<span style="font-size: 15px"><u><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">Prof. A. Franklin</span></u></span><br/><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><br/>
<span style="font-size: 15px">The Professor actually enjoyed riding on the train and visiting the other cities of the New Haven Alliance, it was the destinations outside of the Alliance that she was not at all fond of.  However, the needs of science dictated that she made an infrequent journey to do work in the field.  Her newest invention, The Lightning Grenade, needed to be tested outside of the laboratory.  That meant not only a ride on the train, but those awful treks riding upon prong horses.  Each time she returned from the field, she promised herself that she'd invent a better saddle, but her 'free time' often disappeared due to new demands by the Alliance.  <br/>
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While the Lightning Grenade didn't always explode, it was a very reliable weapon that had a pin and a timer.  It could be lethal but, dependent on the amount of electricity that was stored in it, it could also be used to stun.  This safari would test the Lightning Grenades effectiveness against the larger wild fauna of the wastelands.  In particular, they would be looking to test them against mammoth centipedes and maybe dragons.  Those giant creatures were extremely tough to kill, especially the adults of the species.  A shell from a cannon could do the job, but the creatures didn't stay still and wait to be fired at.  Even if a Lightning Grenade failed to kill a monster, if they could stop the target from moving then capturing or killing the beast would be much easier.<br/>
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The train whistle blew.  The Prof. checked her chronometer.  They would be arriving in Crossroads in five minutes.  <br/>
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Her Assistant, Rodney, quickly made ready for them to disembark the train.  Then he readied her outer garments, duster, gloves and hat.  When she was properly dressed for the outside, The slender twenty-five-ish Prof. checked her appearance in the mirror.  Some would call the tall brunette with fair skin attractive.  She paid little attention to that but made sure that her skin, shoulder length hair and attire were clean and presentable.  Along with being a capable Assistant, Rodney was an excellent valet.<br/>
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The train soon stopped at the Crossroads station.  The pair waited for the dust to settle and for those other passengers that were in a hurry to disembark before them.  Rodney managed their suitcases, two of which were clothing and the the trunk containing the Lightning Grenades.<br/>
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<u>R. Hamilton</u></span><br/>
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In contrast to his Professor, Rodney loved going out into the Wastelands.  To be fair, the wiry, auburn haired eighteen year old man knew that he'd likely not last long without a Guide that knew how to survive in the wild, but the wide open spaces were such a vacation from the cities and towns that he extremely enjoyed the field trips.  When the train whistle blew, Rodney quickly prepared himself before readying his Professor to exit the train at a more dignified pace.  Some might think he ought to have taken care of her attire before his own, but it made more sense for him to be ready to help her from the train and be at her side than have her wait on him to exit.<br/>
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They carried only what was necessary in their bags, two changes of clothing and minimal toiletries.  They'd each be living in one set of clothes for days at a time.  It could not be helped, but they were hearty and not so dainty that they'd pass out if they had a touch of body odor in the field.   The heaviest item was the trunk containing the Lightning Grenades, which Rodney managed well on his back with the shoulder straps, over his duster.<br/>
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When his Prof. indicated that it was time to get off the train, Rodney led the way.  Just after stepping down onto the ground he set down the two suitcases and offered Alicia a steadying hand....  Sometimes, against his better judgement, he thought of his Prof. as a woman and his mistress.  Not a mistress in the sense of an unmarried sexual partner but as his goddess on Earth.  But the difference in their social classes was too great, he believed and not without reason.<br/>
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Rodney had been born to the slums of Eden City, in a family that eked out barely enough to avoid total bankruptcy and becoming debt slaves.  When he was only six years old, he had been caught trying to steal from Alicia's father, Professor Marvin Franklin.  For some reason that Rodney did not understand, Professor Marvin, in exchange for service until Rodney became and adult, made himself Rodney's legal guardian.  The elder Prof. had his own Assistant and valet, Mr. Belle, school him in the ways of being a good valet and lab assistant.<br/>
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When Prof. Alicia had finished her formal scientific education, four years ago, due to their familiarity with one another and her father's trust in him, the elder Prof. Franklin recommended that Prof. Alicia take Rodney on as her Assistant and Valet.  Some might look askance at a man waiting upon a woman in such a relationship, but Prof. Alicia seemed not to care about other's opinions and Rodney's social station did not suffer.  When he turned eighteen his contract of servitude was done, Prof. Alicia began paying him a wage.  He was grateful for the employment and the life that he had.<br/>
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Now that they were in Crossroads and on solid ground, Rodney dutifully followed Prof. Alicia to the hotel where they would briefly stay.  From there, they would later travel to the town center for the latest news.  Then they would set about the town, looking to hire someone to act as a capable wilderness guide.</span>