time no see!” His smile is thin, but enthusiastic. He shifts his overloaded backpack, skateboard and snowboard strapped on like improvised wings, and tightens the second pack on his chest, a bag of chips poking out of the zipper. Helmet on, thumbs up.
As the two vehicles finally roll out, Sam sighs, “He’s got way too much energy lately.”
Maya shrugs. “He’s making a living with his energy.”
“And I’m not?”
She shoots him a look sharp enough to cut steel. “If you’re going to be like that, I’ll ride with him.”
“Okay! Okay. I’m done.” Sam raises both hands in surrender.
****************************************
Frank and Johnny watch the sunrise paint the sky in streaks of purple, blue, pink, and vanilla. The quiet morning is broken by the hiss of air brakes as several 18‑wheel cargo haulers roll into town. Mr. Elmore’s convoy slows to a stop, and Larry climbs out, grinning like he’s stepping onto a stage.
“Well, my boys! Going to try the obstacle course again?” He points at Frank. “You still have Stage Three to finish!”
Frank is surprised he remembers his name after half a year. Around them, townsfolk gather to see the travelers off; Felix and Angie Coulee, Dr. Greenwood and his wife, Dr. Lewis and Ingrid. Lord Stein stands proudly on the steps of his mansion, hands clasped behind his back. Sheriff Ericson leans against the Justice Center wall, cigar clenched between his teeth, watching everything with a tranquil gaze.
Johnny’s mom rushes over, nearly tackling him as he struggles into his newly acquired red‑and‑yellow Plasticman armor. How he afforded it is anyone’s guess. “You be careful, you hear?” she scolds, jabbing a finger at his face.
“Yeah, Mom... stop... yes... got it... careful... Yup!” Johnny laughs as he tries to peel her off. Frank can’t help smiling.
Brad’s Mountaineer‑turned‑mobile‑clinic rolls into town, followed by Steve on the Wastelander, who flashes two peace signs without touching the handlebars. "Wassup folks! I’m back!”
Johnny elbows Frank. “Oh yeah, don’t forget to pay Brad. He kinda needs it for the trip.”
Johnny’s mom whirls on him. “John, why don’t you pay Brad? Frank’s always buying you things and you’re always taking adv...”
“How much is it?” Johnny blurts, desperate to escape the lecture.
Frank catches a glimpse of someone watching from behind the Bottoms Up; Kendal. Half‑hidden. Wanting to see everyone, but not wanting to be seen.
Liz notices Ingrid lightly wave at her with a pleasant smile, nodding with an expression that says, "Good for you!"
Brad steps out of the ATV, nods to Larry, then smiles at Frank and Johnny, “Alright! Load up. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“My thoughts exactly!” Larry booms, like he’s announcing the start of a broadcast.
Wyatt and Julie hurry over to Brad, pulling him into a tight hug. “Keep your head on a swivel out there,” his father warns. “Things are deadly on the way to the Ridge”
His mother’s voice cracks. “How did you grow up so fast?”
Across the way, Felix and Angie wave to Frank, “Reste en sécurité!” they call in unison.
Once everything is packed, Brad breaks the news that Sam, Steve, and Maya are joining the trip. They swing by Sam’s place to collect him, only for Steve and Maya to roar into the driveway on a brand‑new Wastelander motorcycle, tires squealing.
Sam stares, “How... and where... did you get that?”
Steve practically vibrates with pride, “Been winning competitions all over the region,” as Sam’s jaw drops.
“Dude! I invited you to come watch! I even offered to buy your snacks! But no! ‘Megana this, Megana that, I need to find...’”
“Yeah yeah,” Sam waves him off.
“Point is, I made enough to buy this.”
“I covered his snowboarding win in the Tribune,” Maya adds, unimpressed. “I tried to tell you.”
Sam rubs the back of his neck. “Sorry. Between work gigs and… searching… I haven’t had time.”
“Well, my man,” Steve beams, “we’re coming with YOU this time. I mean, that's what friends do,” He shoots Brad a brief, disapproving glance before leaning down to wave at Liz. “Hello again! Long time no see!” His smile is thin, but enthusiastic. He shifts his overloaded backpack, skateboard and snowboard strapped on like improvised wings, and tightens the second pack on his chest, a bag of chips poking out of the zipper. Helmet on, thumbs up.
As the two vehicles finally roll out, Sam sighs, “He’s got way too much energy lately.”
Maya shrugs. “He’s making a living with his energy.”
“And I’m not?”
She shoots him a look sharp enough to cut steel. “If you’re going to be like that, I’ll ride with him.”
“Okay! Okay. I’m done.” Sam raises both hands in surrender.
****************************************
Frank and Johnny watch the sunrise paint the sky in streaks of purple, blue, pink, and vanilla. The quiet morning is broken by the hiss of air brakes as several 18‑wheel cargo haulers roll into town. Mr. Elmore’s convoy slows to a stop, and Larry climbs out, grinning like he’s stepping onto a stage.
“Well, my boys! Going to try the obstacle course again?” He points at Frank. “You still have Stage Three to finish!”
Frank is surprised he remembers his name after half a year. Around them, townsfolk gather to see the travelers off; Felix and Angie Coulee, Dr. Greenwood and his wife, Dr. Lewis and Ingrid. Lord Stein stands proudly on the steps of his mansion, hands clasped behind his back. Sheriff Ericson leans against the Justice Center wall, cigar clenched between his teeth, watching everything with a tranquil gaze.
Johnny’s mom rushes over, nearly tackling him as he struggles into his newly acquired red‑and‑yellow Plasticman armor. How he afforded it is anyone’s guess. “You be careful, you hear?” she scolds, jabbing a finger at his face.
“Yeah, Mom... stop... yes... got it... careful... Yup!” Johnny laughs as he tries to peel her off. Frank can’t help smiling.
Brad’s Mountaineer‑turned‑mobile‑clinic rolls into town, followed by Steve on the Wastelander, who flashes two peace signs without touching the handlebars. "Wassup folks! I’m back!”
Johnny elbows Frank. “Oh yeah, don’t forget to pay Brad. He kinda needs it for the trip.”
Johnny’s mom whirls on him. “John, why don’t you pay Brad? Frank’s always buying you things and you’re always taking adv...”
“How much is it?” Johnny blurts, desperate to escape the lecture.
Frank catches a glimpse of someone watching from behind the Bottoms Up; Kendal. Half‑hidden. Wanting to see everyone, but not wanting to be seen.
Liz notices Ingrid lightly wave at her with a pleasant smile, nodding with an expression that says, "Good for you!"
Brad steps out of the ATV, nods to Larry, then smiles at Frank and Johnny, “Alright! Load up. Let’s get this show on the road.”
“My thoughts exactly!” Larry booms, like he’s announcing the start of a broadcast.
Wyatt and Julie hurry over to Brad, pulling him into a tight hug. “Keep your head on a swivel out there,” his father warns. “Things are deadly on the way to the Ridge”
His mother’s voice cracks. “How did you grow up so fast?”
Across the way, Felix and Angie wave to Frank, “Reste en sécurité!” they call in unison.