ZRP-2: Chapter 3, The Coming Storm

I look around, hearing someone shout out to me. I took one wild guess who it would be, and as I spun around, my guess was made into fact.

"Hello there, pretty lady. What're you doing out here?" I smile softly, still moving out around the complex, thinking to myself.
The hotel would probably have some booze left over...

I giggle and my cheeks blush.

Really Allie? You spend years around men and one girl makes you turn into a 13 yearold girl..?

I couch and try to clear my blush.

"Not much, looking for you or anyone I knew.."

(James)
"Got it. So all we need to do is find Cooper, and direct power to this area."
=A thought occurred to me, though I figured I'd save it for later, for discussion with Hibiki first, then with Clarissa and Marcus later=

I grin and punch your shoulder weakly, pulling you along with me. "Come on. I'm looking for something to drink. You were in the hospital with the others, huh?"

We wait there in silence. For what you ask? Anything to make sound. Any movement. Our flashlights aimed at the door.
After what seems like forever, we finally agree nothing's heard us. And head inside the room. Weapons readied for anything.
I look around the living room. Some furniture in this one too. Coffee table, love seat, couch. You know. Basic furniture.
We move onto the kitchen. Sure we can see it from here because there's nothing separating the two rooms, but we have to be sure.
Wouldn't want to get bitten now would we? And perhaps bite others and start the whole plague right back up. Just because we didn't check.

=I wheel out of the hospital, feeling happier than I've been in the past few hours=

And no, I'm not singing in the rain...

=I wheel on out the exit and out towards where the others are. I then spot James a few minutes later, wheeling up and catching up with the group, my body still feeling like shit=

Don't you dare try to stop me, Doc...

(Allie)

I raise an eyebrow.

"A drink? Yeah sure. Oh and I just went in to check up on Andrew."

"Ah, right, yeah... Andrew... right..." I scratch my head, sighing and trying to think which one was Andrew. I was so bad with names and faces and personalities and who people were in general.
"Which... what happened to... Why was he in the hospital?" I decided to settle that the one in the wheelchair was Andrew. Safe bet.

I look around the kitchen for anything infected. But it's void of anything living. So I head over to where the rooms would be.
For some peculiar reason this apartment was darker then the last. A lot darker. Like if there wasn't any windows.
But moving on to the rest of the apartment. Did I say it was dark? Well. It got darker over here. Like, pitch black.
The only thing lighting the place up is our flashlights. There's a couple doors we need to check out. So we get into position against them.

(Allie)

I give a chuckle.

"While you cuddling with me, the bus was attacked. Or so I've heard."

"Oh right... I think I remember that. I must've hit my head or something, I was awake during that at one point."

I smile and blush a little. I remember trying to protect her, that was all. I wasn't gonna say that.
"Well... Did he get hurt trying to protect the convoy?"

*Marcus*
"Pretty much. Now get going; sooner we get power the better."
=And that was that. He went back to work, while James led Hibiki out of the apartment building=

(James)
=Figured now was as good a time as any to discuss the idea=
"Hibiki, I just had a small idea. I want your take on it."

"I'm listening." She said.

(James)
"Well, it's a bit of a longshot, but say we manage to figure out how the power and plumbing work around here, how it's been kept functional for so long. Then get it to this apartment building, and from there others. I'm curious, that is we can do all of that, should we open this city for others? Not the Shepherds or bandits obviously, but people like us. Travelers, people looking for safe refuge?"

=It was a risky idea, and the fact that we didn't have much in the way of food was still present. But the city would make for a decent gathering point for an army, and even our home=

"We wouldn't have the food. While. Agathering point for an army...is a good idea...but what can we do when the war is over? People would come back..."

(James)
"Yeah....though at some point, rebuilding civilization will happen. Why not make it so that we're the ones that start?"
=Granted, it wasn't a race. Hell, if someone else managed to do it first, and better, I'd probably live with them=

"I guess....I don't want it to be just a war, that brings us all together. And the Shepherds.....they're a menace, but that alone is not worth fighting a war for. A home is something worth fighting for. So why not make one for everyone?"

=I come in, vaguely overhearing the conversation, wheeling myself into view=

Of course, then you have to worry about how you're going to build it.

=I smile weakly=

And how you're going to provide for it.

(James)
=Turning around, I did a double take at the sight of Andrew in a wheelchair=
"What happened Andrew, you get jealous of me in my wheels?

=I chuckle a bit=

Hardly, James. Doctors said I need to take it easy, but I'm not one for sitting on my ass.

=I point my thumb in the opposite direction=

Plus, Allie thought it would be a good idea to get me one.

(James)
"Yeah well take it from a guy with experience: stay in the chair. It's easier for everyone."
=Deciding to move back to the original conversation=

"Anyway, yeah those points did cross my mind. But we already have crops here in St. Louis, under the arch. If we can find any animals, maybe cattle, then we can get meat. Besides, winter will be coming soon, and considering where we are right now, may be better to have a safe place to live, with plenty of food in storage."

=I nod in agreement=

Agreed. And if these guys here aren't complete idiots, they should get the crops in storage as well.

=I look out to the arch=

Because they won't do much good sitting out there.

(James)
"True, but back to the main point."
=I stood between them both=

"We need a place to call home. Always on the move.....it's not good. It helps survive sure, but we need a secure place to hole up, call home. Gives us something worth fighting for."

Hibiki sighed. "We turn St Louis into a haven. Take bafk the city..." she paused, thinking. "We could do it if we got enough people."

(James)
=For a moment, I did nothing. Then I waved one hand at the apartment building, and then another in the direction of the hotel=
"That enough people for you?"

=I nod=

For now, yes.

=I look out west=

Because the next major city is Denver, and that's almost a 1,000 mile trip.

"I doubt this force can comb, secure, and hold this entire damn city. Because soon enough, we'll need it. So we need to secure this building, then gather more toops and start securing this entire city."

(Allie)

I nod, and grab her hand slowly.

"You want to get them drinks..?"

I look down at Allie's hand and smile softly. "Yeah, sure. You got any idea where they might be?" I make my way towards the lobby level of the tower, smiling at the young girl by my side.

(Allie)

I shake my head.

"I have no idea.."

"Why is it so dark in here? I mean, it was dark in the other one. But not like this."

I said while looking behind me. He was there, lurking behind me. Honestly it made me uncomfortable.

Teen - "Yeah. It creeps me out. Wish I had a gun. Actually, I wish I was downstairs with everyone else."

We continue walking through the hallway. Our flashlights hitting the walls and the window at the end.

"Yeah. I don't want to be up here anymore then you. It's bloody scary actually... thinking about what could kill you in here."

That made him gulp, audibly.

(James)
"Any ideas on where to look? Because I get the feeling that a lot of people will want blood, soon, after the attack on town. We may not have time to go looking for new blood."

"Next major city over maybe." Hibiki said. "Maybe find traveler caravans..."

(James)
"That's assuming the other cities have populations. Not to mention if there are still surviving caravans out there."

"Yeah. There has to be. Or we are going to have to take a leaf out of Red Cloud's book and rely heavily on the element of surprise." Hibiki said.

(James)
=Arching an eyebrow at her, I felt the corners of my mouth curve upward=
"Red Cloud?"

=I arch an eyebrow as well=

That was interesting reference...

=The look I flash her is one of intrigue=

"Has anyone not seen Get Smart?"
she shrugged.

(James)
"Saw the movie, but that's about it. Plus I don't remember that much of it."

=I shake my head, chuckling=

Nope...never seen it.

=I smile=

"Hm. Okay then, follow me."

I pulled her along with me as I headed towards the lobby, licking my lips. I could practically taste it already.

"Not the Steve Carrel movie. Jeez. No, the original series with Don Adams. Whatevr. Anyways." Sulhe sighed.

(James)
=Choking down a laugh, I thought about what to say next=
"Anyway.....look, I'm getting ahead of myself here. We need to find Cooper, and get power to the apartment. So let's get that done."

=I nod=

Agreed.

=I look around=

Now where could he have wandered off to.

"I think you need to rest. Now." Hibiki ordered. "No buts. Go rest. We have this."

(James)
""I agree with her Andrew. Take my advice, get some rest, maybe some food first, but plenty of rest. If you're in the chair, moving around won't be that good for you, or your recovery."

=I sigh=

Just see what you can do on your end.

=I wheel away=

I'll just find a room to get a bit of rest.

=I head to the hotel to get some rest; which I did need, despite my objections=

I follow behind her and raise an eyebrow.

"You don't have a drinking problem... do you?"

"Hey, you want a gu-"

There was a loud, dull thud inside one of the rooms. I froze in my tracks light a deer in head lights.

"Y-you heard that. R-right?"

I turn to look at him, catching his slow nod. I look back over to where the noise came from. My head reaches and grabs my hatchet.

Why did I ever agree to do this?

(James)
=Once he was gone, I looked back at Hibiki=
"Well, let's go play a game of Where's Cooper...."

=I broke into a brisk pace, back for the hotel=

Hibiki followed James. "Try either the armory or the bar."