Whatever the joke was between Dom and Benson went over Hanks head. Adjusting his grip before they started moving Hank nodded slightly at Mortimer's offer. I'll think about it. He had never thought about turning to the church for help, but then he never thought he'd be pulling a body from a canal. Moving with the others he waits just long enough to snag his crowbar, turning it into a support beam by tossing Tiller's arm over it.

Taking a couple steps back after dropping Tiller off Hank crouched down with a sigh. Might be..Hey Dom, you think the alternator from that rust truck is still workable?

Dom considered the question for several seconds before giving a non-committal shrug “we can give it a go, though bikes were always my thing” he said wondering not for the first time what had happened to Lyle, knowing full well that he’d have known how to get the truck going again. The damn thing had been sat there rusting away all winter taunting them with the prospect of having a vehicle again yet even the most casual of glances said it needed work “you do realise that it’ll take more than fixing the alternator to get that hunk of junk running again, right?” Dom continued wondering what the rest of Hank’s plan entailed. Assuming of course he actually had a plan and it wasn’t just wishful thinking on his part.

Hank twisted his back with a satisfying crack. Looking to the sky he smiled at Dom's question. Oh I don't doubt that. At this point that thing is probably more useful cut up and used to patch walls. But... He tapped the crowbar as he thought of the best way to word his plan. Assuming it isn't shot to shit, and depending on what we can find in town....I think I can help with our electricity problem.

In reply to Dominic Dubreton (msg # 35):

At this point, maybe Bohannon was going stir crazy. Maybe he was spoiling for a fight. Either way he was itching to get out of this place for a while. A run into town was the perfect opportunity to do just that. "I'll sure as hell join you Clooney. Who knows? Might be I can find myself something to drink..." Bohannon considered for a second the possibility of finding alcohol not already pilfered by someone else. It was unlikely. But a nice thought just the same. Bohannon reckoned he'd do just about anything right now for a beer or a nice clean shot of whisky. All of this was going through his head while talk turned to salvaging the old truck. In the old days, Bohannon was sure he could pull just about any part out of just about anything on the farm, but now, he wasn't even sure he'd want to try. "Y'all are wastin' you time." He said plainly, expressing his disinterest.

"Yeah and maybe we'll find ourselves a nice little steak house whilst we're at it" Dom replied with a grin knowing for sure that this WAS wishful thinking on the cowboy’s part. Building a generator on the other hand...that could possibly work assuming of course that Hank actually knew what he was talking about and wasn't just talking big.
However whilst Dominic was trying to imagine the possibility of having a little power, alright they wouldn't exactly be watching TV any time soon but a couple of lights or a heater would be great, Bohannon clearly thought they were on cloud cuckoo land "We possibly are Cowboy, but on the other hand if it actually works..." he left the rest unsaid as he straightened up and moved away from the wall "Right I'll go and see if I can find some white spirits or something to burn our friend with, those of you who wish to come with me into town I'll meet here tooled up and ready to go, until then I'll see you all later" he said to those currently gathered around the body before then turning and heading back to the compound, where he hoped to find something flammable for Mr Tiller.

----> The Big house

Mortimer walked the alongside the body to help if it was needed but wasn't so he holds Lizzie's hand as Hank and the others talk electricity and a run to town. It would be interesting but he felt this wasn't the time so he smiles at Hank. "That's all I ask is that you think about it."

He then turns to the other people around keeping his kind smile, "Have fun on the run. If you find bibles in good shape bring them back. I'm thinking of holding services for those willing to listen."

The pair part ways and head to the Big House.

To: Big House -------------->

Hank waited a little, running what they would need to get the electricity flowing through his head. Definitely wires, maybe a couple batteries. If they were really lucky he'd find a diode or two. Shaking the wishful thinking away he stood up and sighed. Well, better go tell Tom. It'd be weird going on a run with the kid but now that they were in a group he figured his brother could use the chance to socialize on his own. Looking to the two people remaining, I'm going to go see if I can scrounge up some more packs. Before heading back to the main building.



---->To Big House

-> From Big House

Sarah was a bit worried and anxious at the same time. She tried to avoid going out on these runs just for the sake of safety. There was something though about going out this time that helped her to the decision to go along with the group. Perhaps it was Lorenzo's furious attitude towards getting things done.

Sarah knew she couldn't stay and hide in the compound forever and if she was going to be of help, it might as well be on the run. Besides, its likely if they did find soil or anything else used for gardening or farming, they may not bring back the right stuff. So perhaps it was important that she went.

"I'm prepared to head out when you guys are. Lead the way" Sarah said simply, sitting on a rock nearby.

Mahmoud, a longtime Caravaneer and Luke, who had joined the group back after the destruction of Fort Dixie, approached across the compound grounds towards the raiding party as they formed up along the outer edges of the industrial park grounds. They gave a brief wave as they approached; Mahmoud the amiable veteran, and Luke the self absorbed but well meaning young man.

"Hi Sarah, you all going on raid?"

In reply to Mahmoud (msg # 44):

"Yeah, I am. I am trying to start a garden for a small trickle of food long term... that is if we stay here for more then a few months." Sarah says in response to Mahmoud's question "Normally I probably wouldn't, but I feel I should go in order to get the right things needed for it. Then we can stop worrying about food constantly... at least if we all like tomatoes and sunflower seeds." Sarah joked near the end. Frankly that is pretty much all she had on her during the incident.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
--> From Big House

---

Everyone looked pretty well settled in by the time Lorenzo sauntered up, and he glanced behind himself a bit worried he had been holding things up. It would suck to be that guy. No one seemed to be too pissed off though, so he took that as a good sign. Flicking his cigarette off somewhere, he gave a lazy wave to those already gathered there.

If there was any kind of fear or apprehension in Lorenzo about going off into Zombieland to face ghouls, potential death, or God only knew what it didn't show. He cruised up to the others, half-listening to the conversation, to stop and rock back and forth on the balls of his feet. Even now it was like he had too much energy to be kept still. "Only tomatoes and sunflower seeds? Shit, lady, I think that makes me worry a little more," Lorenzo teased. He glanced over to Benson and snorted. "If we're lucky maybe Clint Eastwood over there will rustle us up a cow."

----> The Big House

With half of the group still gathering their things, Dominic casually saunters back to where they’d left the body just beyond the compound’s perimeter where hopefully no one would smell the body once they set it alight. After heaping a small pile of rubbish, dead leaves and twigs about the body Dominic then proceeds to empty what was left of the cans contents onto the body as he hums the tune for Steelers Wheels, Stuck in the Middle with you; Being careful not to spill any of the noxious substance across his already battered and scuffed biker boots.
Flipping the lid of his Zippo and lighting it in a single well practised motion he touches the remains of an old cigarette packet to the tip of the small flame; waiting until the flames had fully taken hold before tossing it upon the makeshift funeral pyre that went up with an audible whoompf as the accelerant burst into bright orange flames.
With the unenviable task of arranging the late Mr Tillers cremation now completed Dominic heads over to where the others had gathered, finding a nervous looking Sarah chatting with Mahmoud and an energetic Lorenzo who looked like a kid on Christmas morning “hey don’t knock it, foods food when there’s nothing else on offer” he said in reply to Lorenzo, though even he had to admit that a diet of sunflower seeds and tomatoes didn’t exactly wet his appetite.

In reply to Lorenzo (msg # 46):

Sarah laughs at Lorenzo's reply "Unless you like gravel and dirt to eat, tomatoes are  god-send. Besides I have apple seeds but... yeah waiting on an apple tree will kill us. Who knows maybe there are some seeds in the places we go. Maybe we'll get lucky." Still siting on a rock Sarah kicks around some dirt waiting for the others. She looks back up at Lorenzo and smiles "Just keep me alive okay? Take out all that pent up anger on the shamblers out there. If I die, I am blaming you." She jokes, she could take care of herself, but knew Lorenzo could probably do for some violence after their run in with Janice.

Mahmoud smiled a little when Sarah told informed him of the raid's intentions, or at least part of the intent. They'd raided the surrounding areas before and hadn't been able to find much of use, though like the others he knew they couldn't just sit and wait to die of exposure. Lorenzo's presence drew a nod from Mahmoud and Luke to his side. The larger the group the safer everyone would be.

Dominic's presence brought Mahmoud a few steps forward towards the medic, "Hey Doc. I see you're organizing a raid. I'm glad I caught you before you set out ; Cookie has gone out on her own to scout. Tried to talk to her but she wasn't having any of it. I suppose she needs time alone. In any case she might be gone for a while." He could've gone into more detail about his and Cookie's discussion but it wasn't something he was keen to discuss in front of everyone else, he and Cookie were friends.

"So I guess that leaves you more or less deciding things, in a way." They had never really decided who was in charge of the Caravan, over time individuals took leadership of a disaster or similar situation, and when they died, someone else took their place. At times he contemplated if a democratic system would work, but it seemed too pie-in-the-sky for their world. They weren't a wolf pack, either, however, more like they were a herd of humans, all watching one another's back.

"Luke told me that Joe went to the national forest with Brady, New Mexico and Tom to practice archery. We expect them back in a few hours."

"Hey, I'm just saying I ain't a squirrel," shrugged Lorenzo in reply to Dominic. He said nothing more as Mahmoud began to speak to Doctor Love, inadvertently saving the medic from any of Lorenzo's teasing.

He was more focused on Sarah than anyone else anyway. It was definitely something how the apocalypse had forced such a variety of people together. Hurrah for desperation. Never in his life did Lorenzo think he would have ever had a reason to interact with half the people here. Sarah was way different from the type of girls he was used to. She seemed a lot... Nicer. Not to mention a whole lot smarter. He threw her a wry grin as she spoke.

"No one's dying, chicky. Don't be nervous, yeah? The worst thing those ghouls are capable of is getting blood on your shoes," he boasted, cheesy grin growing wider. "I got you one hundred percent. Stick with me and all you'll have to do is sit there and look pretty." He tapped the hilt of the large knife sheathed at his hip, as if to illustrate the fact he was more than willing to do all the real gory stuff.

His tone was light, goofy, but there was real conviction in those words. He hadn't earned himself the reputation of an overall good, if not somewhat reckless, fighter for nothing. If he said he was going to look after someone he meant it. He continued to fidget about, eager to get going. Zombie smashing was pretty straight forward and he didn't care much for politics of who had to stamp the proverbial approval papers. He was impatient, he wanted to go, go, go.

-had entered with Mahmoud from Industrial Park Compound

Luke stood to the side but back behind Mahmoud, leaving the senior staff (so to speak) to the deliberations with Dominic while he meandered/drifted towards Lorenzo and Sarah, eavesdropping a little. "Hey lovebirds." He commented in good humor, no offense intended. Luke would have said the same thing if Sam and Janice were standing close together."Say.. If you happen to come across any..mustache wax.. I'd be willing to trade ya for it."
His right hand rested upon the hilt of the machete sheathed upon his upper leg, tapping the end of the grip lightly. With his mustache and tall, lean build, he looked almost like a swashbuckler, but he was inherently non-violent unless push came to shove. Part of him wondered if he'd be volunteered up for the raid, and if so he wouldn't oppose, but wouldn't necessarily volunteer.  Call it self preservation or survival instinct, or the fact he was still largely 'human'.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Sat 25 Apr 2015.

In reply to Lorenzo (msg # 46):

The cowboy was tightening his gun belt as the others gathered near the gates. He'd lost enough weight to go down a couple notches. Bohannon carried his Colt Peacemaker everywhere he went. It only had three bullets left, but he couldn't part with it. The pistol had sentimental value if nothing else. Bohannon turned to Lorenzo as the kids chatted. "Hey, Pelé, I thought I was the nickname guy." Bohannon shrugged. He wasn't in a mood for verbal sparing today. "How many of them cigarettes you got?" He dusted off the brim of his hat. "Might be I'm more inclined to find you a cow if I got nicotine in me. It's like my morning coffee." Bohannon scrunched the hair out of his face and replaced his hat, finishing the fidget with a now habitual scratching of his neck. His beard really irritated his neck. He spoke now to the rest of the greenhouse crew. "Y'all are wasting your time. Caravan'll be well on our way to who-the-hell-knows before you get anything off your little crop there. It ain't worth it." Benson kicked at the dirt with his well-worn cowboy boot.

A look of concern passes over Dominic's face as Mahmoud spoke to him of Cookie leaving the caravan. Truth be told he was stunned that Cookie had upped and left without saying a word to any of them and just a little horrified over the idea of him being in charge.
Rubbing a hand across his heavily stubbled chin; mentally adding razor blades to his list of things to find Dominic quietly assesses the situation as he saw it before speaking to Mahmoud in a low voice "ok...well lets keep this between ourselves for now, I don't want people panicking or doing anything rash, we'll discuss this in more detail when I get back ok?" the last thing the caravan needed was a power struggle or someone running off after Cookie in a desperate attempt to bring her back. No, this needed to be handled carefully else things could go very badly very quickly. Because although he knew he could count on the support of several people to back his leadership he also knew that there were more than a few that wouldn't and unlike Cookie he didn't have a Christopher with a loyal army of fighters or a Jay to back him up should things turn ugly.
With those thought still circling his head Dominic quickly changes the subject to something a little less problematic "Well Mahmoud one good turn deserves another" he said with a wry grin on his face that said you're not going to like this "...that guy we fished out of the canal wasn't a walker when he went in, someone did for him and so I need you to set up a watch just in case whoever killed our waterlogged friend is still hanging around...oh and don't drink the water" Dom figured that Mahmoud had probably already figured the last part out for himself but it didn't hurt to mention it anyway.
With both the Cookie situation and his own concerns over Mr Tillers murderer now dealt with for the time being Dominic turns his attention back to the group of raiders. He'd give Ricky and Hank a minute or so to show up and then they would have to get going whether they were here or not.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:37, Sat 25 Apr 2015.

-in reply to Dominic

Mahmoud noted the worry that came over Dominic, but remained neutral in his own composure. Luckily the medic was able to keep a low profile over the issue despite the problem being lobbed at him when he wasn't prepared. "Understood. No one else knows except for Luke who saw her leave. Maybe take him with you all on the raid, I'll keep things on the down-low until you get back." He replied with an an equally low voice, keeping a casual posture so that no one thought there was anything to be particularly concerned about besides the usual. Mahmoud was glad to see some world weary levity come from Dominic even though the news imparted was rather unwholesome.

Sighing a little, Mahmoud rubbed the back of his neck with one hand, the other leaning slightly on his golf club. "Alright. I can do that." He nodded, giving a wry little smile of his own, though not too cynical lest it affect anyone else. "Look, don't worry about us, everything will be fine on our end. You just try your best to make sure everyone comes back alright, food or no food." Dominic didn't need to be distracted out there, though it was probably too late for that. As he was was speaking he'd almost said "make sure everyone gets back in one piece" but, remembering Isabelle, thought better of his wording.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:44, Sat 25 Apr 2015.

Sam wasn't about to sit out of a raid, especially when it was so damn dull around camp. Sure there had been the dead fella in the canal, but that had been promptly dealt with by the local garbage men and women. As if removing the body from the canal was going to reassure anyone that they were drinking clean water. Also being in clear view of the others might void suspicion he had something to do with the canal-man's death, as if he was some sort of bad guy or something!
Approaching from one of the nearby abandoned offices, almost omnipresent in how he was always nearby when the others were not aware. Like Isabelle before she lost her leg. He grinned to himself about that.

He was already ready to go, a mostly empty rucksack on his back for carrying any supplies back to the compound. One hand carried his viking-style fire axe, the long weapon pointed down, whereas his massive bowie knife rested in its sheathe at his waste. The big, broad shouldered Southerner didn't have a gun, like most of the group, though he was fixing to change that when he could.  "How many bullets you have left, Bohannon? Was it one, or two? I'll trade ya New Mexico's twizzlers for it, seeing as you just carry it for show these days." Sam's voice almost had a growl-like quality, though he was almost always on better terms with fellow Southerners than the rest of the group, at least from appearances.

In reply to Sam (msg # 55):

"I got at least one bullet in here for you, Budd." The cowboy answered back as he pulled out the Colt to spin the cylinder and count his bullets. He was maybe one of few Caravaneers who enjoyed verbally sparing with Sam. Perhaps it was a southern thing. "Maybe if you got up off your lazy ass and looked for a gun you could find one of your very own. Just close your eyes and wish real hard, you might find one today." Bohannon spun his pistol in gunslinger fashion and jammed it back into the hip holster. "I think we're about ready to rock n' roll Clooney," Bohannon shouted at Dominic. "If you're just about done shootin' the breeze with Mo-hamed there." He leaned one the gate and tossed on foot over the other in an overtly casual stance, his simple backpack dangling loosely off his shoulder.

"Yeah, it wouldn't be a good start would it?" Dominic replied to Mahmoud’s encouraging words; chuckling softly at his little piece of black humour as he does so.
Hearing the Cowboy's impatient comments Dominic decided it was time to go; bidding Mahmoud goodbye with a simple "we'll talk more later mon ami" he moves over to the group of raiders that had gathered nearby "Ok lets roll people!" he shouted using the "take off" hand signal he'd seen used by so many ground crew over the years.
It was as he was taking a quick head count of who was coming that he spotted Karen chatting to Izzy by the compounds gate; the sight of the severed limb causing a momentary pang of guilt like it did every time he saw it, making conversation with Izzy somewhat awkward on his part. Assuming that Karen must have been too far away to have heard his shout he places two fingers in his mouth and gives off a shrill whistle in order to attract her attention; following it up with a "Are you coming or what?"gesture when he was sure she'd seen him.
As the raiders began moving down the path towards the nearby town Dominic made a bee line straight for Luke; clapping him on the back in a friendly act of camaraderie and grinning from ear to ear as he spoke to him in a voice that made it seem like Dominic was his best friend in the whole world "Luke its good to see you joining us, you know I've got to say after all the things I've heard people say about you I had my doubts, But I am glad to see you coming on this raid with us and proving them all wrong, good on you man I knew you wouldn't let me down!"

--->From Big house

Tom wasn't around the other side of the House, so Hank headed back to the gate they were leaving from. He went around the building in case he could hear Tom tinkering around, to no avail. Seeing a few others had joined and were starting to move out he jogged a bit, probably not the best idea, to catch up. He slowed a bit as he saw Sam in the group, the incident earlier unable to be forgotten. Hopefully being outside the compound the man would dial it back some.

COMMENCE RAID

CHAPTER 4 - THE CARAVAN "A TOWN CALLED SLAUGHTER"