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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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'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.

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.

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

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.

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 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

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

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 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 ?'