Rifts - DMH - Journey to Rifle Ridge - Frank
Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2026 6:39 pm
Not much more was said to Marty at the end of the Summer Festival. No one dared bring up Lord Stein again. People drifted away in uneasy silence, as if speaking the name might invite something listening from the dark.
When Frank returned to the bar to help clean up, he learned that Vi and Dusty had escaped jail, triggering an all‑night manhunt. By the time he and the others finished swamping the bar and restaurant, Megana had vanished as well. After that, his friend group felt strangely distant. Life in town pretended to continue as normal, but everyone walked a little faster, spoke a little softer, and kept their doors locked.
In the weeks that followed, Frank convinced his father to fund his enrollment in a culinary school in Smith Falls. It wasn’t just cooking; he wanted to master the precision and artistry behind creating meals that were as beautiful as they were delicious.
While in school, he heard that a horse and Marty’s prized APC had been stolen. Marty had sold off most of his inventory at desperate prices to cover Teddy’s medical bills. Teddy had lost an eye, replaced with a cybernetic one, and much of his skull had been rebuilt with a super‑alloy. After an expensive trip to a place called The Baronies, he recovered with unsettling speed. He grew quieter, more withdrawn... except for the occasional urge to smack Johnny without warning. Yet, something in him had changed.
Johnny visited Frank often. He’d started a horse‑taxi service using a horse rented from Megana’s family, scraping together a few extra credits. He’d also taken self‑defense classes to keep Teddy from beating on him. Johnny always had news, like Kendal had become reclusive since the festival, all the while Johnny's still mooching food and drinks off Frank like nothing had changed.
Not long after, Frank discovered that Kendal had landed an acting gig in Smith Falls, playing the younger sister of a wealthy potato magnate in a show called "Eagle Rock Spuds," a name he finds ridiculous. Still, he watched the show once he learned she was in it. When he reached the episode introducing Louanne, Kendal’s character, he was genuinely impressed by her acting, almost forgetting how petty and cruel she could be to Johnny, and how she always pined after Teddy.
One day, Frank ran into Kendal while she was waiting for a ride back to Fort Hammer, surrounded by bodyguards who immediately got in his face. With a small wave of her hand, they stepped aside. She carried herself like a queen... or a politician. They exchanged small talk until she tearfully told him that Teddy had gone missing and hadn’t been seen in weeks. Her all‑terrain limo arrived moments later. Frank never saw her in person again. Yet, the news about Teddy gnawed at him.
After completing culinary school, Frank returned home and quickly picked up catering jobs. One wedding required him to bake and decorate the cake. He crafted it to perfection; white frosting, flawless texture... but the bride and groom wanted realistic portraits of themselves on it. Frank remembered Sam, Megana’s crush, was a talented artist and hired him. Sam exceeded expectations so thoroughly that the couple refused to let anyone eat the cake. They froze it instead. The tip was enormous, and Frank split it with Sam without hesitation.
During this time, Frank learned that Brad had earned his medical doctorate and now operated a mobile clinic donated by Marty. Dane and the librarian had become inseparable, except when working. Dane had turned into a computer expert, constantly picking up jobs with businesses and law enforcement in both towns.
In Frank’s last conversation with Dane, they'd hyped each other up about the upcoming blockbuster "Stress Fracture." Critics loved it, and Kendal had a small role. The film followed a team of racers in a demolition‑style gauntlet, outrunning bandits while repairing their vehicle without ever stopping. Unfortunately, it's only showing in Smith Falls.
A few days ago, while trying to buy tickets, Frank noticed a job posting for a wedding needing catering in a town called Rifle Ridge, which is about a four‑day drive from Fort Hammer. He didn’t hesitate. He sent a message to the couple, Marnie Wilson and Lucien Caruthers, who were paying handsomely. Within a day, they wired a 10,000‑credit deposit to secure Frank and Sam, after reading references from Frank's last wedding job. Sam was thrilled; before their last gig, he’d been a starving artist.
Soon after, Frank learned that Brad had also taken a job in Rifle Ridge as a traveling physician. He and Lysanthra, whose knowledge of herbs and spices bordered on encyclopedic, would be heading out the same day. Frank also discovered that Larry Elmore, the coordinator and MC of the infamous obstacle course, was bringing his equipment and crew to set up a new and improved version of the course. Maya decided to go once she heard Brad was going. Steve, predictably jealous, followed. And of course, Johnny invited himself along.
Today is loading day. Frank asked Brad if he could use the mobile clinic to haul his catering equipment, which is neatly packed in a chest, a few bags, and a backpack. All Frank needed to do was pay a small fee for transporting his supplies… and himself, Johnny, and Sam.
OOC: Don't post to this thread yet, Post to the main thread "Rifts - DMH - Journey to Rifle Ridge"
When Frank returned to the bar to help clean up, he learned that Vi and Dusty had escaped jail, triggering an all‑night manhunt. By the time he and the others finished swamping the bar and restaurant, Megana had vanished as well. After that, his friend group felt strangely distant. Life in town pretended to continue as normal, but everyone walked a little faster, spoke a little softer, and kept their doors locked.
In the weeks that followed, Frank convinced his father to fund his enrollment in a culinary school in Smith Falls. It wasn’t just cooking; he wanted to master the precision and artistry behind creating meals that were as beautiful as they were delicious.
While in school, he heard that a horse and Marty’s prized APC had been stolen. Marty had sold off most of his inventory at desperate prices to cover Teddy’s medical bills. Teddy had lost an eye, replaced with a cybernetic one, and much of his skull had been rebuilt with a super‑alloy. After an expensive trip to a place called The Baronies, he recovered with unsettling speed. He grew quieter, more withdrawn... except for the occasional urge to smack Johnny without warning. Yet, something in him had changed.
Johnny visited Frank often. He’d started a horse‑taxi service using a horse rented from Megana’s family, scraping together a few extra credits. He’d also taken self‑defense classes to keep Teddy from beating on him. Johnny always had news, like Kendal had become reclusive since the festival, all the while Johnny's still mooching food and drinks off Frank like nothing had changed.
Not long after, Frank discovered that Kendal had landed an acting gig in Smith Falls, playing the younger sister of a wealthy potato magnate in a show called "Eagle Rock Spuds," a name he finds ridiculous. Still, he watched the show once he learned she was in it. When he reached the episode introducing Louanne, Kendal’s character, he was genuinely impressed by her acting, almost forgetting how petty and cruel she could be to Johnny, and how she always pined after Teddy.
One day, Frank ran into Kendal while she was waiting for a ride back to Fort Hammer, surrounded by bodyguards who immediately got in his face. With a small wave of her hand, they stepped aside. She carried herself like a queen... or a politician. They exchanged small talk until she tearfully told him that Teddy had gone missing and hadn’t been seen in weeks. Her all‑terrain limo arrived moments later. Frank never saw her in person again. Yet, the news about Teddy gnawed at him.
After completing culinary school, Frank returned home and quickly picked up catering jobs. One wedding required him to bake and decorate the cake. He crafted it to perfection; white frosting, flawless texture... but the bride and groom wanted realistic portraits of themselves on it. Frank remembered Sam, Megana’s crush, was a talented artist and hired him. Sam exceeded expectations so thoroughly that the couple refused to let anyone eat the cake. They froze it instead. The tip was enormous, and Frank split it with Sam without hesitation.
During this time, Frank learned that Brad had earned his medical doctorate and now operated a mobile clinic donated by Marty. Dane and the librarian had become inseparable, except when working. Dane had turned into a computer expert, constantly picking up jobs with businesses and law enforcement in both towns.
In Frank’s last conversation with Dane, they'd hyped each other up about the upcoming blockbuster "Stress Fracture." Critics loved it, and Kendal had a small role. The film followed a team of racers in a demolition‑style gauntlet, outrunning bandits while repairing their vehicle without ever stopping. Unfortunately, it's only showing in Smith Falls.
A few days ago, while trying to buy tickets, Frank noticed a job posting for a wedding needing catering in a town called Rifle Ridge, which is about a four‑day drive from Fort Hammer. He didn’t hesitate. He sent a message to the couple, Marnie Wilson and Lucien Caruthers, who were paying handsomely. Within a day, they wired a 10,000‑credit deposit to secure Frank and Sam, after reading references from Frank's last wedding job. Sam was thrilled; before their last gig, he’d been a starving artist.
Soon after, Frank learned that Brad had also taken a job in Rifle Ridge as a traveling physician. He and Lysanthra, whose knowledge of herbs and spices bordered on encyclopedic, would be heading out the same day. Frank also discovered that Larry Elmore, the coordinator and MC of the infamous obstacle course, was bringing his equipment and crew to set up a new and improved version of the course. Maya decided to go once she heard Brad was going. Steve, predictably jealous, followed. And of course, Johnny invited himself along.
Today is loading day. Frank asked Brad if he could use the mobile clinic to haul his catering equipment, which is neatly packed in a chest, a few bags, and a backpack. All Frank needed to do was pay a small fee for transporting his supplies… and himself, Johnny, and Sam.
OOC: Don't post to this thread yet, Post to the main thread "Rifts - DMH - Journey to Rifle Ridge"