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Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3.

Posted by GMFor group 0
GM
GM, 650 posts
Sun 9 Feb 2014
at 07:46
  • msg #1

Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Old wooden walls rise up from the east bank of the Mississippi, fifteen to twenty feet high depending on the depth of the landscape the fort is built upon. The logs lining the top of the wall are sharpened into points, and nothing inside is immediately visible other than a lone watchtower slightly above the ramparts itself.

Surrounded by water on one side and open ground on the others, Fort Dixie was a strategic point during the Civil War. Now instead of a tourist attraction it has been turned into a Fortress and Trading Post for wayward survivors.
Open grassland the length of a few hundred yards north,  west and south eventually reach the forest of the Fort's National Park, a boundary where Fort Dixie holds no power. The only gap through the woods is a paved road, winding out of view and leading off to the rest of the national park and the highway several miles away.

An empty dock sits along the bank nearest the Fort, with rough wooden steps overgrown with brush leading up the slope from river to flat open ground just outside the fort.

Inside is an old military layout complete with cabin and hovel lodgins, a dilapidated mess hall as well as what were once senior officer's headquarters. The watchtower sits near the center of the little settlement overseeing the river and the open territory.

Outside the fort walls is a ditch a couple meters deep. Once the ditch was bare, but now has been filled with large crudely sharpened spikes as a defensive measure. Undead at any given time find themselves impaled upon the devices as they wander into the area, following the voices or sights of the living inside. These spikes seem incomplete, with some areas of the ditch ceding open turf.
The only visible entry into Fort Dixie is a tall gate, heavy and formidable, it is wide enough to allow vehicle entry.

*****this thread will be one of a few Fort threads. For our purposes this thread in particular will be used for activity in the EXTERIOR parts of the fort. That is; character interactions/events taking place in the courtyard of the fort, the ramparts, any alleys or open spaces up to and including the immediate outside area of the fort proper.*******

visuals to guide an idea of the Fort; not exact representations but general idea;



This message was last edited by the GM at 08:18, Sun 09 Feb 2014.
GM
GM, 652 posts
Tue 11 Feb 2014
at 05:25
  • msg #2

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

TIME BUMP

Setting: Outside the walls of Fort Dixie.
Time: Evening, its getting dark but daylight still lingers.
Weather: Warm, but not as warm as has been the usual..

------

Using their riverboat the Caravan had found a drop off point along the riverbank where they could decide their next destination. With no vehicles besides the boat they split off into two groups; one would go on to gather vehicles from their last camp in addition to weapons and whatever food or other useful supplies they could bring. The other group of weaker individuals remained on the boat, lingering anchored in the river off the bank for some semblance of safety from possible walkers.

After some time they met up again to continue on to the only place nearby that held apparently security.

Traversing the Civil War National Park road that wove through ominous forest, they found themselves pulled up in front of Fort Dixie. Approaching slowly after appearing in the open ground surrounding the old fortification to make their presence known and show they weren't up to anything.

People of different ages, genders and ethnicity began to appear in force upon the ramparts of the Fort, their heads peaking above sharpened logs that marked the top of the battlements. A few people held torches to ward off the impending black of the encroaching night. Due to the angle it wasn't clear if any weapons were being held by the people occupying the heights.

They watched carefully as the small Caravan of vehicles made their way and parked a respectable distance from the huge wooden doors barring entry.

The group massed on the ramparts began to stir anxiously and whisper among themselves as a huey chopper arrived on scene, propelling above the Fort and the Caravan both before descending into the field near the Caravan.

Bewildered but undaunted, the Fort occupants shuffled positions, a few rifles appearing among the defenders.
Tension rippled through the camp before finally someone stepped up to speak...
Toby
NPC, 1 post
Fort Leader
Tue 11 Feb 2014
at 05:31
  • msg #3

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

An darker skinned man stepped up to the highest point of the battlements above the heavy doors of the Fort. He was dressed as ragtag as the rest of the Fort dwellers (from what could be seen from outside and below the walls), he was relatively average in appearance but for his dark eyes which had a spark of some awareness, intelligence, what have you. His status was most of all apparent from how the Fort dwellers waited on him to do something. Clearly he was in charge though he was not physically imposing.

"State your business and we'll state ours.. And what's with the chopper? You might have attracted walkers this way." He spoke simply, trying to gauge the strangers. Some of them looked rough and ready while others looked just rough.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 166 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Tue 11 Feb 2014
at 23:07
  • msg #4

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Because its better than walking" Dominic replied stonily from where he was leant against the nose of the Huey, the pair of handguns plainly visible for all to see "...and since we're the ones outside of the walls let us worry about that, D'accord?" he'd almost welcome some Zed's right about now, something to take his anger and self pity out on, hell they may even kill him and solve all of his problems.
He'd buried Sierra at the edge of a field whilst the others had gone about recovering vehicles and supplies. Come summer the place would be covered in wild flowers, hiding the stone marker on which he'd scribbled her name using a black marker pen, not the best of headstones but better than most got these days.
Once the task of burying his dead friend had been completed he had rejoined his few remaining friends in the caravan; piloting the helicopter to the fort even if the guy on the wall didn't seem to appreciate it.
Lyle Carranza
player, 122 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Wed 12 Feb 2014
at 07:05
  • msg #5

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle parked his old Buick near the front of the group, the man had a point about drawing in the geeks with the noise. He wanted to put in his two cents about why the caravan was doing here but Lyle hadn't the idea. He wanted to go ahead and skip this place if he could, but the group needed the supplies and this was better than scavenging the forest. So he stayed inside his car and waited on Cookie or that biker guy to do the talking.

He looked around the group, not much of them are left. It was surprising to how much actually made it, without so much as a scratch. Lyle was glad the real leaders were here again, he doesn't know if could handle the stress.

Looking around still Lyle's eyes latch onto a familiar face. It was that guy from the office building, the one who interrogated him and took the little girl away. 'why the hell is that bastard here!?' Lyle clinched his knuckles. He wasn't about to start a scene, not right now. He'll have to wait until the two of them are alone.
Cookie
player, 297 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Wed 12 Feb 2014
at 12:30
  • msg #6

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Hey, you !"  Cookie said, having gotten the big boat to chug to a stop.  Snark she did not need.  Hands on hips, she said, her voice carrying, "Some MANNERS, maybe ?  They come even without the noise, you know that by now.  This is the Caravan.  I am Cookie.  We would like to talk to you like civilised people."
Benson Bohannon
player, 117 posts
The Stranger
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 01:10
  • msg #7

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Bohannon cautiously approached the gates on foot. He had ridden the boat down the river, having lost his Bronco back in St. Louis. The Bronco that was bought from this place, supposedly. He was close. Bohannon was soaked in blood and sweat and quite frankly he looked awful. He carried across his back the duffel of guns and ammo and his own Winchester over his shoulder. On his hip was as always his faithful old Colt Peacemaker.

As Cookie and Dominic began the conference with the man on the wall, Bohannon hung his head and leaned against a nearby vehicle. He said under his breath "Oh sure, piss him off..." This worried the cowboy. He had never been this close to finding him since what happened back in Nashville. He couldn't let Cookie ruin this chance. But he had to play it cool. Bohannon crept up close to Cookie and whispered to her "Don't screw this up, Jersey. We need to get in there, or we're gonna die out here. We're running out of food. Supplies are dwindling. And we're short of people. We won't survive the season out here, we need to get in there." The cowboy eyed the fort's great walls. Getting inside was a real shot at survival, and his only shot at revenge. But were the two mutually exclusive...?
Kaidan
player, 12 posts
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 05:32
  • msg #8

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Kaidan stood next to his mother as he watched the New Jersey woman and the French man speak with the guy in the Fort. He munched the last of a bag of peanuts he stole from the riverboat and pocketed the empty wrapper. Kaidan was well dressed, considering the end of the world and all. He wore a grey cardigan, a collared shirt and a pair of good skinny jeans. His dark hair, formerly well kept, was now over grown and beginning to fall in his eyes. He swept his hair aside as he looked around the group. There were the people he had lead out of the building back in St. Louis; Lyle, Justin, the older boy with the floppy hair. And the others, who had come to rescue them. Kaidan hadn't yet met everyone, and certainly didn't know all of their names. As he looked around at the people around him, he remembered the item in his pocket. Kaidan slipped his hand inside the pocket and fingered the device. He wanted to return it to it's owner, but could not sum up the courage to go and talk to them. The teen had become distracted with his own thoughts and didn't realize that he was staring awkwardly at New Mexico.
Cookie
player, 298 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Thu 13 Feb 2014
at 11:50
  • msg #9

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Benson Bohannon (msg # 7):

"And YOU think you're the one to caution ME," Cookie growled at Bohannon in an undertone - the zombie-baiting goof that he was.  She returned her gaze to the rude man on the fort, then did the peaceful hands-open-I'm-explaining gesture, a sweet smile upon her face. "Sorry - we went through a lot to get here, and one of us does need some medical care, can you please see your way clear to helping us out ?  As humans speaking to humans, in the land of the dead ?"   
Toby
NPC, 3 posts
Fort Leader
Sun 16 Feb 2014
at 04:34
  • msg #10

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The dark skinned man with the high ground surveyed the group as they spoke amongst one another. He caught a few words but some of them were inaudible. It was clear the group had been through hell but they weren't those other people in the forest across the field. They weren't that clever, he hoped.

Toby didn't need any trouble, but then again he was knee-deep in dealing with the hostile group already harassing the Fort. Tim had gone missing several hours past with no word. My People might not like it, but maybe this group knows something about Tim. They made it through the park road, but maybe they had to deal with the bandits. He thought quickly.


It was all about trying to gauge if any trouble would come from allowing new people to stay, albeit for the short to medium term. He already had troublemakers in his own ranks, but granted they had their uses. These strangers seemed more grit than dead weight judging from their scant numbers. He could definitely use extra fighters for a campaign against the others.

His eyes drifted between each of them as they spoke before addressing them, Cookie's last words having been enough for him to decide.
"For sure, you all can come in. We have a doctor of sorts to help out, we'll need you all to go through a check for bites. You can remain armed for now, but any trouble and they'll be confiscated, and if there's any violence you're out of here. You control your people, I'll control mine. Any trouble between our groups and we work it out all civil, alright?"

His tone was more neutral at this point than critical now that he could see some value in the strangers and felt they were normal enough not to disturb the peace within the fort, however tentative it was.

"Open the gates." He ordered to unseen individuals who promptly stepped up to do so.
"I'm Toby, by the way. Bill will explain the run of things here and set you up with shelter and food." One of his companions lifted a torch to reveal Toby's features as night crept up on them all.
"Oh and we have a makeshift shower to clean up your group. Its cold of course but it works. When you're all settled I need talk to you some more."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:29, Sun 16 Feb 2014.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 1 post
Fort Member
Sun 16 Feb 2014
at 04:38
  • msg #11

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Anne-Marie stood near the entrance to the Fort as the doors opened up. She wore some rough looking casual clothes, functional but difficult to keep clean. The former flight attendant turned undead-fighter had been a transition but she'd managed to this point with the luck of establishing herself in a good spot with a few good people (but not enough).

Putting on as welcoming a smile as she could to strangers, she prepared to greet them along with a large crowd of the many other inhabitants of Fort Dixie.
Holding a big canteen of cold water she would offer it to the newcomers. She hoped to make new allies if these people weren't fucked up like the people in the woods just across the fields.

"Hey people, water here on the house, courtesy of the Mississippi."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:06, Sun 16 Feb 2014.
Loa
NPC, 2 posts
Fort Member
Veterinarian/Camp Doctor
Sun 16 Feb 2014
at 04:54
  • msg #12

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

She had viewed the new group as they had made their way over to the Fort, making no pretense of their arrival. That was fortunate, for it told them the intentions were not malevolent. As for any deceit at play, Loa felt it was unlikely.

After watching Toby watch the strangers close the distance she could tell already he was probably going to let them in. She didn't dabble in politics but she knew what the problems were for the Fort, and that they needed new talent. She didn't refer to new survivors as 'fresh meat' like some did. It just wasn't right.

"Bill hun? Before you take them I need to check their wounds." She told the old former lawman in her kindly tone. Toby had told her he appreciated her way of dealing with people, it calmed them. Calm was something they all needed.

She had a couple of helpers, two middle aged women who had some form of experience in assisting the weak or wounded. One held a bucket of water while another held a first aid kit.

With the new group entering, she quickly wet a cloth in her colleagues bucket, wrenching the excess water from it so as to be ready. She anticipated having to clean these people up a little to check for bites before they could go any further through the Fort. She out on a sweet disarming smile that did not disrespect the grim tone of the days they all now lived in.
Hector
NPC, 11 posts
Caravan Member
Sun 16 Feb 2014
at 05:13
  • msg #13

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Lyle Carranza (msg # 5):

Hector remained silent in his typical way, his dark skin hiding some of the large amount of human and zombie blood adorning his tall form. The moment the helicopter had landed he noticed Vega in tow with Dominic. He remained as aloof as could be, it not being in his style to detract from events despite his intense dislike for the man who tried to kill him, and killed many of his friends.

They'd grappled in the tower, with Hector wrestling a gun from Vega's fingers while almost gutting the man with a combat knife. He wished he'd succeeded, and couldn't have backed up Lyle's position more.

When Lyle spoke up Hector placed a hand that wasn't blood covered on the tense man's shoulder, "It doesn't matter why he's here. We can see he gets what he deserves soon enough. He can't be trusted around our people, or these people."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:14, Sun 16 Feb 2014.
New Mexico
player, 191 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Sun 16 Feb 2014
at 05:20
  • msg #14

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Kaidan (msg # 8):

The wounded but recovering teenager leaned one of the salvaged vehicles the others had retrieved as the big-wigs deliberated over whether they liked eachother or not. It was like arguing over the sandbox, but he understood the tension. He was just too exhausted to go any farther. This place didn't seem to have any walkers around besides the ones impaled into spikes in the ditch around the outside of the Fort. Some were dead, some were writhing pointlessly. He as sick of being so used to this shit.

Sighing, he glanced between his diminished group, glaring the same daggers at Vega's presence as everyone else, but wanting to believe that Dominic had a good reason for bringing him.

His gaze landed on Kaidan who was awkwardly eye-balling him. The seventeen year old shifted his feet, his muddied and broken shoes revealing a couple of toes on each foot. "What's up bro? Do I have somethin in my teeth?' New Mexico managed a small smirk despite the dull pain in his shoulder he'd gone used to. Maybe Dominic still had some meds or the people in the Fort, if he was lucky.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:52, Sun 16 Feb 2014.
Lyle Carranza
player, 123 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Sun 16 Feb 2014
at 08:13
  • msg #15

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle only nodded to the tall African American, and started his car back up again. He drove it into the fort before doing a three point turn to make it face the exit. If there was a need to make a hasty exit, Lyle's car was ready. He got out of his car and slung his pack onto his back, his fire ax and hunting rifle holster in the pack's ripped side pockets. He the assault rifle from the soldier inside, it was out of ammo and was no use.

Lyle walked up to the woman offering some water. "Thank you. And thank your Leader for me- us. We really needed this rest stop." He took a quick swig from the canteen and swished it in his mouth. The cool clean water felt refreshing. He gave the canteen back after he drank a little more. "Hoo damn. That hits the spot."
Cookie
player, 299 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 16 Feb 2014
at 09:45
  • msg #16

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Behave yourself," Cookie said to Bohannon in a firm undertone, then sauntered into the fort at the edge of the pack.  She let the dark ease up and was happy to hear the gates shut.  Night meant it was harder to spot the undead, and she was tired from fighting and running.

And she peaceably submitted to the bite check, but waited for her turn at the shower, letting those worse off than her go first.  Her handbag had a spare tank top in it, so that would do for clothes for now.  She waited for the man from the fort to come looking for her, or at least send a request to speak, and rested, considering what she would say - and she listened.  To the general tone of the fort, the conversations, the body language of the people in it, if that cowboy or some others of the Caravan were causing trouble, she listened very carefully.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 167 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sun 16 Feb 2014
at 18:16
  • msg #17

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Listening to the exchange that went on between the two leaders, Dominic grabs his weapons and gear from the back of the chopper; awkwardly buckling the cavalry sabre about his waist before indicating that Dr. Vega should get walking with a shove.
It was as he was heading towards the gate that he notices the icy looks being directed at his...well...prisoner he supposed the correct term would be "Guess they do know you after all, you'd better hope this place has a stockade" or you're liable to swinging by tea time he silently added without even the barest trace of pity or humour within his mind.
After submitting to the required checks he singles out the woman who appeared to be in charge of those doing the checks and in a calm if somewhat world weary voice asks "Do you guys have a surgery or something here? I could do with checking in with a patient of mine" he said nodding towards NM wanting to see how his wound had fared during his time in captivity "Don't worry I have my own supplies with me I just need somewhere quiet" he continued before any protestations about dwindling supplies could be made, hell if need be he'd trade some of his supplies stashed in the chopper if that was what it took.
Bill
player, 6 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Mon 17 Feb 2014
at 07:44
  • msg #18

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

A bonfire in the center of the open courtyard lit the grounds of Fort Dixie with warm yellow orange light. A cloud of dust rose up into the night sky as Lyle conducted his three point turn with proficiency within the confines of the Fort walls, and when it settled and the rumble of the engine ceased, Bill wandered into the group as Anne-Marie passed out water and Loa performed the bite checks.

"Good evening, good evening" Bill began to make his way though the Caravan members, offering a hand shake to each one as he spoke. "My name's Bill, and welcome to our Fort. We don't have much here but we call it home. Some of us are from around here, some are wandering travellers like y'all are. Me, I've been here in Lauderdale County oh- I'd say thirty years. I used to be the Sherriff around here." Bill stopped in front of Cookie after greeting the other newcomers. "Pleased to meet you, the name's Bill. You know, I'd bet green money that you hail from the 'Garden State', and I think I'd be right in saying so, on account of your accent. Don't get me wrong, now, I've got nothin' but appreciation in my heart for Northerners. I've always said Northerners, though they lack our Southern hospitality and kindly disposition, are a hard working people who know the meaning of perseverance due to livin' in colder temperatures. Cookie, I've been asked to pass on a message to you, and that is that Toby would like to see you. He's waiting in the office over there."

Bill pointed to a small building separate from the main quarters that in Civil War times would house the commander of the Fort, but now served as the private quarters and administrative headquarters for the Fort Leadership. Next to it was a larger building of the same style that was the Cabin, where the Fort Members slept and kept their personal belongings. On the opposite side of the courtyard was a warehouse that served as an armoury and food storage, and beside it was another Cabin. Bill now pointed over to the second Cabin, which appeared to be unoccupied as there were no lights in inside.

"That there is your Cabin, where you'll be sleeping. Take some time to get settled in, and we'll all have breakfast together in the morning. Tonight, if you need anything don't you hesitate to find me. I'm looking forward to gettin' to know you folks. You're the biggest group of newcomers we've ever had at once."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:56, Mon 17 Feb 2014.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 2 posts
Fort Member
Mon 17 Feb 2014
at 21:04
  • msg #19

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Lyle Carranza (msg # 15):

Anne-Marie eyed Lyle's ride with some interest, not because of what the vehicle was itself but because of the valuable fuel inside. Any supplies newcomers could bring to trade or to contribute was worthwhile as it meant they did not have to risk any lives to scavenge what would be increasingly bare cupboards up and down the region.

Grinning a little at Lyle as she surveyed his form she accepted the canteen back when he was finished, "And thank you for not being one of the crazies out there." She replied confidently, well practiced at detecting the true intentions of the visitors who came through the gates every month (less and less so after the Bandits showed up). It was one of the reasons that Toby sought her council.

"My name is Anne-Marie, who are you, tough guy?" She offered, raising an eye brow in a humorous way even though there wasn't much to be humored about anymore. It was good to see a new face, and one of someone who looked like they could hold their own and contribute.

"Come over to some light and we can check you for bites and scratches. Its awkward I know, but we can get you cleaned up and fed too." She suggested, sure he'd rather have a woman help him out than any of the men surveying the new crowd. Loa in the corner of her eyes seemed to be helping the European, so she had to make a friend or ally now too.

She gestured towards a covered area of the courtyard where there was a weak fire that could give some light. A few blankets sat on a chair nearby with a pail of water as well as some wash towels.

"So what brings you all out here? You look like you've been through a lot." A-M probed casually as she led him over, if he wanted to follow, that is.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:04, Mon 17 Feb 2014.
Loa
NPC, 3 posts
Fort Member
Veterinarian/Camp Doctor
Mon 17 Feb 2014
at 21:10
  • msg #20

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 17):

If the young woman had any recoil to Dominic using their resources she didn't show it, instead nodding as if it was just a matter of course that they would help with the wounded. "Certainly, we have a medical cabin you can bring him along to. My helpers will take care of the others if you and your friend want to follow me?" She replied gently, knowing that the new arrivals were in rough shape and that with all the bite checking and new surroundings they could use some respite in tone as well as action.

"I'm Loa, the resident doctor here. I'm really just a Veterinarian, though. Are you a doctor? You called the young man your patient." Loa asked, drying her hands on her apron before extending it to shake Dominic's hand in greeting. Nodding to New Mexico with a small smile, she avoided offering a hand to the wounded youth so as not to provoke him raising the wounded limb inadvertently.

"How about we share supplies, at least for your wounded for now?"
Lyle Carranza
player, 124 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Mon 17 Feb 2014
at 21:47
  • msg #21

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle shrugged a little, "I'm just as glad to see we aren't dealing with any crazies ourselves. And I'm no tough guy, just some guy named Lyle." He followed the woman over near the fire. Lyle paused and held up his hands to it, rubbing them together to keep the warmth inside. He didn't know how dark it got until now, I guess that's what happens when you spend most of the day hiding away from the geeks outside. Once he warmed up a little, Lyle didn't hesitate to remove his elbow and knee pads, his canvas jacket, and finally his denim jumpsuit. Lyle let it hang around his ankles, "I used to work in a gym, I was a fitness instructor. If anything, this doesn't phase me no more."

Lyle held out his arms and took a vitruvian man like pose. He only allowed the Anne-Marie to look for bites, he took it upon himself to wash his body. "Who hasn't been through a lot these days? We're just looking for some supplies to stock up on fuel, food, gubbins. I don't know what our leader is thinking, maybe we'll stay maybe we won't." Lyle ran the wet rag over his body. It was bruised and batter in areas he didn't know about. The dirt hid it well he suppose. It was refreshing to finally get the grime all off. Maybe finally get a chance to get a change of cloths.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 168 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Tue 18 Feb 2014
at 19:37
  • msg #22

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Shaking the proffered hand Dominic manages to muster up enough strength for a brief but friendly smile as he replied to her "I am Dominic, most of our group took to calling me The Doc though in truth I am or rather I was a paramedic" a lot of roll changes had taken place after Zombieland after all hadn't Cookie mentioned herself being some kind of waitress? It was hard to picture their fearless leader handing out drinks...though maybe the bat had something to do with that.
At the mention of sharing supplies Dominic hesitates; he wasn't used to sharing especially valuable things such as medical supplies, however Loa was being helpful so perhaps it was time he got over that particular hang up.
With all of this running through his mind in the space of a few seconds he cautiously replies "Oui...for now" before calling NM over "NM mon ami, lets get that shoulder of yours looked at; NM this is Loa, Loa NM, she's the fort's doctor and has been kind of enough to let us use her surgery" he said, making the introductions before making a move towards the medical cabin, an actual medical building and not a room in some dingy ruin perhaps things were finally beginning to improve for him.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:06, Wed 19 Feb 2014.
Karen Ellison
Player, 41 posts
The Traitor
Wed 19 Feb 2014
at 00:36
  • msg #23

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

*Flashback - The First Wave - Near Atlanta, Georgia*

...Ring...Ring...Ring...Ring...

The black and white SUV raced down the suburban streets as men and women ran to fill their cars with valuables and leave town. Atlanta was lost and the evacuation order stretched wide. Karen swerved around a couple of abandoned cars and continued towards her goal. Kaidan...

...Ring...Ring...Ring... "C'mon, Kaidan. Pick up... Pick up..." ...Ring...Ring..."Hey, it's Kaidan. Leave me a message, or don't. Whatever..." ...Beep "GODDAMMIT!! Kaidan pick up the phone!!!!" Karen tossed the phone to the floor and punched the steering wheel hard. She lost it for a moment. The thought of those zombies sweeping across Atlanta and now spreading fast... She couldn't stand the thought of them reaching the house before she did. She had left Kaidan with his best friend when she was called to the front. They should be far enough away from the city, but the horde was moving fast. She couldn't stand to lose him too... Karen reached down and picked up the phone, dialling again.

...Ring...Ring...Ring...Ring...

*Present Time - Fort Dixie, Mississippi*

Karen stood back and watched things unfold. She was relived that the Caravan had been granted entry into the fort. She still felt like this was their best shot at survival, if the people here proved friendly enough. She said her proper greetings and introductions, putting on a friendly face, despite all her dark bruises. The inside of the fort was impressive. They seemed to be doing well here. Karen beckoned for her son to follow, and moved into the line to be checked over for bites.

"So, what do you think? Does this place look better than the road?" Karen asked Kaidan, laughing gently.
Kaidan
Player, 13 posts
Wed 19 Feb 2014
at 01:31
  • msg #24

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to New Mexico  (msg # 14):

When New Mexico spoke to him, Kaidan startled slightly. He didn't realize he was staring, and felt kinda embarrassed. "What? No... I was just..." Then Dominic called the teen over to work on his wound. "...Nothing." And Kaidan turned and walked away, feeling stupid. The boy hung his head as he caught up to his mother. He turned his head back to survey the crowd, see if anyone noticed him being weird. He wasn't sure. New Mexico was out of sight and nobody else seemed particularly interested in what he was doing, so he was probably safe. Kaidan said nothing as people mingled around him, introducing themselves. He stood quietly, thinking.

"So, what do you think? Does this place look better than the road?"

Kaidan caught another glimpse of the wounded teen moving through the crowd. He smiled to himself, picturing the smirk he'd gotten a moment ago, and replied to his mother. "Yup..."
Blind 'Lime' Jefferson
NPC, 1 post
Wed 19 Feb 2014
at 02:42
  • msg #25

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Blind "Lime" Jefferson sat on a raised part of the wall, near to where Toby stood, jabbering with the new folks. He sat in an old wooden rocking chair with a cane in one hand, tapping away to the strange rhythms in his head. Jefferson wore a cheap suit, and it was wrinkled. Like he slept in it. "Oh sure, sure Toby. By all means let them folks in..." His tone was disapproving and his accent scratchy and southern. He had every bit the voice of a Delta Blues man. "Why you is lettin' thems in here Toby? I mean I ain't one one to drive no stranger from no doors, but Toby, you aint gon' let thems stay here no longer then you needs ta? Is ya? All them people comin' in my house now." He shook his head in a strange fashion. Then he started shouting down to the Caravan. "Y'all hear that?! You's in my house now!!!" He lowered his voice and spoke to Toby. "Toby, I didn't feel so bad 'till the sun went down, but I still ain't got no soul to throw my arms around. These is strangers. You watch 'em! You watch 'em close I tells ya!!!!" The strange man trailed off into incoherent rambling until he pulled a mouth organ from his jacket pocket. He belted out a sorrowful tune, tapping away.
Vega
NPC, 13 posts
Wed 19 Feb 2014
at 04:48
  • msg #26

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Dr. Vega stayed close to Dominic as the rag-tag group entered the gates of the fort. He figured Dominic had control of him, and trying to walk away would not receive a favourable reaction, never mind fleeing. Vega had no interest in fleeing however. Trying not to over extend the long leash Dominic had put him on, Vega spoke up softly. "Excuse me, Dominic, Loa (nice to meet you, I'm doctor Vega) Might I accompany you to the infirmary? I'd like to extend the offer of my medical services to you. I am a medial doctor, epidemiology is my specialty." He looked to Dominic and back to Loa. "I'd like to help."

Vega was behaving himself. He knew after what had happened back in St. Louis, and the people who had survived and were here now, that they'd be hard pressed to let him be. But he thought the offer of his hard-to-come-by expertise may help to persuade them not to jail him for now...
Ricky Robes
player, 37 posts
The Journalist
Wed 19 Feb 2014
at 09:57
  • msg #27

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Ricky shuffled forward with the caravan, keeping to himself mostly like he was trying to make himself smaller or less noticeable. He seemed to be in a daze and kept his eyes down, not really in the mood to talk to anyone right now if he even had anyone to talk to. He was still the newcomer in the caravan and with the loss of Doug, he felt even more isolated now although he was surrounded by other survivors. The line for bite checks slowly proceeded forward and he went through the motions as instructed, his thoughts still lingering on the caravan's lost members.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 169 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Wed 19 Feb 2014
at 22:22
  • msg #28

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

As Dr. Vega offered his services; his medical expertise no doubt out shining that of both himself and Loa combined, Dominic briefly considered the proposition before replying "Oui...you can come along, though what exactly were you doing back in St. Louis? And why should I trust you with anything more complex than a bandage?" he hadn't had chance to say more than a brief greeting with any of the other Caravaners and so didn't know what exactly had happened in St. Louis or what part the good doctor had played in them. However Dominic was becoming increasingly aware of the fact that the man was not popular and that he was not so much stopping him from escaping than stopping the rest of the group from killing him. He wasn't sure what he would do should someone challenge him on the matter, murdering someone in cold blood still didn't quite sit well with him despite what had happened last time he hadn't pulled the trigger "Lets go and take a look at this surgery then shall we?"

-------> Medical Cabin
Anne-Marie
NPC, 3 posts
Fort Member
Thu 20 Feb 2014
at 05:52
  • msg #29

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Lyle Carranza (msg # 21):

Sure, she openly watched the man as he undressed and washed up, but made sure not to overdo it in case he became uncomfortable. The people at the Fort were quite used to each other by then, and she was curious about newcomers. And she had to check for bites. She hated the dreaded check, for sometimes they found wounds on people that the victims didn't even know were there. In such a case you had to put them down quick.
After assessing Lyle was no bite-threat she seemed visibly relieved, though she wasn't all that tense to begin with. "Thanks.. Lyle." She confirmed her findings that he was in the clear, trying out his name too. They hadn't had a Lyle before at the Fort.
Turning away to a pile of old clothes that had been gathered, she tried to find something that might fit the new guy, she had to guesstimate and so it took a moment of rifling. "I see.. Well you people are the biggest group to make it through to the Fort in weeks. We trade with other groups in the region, when we can, anyway. I'm sure Toby will fill your leader, that lady Cookie, in on whats up. We've had some trouble with people in the woods across the field. That's why Toby was a bit peckish about you all showin' up." As she had her back turned she slipped a thin blade out of her right sleeve, placing it under the clothes she did not take when turning back to Lyle. He was clean, so there was no need for the weapon.
"Sorry about the wait there, just trying to find something that might fit ya." She passed him the clothes, only able to offer him a blanket to dry off with, towels were a commodity.

After handing off the clothing she ran a hair through her long, annoyingly messy dark hair, almost getting her fingers caught in the process. It was next to impossible to get a good clean or wash one's hair. She took the chance to scavenge for shampoo and conditioner when she could, or else she traded.
She glanced across the courtyard, spotting Loa walking off with a few of the new guys to the medical cabin. She should have an escort. She's being careless.."So whats with the guy your French friend is leadin' around?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Thu 20 Feb 2014.
Loa
NPC, 4 posts
Fort Member
Veterinarian/Camp Doctor
Thu 20 Feb 2014
at 06:09
  • msg #30

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Dominic and Vega;


The perceptive veterinarian noticed the fatigue in Dominic's features as he made an attempt at cordiality despite the toll of the travel to get to the Fort. She noted the caked blood on Dominic's clothes and skin, but didn't make a fuss about it. Loa smiled sweetly, amused by his comment about having the role of Doctor in his group. "I see. I've had it similarly. Because we have no actual doctor I'm the best substitute. They know I'm a vet but in a pinch they think I'm some specialist. They are good people but.. I'm no miracle worker." Her small smile faded somewhat.

Hearing her cautious tone made her wonder if she'd crossed a comfort zone. It was difficult trusting others all of a sudden, she understood. After all it wasn't walker blood on Dominic's form. Leaving it alone she turned her attention to the patient in question who didn't seem to be in a healthy state. "Hello there, we're going to get you settled and fixed up, okay? You're in safe hands now." She was already assessing the wounds without asking about them. It would be better to have the wounded in a more sterile, safe and quiet location before going further. "Let me help you walk, if that's alright with you, NM. If may ask, what does NM stand for?" If allowable the young vet would try to walk alongside the teenager on the non-wounded side of his body, offering herself as support for walking.

Vega gave Loa some pause, and she seemed unsure how to proceed for a moment, unaware of what was going on between the two men, and if the apparent prisoner was a threat. "I-I suppose." They'd have to address it later. If the man was a thread he'd have to go into the stockade.

-to Medical Cabin
New Mexico
player, 192 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Thu 20 Feb 2014
at 06:16
  • msg #31

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Loa and Dominic;

NM had stepped away from Kaidan, Karen and the others when Dominic called him out. Lucky for him, because he was starting to get looks from the Fort people who were worried about his wounds. Maybe they thought he might be bitten under the mess of broken flesh, maybe they thought he was near death. "I'm still not bitten, so knock off the looks." He stated to the designated bite-check ladies after a cursory look over. Rolling his eyes NM walked slowly and weakly through the crowd to Doc, that asshole who took Rachel away and some fine lookin lady he was eager to meet all of a sudden.

"Heyyy nice to meet ya, Lola." He said to her in a weak voice, a charm offensive hidden in the dryness of his parched throat even while he butchered her name immediately after Dominic repeatedly stated it.

Unawares of himself, it was clear he was taken with the woman who was older and out of his league. Not to mention the doctor-patient relationship rules.

"I don't want that fuckface touching me." New Mexico declared poisonously, all too eager to seek refuge on the arm of a good woman like Loa who assisted his frail form in walking to the cabin. If not for her he might have sworn off treatment because of Vega's involvement.

"He murdered Rachel, a little girl. We had dozens of people and because of him they are all dead."

-to Medical Cabin
Gabe
NPC, 1 post
Fort Member
Thu 20 Feb 2014
at 06:26
  • msg #32

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 27):

"You are clear and ready to proceed, little dude!" A jolly, young bearded guy with a Metallica t-shirt announced to Ricky after the man had gone through the procedural bite-screening. It was always awkward and Gabe didn't care for it. Like a few other notables in the Fort he tried to make things easier for new traders or plain newcomers. The standoff on the walls was procedure too, and like the bite-checks Gabe saw the need but did not enjoy putting folks off. He remembered the first time he entered the Fort.

Slapping Ricky on the back in a congratulatory gesture, the tall, amiable, knit cap wearing guy steered Ricky to open space in the courtyard past all of the crown of Caravan and Fort mixing together. "Hey bud I know what you're goin through. Its all new and different and a little creepy and awkward and it seems too good to be true and all I gotta say is you're safe, you can relax. FOR NOW." It was a concoction of reassurance and warning. Warning for the trouble always outside the walls, stuck on the pikes in the pits.. The people in the forest..

"But anyhoo I'm gettin ahead of myself. I'm Gabe." Detaching himself from the smaller guy he offered a big hand for a shake. "Sorry for grabbin at you, my buddy Saito is Asian too and about your size.. well anyway whats you're name, brother?"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Thu 20 Feb 2014.
Toby
NPC, 4 posts
Fort Leader
Thu 20 Feb 2014
at 06:36
  • msg #33

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Blind 'Lime' Jefferson (msg # 25):

Toby watched the Caravan enter through the gates from atop the ramparts of the Fort. He wanted to visually confirm they'd all made it inside and with their vehicles and belongings (minus a huey chopper on their front lawn outside the walls). Giving a nod to some of his people manning the gate they promptly closed the massive doors and dropped a beam to brace it shut. Thankfully for all of them, Caravan and Fort together, there were no apparent undead out about at the moment but for the handful of writhing, clutching biters that were impaled upon the spikes in the ditch around the walls.

After sending Bill to greet the new people and seek out the leader apparent he took a moment to recheck the landscape beyond the walls before taking a few steps to the stairs, encountering Lime on the way.
A bemused look on his otherwise neutral features, Toby tilted his head and shrugged as Lime went on about his misgivings. "I have my reasons, Lime. Have to look at the big picture, y'know?" He replied in what was in low, quiet voice, lined with control.

"Relax Lime, they're going to get the cabins across from ours to use. I don't want our people mixing sleeping space until we're sure they'll stay." Toby took Lime's complaints with ease, not worried as he knew it was simply the way Lime was. Sometimes new people didn't like it, but it was welcome amusement and conversation in an otherwise drab world. Lime was lucky that he didn't have to see it.

Taking Lime's music playing as a cue to move on, he gently rested a hand on the rambling man's shoulder to tell him not to play his music so late in the evening. It could attract walkers and by morning they'd have to re-clear the defensive ditches.

"You know Lime sometimes I think you see more than the rest of us do. Sometimes." Toby commented knowingly before departing towards his own personal cabin. He was conspicuous so that Cookie would know where to find him.

-to Toby's Office and Quarters
Lyle Carranza
player, 126 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Thu 20 Feb 2014
at 07:39
  • msg #34

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle pushed back the clothes given to him. He didn't mean to be rude, but he just preferred his own cloths. Plus he has his own spare cloths hidden away in a few suitcases that take up most of the backseat of his car. "No need." He put his dirt ridden cloths back on, deciding to change out of them afterwards. His eyes went over to see Dominic, NM and Vega walking over to a cabin on the far end of the fort.

Squinting to make it look like he wasn't sure who she was talking about, Lyle shrugged. "The kid or the older guy? The kid, he's New Mexico. His nickname, I don't know his real name. I don't think the others know either. The other guy, I don't  know. I'm sorta new-ish to the group. I only know a handful of people." Lyle didn't want to give off the impression that there were some in his group that were a treat. He didn't want to cause chaos when they just got invited in. For now he lied and shrugged off the question. "Actually that reminds me I need to find my compadre." Quickly Lyle changed the subject and went off further into the fort.

"Jee! Yo Jee!" Lyle went started to search for his socially inept friend.
Ricky Robes
player, 38 posts
The Journalist
Thu 20 Feb 2014
at 12:51
  • msg #35

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Ricky was slightly thrown off by the jovial nature of such a gruff looking man as Gabe. He admired that the man was able to keep such an uplifting spirit even if he couldn't enjoy it at the moment. Too much had happened for him to really enjoy this right now. Ricky gave a reflexive smile as Gabe made small chat. He returned the man's handshake and replied, "Ricky, and don't worry about dragging me away from my group, wasn't really going anywhere anyway." He watched as the caravaners chatted up this new group and started to get settled. These people were so different from the ones they just escaped from. It didn't really feel real yet; the loss hadn't fully set in, the people weren't really gone, their farm wasn't really abandoned, and his first friend in months wasn't really dead yet.
Lyle Carranza
player, 127 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Mon 24 Feb 2014
at 08:18
  • msg #36

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Having trouble spotting his friend among the crowd, Lyle went about wandering the grounds of the fort. For the most part,everyone seems to be meshing well. The caravaners and the fort people stick to who they know, while only a few actually talk and converse. No fights just yet. Lyle kept calling out for Justin, but grumbled when he got no response. He'll turn up. Lyle saw him only moments ago when they got their cars back. Heading further into the Fort, Lyle noticed someone rush into the cabin the Doc brought Vega into. Clenching his fists, Lyle let it pass, he didn't want to get involved. Not yet anyways, Vega will get his soon enough.

Walking around, Lyle notices the 'garage' area. It definitely caught his attention, from the looks of it, it looked well supplied. God know his ol' Buick needs a tune up, but he didn't know who was in charge of the supplies or even if he was allowed to touch the stuff. Choosing to ignore his common sense, Lyle walked over to the garage.

<To Fort Dixie - Stables(Garage)>
Benson Bohannon
Player, 118 posts
The Stranger
Sun 2 Mar 2014
at 23:12
  • msg #37

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Bohannon had hung back as the rest of the Caravan dispersed throughout the Fort, cautiously observing. It was strange, entering someone else's community like this. Though he had alluded to the possibility that this Fort Dixie may be "the Colony" it was plain to see that it was not. While they were set up pretty nice, this was not the glimmering image of home he was hoping to find. The cowboy stuck to the shadows, the large black duffel over one shoulder, the Winchester rifle over the other. Bohannon felt uncomfortable here. He'd certainly not be able to rest until he could at least satisfy some of his questions. But where to start? The cowboy looked around, sizing up the fort people, choosing his angle. Then his eyes landed on the perfect guy.

To The Stables--->
Gabe
NPC, 2 posts
Fort Member
Tue 4 Mar 2014
at 05:56
  • msg #38

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 35):

Gabe chuckled in his hearty way at Ricky's comment, the little remark seemingly quite amusing to the large man. "HA, you can say that again, my man!" He gave Ricky a friendly clap on the shoulder, with one his big welder hands, scarred in some places from his trade. "So can I get you something to drink? We won't be able to eat till tomorrow, all of us, but if you're parched I can help." He offered, gesturing to the water well in the middle of the courtyard. Water from the river was accessible from the well, allowing the Fort to access their h20 without leaving the compound. Food was another matter..

"So where are you from? You don't look like a native southerner if you don't mind me sayin, ha."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Tue 04 Mar 2014.
Karen Ellison
Player, 43 posts
The Traitor
Tue 4 Mar 2014
at 06:21
  • msg #39

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Karen stood in the centre yard with her rifle dangling from one hand, and her Police jacket dangling from the other. These, plus her duty belt were now the only items she owned. It was a strange thought to get used to. She gave her son a slight smile as she saw his mind was elsewhere. He hadn't talked to her about what had happened to him while he was at the St. Louis facility. He swore he hadn't been hurt, but that was all he would give up. Karen didn't like the way that Kaidan shut down, kept things bottled up. She could tell there was a whole world of hurt inside her boy, but she couldn't get him to open up about it. Just like his father. This was an ongoing issue that frustrated the single mother to the point of keeping her up at night.

Most things kept her up at night. Small sounds in the shadows and the thoughts of zombies lurking there. Memories of life before the Fall, and the small pleasant things that made it good. And memories of deeds, both good and bad. Things she'd done. Sacrifices she'd made. People she'd gotten killed. That list was much longer now, and she'd have to give up even more sleep for them. But the most important thing, always weighing so heavily on her mind, was Kaidan. He was the only reason to keep going, keep moving, keep fighting. Without her son, Karen would have given up and died a long time ago. There were more times than she could count where the only thing that brought her home safely at the end of the day was Kaidan. He was worth fighting for, he was worth living for. These were the thoughts she repeated to herself every time she went out on a call. These thoughts brought her back from the brink of death when they shipped her tired, broken body out of Iraq. And these were the thoughts she repeated to herself every day now.

"Kaid, are you okay?" She asked the distracted boy next to her. He shrugged it off and she knew he was lying. But there was no use pressing him. "Tomorrow we'll go on a run to find something to eat, okay?" She wasn't expecting supper. Karen was not one to expect someone else to take care of her and her boy. She refused to be a burden on the people of this fort.

Having cleared the bite screenings, Karen and Kaidan walked deeper into the Fort. Everyone was scurrying about their business. Karen watched as the dark eyed man from St. Louis was escorted to the brig. She watched as Cookie went about her meetings, wondering if her betrayal was a major topic of discussion. She watched as some of the men disappeared into the stables. Everyone was going somewhere. Now she had to figure out where she belonged...
This message was last edited by the player at 00:12, Wed 05 Mar 2014.
Ricky Robes
player, 39 posts
The Journalist
Fri 7 Mar 2014
at 21:58
  • msg #40

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Ricky graciously accepted the water. Thinking back, he realizes he hasn't had anything to drink or eat all day. "You're right, I'm not from around here. Uhh . . . More north, Wisconsin actually. My family moved from the East coast a few years back. After all this started, my family went south. Got split up a couple months back and I just kept heading south. To be honest, I don't remember crossing state lines. I was alone for a long while before I met these folks, good people from what I can tell." He knew he was saying more than he probably should have but it felt good to confide in someone.
Alex Cross
player, 14 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Sat 15 Mar 2014
at 16:09
  • msg #41

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

After meeting up with some local traders and confirming with his map, Alex heads towards the Fort, avoiding the areas that Colton Black-Rabbit had warned him about, he didn't want to run into any "unfriendly" folks.

Alex pulls up towards the fort and stops short, holding up his hands in a non-threatening manner, he yells to the gate, "I hear you folks trade, are you interested?"
Gabe
NPC, 3 posts
Fort Member
Mon 17 Mar 2014
at 05:17
  • msg #42

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

It was impossible to miss the old motorcycle making its way across previously well manicured fields towards their walls. "Son of a.." Gabe muttered as he peered over the spiked logs lining the upper ramparts. Traders had been so rare in the last several weeks due to the hostiles in the forest that any sight of strangers made one anxious in a good and bad way.

Casting a glance to his fellow watchmen he raised himself up into view to the guy yelling at them outside the walls.

"That depends what you have to trade, fella." Gave surveyed the main carefully, leaning slightly against what appeared to be a spear of some sort. "How'd you find this place?"
Alex Cross
player, 15 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Mon 17 Mar 2014
at 22:09
  • msg #43

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"I trade in information and skills, and (looking around at the fort defenses)it looks like you're in need of both, also, I have some intell concerning Colton Black-Rabbit."

Starts his motorcycle, and does a 180 degree turn, facing away from the fort..."I've got other people to talk to if you're not interested."
Gabe
NPC, 4 posts
Fort Member
Wed 19 Mar 2014
at 02:31
  • msg #44

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Gabe exhaled loudly in slight annoyance at the Fort's perceived defenses being pointed out by someone outside the walls. Either the guy was right or he was just trying to be cheeky.

"Alright alright, I'm openin up, 'long as its just you." He knew Toby needed supplies, fighters, and any new about their trading partners that could be had. Colton Black-Rabbit was a name that had clearly interested the Fort watchman.

"Once you're inside stop in the courtyard for a bite check, stranger." The tall bearded man disappeared for a moment before the big heavy doors to the Fort began to open up, allowing the trader to enter.

Inside Gabe would be waiting with a handful of other Fort members ready to keep the man in one spot and check him for bites; common protocol for admission inside. Also they had to be sure he wasn't crazy.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 178 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Wed 19 Mar 2014
at 20:47
  • msg #45

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

*Time skip*

With the screw driver gripped between his teeth, Dominic awkwardly lay under the Huey’s dashboard as he twisted the two wires together that would connect the mike in his helmet to the speaker mounted in the rear compartment of the helicopter that would hopefully allow him to communicate with anyone in the back without having to shout.
With the wires held in place with a strip of electrical tape he carefully picks his way through the mess of wiring in search of any further loose connections. Hearing the roar of a motorbike engine coming from outside however breaks what little concentration he had as he leans up to try and listen to the shouted conversation going on outside before giving up on the idea Probably just a wanderer looking to trade he thought to himself though there hadn't been many of those as of late from what he could gather.
From where he lay in the Huey; now parked in what had once upon a time been the parade square he would get a good view of the guy if he entered and so made no move towards the walls, confident that if the guy decided to cause trouble he wouldn't be causing trouble for long
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Wed 19 Mar 2014.
Bill
player, 10 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Wed 19 Mar 2014
at 22:32
  • msg #46

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The sound of the motorcycle in the morning drew everyone's attention. Bill had volunteered upon his arrival to the Fort to organize the security on the wall, and given his experience as a County Sherriff he was the best man for the job. He knew Gabe would be on shift now, so he took his time getting to the gate. Gabe was much better at his job than some of the other watchmen, namely Luke, their newest recruit. Bill now hoped to find some capable young men among the Caravan to help out with the watch.

The old man sauntered up to the courtyard in the front passing next to where Dominic was working on the Huey. "Mornin' Dominic!" Bill noticed the doctor and pilot and waved up to him as he shouted. "Don't you work too hard now, c'mon down and get some breakfast!"

Bill was on his way this morning to the breakfast buffet the Fort Members set up outside the food storage building. Resources were scarce, but there was a full spread of toast, eggs, bacon and sausage. For now they were even fortunate to have Orange juice, but who knows how long it would be before they saw it again, once it ran out.

Bill overheard the mention of Colton Black-Rabbit on his way up to the new arrival. "Say now, what's this about Colton Black-Rabbit?" Bill stopped to talk to the man with the motorcycle. "I'm sorry, where are my manners. Welcome to Fort Dixie, my name's Bill Proctor, I used to be the Sherriff around here, pleased to meet you. Now what's this you say about Colton Black-Rabbit?"
Alex Cross
player, 16 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Sat 22 Mar 2014
at 17:06
  • msg #47

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Alex again studies the area, noting the people, armaments and other relevant data...including the surprise of a working? helicopter. Once inside, he shuts off his motorcycle and slowly gets off, making sure to not give anyone an excuse for stupidity. He allows himself to be checked for bites.

After being checked, he turns to the sheriff type fellow
quote:
"I'm sorry, where are my manners. Welcome to Fort Dixie, my name's Bill Proctor, I used to be the Sherriff around here, pleased to meet you. Now what's this you say about Colton Black-Rabbit?"


"Pleased to meet you Sheriff Proctor, I ran into Colton Black-Rabbit when I was heading this way, however, what I have to discuss should best be told to whoever is in charge, would that be you?"
Dominic Dubreton
player, 179 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 22 Mar 2014
at 18:31
  • msg #48

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Hearing Bill's call as he passed him was all the excuse Dominic needed to stop working; his train of thought already more than a little de-railed by the arrival of the bike "Sounds like a plan to me mon ami" he replied amiably as he climbed out of the Huey's foot well.
It was as he was sauntering over towards the buffet with its strong and ever so inviting smell of bacon that he notices the newcomer. Taking a slight detour he moves over to inspect the mans bike and give a low whistle of appreciation "C'est bon" he said more to himself than anybody else, wishing that he still had his Honda. But alas the silver Honda was propped up against the guard room wall at the airbase where he'd found the Huey; a nice gift for the next guy to come along with a tank of gas.
With his love of fast bike satiated for the time being he turns and carries on his way towards the awaiting buffet.
Bill
player, 11 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Mon 24 Mar 2014
at 00:25
  • msg #49

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Well... Yes, of course." Bill was not used to being asked that question. He shot a knowing glance to Gabe and then back to Alex. ""I'm the... Director of Security... but let's share this with Toby right away. Have you had breakfast?"

Smooth recovery, Bill thought. He put his hand on Alex's shoulder and motioned to the breakfast buffet. He was sure Toby would be coming out for some bacon and eggs, or perhaps he was still in his office. In any case, Bill wanted to be part of this business with Colton Black-Rabbit. Any message coming from Colton was bound to be important.

"Let's have some breakfast and we'll see if Toby is around." Bill turned his head back to Gabe. One more thing to take care of. "Good job on watch tonight Gabe, why don't we get you some extra bacon?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:28, Mon 24 Mar 2014.
Alex Cross
player, 17 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Mon 24 Mar 2014
at 16:58
  • msg #50

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"I wouldn't mind some breakfast, and I'm assuming Toby is the commander?" By force of habit, Alex continues to take in everything, making sure to note exits, vehicles, who carries weapons or not, the layout of the interior of the fort...."Not to be critical, but, you being the director of security, I notice there's alot of room for improvement in that department. I was ummm...director of getting into places like this." 
Gabe
NPC, 5 posts
Fort Member
Mon 24 Mar 2014
at 22:46
  • msg #51

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Bill (msg # 49):

Gabe let Bill take care of the newcomer, friendly and jovial but still keeping an eye on the stranger. He had been quite open with the Caravaners who'd come in days before, but this new guy was here alone, which was something to watch out for. Usually there was a reason. Luckily Gabe wasn't a terribly judgmental guy.

"You know I would love some, Bill, but save it for the others." The feast they were having today wasn't a regular thing, as Bill and Gave well knew.
Toby
NPC, 9 posts
Fort Leader
Mon 24 Mar 2014
at 22:52
  • msg #52

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Toby had walked down to the lunch area in the courtyard of the Fort after surveying the action at the gate from his somewhat elevated cabin. Keeping a placid disposition he watched as Bill spoke to the stranger and Gabe shadowed him.

It had been weeks since he'd heard from his trade partners. Damn bandits were filtering most of the survivors passing through the area, but that hadn't stopped them from attacking the Fort and its raiders. Any news that could be had was of interest to him. It also crossed his mind that the man could be part of the hostile group in the woods.

The eating area was located in the main exterior nearest the center of the Fort. The watchtower, the highest point in the Fort, was a sort of anchor in the middle of the compound where a dozen or so picnic tables were gathered.

Toby was dining on a bowl of soup, with something meaty mixed in. It looked pretty pitiful, but the Hispanic man didn't seem to mind at all.

Around him some children of the Fort and other adults were eating at their own tables. They curiously surveyed the stranger who had just entered, but seemed rather at ease. The Fort didn't have a breakfast this size on most occasions, so they were keen to take advantage of the situation. Toby had needed this event to win over the big group that arrived three days past.

He waited quietly in thought for the others to make their way to him, while giving the odd smile or grin to the kids that were eating next to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:53, Mon 24 Mar 2014.
Karen Ellison
Player, 46 posts
The Traitor
Tue 25 Mar 2014
at 04:13
  • msg #53

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Alex Cross (msg # 50):

Karen walked across the yard, the enticing smell of breakfast not lost on her as everyone else headed towards it. Karen was headed towards the stables. Then she spotted the loner who had been let in. She wasn't comfortable with that, letting in loners. She herself had infiltrated the Caravan as a loner. She knew how easy it was to gain the trust of a group like this. That was not something she was going to let happen again.

Karen watched the man as he entered, claiming news of something someone cared about. It was a perfect pitch. When it was her, her "in" was being found beaten up, barely alive. Was this news his?

Karen carried on her way towards the stables casually. As she passed him, she looked back and spoke, in a voice that conveyed no mistrust, but rather near flirtatiousness. "Hey, do I know you?" She stopped in her tracks, and walked the few steps back to where he stood. She had a distinct feeling of not trusting him coupled with an equally distinct feeling of having seen this man before. But where was it? Who was he? Now this man was a mystery she could not ignore. He was a whole pile of questions that she needed to answer. Karen kept her attitude friendly and her body language non-threatening. "Yeah, yeah. I've seen you before somewhere." Karen laughed a little, smiling at the man nicely. "What's your name?"
Alex Cross
player, 18 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Tue 25 Mar 2014
at 16:36
  • msg #54

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Alex followed Bill over to the lunch area, keeping his eyes on the interaction between the citizens of Fort Dixie...it was quickly obvious as they approached the tables who was the guy in charge, Toby.

Grabbing a plate and loading up some food, he was about to head over towards Toby when a woman stepped up to him
quote:
"Hey, do I know you?" She stopped in her tracks, and walked the few steps back to where he stood. She had a distinct feeling of not trusting him coupled with an equally distinct feeling of having seen this man before. But where was it? Who was he? Now this man was a mystery she could not ignore. He was a whole pile of questions that she needed to answer. Karen kept her attitude friendly and her body language non-threatening. "Yeah, yeah. I've seen you before somewhere." Karen laughed a little, smiling at the man nicely. "What's your name?"

Aaron stares at the woman for a minute, assessing her, after a pause he says, "I'm not from around here, and no, I doubt you know me...if you'll excuse me, I've got an appointment."

Stepping around her he goes directly to the table where Toby is sitting, "You must be Toby, mind if I join you?"
Toby
NPC, 10 posts
Fort Leader
Thu 27 Mar 2014
at 04:16
  • msg #55

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Alex Cross (msg # 54):

The dark skinned man looked up at the newcomer, nodding in greeting, a small smile, but appropriately grim for the world they lived in. "Pull up a seat." He gestured to one of his people standing nearby, and a bowl of rations similar to Toby's was promptly placed in front of the traveler. It was modest and plain, unlike the more enjoyable breakfast food being served to the rest of the inhabitants. The Fort leader made no move to shake hands or anything, instead continuing to thoughtfully poke at and savor his meager breakfast.

"So you know who I am, but who are you?" He asked with no particular urgency, but with clear interest. Toby noted that Bill was lingering, with Gabe in tow.

"Thank you, guys, I can take it from here." Toby dismissed the small gathering headed by Bill, trying not to single out the older man for shooing.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:31, Thu 27 Mar 2014.
Alex Cross
player, 19 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Fri 28 Mar 2014
at 22:46
  • msg #56

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Alex sits down and introduces himself, "Alex Cross, nice set-up you have here. I'm a trader by nature, usually services rendered and/or passing of information, then I move on. I had heard about this place from another group of traders."

After swallowing a mouthful of food, "Luckily, I ran into Colton Black-Rabbit and he warned me about some raiders that were lurking around the local roads, so, I took a few shortcuts to get here. Unfortunately, these same raiders had attacked him a couple of weeks ago when they were headed here to trade. He said that he was going to try again, or if you wanted you could try to meet him."

Alex ponders his words for a second, "There's some other things I need to discuss, but, I'd like to do so in private."
Bill
player, 12 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 01:42
  • msg #57

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Well that explains some things." Bill said to no one in particular. He ignored Toby's subtle dismissal. This was a public gathering spot, and one of Bill's favorite passed times was to talk to the families and the young children while they ate their breakfast. Bill would not be ordered away by Toby.

"If the raiders are blocking the roads, they can't get to the Fort with the supplies they're delivering. We'll need to go out and meet them, Toby. I'll volunteer to lead the searchin' party, just like when we went out to look for Tim. Who's with me?"
Alex Cross
player, 24 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 02:41
  • msg #58

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Clearing his throat loudly enough to get Bill's attention, "Sure, but, wouldn't it be more prudent to think this through before any knee-jerking goes on, I mean we're talking about riding out like a bunch of cowboys...well, I was just thinking, maybe we should talk this out, make sense of things...."

Pulls out his map, pointing out known raider locations, last known location of Colton and then lastly at the fort...

"I'm not the smartest man in the world, but, what if we find a solution to not only this immediate problem, but establish a long-term solution..maybe even a permanent one. I have an idea, if you're willing." Alex looks at Toby.
Toby
NPC, 12 posts
Fort Leader
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 03:11
  • msg #59

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Toby quietly and patiently heard out Alex as he pitched his situation, his interest piquing when Colton Black-Rabbit was mentioned. He took a moment to compose his thoughts, picking apart the chunks of rabbit meat in his soup as he picked apart the facts that Alex fed him. "Well-" Toby opened his mouth to speak but Bill interrupted,
Bill:
"If the raiders are blocking the roads, they can't get to the Fort with the supplies they're delivering. We'll need to go out and meet them, Toby. I'll volunteer to lead the searchin' party, just like when we went out to look for Tim. Who's with me?"


Setting his bowl on the table, Toby endeavored to maintain his placid demeanor but it was obvious the interruption was irksome to the Fort Leader. But Toby was not the type of man to typically lose his cool or speak without carefully considering his words. The drifter, Alex, was quick to jump in and Toby cleared his throat to make both men quiet, albeit briefly.

"Look, Bill, your enthusiasm is appreciated as always but I will decide upon a course of action when I am ready to. And I recall that Brady led the search party." As usual the Latino tried to maintain a respectful atmosphere but Bill had often proven obstinate even when given all due regard.

Turning his attention to Alex once more Toby abruptly brushed a hand over the edge of Alex's map to roll it up. His movement was hasty. He did not want to discuss sensitive matters, especially with maps, in public with everyone, and with a stranger at that. "We're getting ahead of ourselves. Take your map, follow me to my cabin." The darker man's words were pithy and brief.
Standing up from the picnic table Toby's body language indicated he was departing and expected Alex to come along before Bill became any more of an obstacle to conversation.

-to Toby's Cabin
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Sun 30 Mar 2014.
New Mexico
player, 195 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 03:20
  • msg #60

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

A frail but noticeably healthier New Mexico sat at a picnic table with a robust serving of the breakfast rations on a scratched up plate. Loa had assisted him in getting cleaned up and settled over the last couple days, and with Dominic's watchful eye NM had rallied. His normally tangled hair was somewhat tamed now that Loa had given him something of a trim. It was fine by the normally shaggy young man, as long hair was a grab-risk from the undead.

He was still bandaged and weak, but with the stability of not having to move place to place, he'd prove to be healthy-ish in a few weeks. The teen had taken a shot to the shoulder a couple weeks prior, and only time would tell if he'd ever be like he was before.

Not bothering with utensils, the ravenous NM dug into his plate, food stains adorning his digits, but he didn't care. It was better than being covered in blood or walker gook for once. His behavior was in line with his past, but the loss of so many friends and allies in the Caravan just a few days before was weighing heavily on him. His body might heal, but his typically jovial disposition was hampered as of late.
Kaidan
Player, 18 posts
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 03:23
  • msg #61

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Kaidan walked away from the parking area and towards the smell of fresh food and light conversation. All this talk of music and bands reminded him of the thing he wanted to do, but was avoiding doing out of nervousness. Kaidan entered the breakfast area, meandering, procrastinating. But finally, there was nowhere else to go. This was a Band-Aid he was going to have to just rip off. Kaidan took a plate and sat next to New Mexico. There he summoned his courage. "Hey, New Mexico." That was the hardest part, beginning. "I uh, well, when they took you, I found this in your stuff..." Kaidan reached into his pocket and pulled out the small iPod and headphones he pilfered from New Mexico's confiscated things back in St. Louis. "One of the uh, nurses, back in the city... She had some pretty good music on her computer." Kaidan laughed. "Yeah, they had computers up and running back there." He shook his head. "Yeah, and she let me steal some music. So it's all charged up for you, and there's some new stuff on there for you too. You like MGMT?" Kaidan held his hand out to New Mexico with the iPod.
Benson Bohannon
Player, 122 posts
The Stranger
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 03:39
  • msg #62

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Toby:
"And I recall that Brady led the search party."

That was the confirmation Bohannon was waiting for. He almost choked on his bacon as he overheard to conversation stray briefly past the topic of Brady. The cowboy's blood started to boil, his heart raced, and his breathing became heavy. He was here. Bohannon let out a long, deep, calming breath. Now, how to find him? In the three days since the Caravan's arrival, Benson had not seen the man he was looking for, only found small clues to his presence here. Bohannon would have to bide his time, find someone to give him more info. If Brady had moved on, Bohannon needed to know about it now so as not to waste any more time here. The sheriff was his first lead, but the booze had not caused the man to give up enough. The cowboy needed another mark, but who?
New Mexico
player, 196 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 04:05
  • msg #63

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Kaidan (msg # 61):

NM glanced over briefly at his new table mate before taking up a few pieces of bacon, popping the end of one in the corner of his mouth before easily tearing it free and devouring it. Bacon was rare, so sure he was gonna eat it like jerky and enjoy the hell out of it. Something made him suspect this wouldn't last."Sup?" Kaidan was new to him, and he was still getting used to the younger guy. The little dude had helped them escape, and that made him trustable enough. It was just hard having to meet new people, only to see them die soon after. Perhaps all survivors felt that way.

Baggy eyes widened in surprise when Kaidan revealed what NM had assumed to be long gone amongst his erstwhile possessions. He'd stopped chewing, swallowing quickly whatever was left in his gullet. "No way!" He lit up, regaining some of that fine stuff that made him New Mexico. The teen did not hesitate to take back his iPod, quickly popping in one of the ear phones, all but ignoring the prospect of a working computer and some science bitch fucking with his music. The sting out what those people had done was raw.

"'Course I like MGMT." NM replied matter-o-factly, clearly pleased with this gift. "I bet they would have been coming out with their new album right about now." He flipped on the power to test it, of course. It was one of those things that made life tolerable in Zombieland.

"Thanks, Kaidan. That's fuckin sweet, dude."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Sun 30 Mar 2014.
Luke
NPC, 7 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 04:11
  • msg #64

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Benson Bohannon (msg # 62):

The resident Fort Hipster approached the picnic tables, always late to every occasion due to the time he spent maintaining his trim mustache with a pocket mirror. His inability to focus on guard duty and pick up slack in other duties had made him the victim of lectures from Bill.

Taking up a seat next to Bohannon the trendy young man gave a nod of greeting. "Hey there, I'm Luke. Mind if I sit here?" Not waiting for an answer, he started to eat some of the food he'd collected. "Damn I wish this could last."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Sun 30 Mar 2014.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 181 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sun 30 Mar 2014
at 12:22
  • msg #65

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

With a plate full of food Dominic took a seat near the other caravaners; nodding his head in greeting to NM before beginning to eat his own breakfast; not wanting to interrupt the boy's conversation with Kaidan. He got on well enough with NM but he wasn't going to fool himself into thinking that he was "Down with the kids" and so left them to it.
The food was glorious; after months of nothing but mostly cold food scavenged from where ever the hell they could find it the breakfast put on by the fort was the best thing eaten in a long while, hell the bacon alone achieved that. It was as he was tucking his way through his third rasher that Bill made his John Wayne style call to arms, prompted by whatever Toby and the newcomer had been discussing. Keeping his hands firmly down beside his plate so as not make any moves that could be construed as him volunteering Dom went back to his breakfast, after all Cookie had already signed him up for one combat mission so he wasn't about to sign up for another one although he was curious over what had spurred on such move.
Hearing the choking sounds coming from Bohannon he turns to see if the man required any help though upon seeing he was fine settled for taking the piss instead "Steady on cowboy, chew and swallow remember?"
Bill
player, 13 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Mon 31 Mar 2014
at 00:50
  • msg #66

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

How Rude.

 Bill had never really liked Toby, and he knew that Toby had never really liked him either. It was the night the two men first met, at Toby's house on a night in August in the middle of the hottest heat wave that Bill could remember, that they really began to dislike one another. Each time they met after that, when Bill was called out to Toby's place by the neighbors, their dislike grew, and eventually became full blown animosity. Most people around Fort Dixie were not from Lauderdale County, but Bill and Toby were.

 Toby had lived here a while, but Bill had lived here longer. So when the trouble started and order was lost, Sheriff Bill Proctor was first on the scene. His first attempt at survival was gathering all the people he could find and bringing them to the gym of the county high school, where he and the other deputies had set up a shelter with basic provisions. This plan was short lived. Bill returned one evening from driving around in his squad car looking for other survivors (he found none) to discover that zombies had infiltrated the high school and killed everyone inside. Bill had no choice at this point but to seek out the old Civil War fort by the river that others had turned into a defensible shelter. Fort Dixie.

 After Toby and Alex left to speak privately, Bill walked over to what was left of the breakfast buffet. Now that the Caravan had gotten settled in, the Fort Members wanted to impress them. They needed the new people, and Bill wanted them to like it here. He loaded up a plate with eggs and toast because there was no bacon or sausage left. He poured a cup of coffee made over an open fire, and when he thought no one was looking he poured in a gulp of the whiskey he kept in the flask in his breast pocket.

 Bill sat next to Dominic and Benson and Luke, filling the gap between them and Mahmoud, the only other person at the table. "Enjoying your breakfast everybody?" Bill took a nice slow drink of his coffee. "Say, I've never really heard your whole story. How'd you folks come by here? Some of you look like you've been through a lot"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Mon 31 Mar 2014.
Benson Bohannon
Player, 123 posts
The Stranger
Mon 31 Mar 2014
at 06:53
  • msg #67

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Bohannon removed his black gambler hat from the spot where Luke sat down, not paying much attention to the man. Dominic's words went unheard by the cowboy as he stewed in his own seething hot lust for blood. Then the old drunkard joined the men and Bohannon was struck with his next play. "Search party, huh? Y'all had someone go missing? Y'know, I fancy myself a pretty fine tracker. Unless of course y'all got a tracker 'round here already. Then hell, he can keep the job." Bohannon knocked back a large gulp of the delisiously bitter coffee that had been served to them all, hoping that Brady's prowess as a tracker would be enough to get the drunk old sheriff to give up his location. As he awaited a result, his mind went back to the moment it happened.

<FLASHBACK>

"There's no good or bad with you, is there Benson? Is there nothing you care about, other than saving your own ass?"

The old Nashville bar was lit only by flashlight. The two men were arguing, screaming at each other carelessly, considering what lurked outside. Benson rebutted "Like you give a damn about anyone else either Brady, I'm just doing what I've done my whole life. Surviving. And if you think I ain't trying to keep your reckless ass alive then you can go right on your merry way to Illinois all by your lonesome!" Benson wanted to leave a scar. "Y'know, Dad was right when he said you'd never be worth a damn to anybody."

It was at that moment and with tears in his eyes that Brady turned and fired. The sound of the gunshot was near deafening. The bullet hit Benson in the shoulder and he fell backwards, hitting his head on the table behind him. The ceiling went blurry and the dim bar faded to black as the cowboy lost consciousness.

</FLASHBACK>
Alex Cross
player, 28 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Mon 31 Mar 2014
at 21:07
  • msg #68

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

As Alex went to his bike and pulled out his normal sleep gear, rolling up near to it's engine... He glanced at the tables across from him, watching, studying...with heavy eyelids, he was asleep.
Luke
NPC, 8 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Wed 2 Apr 2014
at 02:07
  • msg #69

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 65):
In reply to Benson Bohannon (msg # 67):


Though Bohannon wasn't exactly talking to Luke, the young man replied anyway, unaware if the cowboy was ambivalent to his presence or not. Who couldn't like the lead singer of Shallow Gravy? The best indie-punk-glamrock band in the southeast? "Yea well, Brady's good at what he does, he's just a dick." Luke shrugged, glad Brady hadn't been around to hear his barb. It would have earned him a hellofalot of trouble.

The mustached millennial turned his attention to Dominic seated not far away, addressing his real intention for getting cozy with the Caravaners. "Hey man, uh Dominic right? Cookie.. is she.. available?" He tried to play things cool, his fingers messing with the corner of his artistic facial hair. Its what he did when he was trying but failing at subtlety.  "You two aren't together right?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:58, Wed 02 Apr 2014.
Mahmoud
NPC, 53 posts
Caravan Member
Wed 2 Apr 2014
at 03:13
  • msg #70

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Bill (msg # 66):

Mahmoud nodded in Bill's direction when he asked about their breakfast, "Its excellent, we really appreciate it." It was good to have manners in an increasingly unhinged world. Mahmoud had picked up on the pleasing atmosphere being prepared around their arrival. He didn't think they were in immediate danger, but he knew that the Caravan was going to have to pay for the food somehow.

"We were on the road, a few dozen of us. Had been for weeks. Been dodging the walkers every place we've stayed, losing a lot of people.." Mahmoud answered Bill with a quiet reservation, his eyes just as tried as any of the Caravan's. Sipping his own coffee, he collected the recent dark memories, "The last place we were camped was this old farmhouse. Set up a perimeter, thought we were safe. Some military types ambushed us while Cookie, Dom, Bohannon and the others were away. Took everyone to this creepy tower in St. Louis, the idiots were doing experiments on living people. They killed Rachel. Just a little girl.. We managed to bust out, a few of us anyway. Lyle really saved our ass on that one, and then we met up with the others when they stormed the place. Just the handful of us got out. All the others, twenty or so people.. I've lost count. All gone." He slurped his coffee once more, letting his words hang, his head going numb just thinking about all they'd been through, and who all was left.

"Cookie, New Mexico, Isabelle and I are the last of the original Caravan. At least we've added some good people since then." He nodded to his fellow Caravaners.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:15, Wed 02 Apr 2014.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 183 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Wed 2 Apr 2014
at 22:37
  • msg #71

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"It’s the best I've eaten in a long time, thank you Bill" Dominic replied as the former sheriff took a seat at their table with his own breakfast and asked for their story.
It was as Benson began enquiring over the missing person Bill had mentioned; offering his services as a tracker in the process, a strange move in Dom's opinion as he'd have thought the cowboy more likely to sell his services rather than volunteer, that the young man; Luke addressed him. Although he failed to suppress the broad smile on his face he did just about manage not to laugh as Luke enquired as to whether Cookie was available or more precisely whether he was seeing her "Cookie!? Non most certainly not, I like my women a little less violent" he replied, slightly surprised as he'd figured Luke for playing for the other team "As for whether she's available..." Dominic shrugged in a non-committal kind of way as he considered the question. He'd suspected that Jay had had a thing for Cookie but no move had been made on his part so perhaps he'd been mistaken "...as far as I know she's single" it was as he was imparting this potentially life threatening information that he was struck by a sudden thought "Wait a minute...we are talking about the same woman here? Short, blonde, has a New Jersey accent?"
Blind 'Lime' Jefferson
NPC, 2 posts
Fri 4 Apr 2014
at 03:48
  • msg #72

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Blind "Lime" Jefferson walked across the mud to the edge of the picnic area, cane in one hand, guiding his steps. His other hand steadied the heavy old National guitar strapped across his back. Jefferson took his position on the old wooden stool situated near the buffet table. He softly strummed the guitar for a bit, playing with the tuning. Suddenly the old man started in. "I got a letter this mornin', how do reckon it read? Said "hurry, hurry, the gal YOU LOVE IS DEAD!" Got a letter this mornin'! Oh, I say how you reckon it read?..." His old arthritic fingers appeared to slap the strings wildly while those on the other hand jerked about, fretting the notes and working the slide. His scratchy voice carried throughout the breakfast tables and his guitar sounded of angst and honey. Jefferson's foot tapped away on the wood box under it, though entirely off time. "...Oooooohh, Say the gal you love is dead!"

Blind "Lime" Jefferson truly enjoyed playing music. The end of the world was no reason to stop, though playing a crowd of downtrodden travellers and his neighbours was a mighty fall from recording a Blue-Series single at Jack White's Third Man Records in Nashville Tennessee. But in his day, a crowd like this would have been a fine gig. Now he was happy just to have his guitar, a safe place to play it, and live ears to play it for.
Karen Ellison
Player, 47 posts
The Traitor
Sat 5 Apr 2014
at 06:07
  • msg #73

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The Blues music was a welcome addition to the atmosphere of the Fort. It seemed to lighten things up a bit. Karen lingered around the breakfast tables after the newcomer shrugged her off. She'd keep an eye on the man, but for now, he was no threat. Karen proceeded to try to complete her next mission. She approached the table where Bill and the others sat. "Hey Sheriff, sorry to interrupt. What are the chances of my son and I snagging a loaner vehicle? We want to get out on the road, start gathering supplies." Karen stood before the man with her police badge not too deliberately peeking out of her left front jeans pocket. She flicked her hair aside and smiled politely at the man.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 185 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 5 Apr 2014
at 21:49
  • msg #74

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Non, what she really means is that she wants to get gone before Cookie decides to throw her in the cell next to Vega" Dominic spoke looking up from the remains of his breakfast with an obvious look of distaste as he looked at her "Come now Karen, just because we haven't strung you up from the nearest tree doesn't mean we've forgotten your part in all of this" it was as he was returning to his breakfast that he caught sight of the badge on her belt, a single snort of sardonic laughter escaping his lips as he shook his in disbelief did she really think that piece of tin would impresses us? Wake up that badge don't mean shit anymore! "nice badge...who'd you stab in the back to get it?"
Bill
player, 14 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Sun 6 Apr 2014
at 04:44
  • msg #75

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Bill was stunned as he listened to Mahmoud tell the tragic story. Experiments? They killed a little girl? How horrible. "Oh my goodness... I'm so sorry. Who did all that, Who was responsible?"

Bill's question was answered as a short blonde woman strode up to the table, her entrance into the conversation marked by the sound of old timey blues.
Karen Ellison:
"Hey Sheriff, sorry to interrupt. What are the chances of my son and I snagging a loaner vehicle? We want to get out on the road, start gathering supplies."

Bill liked what he saw, but before he had a chance to respond, Dominic cut her down. This was the woman that Bill had heard about, the one who had led the Caravan into a trap. His blood began to boil in light of the tragic story he had just listened to, but then he eyed the badge. Dominic's comment induced suspicion, but Bill had a certain respect for a badge.

"Karen, why don't you tell us who was responsible for what happened to these people in St. Louis. Who was this little girl that was killed? Then, would you tell us how you came by your badge?" Bill just loved an investigation.
Alex Cross
player, 30 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Sun 6 Apr 2014
at 13:44
  • msg #76

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The dream is always the same, Holly and the girls driving to the game. He's buying some hotdogs as they pull into the parking lot, getting ready to enjoy a family day out, season tickets no less. Then, he hears it, the high pitched sound of the jumbo jet's engines screaming, "It's too low, is this part of the pre-game show?"

Before he even realizes what he's doing, Alex starts running towards his wife's car, yelling as loud as he can, but there's no way they can hear over the noise. And then the fireball, quickly followed by a deafening, thunderous roaring crash of sound. Darkness.

He wakes up and the wreckage of the crash is scattered around, metal, parts of bodies, death and destruction, but, he hears something coming from the twisted pile of metal that was Holly's car, upon reaching the car, he looks inside to see the charred bodies, the radio playing...

quote:
"I got a letter this mornin', how do reckon it read? Said "hurry, hurry, the gal YOU LOVE IS DEAD!" Got a letter this mornin'! Oh, I say how you reckon it read?..."


Alex snaps awake, it was a curse and a blessing, his nightmare came often, the tragic part, it has usually saved his life.

The power nap had refreshed him considerably and with a long stretch...he packs up his sleeping gear and stows it on his bike. Grabbing a coffee packet from his dwindling supplies,(http://www.firebasenam.com/au%20nam%20coffee.jpg) he gets some hot water from where they are washing dishes and makes himself some joe.

Glancing at the tables, he notices the fort/caravan members mingling...he pulls up a chair nearby and listens to their conversation.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:09, Tue 08 Apr 2014.
Karen Ellison
Player, 48 posts
The Traitor
Mon 7 Apr 2014
at 23:55
  • msg #77

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Karen was quick to react to Dominic. She drew her sidearm and slammed it onto the breakfast table. "You wanna lock me up Dominic? Come on!" She threw her arms out from her sides in a "come at me, bro" kind of way.

Karen knew Bill was the only one here who would respect the badge. The show was for him. The fact that Dominic called her out on it was, however, to be expected. Karen tossed the glinting relic of her past career to the Sheriff. "I served my community for six years. Atlanta PD. And who was responsible for what happened to them? One "Doctor Ferguson". Asshole. Kidnapped my boy and I, beat the ever-loving shit outta me, and made me sell out the Caravan to get him back. A lot of shit happened Sheriff. A whole lot of shit. Shit that they blame me for, and they're probably right. But this place... This place is a fresh start for Kaidan and I. A clean slate. And I'm sure as hell not about to run off. So if you want something Dominic, come and fucking get it." Karen wasn't honestly sure if Dominic was all talk or if he'd actually get down to it, but she wagered she could take him one way or the other.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:58, Mon 07 Apr 2014.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 186 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Wed 9 Apr 2014
at 21:58
  • msg #78

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

As Karen drew her gun in order to slam it down onto the table Dominic had his own halfway out of the holster at his waist in response; a few seconds quicker and he'd have probably shot her. Instead he let the weapon drop back into place as he stood to face her kicking over his chair in the process "Bullshit! Had you come to us we could have tried to do something about it instead you came in with your sob story and the idiots that we were we bought it!" Dominic roared from where he stood by the table; making no move to accost her, not that he didn't think he could take her after all he knew all too well on which side her cracked ribs were, but because he didn't think he would stop at a beating "...we took you in Karen, we patched you up we shared our food and in return you got my friends killed!" poor Sierra would never have even been there if it hadn't been for her! his mind supplied only all too willing to push the blame onto someone else.
With his hands trembling with pent up fury it took a supreme effort and a life time of being told you don't hit girls to stop him from attacking her although it was still a close run thing. Straightening himself up he turns his gaze away from Karen to look at Bill before speaking in a carefully measured voice; voicing himself to sound calmer than he really was "Thank you for the breakfast but if you will excuse me I have a helicopter to work on" turning his back on the group he turns and walks back towards the Huey go on Karen give me an excuse...just you dare
Mahmoud
NPC, 54 posts
Caravan Member
Thu 10 Apr 2014
at 03:26
  • msg #79

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Mahmoud had tensed up and remained silent through the exchange, keeping his thoughts silent and feeling incredibly awkward. The threatening was a bit much, there were kids and innocent people around. His eyes searched the crowd for Cookie or Lyle, but they were no where to be seen.

"L-Look everyone lets settle down, no need to ruin the breakfast.." He slowly stood up from the table, not wanting to be stuck sitting if shit went down, unfortunately not the best at conflict resolution. If anything he was expert in conflict avoidance.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Thu 10 Apr 2014.
Alex Cross
player, 31 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Thu 10 Apr 2014
at 03:55
  • msg #80

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Alex closely watches the interaction at the table across from him, with the drawing of the firearm, he was about to spring, but, once it was put on the table, he relaxed, a small bit.

It didn't take a genius to realize there was a huge amount of tension between "Karen" and the helicopter guy, he followed the conversation between them, recording information and wondering how these people even survived this long.

After the heated words, he watched the man walking away, sensing that he was waiting for an excuse for violence, Alex stood up, and matched a parallel course, as he got near his motorcycle, he causally said to the man, "I don't suppose you know how to make this beast a bit stealthy???" 
This message was last edited by the player at 04:05, Thu 10 Apr 2014.
Bill
player, 15 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Thu 10 Apr 2014
at 04:39
  • msg #81

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Bill sat watching the events unfold in front of him, his hand instinctively resting on his own holstered firearm once the first one was drawn. Karen shouting, Dominic shouting, it was all a bit much this early in the morning. When Dominic and Mahmoud walked off, Bill stood up and walked closer to Karen.

"Karen, I'm so sorry about what happened to you. I really am. You remind me of my daughters, they had blonde hair just like yours. My oldest, Barbara, why, she'd have a son about the same age as your little boy." Bill put his hands on Karen's shoulders. "There isn't a lot of good left in this world since the trouble started, but if there is one good thing left, its justice Karen. Justice. This Dr. Ferguson, he killed the little girl, and your friends? Is he the one you brought to the Fort? Is he the one in the prison now? We need to bring him to justice, Karen. I know you know how important that it is, you were a Police Officer too. I need your help to bring justice back to this world. Will you help me Karen?"
Bill looked Karen right in the eyes. He didn't have many friends in the Fort, and she really did look like his daughters.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 187 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 12 Apr 2014
at 12:13
  • msg #82

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Half expecting Karen to have followed him looking for trouble Dominic was mildly surprised to find the newcomer speaking to him; the fists he'd made uncurling as he glances over at the bike "Stealthy? I dunno I don't think they're supposed to be stealthy" he said offering a wry smile "...there’s a couple of things you could do though you'd be best speaking with Lyle he's got a knack for theses things" in fact he'd been considering asking the mechanic to take a look over the Huey's engine; it had all sounded fine when he'd flown it to St. Louis but who knew how long the thing had been sat rotting on that airfield "Sorry I don't believe I know your name...I am Dominic"
Alex Cross
player, 34 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Sat 12 Apr 2014
at 15:22
  • msg #83

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Name's Alex, I saw you working on the Huey, so I assumed that you were the mechanic of the group." Pointing to the motorcycle, "Since I don't plan on attracting any biker chicks anytime soon, she needs to be toned down...If you could show me to this Lyle fella, I'd appreciate it." 
Ricky Robes
player, 40 posts
The Journalist
Sun 13 Apr 2014
at 00:05
  • msg #84

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Ricky had been wandering about the fort until the shouting got his attention. He made his way towards the caravan group, just missing all the action. He walked towards Mahmoud, confusion clear on his face. "What happened? What'd I miss?" Ricky knew he wasn't really close with anyone in the caravan, getting pretty distant after they found the fort, and that distance has put him at a clear disadvantage. He didn't really know who got along with who, who to avoid, and who would make the most loyal friends. Despite all this, he felt like he could trust Mahmoud; the man seemed to be one of the friendliest caravaners after all.
Karen Ellison
Player, 49 posts
The Traitor
Tue 15 Apr 2014
at 02:02
  • msg #85

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Bill (msg # 81):

Karen replied with great torment in her voice. "I took care of it..." She moved free of Bill's hands and slipped her sidearm back into her holster. Karen returned her eyes to Bill's, who's breath smelled like the floor of a bar. "Yes Sheriff." She nodded understandingly. "I'll help you." Karen knew she needed to swing Bill to her side if she was going to take his job...
Dominic Dubreton
player, 188 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Tue 15 Apr 2014
at 18:11
  • msg #86

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Non, I am just the pilot, basic maintenance is about as much as I can do" Dominic said in way of an explanation though he could see how Alex may have gotten the impression that he was a mechanic.
On being asked to make the introductions he quickly scans the crowd of people for any sign of Lyle before moving over to one of the tables and making a quick enquiry of those sat there before returning with a slightly confused look on his face "Well those guys said he's just gone into the stockade, though I haven't a clue why he'd want to go in there" well...that wasn't quite true but he didn't want to inform the stranger that the guy he was after may well be getting pay back on a certain occupant even if he did deserve it.
Signalling for Alex to follow him with a single hand gesture he slowly makes his way over towards the stockade "So...are you here long or just passing through?"
Alex Cross
player, 35 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Wed 16 Apr 2014
at 01:30
  • msg #87

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Dominic Dubreton:
"Non, I am just the pilot, basic maintenance is about as much as I can do" Dominic said in way of an explanation though he could see how Alex may have gotten the impression that he was a mechanic.
On being asked to make the introductions he quickly scans the crowd of people for any sign of Lyle before moving over to one of the tables and making a quick enquiry of those sat there before returning with a slightly confused look on his face "Well those guys said he's just gone into the stockade, though I haven't a clue why he'd want to go in there" well...that wasn't quite true but he didn't want to inform the stranger that the guy he was after may well be getting pay back on a certain occupant even if he did deserve it.
Signalling for Alex to follow him with a single hand gesture he slowly makes his way over towards the stockade "So...are you here long or just passing through?"

"Honestly, I don't stick to any one place or group normally (You notice he's about to become contemplative, but he catches himself), tragically, my past experiences with that have been utter failures."

As they walk towards the stockade, he abruptly stops and turns to Dominic, "We've lost so much, you know what I mean, things that I fear may not be eventually regained..." A long pause as he realizes his behavior might seem strange.

"Forgive me, this short moment of safety (motions to the fort), well, it is so different from my daily struggle for survival."

He follows Dominic to the Stockade.
Mahmoud
NPC, 55 posts
Caravan Member
Wed 16 Apr 2014
at 23:06
  • msg #88

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 84):

The situation settling down, Mahmoud sighed with quasi-relief, about to sit back down when Ricky approached. Keeping his voice low and stepping away from Bill and Karen he put enough short distance to give the women space and give himself some privacy. "Well Karen and Dominic decided to point their guns at eachother to solve their problems. She wanted to raid and Dominic said she wasn't going anywhere after all that's happened." It had been a tense moment but luckily Dpminic had been the bigger man and walked away.

"Dominic's off with this stranger who just showed up to the Fort. Alex I think his name is. He was talking to that Toby guy so I guess he's staying."

Mahmoud glanced from Ricky to Toby's cabin elevated up from the courtyard, catching a glimpse of the Fort leader leaning against his open doorway before turning to disappear inside the building.

"I think there might be a raid or something soon. These people can't have much food after this big breakfast thing. I'm sure we'll have to pay for our room & board somehow..
Luke
NPC, 9 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Wed 16 Apr 2014
at 23:18
  • msg #89

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Bill and Karen:

Luke quietly ate what was left of his food as a situation escalated then ended. Placed amongst the area of potential bloodshed, he just kept his head down and waited for things to pass. With Dominic departing he was left listening to Bill and Karen. The old guy's words worried him though he tried not to show it (thank god for the concealing mustache). "Um Bill maybe we should just leave it to Toby?.." He didn't want to see Bill get himself worked up. Despite his well rehearsed animosity to the baby-boom generation, he had a friendly-ish relationship with the old geezer.

"Bill have some more coffee with me, leave that for later.."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:19, Wed 16 Apr 2014.
Bill
player, 16 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Thu 17 Apr 2014
at 04:05
  • msg #90

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Karen Ellison:
"Yes Sheriff." She nodded understandingly. "I'll help you."


This was reassuring. Bill knew his inspiring speech would evoke the right loyalties in a true Law Enforcement Officer, so this was proof that Karen was telling the truth. Bill was beginning to like her.

"You... took care of it... ok. Who is the prisoner you brought with you?"

The smell of the coffee Luke poured in Bill's previously empty cup drew his attention while he waited for Karen to reply. He glanced over at Luke, hearing his words. "Oh, Luke, don't worry..." It was nice that the kid was so concerned but, he didn't need to be. Bill would had things under control.

"It's my job."
Karen Ellison
Player, 50 posts
The Traitor
Thu 17 Apr 2014
at 04:16
  • msg #91

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"I think he was like his lieutenant or something. I didn't deal with him much. Only Ferguson." Karen glanced over to where Kaidan sat next to the other teen. "I think my son knows him better, but he won't talk to me about it." There was frustration in the mother's voice. She shook her head. "If you can get him to talk, go ahead." She shrugged.
Alex Cross
player, 39 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Thu 17 Apr 2014
at 10:41
  • msg #92

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

<<from stockade>>

Alex continues to follow Lyle.
Lyle Carranza
player, 150 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Thu 17 Apr 2014
at 19:27
  • msg #93

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

<From Stockade>

Lyle laughed, "Then don't ride a bike. I don't understand why so many of you choose to ride the loudest vehicle there is... I'll see what I can do." Lyle let Alex lead him to his bike so he could check it out.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 189 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Thu 17 Apr 2014
at 22:35
  • msg #94

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Dominic kind of understood how the guy felt; his first group had disintegrated or more accurately had been torn apart and so finding the caravan had been a lucky break. Yet every time they seemed to be on the verge of finding some kind of normality something would come along and shatter the illusion.
Leading him the rest of the way to the stockade Dominic holds the door open for the other guy to enter however with the sound of so many antagonistic voices coming from within he pauses on the threshold for several minutes as he tries to decide whether or not he truly wanted to enter only to have his curiosity win out in the end.

---> Stockade
Cookie
player, 328 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Fri 18 Apr 2014
at 19:45
  • msg #95

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Cookie made sure she was away from listening ears from the Fort folk, this was meant for the Caravaneers alone.  "That was Vega, by the way," She said.  "I went to talk to him about why he did what he did, and to my surprise, he knew AN AWFUL LOT about me.  He was also remarkably unhelpful and insulting, so I'd have to admit, I may have lost my temper just a little bit.  He might live."  The casual one-shoulder shrug, to convey her lack of caring on the subject.  "More so, I'm worried about who he was working with, or for.  And then there's more drama, but hey, seems to be the new world order.  Anything youse wanna tell me ?"
Alex Cross
player, 40 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Fri 18 Apr 2014
at 23:51
  • msg #96

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle Carranza:
<From Stockade>

Lyle laughed, "Then don't ride a bike. I don't understand why so many of you choose to ride the loudest vehicle there is... I'll see what I can do." Lyle let Alex lead him to his bike so he could check it out.

""Honestly, I've been thinking about switching out vehicles. Mostly, I grabbed the bike because I was stuck in a jam and at the time I didn't have much choice, but, now...I'll be looking for a new set of wheels if a chance presents itself."

He points out his motorbike to Lyle and sees what's what.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 192 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 19 Apr 2014
at 11:57
  • msg #97

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

---> Stockade

"There’s no might about it Cookie, that guy is as dead as they get" Dominic said from where stood beside Cookie "...and yeah he knew my name when I first met him in St. Louis, mispronounced my last name but he knew it" probably meaning that he'd read off of a file somewhere with his picture in it, a slightly worrying thought but with Vega dead and the facility over run he couldn't see it being much of a danger to them anymore.
On being asked over whether there was anything else they should tell her Dominic gives a single nod of his head before speaking "Oui...Karen is trying to make friends with the fort people; she was asking for a vehicle this morning meaning she's looking to cut and run or she’s trying to make herself indispensible...either way it'll make getting even a little problematic" although if she ran it would only be simple task of tracking her down, If she made friends on the other hand then they wouldn't be able to touch her… not openly anyway. They were probably already in enough trouble for killing Vega as it was.
Lyle Carranza
player, 151 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Sat 19 Apr 2014
at 19:39
  • msg #98

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle walked over to the bike, separating himself from the other caravaners so that he can work in peace. "Well we don't have any spare cars, not enough spare parts to go around to get another on running anyways." Lyle leaned down and looked at the bike's engine. The good thing about motorbikes is that the engine is usually easy to get to. Unlike cars where Lyle had to wedge himself underneath, everything on the bike is easy to expose. Moving to the back of the bike Lyle looked at the muffler, some bike owners had mufflers made to silence their rides. Maybe Lyle can modify it so that it didn't rattle so much. "I can probably bend the pipe, see if I can make the funnel the noise and exhaust downwards so that it doesn't reverberate into the air..."

Standing up Lyle stepped around the bike, "I'll go on a run. Gather some more supplies."
Alex Cross
player, 41 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Sat 19 Apr 2014
at 23:27
  • msg #99

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Alex watches Lyle fiddle with his ride, admiring the man's technical ability.

quote:
Standing up Lyle stepped around the bike, "I'll go on a run. Gather some more supplies."


"Ok, thanks...and I really appreciate this, I'll owe you a favor."
Lyle Carranza
player, 152 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Sun 20 Apr 2014
at 04:54
  • msg #100

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle continued to check the motorcycle, deciding to do a little bit of a maintenance check while he was at it. "Don't thank me yet, I hadn't done anything to it." Grabbing it by the handles Lyle started to push the motorcycle towards the fort's makeshift garage. "For now we can store it at the garage." Lyle looked up and checked the weather, it looked good. Partially cloudy but still warm. "I'll go on that run soon. I have an idea on where to go."
Cookie
player, 329 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 20 Apr 2014
at 07:23
  • msg #101

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 97):

"He knew stuff about me that no one has known since I left Jersey," Cookie said to Dominic.  "I think Karen is still working for whomever handled Vega.  She needs a vehicle that will break down in some inconvenient and irreparable way...within my reach.  She'll probably run once she hears about Vega...and I did the Fort a solid.  With him dead, there's little reason to raid the place to reclaim him.   Unless of course, they're behind it."  She was as completely unconcerned that she'd just killed a human; more so, concerned about who was behind this.  Vega was an important predator but he wasn't the top of the food chain.  Just as Al Capone was 'a secondhand furniture dealer', Cookie knew to look beyond first appearances.  Vega had underestimated the Jersey Girl.
Justin
player, 98 posts
Master at blending in.
Nearing the edge.
Sun 20 Apr 2014
at 18:43
  • msg #102

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

<<FROM STOCKADE>>

Justin followed Lyle and Alex as they walked and talked about the bike that needed repair. He looked around at the other caravaners and fort go-ers, observing and listening a bit from everyone. He was good at observing, trying to figure everyone out. He looked over and saw Ricky and gave a slight wave before shaking himself out of his dazed like state and turned back to Lyle as he mentioned a new run again.

"If you do go on that run soon I might have to tag along, could always help look for anything useful."
Ricky Robes
player, 41 posts
The Journalist
Sun 20 Apr 2014
at 23:27
  • msg #103

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Ricky waved back as he listened to Mahmoud. He was grateful for the safety of the fort and he understood their need for a supply run. "If they're going out, I want in. We've been couped up here for a while and I'm honestly getting bored. I don't really do well stuck in one place, ya know what I mean?" The question was clearly rhetorical and stuck in the air longer than it needed to, almost making Ricky sound ungrateful or unaware of the dangers outside. His face took a more serious appearance as he turned back towards Karen. "I feel bad for her, I really do. Everyone blames her for what happened. With good right . . . But still. She did it for her kid. Everyone so easily overlooks that. People keep telling her what she should have done, but I don't really think she had a choice. Ya know what they say about hind-sight, after all . . . I don't really know this group. I hope they're the kind of people who can see past her mistake to save her child; what she thought was her only option. I hope they see how much we need fighters. But seeing how angry everyone was, still are, I don't know if she's safe."
Jay Warren
player, 239 posts
The Inked Man
Badass Biker
Mon 21 Apr 2014
at 09:59
  • msg #104

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The biker followed the others, getting parallel with Cookie. "Fixin' a vehicle to break not far from the fort ain't a problem, sweet peas. Gettin' her to take just that vehicle is. I've got yer back as always." He would have preferred to see Sam's head bisted in, just like Vega's, but it was all in due time. However, he had the same worries as Cookie - he trusted only her and few select members of the caravan, nobody else.
Cookie
player, 330 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Tue 22 Apr 2014
at 11:42
  • msg #105

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"I was thinking she'd lead us to the source, our own personal little homing pigeon," Cookie said.  "Unfortunately, there's not a lot of people I can trust right now, and this situation needs trust for us to effectively get the best out of the situation.  We'll be leaving the fort in a day or so, the boss here has been having trading parties 'disappear' en route to a reservation.  That is what Toby the Boss Man considers recompense for our sheltering.  So that's our way out, and we can make sure Karen comes along."  She may have been a Hooters waitress on her tax forms, but there had been some college classes until the money ran out...and that little bit of underestimation was useful for her.
Benson Bohannon
Player, 124 posts
The Stranger
Tue 22 Apr 2014
at 20:44
  • msg #106

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Luke (msg # 69):

Bohannon sat quietly and observed the others as events unfolded. This place was a pressure cooker. There were far too many secrets and unresolved issues floating around for anyone here to really have a shot at making this work. But that was not important to Bohannon. He had his own trouble to put to an end. "Hey, Salvatore Dali!" He caught Luke's attention again. "Brady, where is he now?" Bohannon could sense the veil lifting on this thing. His voice had changed from simple inquiry to a more forceful tone. He wanted his information now before it was too late and Brady had moved on.
Mahmoud
NPC, 56 posts
Caravan Member
Thu 24 Apr 2014
at 03:34
  • msg #107

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 103):

"I'm sure anyone who wants to raid will be able to, more or less.. These people have this fort but they have more helpless people than fighters. Kind of like us until recently.."

Mahmoud listened closely to Ricky, noting the tension in the other man as he released some thoughts on what had happened leading them to where they were. He hadn't talked with Ricky often, but he'd been stuck in the Tower in St. Louis with the guy, and in a way they were bonded in blood. The fellow traveler had done his bit to get them out, the only person having not done a thing to escape being Janice.


"I know what you mean, I see it all as a lose-lose situation. Our anger is probably wasted on someone who had no choice but do what she did." He paused a moment, matching Ricky's gaze to Karen before returning it to Ricky.

"So I don't mean to hit a nerve, but we lost your buddy Doug back in St.Louis. He saved our asses. He was a good man. Just wanted you to know that."
Luke
NPC, 10 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Thu 24 Apr 2014
at 03:40
  • msg #108

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Benson Bohannon (msg # 106):

Luke raised a brow when Bohannon called on his attention. It became quickly obvious that the young man didn't have any idea who Salvatore Dali was but he tried to portray himself as if it wasn't the case.

"Brady? Hm? What do you think, out there." Luke answered glibly, nodding to the walls leading outside the Fort and turning his mustachioed attention back to his empty plate. Taking it in hand he prepared to stand and dispense with the dirtied dishware, trying to ignore Bohannon's suddenly darker tone of voice, unsure of its reason.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 193 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 26 Apr 2014
at 10:40
  • msg #109

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"...not to mention making sure that someone else doesn't take that vehicle either" it was one thing arranging the death of somebody in serious need of payback it was another getting some hapless stranger killed "Speaking of your little agreement with Toby, I've got a few minor tweaks to do but other than that the chopper is ready to go when you are...but tell me what exactly is it that we're going to be doing?"
Alex Cross
player, 42 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Sat 26 Apr 2014
at 14:55
  • msg #110

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Alex watches the groups getting ready to go on the raid, he makes sure that he'll be nearby to whomever is in charge of the fort's raiding party.
Ricky Robes
player, 42 posts
The Journalist
Sat 26 Apr 2014
at 22:03
  • msg #111

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Thanks, that means a lot." Ricky replied solemnly. He tried not to think about the lost recently, especially since most of them were so young. It just proved how harsh this new world was. He started to wonder if any kids could make it through all this, but he shook the thought from his mind and forced a smile. "We've already lost a lot of good people, I'll try my best to make sure we don't lose anymore." His gaze went back to Karen. "Even if it puts me at odds with the others, I'm not gonna let them kill her in cold blood."
Cookie
player, 332 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 00:02
  • msg #112

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 109):

Cookie considered. "We don't need the chopper to come along, just to be ready.  The Fort sends out trade parties to a Reservation of some kind, and those parties go missing.  Toby wants us to back up the next trade party, find out what's going on.  Does it look like a trap to split the fighters from the main group ?  You bet it does.  So what can we do to mitigate the damage potential ?" 
Kaidan
Player, 19 posts
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 01:33
  • msg #113

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to New Mexico  (msg # 63):

Kaidan smiled at New Mexico, happy to provide him with such a valued possession. These things were rare in this world. Kaidan had lost everything he used to like; his records, his guitar, the cute hipster boy he went to school with...  Now simply having food to eat was a win.

It was a bit odd though that the Fort people were feeding them like this. Like, who the eff has bacon anymore? There must be something up. People don't just give away bacon, so that they had it meant they had supplies coming in, and that they served it meant they wanted something in return from the Caravan. Kaidan's plate was distinctly lacking in bacon this morning. For one, he never liked to take an offering with strings attached, especially when those strings were unclear.

Kaidan turned back to New Mexico. "Do you think they'll just let us stay? Or, are we going to have to work for it?"
Benson Bohannon
Player, 125 posts
The Stranger
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 01:54
  • msg #114

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Luke (msg # 108):

Bohannon placed a firm hand in the middle of the man's plate, preventing his departure. He looked at Luke with impatience and a degree of frustration. "Well when's he coming back?" If Brady was gone, then every minute spent here was a minute wasted. He had to move and he had to move now.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 9 posts
Fort Member
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 16:45
  • msg #115

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Anne Marie stood from a distance half way between the stockade and the exterior breakfast tables. She could see Cookie had gathered some of her Caravaners and was talking with them. She couldn't hear what they were saying, but she knew it wouldn't be good.

When the Caravan arrived at the Fort three days ago, Toby and Cookie had arranged for them to stay, and in exchange for the medical services they would help the Fort members secure their trade routes. Anne Marie had been skeptical of the new people in the Fort, but she saw the benefit to Toby's plan. It had been almost a month since the last full delivery of food.

Now there was urgent need for the Caravan members help in getting more food delivered to the Fort. She had attempted to do her job just as she always did, but Cookie was not like the rest of the Fort Dixie inhabitants she dealt with everyday.
Anne Marie would have to change tactics.

To Toby's Office ===>
Toby
NPC, 19 posts
Fort Leader
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 20:16
  • msg #116

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

-from Toby's Cabin/Office


The Fort leader made his way down the steps from his headquarters, nodding to some Fort inhabitants as he did so. It was clear he had somewhere to be or someone to speak to as he passed pockets of survivors to approach Cookie and Dominic in mid conversation.

"You ready to fulfill your part of our arrangement?"
Mahmoud
NPC, 57 posts
Caravan Member
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 20:20
  • msg #117

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 111):

Mahmoud let the sentiment over Doug linger for a moment, calmly listening to Ricky as he watched events around them unfold.

"Don't put that weight on yourself, man. Shit happens, we just have to accept it for what it is and cherish those around us while we still can." He understood where Ricky was coming from but he knew from first hand experience that the days of safety and security were gone. There were only ways to mitigate loss, not stop it.

His gaze followed Ricky's towards Karen, "I don't think it will come to that, Cookie wouldn't have brought her along if she meant to kill her. She would have just left her behind like Sam."

With Toby striding over to Cookie and Dominic the dark skinned man was sure action was forthcoming in some form. "Whatever comes next just remember I've got your back, alright?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Mon 28 Apr 2014.
New Mexico
player, 197 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 20:30
  • msg #118

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Kaidan (msg # 113):

New Mexico was characteristically pleased to be on the outside looking in concerning the tense reverberations through camp. People had been accumulating at the stockade making him wonder if Vega had given up any useful info they all could use. He wanted no further dabbling in whatever 'science' could offer, not if it meant hurting innocent people.

His plate was empty and NM, feeling he had no where in particular to be, whiled some time away sitting with Kaidan. He was aware that the other teen had not indulged as much as himself. Sure he understood people had different likes, but they all needed the calories, who knew when they'd eat again.

"Thats why you didn't eat much, huh?" NM replied, thoughtfully surveying the Fort people, trying to get some read out of them that he didn't have before. Was he missing something?

"I think we're going to have to do something in return, or leave in a hurry. I kinda feel bad for using up these people's medical supplies. I'm not really in a state to raid right now either.. Not that he wanted to, but he couldn't help but feel he'd put his entire group in a nasty situation.

"Is your mom okay? I kinda get her deal, so I don't want you guys to think I'm hatin. But Vega on the other hand.."
Luke
NPC, 11 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 20:41
  • msg #119

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Benson Bohannon (msg # 114):

Luke stopped in his place when his plate was anchored back down to the tabletop, leaving him in an awkward rising posture that settled to a seat once more. The cowboy had that same intensity as Brady, and he dreaded having two of Brady around in such an enclosed space.

"He should be back anytime, sheesh.. He goes out to raid and check our outlying areas. Could be back today or tomorrow, or a week from now." He was a bit more forthcoming and receptive to questions after detecting a dangerous tone to the cowboy. The mustachioed millennial wasn't about to tussle with such a character and remained where he was.

"You know this guy or something?"
Dominic Dubreton
player, 195 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Mon 28 Apr 2014
at 22:31
  • msg #120

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Oui...It does sound rather like what we did a couple of days back..." Dominic mused aloud remembering how he and a couple of the others had gone out on a raid only to return and find everyone had been taken prisoner "Well unlike last time we're all going to be tooled up...that and we make sure that a couple of their guys come with us that way if things do go south we have a hostage or two" though he doubted it would come to that, these guys weren't scientists or military like those in St. Louis why would they want to take their people prisoner? They could have done that on the first night whilst they were all asleep.
It was as this thought was running through his head that Toby made an appearance looking for them to fulfil their part of the bargain. Dominic decided that it would be prudent for him to keep his mouth shut at this point and let Cookie do the talking.
Lyle Carranza
player, 153 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Tue 29 Apr 2014
at 19:11
  • msg #121

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Alright, I'll grab my stuff. And tell Cookie and Toby we'll be heading out" Lyle took the bike and pushed it to the stables. He was going to get to the bottom of why Vega hadn't turned. He just hoped that building in St. Louis was still standing.

<To Stables>
Kaidan
Player, 20 posts
Wed 30 Apr 2014
at 02:24
  • msg #122

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to New Mexico  (msg # 118):

Kaidan looked up at the gathering over by the brig. "I wouldn't worry about Vega. He's probably dead." The crimson stain on Cookie's baseball bat was pretty indicative of what happened in there. "It's kind of a shame, those two guys back at the CDC probably had the best chance of fixing this thing out of anybody. They were dicks though. I suppose it's for the best." Kaidan coldly shrugged off the death of two men and moved on to more important business. "So, other than listening to music, what keeps you going these days?"
Justin
player, 99 posts
Master at blending in.
Nearing the edge.
Wed 30 Apr 2014
at 08:39
  • msg #123

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Justin nodded to the man who Lyle was talking to and followed suite walking to the stables.


>>TO STABLES<<
Alex Cross
player, 43 posts
The Drifter
Retired Army guy
Wed 30 Apr 2014
at 14:55
  • msg #124

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle Carranza:
"Alright, I'll grab my stuff. And tell Cookie and Toby we'll be heading out" Lyle took the bike and pushed it to the stables. He was going to get to the bottom of why Vega hadn't turned. He just hoped that building in St. Louis was still standing.

<To Stables>


Alex helps Lyle push the bike into the stables, and starts readying his gear for the trip, once that is done, he says, "I have to pick up my weapons from the armory, then I'll meet you back here."

<<To armory>>
Cookie
player, 333 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Fri 2 May 2014
at 10:23
  • msg #125

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Toby (msg # 116):

"Yep," said Cookie, who wasn't about to fail to keep a deal.  "Picking my crew new.  When we leaving ?"
Lyle Carranza
player, 156 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Sat 3 May 2014
at 05:28
  • msg #126

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

<From Stables>

Lyle's Buick rolled through the fort and stopped just short of the gate. He turned to his passengers sitting in the back. "Sit tight, I'll just get permission, and we'll head right out."

Killing the engine to save gas and battery, Lyle stepped out of his car. He quickly found Cookie, who was pretty much the easiest person to find in a crowd. "Jersey Girl, Jee and I are heading out on a run. Thought I get those car parts myself, I know what I need and what is useful. Just here now to tell you and ask one last thing. Have anyone seen Kaiden? That kid we picked up form St. Louis. I'm gonna need him." Lyle looked around to scan the crowds, trying to find the young teenager.
Cookie
player, 335 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Mon 5 May 2014
at 00:45
  • msg #127

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Cookie took in the new information without batting a mascara'd eye.  "Kay," she said.  "We gotta get some stuff done too.  If you see trouble....shoot it in the head.  Even if it's breathin'." 
Dominic Dubreton
player, 196 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Mon 5 May 2014
at 11:50
  • msg #128

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

As Cookie was speaking with Toby, Dominic's attention was drawn by sound of a cars engine. Turning his head slightly he watches as Lyle drove the Buick from out of the stables and parked it near the gate before hopping out in order to not only ask permission from Cookie but for the whereabouts’ of Karen's son Kaidan "I last saw him hanging out with NM by the buffet" Dom said with a shrug not entirely sure why he would need him let alone want him tagging along, then again maybe the kid had hidden talents?
Lyle Carranza
player, 157 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Tue 6 May 2014
at 01:56
  • msg #129

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle looked back to the table with all the food, he scanned it until he caught the sight of Kaiden and NM talking. He gave Dom and Cookie a wave,"Alright see you when I get back, and walked away.

Walking up to the two teenagers, Lyle patted Kaiden on the back. "Hey guys... I'm gonna cut to the chase. Kaiden I want you to come with me on a raid. Jee and I, and another, are looking for some car parts. I want you as another pair of eyes."
Kaidan
Player, 21 posts
Tue 6 May 2014
at 02:29
  • msg #130

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Kaidan cocked his head to the side. "Why do you want me?" There was no reason, really, for Lyle to ask Kaidan to join on that mission.  "Unless of course..." Kaidan pondered for a brief moment. "Okay. I'll come along." He looked to the front gate where Lyle's car sat waiting. "Gimme a sec to grab my stuff and I'll meet you there?" He asked, nodding up at the car.

"New Mexico, I'll see you later." Kaidan said, slightly brushing New Mexico's shoulder. He was kind of disappointed to be wrapping up the conversation so soon. Now, Kaidan had to find a way to disappear into the background with the rest of the Fort cast and slip over to the front gate without being noticed. He knew his mother wouldn't want him leaving the fort, but, eff it...
Lyle Carranza
player, 158 posts
The Janitor
I'm not dying here
Wed 7 May 2014
at 00:39
  • msg #131

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Lyle gave the kid a nod and let him go pack his stuff. He went over to the fort gate and told whoever was on gate duty to momentarily open it when they were ready. The raid might take up the rest of the day and if worse comes to it, they'll have to stay a day in his car. Not exactly what Lyle would like, but something he could plan around. Hopping back into his car, Lyle leaned back into his seat and rested his hands behind his head. "We'll just wait on Kaiden and then we can go out."
Kaidan
Player, 22 posts
Wed 7 May 2014
at 02:01
  • msg #132

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The boy got up from the table and meandered through the crowds of people, moving both cautiously and casually, blending into the background. Kaidan walked up to Lyle seemingly out of nowhere, looking back over his shoulder. "Ready?" he asked, climbing into the vehicle with Lyle. He carried no weapons with him.
Toby
NPC, 20 posts
Fort Leader
Wed 7 May 2014
at 04:28
  • msg #133

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Cookie (msg # 125):

"Very good, you'll also need a couple of my people to show you the way and who will be recognizable by the native's you'll need to reach. Colton Black-Rabbit is the contact that newcomer Alex mentioned was trying to get through to us. He should be waiting. If he's not out there try and find out what happened." Toby gestured to many of the people in the immediate area in terms of choices of who could go, "I'd recommend Bill and Luke, they have the most recent knowledge of the area. I also intend to lead another raiding group to collect supplies we can trade for when you presumably re-open our trade lines. You won't have any goods to carry, so you should be able to travel quick and light."

The Fort Leader tended to be candid with those he spoke with but he continued on in the open with Dominic right there and the others nearby as well. "There's more and more people migrating south these days, and the hostile group is still lodged out in the woods. Be vigilant, if you're gone more than two days we'll assume the worst."
Bill
NPC, 17 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Wed 7 May 2014
at 05:43
  • msg #134

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Bill stood at attention as Toby spoke. Though he didn't much care for Toby, he did listen when the man was speaking, he did have at least that much respect. Now would be the time to assert himself into this situation, Bill thought.

"I'd be honoured to accompany you Cookie. I know this area and I am a skilled tracker. Colton is a bit hard to handle sometimes, but I've known him a long time. It will be just fine, I will join you."

He turn to Karen with whom he had been talking and had taken a liking to. "How would you feel about including Karen on our journey?" He looked back at Cookie and walked toward her, his hand raised up in a reassuring gesture.
"Now I know you ladies don't see eye to eye, and have had some differences, but surley you can put that aside for the good of the group? After all, Karen is a law enforcment professional, Cookie."
Ricky Robes
player, 43 posts
The Journalist
Thu 8 May 2014
at 04:45
  • msg #135

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Ricky watched as Toby addressed the small group which now included Bill and Karen. "Thanks Mahmoud, that means a lot." he said before starting for the group, giving a reassuring wave back that he would be fine. He was able to catch the last bits of conversation as he approached. "A journey? We doing a raid or something guys?"
Cookie
player, 336 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Fri 9 May 2014
at 05:54
  • msg #136

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Cookie looked Bill up and down.  Looked tough enough, but then, she did too.  That was something she'd tone down, for this trip, but she wasn't telling anyone that.  She spoke with a chilling coldness, keeping her atrocious Jersian accent as crisply clear as she could, as this far south people had trouble understanding it.   She eyed Karen once, as one did a slug on a plate.

"Karen does not come with us.  I don't permit known traitors in my company when I'm headed into unknown danger.  So you keep Karen here - and it's NOT OPEN FOR DISCUSSION.  For an ex-law enforcement professional, she has markably LOW morality and is a liability to the safety of my people.  She is directly responsible for the deaths of many of my people.  Ricky, you can come along; it's a security patrol.  YOU I trust.  And if you have any sense, you'll chain her into a dark hole and keep her from doing to the Fort what she did to the Caravan."  Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me, that was the way of it.
Bill
NPC, 18 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Sun 11 May 2014
at 02:10
  • msg #137

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Bill frowned. This was not the team spirit he had been trying to inspire. Karen had appeared to him to be a determined woman, who despite her sex, would seem to make a formidable law enforcement officer. Cookie too was a formidable woman, and Bill respected that. He was not 'old fashioned' like some people said. In fact he was quite open minded. Bill thought the two women might make a formidable team. But now was not the time for that. That would have to wait.

"Karen..." Bill turned in Karen's direction "You stay here. It will be best this way."
Bill turned back to Cookie. "Alright, I'm with you. I think I know the way Colton takes on his way here. Who else is coming?"
Karen Ellison
Player, 51 posts
The Traitor
Sun 11 May 2014
at 17:28
  • msg #138

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"I'm not staying here! I wanna work! I wanna build something of my own!" Karen was enraged by the orders Cookie was giving to people not under her command. "I'm not fucking sitting on my ass all day while you go out and play the hero. I'm here to help, Cookie. So you can take your mistrust and shove it up your ass!" Karen was shouting a little now. Cookie was exerting authority where she had none, and it was beginning to piss her off. Karen turned to The Sheriff. "Why are you taking her side, Bill. Do you just defer to everyone else who acts like they have a pair of balls, or do you sometimes think for yourself?"
Cookie
player, 337 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 11 May 2014
at 21:27
  • msg #139

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Bitch," said Cookie to Karen, in a hiss that would make a cobra shiver, "Shut up before I END you.  Traitors have no place in the Caravan." With that she turned towards Bill, holding up the 'talk to the hand' and keeping a half-eye on Karen as she spoke in a very level, strong tone.   Screaming fits, yep, that spoke volumes about someone's ability to stay calm and work well with others, temper tantrums always worked well with zombies on your butt and raiders on your bumper...NOT. "Bill, my team's coming along soon as you say we're going, and I DO NOT want this traitor to know exactly WHO they are, so Karen here can warn her friends to attack us, or this Fort, you know....anyone she can betray, got it ?"
Dominic Dubreton
player, 197 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sun 11 May 2014
at 22:27
  • msg #140

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Dominic stood and watched as the drama unfolded before him like a soap opera. First Ricky volunteered to join them which was fine; Dominic didn't know the guy from Adam but he was "one of them" closely followed by Bill, however it was when Bill suggested that Karen join them that things got interesting. At the mention of the former cop's name Cookie instantly, and in Dom's opinion quite understandably said no along with several other somewhat harsher words to which Karen then insisted that she was coming "Let her come Cookie I am sure we can find a barn in which we can leave her...it'll be just like old times" Dom replied with a sardonic smile. If given the option he would sign up for the raid also but since Cookie was being cagey about whom she was taking he decided to leave it for the time being, at least until the Karen situation had been resolved one way or the other.
Cookie
player, 338 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 11 May 2014
at 23:18
  • msg #141

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Hmm," Cookie said, an evil smile spreading on her face at Dom's suggestion.   The smile completely failed to conceal the wicked look in her eyes.    "Yep, might be a good idea to take her along, then, because we can keep an eye on her."  As a hood ornament for zombie bait, for preference.
Karen Ellison
Player, 52 posts
The Traitor
Mon 12 May 2014
at 03:47
  • msg #142

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Karen deliberately avoided the gun at her side, not wanting to escalate things just that far. "Why don't you come over here and see just how badly I want to be a part of your Caravan!" Karen was by all means hot-headed. There as no way this sort of behaviour was going to earn her any favour with the people of the Fort, and certainly not that of the Caravan. But this is how she behaved none the less. She was aggressing Cookie, throwing her arms out to the side and cocking her head. She was acting like a child...

Karen whipped her head around to face Dom. "Fuck you, Dominic." She said, sticking up her middle finger. "Every bit of that beating was real! You saw the cracked rib to prove that! I didn't have any choice about it."  The beating, the barn she was left in, all of that was Ferguson. She truly didn't have any say in how she was to establish her cover. If she did, she certainly wouldn't have opted in to a savage ass whooping.
Benson Bohannon
Player, 126 posts
The Stranger
Mon 12 May 2014
at 03:53
  • msg #143

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Luke (msg # 119):

"Nope." With that, Bohannon was up and walking away from the table, drawn to the sounds of Cookie hating someone worse than she did him. The cowboy entered the circle. "Hey, whatever this is, I want in on it, alright?" Bohannon wasn't entirely sure what the mission was, but he now knew that Brady was out there, and this just might be the best way to find him. And anyhow, whatever they were heading out to do, he was sure they all needed a bit of back-watching.
Ricky Robes
player, 44 posts
The Journalist
Mon 12 May 2014
at 05:30
  • msg #144

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The hostility in the air was palatable and it made Ricky uncomfortable to say the least. He didn't have much sway in the caravan, if any at all, but he tried his best to diffuse the situation. "That's enough guys! Can't we just talk this through later when we're all thinking clearer and calmer?" His tone was strict but not demanding. "This is not really a public conversation don't you think?" His voice urged the group to quickly squash the beef, at least until the fort people weren't around.
Bill
NPC, 19 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Mon 12 May 2014
at 15:38
  • msg #145

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"This situation needs sorting" Bill said, mostly to himself as the shouting match carried on between the two women. The task in front of them was urgent, and there would be no productive way about things if Cookie and Karen were in this state of mind. This difference could not be overcome over night.

In some ways, Bill was reminded of Toby. Though he and Toby were not prone to outbursts like this scene displayed next to the breakfast tables, they had conflicts both before the trouble with the undead began, and now after. Bill being a law man, and Toby often running afoul of the law put the two men at odds many times. On that fateful day however, when Bill made the solemn journey from the High School that had housed the survivors of Lauderdale County to Fort Dixie, Toby did not stop Bill from joining the then small group. Events that had transpired after Bill's arrival to the Fort again cast Toby into a less-than-wholesome reputation, but now that Toby was the leader of the Fort, Bill paid him what respect he was owed for his position. Perhaps Toby and Bill would have to work together to solve this problem between Karen and Cookie.

Bill swiveled around from the conversation he had been a part of and turned in Toby's direction. He walked closer to him so as not to invite the others to overhear. "Toby, we'll be forming a party to go out and meet Colton Black-Rabbit. We will be departing soon. There are some, well, some concerns about one of the Caravan members, Karen. In my opinion she seems to have a good head on her shoulders and might be very useful, but Cookie is very clear she doesn't trust her. She won't be coming with us this time, but I wanted to know, well, what you thought of her?  Is she trustworthy?"
Dominic Dubreton
player, 198 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Mon 12 May 2014
at 17:50
  • msg #146

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Cry me a river, after what you did to us you got off lightly" Dominic snarled responding to the increasing levels of aggression, only settling down when Ricky raised his voice "Its going to take more than a chat to resolve this one, we're not talking about a missing coat here you know" He said in response to the other guy, though perhaps he was right about them doing it some place a little less public.
Letting the subject of Karen drop for the time being he turns his attention to the Jersey girl "When do we leave Cookie?"
Toby
NPC, 21 posts
Fort Leader
Tue 13 May 2014
at 03:54
  • msg #147

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Toby silently observed the situation unfold as the Caravan railed against Karen. The irony of them having brought her along was not lost on him, and he couldn't help but feel they'd brought Karen down upon themselves. But this was his Fort, so it was his problem now as well.

He was the calm in the storm as animosity punctured the usually oasis quality of the Fortress. Toby listened to Bill but his attention was on scene. Resting a hand briefly on Bill's shoulder to convey some sense of agreement or understanding, he then stepped forward towards the circle.

Traversing the assembled group, he gestured to Gabe, the tall, viking-like watchman, who promptly tossed his long iron tipped spear to the Fort leader.

Catching it mid stride by its wooden shaft, Toby closed distance with Karen, lifting the weapon swiftly and then adeptly smacking the women in the head with the butt end. He wasn't trying to kill her, but she needed to be put out until she could cool off. The force would be such to accomplish at least that..

"Discussion is closed, people. We have work to do. Saddle up. Last call for volunteers." He tossed the spear back to Gabe, but remained standing next to Karen's incapacitated form. His body language indicated he would handle Karen for the time being so real work could be done.

"Bill I want you to take Saito with you." Toby directed to the former Sheriff, his tone not inviting discussion on the order though it was respectful due to the people around.
He did look towards Cookie to reassure her, "Saito is a good fighter and scout, and knows the area like Bill. He won't be baggage and you may need the extra force."
Isabelle
NPC, 22 posts
Caravan Member
Tue 13 May 2014
at 04:03
  • msg #148

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Isabelle had been with the Caravan since it was formed in the forests of an Illinois state park. She had never really befriended anyone but Kail and he had died early on. It had become characteristic of the group and she'd kept her distance, instead focused on long term goals that got ever further away. A fighter, she was useful against the undead and other enemies but had endeavored to stay in the background.

They'd been getting bogged down for weeks and the Fort had slowed things. Sure they were safe, but it was likely temporary and she was among the unfortunate few in the Caravan left she still believed in the Colony. They weren't going to get going as a group again unless they did their errands for the Fort people.

Uncharacteristically, Isabelle entered the gathering of prospective raiders and volunteered. "I'm coming too."

She was already equipped with her usual stained but sharp hatchet and glock hooked to her waist. Despite her typically standoffish disposition, she'd never been a burden on the Caravan, though she never really bonded with many of her fellow travellers.
Cookie
player, 339 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Tue 13 May 2014
at 08:06
  • msg #149

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Soon," was all Cookie responded to Dominic, with a vague look at Karen, as if the woman was a bug Cookie was debating crushing, or not.  She hadn't decided how to handle the Karen situation, but she'd tried to warn the Fort folk.  If Karen was up to her old tricks, well, more fools they.  "Better lock her up, Toby; she betrayed us after we took her in, too." With a one-shouldered shrug; Karen could become Sam the redneck's new playtoy for all Cookie cared.  "Let's go, guys.  We gotta road trip."
Dominic Dubreton
player, 199 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Wed 14 May 2014
at 18:47
  • msg #150

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Well that’s one way to solve a problem" Dominic said quietly as he looked down at Karen's unconscious form. Her breathing was steady and there was no sign of blood so other than a headache she would unfortunately be fine.
Receiving the news that they would soon be leaving he gives a single nod of his head in response before replying to Cookie "Good, I'll go and get my gear ready" with the single statement uttered he then turns and heads for the chopper where he'd stashed the bulk if his gear.

---> Welcome to the Woods
Ricky Robes
player, 45 posts
The Journalist
Sat 17 May 2014
at 22:23
  • msg #151

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Ricky was shocked at how Karen was taken care of. He couldn't help but feel like there was a better way to take care of things, but after thinking it through for a moment he knew this was the best way. The caravan had been pretty relaxed lately and boundaries were pushed. This show of force clarified who was really in charge. The message was clear; we are guests here and we need to fall in line. He didn't approve of the blunt way of handling things but he was definitely in no position to voice that opinion. He silently went to get what gear he could for the trip.

> Welcome to the Woods >
CO-GM
GM, 2 posts
Mon 26 May 2014
at 04:23
  • msg #152

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

TIME BUMP

Shortly after the departure of the away-team.

The late morning sunlight colors the fort a shade of yellow-grey. The light carries with it not the warmth of days gone by. The fall is drawing soon to an end bringing with it an era of cool and damp.
New Mexico
player, 198 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Tue 27 May 2014
at 02:31
  • msg #153

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

New Mexico stood on the ramparts, some color to his cheeks finally though the world around them was visibly deteriorating into more Tim Burton-esque shades. He was worried about his friends, and resting his stronger hand on the side of the spiked log of the walls.

The field around the fort was mostly calm but for the persistent moanings and groanings of the undead who had fallen into the spike pit all around the base of the Fort's outer walls. Sadly he was used to these sounds.

"C'mon guys.." He muttered to himself. Not even Kaidan was around to hang out with. Sure Mahmoud, Hector, Aishe and Jay were around, oh and Karen.. But half of their people were gone, on their own in the woods. Cookie was tough, but he always still worried about her, she was always saving everyone's ass.


Toby and his own raiding party left not long after Cookie, and the Fort was left primarily deserted of capable fighters. The walls were some consolation, but he remembered not to long ago what had happened when their fighters left on raid.
Jay Warren
player, 241 posts
The Inked Man
Badass Biker
Wed 2 Jul 2014
at 07:46
  • msg #154

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Jay, however, had not gone out on the raid. Someone had to watch out for the members of the Caravan, who were not as capable of fighting for themselves and work on the vehicles. Needing a break from all the wrenching, Jay decided to take a stroll up the ramparts and ran in to New Mexico. "Hey Kiddo", the big biker said. "How're you doin'?" He looked a bit worried, probably for the Jersey Girl, whom he was usually following around all the time.
New Mexico
player, 200 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Mon 14 Jul 2014
at 17:31
  • msg #155

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The teenager turned from viewing the empty field to view Jay. There had been no sight of friendlies in the large empty field surrounding the Fort, merely the odd walker staggering into the opening and then moving on the Fort, typically impaling itself on the large pikes adorning the base of the walls facing outward.

With the dull groaning of the stuck undead in the background, New Mexico tried to put on a brave, unworried facade, brushing some long shaggy hair from his eyes to better see his tall, tattooed friend.

"Hi Jay.. I don't know, I know everyone will come back, I just don't know if we should've split the group, y'know? I mean, I know we have to pay our way here, because of all the medicine these people used to fix me up again but.. If they don't come back, what do we do?"
Jay Warren
player, 242 posts
The Inked Man
Badass Biker
Mon 14 Jul 2014
at 18:45
  • msg #156

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"I know, kiddo. An' you know, I'm goin' after them, if they don't show up. If Cookie doesn't show up. Nothin' can keep me from findin' her. An' when I do, I'll bring her back or put a bullet in her head, if she's turned. But she's a tough Cookie to crack an' if anyone is gonnapull through, it's gonna be her."

The biker looked like he could actually charge off and do what he said, if the situation warranted. There was a grim determination on his face, though he also looked a bit pained when he spoke of the Jersey Girl.
New Mexico
player, 201 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Tue 15 Jul 2014
at 21:37
  • msg #157

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The youth wasn't sure what to say at first. NM could tell from the look in Jay's eyes and his general disposition that he'd do as he said. He wasn't sure if he would be able to see another one of his people off like he just had. "You're right. If you go, I think I want to go to. I've always tried to just survive, and I've lost so many friends since Z-Day first came, I don't know how much more I can take it. I know the right thing to do is to go after the others if they don't come back, but another part of me wonders if we wouldn't just be getting ourselves killed too."

He sighed, turning to view the front of the Fort once again. Jay reminded him of Kail, another big, strong, kind hearted man who he thought would be around for a while. Kail and Cookie had led the Caravan, then Kail had taken a simple bite the forearm. If New Mexico had been there at the right moment, he would have lopped off his friend's arm with a machete, anything to stop the infection that ended up claiming him.

"Sometimes I think I'm gonna lose my mind, dude. If we can't make shit work here, then where will we go."
Jay Warren
player, 243 posts
The Inked Man
Badass Biker
Wed 16 Jul 2014
at 06:45
  • msg #158

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Somewhere else, kiddo. As far away from anythin' civilized as we can. We settle down if possible. If not, we keep on movin'. It's the way of the world now." It was clear, the biker had a vision. And he, despite his appearance and outward demeanor was enough of a leader to lead a small group to safety. "I hope Cookie'll be there with us, but if she ain't then we'll have to fend for ourselves."

"If this shit is gettin' to you, it just tells you one thing. You ain't one of them fuckers. Take solace in that." Blunt, direct, but quite true.
Karen Ellison
Player, 57 posts
The Traitor
Mon 21 Jul 2014
at 06:36
  • msg #159

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

------> From Stockade

Karen sprang from the Brig and jogged to the front gates. She placed her hands flat against the massive wooden doors, wanting to just push them open. Her head throbbed from the whack she received with the spear and her rib ached as it slowly healed. Karen's thoughts raced a thousand miles an hour but her brain felt like pancake batter. She needed Kaidan back here safely. But if she left, there would be no "back here." Karen stood, braced against the gates, plotting her next move.
New Mexico
player, 202 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Wed 23 Jul 2014
at 01:03
  • msg #160

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Jay's solid words seemed to have some effect on NM, who became just a bit more relieved. Having someone around he trusted meant alot. Even though he would've liked Jay on the raid to watch over Cookie, selfishly he was happy that one of them had stayed to look after him, in a way. "Thanks, Jay. I mean really." He responded genuinely, his arm extending, his hand gripping the older man's strong arm and giving a squeeze in a gesture of friendship and mutual struggle.

Karen's movements down at the gate caught his attention from where they stood on the battlements. "I'm worried about Kaidan, and his, um.. Mother. I mean, I know we only just met Kaidan, but he helped get us out of our cell in The Tower. And he fixed my IPOD."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:02, Wed 23 July 2014.
Jay Warren
player, 244 posts
The Inked Man
Badass Biker
Sun 27 Jul 2014
at 07:42
  • msg #161

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"No worries, kiddo", the biker said, but grimaced at the mention of Karen. "That traitorous bitch ain't one of us and can go screw herself all I care. We cared for her an' she stabbed us in the back. If it wasn't for her kid, I'd've kicked her ass on the curb when we found out. An' I'd be cautious about the kid, too. A bad tree spawns rotten apples, if you ask me." Jay, always direct, made his feelings very clear.
Blind 'Lime' Jefferson
NPC, 3 posts
The Ramblin' Man
Tue 29 Jul 2014
at 04:05
  • msg #162

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Blind "Lime" Jefferson was sat upon the wall like a fly on a stick of butter. He'd been quiet thus far, but a quiet man by nature he wern't. "Ooooh, you is best be watchin' y'selfs 'round that momma. Boy, that gal, you ask for water, she done gives you gasoline, now don't she? Aww, yeah. She do. You is all best watch out for her, mmhm." The rambling man sat upon a stool, leaning forward, bearing weight on his cane. His dark glasses gave no clue as to where his eyes did point, his head turned this way and that as he spoke.
New Mexico
player, 203 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Sat 9 Aug 2014
at 03:05
  • msg #163

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Jay Warren (msg # 161):

New Mexico outwardly seemded to appreciate Jay's blunt honestly, though for his own part he was confliced about Kaidan. He was sure enough that something was wrong with Karen, but Kaidan seemed with it, as with it as a teenager could be, months into life in Zombieland.

The sound of a vehicle engine, with tires upon pavement, reverberated through the trees, emitting as far as the Fort walls, almost drowned out by the groans and grunts of the walkers stuck to the pikes around the tall ramparts of the Fortress.

"Someone is coming." He stated, his eyes widening a bit in excitement as well as fear. Turning the treeline and road that wound through it to the Fort gates, he anticipated foes while hoping it was friends. Lyle and Justin still had not returned, and as much as he wanted it so it was unlikely Cookie's group had completed their mission yet.
A Stranger
NPC, 6 posts
Sat 9 Aug 2014
at 03:15
  • msg #164

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

-from La Belle Rebelle (Zombieland Wilderness)

The winding road seemed to go on for some time. Maybe the tourist destination had been designed that way to provide middle aged white people the chance to anticipate what they had paid so much in gas and ticketry to see.

"Make sure the big guy is awake. What are your names again?" The older man spoke to the others, realizing he had not asked their names since he'd helped them out from the drifters and escaped the road walkers.

"Its big, but its old."  The stranger commented as the Fort came into view. He had sussed out by now that the young fellows were nThe grassland around the old structure had grown ot of the Fort like the wounded man. Whether that was good or bad for them only time would tell. The prospect of shelter seemed good enough to give it a shot. Maybe they'd get well treatment for bringing their man back. If they wanted him back, that is..

Grassland surrounding the fort was tall, half the height of a man. Spikes, caltrops, what-have-you, adorned the base of the walls all around to the side bordering the rushing Mississippi where there seemed to be some makeshift dock. It was a good spot, with good grounds for defense. The open ground from the treeline of the forest to the walls and river granting high exposure to anyone who tried to assault. "Here we go."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Sat 09 Aug 2014.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 15 posts
Fort Member
Sat 9 Aug 2014
at 23:28
  • msg #165

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

--> From Toby's Office

Anne Marie walked right up to Jay and New Mexico. She put her hand on New Mexico's shoulder. "Yeah I heard the same thing." She remembered these two from the night the Caravan arrived a few nights ago but hadn't spoken much to either. She looked each one of them in the eye as she spoke. She wanted them to like her.

"Look guys, most of our people are gone right now. Toby put me in charge while he's gone on his raid. We don't have much food, if these strangers are sick or wounded we'll run out of supplies trying to help them. We can't let these people in."
 She turned and began to walk away, motioning for the two Caravaneers to come along. "We need to talk to Gabe up on the wall, see what we're dealing with."

The view from up on the wall reached as far as the tree line on all sides, and an equal distance across the river to the west. The approaching vehicle, kicking up dirt as it neared the Fort walls became visible. "Hello Gabe, what have we got here?"


This message was last edited by the player at 23:30, Sat 09 Aug 2014.
Gabe
NPC, 6 posts
Fort Member
Sun 10 Aug 2014
at 00:04
  • msg #166

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The watchman of viking-life stature had been watching Karen like a hawk as she gallivanted around the gates to the Fort. His attention was more wholly on the exterior of the Fort, of course, but he wasn't just a watchman in one direction.

He noticed the truck sound the same as everyone else, and he stood atop the ramparts in the strategic location right above the gate, rifle slung on one shoulder, with his spear leaning up against the spiked logs of the walls in front of his large form.

"..Brady's truck. Brady isn't the driver. Multiple people.." he replied to Anne-Marie, glancing to her only briefly before focusing on the arrivals, trying to gather as much information as he could. Was Brady bushwacked and his vehicle taken? The strangers didn't seem to be attacking, it wouldn't be the first time outsiders had come to them hat in hand. If they had harmed Brady all they would get is cold steel.
Jay Warren
player, 245 posts
The Inked Man
Badass Biker
Sun 10 Aug 2014
at 17:22
  • msg #167

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"We don't know, if they found it like that or shot Brady in the head, but let's hear 'em out before shootin' 'em, 'kay?" The biker didn't seem to rush to conclusions and was quite insistent on the others not doing so either. "Think if the situation was reversed? What'd you like? An' givin' them somethin' might not be required. They'll tell us what they want soon enough."
Hank Lucion
player, 28 posts
Sun 10 Aug 2014
at 17:41
  • msg #168

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to A Stranger (msg # 164):

--->From La Belle Rebelle

The stranger's words brought Hank out of the sullen mood he had fallen into. Right, wouldn't want the others getting the wrong idea. I'm Hank, and this is Tom. Gently nudging Tom off he knelt forward again. Didn't actually catch this guy's name. We just got to the store right before he showed up. If the injured man had fallen asleep, or more likely unconscious, Hank would try to stir him as gently as possible. Showing up with him looking dead wasn't something he wanted to try.
New Mexico
player, 204 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Mon 11 Aug 2014
at 01:29
  • msg #169

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

AM's hand upon his shoulder surprised New Mexico, but he didn't shirk away, merely glance towards Jay to acknowledge they'd both seen the defacto Fort Leader attempt to show some empathy. From what he'd seen of Toby's apparent #2 so far, Anne-Marie was a cool operator.

"I agree with Jay, we should talk to these people before we do anything." He knew he had little say here but he sincerely believed Jay was right, and would back up the tough but kind Caravaneer any day.

He followed the others a little, but gave AM the distance to negotiate what was happening with the principle watchman, Gabe. Silently he looked on. At least there was something going on at the Fort, instead of the melancholy waiting for friends to return.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 16 posts
Fort Member
Mon 11 Aug 2014
at 08:18
  • msg #170

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Shit. I liked Brady."
Anne Marie heard Gabe, Jay and New Mexico. She agreed, but she'd seen Toby do this many times. He always let wandering survivors sweet talk him into letting them come in. That's how Anne Marie got into Fort Dixie, after all. This time would be different. "OK. Let's talk. I wanna know what happened to Brady, but if they're hostile- shoot to kill."
A Stranger
NPC, 7 posts
Mon 18 Aug 2014
at 03:41
  • msg #171

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Aright boys, lets get out, nice and slow. Leave the doors open for cover just in case. Don't know how these people will react when they see their man." The older man advised as he left the truck engine off, but with the keys still in the ignition in case of the need to speedily pull back.

Green, experienced, baggy eyes surveyed the people atop the Fort walls as the hooded stranger stepped out of the truck. He wore a cloak/poncho of some sort, his hood drawn over his head though he pulled it back to show good faith in revealing his face. He was an older feller, but his age was not obvious, he was at least 60 that was clear, but strong and sinewy. Ragged long white hair fell from his head. He'd had to make do cutting his own hair and letting it grow out like almost all other survivors. His quiver and bow he'd left in the cab of the truck, hidden, as he had no need to send a message he didn't intend to. A bow was great, except against a rifle on high ground.

He raised his hands up but standing firmly behind the open driverside door for basic protection. "Hello there! Your friend directed us here! He's hurt! Took a shot of rock salt from a couple creeps! Said to take him to some doctor girl at this here fort!" He laid out, calling out to them for he had no intention of driving close to the armed Fort walls or the biters stuck to the pikes at the base outside.
Glancing over at the two young brothers, he shrugged.
Hank Lucion
player, 29 posts
Tue 19 Aug 2014
at 02:17
  • msg #172

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Great, more people. He had wondered what it would be like when/if he and Tom ever ran into more survivors. Of course there had to some out there, fantasizing about had helped through some of the rougher times. Reality was a lot different. Looking past his silent brother at the fort Hank just nodded at the man's suggestion. Stay behind me. He said, giving Tom's knee a squeeze while the archer got out.

With a sigh he made his own way out, eyeing up the scene before them. He was a little surprised at the archer's apparent age, the grandfathers of his friends had probably been close but no where near as fit as this man probably was. Turning back to the wall the sight of guns was both reassuring and worrying. He's fading in and out. I tried cleaning it as best I could. Hank added, hoping the man would make some sort of noise to let them know he was still alive. His hands went to the top of the door
Tom
NPC, 16 posts
Hank's brother
Tue 19 Aug 2014
at 02:30
  • msg #173

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Tom was in his own world as they pulled up to the fort, leaning against Hank with his eyes on the floor. The engine stopping brought him back to reality and he nodded numbly at Hank's whisper. Glancing out the window as he scooted after his brother he was surprised to see what looked like another kid, albeit a little older, on the wall. Standing a bit straighter then he felt like at the moment he tried to compose himself a little  using Hank as a blocker before edging out just enough to make it look like he wasn't hiding.
Brady
Player, 16 posts
Fort Member
Thu 21 Aug 2014
at 02:21
  • msg #174

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Brady let out a groan of agony. "Ann-Marie! Open the gates you raging bitch!" A small chuckle gave way to a gasp of pain. The wounded man sat up and tried to climb out of the vehicle, the burning holes in his chest proving too painful to manage the task on his own. "A little help here, guy?" Brady asked of Hank, unsure whether he hadn't heard his name, or had just forgotten it.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 17 posts
Fort Member
Thu 21 Aug 2014
at 22:52
  • msg #175

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Anne Marie, flanked by Jay on one side and Gabe and New Mexico on the other, stood atop the ramparts. The truck that had belonged to Brady rolled to a halt in front of the grand wooden gates of Fort Dixie. The sight of bodies moving around inside; three, maybe four of them, was for a moment the focus of everyone's attention.

Then they got out.

The raggedy old man, with his poncho that looked as old as he was, was the first to get out. Following him was a young man and a little kid, who looked similar, like brothers. Then she saw Brady. He was wounded, Anne Marie couldn't tell how badly. "God damn it. New Mexico,can you run and get Loa? We're going to need her." Brady had been a member of the Fort as long as Anne Marie could remember, and she couldn't let him die out there. He was not a stranger. The others however, would have to be allowed in as well. You can't just buy just one egg at the grocery store, you have to buy all twelve.

"This is not what I expected. Ok, open the gates, we have to let them in. God damn it." Anne Marie hoped desperately that the raiding groups would return with more supplies, or the entire Fort population would run out of food and medical supplies soon. Before departing the wall to talk to the newcomers, she looked out to the sky, the mid day sun sinking now, indicating the onset of the afternoon. Two days she thought.
Hank Lucion
player, 30 posts
Thu 21 Aug 2014
at 23:43
  • msg #176

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

O thank God. Hank sighed at the man's outburst. He only paused a moment, his shirt around Tom's neck brining the swift realization of direct blood to skin contact. However the man was still alive, and after what he did to help them had him moving. Ok, easy does it. He said, moving around to the other door. Wouldn't it be easier to wait till we're inside? Reaching down he tried to support the injured man as best he could.
Jay Warren
player, 246 posts
The Inked Man
Badass Biker
Mon 25 Aug 2014
at 18:05
  • msg #177

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The big biker watched the refugees with the big black shotgun in his hands in a manner that suggested, it was better not to cause any trouble, unless one wanted to be pumped full of buckshot. He followed them with a piercing gaze, locking on to each one of them for a while at a time. Standing on the wall, he looked even bigger and more intimidating than usual.
New Mexico
player, 205 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Thu 28 Aug 2014
at 18:56
  • msg #178

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Viewing the two younger fellows down in front of the Fort gave NM the immediate instinct to urge for their acceptance into the Fort. It wasn't just because they were young like himself, he'd known first hand that teenagers and even kids could be formidable additions to any group. The younger boy reminded him of Kaidan, as well as Abbey and Molly, three people he'd formed a bond with that were younger. One was missing, two were dead.

"Got it." NM would leave the battlements momentarily, heading down the stairs to reach Loa in her medical office.

"Hey Loa, some guy named Brady is here, he's wounded. A-M wants you out here please." He opened the door to the medical cabin, calling for her no matter where she was inside, but using his bestest manners possible given the circumstances.
Gabe
NPC, 7 posts
Fort Member
Thu 28 Aug 2014
at 18:59
  • msg #179

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Anne-Marie's orders precipitated Gabe into ordering a couple other watchmen to open the gate. His own large, viking-esque figure was quick to move down to the front gate, spear in hand, rifle slung over his back. The strangers looked vulnerable enough, but they were new and could be infected. Even Brady was at risk. Still, he was one of theirs, and he had to believe that the other man wouldn't put the Fort at risk by letting in bitten travelers.

I wonder if they've seen Saito..
A Stranger
Survivor, 8 posts
Thu 28 Aug 2014
at 19:06
  • msg #180

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The elder left his hood down for the time being so whoever dwelt within the Fort could get a good look at him. His first concern was maintaining liberty over his bow and quiver but he wasn't expecting it. Part of him felt the urge not to go inside. Still, the prospect of a walled shelter was enticing, and he wouldn't be the only newbie. Hopefully he'd get fair treatment for helping one of their people.

"Alright boys lets get him back in the truck and drive it inside. Don't need him stressing his wounds. If he dies suddenly outside the walls they might not let us in." His words were gruff but he was still trying to be optimistic about the situation. The lot he found himself cast with seemed to be of good enough character, or at least the boys. After all his years he felt he could pick out the good from the bad, usually..

Once they had gathered up the wounded Brady in the truck he took the drivers seat, coasting the truck inside the walls, knowing up until they passed the gate they had the option of high tailing it out of there. "Stay close to eachother, boys." He advised Hank and Tom as the gates closed behind them.

Stepping outside of the truck, he left the door open, making no pretense of hiding his bow and quiver of arrows lying in the seat behind him. He kept his hands up a little, moving slowly as he gauged the crowd of civilians and guards forming up around them in a semi-circle.
Loa
NPC, 9 posts
Fort Member
Veterinarian/Camp Doctor
Thu 28 Aug 2014
at 19:13
  • msg #181

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Loa had been pouring over her journal detailing her travels with Tim to reach the fort and the subsequent days inside leading up the Vega's murder and the present three raiding party excursions. A quick knocking at the cabin door followed by her patient New Mexico popping his head in drew her attentions, and she promptly closed her journal, stuffing it under some papers and tools for privacy and secrecy.

"I'm coming." She seized a beat up medical bag and was quick out the door, joining New Mexico in the courtyard just as the truck was entering with four inhabitants, Brady principally amongst them and bloodied.

"Someone help me get him inside. Be careful with him." She asked whoever was available, but her direction of tone indicated Gabe and Jay, the strongest in the immediate vicinity. A glance to Anne-Marie conveyed a silent worry. They both knew that the medical supplies were low. She kept the questions to herself, however, knowing all they could do was wait for the raiding parties. Toby was expected to come back with something.
Hank Lucion
player, 31 posts
Fri 29 Aug 2014
at 02:56
  • msg #182

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Hank breathed a little easier when it appeared they were going to be let in. If he dies, them not letting us in is the least of our worries. Hank mused, catching the shotgunner eyeing them up. He didn't want to be in an enclosed truck if the guy died and turned. Setting him back into the seat Hank gave the guy a slight smile Don't worry, soon the doctor you mentioned will take care of you. Closing the door he ushered Tom back in, glad the kid seemed to be coming around a bit. Slumping in the seat he didn't realize how much of a toll the last few hours had taken on him. Part of him knew he shouldn't relax, could never really relax ever again, but with the thought of being behind walls with armed people watching, the urge was overwhelming. Even if they couldn't stay hopefully bringing the guy back would buy them at least the night.

Don't worry, until we're sure about this place I have no intention of leaving Tom. Despite the fatigue it was obvious he meant it. Watching the fort people gather around he sighed and turned to Tom. Better then a tree at least. When he was sure no one was going to start shooting he followed the archer's lead, slowly getting out. Putting a protective arm in front of Tom he watched and waited.
Tom
NPC, 17 posts
Hank's brother
Fri 29 Aug 2014
at 03:08
  • msg #183

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

That's not creepy. Tom thought as the big guy eyed him up. At least it wasn't like the hick. A quick glance and discreet pat confirmed he had mostly dried up, the thought of other people seeing him like that not something he had been looking forward to.

At the tree remark he managed a small snort. Following Hank frowned slightly as he pushed his brother's arm down. He stayed behind though, just didn't it to look like he needed protecting.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 18 posts
Fort Member
Thu 11 Sep 2014
at 05:42
  • msg #184

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Anne Marie descended the stairs down the side of the wall and surveyed the three new occupants of the Fort. The Fort members worked as a well oiled machine, watching from the wall, opening the gates, and of course conducting bite checks. The medical services provided by Loa were needed urgently in another part of the Fort, so the bite checks would be done by others.

"I'm Anne Marie. I'm the acting leader of this Fort. Our leader Toby, as well as a large number of our group are currently out getting supplies." She cut to the chase, as they say in Hollywood. "We expect them back in two days, but until then our supplies are running low. Welcome you to Fort Dixie."

"I'm sure you'll understand the need to conduct bite checks on you before we allow you in further. For everyone's safety." She saw Gabe standing near, but instead eyed Luke for the job. "Luke, would you mind?"

"After you're finished, would the three of you please meet me in the office over there?" She pointed to Toby's office, and turned to walk away. That went well, she thought.

To Toby's Office --->
Luke
NPC, 12 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Sat 13 Sep 2014
at 05:15
  • msg #185

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

A man with an overly manicured, hip brown mustache stepped forward when Anne-Marie called on him to conduct bite checks. He winced inwardly at the job, far from glamorous but entirely necessary, of course. He remembered instances in the Fort and out on the road where a bite check became a real threat. Lots of sick people just staggering around the country slowly turning into one of those 'things'..

"Alright newbies make this easy on us. If all's on the up and up you'll have some water soon at least." A little carrot never hurt to get some compliance. He wasn't a mammoth like Gabe, as such not as likely to just cast a shadow to get what he wanted. Not that Gabe was a some freakish brute; rather he was a swell fella.

"You too Gandalf the Grey.." Luke commented towards the older guy as he cleared the young, less dangerous looking guys first before moving on to old man river. His words earned an eye roll from Green Arrow, but Luke found some levity was in need in such tense moments as an infection-sweep.

After establishing some health credibility amongst the strangers, he ushered them along towards Toby's headquarters, a cabin on the elevated part of the Fort grounds, where a commander would have resided centuries ago.
Luke couldn't help but feel like a guard as he led the three up the steps to the door of the cabin, a rifle held in his hands, in a grip that Brady certainly would not have approved of.

"Alright boys, in we go."

-Toby's Office and Quarters
Karen
Player, 58 posts
The Traitor
Mon 15 Sep 2014
at 00:59
  • msg #186

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Karen was at the gates when the sound of the approaching truck grew near. The thought of leaving weighed so heavily on her mind, plots of slipping out unnoticed when the gates oppened came and went. If she left now to go find Kaidan, they'd have nowhere to come back to. The young mother knew her boy could handle himself. That's what scared her.

When the order came off the wall to open the gates, Karen was on it. She and another fella pulled open the massive doors granting passage to the newcomers. Perhaps they weren't newcomers after all, she thought as they all shouted back and forth. At least this Brady guy seemed to be well known.

The fort folks carried the wounded man off to the infirmary and Luke began to perform the bite screenings. Karen stepped up and offered her assistance. She approached Tom and asked if he would mind if she checked him out. "I have a boy about your age." She shared with him.

Anne-Marie was off and up the hill and Luke was beginning to lead the three travellers up to parley with the she-beast. "Watch out for that one." Karen whispered to Hank as he passed by her.
Tom
NPC, 18 posts
Hank's brother
Thu 18 Sep 2014
at 02:51
  • msg #187

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Umm... Tom started at Karen's offer. He didn't know how in depth this group's screening was, but he wasn't sure he would want a woman with him. Maybe a girl his own age...Turning a shade redder he looked to Hank briefly before the mention of another kid caught his attention. I'll stick with my brother for the screening. Ah...thanks anyway. Looking around he focused on the easier issue for him to process at the moment. Really, where is he?

The screening wasn't as stressful as he thought, most of it coming from the earlier incident. He wasn't sure if he'd ever forget the feel the hicks tongue on his cheek. Being watched by strangers didn't help.

--->To Toby's office
Hank Lucion
player, 32 posts
Thu 18 Sep 2014
at 03:10
  • msg #188

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Hank knew he and Tom were clean, so he wasn't worried about that. The archer on the other hand...Well, that wasn't his problem. When the woman came up and asked Tom about checking him Hank grinned slightly at the kid's reaction. No offense but he isn't leaving my sight. He said with a grin, any earlier humor lost. He wondered what the woman meant as he passed, though it was obvious the comfort the fort had more then a few issues. Stopping briefly he turned to those still around the truck, The backpacks in the back are ours, we were only able to grab one bag of food before having to leave. True to his word he didn't, wouldn't leave Tom alone with any of them. Given what they had been through the only time he showed any discomfort was when his shirt was pulled off his brother's neck.



--->To Toby's office
A Stranger
Survivor, 9 posts
Sat 20 Sep 2014
at 00:33
  • msg #189

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The older man scowled and rolled her eyes when Luke made his comments. He kept his movements slow so as not to arouse suspicion. He didn't trust most people he met, and these Fort folks were no exception. His bite check revealed nothing that would result in his euthanasia, thankfully. As they were led away he cast a forlorn look back at his bow and quiver of arrows as a fort stranger manhandled them out of the truck.

-to Toby's Cabin
Karen
Player, 59 posts
The Traitor
Mon 6 Oct 2014
at 05:02
  • msg #190

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Gabe." Karen mounted the wall and approached the viking of a man. "Where do you want me?" Karen was reporting for duty, as per instructions. She carried herself with the authority she'd observed in Iraq, and learned to use in Atlanta. Her voice was one and the same that had ordered many men down to their knees, hands on their heads, fingers interlaced.

Karen knew she couldn't sit and do nothing, not while her boy was still out there, but now was not the time to make a move. Kaidan had only been gone a few hours. She'd give him time while biding her own.
Gabe
NPC, 8 posts
Fort Member
Sat 11 Oct 2014
at 02:38
  • msg #191

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Gabe had briefly assisted a wounded Brady into the medical cabin before returning on scene to watch over the bite-checkers, a long spear in one hand, blood from Brady's body caked on the stomach and sleeves of his shirt. Watching Luke lead the newcomers up the steps, he still wasn't sure what to make of them. The older man seemed spry.

Moving to search Brady's truck, he quickly retrieved the quiver of arrows and the well used bow the trio had brought with them. His brow furrowed as he inspected the weapons before passing them off to one of the fellow watchmen to take to the armory. The bandits that had been harassing them had been using predominantly bows. Not everyone out Z-Land were bandits, but it was still a red flag.

It was not long before Gabe was atop his ramparts, overseeing the grounds in front of the Fort, suspicious of a sneak attack what with the distraction of the new arrivals. That sneak attack could be humans or walkers. Maybe both.

"Hello." He replied to Karen as she ascended the steps towards his overlooking position right above the closed Fort gate. His eyes narrowed in scrutiny as he assessed her tone, wondering if this was the same Karen who had lost her common sense before the raiding parties left.

"Where you are right now is fine." Came his direction, his eyes averting back to the tree line across the field from the Fort. "I'm sure your boy is alright. Lyle seemed like a solid guy. Justin too." He offered, glancing towards her once more, some silent empathy in his eyes. "I'm sure everyone will be back soon...But if they don't, we need to be prepared for an attack."
Karen
Player, 60 posts
The Traitor
Mon 13 Oct 2014
at 06:33
  • msg #192

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Dodging the comment about her boy, Karen replied. "We'd be a whole heck of a lot more prepared if you hooked me up with a long-gun with a good scope." Karen had her sidearm on her hip, but the rest of her things were in storage. "You guys on the barter system here?" she asked, leaning against the defences and crossing her arms. "Got an M1 Garand down in the armory. It's a good weapon, but snipers are kinda my thing." She seemed confident about that.
CO-GM
GM, 6 posts
Tue 21 Oct 2014
at 01:27
  • msg #193

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"Somebody help me!" A woman screamed as she emerged from the woods surrounding the Fort. She would appear the size of an ant all the way across the green grass field. But her voice carried across it no problem. She ran towards the front gates as fast as her injured leg could carry her. She would be at the gates in a few moments. There was just enough time for the inhabitants of Fort Dixie to deliberate on their course of action before her arrival, and the arrival of the twenty or so zombies behind her.
Gabe
NPC, 9 posts
Fort Member
Thu 23 Oct 2014
at 04:28
  • msg #194

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

"I don't decide you gets to carry what, luckily that call belongs to Toby or AM. You haven't exactly demonstrated trustworthiness as of late, though." He replied to Karen, keeping his tone quiet and low, not relishing a possible confrontation but like everyone else, Gabe had grown a little wary of the new addition to the Fort. Being knocked unconscious by Toby wasn't exactly the kind of endorsement that won far reaching respect. Thankfully Gabe was usually left to his devices focusing on the watching over of the ramparts and field.

Hearing a scream far enough out from the Fort the large man would turn his gaze back from Karen towards the outfield near the treeline, spotting quickly a maimed female scrambling wounded across the open ground to their gate.

Other watchmen & women rushed to the ramparts, weapons prepared but mostly hopeful(as well as fearful) that their departed raiding groups were returning.

"We need AM out here right away." Though he was confidant he could make a call, AM would want to take the initiative here. With most of their fighters gone, they were on high alert, and all potentially pivotal decisions went straight to the top.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 21 posts
Fort Member
Thu 23 Oct 2014
at 05:17
  • msg #195

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

After being briefed by Hector, Anne Marie vaulted up the stairs to the top of the wall. The distance to the tree line was great, and the woman had only made it half way. Anne Marie had a sense of Deja Vu.

"We can't let her in." Anne Marie frowned. "I'm serious this time."

With three new additions, the food supply would run out faster than expected. Hardly any medical supplies would be left after Brady and Loa were through. This woman, running away from something in those woods, looked like she would use up the last of it. The Fort could not afford to let her in.

She leaned in next to Gabe and spoke in his ear. "Gabe, can you get the others off the wall? I want to limit the exposure of this. Just you and me up here when she arrives, ok?" In case things get ugly, she didn't say.
Hector
NPC, 14 posts
Caravan Member
Strong & Silent
Thu 23 Oct 2014
at 05:21
  • msg #196

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

-Toby's Office

Hector descended from Toby's command cabin on the higher end of the layout of the Fort, Anne-Marie in step with him as they made their way at an urgent pace to the ramparts. "Caucasian female survivor, adult, wounded leg. Walkers in pursuit."
People cleared for Anne-Marie and the tall mysterious Caravaner. Hector paid no one any mind, seemingly, while discreetly observing as much as he could. They had to trust the Fort people for the time being, and no matter what his group decided he would do his best to support the initiative struck between the factions, even if it might not always be this way.

He followed Anne-Marie onto the fortifications, maintaining a close but respectful distance as he listened to her speak to her Watchman, waiting for some sign from Jay or anyone else of the Caravan as to how to proceed with this situation.
Blind 'Lime' Jefferson
NPC, 4 posts
The Ramblin' Man
Thu 30 Oct 2014
at 00:58
  • msg #197

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Jefferson stood up from the rocking chair on which he sat atop the wall. "Now hold up here Annie! You ain't mean to says you ain't letting that poor, sweet, bum-legged gal into y'all's fort here? You can't be that cold you horrid, ragged, old cow. I tell ya that don't look like satisfaction, I don't care what you do!" He was unsteady on his feet and swayed a little as he yelled.
Karen
Player, 61 posts
The Traitor
Tue 4 Nov 2014
at 01:14
  • msg #198

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Hector (msg # 196):

"You used to be a cop before the Fall, right Hector? We have that in common." Karan watched the helpless girl limp towards the gates, the shambling zombies close behind. About a dozen or so were on her heels, the rest a few paces back. "You can't tell me you want to stand up here and watch that poor girl ripped apart in front of the fucking gates, do you? Back me up on this Hector?" The former law enforcement officer was antsy, the tension was thick. "Anne-Marie! We don't have to keep her! We just have to let her in! We'll deal with her after!!"

Karen knew there was no time to convince the world's grouchiest welcoming committee. She fled the wall, heading down towards the armoury at a full sprint. "Gimmie my rifle! Quickly!" She shouted at the attendant. Christopher's M1 Garand  and a little ammo was handed back to her and she was back up to the wall. The front ramparts of Fort Dixie were rather long, tens of feet were unoccupied and equally as appropriate as a vantage point. Yet Karen chose the spot where Anne-Marie was standing. "Move." She said, pointing the gun into the field and taking a sniper's position upon the battlements. The M1 was no sniper rifle, but the zombies had drawn near enough. Karen exhaled, gently squeezing the trigger, and dropping the one that was groping desperately for the girl's shoulder, teeth clamping foolishly as though they were already upon her flesh. The zombie immediately behind tripped on the dead one and face-planted beside it. Karen took aim at the next closest zombie and exhaled again, about to fire.
Luke
NPC, 17 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Sat 8 Nov 2014
at 05:00
  • msg #199

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

-from Toby's Quarters/Cabin

Luke tried to ignore the commotion at the Fort gates as he led the three visitors down the hillside steps from the commander cabin. Living in the Fort he'd grown accustomed to turning a blind eye to things that made him uncomfortable. Life wasn't the way it used to be, and they were all still getting used to it, even after close to a year since the big night, when Z-Land arrived.

"Look as much as I'd like to give you your shit back, its not my call, sort of above my paygrade, I'm afraid. That's Anne-Marie's call, or at least until Toby gets back from the raid. He's alittle friendlier than AM, though I don't have a problem with her ladyship." He spoke to Hank, Tom and 'Joe' rather casually, hoping that would move them to a more mutual trust. Luke remembered when he first arrived at Fort Dixie, after being out in the wilderness for so long, seeing how people could be to one another.

"We had this new group, they were part of some sort of Caravan of survivors, arrive here a few days ago. Led by some creepily badass woman named Cookie. We fed em up, and in exchange they are helping us out on a raid. Hector is one of them, as well as a few over on the ramparts arguing. We let them carry their weapons, I imagine Toby will allow you the same treatment when he gets back. AM just does things differently, its safer but makes anyone who comes here super suspicious of us." The consequence of trying to make a connection to get more information and break the ice was that he was being wholly sincere in his evaluation of events. He carried his weapon not all too readily, and tried to steer the four of them from the area of action at the ramparts of the Fort. Though he was not party to the information Hector gave AM, he'd seen what he believed to be happening play out many times at their walls.

"A-Um, where you all from? Originally I mean. I'm from Southern Florida. Was fucking humid as shit."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:00, Sat 08 Nov 2014.
Gabe
NPC, 10 posts
Fort Member
Sat 8 Nov 2014
at 05:09
  • msg #200

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Gabe nodded in the affirmative in response to AM's words, turning from viewing the field containing the frantic survivor, and locking his attention on the those gathered on the ramparts. He had nothing against the new people, really, but he knew AM more than he knew the newbies, and he wasn't about to obstruct the leadership of the Fort unless he felt he could do a better job. The big guy didn't want to know.

"Karen, 'Mexico, Hector, off the ramparts, now." Gabe told the others gathered up top, not even asking. He was the watchman, and as far as he was concerned the wall was his to oversee, excepting Toby, and when he was gone, Anne-Marie. The tall man held his spear in one hand, making no aggressive gesture but for the tone of his voice.
New Mexico
player, 206 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Sat 8 Nov 2014
at 05:18
  • msg #201

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

New Mexico had stood back and watched scenes unfold. Watching with cautious empathy as seemingly two brothers and an older guy arrived at the Fort with Brady, a man he'd heard much about over the course of a few days stay. Why they would let one of their people raid solo was beyond NM's comprehension, and clearly there was more dysfunctional about the Fort than the people there had let on. They'd all just been blinded by the offer of shelter and food, when the trade off was nearly getting the entire group killed on some raid, probably.

And now this nonsense. NM was all for self preservation, but the sight was a poor one, with the wounded survivor clawing up earth at gates with walkers on her butt. Surely there was something they could do, as much as he didn't want to agree with Karen on anything lately. He still hadn't forgotten that Karen had gotten most of his friends killed in St. Louis but some days ago. The only thing that kept him biting his tongue was his budding friendship to Kaidan.

"Fucking relax, its not like we aren't going to hear everything that happens twenty feet away, anyway. And I'm not leaving this god damn wall until my friends are back. I don't care if you made us lobster this morning, I'm not leaving the wall until my people are back."

Despite his sharp words he silently wondered where Jay had gotten off to, his self preservation instinct ringing back to him. It reminded him he was just a teenager, as well as a recovering patient concerning the shotgun blast he'd taken to his shoulder, courtesy of Sam and his friends a while back. But he wanted the Caravan back together, Fort rules be damned.

I-I might need Jay here. He thought as Gabe's towering frame turned towards Karen, Hector and himself.
Hector
NPC, 15 posts
Caravan Member
Strong & Silent
Sat 8 Nov 2014
at 05:29
  • msg #202

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Hector stared silently,at Karen as she implored him to support her on the issue of the lone survivor outside the Fort walls.  He was as always relatively ambiguous in what he might say or do. Sure he was with the Caravan, but he hadn't been with them long, then again Karen had gotten him captured and near murdered by the freak scientists in St. Louis. The large former SWAT wasn't about to start, trouble with Anne-Marie or Gabe, as his own inclination would be to leave the girl at the gates outside. It was too big a risk.

Before he could say anything, Karen was off, sprinting to the armory to gather up a rifle, soon to take up a position firing on the approaching undead, groping after fresh meat.

"Its her ammo and gun, I'd leave her alone. She isn't wasting your resources after all." He mentioned to Anne-Marie, leaving himself squarely out of any trouble, stepping to stand near NM, willing to leave the ramparts if he was told, but not about to leave the kid behind to face Fort justice alone, if it came.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:29, Sat 08 Nov 2014.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 22 posts
Fort Member
Mon 10 Nov 2014
at 03:46
  • msg #203

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Anne Marie stood in place looking incredulously at Karen. She had been observing the awful scene in the field surrounding Fort Dixie, the woman running towards, screaming. She heard Gabe carry out her request and overheard New Mexico's refusal. Hector was waiting around, Karen shooting. Everyone was still here.

Anne Marie really didn't know what to do. She had wanted to limit the exposure of what would likely be a gruesome situation, for the good of the group. It wasn't working. At work, she had the authority of her position with the airline to tilt the scales in her favor. Now, it was make or break time, and they weren't listening.

In the moment that Karen took her breath anticipating her shot Anne Marie reached out, inspired by a past reflex, and pulled Karen's blonde hair. Clutching it tightly in her fists, she turned Karen's head to face her, ignoring the large gun in Karen's hand. "Listen bitch, I don't give a fuck if you wanna shoot at those fuckers, but do it somewhere else." Anne Marie let go of Karen's hair, feeling a bit embarrassed about resorting to juvenile tactics, but trying to hide it. "Two strikes Karen. I'm beginning to see why no one likes you."

Anne Marie clears her throat and speaks to everyone who can hear, on the wall and on the ground.

"Everyone else- look, you know as well as I do that things are getting bad. We're running out of food. We're running out of medical supplies. Now, we're running out of time. No one wants to admit it, but there is a chance that Toby, and Cookie, and Ricky, and Dominic and that cowboy guy never come back. The bandits are dangerous, and they are all over the place. Then there are the undead, the ones that are now filling up the field around our Fort.
I know you want to save that girl. I do too. But, for our own security, she cannot come in this Fort. Gabe, Karen, you two shoot all the walkers you can, its the least we can do. I want everyone else off the wall now. This is now restricted to Fort Leadership, which since I am designating Gabe as my deputy, includes just us."

Anne Marie turns to Gabe "You with me buddy?" she says privately.
Karen
Player, 62 posts
The Traitor
Mon 10 Nov 2014
at 04:52
  • msg #204

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

The gun went off as Ann-Marie yanked on Karen's hair. She fell back onto her ass with the destabilizing force. Karen stood as Ann-Marie gave her little speech. She was pissed off. Had had about enough of this woman for a lifetime. But Karen had dealt with this type before, always butted heads with authority. It's a wonder she ever did so well in the army and police forces. But sheer skill and determination can do a lot to counter a shitty attitude...

Karen stood, shouldered the Garand, and waited for Ann-Marie to finish. She took a few smug, arrogant struts towards her. Got right up in her face. Her nose almost touched the other woman's. Her eyes were fierce. Yet she knew she had no play to make here, at least not physically. Karen blew warm air from her nostrils as she began to speak, her voice low, authoritative, confident and unflinching. "I'm done with your power-trip. You want to fuck me Ann-Marie, I fuck back." She puffed her chest out. Karen wanted to hit her, but she couldn't. Not here. Not with all of AM's people around. "You really want to let her die? That's what you want?! Fine." Karen stepped off of Ann-Marie and lifted the gun again. She took aim once more and fired, this time still standing. The bullet took the running woman in the side of the head. She was about twenty-five feet from the gates.

Karen dropped the gun on the old wooden boards that supported them all. She turned and gave Ann-Marie a sharp shove. Nothing that would cause her to loose her footing or fall off the wall. It was the kind of shove people gave each other in bars when they wanted to start a fight.

"There! Happy now? She won't waste any of your shit. Let's all congratulate Ann-Marie on a job well done. You saved our supplies, and hey, fuck it, you saved our lives!" Karen was shouting now. Her brow was moistened with sweat and her blood was boiling. "My boy is out there! I know he can handle himself. I know he's smart. But if he isn't back by tomorrow noon, I'm going out there to find him! And I'm bringing him back here!" Karen turned to address the growing audience. "She told me if I went to look for my son, I wouldn't be welcomed back here." Karen wasn't sure who was on AM's side, who supported her, who even knew how big a bitch she really was.

Karen stepped back up to Ann-Marie, got in her face again. "Noon. Until then, I need you to climb down out of my ass. Okay?" With that she began to walk away, scooping up the strap of the rifle.
Hank Lucion
player, 36 posts
Thu 13 Nov 2014
at 04:02
  • msg #205

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Luke (msg # 199):

Hank didn't like what Luke's words implied. It didn't matter who was in charge, that was their gear. Some of it even came from their old lives. They could have whatever had been taken from the store, just not their bags. However he wasn't about to argue with a bunch of armed people. Ya...though hopefully you've never had to use your weapon inside the walls. Hank said, glancing over at the commotion on the rampart. Jersey, about 10 min away from Philadelphia. Not that it mattered anymore, where you were from was less important then where was safe nowadays. Turning back to their guide he was happy not to have to worry about the what was going on for a change, even for a short time.

Um, when do you think we'll be able to see Brady? I want to talk with him, and your doc, if possible.
Gabe
NPC, 11 posts
Fort Member
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 03:48
  • msg #206

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Gabe was quick to affirm his loyalty to Anne-Marie with a short nod, and quickly he was tested by Karen storming AM's personal space to make a point. He intervened when the shove was given, solidly interjecting the brief contact with one of his long, strong arms, solidly boxing Karen out of armsreach of AM, who was as far as Gabe was concerned the defacto Fort Leader.

The shot that killed the woman running towards their gate gave him some shock, however. He hadn't expected that. He also saw many of the Fort inhabitants were similarly surprised by the action, and unsure of how to react. All Gabe knew was that tomorrow noon wasn't soon enough to expel Karen from the Fortress that was supposed to be a haven from the chaos, but that over time was becoming anything but.

Moving after Karen when she extended an arm to scoop up the garand by the strap, Gabe's size 13 workboot stepped soundly over the weapon, stopping Karen short of walking off with it. Towering over her, his spear aloft firmly in both hands, his presence dared her to object to his stern decision to deprive her of the rifle.

"You made your point. No more guns for you until you leave."
New Mexico
player, 207 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 03:53
  • msg #207

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

NM's heart caught like many of the Fort people when Karen executed the wounded woman rushing towards the walls. Quickly the walkers began to collapse to their knees around the newly killed woman's body, tearing into her fragile form with their bony clawlike fingers, tearing her open, making her unrecognizable. When a group of biters took a person down like that, they left nothing behind, except blood and clothes on the grass that was starting to turn a late-autumn brown.

Despite his early protestations to Anne-Marie, these latest developments made him ill, and he willingly turned away, passing a knowing look to Hector who soon followed. They wanted nothing of any more of the nastiness, and took themselves slowly down the stairs.

Across the courtyard New Mexico caught sight of the new people, the old man and the two younger ones, one of which seemed slightly older than himself, the other a bit younger. Poor guys. To see us all like this..
A Stranger
Survivor, 12 posts
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 04:01
  • msg #208

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

-From Toby's Quarters

In reply to Luke (msg # 199):

The old archer wasn't going to dissuade Luke from telling them anything he knew about the Fort. 'Joe' had already decided he wasn't going to be cozying up to the Fort dwellers anytime soon. Though this was his first trip to the place, he was putting two and two together and had a feeling that bringing Brody back to the Fort may have been a poor call in regards to their own safety. Despite the encroaching warning signs he was seeing all around them, there was the faintest of hopes that Brady would safeguard their presence should he recover.

"Yea, we'd like to check on our mutual friend if you don't mind." He ignored the question about where he came from, feeling that Luke's question was mere smalltalk, and therefore a waste of time to 'Joe'.
Luke
NPC, 18 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Mon 17 Nov 2014
at 04:08
  • msg #209

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

In reply to Hank Lucion (msg # 205):

Though Luke was not close enough to know the details of the trouble at the gates, he visibly flinched when the gunshot rang out. The others hadn't perturbed him, really, as they were almost manic, indicative of a hurried defense of the walls. This last one was simple and pointed. The fact he could distinguish the possible motives behind similarly sounding gunshots never failed to reveal to him the absurdity that was life behind walls. The new life for them all.

The mustached man notably did not reply directly to Hank regarding the use of weapons within the Fort. What could he say?

"I don't see why not." He replied when asked about Brady, and he was curious himself. He'd recently gone on a scouting mission with Brady, who had been something other than friendly with the hipster. To see such a wild alpha male seriously hurt was a sight that Luke wasn't used to.

"Here, lets get you some water and then we'll check on Brady and the Doc. Her name is Loa by the way. She's nice." Stopping at the well, he shouldered his rifle with the sling to free both hands, allowing him to take hold of the rope and pull the bucket up the deep hole.

 "Just your your hands as cups, I don't have anything handy. Feel free to splash your face too, y'all look a bit dirty and it'll refresh ya anyway." Luke suggested as he placed the bucket of cold water down on a simple adjacent table next to the well.

"At least we have water..Food is on the way too. Any day now."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:09, Mon 17 Nov 2014.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 23 posts
Fort Member
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 01:56
  • msg #210

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Anne Marie stood close next to Gabe and Karen as she watched the helpless woman's body fall to the ground and be torn apart by rabid walkers. The sight was gruesome and Anne Marie was repulsed, burying her face in the palms of her hands. This also served the purpose of displaying through body language her exasperation with Karen.

She shook her head, and raised her face. She spoke cooly, despite the redness of her complexion. "You know, Karen, I think Toby was wrong to want to keep you around. Feel free to leave whenever." She turned from the scene then looked back at Karen. "In fact, if I were you, I'd leave right away. You can take what you brought in with you."

Stopping by Gabe, she put her arm on his shoulder and said "Thanks for your help today. There is nothing happening here now, I'm going back to the office. Keep an eye on her, OK?"
Karen
Player, 63 posts
The Traitor
Tue 18 Nov 2014
at 03:42
  • msg #211

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Karen's hand was trained to rest upon the grip of her sidearm. She lifted the strap of the Garand only to find the gun a few hundred pounds too heavy. The former cop turned back to face the viking of a man. "Gabe. Can I have my gun please Gabe? I'd like to go out front to clean up the mess on the lawn, Gabe." She spoke bitterly, eyeing the bayonet folded under the barrel of the Garand. Karen dared not draw on Gabe for her destruction was fairly assured, but her hand rested on her sidearm none the less.
Hank Lucion
player, 37 posts
Tue 25 Nov 2014
at 03:47
  • msg #212

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Pushing the throbbing in his head aside Hank focused on the bucket. He hadn't realized how thirsty he was until now, and the thought of being able to fill their water bottles without waiting for the rain made him itch for his stuff back even more. There would be time to figure out what happened on the wall later, though if he heard the woman right and Luke dodging his question it seemed they would have to be more then a little useful to stay. For now the bucket had his attention, moving around the table so the others could fit he wiped his hands on the cleanest part of his pants visible.

Taking a handful he shivered as he drank, the coolness spreading as it went down. They had done ok with savaging, occasionally hunting, and rationing, but water had always been an issue. Not only was there the weight and quality to worry about, there was the need to drink enough to function. Taking a couple more handfuls he took the time to look around their new surroundings.
Tom
NPC, 20 posts
Hank's brother
Tue 25 Nov 2014
at 03:55
  • msg #213

Re: Fort Dixie - (Exterior Scenes) - Chapter 3

Tom's eyes went wide when he saw the bucket. Fighting the urge to down the entire bucket he followed Hank's lead and used the shirt around his neck to wipe his hands. Though before he knew it he was downing handful after handful of the liquid, only slowing after Hank put a hand out. You could use some of the cans from the shop as cups... He started before letting it drop, the memories of what happened still too fresh. Casting his eyes back to the bucket he took some handfuls, slower this time.
Gabe
NPC, 11 posts
Fort Member
Sat 29 Nov 2014
at 04:53
  • msg #214

Return of the Raiding Party

Gabe had allowed Karen to disembark with her weapon minus the garand which he kept for safekeeping. Karen was rather impulsive, and while Gabe allowed her to keep her sidearm, he kept the rifle. After what had happened on the ramparts there had to be reaction from the Fort administration. Slinging the rifle over his shoulder he'd set about watching Karen move to the front of the Fort, just outside the gates, to do as she said, to clean up the mess. He trusted she could dispatch with whichever undead remained crouched over a unrecognizable corpse, feeding.

Being the man on the wall, he had confirmed Anne-Marie's orders to watch over things while she stepped away. From overlooking Karen out front, Gabe made sure to watch the treeline far out across the open ground, across no-mans land.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:53, Sat 29 Nov 2014.
Colton Black-Rabbit
Survivor, 4 posts
Sat 29 Nov 2014
at 05:15
  • msg #215

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

-from Welcome the Woods : The Raiding Party

Colton's people had screened ahead to ensure he knew what to expect well before they even reached the Fort. Travelling light and quick, they were able to return to the now Coalition of survivors with word that there had been gunfire at the Fortress. Letting the information percolate to the raiding party his band had picked up, Colton nonetheless moved onwards towards the final treeline before they would enter the open area around the north, east and south sides of the Fort.

They moved in a sort of column as they revealed themselves at the treeline for the fort watchmen to spot. The raiding party that had left Dixie some time before and Colton's band formed a group at the front, while a couple native survivors guided a dozen or so of the undead, missing arms, missing jaws, and manacled together at the necks to form a sort of sled team of pack animals. Indeed, each of the chained, rotting slaves were strapped with large hiking packs.

Colton led confidently towards the Fort, seemingly unperturbed by the possibility of a negative interaction with the dwellers of the old place. He came to a stop some safe space away from Karen, a person he did not recognize, doing something with walkers in the open turf.

"You, woman, I'm here to deal with Toby." He stated a stern authority, the men and women of his group, numbering roughly the same as their undead pack animals, standing calmly but watching closely the Fort ramparts. They kept their hands free of weapons in a gesture of peaceableness, though it was obvious from the disposition of Colton's people they were a rough sort.

"We found your people. As you can see one of them is very injured." He spoke to Karen mostly, but his voice projected to Gabe at the wall as well,  glancing over to Cookie, Dominic, Ricky and the rest of the unfamiliars plus Saito and Bill. Gabe promptly motioned for one of his fellow watchmen to fetch Anne-Marie wherever she was.

"Better guide us in quickly, she doesn't look so good. Don't want her to turn, do we?" Colton stated in a neutral, ambiguous way, as if there was nothing bizarre about his diverse mix of fighters, undead pack animals and the pale, limp form of a wounded, one-foot-short Isabelle.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:15, Sat 29 Nov 2014.
Saito
NPC, 16 posts
Fort Member
Sat 29 Nov 2014
at 05:29
  • msg #216

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Saito kept his guard up as they moved through the forest back to the Fort. Though they had more people now, he was keenly aware of how easy it was to be surrounded by a hoard, herd, whatever people prefer to call them. Travelling with mutilated walkers was particularly disturbing to him, though he kept the feeling to himself, making small talk with Colton whenever the native leader felt like addressing him. Saito was sure the man thought himself a King or Pirate Lord. Maybe Colton was crazy, but they needed his food, as they had needed it in the past, and had done what was necessary to facilitate a deal.

"That's Karen, came in some days ago with these people here." Saito informed Colton as they approached the former policewoman in front of the Fort.

"If Toby is back you'll have your end fulfilled, if not I'm sure he'll be along shortly." Saito hoped Toby had in fact returned because they desperately needed the foodstuffs to last the next few months of colder weather. The stores of sustenance would also allow them to keep raiding to a minimum. One way or another, he was intent on keeping the food Colton had brought, even if they had to force the guy to wait for Toby to return. The stakes were too high, and everyone was tired and tense, inside as well as outside the Fort.
Cass
Survivor, 6 posts
Sat 29 Nov 2014
at 05:33
  • msg #217

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Cass kept close to Ricky after they were absorbed by the native survivors. She could hardly look at them, especially Colton, who's fleshy scalp collection bounced against one leg as he walked and led the enlarged party. Quiet and sullen, she tried to keep a low profile especially after Colton had demanded she be handed over.
With the easier pace of the journey allowing her to get her bearings, she required less assistance in moving along. "Ricky, what is this place exactly?" She asked as they neared the treeline, a gateway to open ground which soon revealed the Fortress she'd heard the others mention.
Karen
Player, 64 posts
The Traitor
Sat 29 Nov 2014
at 06:41
  • msg #218

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Karen had an extendable baton in hand as the band emerged from the trees. The zombies she was beating down didn't seem to notice the late arrivals, them having enough sport there in front of them. The blonde woman swung the baton wide and took a zombie in the temple. Is fell over sideways and slowly began clambering to stand up again. Karen took the next one down with a kick to the side of the knee and a couple strong, fast strikes to the skull. Finally she came back to the first and brought the weapon down with two hands.

Karen's hair clung to her face, pasted there with blood spatter and sweat. She wiped the hair out of her face with a bare arm as the group approached. This sweaty, blood soaked, woman was not exactly the "Wal-Mart greeter" of anyone's dreams, but she was all Colton and the crew had.

"Toby's not back." She huffed out, catching her breath and spotting the wounded Isabelle. "Oh fuck me!" Karen stowed the baton on her duty belt and offered a helping hand to Dominic. "What happened? Was she bit?"

Karen shouted up to Gabe on the wall. "Gabe! Would you ever want to open up that gate? And send for Loa!"
Dominic Dubreton
player, 226 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 29 Nov 2014
at 17:07
  • msg #219

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

-----> The Woods

Dominic had kept a wary eye on Colton and his crew as they had made their way back through the woods, not quite trusting him to keep his word and not turn on them the second they let their guards down. Grisly images of his butchered corpse chained up with the rest of the undead mule train behind him filling his head.
However for the time being at least it would appear that his paranoia was unfounded as they came into view of the fort before then stopping outside of its gates; with Colton; the arrogant fool commanding Karen who had been busy dispatching the undead to go and find Toby, the woman moving over to him when she saw Isabelle.
"I'll pass if its all the same to you" Dom replied grimly to Karen's expletive, a bitter smile briefly making an appearance as he did so before then continuing "...and no, she stepped in a goddamn bear trap...I...I had no choice it was that or leave her to be torn apart like an animal" he growled angrily though for once the anger wasn't directed at Karen though whether or not she'd make that distinction for herself was any mans guess.
Allowing Karen to help him; the paramedic too weary and guilty over what he'd been forced to do to let a grudge get in the way he made his way towards the gate "I've stopped the bleeding but she's in a bad way...I've probably bloody killed her...maybe it would have been kinder to shoot her but...I...I just couldn't do it"
Cookie
player, 376 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 30 Nov 2014
at 22:07
  • msg #220

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Cookie ambled along keeping an eye on things.  What a mess; what exactly had Toby been thinking with this crazy trade route thing ?  She'd fallen for it, certainly - but a deal was a DEAL.  Until she could get the Caravan up and running again, she had to play by someone else's rules.
Ricky Robes
player, 64 posts
The Journalist
Fri 5 Dec 2014
at 05:43
  • msg #221

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Ricky smiled and felt a little embarrassed; it completely slipped his mind that not everyone knew about the fort. "This is Fort Dixie. The Caravan came here a few days ago and the people have been real generous with us. That's the main reason we were out there today, just trying to pay off that kindness and pull our own weight ya know." He paused slightly as Karen ran to help Dominic with Isabelle. He kept his voice low as he continued. "Not everyone in our group gets along with each other, and I'm pretty sure there are a few who wouldn't mind if some members just disappeared . . . That blonde woman over there is Karen, I would suggest staying away from her. She's not the best person to associate with right now." His voice trailed off a little as he remembered the events at St. Louis.
Cookie
player, 377 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 7 Dec 2014
at 22:51
  • msg #222

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

"He's right," Cookie said, sweetly, backing up Ricky. "She betrayed a lot of people who wound up dead - and worse - so I'd be real careful around her."  The smile didn't reach the hard hazel eyes.  Karen was still high up on her list of things to deal with.  But for now, she'd wait and watch, and it would be especially interested how Toby spoke to these 'trail' guys.
Gabe
NPC, 12 posts
Fort Member
Mon 8 Dec 2014
at 02:27
  • msg #223

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Gabe watched the ensemble of survivors approaching, his tall strong form a solitary figure atop the peak of the ramparts, just above the heavy closed gates of the Fortress. There was only one other part of the Fort higher than this point, which was the watchtower at the center of the Fort. If it weren't for the importance of commanding the operation of the gate directly, the watchman would have been up in the tower, keeping lookout with a rifle and, should worst come to worst, precautionary rations.

Spear held aloft in one fist, his rifle slung over his shoulder, he summed up the situation and made the necessary commands. "Open the gates!" He bellowed to his rag-tag assortment of Fort dwellers who administered guard duty on rotation. "One of the Caravaners are wounded, get her to medical asap." The viking-esque individual ordered to one of his subordinates. "This shit aint right.." The watchman muttered to himself, eyeing Colton and his people warily. Where are you Toby?

The old, centuries old wood of the gates groaned as they were pried open to allow access into the Fort proper. Immediately in view to the those outside the gates in the field was a scattering of survivors, with that lifeline, the water well, centering the view. Around the well were the new strangers, Hank and Tom and an older man, accompanied by Luke.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Mon 08 Dec 2014.
Luke
NPC, 19 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Mon 8 Dec 2014
at 02:35
  • msg #224

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Luke let the newcomers enjoy some cold water, envious of what the peaceful lull in the everyday violence of survivor life could bring. Things like clean, cool water, warm food and clean-ish clothes were so appreciated in the present, when in the past were taken as granted. "White people problems, eh?' Luke uttered to his 'wards', his only way of explaining the anxious activity of the Fort since the three had arrived with a wounded Brady.

When the gates opened to reveal the return of at least one of the raiding parties, the smashingly mustachioed young man visibly lit up with recognition and relief. "The Caravan and a couple of our people returned. Y'Know, with you two bringing Brady back and now this, we're almost whole again. Two groups down, two to go. Just need the boss-man Toby and his people, and then Lyle, Justin and that crazy blonde lady's kid.." Luke's sense of hope seemed to falter when he mentioned the latter group still yet to arrive.
New Mexico
player, 208 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Mon 8 Dec 2014
at 02:43
  • msg #225

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

New Mexico didn't need any encouragement to get out of the Fort and greet his companions. The teenager had been healing in the Fort since arriving some days ago, strangely idealistic and cynical at the same time about Cookie, Dom, Ricky and the rest arriving back from the goose chase. They had traded their time and skills for the medical supplies used to fix him up after Sam's goons had shot him some time back, and Karen's 'friends' had re-agitated healing wounds. That stuff in addition to the feast the Fort had bestowed upon the Caravan led to this seemingly unnecessary risk on the part of his friends to contribute to the Fort.

The pale but, as of late, rejuvenated youth moved out the front gates at a brisk pace, making sure not to stir his bandaged shoulder too much as he closed distance with his own people. "If this were a Michael Bay movie, I'd say 'Sonofa bitch...' Good to see you all alive and-" NM cracked a grin, though it faded as he spotted Isabelle minus a foot.

"Holy shit." The seriousness of the situation was evident, especially with the creepy drifters that had accompanied or shuttled his friends back to the Fort. "You people look like something out of Mad Max crossed with Robin Hood." The references that not everyone might grasp came flooding out again. With food in his belly and shelter, NM was getting back to normal, which meant sarcasm and caution.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Mon 08 Dec 2014.
Loa
NPC, 10 posts
Fort Member
Veterinarian/Camp Doctor
Mon 8 Dec 2014
at 02:51
  • msg #226

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

The Fort doctor was quickly meeting Dominic and the others at the front gate, an apron she wore already bloodied by a recent addition to the medical building. Despite the seriousness of the wound, she was glad to see Dominic had taken whatever means he could to apply a tourniquet to the mutilated limb. Her dark eyes begged the question of potential undead-infection though she did not utter a word on that in public. Her assumption was that Isabelle had taken a bite and that the raiding party had chopped above the bite to stop the spread of infection. It had worked in the past. Not always.

"Karen, Dominic, follow me, I'll need your hands." She released a quick sigh, swiping sweat from her forehead. They'd caught her at the ready, but only because she had been salvaging the torn mess of what was a buck-shot Brady in the medical cabin already. She of course had noticed Colton and his group, having encountered them before, but it wasn't her business to deal with them unless they had medical supplies to trade.

"Luke, can you please bring some clean water." She requested simply to Luke, Hank, Tom and 'Joe', assuming compliance based on the seriousness of the matter, as she led Dominic and Karen to the medical quarters.

-to Medical Cabin
Cass
Survivor, 7 posts
Mon 8 Dec 2014
at 03:02
  • msg #227

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 221):

Cass listened to Ricky, attentive but dreary from what she had been through the last twenty four hours. Shelter was welcoming, but Colton's group, who still sneered her way, reminded her that far from being free from what had been dealt to her own group, she would now be under lock and key. Maybe she should have stayed quiet in the pit..

"Alright." She nodded, willing to follow the advice of the man who had saved her twice, once from the pit and second from Colton's scalp-wearing scorn. She tried to stick with Cookie and Ricky, managing a small, modest smile to convey she wasn't out for the count just yet.  "These people from the woods aren't good folk. They murdered my group, my sister.. Please don't let them in this place." As she spoke to Cookie and Ricky she knew it may not really be up to them as it seemed there was some trade or negotiation about to occur, yet she warned them anyway. "They aren't like real people anymore."
Bill
Player, 31 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Mon 8 Dec 2014
at 04:26
  • msg #228

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

The group was a sight to see; a girl with a missing leg, the dishevelled raiding party, and Colton's zombie slaves, walking across the vast field that surrounded Fort Dixie on three sides. On the fourth side, the Mississippi river roared, and reflected the orange light of what had become late afternoon.

With neither Toby, Sam or Anne Marie in sight, Bill took charge. "Say Colton, why don't we have some of your people help our people move the food into storage?" Bill looked up at Colton, who had grown taller than Bill since their interactions years ago. "Luke! Saito!" He called for the boys to help.

He smiled. Bill was thrilled to be back at Fort Dixie. He wondered what had happened while he was gone. He smiled and watched the people of the fort walking around, the Caravan group reunited with their friends. The tensions of the road, the violence they had seen and felt, was all behind them now, Bill thought.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 227 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Tue 9 Dec 2014
at 23:27
  • msg #229

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Moving between the ponderously opening gates as soon they were wide enough to admit the three of them through Dominic made straight for the medical cabin finding an obviously concerned Loa waiting for them in an apron already stained with blood “Patient’s limb was partially amputated just above the foot by a bear trap, full amputation was performed at the scene when it became apparent that the limb couldn’t be saved, both Fibular and Tibial arteries have been temporarily sutured and a tourniquet applied, however patient has yet to regain consciousness after initial black out and has received no medication” Dominic said, speaking in a rapid business like monotone like he was delivering a report at a hospital to the attending doctor on their way to surgery rather than carrying his friend to a make shift nineteenth century cabin, to treat her himself with the aid of a vet and a cop. The formalness in his voice more a symptom of his own shock and guilt than any real need to tell Loa what had happened after all it was kind of obvious however clinging to this rather thin charade of professionalism was the only thing allowing him to keep it all together. He could break down later once Isabelle was stable and awake; she’d hate him for the rest of her life for what he'd done to her but he could live with that so long as she lived.

----> Medical Cabin
Hank Lucion
player, 38 posts
Wed 10 Dec 2014
at 03:26
  • msg #230

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Hank gave a shrug at Luke's words, wondering how they could make themselves useful enough to stay. Maybe the possibility of electricity...

When the true scope of what was happening at the gate made itself apparent, or at least the horde of undead, his hand went for the crowbar. Swearing as he remembered it was with their stuff he moved in front of Tom. Glancing between Loa and the group outside the gates his hands he turned to Luke. Um, we'll take the water...ok? Is there another bucket? While it seemed the people outside had their charges under control avoiding them when possible had kept him and his brother alive this far, and he wasn't about to willingly go toward a large group.
Luke
NPC, 20 posts
Fort Member
Hip Mustached Millennial
Sun 14 Dec 2014
at 05:41
  • msg #231

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

"Take this first one, I'll have your pal Joe pull more up in a moment." Luke replied quickly to Hank, leaving them to transfer what water they had on hand to the medical cabin, while in mid stride to gather up more buckets that they'd need. There were a number set down amongst the compound in case rain ever came and provided them with extra stockpiles of fresh water. Even with the well, the extra nourishment came in handy for multiple daily uses. "They are hollering for me, I'll be back." Luke would have to leave the three new strangers to handle the water situation while he assisted with what he hoped was a food shipment they desperately needed.

Closing in on the gates he approached Bill not too long after being called for, his rifle aloft in his hands just in case Colton's walker-mules tried anything. It didn't matter to the mustachioed millennial that they were 'declawed'.

"Food! Fuckin excellent." He spoke with some genuine hunger-provoked enthusiasm as he waited near Bill, ready to guide Colton's posse of walker-ranchers inside. "Bring em this way, folks. We'll use the stockade as a barn. And lets get those packs off em quick before they contaminate my food."


-to Stockade/Prison
This message was last edited by the player at 05:49, Sun 14 Dec 2014.
'Joe'
Survivor, 13 posts
Sun 14 Dec 2014
at 05:56
  • msg #232

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Joe was only too happy to be left alone by their young, strange guardian. The scene that had developed at the gates didn't cause him much anxiety, but rather seemed to confirm a suspicion in his intent green eyes and weathered features. He passed a wary look to Hank and Tom after Luke enlisted them to help fetch water. Without more than a few words of direction, Luke was already taking off. "Whatever these people bled for, hope it was worth it.." The older, sinewy built survivor commented jadedly before assuming bucket-fillin' duties at the well.

"You boys stick close together. These people are desperate." To Joe, 'Dixie' was more a prison than a fortress. The tall walls moreso trapping people inside than protecting them from the world. Though he had looked forward to a night behind solid walls, he really just wanted to help the younger fellows get to safety.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:58, Sun 14 Dec 2014.
Colton Black-Rabbit
Survivor, 5 posts
Sun 14 Dec 2014
at 06:11
  • msg #233

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Bill (msg # 228):

Colton grinned as Bill addressed him, proud of what he had brought to the Fort, lavishing in how timid some of the Fort civilians were of his pack-animals and the dozen scalps of various colors and decay hanging from his hunting belt. "You still think you callin the shots, old man Bill? Toby give you back your badge, or hadn't you lost it long before all this?" Colton sassed Bill a little, his tone making it difficult to discern if he was just ribbing a familiar acquaintance or trying to insult and embarrass the older man in front of others.

"Jim! Take a few of our people and make sure our merchandise is secure in their cells. Make sure no one touches anything until we've been given our due." The band chief called on one of his principal men who were waiting along with the rest of his own people, who obediently complied and led the chained, jawless, clawless, scalpless pack-walkers into the Fort. It was to the astonishment of the dwellers, though this was something most of them had seen from Colton before. After a showy trudge through the mud of the fortress compound they snaked their shambling way into the stockade, led and prodded forward by a handful of native survivors along with Luke and a tight-lipped Saito.

"I see Toby isn't around or he would have greeted me already, or he ought to have. Please tell me my payment is ready, or no dinner for you." He spoke to Bill nonchalantly but in that same sarcastic/neutral tone that made him unpredictable as well as anyone else who'd listen as he entered through the Fort gates with a small entourage of familiars guarding him and keeping mindful of the Fort dwellers and Caravaners.

"I tell you what, old man. Since it seems my payment isn't ready, I'll give you people one more night before we leave with the food." Colton teased with a sinister smirk, always one to enjoy having some sort of leverage over others. "BUT I think I'm entitled to the best bed up in the Captain's Quarters. And I'll need one or two of the women to keep me warm. Maybe Cookie or the blonde one that tresspassed my woods."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:14, Sun 14 Dec 2014.
Cookie
player, 378 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 14 Dec 2014
at 12:15
  • msg #234

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Cookie gave Black-Rabbit a look that was oddly coldly assessing, as if he was a bug that she might crush, or not, depending on her whim, but her 'gimme a tip' smile didn't waver.  She did not murmur the typical Jersian reply, which fell along the lines of 'good luck with that, lemme know how it works out for you...' but chose to let Bill swill in his own unlucky juices.  She let Dominick hustle off to the medics, nodded a greeting to New Mexico and sidled off to do a few things.  Like check on the rest of the Caravaneers and tell them it was TIME TO GO.  First, though, her hog.  She wanted to check on her Harley and woe betide any who touched it.
Benson Bohannon
Player, 141 posts
The Stranger
Mon 15 Dec 2014
at 05:25
  • msg #235

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Bohannon followed Cookie in the direction of the vehicles and out of ear-shot of the others. "Checkin' to see if it's still there?" The cowboy said, sidling up next to the Caravan's leader. "You're checking in on it, because you want to hop on it and get the hell out of Dodge, don't you?" Bohannon looked Cookie in the eye. "It doesn't have to be like that Jersey. I think we got a real shot here, you know that. But not with these people, and we both know that. We don't have to go Cookie..." He paused for a moment. "...They do."
Hank Lucion
player, 39 posts
Tue 16 Dec 2014
at 15:28
  • msg #236

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Hank nodded at Luke's words, glancing briefly in the direction of the medical cabin as someone called out. Watching where the other buckets were he gave Joe a weary grin as his headache threatened to reassert itself. Don't worry, after what happened earlier, he's not leaving my sight.

HEY, I can watch myself you know. Tom cut in defensively, attention snapping from the scene outside to his brother.

At least until we get a better idea of what's going on. Hank sighed, hefting the water bucket. Now come on, before they get angry.



---->To medical cabin
Cookie
player, 379 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Mon 22 Dec 2014
at 02:27
  • msg #237

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Benson Bohannon (msg # 235):

Cookie didn't favour Bohannon with the thin lips and slitty eyes for once, a sign that she was either more accepting of him, or had bigger fish to fry. "Why do you think I'd be going alone ?" she asked eventually, in a low tone not meant to be overheard, once she'd looked over the Harley.  "Leave my people here, to be bait, to be raped, to trade for nonexistent goods with scum ?  Or fight for this place twice over, since you see there's two factions who want it ? It's like trying to fight crime in Newark - complete waste of time and resources."
GM
GM, 717 posts
Fri 9 Jan 2015
at 07:22
  • msg #238

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

(ooc: Happy New Years) Time Jump - Approx. 2 hours onward from last time spot.
Weather: Dry, gettin a bit colder as the day goes on.

A tense few hours have passed since the Caravan returned to the Fortress with Colton and his traders in addition to a mutilated survivor. Despite the arrival of food, Colton has refused to divest the supplies currently being held in the stockade with the undead-packmules, citing a lack of payment to facilitate a trade.

With the assistance of Dominic, Hank and Loa, the wounded survivor Isabelle was stabilized, a crude blood transfusion applied using a couple of the survivors amongst Fort and Caravan that were matches. However, Isabelle has yet to wake up and regain her senses, only having stirred once or twice in a lucid state, mumbling incoherently. Loa has volunteered to stay with the wounded Isabelle as well as Brady in the Medical Cabin.

With the survivors of all three factions mulling about camp awaiting the arrival of Toby, there was little allaying of concerns regarding the presence of so many armed survivors, maintained under separate leaderships in a small space.


Eventually, Toby would arrive back at camp, leading a group of five Fort folks including Sam back from the treeline. Gabe signally their return, promptly opening the front gate when they neared close enough.
Toby's raiding party looked tired, dirty and worn as they entered the confines of the Fort, the heavy oak gate closing behind them once all were inside.

They carried with them packs of supplies, more items returning with them now than when they left. Packed to the brim, the hiking packs could be seen to contain medical supplies, ammunition and various hand-to-hand and small arms weapons. The only person in the group in a good enough mood was Sam, who held a slight grin on his face, turning to a glare when he spotted Colton lounging about in the courtyard waiting for them.

Wiping grime and what seemed to be drying blood from his face, Toby walked past Colton towards the well, drawing himself a bucket of the good stuff before even acknowleding the trader he'd sent the Caravan out to find.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:23, Fri 09 Jan 2015.
Blind 'Lime' Jefferson
NPC, 5 posts
The Ramblin' Man
Sat 10 Jan 2015
at 02:36
  • msg #239

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

As Toby and his war band returned home safe again Blind "Lime" Jefferson greeted them with soft, sweet music; A bit of a departure from his usual ranting and deep Delta Blues. He sat near the centre of the yard, in his usual rocking chair, gently strumming his old National guitar. "As I went out one morning, to breathe the air around Tom Paine’s, I spied the fairest damsel that ever did walk in chains..." Jefferson glanced around the Fort, regarding the heads of state, as it were, of each group. As his dark shaded eyes meet Cookie's, he lingered on her. "I offer’d her my hand, she took me by the arm. I knew that very instant, she meant to do me harm..."
Colton Black-Rabbit
Survivor, 6 posts
Sun 11 Jan 2015
at 06:59
  • msg #240

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Colton and his right and left hand companions turned from their abrasive loitering to stare and size up Toby as the group of survivors bearing fresh plunder straggling into camp. The band leader's dark eyes roamed the various items that poked out from the stuffed hiking bags, while his overall disposition remained unimpressed. Letting the collective gaze of Colton's people perforate the newly arrived Fort people, the leader simply waited for a formal, respectful recognition from Toby but was to be disappointed.

Toby simply passing by to the well cause the expectant Colton to lose face in front of everyone, briefly tensing, his face fixing into a grimace but managed to salvage itself into a wicked, surly smile.

"We had to rescue your people and mecenaries while you were gone, Toby. I wouldn't be surprised if people began to resent the way they're being led." Colton indulged himself as he slowly paced towards the hiking packs that the war party were setting down in front of the native, armed lieutenants.

Looking amongst the plunder, Colton lifted his right foot and nudged the dirty bag over, spilling contents from the loose pocketing near the top. A few magazines of ammunition fell out, spreading over the dirt of the courtyard. Some of Colton's men and women began to look into the other bags. Contents included medical supplies of various sorts, ammunition and survival gear,  and clothes, some of which were speckled with fresh blood.

"Y'Know, I'm not even sure this shit you brought us will be enough for the bounty we've brought you. You might have to throw something else in for us to be satisfied." Colton rose up and turned to Toby, who was refreshing himself beside the well, still regarding him with public disrespect for the band leaders station.

"I was just telling your dog Anne-Marie that we might have to stay the night, think about this deal some more. When you think about it, since my people bring you the food, we keep your friends from starving, its like we run this place." The band leader stepped closer to Toby, but maintained some distance, the scalps tied to his belt bouncing lightly, the tomahawk adjacent bouncing lighting as he moved and stopped. His other hip held his quiver, a few arrows lingering, while his bow rested a few feet away.

"The only fair, businessmanlike thing to do right now, Toby, would be to hand over some of your people for us as well. Remember Tim?  He was useless, and we needed another mule. Or did you tell everyone he went 'missing'?" Colton's body language became more sinister, one hand lingering over his primary weapon. His predatory eyes locked on Toby, while eminently aware of the population and his own troops watching and listening.

"I want that blonde hair the Asian caravaneer stole from my pit. She belongs to ME. Now.. how about you turn over Loa, the brat(NM), and.." Colton added, with some a definitively "not asking" tone, uncaring if Loa or the teenager from the Caravan could hear his demands. As his words trailed off searchingly, he cast his gaze about the assemblage of people, raising his hand to point at young Tom. "That one as well. And be quick about it.."
Martin Fleet-Fox
Colton's Lieutenant, 1 post
Sun 11 Jan 2015
at 07:25
  • msg #241

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

A large, tall man stood near Colton, a variety of blades hanging from his hunting belt, presumably for skinning. One hand grasped a long thin yet pliable spear. Long, skilled fingers strummed the grasp of the wood while one hand thumbed over the blade handles near his ample, wide waist.

"Young or pretty ones sell best." The man nodded in a matter-of-fact way, his expression neutral and humorless.
Cookie
player, 381 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 11 Jan 2015
at 12:31
  • msg #242

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Cookie was stationed near enough to hear, having been keenly interested in what Toby might have been up to.  Clearly she and the others had been sent to keep these slaver jerks busy; perhaps Toby had hoped she'd lose her temper and get rid of them for her.  She was incognito again, too; the plain hijab, head down, out of the direct line of sight.  But - listening.  It depended on what Toby did next whether she got involved, because one thing she wasn't going to do was stick her neck out for anyone other than HER people.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 232 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sun 11 Jan 2015
at 15:15
  • msg #243

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

----> Medical Cabin

Leant against the cabin wall Dominic slowly twirled the unlit cigarette between his fingers. It was his last one and after his rather breathless run through the trees had decided to kick the habit. Despite this or maybe even because of he'd decided to keep his last one as his last cigarette before I die...that and it was good to have something in his hands.
Between the three of them they had managed to stabilise Isabelle's condition and complete the amputation he'd rather brutally begun back in the forest. As much as he wanted to remain with her until she regained consciousness so that he could break the bad news gently rather than have her wake up alone and discover it for herself, he'd needed to get out of the cabin and the smell of blood for a little while. He was beginning to wish he hadn't.

Gritting his teeth he watched as Colton and his cronies strutted around like they owned the place; demanding that Toby hand over the girl they'd found along with NM, Loa and a boy he'd never seen before.
Sending a glance in Cookie's direction he silently asked the caravan leader what her intentions were. He was guest here and so would keep quiet and leave the decision to Toby. However if he was to make the wrong one, then things were going to get very messy very quickly.
Hank Lucion
player, 42 posts
Mon 12 Jan 2015
at 04:11
  • msg #244

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

--->Medical Cabin

After dropping the water of Hank had settled on waiting near the medical cabin for his chance to talk to Brady. Given the state of the woman they had brought in asking then didn't seem to be the right time. Besides he needed to let the pressure in his head break up. Sitting against a wall he must have dozed off, the relative safety of the fort combined with the stresses of earlier mixing to send him off to dreamland.

The gates being opened snapped him awake with a start, disturbing Tom who had at some point sat next to him. At least my head's not throbbing. He muttered with sigh. Stretching he added, Though it probably would have been warmer in that RV. Sorry I dozed off like that, next chance we get it'll be your turn. With a few more cracks he took in the situation developing in front of him.

Listening to the leader of the zombie pack talk Hank had an uneasy feeling that this place could turn ugly soon and the earlier he and Tom left the better. When his brother was "chosen" images of the run with the hicks flashed through his mind. No. He said simply rising and taking a protective step in front of the kid. I don't know what deal you have with these people, but it doesn't involve him or me.
Tom
NPC, 21 posts
Hank's brother
Mon 12 Jan 2015
at 04:22
  • msg #245

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Tom had taken to just watching the scene from Hank's side, he wasn't about to wander around not knowing anyone; especially with the new group bringing a small herd of undead with them. He had seen the people move for the gate mechanisms but Hank's sudden awakening suggested he had fallen into a deeper then their usual nap sleep. Don't worry, looks like the leader of this place came back.

Watching the crazy guy pick people sent shivers down his spine, especially when the other kid was picked. That was nothing compared to when he himself was in the crosshairs. The only thing different compared to earlier was how they seemed to be caught. Pressing himself against the wall he slowly walked his way up it, staying behind Hank.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 24 posts
Fort Member
Mon 12 Jan 2015
at 20:33
  • msg #246

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Anne Marie had found a down jacket, plaid of grey and blue, in Toby's office. She was now wearing it to block out the chill in the air. It was too large for her but it did the trick. Her arms were wrapped around herself, and she thought of the food locked up in the stockade. It had only been maybe twelve hours since they'd last eaten, so she was far from starving, but the thought of it sitting there made her all the more hungry.

As Toby and Sam returned she came to greet them, following Toby to the well. She updated him on what had happened at the Fort since he had departed, delivering in rapid succession the list of events. As Colton approached, she briefed him on their conversation too. At the end, she sighed and said "I'm glad you're back Toby." 

Anne Marie listened to Colton's speech, and watched his lackeys rifle thorough the supplies Toby and Sam had brought. They had a deal. There was no way they should give Colton's gang anything extra. His comment about Tim confused her.

"Tim?" She looked at Toby "What's this about Tim? I thought he wandered off. We sent a search party out looking for him? What is he talking about Toby?"

Colton carried on, listing off names of the people he wanted to take. Before Toby could respond, she did. This had gone too far, and she took charge.

"No." She took a step forward, and pointed her finger at Colton's face, looking him in the eye. "Who the fuck do you think you are? No way are you taking our people, no fucking way. We had a deal!"

This message was last edited by the player at 20:37, Mon 12 Jan 2015.
New Mexico
player, 209 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 04:14
  • msg #247

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

New Mexico stood near the Medical Cabin doors, leaning against the wall in the shade, casting a glance through the window at Isabelle's sleeping but restless form. She'd been coming in and out of unconciousness for a few hours after the crude surgery, never really coming to. It was only a matter of time, surely, and like Dominic he wanted to be around to help her acclimatize. Still, it would be good if she hurried it up  considering the crazies accumulating within the Fort.

The teenager had given a nod and wave towards Hank and Tom, two newcomers to the Fort, and what a time to arrive with everything in the state that it was. They seemed legit, that is to say, non-murderous, and he wondered if Cookie would extend offers for some of the others to join them. Some being the key word. Sam had survived being left behind for the undead after he and his boys started a gun fight within the Caravan. New Mexico had caught buckshot from one of Sam's buddies before all was over with. Though the bully had avoided the Caravan for the most part, he could still cause trouble, that is unless the native band got to it first.

It had been a rough couple weeks, especially after the seige at St. Louis, but at least he hadn't lost a leg like Isabelle.
With Toby's arrival the inhabitants relaxed only slightly, perhaps hoping for some sort of closure so the troublemakers would leave and they all could eat. Mexico just wanted to go, but Lyle, Justin and Kaidan had not returned yet. Worrisome was that no one among either groups were talking about the absence and what it might mean..  Get back soon, guys..

Jarring his attention was the dangerous brat with the facepaint, calling out Toby like this was a wild western or caveman times. Very jaded by this point, NM stared coldly back at Colton, holding up one hand to give the middle finger to the prick. "Fuck you, Avatar. I'm not going anywhere."
Toby
NPC, 22 posts
Fort Leader
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 04:27
  • msg #248

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Toby calmly lifted a bucket of cold water over his head, tipping it slightly to douse himself down. A light sigh of refreshment followed as he ran a hand over his wet hair, tired but unwounded, and still in charge. He nodded to Anne-Marie as she quickly filled him in, always a reliable source. She'd done what she was supposed to do, to bring in the food, even if Colton was attached to it. The fact that his old partner was now throwing weight around unduly, was some cause for concern. Yet Toby, characteristically, maintained a neutral expression as he stood near the well, facing Colton, a pistol tucked in the waist of the back of his pants. "We collected the things on your list, now its time for you to leave. If you want I'll bring you more next time. Some of these people are passing through, they aren't mine to give." Toby answered the man, shifting his gaze to Anne-Marie's questioning face, suddenly silent on the subject of Tim, even though everyone who'd stayed at the Fort these many months were eyeballing him for an answer he'd never give.

Though ever resolute for the safety and wellbeing of the fort, there seemed to be a hint of shame, of dark guilt, in Toby's eyes and his suddenly very worn, tired body. Though he'd maintained the illusion together for a long time, he wasn't the man he used to be. Mind and body were both on the fray from the pressure, and the compromises he'd had to make, for the group. Before he could say anything, Anne-Marie took charge moved towards Colton, with Toby just standing there, with blood still on his hands..
Sam
NPC, 21 posts
Fort Member
Former Caravan Member
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 04:34
  • msg #249

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Sam hovered to the side of the courtyard after entering the Fortress and spitting at Martin Fleet Foxe's feet as a way of showing he appreciated all the damn trouble the natives had gone through bringing them biscuits and gruel. He'd sworn by killing the band, especially Fleet Fox, for some time, but Toby and AM hadn't seen the light about the matter, and it had emboldened the 'reds. Though he'd never been accepting of other races or really anyone different than himself, he'd stomached the dealings because he'd had a group again after being backstabbed by the Caravan. One thing about the Caravan was that they made the right calls when they had too, even with Brownie in command. Sam had been part of the Caravan for some time before they turned on him, even way back when he knew Mark's kid was bit and tried to get the group to deal with it, Brownie and Frenchie drew it out unnecessarily.

Nefarious thoughts about many people brewing, Sam slowly and quietly began to move closer to the native fighters clumped up around Colton, pretending he was only trying to get a good look. He locked eyes with Toby, but finding the man's stare rather empty, the Southerner instead turned his mischevious gaze to NM and Dominic, giving them a wink that could mean be a good thing or a bad thing.
Dog
Canis familiaris, 10 posts
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 04:39
  • msg #250

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Colton's dog stayed out of the way, but ever present in the courtyard, ears laid back along its head as it sniffed amongst the bags the humans had brought into the Fort and piled up. Nosing, the hound withdrew its head as tensions built up, detecting the smell of trouble in the air. Canine lips pulled back slowly, revealing sharp, dirty fangs, a low snarl starting to reverberate from the dog wearing the body armor canine vest of supplies. It was like a SWAT dog getting ready to do its job.
'Joe'
Survivor, 14 posts
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 04:47
  • msg #251

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Joe drifted about near the base of the stairs leading up the Fort incline towards Toby's office, knowing that his bow and quiver of arrows had been stored up in the commanders office, but no opportunity presenting itself with all of the attention currently in the open grounds. Anyone, especially the watchful Gabe would see him if he tried to sprint up and grab his things.

After some time he meandered over to Hank and Tom, leaning against a wall close to them, crossing his arms over his chest and exhaling in a disappointed fashion. "When we get an opening I'm going to get our things, and we can get out of here." He mentioned to them as a war band returned presumably with payment for whatever this Black-Rabbit fellow had brought to the Fort. Running the events and faces through his memory, he could have sworn he'd seen Toby before..

Realization struck him about the time that Colton was labeling people in the Fort as human cargo. As well, after speaking to a Caravaneer named Mahmoud he was sure they weren't in on the scheme playing out.   Now was a time as good as any to point out what was becoming obvious to a forest regular like 'Joe'.

"Bandits! The Fort people are the bandits, along with these others." He spat out with no little bit of venom, adding to the mix of hostility his own particular flavor. Joe had lost people of his own out in the woods, innocent people ambushed and scalped who were only trying to move south for the winter. "There ain't no honor amongst thieves, is there, you fuckin murderers!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:48, Tue 13 Jan 2015.
Colton Black-Rabbit
Survivor, 7 posts
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 06:12
  • msg #252

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Colton maintained a wolfish grin as AM approached, maintaining the facade of calm despite how much of a killer he had become since the ending of the world. Uncharacteristically he was silent as the old man near the wall with his future slaves began to yell at him, not speaking anything untruthful, casting more doubt amongst the Fortfolk who began to murmur and stir all around. Colton just kept looking Anne-Marie in the eye as she stuck a finger all but into his.

Placid with a pleasant look on his usually predatory features, Colton, with a sudden, fluid movement, pulled Anne-Marie's own handgun out of her unbuckled holster, and fired off a single round into her gut at close range, the smoke of the shot rising up between them.

It was the signal.
Gabe
NPC, 13 posts
Fort Member
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 06:22
  • msg #253

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Gabe had turned to watch the negotiations for just a minute or so, ready to help his leaders out of the need arose. When a gunshot echoed all around them, he wasn't sure if Anne-Marie had shot Colton or vice versa. Eyes widened, and he stabbed his speak into the wood of the ramparts to allow him to unsling his hunting rifle. Whoever had shot first, more would likely follow.

"Anne-Marie!? Toby?!" He called out from atop the stategically important fort gate ramparts. The door was secure shut. They were all locked in together until a handful of people pulled open the gate manually as a group or from the levers up top the battlements, and no one was getting out without his say-so.

Tucking the butt of the rifle into the pit of his shoulder, the large man suddenly lost his breath as an arrow whisked from behind and outside the Fort, piercing him in the back. Stiffening in pain and surprise, he lost grip of his rifle, yet as it fell it caught and hung onto his left forearm by the strap. Before much movement was affected, a second, then third and yet a fourth arrow struck him from behind. Each strike leveled his large stature, causing him to buckle and fall to one knee, then onto his side atop the ramparts, upon his lookout post.

Hoots and hollaring, owl calls, bird calls, banshee howling, all permeating around the outside of the Fort in that immediate timeframe.
All around the tall outer walls of the fort could be seen grappling hooks cast up and over, most finding a place to wedge themselves, allowing the first wave of attackers. Some were native and some were rough drifter types, maybe mercenary thugs.

A burst of fire arrows launched over the ramparts, adeptly aimed, almost as if pre-rehearsed, many of the burning missiles striking many of the Fort's interest buildings, catching a couple of them ablaze rather quickly, such as the medical bay, armory and the housing for the inhabitants.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:25, Tue 13 Jan 2015.
Blind 'Lime' Jefferson
NPC, 6 posts
The Ramblin' Man
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 06:38
  • msg #254

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Blind 'Lime' Jefferson (msg # 239):

The blues man sat and rocked in his chair and strummed harder as the tensions rose. Voices raised and fingers pointed and people accused and called out. "“Depart from me this moment” I told her with my voice. Said she, “But I don’t wish to." Said I, “But you have no choice”" The blind man faced Colton and Toby and Anne Marie. Watching them spiral out of control. It was in this moment that Blind "Lime" Jefferson's heart went out to the brave musicians who played out the Titanic as it sank.

"“I beg you, sir,” she pleaded from the corners of her mouth. “I will secretly accept you and together we’ll fly south”"

The sound of the gunshot rang in his ears. Jefferson sped up his tempo and sang louder as hellfire reigned from above.
Karen
Player, 67 posts
The Traitor
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 06:52
  • msg #255

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Karen's gun was drawn on reflex with the sound of the shot. It was not until Gabe fell that her brain caught up with her senses. Karen fired two shots at the only enemy combatant within firing range of herself, taking him in the chest and leg. Enemy combatants referring in this instance to Colton's band, the Fort faction was assumed friendly until further notice.

Fire took the roofs of the barracks and the infirmary. The upper ramparts were falling as un-expecting defenders were shot down by unknown assailants beyond sight. It seemed in this very moment the Fort was lost. And that was not something she could accept. Kaidan is coming back here.

The walls had fallen. The barracks were ablaze. The brig was full of zombies. And the infirmary was beginning to catch fire. There was but one strategic location left that held any promise of securing the Fort against these invaders. The Armoury.

Karen sprang towards it, firing once at a bow armed man and missing as he disappeared behind cover. The former cop's path intersected with another's. "Hector!" She shouted over the noise of the scene. "The guns! We have to get to the guns!" She exclaimed, pleading for back-up.
Anne-Marie
NPC, 25 posts
Fort Member
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 12:16
  • msg #256

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Bloodied white feathers from the down jacket fell through the air as Anne Marie fell to the ground on her knees, clutching her stomach, which was gushing blood now. She coughed "You bastard... you shot me."

They say when you die you whole life flashes before your eyes. For Anne Marie, this wasn't true. What she saw, in the moments before her death, were the details of the last few months unravelled. Colton and Toby knew each other before Anne Marie came to Fort Dixie. She had never heard of the bandits until Toby told her about them. She had never seen the bandits, except for once, she was told. Now she was beginning to doubt that. She was beginning to doubt everything she had been told.

"Fuck." She coughed, and this time blood came out.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 233 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Tue 13 Jan 2015
at 18:20
  • msg #257

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Things rapidly escalated as Colton’s demand that Toby hand over the people he’d named met with the expected reaction with both Ann-Marie and NM telling him where he could stick it. Looking up to see the grizzly face of Sam winking at him Dom’s blood momentarily froze in his veins Merde...this is really going to happen isn’t it!? he silently exclaimed unsure as to whether the rednecks wink was a good thing or not.
Snatching a quick glance through the medical cabin’s window to check on Isabelle, Dom tucked the cigarette into the pocket of his jeans as he pushed himself away from the wall; adrenaline already pumping through him as fight or flight reflexes began to kick in “My rifle is in the Medical cabin, if things get messy I want you to grab it, understood?” he quietly instructed NM keeping his voice low so that only the boy would hear him.
Things suddenly happened and happened fast as some kind of scuffle between Colton and Ann-Marie resulted in the girl being shot followed by a hail of arrows descending upon those within the fort; igniting several of the buildings in the process.
Drawing his pistols in a single fluid motion Dom fired a shot from each before heading for the door to the medical cabin shouting for NM to follow him. The first round hitting one of Colton’s men square in the chest whilst the second whistled past so close to Colton’s head that his ears must be buzzing.  With no time to take a second shot Dom simply cursed his missed opportunity in loud, abusive French before heading inside.

-----> The Medical Cabin

Benson Bohannon
Player, 142 posts
The Stranger
Wed 14 Jan 2015
at 02:19
  • msg #258

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

So this is what it looks like when shit hits a fan, Bohannon thought to himself as events unfolded before him. That was when the gun went off and the arrows fell from the sky, igniting some of the Fort's internal structures. Damn, this would've beed a great place if not for all this. Bohannon, caught up in the moment and livid with Colton and the Indians for ruining his chance to stop running, the cowboy drew his Colt revolver and walked a couple of paces towards the man, who still had Anne-Marie's gun in his hand. Levelling the pistol at Colton's head, He spoke in a growl. "You burn in Hell you son of a bitch!" and with that Benson Bohannon pulled the trigger. He then pulled the hammer back again and pulled the trigger again, and repeated, to no avail. He'd spent the last of his ammo in the woods and hadn't replenished.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:39, Thu 15 Jan 2015.
Hank Lucion
player, 43 posts
Thu 15 Jan 2015
at 03:47
  • msg #259

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Returning the wave from the other kid, any other interaction was interrupted by everything going to hell.


The moment froze a second for Hank, as his brain realized any hope of this place offering safety just went up in smoke. Quiet literally in some places. Seeing people scatter his eyes went to the medical cabin, where as far as he knew Brady still rested. Come on. He grabbed his stunned brother's hand and followed the man who brought the injured woman back into the cabin. Brady had risked his life for Tom, it was time to return the favor.

------>Medical cabin
Tom
NPC, 22 posts
Hank's brother
Thu 15 Jan 2015
at 03:54
  • msg #260

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Tom hid his excitement at having someone closer to his age the best he could, giving a nod but unable to hide a smile.

Given the speed at which things turned he was surprised to find himself being pulled into a burning building.


------>Medical cabin
New Mexico
player, 210 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Sat 17 Jan 2015
at 07:46
  • msg #261

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 257):

New Mexico glanced over to Dominic when his friend gave foreboding instructions. His gaze confirming that he would follow Dom's lead, there was little time to follow before NM had to make good. Anne-Marie collapsing into the dust coincided with a gasp, a lost of collective breath from most everyone watching along the Fort grounds and walls. The gunshot echoed higher into the air and surrounding fields, a similar shock-wave then rippling through the Fort itself in the form of further violence.

His own healing shoulder an afterthought, he dived in with Dom through the medical cabin doorway,  joining with Dom in slamming it shut behind them, thudding sounds clipping the door as a few bullets and/or arrows made contact.

-to Medical Cabin
This message was last edited by the player at 07:47, Sat 17 Jan 2015.
Hector
NPC, 16 posts
Caravan Member
Strong & Silent
Sat 17 Jan 2015
at 08:03
  • msg #262

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Karen (msg # 255):

As Fort dwellers, Caravaneers and attackers scattered around the Fortress grounds, Hector stood noticeably tall and dark above many, his stern gaze catching Karen as she called over to him through the confusion of the ambush. "Let's go!" He acknowledged, particularly wordy for someone like him. The large former SWAT pushed his way through a couple civilians as he closed some distance with Karen, ready to move with her to the armory.

As he did so, a nearby Fort dweller, a older woman, took an arrow to the back as she ran away, her death cry filling the air before she fell to the ground in silence.
Toby
NPC, 23 posts
Fort Leader
Sat 17 Jan 2015
at 08:08
  • msg #263

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Toby froze as Colton killed his friend and number two with her own gun. It brought him back into focus sharply from the fatigue just before. He would have yelled out to AM but he could find no words, instead letting instinct and training do its job. Shook up but still kicking, he reached for his own handgun tucked in the back of his pants, pulling it forward and firing one distraction shot as Colton's men and women surged forward. One arrow sung past Toby's head while another caught him in the right bicep, destabilizing the gun in his hand, his fingers barely holding onto as he spun back to take cover behind the well.
Aishe
NPC, 8 posts
Gypsy Survivor
Caravan Member
Sat 17 Jan 2015
at 08:15
  • msg #264

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Aishe emerged from the Caravan designated cabin's when they were struck by flaming arrows. Stealthy by nature, yet reliant on Hector in the tighter spots, she was this time stuck on her own, in the open with the other Fort people as well as her own. In the confusion and panic of the crowd she tried to slide into the peripheries of the Fort buildings, trying to spot Hector in the crowd or any of her own people that she could rally to. Slipping behind some now-empty preserve barrels, she tried to spot some exit other than the ramparts of the Fort that were being overtaken by a couple dozen attackers, only a handful of wall guards to begin with, and almost all killed.
Colton Black-Rabbit
Survivor, 8 posts
Sat 17 Jan 2015
at 08:25
  • msg #265

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Colton left his men to deal with Toby as he turned to face the Caravaneers on the flank, the slight turning of his body causing the medic's shot to clip off a chunk of his long black hair. Seething with rage and surprise, Colton fired off Anne-Marie's pistol, empty a few rounds into the wood of the closing medical cabin door before sending the others after Toby's bleeding, retreating form. The bullets chipped the stone surrounding the well that Toby dove behind.

Another moment of near death arrived when another Caravaneer approached, finger hugging the trigger of a handgun that fired only air. His own pistol now empty, Colton lackadaisically dropped it in front of Anne-Marie's huddled body, her mortal state hard to determine from her posture. Suddenly stepping back as his own people rushed forward, Colton would wield his black steel tomahawk, and begin joining in the pillaging on his own terms. If anyone dare fight him, let them find him and fight their way for the pleasure.

"Burn it to the ground, leave none alive!" His voice rang out amongst the smog that had inundated the Fort, obscuring the vision of many.
David Strong-Bow
Bandit, 1 post
Sat 17 Jan 2015
at 08:35
  • msg #266

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Only seconds after Colton withdrew from his position at the forefront of the fight did one of the native fighters move in on Bohannon. Armed with a long dagger in one hand, a tomahawk in the other, Strong-Bow swung his axe downwards upon the cowboy as he belted out a banshee war cry much like his compatriots.
Benson Bohannon
Player, 143 posts
The Stranger
Sun 18 Jan 2015
at 02:11
  • msg #267

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to David Strong-Bow (msg # 266):

Benson swung his left arm up to shield his head from the strike. The bottom edge of the dark-stained blade caught Bohannon mid ulna. The bone took most of the force of the impact, deflecting the blade upward and away from the fleshier parts of his arm. The blade skipped off the bone and the handle landed squarely upon the deep gash. The other man had swung with the great strength of a warrior, and caused Bohannon's arm to fracture in two. The pain was unbearable.

The adrenalin of the encounter was enough to get him through it. Shielding his arm, Bohannon struck out against the Indian with the handle of the Colt revolver. The wood grip caught the man in the side of the neck and sent him back a step, which served simply to buy Bohannon enough room to holster his gun and draw his knife.

The knife was a stag handle bowie knife of reasonable size. He'd traded it with some guy here at the fort for a dirty magazine and three cigarettes from his stash in that big black duffel bag. It was a decent knife, but Benson Bohannon was nowhere near the knife-fighter his brother was. The cowboy slashed at the Indian with the knife, trying to keep him at a distance, and keep his broken arm safely out of the way.
Karen
Player, 68 posts
The Traitor
Sun 18 Jan 2015
at 03:19
  • msg #268

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Hector (msg # 262):

Karen threw her back against a post or a wall or something as she dodged an incoming arrow. With the sound of the impact she sprung from cover, firing at the one who shot at her. The bow wielding enemy fell from atop the ramparts, landing on their head.

Karen had assigned no attributes to the enemy infiltrator she'd just shot. It wasn't a person. It was and enemy combatant; genderless, faceless, meaningless. She'd had to learn that in Iraq. To block out actual people, and to just shoot and kill and destroy. It had gotten her there and back half alive and it had gotten her through Zombieland too.

The former cop and army veteran arrived at the armoury with fellow ex-cop as backup. They found the reinforced, heavy wood and metal door already sprung, some of the Fort backgrounds had already been in and out. Karen rushed inside and cleared the room, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. "Clear." She called to Hector, closing the door behind the pair.
Cookie
player, 383 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 18 Jan 2015
at 14:28
  • msg #269

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Cookie had kept an eye on Colton, and used it to good advantage now.  Drawing the Glock, but keeping it out of sight behind her, she dashed as if scared and confused in his general direction, but aiming to pass behind him, hoping that the smoke would make the others hold their shots long enough for hers to matter.  Then she spun in her steps, sighted on his back and fired, less than twelve feet away.

Now that she had his attention, she moved in for the kill, crouched low and springing up. Teeth bared, Cookie was as ferocious as any starved Zombie might be; but she wanted Colton DEAD.  How dare he attack HER people ?  She might just have to kill him with his own damn hatchet, she was that mad.

If she survived this, and so did the fool in charge of this place, she'd have to give him a piece of her mind, starting with, 'If you wanted Colton dead, why the hell didn't you just SAY so ?'
Bill
Player, 33 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Tue 20 Jan 2015
at 07:11
  • msg #270

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Exiting the Fort member's cabin, Bill inhaled the shock and awe that permeated the Fort grounds. Buildings burned as an apparent invasion was underway. Smoke rose into the blood dimmed sky. Bill pulled his pistol from his holster, and surveyed the scene.

Anne Marie looked dead, slumped on the ground. Next to her, Toby stood wounded by an arrow to the arm. Fights were breaking out between Colton's gang and the Fort and Caravan members. Then Bill saw the cowboy Benson set upon by a large man, Colton's thug, whom he recognized to be David Strong-Bow. He watched as Benson fought him off with his little knife. It all happened so fast.

Bill raised his pistol and aimed it squarely at Strong-Bow's forehead, but it was hard to focus. Bill burped and it smelled like bourbon. He put his left hand over his left eye. "Better." he said aloud and pulled the trigger.

The bullet whizzed across the grounds and travelled right passed Benson and hit Strong-Bow in the right shoulder. It wasn't a head shot, Bill thought, but he hit the right man, and that was good.
David Strong-Bow
Bandit, 2 posts
Fri 23 Jan 2015
at 05:26
  • msg #271

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Benson Bohannon (msg # 267):

Struck with the handgun, David staggered back, losing grip of his tomahawk that stayed partially buried into Bohannon's arm. The white man slashed out, causing the fighter to twist his form to avoid the knife edge, but barely. With dagger in left hand, he sprung forward quickly once more, so as not to lose the initiative, but staggered as he took a bullet to the right shoulder from behind, yelling out in pain as his disrupted momentum sent him barreling unintentionally into Bohannon, taking them both to the ground.

On top of Bohannon, the wounded bandit tried to use his weight to pin the cowboy down, while his uninjured arm stabbed down at the unshaven man's throat, his right arm dangling at his side, blood coating down the curvature of arm muscle.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:26, Fri 23 Jan 2015.
Hector
NPC, 17 posts
Caravan Member
Strong & Silent
Fri 23 Jan 2015
at 05:36
  • msg #272

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Karen (msg # 268):

Hector had armed himself with the tomahawk of a fallen attacker before linking with Karen and he stuck close to the other former officer to cover her from enemies who might get too close. His large form was ample target for arrows or bullets, and so he kept flexibly low, knowing his true advantage would come in once he could arm.

Once the door was closed to the armory, affording temporary security and precious time, Hector was quickly seizing upon a shotgun, loading it with notable experience and speed. "We find the others, we get out?" He asked as he loaded up, securing a holster to his waste with the pistol strapped ready. No use being under-equipped. "Aishe is somewhere out there." Aishe and Hector had joined the Caravan under duress after being picked up with a third man they'd just met; Tommy. Turns out Tommy was one of the allies of the fort man named Sam, and as such Tommy was left for the flesh-eaters. The Caravan had take in Aishe and Hector, however, and over time they'd grown to be part of the group, however few of them remained, that is.
Colton Black-Rabbit
Survivor, 9 posts
Fri 23 Jan 2015
at 05:50
  • msg #273

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Cookie (msg # 269):

Colton led his close entourage of men along the building-front of the courtyard as Fort dwellers ran and were struck down, though many put up a tougher fight than expected. Some of Colton's people lay slain across the dirt and cobble stone of the center ground of the Fort, his attention shifting as he ordered a small group of his small army one way, while sending another detachment elsewhere.

Cookie's shot took him in the back as intended, his body turning quickly at the impact, blood and bits of bone spurted out from the hole.  "You whore!" He insulted across the short distance, pain seizing his senses as he faced the one who dared attack him in such a way. Losing his stance momentarily, he fell to one knee, dropping his gun into the dust. With Cookie moving towards him through the smoke of battle, he reached for the tomahawk at his belt while it felt as if the devil himself were branding him in the back with a hot iron.
Martin Fleet-Fox
Colton's Lieutenant, 2 posts
Fri 23 Jan 2015
at 05:50
  • msg #274

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Cookie (msg # 269):

Colton's lieutenant emerged from the smoke as Cookie closed in on the wounded leader, his tree trunk arms grabbing Cookie from behind, interlacing under her arms and behind her neck. "Not so fast." His voice was low and deep, almost soothing but for what he really was. Large arms flexed and tightened around Cookie, causing her to lose grip of her glock, while he tried to keep her in place, dwarfing her in size.
Benson Bohannon
Player, 144 posts
The Stranger
Fri 23 Jan 2015
at 22:46
  • msg #276

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to David Strong-Bow (msg # 271):

The blood soaked Bohannon like many days spent working in the rain. Some was his, some was the other man's. All of it was warm and wet. As the cowboy fell to his back with the Indian on top of him he was left with a simple reflexive choice, considering the state of his left arm. Drop his knife and block the other, or keep his and get one in the throat. So, naturally, Bohannon swung out his arm and dug his fingers into Strong-Bow's, trying to loose the knife from his grasp. This whole tussle was becoming more taxing by the second as the pain from the fractured arm and the rapid loss of blood became more and more apparent. The earth beneath the cowboy turned to mud.
CO-GM
GM, 8 posts
Fri 23 Jan 2015
at 23:03
  • msg #277

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

The all too familiar moans and groans of the undead added themselves to the panicked chorus of today's dastardly events. Anyone still atop the walls of old Fort Dixie would see the walking dead emerge from the trees in staggering numbers. The loud ruckus caused by the battle had lured them in and the enticing smoky smell had them drooling. To them, this was just another good ol' southern cook-out.

Soon the gates of Fort Dixie were rattling as rotten hands began to scratch and claw and pound and bash. The spike-filled defensive trenches were filling up by the dozens. And more were approaching. The way out was barred, blocked by the horde. The pounding of their fists sounded of banging drums. There was no way out. "They are coming."
Blind 'Lime' Jefferson
NPC, 7 posts
The Ramblin' Man
Fri 23 Jan 2015
at 23:29
  • msg #278

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

The soundtrack to war threatened to drown out poor old crazy Blind "Lime" Jefferson, though nobody yet had attacked him. The Blues man strummed the guitar with a ferocity and sang as loud as he could. The tired rasp of his voice not standing in his way. "Just then Tom Paine, himself came running from across the field. Shouting at this lovely girl and commanding her to yield." Jefferson watched Cookie slowly approach Colton and gun him down. He saw that this was not enough to slay the man, and he saw the other goon grab Cookie. It looked like it was over for her. And the rest of the Fort too.

"And as she was letting go her grip up Tom Paine did run, “I’m sorry, sir,” he said to me. “I’m sorry for what she’s done”"
Dominic Dubreton
player, 236 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 24 Jan 2015
at 16:52
  • msg #279

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

---> Medical Cabin

Stepping out of the cabin moments before its roof finally gave up the ghost and fell in, Dominic took in several large lungfuls of clean air before starting to move.
The Huey UH-1B sat in the middle of the old parade square like some ancient sleeping dinosaur and was the best chance of them getting out of here as the sound of walkers scraping at the doors reached his ears.
Leading Loa and the wounded Isabelle in its direction, he moved as quickly as he could knowing that the open ground would be a death trap if they hung around too long.
Glancing to one side he saw a large bear like native grappling a blonde woman from behind mere feet away from a wounded Colton. He didn't have time to finish off the wounded chieftain but he could help the woman. Raising his Berretta he fired a pair of shots that struck the bear-man in the small of his back causing his knees to buckle from under him. Without waiting to see whether he'd killed the man or the woman he'd saved he carried on moving; the helicopter only a short distance away from them "A soon as you guys get in shut the doors as we're going to attract a lot of attention" he shouted at the group before firing a couple more shots at a group of nearby bowmen. The big sliding doors on the side of the Huey wouldn't stop a bullet but they'd stop an arrow or a tomahawk which was all they would hopefully need.
Upon reaching the helicopter Dominic dives into the cockpit leaving Loa to get Isabelle into the back as he began to fire up the engines, praying that today wasn't the day the old machine didn't die on them.
Karen
Player, 70 posts
The Traitor
Sat 24 Jan 2015
at 19:40
  • msg #280

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Hector (msg # 272):

Fort Dixie's weapon and ammo reserves were neither abundant nor largely variable. But there were weapons enough to defend the place anyhow. Karen ejected the clip from her handgun and replaced it, shoving a spare matching one into a small military canvas satchel, and an extra into the empty space on her duty belt. Karen turned to find a military-issue, Iraq era M16 rifle planted on a wooden table in the centre of the room. With it was but a single spare mag. Karen checked over the weapon. It felt like home in her hands. The weight, the texture. It just felt right. She stopped herself from thinking back to her time in Iraq. Gone were the sounds of black hawks and feelings of hope and honour and valor, these having given way to hunger and desperation and emptiness. Doom and despair clung to the air like the thick, brown smog over a sprawling coastal metropolis. Karen sighed and tossed the extra mag into the satchel. Only she missed. The loaded aluminium block landed on the wood floor with a thunk. Her hands were shaking. It wasn't the battle that scared her, it was the future. She wasn't shaking because of what was outside, but because of who wasn't. Kaidan was gone, and if the Fort was gone too, he'd have nowhere to come back to, no way to find her, nor she him.

Flashback - Mississippi River, The night after St. Louis
The Caravan is at rest, only a few keep watch and pilot the boat. Karen and Kaidan are curled up next to each other on benches on the passenger deck. An Atlanta PD jacket is draped across the boy. "Hey, are you awake?" Karen asked her son, hesitantly. "Yeah I'm right here." He replied, no grogginess in his voice. "Well can I ask you about today?" Karen sighed. "How close am I... To losing you?"
Cookie
player, 384 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 25 Jan 2015
at 14:37
  • msg #281

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Martin Fleet-Fox (msg # 274):

Martin had gained a grip on a she-demon, and one that Cookie was prepared for.  She dropped the Glock, whipped her tough boots up behind her in a slashing move for his groin, and struggled like a snake to slip free of his grasp once the crushing blow to the crotch was received.  Her small size and short hair made her hard to grab again. Then she dodged to the side to avoid his boss, forcing Colton to turn and come at her.  She had to get control of the tomahawk, but she was fully ready to disable, and kill Colton with her bare hands.  A Jersey girl is just that tough.
Bill
Player, 34 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Tue 27 Jan 2015
at 21:00
  • msg #282

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Bill ran into the action as he watched Strong-Bow and Bohannon tumble to the ground, a bloody mess if he ever saw one. There was nothing much more he cold do to help now, a shot into one of them at this range would pass through one and into the other. That's when he noticed Cookie lifted into the air by a large man he didn't recognize.

"Cookie!" Bill wheeled around, aiming his gun. He fired twice; the first shot was too far to the right an missed entirely, the second struck the large man in the left thigh. The big man dropped to his knees as Bill ran towards Cookie.
Karen
Player, 71 posts
The Traitor
Thu 29 Jan 2015
at 03:06
  • msg #283

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

"Clear the courtyard, find our people, and get the fuck out of here. Right?"

Karen took up the M16 and pushed open the armoury door. Hector followed behind her, similarly armed. The sounds of the open space; the moaning of the zombies at the gates and the pounding of their fists, the odd series of gunshots, hoots, hollers, and screams of people befallen by harm, the crash of the collapsing infirmary and cabins and the roaring of the fires that took them, all of these sounds faded out as the M16 assault rifle came into action. Karen opened fire, destroying anything that moved or drew breath that wasn't friendly. She fired rapidly and with broad strokes. Karen was laying down suppressing fire. She emptied the first clip and took cover for a moment as she reloaded, trusting that anyone across the field had been pinned down by her first burst. She popped back out, firing slower and more calculatedly. She shot down whomever stirred, moving to return fire or advance on her position.

Two bloodied men writhed in the mud, one she recognized to be Mister Bohannon. Karen peered down the small scope on the rifle and shot the man on top and watched his body go limp. Next she sighted in on the group around Colton, and the prisoner they held. Was that Cookie? The thickening smoke obscured the view from where she stood. That one was a no-go. Finally she spied Toby, cowering by the well.

"Hector!? We should get Toby! Maybe he can get us out of here!"
Ricky Robes
player, 66 posts
The Journalist
Thu 29 Jan 2015
at 07:41
  • msg #284

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Ricky had been mulling about the Fort when all hell broke loose. Everything happened so quickly that by the time he had processed everything, buildings were aflame and the dead were at the gates. He dragged Cass to the cover of a nearby building, drawing his knife from his belt as he scanned the grounds for an opening. "This doesn't look good. Any ideas?"
Brady
Player, 20 posts
Fort Member
Thu 29 Jan 2015
at 19:49
  • msg #285

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Brady coughed as the group emerged from the infirmary. All Hell had broken loose out here. There wasn't much that could be done, but for helping with the evacuation. The slightly wounded Georgian broke off from Loa and the medic to help round up his people, soon seeing there were few of them left.

Brady called out the names of people he knew, trying to see who was still here, who was alive. "SAM!! TOBY!!" When the assault rifle started spraying bullets across the courtyard, Brady took cover. "Bill! Get down!" he shouted. In the aftermath of the rapid fire, Brady saw bodies lying everywhere, and some still standing. Bill was covering Colton, Fleet-Fox, and the blonde. Toby was cowering. Anne-Marie and Gabe were both dead. And the woman with the M16 was prepping to fire again. From his protected position, Brady saw a couple bullets take Strong-Bow as he wrestled with another man on the ground. If Brady was going to start saving people, that was as good a place as any to start.

Brady ran over to the blood soaked heap in the centre yard and scooped up the stag handle knife, throwing it and killing one of Colton's guys who moved up on them. Brady pulled the dead body of David Strong-Bow off the wounded man and offered his hand. "C'mon, I'll help you out of here."

Flashback - About Fifteen Years Ago
A twenty-something Brady stormed out of a Lawyer's office in downtown Atlanta wearing a black suit. He fumbled in his pockets for his truck keys as he walked down the street. The door to the large office building opened once more as his older brother chased out after him. "Brady! C'mon, wait up!" He called. "Leave me alone Benson." Brady rebutted as he reached his truck, turning back and starting to yell. "He cut me out of the will? Why the fuck would he cut me out? Mom gets his money, you get the farm. And I'm left with what? Nothing but my dick in my hands, that's what! Why do you get the farm? Where were you when Dad was sick? Huh? I was with him when he died God dammit!"

The fresh-faced cowboy replied calmly. "I was keeping our livelihood running. He had cancer, Brady. I can't fix cancer, now can I? So I kept things running. Grain weren't gonna haul itself. Dad wasn't tryin' to screw you. He just thought you couldn't handle it. But I know you can. I want you by my side Brady. Half'a this farm is yours. You just gotta show me you deserve it."

Brady got in his truck and drove off, giving Benson the finger as he drove off.
Hank Lucion
player, 46 posts
Fri 30 Jan 2015
at 00:14
  • msg #286

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

That actually ran? Who had a working helicopter anymore? If the threat of death wasn't so close Hank would have had time to properly ponder their only chance of survival. He didn't try and focus on what was going on around him, eyes locked on the Huey. No problem. Hank replied to who he guessed would be their pilot. Almost throwing himself over Tom at the sudden spray of bullets he knew if they stayed still they wouldn't last long. Turning his gaze as Brady ran off the urge to run and help didn't last, He knew he still owed him for what happened earlier, but not if it cost him his brother. Keep going. He told the kid, keeping himself as much a shield as he could
Cookie
player, 385 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 1 Feb 2015
at 22:25
  • msg #287

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Cookie braced her hands to give herself air and as the man dropped, kicked him hard, multiple times, raining steel-toed ire upon his belly, kidneys and groin, and as soon as his grip loosened, she was free.  Then she slugged him, actually putting her entire weight into the punch; it was a Polish haymaker.  But she wasn't done; then she was going to kill him.  The snarl twisting her painted red lips was truly savage.
New Mexico
player, 213 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Mon 2 Feb 2015
at 05:37
  • msg #288

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Dominic Dubreton, Hank, etc:

New Mexico kept up a steady rate of fire as the group hustled towards the chopper, mindful of his limited ammunition but willing to part with it in a pinch. "Fuck fuck fuck.." The teenager cussed vociferously, never natural to a gunfight no matter how much experienced he'd gained in the last months. Hopefully his underweight survivor-build would allow him to dodge bullets like Neo, he would think cynically, albeit fleetingly. "Ahhfuck not the chopper." N'Mexico complained as they neared the old huey Doc had commissioned at the air base weeks before. Despite his whining he'd go along, of course.

Keeping a cover on Dominic as the man briefly stopped to help someone, an arrow would sing past his head from within the fog, causing some of his shaggy hair to blow. It was all the signal N'Mexico needed to get in the huey himself, paying little mind to Brady's departure due to the confusion of the scene.

After Hank and his brother, followed by the carefully yet hastily maneuvered Isabelle(thanks to Loa), New Mexico would slid the door shut, deflectingy another couple arrows that bounced harmlessly off the door.

"All in, Doc!" New Mexico called from the back to Dominic up front, the danger of not only the fight but the chopper ride twisting his stomach.

"What a messed up week, dude.." He commented to Hank as he tried to buckle himself in, and keep calm.
Martin Fleet-Fox
Colton's Lieutenant, 3 posts
Mon 2 Feb 2015
at 05:44
  • msg #289

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Cookie and Bill:

Martin's self satisfaction turned to dismay when he received a kick to the pelvis with an unexpectedly solid boot. Grunting in discomfort and pain, his grip loosened on Cookie, though he tried to keep her held up, having initially underestimated her wiliness. He felt he almost had a hold on her when a bullet sizzled through his left thigh, finally felling the giant man to a knee.

Trying to immobilize Cookie from a kneeled position was still formidable considering Martin's size and he grappled to the end, finally dropped his arms down for the most part after several well placed strikes to vulnerable places. "You dishonorable dog!" He spat out the words with a bit of blood after the final haymaker left him slumped and fatigued.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:45, Mon 02 Feb 2015.
Loa
NPC, 14 posts
Fort Member
Veterinarian/Camp Doctor
Mon 2 Feb 2015
at 05:53
  • msg #290

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Loa kept a hold on Isabelle after they entered the fuselage of the chopper, the door closing to everyone's semi-relief. Isabelle had been fading in and out, the environment they found themselves in making it hard for someone who'd just reached consciousness after several hours. It had made moving the wounded woman difficult, but Isabelle had endeavored as best she could. "Hang on Isabelle, we're almost out."
Colton Black-Rabbit
Survivor, 10 posts
Mon 2 Feb 2015
at 05:58
  • msg #291

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Colton regained his feet despite the blood running freely down his back, staining his clothing a claret color. The bullet hadn't gone straight through, no doubt causing a complication in itself that only adrenaline and insanity would allow the bandit leader to ignore, to a point.

Withdrawing a blade from his sock, and wielding his tomahawk in the other hand he was fully prepared to make a fillet out of a restrained Cookie when she resisted, aided by a guardian sharpshooter. His lieutenant Martin fell to a knee, and Colton knew enough about self preservation to fade into the fog of war, effectively cloaking himself in the gunpower and smoke from the fires, disappearing from sight of Cookie and Bill..
Hector
NPC, 18 posts
Caravan Member
Strong & Silent
Mon 2 Feb 2015
at 06:04
  • msg #292

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Karen (msg # 283):

Hector moved well with Karen as they progressed through the midst of the surprise attack towards the center of the battlegrounds; the compound courtyard itself. Trained along ago, his movements were fluid due to the muscle memory of countless SWAT interventions he took part in. While lacking military experience like Karen, he found they worked well together, experience granting them the benefit of their training where others would panic.

"I see him. He's wounded. Cover me and I'll pull him out." Hector replied to Karen, following her lead on the assessment of the fight as it stood. The tall dark man would fire a couple rounds towards the gate where some of Colton's men were contending with undead that had just broken through after some Fort dwellers briefly retook the gate. He would allow Karen to add to the confusion with her own volley so he could move on Toby.
GM
GM, 720 posts
Mon 2 Feb 2015
at 06:16
  • msg #293

Escape!

The Choppa!
----------------

The old military chopper sputtered to life as Dominic hit the ignition. The engine lurched to life with agonizing slowness, drawing the attention of many in the courtyard, and earning it further barrages of arrows and other small weapons. A few bullets struck a side window, shattering it and causing a ricochet to bounce inside the fuselage around Hank, Tom, Loa and Isabelle.

Undead were now roaming amongst the courtyard as well, moving through the battle freely, holding no discrimination between which faction's wounded they feasted upon. It added a horrible new dimension to the survivor on survivor carnage, the flames and guns and helicopter drawing upon their decaying senses, inviting them.

The propellers of the chopper picked up speed finally, allowing for the potential to lift from the makeshift launch pad. Not far away, the garage with all of the vehicles and motorcycles burned away.
All systems seemed to be a go as the huey's control panel lit up accordingly.

The sight of potential escape drew upon many of the survivors still fighting, with the civilians trapped in among it all, with nowhere to go. With the chopper just starting to lift off, several Fort civilians tried to jump on to the landing gear, wrapping themselves around as best they could, and quickly adding weight, burdened by their belongings as some of them were.

The huey leaned to one side slightly, still about to pull up a little further after lifting just a few feet. A couple of the undead wandered too close, seizing hold of one of the Fort men trying to climb aboard. The dark haired man would scream as they tore into him, not so much conerned with pulling him from the landing gear as sitting down to nibble and tear away the flesh of his feet and lower legs.

This extra burden caused the chopper to lurched further to the one side, so much so that the propellers caught a blade into the nearby rampart of the Fort, knocking away a ramp where an ambusher and Fort fighter were duking it out, sending both hurtling to the ground inside the Fort. The huey fuselage, fell that few feet back down to the earth, landing upright but askew as it crushed a few of the people who tried to climb aboard, as well as a couple walkers. But more were coming..
Cookie
player, 386 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Tue 3 Feb 2015
at 00:33
  • msg #294

Re: Escape!

"That's Bitch, to you," Cookie snarled back, and hit him again, proving that you could be small and still pack a punch that would fell a man twice your mass. It said a lot that she was unafraid of him, too.  As he rocked, she spat on him and levelled a sharp kick to the belly to make sure he went down - probably puking.  "Where's the other one ?"  she snapped, looking around for Colton now.  And her bat.  And her Glock.  One eye was going to black up for sure, her best Pink tank tee was ruined, and her nails were in dire straits, but for a Jersey girl, that was the hazards one faced everyday.
Bill
Player, 35 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Tue 3 Feb 2015
at 03:16
  • msg #295

Re: Escape!

Bill knew the sound of machine gun fire all to well. Someone yelling 'Get Down', the feeling of your chest hitting the dirt, the bullets whizzing through the air, tearing through flesh, and the sound of a helicopter in the distance all reminded you of southeast Asia in the early seventies, if you were there, and Bill was there. He sprang to his feet as the adrenaline and nostalgia cocktail that was making it's way through Bill's body kicked in. Brady was moving toward Benson, so he ran to Cookie.

Writhing on the ground, the large man was wounded, both from the gunshot wound to his thigh and the rough treatment he had received from Cookie. Bill arrived at the scene, his glassy eyes moving back and forth from Cookie to the man on the ground.

"Cookie, we have to get out of here. This whole place, it's..." His gun aimed at the large man, Bill trailed off. "Is he dead?"
Hank Lucion
player, 47 posts
Wed 4 Feb 2015
at 03:46
  • msg #296

Re: Escape!

Hank's eye twitched slightly every time the other teen fired off a shot. Good for the helping in the fight for the base, not so good for a stealthy escape. As the several return arrows that flew toward them attested. Luckily most seemed to have been shot without aiming. He almost tripped over one that stuck in the ground just a step away from his foot, causing him to veer at the last moment. Geez. If Brady hadn't gotten shot helping Tom... No time to think of that now.

Stopping only long enough to get his brother in Hank was grateful for what little protection the chopper provided. At least he wouldn't have to worry about being strung through by an errant arrow. You ok? He asked Tom with a slight cough, the little bit of smoke he inhaled earlier catching up with him as he gave his brother a quick glance. Satisfied his kin wasn't any worst then when they started he leaned back in the seat with a sigh. Turning his slightly at NM's comment he gave a chuckle and agreed. I've had better. You hurt?

Looking out the window as they started to power up he scanned the visa for Brady. He knew there were others, probably some younger then Tom, who wouldn't make it out of the hell that was engulfing the fort. But he hadn't thanked Brady yet, and that was what would haunt Hank the most.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of glass shattering and the bullet bouncing around. Covering Tom the best he could he waited for the *clinging* to stop, steeling himself for the impact of bullet in flesh. Glancing up as the sound stopped he let out a sigh when he saw where the projectile had stopped. An inch above his head. Holy shit.

A few more explicative escaped his mouth as it looked like their escape was going to turn into their tomb. Though he hated it he would punched every person weighing them down if it meant they could take off.
Tom
NPC, 23 posts
Hank's brother
Thu 5 Feb 2015
at 00:10
  • msg #297

Re: Escape!

How had this gone downhill so fast? Tom wondered, trying to stay as small a target as possible. Even though he had only been in the fort a couple hours aside from the slightly awkward bite check they didn't seem like such bad people. Especially Brady. When the man had split off he was tempted to help him, but his brother's words and tone had him moving again. Reaching out as Hank stumbled he tried not to look too hard at the shapes in the smoke, or listen to the cries.

Practically jumping into the helicopter once there was enough room he said a silent prayer, something he hadn't done in over a year, for the people they would be leaving behind. Nodding numbly he managed a slight ya. They had close encounters before, but today was turning into something else. Looking over to the wounded woman and doctor he glanced at the footless leg before returning his gaze to their faces. Is she going to be ok?

What the fuck He managed before being partially smoothed by Hank, his focus on the others slowing his realization of what was happening slightly. Grabbing his brother's hand as the chopper started his grip tightened as it started to look like they weren't making it out this. Hank? His tone was more concern then an actual question.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 237 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 7 Feb 2015
at 17:29
  • msg #298

Re: Escape!

Trying his best to ignore the various projectiles bouncing off of the helicopters fuselage, Dominic's hands raced across the controls urging the helicopter on in French as he did so. Finally with a cry of relief the Huey slowly managed to pull itself into the air, and once he they had sufficient height it would be a simple matter of flying them the hell out of here. However it would seem that he wasn't the only one to realise the helicopters potential for an easy escape as desperate fort fighters grabbed hold of the skids; the extra quickly unbalancing the aging helicopter and bringing it lurching down onto the ground, narrowly avoiding the ramparts in the process.
Despite the blood curdling screams and horrific crunching sounds caused by several tons of helicopter landing on those clinging to the skids, there were no warning lights or alarming noises from the engine meaning that for the time being they were still in one piece "Get them away from the chopper! Shoot them if you have to!" Dominic shouted into the rear compartment. They would probably only get one more shot at this before they were inundated with walkers and survivors alike both desperately trying to get in.
Catching sight of a figure by his door Dominic grabs the pistol currently sat on the pilot’s seat and fires through the window. A single neat hole surrounded by a spider web of cracks appears in the bloodstained window. He didn't know whether it had been a survivor he'd shot or a walker all he knew was that he had to get them air born.
"Flooring" the accelerator he attempted once again to get lift off. Once he was in the air a low pass over the ramparts should shift anyone still clinging to the skids. If they got into the air that is.
Cookie
player, 387 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Sun 8 Feb 2015
at 22:44
  • msg #299

Re: Escape!

In reply to Bill (msg # 295):

"Not yet," Cookie said, seizing her Glock from a heap of dirt that had been kicked up by the fighting.  She slammed her Bates boot onto the big guy's neck to pin him and savagely pounded him right above the ear with the butt of the Glock.  She would not even waste a bullet on him.  Then she looked at Bill; the eyes were slitty and a trickle of blood was coming from her split lip.  It was a look that spoke of the great fierceness required to survive not only New Jersey, but the land of the dead. "We're going.  Grab your gear and find a vehicle.  These jerks can fight over this place without involving US."  She hit the jerk on the ground one more time - always double-tap - and then she was dashing towards her own gear.  And Bill had earned his place, but she'd be watching him.

Once it was in hand:
 Cookie inhaled, and raised her voice as loud as she could, an earpiercing howl.   "CARAVANEERS !  MOVE OUT ON THE DOUBLE !  FREEDOM ON THE ROAD !  LET'S GO !!!"  As she ran towards her Harley.  It was not the speech she'd hoped for; but there was no time for better.
CO-GM
GM, 9 posts
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 03:27
  • msg #300

Re: Escape!

The fires raged on as the Caravan rallied against their foes. The Caravan and Fort cabins were collapsing, flames licking the buildings adjacent and spreading to the ramparts. The Infirmary had all but burnt to the ground, only the east wall still standing against the fire. The old stables that had been converted to hold the Fort's vehicles was a roaring blaze. The slip-tank that had been scavenged to hold the small quantities of gas being brought in had flames all around it. If anything were to breach the outer wall of the tank, it would explode. One by one, the inner walls of the stable caught a flame, slowly spreading to another, and then another, the pile of hay in the upper levels providing excellent tinder to fuel the inferno. The tires on the truck that Brady, Hank, Tom, and the Stranger rode in on were smouldering. One blew, shooting embers into the other stalls. The walls were on fire and soon the roof. The whole building and all it's contents were burning to ash. The supports of the hay loft gave way and the inner structure came crashing down. The crushing force blew the fuel tank, and the barn fell in on itself like a barn does when it burns to the ground.

The Caravan's vehicles and any supplies they held were gone, hopelessly burnt away. The old Huey helicopter struggled to get off the ground as the Horde had broken through the front gates and were beginning to swarm the courtyard, blocking any chance of egress. Whoever was going to make it out of here alive needed to find a way out, and fast.
Benson Bohannon
Player, 145 posts
The Stranger
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 03:42
  • msg #301

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Brady (msg # 285):

Light once again reached Benson Bohannon's eyes as someone pulled the heavy body off of him and offered a hand up. Benson's left arm was broken and had a nasty gash. He had exhausted what energy he had left fighting for his life against the Indian. As his eyes adjusted and reality set in, the facts started to hit the cowboy. The Fort was gone, and any hope of building a life here were lost. Most everyone who was in charge here was either dead or disappeared. The Caravan was shattered. He was severely wounded. And the man helping him up right now was the very man he'd come here to kill. The same man who had shot him and left him for dead in Nashville before he'd met the Caravan. It was his own brother Brady.

But Benson was in no position to carry out his revenge plot now. He was simply grateful not to be burned, eaten, or skinned alive.

"Jesus Christ" was all Brady said, not expecting to see his brother alive again. "Shall we?" was all Beson responded, holding back a flood of emotion, saving it for another day.

Benson knew that if the Caravan were going to rally, and if they were going to make it through the winter alive, they'd need the particular set of skills a boy learns growing up on a farm at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. And if the cowboy himself was going to be down for the count for a while with a broken arm, Brady was the next best thing.
Sam
NPC, 22 posts
Fort Member
Former Caravan Member
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 17:17
  • msg #302

Re: Escape!

In reply to Cookie & Bill:

As Cookie and Bill moved towards the garage, only to find it engulfed in flames, the tall broad-shouldered Southerner with a penchant for insalubrity came into view, blocking the two from a futile effort. His clothes somewhat blood stained, though it wasn't his own blood. His bowie knife rested in an unbuckled holster at his front waist, while one hand gripped the handle of an old viking-style fireaxe from the 1800s, resting upon his shoulder, painted a deep claret from fresh fighting.

"If y'all sumbitches want a way out, y'better follow along." He spat out some tobacco juice, the colored liquid spraying a dead bandit strewn across the ground.

Normally anyone in the Fort or Caravan would be hesitant to believe the man given his bad reputation, yet behind him stood Luke, Mahmoud and Saito, armed and ready to move.

"He's right, Cookie." Mahmoud followed up, confirming Sam's offer, as much as he disliked the man who's gang had caused so much trouble within the Caravan some time back, including shooting New Mexico.

The sounds of battle mixed with the noise of the chopper nearby trying to get lift after temporarily being bogged down.

"Looks like y'all missed your ride." Sam commented dryly, maintaining some levity characteristic to him in spite of the battle raging. Conflict was natural to him.

Not waiting for much confirmation, Sam turned to confidently but quickly stride across the undead-Fort-Caravan-bandit siege that was close to culminating in an utter defeat for all involved besides the living dead. One walker about Sam's own size encroached on his path, with the Southerner shifting his weight to swing his axe to effect a decapitation before resuming his pace.

Mahmoud, Luke, and Saito began to call out to other survivors to join them, including Ricky, Benson & Brady, etc, though through the fog of war it seemed that few remained besides the odd individual, be they bandit, Fort-dweller or Caravaneer. More than anything the sounds of the undead began to permeate as the sounds of gunfire died down, although the screams, the yells of pain, persisted through the area.

-Stockade (very last cell)
This message was last edited by the player at 17:41, Mon 09 Feb 2015.
Toby
NPC, 24 posts
Fort Leader
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 17:22
  • msg #303

Re: Escape!

Toby managed to scurry away from the well as the cover of undead and smoke filed throughout the Fort he'd made his home since the beginning of Zombieland. From his position he'd already fired off the last rounds of his magazine, and rendered useless, he quickly tossed away the pistol. His right arm had an arrow straight through the bicep, causing extreme pain, his free hand clasping around the wound and imbedded projectile, stemming some blood as he sprinted to Karen and Hector.

"We need to get to the Stockade, the last cell has a way out." Toby entreated, his eyes urging them to comply without asking the obvious question of why a jail would be their ticket to freedom.

-to Stockade
'Joe'
Survivor, 15 posts
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 17:40
  • msg #304

Re: Escape!

The Stranger from the woods had initially endeavored to recover his bow and quiver from Toby's cabin, making sure to gather up Hank and Toms things as well. Despite only having known them for a short time, he felt somewhat responsible for the two younger fellows he had assisted on the roadside out on the highway. Slotting and releasing a couple of his arrows into approaching walkers who interrupted his search, he always made sure to recover the arrows for later use. For the most part he avoided the bandits, though made an effort to dislode a bandit atop the watchtower near the center of the Fort with a well placed arrow to the gut, sending the man tumbling down to a dust aroused death on the ground.

He could see through the midst of the fighting that Hank and Tom were among a group beating a hasty retreat to a chopper, and he initially felt that he had missed his chance to link up with the two boys again. Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for the stranger, they were bogged down by desperate folks clinging to the landing rails, endangering the escapee's with the walkers closing in.

Grumbling to himself over the matter, he opened his stride to long yet solid steps, placing and then loosing up to four arrows into the people grabbing onto the huey. It wasn't something he enjoyed doing, but it was necessary. They cried out in surprise and shock, their hands letting go of the huey's rails, with the biters descending upon them to feast, ignoring the chopper for the time being.

The chopper began to level in its short distance from the ground as a result of the load being lightened, and the stranger knew it was time to make good his own hasty retreat. 'Joe' slung his bow his head across his shoulder life a rifle, using the string as a sling, and decided that it was time to return Hank and Tom's belongings, which hung from his shoulders. Aged yet tough as nails, he tried to ignore the added weight.

Getting a running start, the old yet wiry survivor used the back of a rotter as a springboard to give him the extra foot needed to launch himself up and take hold of the railing of the chopper. His light, lean frame, the only one left clinging on, did not inhibit further take off.

Grunting and cursing and grateful for his gloves that provided him the grip to pull himself up a bit, one hand reaching up far enough to grip the side door to the huey and open it slightly, though the action caused him to lose his balance and almost fall.

"Help me up, dammit!" He yelled to the people inside, recognizing faces in the haste of his efforts to climb aboard, though with the extra belongings he was unable to get in on his own.
Cass
Survivor, 8 posts
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 17:43
  • msg #305

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Ricky Robes (msg # 284):

"I can hardly see anything.." Cass offered up meekly as the smoke billowed around them, still weak from the recent trouble in the woods as she had spent quite some time desolate in the pit Colton's people had trapped her in. She was still raw over the massacre that had befallen her own group at the hands of the bandits, and while supremely emotionally and physically exhausted she was intending to live to see another day, if anything to get revenge.
Aishe
NPC, 9 posts
Gypsy Survivor
Caravan Member
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 17:46
  • msg #306

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Cass and Ricky:

Aishe had been trying to find Hector but, presently unsuccessful, opted for anyone she might recognize from her own group. Setting sights on Ricky and Cass, huddled out of sight and trying to stay that way whilst eyeballing escape like herself, Aishe ran over from her own place behind some barrels.

"Ricky! Have you seen Hector?" She asked immediately, mostly concerned with her long-time friend that she'd known since the first day of the undead rising. "I've seen people heading towards the Fort jail, maybe Hector and the others will be there, unless they were on the helicopter."

Pending their agreement to investigate where people were herding themselves in desperate escape, precipitated by the influx of walkers streaming into the Fort as if in a massive migration, she led them towards the stockade.

-To the Stockade
This message was last edited by the player at 17:47, Mon 09 Feb 2015.
Karen
Player, 72 posts
The Traitor
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 21:50
  • msg #307

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Karen and Hector fell in behind Toby. He may not have been the most reputable person at this moment, having brought down a reign of terror upon the Caravan's heads, though, perhaps he was not so very different from Karen in this regard. Karen popped off the last of the ammunition in the M16 and discarded the weapon like a smoker discards a cigarette butt. She pulled from her satchel two handguns and fired them into the horde that had breached the front gates like a character from an action movie. The trio crossed the diminished battleground, staving off the zombie crowd as best they could. Karen emptied one pistol and tossed it like a baseball towards a zombie. She neglected to see where it landed. She reloaded one final time as the collective of survivors reached the brig, the one that not long ago had housed her temporarily. The former policewoman and mother felt it her protective duty to cover the retreat, lingering and firing outside the doors until the last stragglers were safely inside.

-> To the stockade.
Hank Lucion
player, 48 posts
Mon 9 Feb 2015
at 23:45
  • msg #308

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Though he knew taking out anyone hanging on the helicopter was the only way they were escaping, hearing "shoot them" still brought a chill to Hank. Taking a deep breath to steel himself for what had to be done he turned to Tom. Close your eyes, I don't want you to have to see this. It was bad enough they had to deal with the first hope for a future in a while going up in flames, the kid didn't need seeing innocents shot close up added to everything else he had on his plate. Turning back to NM he asked a question that had no pleasant answer. How much ammo do you have left? Enough, and they could shoot their way clear; too little, they'd have to resort to using it as a club.

Luckily it seemed they didn't have to worry about using the gun, as the people trying to save themselves were brought down from behind. Given what was happening he didn't know if that was a good thing or not. What the...JOE! Hank exclaimed as their savior, once again, raced through the smoke to grab onto the Huey. Plus he had their gear, which if he admitted to himself he didn't know which one he was happier to see. He's good. Making sure the other kid didn't shoot Joe Hank reached out and grabbed for the free hand and pulled the other man up, using the frame to make sure he didn't go headfirst out the door.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 238 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Tue 10 Feb 2015
at 18:24
  • msg #309

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

With his heart pounding within his chest Dominic gradually eased the lumbering Huey into the air; his hands shaking with pure adrenaline as they pulled back on the stick oh my god! You’re actually enjoying this aren’t you!? His mind screamed at him, true he didn’t exactly like the idea of catching a bullet or being dragged from out of the cockpit by a pack of hungry zeds, but the challenge and the thrill of trying to escape before either of those events happened was intoxicating. Though as a self-professed adrenaline junky he wasn’t all too surprised about that.
A surge of elation suddenly went through him as the aging helicopter finally got into the air meaning that all he had to do now was to gain enough altitude in order to get over the walls and then make good on their escape.
Compensating for the sudden lurch to the left as a hooded man leapt upon the skids; Dominic’s hand was already halfway to his pistol when Hank yelled that he was with them “Then get him in quickly then!” he shouted returning both his hand and attention to the control’s in order to keep them stable, gods knew he didn’t want a repeat of last time.

Once the hooded man was safely inside and the door closed, the Huey ascended until it was safely out of range of any pot shots that may come their way before then beginning to slowly circle the burning remains of the fort “Is everyone alright back there?” Dominic asked his voice returning to its normal level now that they were no longer in imminent danger “Can any of you see any survivors down there? Any vehicles?”  he asked; his own eyes searching for any sign that any of the others had managed to get out of the fort alive.  If they were unable to find any of the others then they would be on their own and Dom would have to find them somewhere else to go and there was only one other place he could currently think of and somehow he doubted the others would thank him for taking them there.
Ricky Robes
player, 68 posts
The Journalist
Thu 12 Feb 2015
at 02:10
  • msg #310

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Ricky was happy to see friendly faces, even amidst all the chaos of the attack. "I haven't seen Hector. But you're right, the jail would be our best bet; safety in numbers and all." He turned to Cass, his voice calm and reassuring. "Just stay close to me, I'll keep you safe. You need anything, you just call out and I'm right there." He turned back and followed Aishe's lead.

>> To Stockade >>
Cookie
player, 388 posts
Jersey Girl
On the Move
Mon 16 Feb 2015
at 01:26
  • msg #311

Re: Escape!

In reply to Sam (msg # 302):

Cookie was filthy, blood-spattered and madder than a wet hen, but she knew sense when she heard it.  "Let's go !"  she agreed grimly, and headed out.  Better to make a quick alliance when you need to, and dealing with corrupt evil people was second nature to anyone who was born and raised in the Garden State.  But she made sure dear Sam was never behind her.
Bill
Player, 36 posts
Fort Member
Old Man River
Wed 18 Feb 2015
at 09:23
  • msg #312

Re: Escape!

The garage grew into an inferno, and Bill thought it was the largest fire in Fort Dixie on account of all the flammable materials. The undead were now swarming the Fort, and what was left of Colton's gang and the other survivors were lost in the haze of the fires. The helicopter, occupants unknown to Bill rose into the dusk. That method of escape, along with the other vehicles were no longer an option. They would have to leave now.

Following Sam's lead, Bill waded through the chaos and violence to the stockade.

The lives they had known at the Fort were over. Was this the last ever to be seen of safety and comfort? Would they ever be in a place like this again? Bill looked back at the old Civil War military installation he had called home these past few months. It really wasn't fair how things changed. Fort Dixie had fallen; a civilization gone with the wind.



To Stockade -->
This message was last edited by the player at 09:38, Wed 18 Feb 2015.
New Mexico
player, 214 posts
"The Kid"
Caravan Member
Thu 19 Feb 2015
at 03:31
  • msg #313

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

In reply to Hank Lucion (msg # 308):

Hank Lucion:
How much ammo do you have left?


"One round left." New Mexico replied simply and forebodingly, one hand grasping the rifle while the other held onto some fuselage canvass to steady himself amid the turbulence. He felt the helicopter lift as it became unburdened by hangers-on, too late to the chopper, too late to escape. Quickly Joe, the older man who'd arrived with the brothers, had cleared the undead and gained a grip on the getaway vehicle. "Holy shit!"

Dropping his rifle, he rushed to assist Hank in pulling the guy in, and making sure Hank stayed in. Once the old feller was securely inside the chopper NM would pull himself up to the window to try and spot friendlies.

"I can't see them, just walkers and bodies." N'Mexico called back to Dominic up front before moving that way, settling himself in the copilot seat, leaving his rifle behind. "The bastards burned the garage. Our rides are fucked." He added, feeling helpless, his concern for the group palpable. Yet he knew that there was little they could do, and that landing to get anyone else was too dangerous.

"Maybe they made it out to the forest.." It seemed a long shot, given that the only way out that he knew of would be throwing oneself off the ramparts into the fields. The gate had been breached but it had become impassable by a steady stream of the undead, the dinner bell long having been rung.
'Joe'
Survivor, 16 posts
Thu 19 Feb 2015
at 03:43
  • msg #314

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Joe grumbled and cursed like a sailor as first Hank and then the kid from the Caravan began to pull him aboard. Though not as squeamish as most, his caught his heart surging a little as he clung on, weighed down by his extra baggage, the biters reaching up with claw like hands from the packed, rotting grounds of Fort Dixie.

Once inside Joe collapsed on the helicopter floor, winded but alive.  "Thanks, Hank. N'Mexico." The strong but tired survivor nodded to his saviors and the others. The old guy endeavored to pull himself together, sitting up establishing a grip on something while the helicopter heaved around the burning Fort. He slid off the gear belonging to brothers, "The girl doesn't look so good." Joe commented slowly and warily, speaking mainly to Loa but the brothers as well, about the wounded, pale Isabelle..
Loa
NPC, 15 posts
Fort Member
Veterinarian/Camp Doctor
Thu 19 Feb 2015
at 03:49
  • msg #315

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Loa held Isabelle close as the woman passed out a few times during the escape, the rough exit and the noise all overwhelming the patient. Isabelle's wounds had remained sealed mostly, but due to the quick exit from the medical cabin and the limited medical supplies they had had, blood began to seep from Izzy's stump.
The former veterinarian knew there was little to be done, and so tried to keep her worries momentarily to herself so that Dominic could pilot their air-ambulance.
Ripping off material from the sleeve of her shirt, she tried to provide extra cover to Isabelle's wound. "We need to get someone calm and on the ground, soon. Toby knew that Fort inside out, I'm sure he was able to get some of our people out.." She was concerned about Isabelle's condition, though she like the others despaired over their missing companions. Known for providing sound bedside manner, Loa hoped that what she had said was true.
Tom
NPC, 24 posts
Hank's brother
Fri 20 Feb 2015
at 00:56
  • msg #316

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Tom wanted to say they couldn't just knock the people off the rails. Even if they survived the fall, with everything going on down there...Shuddering with the acceptance of them or us he turned and covered his ears, humming to himself to drown out what was to come. What he wasn't expecting was his brother yelling Joe's name, and the slight lurch of the chopper. Slowly turning he let out a sigh of relief and smiled. Taking the bags from Joe he moved them over to make some more room. The smile faded as New Mexico, had to be a nickname, gave his report. At least you made it Joe. Pulling Hank's bag to him he rifled through it, pulling out a ruffled sweater. Handing to his brother he leaned in and tried to forget what was going on below.
Hank Lucion
player, 49 posts
Fri 20 Feb 2015
at 01:09
  • msg #317

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Having never been on the outside of anything flying pulling Joe in was a new experience. Nodding his thanks to New Mexico after Joe was in Hank leaned back with a shiver, part cold of the seat part how bad it had gotten on the ground. Glad they didn't have to resort to knocking people off Hank smiled as he took the proffered sweater. Don't worry about it Joe. With all you've done...  he let the sentence go, not wanting to remember earlier. Putting an arm around Tom he looked to Isabelle as Joe mentioned her condition. She made it this far... Glancing briefly to the gun left behind he let out a sigh. It's just a matter of keeping the bleeding down, right?
Dominic Dubreton
player, 239 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sat 21 Feb 2015
at 15:54
  • msg #318

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

"I have some more ammunition in my bag" Dominic replied absently when the question of how many bullets NM had left was raised; the paramedic intently searching the fort for any signs of life.
He'd packed the small backpack that morning before leaving for his little jaunt into the woods. In it were a handful of magazines for his pistol and rifle NM was carrying, a bottle of water and a first aid kit. Had it just been just himself the pack would have kept him going long enough to find fresh supplies however with a group this size it was nowhere near adequate "There’s also a Glock taped to the underside of my seat...hey wait a minute! Did any of you guys just see that?" he suddenly calls out, leaning forward to peer out of the windscreen at the fort below. He could have sworn he'd just seen someone down by the stockade signalling to him. Moving the chopper over in that direction he continues to search for any signs of life "Keep your eyes peeled guys because if you see any of our people we need to be following them...because if we can't find them then I'll have to take us back to St Louis" he knew it wouldn't be a popular idea but there had been food, water, medical supplies and above all else vehicles with fuel in them. They weren't about to drop out of the sky but they couldn't hang around here forever so in short they needed somewhere to go "...unless of course any of you have a better idea?"
Hank Lucion
player, 50 posts
Sat 21 Feb 2015
at 22:01
  • msg #319

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Looking out as best he could Hank had no idea who to look for and what was wrong with St Louis, though they had avoided the major cities in general so far. At least they had more ammo. What's wrong with St. Louis? I'd think the zombies would have cleared out by now. Given it was a major city it would have been hit hard early on, but as the dead outnumbered the living they should have moved on.
Dominic Dubreton
player, 240 posts
The Speed Freak
"Doc"
Sun 22 Feb 2015
at 12:22
  • msg #320

Re: Return of the Raiding Party

Its where Sierra died was the response that instantly came to mind causing Dominic to shift uncomfortably over the memory of the girls death and how he could have prevented it "Its...its a long story and I am not really the best one to tell you about it" he replied in a subdued voice making it clear that it wasn’t his place to tell that particular story. If NM or Izzy wanted to fill in the others on what had happened in St Louis then that was up to them though somehow he doubted it. He’d never managed to get into the main building but from what he had heard the things that had happened within that building were left forgotten.
For now though Dominic would concentrate on flying the helicopter and locating the others before they ran out of fuel and daylight.
He could have sworn that whoever had been on the ground had been pointing in this direction.


--->Escape!
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