Day 1, November 4th, 2020, Approx. 6:15 AM (12:15 GMT)
[sblock=Knowledge (physical sciences) DC 15]The ash is undoubtedly fallout from the nuclear detonation. Given the magnitude of the explosion, and the knowledge that at least one other nearby city was also hit with a similar weapon, the quantity of ash is likely to only accumulate into greater masses over time. It might be weeks before the sky is completely clear again.[/sblock]
[sblock=Treat Injury DC 20]The falling ash is likely to contain radioactive particles from the nuclear detonation. Prolonged exposure will cause radiation sickness which will be worse the longer the period of exposure.[/sblock]
Francisco heads back to the engine to see what he can do. Slivers of light begin to poke through the gently falling ash, but it is not the welcome dawn you had hoped for. The falling ash makes everything hazy and limits your view substantially. Nevertheless, Francisco does have a good enough view to get a few things straight. First of all, he realizes that the electrical systems are completely shot. The jury rig he performed to jump start the engine the first time will no longer work. He is going to need some spare parts to get the vehicle working. It might be possible to salvage the needed parts from similar abandoned vehicles along the road, but it is hard to tell how long that will take. One thing is certain, he can't get it running with the tools he has now.
Perhaps worse is the recognition that the fuel tanks have ruptured. Francisco realized he ought to check this when he discovered the fuel gauge was damaged. As it turns out, the gauge is stuck. It has probably read 1/3 of a tank for miles and no one really gave it much notice. The damaged fuel gauge simply meant that no one realized the truck was out of gas a long time ago and has been running on fumes. If the truck can be fixed, which is difficult to say at this point, it will be pointless if the fuel canisters can't be repaired and more diesel fuel found.
