On returning to camp Big Derek asked his techs, such as they were, to have a look at the item. It turned out to be a vital part for the positronic brain of a Type 417 cogitator. As such it was a very valuable item to the right buyer.  Unfortunately for Derek those buyers were on the way and had no intention of paying.

Derek called in all the favours he could and dug up all his valuables, staking everything on the one big find. He bullied and cajoled the surviving Chequers to support him, called in all his patrols, and with the valuables hired a band of mercenaries. Under the control of Stig Redmond these were supposedly the roughest toughest melon farmers in the area and they certainly looked the part. Some frantic activity by the bikers knocked the camp into defensible shape and Derek trepidaciously awaited the arrival of the Brotherhood.