ZRP-2: Brave New World

"I can do this."
Eve went over and gave her arrows to James before grabbing Hibiki's pistol.
"Get ready then." Eve said.

(James)
"Whoa whoa whoa, hold on Eve. First thing's first. We deal with the horde headed here, then we deal with the others."
=Just to emphasize that, I placed a firm hand on her shoulder=

She frowned. "Do we know where the other hordes are? Do we know how close they are?" Eve looked at James.
"Someone needs to pinpoint the other hordes. We don't know if snother will come from the rear, or the flank."

(James)
"Right now we don't even know if there are any more hordes."

*Marcus*
"I have people keeping a watch in the other directions for now. If they see anything, we'll know."

=I get up, now feeling a bit stronger than I was earlier=

Alright world...bring it on...

=I then put an arm over Miranda's shoulder and give her a very broad smile=

I overheard them talking about hordes, and I assumed it was the obvious. I made my way over to the man who was talking to a women and a little girl.

"Hey, I couldnt help over hear about you guys talking about a horde, I might be able to help if you are willing to listen."

*Marcus*
=He didn't even turn around. All he did was sigh in frustration, and say=
"Christ, is there a sign on my back that says "Open House?" What is it?"

I sigh at the sheriff's response. "You know, I offered to help you guys before, but you told me off. Do you want it this time or not?"

Eve grabbed her quiver back.
"Then let's take this horde out."

*Marcus*
"Look, I'm sorry for blowing you off but I had a long day yesterday. Right now, I'm open to suggestions, even if they're coming from a complete stranger."

(James)
"Uh, to be fair, I'm still a stranger Marcus. Let's just hear what the guy has to say."

"Thanks for hearing me out, seems you guys have had a busy week. But anyways, before me and the rest of my group got here. We kept trying to lose a herd of zombies. It seemed we finally had a little before we reached your town. We came from the west so they would be coming that way."

I say with a shrug, "I told one of your guards and tried to tell you, but shit happens."

(James)
"That it does. So we have a horde from the South and the West.....we need to check the map, find the position of the other Shepherd camps. If this horde is far enough away, we can divert them to the camp now while the town deals with the horde."

*Marcus*
"Agreed. Come with me, the map is back in the office."
=He turned and we followed as he guided us to the building=

I shrug and follow the sheriff and the man who stood up for me. I figured I could be a help anyways. I motion for tyler to follow me.

I pick up my axe that I had let rest on the ground and follow after Wrex.

What could have that little girl done to make her think being zombie bait will atone for?

(James)
=We entered the building soon enough, and I'll admit it was something of a first. I don't remember this many people walking into the place before. As I moved to one side of the room to give space to the people walking in, I spied something out of the corner of my eye, and an idea sparked in my mind. It was most likely going to make me hated....but it was better than the alternative, so I pocketed what I found when I was certain no one was looking in my direction=

Hibiki and Eve followed James into the building as Miranda supported Andrew.
"I can do it." Eve said to Hibiki.
The woman smiled and ruffled the girl's hair. "I know."

*Marcus*
=He stopped right by the map on his desk, the paper still spread open=
"Alright the map shows at least three camps in the area. This one is where we tried to take out the Shepherd camp before that went sideways, so chances are they've moved by now. Now there's another camp a little to the west, over here. If we're lucky, they're still there and we can ram the next horde down their throat."

(James)
"What about the smoke? Any future hordes will still be attracted to it."

*Marcus*
"With luck, that fire will end soon, as will the smoke."

"Wait. What is that? A map? A map of what?"

Shit... did I just say that out loud?!

(James)
=And there was a loaded question. A map of Shepherd camps and their bases was a valuable and dangerous possession. What's more, the person that asked it was a new face, and I for one had no idea if he was a Shepherd spy or not. I certainly had no idea about Eve at the time=

"Just a map of the surrounding area. We need an idea of the terrain."

=I look at the newcomer, clearly younger than most of the crowd=

Well...aren't we the curious type...

=I then see his look after he said that, and nearly chuckle at the look of near embarrassment evident on the kid's face=

Well...That was a good diversion

*Marcus*
"And right now we still need to deal with the south horde. We can use trucks to get people over there, maybe run them down first then deal with the crippled?"

(James)
"Sounds good. In the meantime, Eve can go and lead the other horde towards the Shepherd camp."

Eve nodded. "I can do it. I just need some fire and a gun with one clip. James will need my arrows." She rolled her shoulders. "Just need to memorize where the camp is."
Hibiki laid a hand on Eve's head. "You'll do it Eve. I believe in you."

(James)
And I wish I could say the same....
=Still, it didn't stop me from making sure Eve had a clear look at the map and the target, if only so no one suspected anything=

"Alright, when do we move?"

*Marcus*
"I'd say now. If she leaves now, she can get to the west horde right when they're about here."
=He pointed to a spot on the map, near the Shepherd camp location=

"From there all she needs to do is run towards the camp, light a flare, and they'll go running for them instead."
=Before anyone could ask, he reached for a drawer, and pulled out a road flare, tossing it on the table=

"In the meantime, our people head out and deal with the south horde."

Eve grabs the flare and sticks it in her back pocket before taking Hibiki's sidearm and handing her arrows to James.
"Here. Use them well. Keep mommy safe. Please." She tied her hair into a braid that she tucked down her jacket before zipping it up. "I'll move as fast as I can."

(James)
=Hesitantly, I took the arrows, stuffing them in my quiver as I made sure to remember where she was keeping that flare. I also made sure the item I had was still in my pocket=
"Alright, I'll walk with you up to the gate. Besides, we'll probably be parting from there anyway. Everyone else, you probably know what to do. Pick your groups, and stick with them."

=I started to walk out of the building=

Eve nodded, slipping out before James and walking somewhat quickly towards the gate.

Hibiki sighed, checking her rifle and slinging it in favor of her Katana.
"Gotta save ammo..."

(James)
=I made sure to match her pace, and right before we got to the gate, right next to a bench on the sidewalk, I stopped the both of us=
"Eve, just one thing. In case we don't see each other after this...."

=I held my arms open, for a goodbye hug=

=I rack a round into my pistol, and also rack a round into my hunting rifle=

Bring on the Walkers...

=I look at Miranda with a big grin=

Ready to knock some heads in?

Miranda hefted a baseball bat she had been lent.
"Mets win double header."

Eve paused, then gave James a hug. "I'm counting on you to protect mommy, ok? Please. Keep her safe until I get back."

(James)
"Believe me, I plan on doing just that kiddo."
=And before she could say anything, I reached into my pocket, and cuffed her to the bench with the handcuffs I swiped from the sheriff's office. Two more quick motions, and I had her pistol and the flare, and made a break for the gate=

"JAMES!" She shouted. "THAT WAS MY BURDEN! MY BURDEN!"
Eve was shouting at his retreating figure, her voice going horse.

Hibiki heard it all and ran over.
Being a cop, she realized what had happened.

Hibiki, for once, had no idea what to do.

(James)
"SHOOT AN ARROW UP MY ASS IF I GET BACK THEN, YOU'LL THANK ME SOMEDAY!!!"
=Running at full sprint, I ran past the bus that had backed up to let me out, along with the other cars when ready. I moved to the grass next to the road so I wouldn't hurt my legs too much, and just kept running=

So I guess we attack the south horde with the Sheriff's-

"What the-?!"

I run outside where I heard the girl yell something about a burden.

Eve slumped on the bench, holding her face in her hands.
"You had to protect mommy. You had to be by her side." she sobbed.

=I nod, checking my crossbow=

Damn straight...never really liked the Royals...

=I then sling my crossbow over my back, and head towards the gate. I then watch James sprint off like a madman=

That man is going to get himself killed...

=I jog off in their direction, wondering what to do=

Come on...I think trouble's going to be a coming, and fast.

Hibiki sighed and grabbed Sam.
"Watch Eve. Keep her safe. I need to go stop the horde."

Running off, Hibiki caught a ride on a pickup truck leaving.


"But, Eve was suppose to be the bait..." Miranda said.

I know...and that's what's getting me.

=I get a ride on a nearby truck=

I think this has gotten a bit too personal for James.

=I then unlimber my crossbow=

Well. It turns out she was just hand cuffed to a bench. Not hurt like I thought that she was. And what happened to that guy?

*Marcus*
"Feel free to do what you must, to defend this town. In other words yes, climb into those cars, ride out with everyone else, and kill that horde."


(James)
=Running is easy for me. Before the outbreak, I used to go jogging a lot, and since the outbreak itself I've made sure to stay in shape. So it was no surprise that as I ran, I was hardly feeling tired, or out of breath=

Abel noticed everyone getting into vehicles, so he walked to the closest truck, and climbed aboard. He gave a smile to the other people in the back. Abel hadn't heard much of the plan, but he thought he'd just go along with what the rest of them were doing.

I look around, seeing people getting into the backs of trucks. I run over to one and hop in.

I guess it's my turn to ride in these... haven't ridden one in awhile.

I look back over to the Sheriff's office. Finding Wrex walking over to the truck I'm in. Then he climbs in the back, making the truck bounce a bit.

*Sam*
=She simply nodded, and stayed watch by Eve as Hibiki left for the trucks=

(James)
=I ran another mile before I saw ahead of me a large.....mass. This was a whole lot bigger than 40 walkers=
Ah fuck....

Abel noticed two more folk climb in the back of the truck. One seemed younger and the other... Was quite large. Abel turned to the smaller of the two.
"So... Killing zombies."
He thought he'd try making conversation with someone, saying is he didn't seem to be on very good terms with some of the other people in the town.

"Um... yeah. Killin' some zombies..."

I really didn't know what to say. And I can't just ignore him... can I? Whoever he is.

So uh... what do you have for weapons?"

(James)
=It's funny. The first rule anyone teaches you these days about walkers, is to not attract attention to yourself. I was breaking that rule into so many pieces, I doubted anyone would ever put it back to together=
ALRIGHT YOU WALKING MAGGOT SACKS, COME AND GET IT!!! FRESH WHITE MEAT, COME ON!!!!

=That grabbed their attention. The whole freaking horde, twice the size of the south horde from what I saw, suddenly saw me, and as if they were one thing moaned in unison, and began clamoring towards me. At that speed, I just had to jog away really, and they would still be on my tail. To the south of us on the road were more trees, the Shepherd camp on the other side, so I just ran right for them=

Hibiki unsheathed the katana as the trucks neared the south horde.
"Alright! DRIVE ME CLOSER, I WANT TO IT THEM WITH MY SWORD!"

Complying, the four trucks rammed into the horde, allowing Hibiki to fufill Eve's lifelong dream of actually doing that.
With a grim smile, she began slashing heads off as people in the other vehicles used clubs and bats and other blunt objects to effectively take out a dozen or so of the horde in one pass. Roughly half the horde remained, to which Hibiki jumped off the truck and charged with others.
"Use max range!" she shouted as she dived in. "Keep on the fringe, don't go in swinging!"

(James)
=Running through the forest wasn't exactly the easiest of endeavors for me. I had to watch my footing, making sure not to trip over any roots, while at the same time make sure I didn't end up in the sights of a Shepherd patrol. The horde wasn't easy to lose, I knew that much. Their constant moaning was a clear indicator of that. Eventually though, I managed to see the varying colors of tents poking through the trees ahead of me, and I was sure I had hit the camp. Pausing for a brief moment, I looked behind me, finding that I was out of sight of the horde, but not out of ear shot=

COME ON!!! COME ON!!
=That was when I heard two more voices, off to my left, speak up=

*Shepherd*
"What was that? Who's there?"

The Horde was decimated in short order. No one had been lost, but hey. Two years of hell?
People wanted some payback.

Hibiki stood and stabbed a somehow-still living zombie. "Fuck off and stay dead this time."

Earlier

=I get off just as the fight started=

COME ON, MAGGOTBAGS! GET SOME!

=I unlimber my cross bow and fire until the horde is down=

Now...

=I then take a walker near my feet and finish it off with my Bowie knife=

AND STAY DOWN!

=I then take out the knife and sheath it=

(James)
Fuck....
=I wasn't sure what to do at this point. The walkers had lost sight of me, but they could still hone in on any noise made.....so, I made some noise=

"AND THE GOOD LORD SAID, LET THERE BE LIGHT!!!!"
=And then I tossed the flare over in the direction of the voice of the Shepherd. The moaning of the horde picked up again, and I saw out of the corner of my eye a group of them walking towards the sound=

*Shepherd*
"What the hell? Show yourself!"
=His shouting made him an easier target for the horde. I ran away, even as they closed in on him and he screamed in sudden terror. He must have been armed, because I heard gunshots, which was only going to attract the rest of the horde. Screams followed=