Peter listened to Fred and gave a nod. He supposed that it was better than more bad news at least. He glanced at Jane and stepped over to her, silently letting her take the lead in conversation and if she wanted to move farther away.

Rowan steps across to check over her charge and make sure he s still okay. "shall we get him under cover she asks the librarian"

Jane smiled at Peter and casually moved a little more away.  It would just look like she was just off to another location on her watch.  She then settled down and whispered to Peter if he followed her.

Peter had his back to the rest of the group for which he was glad once he heard what Jane had to say. He wouldn't have wanted anyone to see the expression that crosses his face at her words. He quickly schooled his features back to blankness.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg # 86):

Jane leaned against Peter.  It was a good cover as well as to hide their whispered conversation.

Peter stayed still as Jane leaned against him. He listened without comment as she spoke to him.


He frowned for a moment.


He then let out a small chuckle.

Trejo called Smoker on the radio. When he couldn't get a response, he trotted off to the rear escape tunnel for the bunker. As he passed Rowan he directed her to resume aiding Jane on the SAW.

Arriving in the damp chamber, he found the other many tiding up. "Come on, we got a reply. we're staying out by the road. Pickup's in a few hours."

"OK, then."

Smoker left off tidying and started to scavenge around to see if there was anything worth salvaging and taking along.

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 90):

Jane chuckled with Peter and nodded.  "Looks like break time is over."  Jane did take the opportunity to give Peter a kiss before he had to leave.  Between guard duties and nightmares, she held the memories of the kisses close to help get her through until the next time.

 rowan smiles as her friend returns, "Well done sister she whispers private between them, make the most of it"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 92):

Jane grinned at Rowan's words and nodded.  "I'll take him when I can get him.  We never know for sure how much time we have do we."

She then sat down close to Rowan and whispered under her breath.

rowan chucks a blanket over them both there you go friend that will keep us dry and warm

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 94):

Jane nodded.  "Warm and dry is to be appreciated.  My thanks Rowan."

Knowing that they were away from prying eyes, Jane whispered to Rowan.

Peter returned the brief kiss to Jane and watched as she walked away. She was nice to look at, but that wasn't it. His thoughts were racing and they were on a problem, not on her. He had a slight frown on his face as he thought. He moved slowly and mechanically to pull out his pack of cigarettes, liberate one from the pack, put it into his mouth and then light it.

Rowan gives a low whistle to bring trickster in then with what has been told her instructs her friend to get a feel for how the person senses

In reply to Smoker Nix (msg # 90):

Smoker was able to find a fair amount of salvage, as the bolthole wasn't stripped. Aside from the dataslug player, dataslugs and Holo-TV, there was clothing, utensils, wiring, light bulbs, scrap metal, etc.

Checking the front entrance, he found there was a gun locker (empty except for a machete in self-sharpening scabbard, a scoped hunting rifle with no ammunition) and a cloakroom of sorts (empty except for a military-surplus backpack).

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 97):

The coyote overcame his shyness to sniff at Winnie without her noticing.

He reported back.

Smoker fills the backpack with the most useful stuff and takes the machete. Then he trundles out to join the others.

 Under her breath Rowan says to her friend, "trickster says it ain't her she smells metal if that makes sense"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg # 101):

Trejo wandered over.

"Hey, let's not bunch up. Keep a watch out. It's been a couple hours now. The relief's gonna be here soon."


Sotto voice. "We waiting for her to make a move? Or we gonna move first? Let's get it on if we are gonna do anything."

In reply to Trejo (msg # 102):

Jane managed to get out a mumbled "no it doesn't make much sense" before Trejo came over.  When he said about spreading out she just stared at him for a little bit.

"Whatcha think I've been doing all this time?  Twiddling my thumbs?  I've been on watch."

"We're going to watch and wait.  It's only supposition right now."

Trejo was impressed with Jane's cool head, but hid it by scowling. He growled in reply, "is that a fact? Any time you and your girlfriends,"" he nodded towards Peter and Rowan, "want to start something, you let me know. I'll be ready. Understand?"

He stalked off, then found Smoker. "Act cool. We may have a problem here. Whatever happens, just follow Jane's lead."

Time passed.

The grey morning saw rain. By noon the skies cleared and the sun came out, warming up the desolate valley where the ruins of the truck stop lay. A buzzard soared on the thermals above the crater-scarred interstate.

Finally, they saw movement to the south. A rig was approaching, armoured, with a trailer. Smoke poured from the twin stacks as the driver downshifted to make the grade. Actually... it looked like Roadkill's rig!

Rowan scratches her face "Cyborg"? She asks puzzled. "What ever it is we can not wait"
 "Back me up Jane."

Rowan walks over to Winnie, " lets put this bluntly and do not lie who or what are you"

Smoker nodded and continued to watch what was going on.