ZRP-2: Brave New World

Dreadnaught Wrex wrote:

"I have tried helping many people in my time since the outbreak happened. Sadly they all eventually died off because of other reasons, like infections and other obvious threats. But you should give her some of those painkillers for her leg. Do you have anything to disinfect it?"

"Yeah. I got me some alcohol from a earlier encounter and cleaned 'er gash out. But I couldn't get it banaged good though. I can't tie for nothin'."

"Hey... I'm right here... ya know. No need to... talk as if I'm not here."

I rub back of my neck with my free hand. Then open up the plastic bottle and shake out a few of the pills into other.

"Oh and uh... I forgot to mention she's awake. And doesn't take too kindly of me."

I laugh briefly and look to her. I drop the pills in her hand. Along with a bottle of my personal water. Then she... well... takes the meds.

(James)
=Mike and I laid Malcolm's body to rest in the grave, neither one of us really having the will to reach down and take back the blanket. We walked over to where Arthur was lying, and I made sure his eyes were closed before we picked him up and carried him to the second grave=

Looking at the boy, "Well based on what I saw she should, since I am assuming you saved her from those bandits."

I look at the girl and its obvious she has lost a good bit of blood. I look at the girl and say "My name is Wrex, you have lost a lot of blood and I need to stich up your wound and then rewrap it. Its going to hurt a lot but I dont know if you can afford the time. I hope those pain killers kick in.".

I unwrap the cloth around her legs slowly as to cause the least bit of pain possible. When I am finally done I see that it is possible to stich it up. I grab my canteen and dump a little water on her leg to get the blood out of the way a bit.

"I need you to hold her as still as possible otherwise I wont be able to close it, and its going to hurt until those painkillers kick in."

She goes pale at the thought of enough pain that somebody needs to hold her down. Well. If she could get any more pale.
Me? I try to hold... well... something. Where I wonder? Her arms or her legs?
After a minute of deciding I get a grip above her wound with one hand. The wound being so high up on her leg makes awkward.
She looks at me funny before I grab her ankle. I guess this is as much a hold as I can get.

"I'm ready, I suppose."

"Okay, try to be steady." I start to stick the needle through her skin and with the thread following it. I am slowly stiching up the wound so it will close.

I look up to her face and she has almost burst into tears already. Such a fragile girl, how did she survive this long?
No matter. I'm just glad she isn't kicking or screaming.

I finish up the final stiches and bit the thread off and tie it so it wont come undone. I pour a little bit more water on her newly stiched wound and then proceed to rip up the bandit's shirt and wrap it around her leg.

"You are going have to be easy with it, running or any serious labor could cause it to rip back open."

(James)
=Once Arthur was put in the grave, I asked Mike to stand watch over the bodies. I doubted that there were any zombies in the area, but after that ambush I wasn't taking any chances. I walked over to where Andrew and Hibiki were going over the weapons they confiscated=
"Andrew, we have time for a quick service, but we need to leave soon."

She nods to Wrex and leans back against the tree. From the looks of it, the painkillers are beginning to work. She starts to relax I think.

"Thank you."

I nod at her appriciation. I sit down and grab the rifle that the bandit was using. I unload it and make count. There are a total of 34 bullets, and the gun is a .308 bolt action hunting rifle with a scope. It will be useful.

I set the gun and ammo down by my pack. I turn to the kid and ask, "So, whats your name?"

"Iya...um... Tyler Davis. Good to meet cha."

I look back to the girl. Teenager, whichever. She just seems to be resting...

"Nice to meet you tyler. I have to ask, but can you fire a rifle with accuracy?" I grab a piece of dried meat I had in my bag and start chewing on it.

"Not that I know of. Haven't fired or even held a rifle before. Or anything that needs two hands for that matter. You?"

"I was actally a hunter before the outbreak, so I have expierence with shotguns and rifles. I can fire a things like M-16s and all those fun military weapons. But I feel more at home with a shotgun or rifle."

I took a rag out of my bag and put a bit of water on it and handed it to tyle to wash off his hands.

=I look at James and nod=

That we can both agree on.

=I look on, seeing nothing but mournful expressions on some peoples' faces=

(James)
"Alright, I'll get everyone together by the graves, and we'll say a few words. Just wish we had some headstones.....anyway, once that's done, we have a new destination."

=I nod=

Okay. We'll move out as soon as possible.

=I look at the bodies, slightly unsettled by the sight=

=It didn't take long for the caravan to calm down (or at least calm down enough to hold a quick service for their dead). The service was mostly each member of the caravan saying something about the deceasesd and using the shovel to place some dirt on the body. Other than that, it was all vey quiet, an air of sorrow hanging over them all=

Hibiki and Eve stood by silently. They felt like outsiders.
She waited until they were done...then went to James snd rested a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry...I...I lost people during Zero Hour..." she looked away, removing her hand. Eve shifted from foot to foot...tears staining her cheeks.

(James)
=I hadn't cried at all, mostly because I was the one giving orders now and I couldn't afford to break down. But having Hibiki lay her hand on my shoulder, even for the briefest of moments, made a few small tears run down my cheek. I whispered to her=

"It never gets easy, putting friends to rest. Even when you know they're probably getting more peace than the rest of us."

=Wiping my cheeks, I began saying softly=

"Alright everyone, we can't stay here. If there were scouts, a larger force is sure to be near. Arthur said there was a lock down town maybe 20 miles from here. We set out for that town in 30 minutes. I want the camp packed up, and everyone good to go by then."

She nodded. "We'll do our best. Can we at least hitch a ride to the lockdown town?"
She glanced around, then nodded to Eve to pack up. Hibiki then resumed looking at James.
"You alright )?"

"Thanks."
I take the cloth from him and start rubbing my hands. Hopefully it didn't stain my gloves. It probably did.
"Hunter huh? What all did you hunt?"

(James)
"Today I just buried our leader and the father of my adoptive brother. I'm.....alright, is not the best description of me right now. I'll be fine enough, to get my people to safety. And yeah, feel free to hitch a ride with us."

"I hunted mostly anything, whether it was deer, turkeys, elk, or whatever. Depended on how much food I had and how much money I had. I was well a trapper somewhat and I participated in the bow seasons if need be. I would sell the surplus too. It's a strange thing you know... Going from the hunter to the hunted."

I layer my back against my backpack. Listening for noise.

"You're good with bows too huh? Things hurt. You ever been shot by one?"
I don't have a backpack to lay back on, as I keep everything in my coat. So I just lean against a tree.

(James)
=I should have waited to hear what she had to say, but a sudden thought crossed my mind. Walking over to the Shepherd's jeep, I opened the passenger door, and checked the glove box. My search paid off, as I found what might have been the most valuable thing they had. I quickly pocketed my find, a plan already forming in my head, and walked back to the caravan=

"I'm not great with bows but enough to do some damage. And no, I have never been shot by a bow. Been shot by a gun before. That wasn't fun. "

(James)
"Okay people.....I wish we could stay, but we need to move now. The RV will lead up front, and guide us to the lockdown town."
=No one really argued, though I guess after being ambushed the will to argue was diminished a great deal. Everyone piled into their own vehicles while I climbed the steps into the RV. I climbed into the drivers seat, since I was a capable driver and wanted to move asap, though I waited for everyone else to finish getting in. Dan didn't join me in the RV, he wanted to be with Jennifer right now, and honestly I couldn't really fault him for it. She'd need the support=

=I climb into my much abused Jeep, hearing the engine growl to life=

Thank the lord for a good education

=I follow the rest of the caravan as we move out=

(James)
=Stepping on the pedal, I coaxed the RV into life and led the caravan out of that campsite. The road map we used was up front on the dashboard, tiny symbols drawn here and there, the most recent being the location of this lock down town. It would be a while to get there, since we couldn't take the main roads. Those belonged either to the zombies, or Shepherds=

Hibiki and Eve followed James into the RV. Hibiki stole shotgun with Eve stealing her lap.
Both remained silent.

(James)
=I was starting to feel okay enough to talk, maybe even have a conversation=
"So, we'll head to the lock down town and I guess you two will leave then?"

=Hearing the words come out of my mouth, I quickly tried to change what I said=
"I mean, not that anyone here wants you to leave or anything. Hell, I think Harry would get a little upset and stuff, but I'm sure people don't want to see friendly faces leave or anything."

Hibiki locked her arms around Eve.
"I don't know. I can't ask to stay, it's not right...I'd ask for Eve to stay, but she'd get mad."
Hibiki smiled and nuzzled Eve's cheek afdectionetly. The girl giggled a bit, shifting to hug the woman.
"But I'll ask anyways. If worse comes to worse, can you watch over Eve for me?"

(James)
=The question was a tough one to answer, mostly in light of the plan I had forming=
"I'm sure these people would take care of her, Hibiki. But me....I couldn't, not with what I have in store."

=Dropping my voice to a whisper=
"I'm not staying myself. I'll drop them off at the town....and then I'm taking a car, some weapons and provisions, and ram myself right down the Shepherds throat for what they've done."

"I've never been shot before. And I don't plan to either."
I laugh for a second before reaching into my coat and pulling out a SlimJim. I open and start chewing on it.
I'm rather hungry after the recent events. But I don't have any real food so this'll do.
"So... what brought you here on this... part of the highway?""

I pull out a bit of tin foil and inside of it is some dried meat, like beef jerky.

"Well... I was with a group of survivors, about 20, when a herd attacked us. To my knowledge I was the only one who got away. But thankfully I had a car at the time. I would suppose they heading this direction unless something distracted them. Thankfully, I believe we are 5 days ahead of them."

"Oh. Then if I hadn't met you I would've walked straight into them. Guess I won't be goin' that way. So... uh. Thanks again."

"Wait.... shhh..... I think I hear something."

Just then a zombie bursts into the clearing, without hesitation I throw my dried meat into my pack and grabbed my club-like bat. I rush across the clearing and smash the zombie in the head. Causing bits of brain, blood and flesh to splatter everywhere. But my success is short lived, at least 10 more zombies stumble into the clearing. I smashed another zombie in the head before running back to the others, yelling to tyle. "grab the guns and my bag, I will get the girl."

"James..." Hibiki said. "Don't. One man throwing away his life will not stop them..." Hibiki then gave a small smile.
"But one man can create an army."
Hibiki again nuzzled Eve's cheek, causing the girl to nuzzled back. It was like a game for them; something intimate that they had to call their thing.
"You said you were going to a lockdown town. A town who probably is full of people who want the Shepherds dead...and we have some weapons, no?" She kisses Eve's nose. "Go check the back kiddo."
Thr girl slid off Hibiki's lap and went away. Hibiki readjusted herself.
"One ember...even just a cinder...can create an inferno."

(James)
"Yeah, but an army attracts too much attention. Too big to feed or supply too."
=I kept my eyes on the road, though with the exception of some cars we managed to dodge, there was nothing of importance=

"Besides, other than some of the people here, who'd follow me in a war against the Shepherds?"

"Every living person who has lost someone to the Shepherds. Every lockdown town that has survived their 'cleansings' and assaults. Every one who wants to live with only the threat of slow moving undead idiots and survive...." Hibiki paused. "Me."

(James)
=I chuckled, though with what had happened previously I doubted there was much mirth to it=
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the two of you going your own way? I'm not trying to push you out or anything, I just find it odd is all."

=Whatever teasing tone was in my voice before evaporated=
"I won't let anyone else I know, or care about, get killed by them. And if that means going it solo, then that's fine by me."

"...I'm afraid for Eve. That was one of the few times I have faced the Shepherds. We managed to avoid them...but we came upon the lockdown towns they destroyed. They have to be stopped...because I want to settle down and nuzzle that sweet little girl every time she wakes up and never have to worry about those bastards out to kill her."

(James)
=I suddenly thought of Harry, and how much I enjoyed the moments seeing him happy, and without a care=
"Yeah, I can relate."

=We sat in silence for a minute, I wasn't willing to say a thing yet=
"I found a map, in the glovebox of that jeep. It shows all the Shepherd camps, even some of the places they've holed up. I know where they're leader is though, it's marked on the map. So if you want to join in, then that's your call. So long as you know I aim to cut the head off this snake.....and anything else that gets in my way."

Hibiki looked surprised. "Here I was thinking you were going to wing it completely..." she paused. "But two people can't take on their leader and his guards...how many armories does the map show?"
Hibiki had a michevious grin on her face.

(James)
"I didn't get that good a look at it, but from what I could tell, each of their camps is an armory. I'd need a longer look at the map though."

"Well. We'll need a team. A good one. We raid a camp, stock on weapons, then assault the leader. All while keeping people safe and avoiding zombies." Hibiki grinned. "Peace of cake."

(James)
"Yeah, a piece of cake in a world where we have to avoid the Shepherds, zombies, bandits, and who knows what else. And a team? Who else is going to join this merry bunch of people?"

"Dunno. Anyone who wants the Shepherds to pay for their crimes?" She said. "Most ex-cops would side with us. They go against every principle that we stood for. Any man who lost a brother, any woman who's husband was murdered. You can find people anywhere...if you try."

(James)
"Hmm....maybe. But I'm not sure I'm really the head hunting kind of guy."

=I took a moment to look at both her and Eve=

"So, would you still bring her along, or leave her with trusted people at this town? And no, the answer does not affect whether you get to tag along or not."