ZRP-2: Chapter 5: Pariah's Warning

"I'll take it as the future. A future you'll help build with me..."
Eve took Sam's hands again. "If it starts with being your littl sister...then I'll take the first step Sam. Because you're worth every hardship."
Then Eve blushed. "So...was that wrong to say?"

Hibiki crossed her arms. "What about it?"

(Sam)
"Nope. It wasn't half bad."

(James)
"Are you.....going to tell them about my brother? That he's a shepherd?"
=If she did, I wouldn't stop her. In many ways, they had a right to know=

Eve hugged Sam.
"So, I'm doing better now?"

Hibiki shook her head. "That's your choice."

(Sam)
"Yeah, just a bit."

(James)
=I shot her a grateful look=
"Thanks."

=Thumbing the button again, we went back up=

Eve let go and sat on he bed.
"What do you want to do now?"

Hibiki moved closer and kissed him. "It's what I do."

(Andrew)

=I looked out and spotted the two going to the elevator. I then followed soon afterward. Sleep could wait, and my quick temper was once again getting the better of me=

Screw rationale, I nearly got my ass beat for his decision...

=I waited for the elevator to come down before I followed them. It gave me more time to think on my decision=

(Sam)
"First off I'd get off the bed. That is where your parents have.....well, you know."

(James)
=God, I wanted to do more than kiss her. But it would have been tough to explain when the elevator doors opened, so I settled for returning the kiss=
"At some point.....we're going to have some time to ourselves. You get me?"

Eve switched beds.
"Right. Second off?"

Hibiki grinned. "Yes. We will."

(Sam)
"Check for stains, but I think we're good."

(James)
=The doors opened, and we walked out onto the floor. I could hear voices, a conversation down the hall and they sounded familiar. No ne stopped us as we walked towards it, and we soon found Cooper and Clarissa=
"Hello."

*Cooper*
"James, Hibiki. We were just talking about you. Or at least your group."

(James)
"What's going on?"

*Cooper*
"With the threat of a Shepherd attack, and no clue where it will come from, we need scouts to find out where they're coming from. We were hoping some of your people could help, with the exception of Sam and Eve. They've earned the rest."

"I'm staying with them." Hibiki said. "Sorry. James and anyone else from our group, or the others, will have to do that. I'm sorry."
She smiled apologetically.

(Andrew)

=I listen as the elevator comes down and I wait for it to reach the lobby=

Listen now...read him the riot act later...

=The elevator door opens a minute later and I hop in, taking the elevator up=

If anyone is going to hear about what happened, it'll be him..

=I stand there in quiet contemplation=

*Cooper*
"No worry, but we could still use the help. Besides, we're not sending out parties now. Chances are, we'll send out groups in a day or two."

(James)
"Either way, we need an idea of where they would come from. They could try and cross the river, if they had boats or control of the bridge. South, Wet or North would be the only other options."

"We should set up some heavy guns to watch the river now, as well as find a good place for the tank and the bus." Hibiki paused. "We should also set up observation posts in the buildings near us, in top floors and well hidden."

Eve held out her arms for Sam. She was silent, but Sam would most likely know, she just wanted to be hugged.

(Sam)
=I was sorta oblivious at the moment, despite sitting next to Eve. I didn't realize she wanted a hug=

(James)
"Maybe have a look out in the Arch, if there's still a way up there. Maybe put Ace inside."

Eve poked Sam's cheek, then held her arms out again.

"That would be an idea." Hibiki agreed.

(Andrew)

=I stood there, the sound of the elevator my only companion=

Well...I'm past the threshold now...no regrets...

=I breathed a deep sigh as the elevator made it's way up to the top floor=

(Sam)
"Huh? Oh."
=I gave Eve the hug, though I had to admit, there was something about it that seemed oddly cute and pathetic at the same time. Like a dog rolling over for a belly rub or a treat=

(James)
"As for who else gets sent out, we have Andrew, Tyler, Mira, maybe Jennifer if they're up for it."

(Andrew)

=I feel the elevator then stop on the top floor, and I step out as the door opens, hearing my name=

Someone ask for me?

=I smile, with the bit of humor that I still had at this time=

(James)
"Somehow, I'm not even surprised that you're here Andrew. You always show up at the most awkward of times."
=What? It's true=

"But for the sake of things, we were talking about you in a scouting group."

(Andrew)

=I nod and smile, keeping my anger in check for later=

I'd be happy to help. I haven't really done some quiet activity in ages.

=I give a knowing half-smile=

*Cooper*
"Well, that remains to be seen. No idea what you could run into put there. Remember, we still have walkers to worry about."

Eve snuggled against Sam quietly, just relaxing.

Hibiki sighed softly, but held her tongue.

(Andrew)

=I nod, knowing that was a likely case=

In any instance, I have some idea where to scout, because there's only two cities I know of that could be possible staging areas.

=Now theses were guesses at best, and completely right at worst. I mentally ticked off the two guesses=

It's either Kansas City or Chicago, but I'm just shooting from the hip on that.

(James)
"Those could work, but we have no way of checking those areas."

*Cooper*
"Not quite.....we may have a way. Two if we're lucky."
=He made sure he had everyone's attention=

"After the raiders were dealt with, I sent some people to the train yard the Raiders were blocking access to. They found a train that might be operable, but we need the fuel. If I'm right, there should be train tracks that lead to, or close to Kansas City. Same goes for Chicago. Another way, at least for Chicago, would be to take the river. There are routes a boat could take to get us to the city, at least to check. Both would be safe since we won't need to use the roads, which the Shepherds or other bandits might have control over."

(Andrew)

=I listen intently, knowing this information was important=

He's right about the train to KC...

Of course, this depends on the amount of fuel that we need to use, doesn't it?

=That, of course, was probably the clincher=

*Cooper*
"Yeah....we need fuel for the train to start. And according to our engineer we don't have enough for that, at least without impacting our mobile capabilities. At least with the boast, worst comes to worst we can sail or row."

(James)
"Yeah, I don't see myself rowing a boat anytime soon."

Hibiki smirked.
"A train? Do I get to pull the whistle?"

(James)
"Hey, if there's any whistle blowing, it'll be done by me. I always wanted to blow the whistle on a train."

(Andrew)

=I roll my eyes=

In any case, I could get you to, and around, Kansas City when we get close.

=I fold my arms=

I know that place better than anyone here.

Hibiki chuckled.

Eve looked up at Sam. But she just nuzzled her neck and relaxed, just letting the moment be a silent one.

(James)
"That's all depending on whether or not we actually head for Kansas City. Plus there are still the other options that we have to look over, and make sure they work."

(Sam)
=I sorta grinned at the sensation of her nuzzling my neck, but said nothing=

With no appetite or games around, this place kind of stinks. Moreso if you don't know anyone. But I remember one person.

Jennifer! How could you possibly forget her?! Dude! You forgot to bring her with you! How will she react? Will she hate you? She's gonna hate you!

I shake my head while... running? When did I... nevermind. I stop and look around. I'm under the Arch.

"Holy frick! How did I...?"

(Andrew)

=I nod in silent agreement=

True enough.

That's right Andrew...don't assume too much...

=I rub my chin, hoping to come up with some sort of plan=

(Sarah)

=My sleep was rather peaceful, the nightmare not coming back to haunt me=

But still, I should be wary of him...That damn sadist...

=I smile, pleasant dreams the only thing occupying my mind=

Eve nuzzled a bit more, the quiet, the stilleness, feeling the slight twinge of muscles as she grinned.
She nuzzled her again, just..enjoying the fact Sam...would be here for her.
She closed her eyes.
"This is all I ever wanted...To have someone to hold me close...because they love me." She said softly.

Hibiki sighed. "We need more trains."

(Sam)
"What, your mom and James don't count?"

*Cooper*
"Yeah, but finding a working train was a lucky break alone. Two or more would be too much. That and the fuel. Unless we can find a steam engine and a shit ton f coal, that ain't happening."

"They do...Just...by someone you love who isn't a parent..."
She smiled into Sam's neck. "Silly."

(Andrew)

=I think about the matter for a few seconds, then hit upon an idea. Again, this was just pure guesswork=

Were there any other trains there in the yard?

=I then hit upon my idea=

If so, then we could siphon the fuel from the others into one train. Again, I'm just guessing here.

*Cooper*
"Worth a shot. I'll have my boys look into it, thanks for the tip Andrew."

(Sam)
"Still.....hate to sound critical, but you need to choose your words. Stuff like that, out of context can cut deep Eve."

"I'm learning..." She grew a bit sad. "I'm sorry. I was trying to articulate my feelings..." She hugged a bit tighter. "Sorry..."

(Andrew)

=I give a half smile=

Not a problem.

=I keep my smile=

But like I said, I'm just guessing at this point.

(Sam)
"It's fine Eve. But at least you're learning."

(James)
"Also....I'm assuming you have a boat?"

*Clarissa*
"Yes....it was Slate's, before his......skydiving lesson."
=The corners of her mouth seemed to twitch a little=

"It's fueled and ready whenever its needed, which in his case was for the event when this compound was no longer safe and he needed a quick exit. It would have taken him to the Gulf."

(Andrew)

=I grin inwardly at the euphemism=

Well...that's good news.

=I get an idea in my head, but keep it to myself. It was a double edged sword at best=

Eve smiled, happier again.
"Thank you teacher." She said playfully.

Hibiki grinned at the skydiving lesson joke. "So. Hope we got someone who can drive it. Because I never got trained in patrol boats. Uh. Only helicopters. And the tank."
She shrugged.

Mira snuggled closer to Sarah, stroking her hair.
"Oh Andy...you should have told me your sister was such a little girl inside...now I already feel like a mother."

The old MG bolted down the road at over forty-five miles per hour. Abel would 've gone faster, but with all the cludder in the road and the chance of zombies wandering in the street, he had to drive cautiously.

He was unsure as to where he was going, back to the lockdown town maybe, see what they're up to, if that group was even still alive.

(Kilroy)
After healing from his injuries, Kilroy got back in his truck and started driving west.
((I'm getting rid of Kilroy.))

(Andrew)

=I shrugged and shook my head=

I'm no boat pilot either. I'm just a simple farmboy.

=I chuckle at my own statement. I had to able to laugh at myself. Plus, the anger I had previously was gone=

(Sarah)

=I smiled once again, giggling at the statement=

Well...it is sort of true...

=I wanted to make a smart remark, but I felt too weary to make it=

Mira gave a small start.
"You're awake?!"
She blushed. "Sorry..."

(Sarah)

=I grinned, giggling a bit=

You don't have to apologize...

=I smiled=

It's okay.

I scratch the back of my neck and leave my hand there. Just letting it hang.

How am I going to fix this? Maybe she forgot about coming? Or maybe she'll think I'm-

No no. She'll understand. I mean YOU almost died. She could've too.

Mira hugged Sarah a bit closer.
"I did mean it...in a good way." She nuzzles Sarah's hair. "And you seem...calmer when I hold you..."
She blushed. "Guess...you just needed a friend."

(Sarah)

=I smile, my cheeks turning slightly red=

Yeah...after years and years of pain, misery, suffering and regret...

=I hug Miranda=

All I've really wanted was a friend.