ZRP-2: Chapter 5: Pariah's Warning

Eve blushed, then stepped into the bathroom.
"You better let your hair grow back."
She smiled, then closed the door to take her shower.

Hibiki chuckled. "Lets go."

Mira blushed. She actually liked that.
"Deal."

(Sam)
"I don't know. I kinda like my hair this way."
=I really didn't. Hell, I was going to have my hair grow out to my lower back if I had any say in it=

(James)
=We left the room and headed for the lobby, for the elevators. However, Cooper was waiting for us. That or he was on his way down.=

*Cooper*
"James, Hibiki, good morning. I was planning on waiting here for you two, and Andre as well. Hibiki, same as before, get our fortifications more secure."

(Andrew)

=I looked to Sarah=

Well...Cooper asked me to go on a scouting run.

=I picked my words carefully=

You want to join me?

(Sarah)

=I nod, still a bit mad at Andrew=

Sure.

=My expression softens a bit=

(Andrew)

=I start to head out=

Mira...you can come along if you like.

Just don't expect me to not shoot at the Shepherd.

(Andrew)

=I smile, making a mental note not to bring up Abernathy at any point=

Hibiki nodded. "Will do."

Eve finally was out of the bathroom, but in shorts and not pants. She sat on the bed.
"I...don't know what to do now..."

Mira shook her head.
"But bring her back."

(Andrew)

=I nod, smiling=

You got it.

=I head out of the room with Sarah, Sarah walking unaided, albeit shakily=

Well...let's see what Cooper makes of this

=I head to the lobby to find the three waiting on the two of us=

(James)
"I'm going to tag along with her, do something productive for a change."
=Cooper never said anything, simply nodded=

(Sam)
"We'll take a walk with me for starters. Lets see what we can't do around here."

*Cooper*
=He spotted Andrew down the hall, and waived him over=
"Andrew, I got a job for you."

(Andrew)

=I come over, Sarah tagging along=

Don't do anything stupid Sarah...please...

=I nod, mentally willing Sarah not to do anything rash=

Okay. What do you need me for?

Eve nodded...then held out her hand.
"Can...my big sis hold my hand?"

Hibiki smiled. "Guess...I got a nice stalker." She teased.

*Cooper*
"Listen, until the Shepherds are seen in our area, we have to continue with our original plan. I want you in the train yards, looking for any fuel for the train we have on hand."

(James)
"Yeah, a stalker you actually like."

(Sam)
=In answer, I took her hand as we walked=
"Of course."

"A stalker I am married to." Hibiki stuck her tongue out.

Eve stayed a respectful few feet away, but never let go.
She just walked with Sam happily.

(Andrew)

=I nod, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at the statement=

I'll see what I can find, Cooper.

=I point my thumb to Sarah=

That is, if you don't mind her tagging along.

(Sarah)

=I roll my eyes at the two=

Seriously...what did she ever see in him...

=I resisted the urge to groan at the two, making a smart remark directed at the woman=

I bet that was at gunpoint...cause you're acting so childish.

(James)
=I remembered what I was meaning to tell her=
"Hey, there was something I needed to tell you. When I ran into.....my brother, I found out how he got in. He came in by a small boat, on the river. So we may as well try and start there."

(Sam)
=We reached the lobby, finding Cooper talking with Andrew. We steered clear of them, heading out. I saw James and Hibiki, so I figured we'd tail them=

*Cooper*
=He frowned, but wasnt about to start an argument=
"Just keep an eye on her. And it's not because I suspect her. That Pariah is looking for her, so you may have to keep an eye on her."

Eve stayed quiet, not sure what she should say.

Hibiki sighed. "The cables and snipers can take out a naval assault..."

(James)
"Oh well, never mind."
=We walked a for a bit, her leading=

"So, where are we going?"

(Sam)
"So, anything you want to do?"

(Andrew)

=I nod=

I'll keep an eye on her Cooper.

=I then shoot Sarah a glare=

So THAT'S been what's on his mind...

=I keep glaring at my sister, having put two and two together mentally=

*Cooper*
"Good. I'd rather we didn't lose anyone in all this."

"I don't know." Eve admitted. "I...I just want to be with you."

Hibiki sighed. "Aye..."

(Sarah)

=I take the rifle Andrew had on his back, despite his glare=

You have that bow of yours...use it

=I then give him a smirk, slinging the rifle on my back, taking the magazines as well=

(Andrew)

=I sigh, my gun that I had for almost a month taken from me=

She earned it...but let's see how well she can shoot...

Right.

=I motion for Sarah to follow me in the direction of the ATV, which would be our fastest way to the train yard=

(Sam)
"What, nothing you want to do, or somewhere you want to go?"

(James)
"So....no answer to the question?"

"Nope." Hibiki said. She amirked.

Eve shrugged.
"I don't know. What...do normal sisters do?" She looked at her shoes.

(Sarah)

=I looked back, tempted to make a smart remark=

It would be worth it to see her reaction...

=I kept following Andrew, who shot me a piercing glare that said "Don't even think about it"=

(James)
"Well, where else is there for you to go and check?"

(Sam)
"I don't know. Some times they paint their nails together, or just annoy the shit out of each other.and since we lack nail polish and clearly don't get on each others nerves, I got nothing."

"I dont want to be on your nerves. I'm afraid of that. I'm afraid you'll rip my head off."
Eve tightened her hand a bit. "Can I get on your good side instead?"

Hibiki sighed. "Dunno. We can check the sniper rifles."

(James)
"Sniper rifles aren't really my specialty. Ask Ace to do that, or Dex."

(Sam)
"You're already there Eve."

"Right... how about...um...well. I admit defeat." Eve sighed. "I got nothing but push you into the pool and run."

"Check the bus?"

(Sam)
"Try it and I'll pull you in."

(James)
"Guess that works. Lead the way."

(Andrew)

=We make it to the ATV and I start the engine, Sarah taking shotgun=

Good grief...she better not be like that the rest of the day...

=I sigh and head off towards the train yard, hoping this wasn't going to be too hard for me=

Eve giggled.
"I'd rather be pulled into bed..."
Eve looked embarassed. "I mean for cuddling or lying together..." she clarified shyly.

Hibiki lead the way.

(Sam)
"Ooh, nice save."

(James)
=I followed, keeping close by=
"So, Eve and I were talking yesterday, about possibly getting help from outside. Any ideas on where to look?"

=We had this conversation before, but it sure beat silence

"Sorry...I should really stop saying contextual phrases, shouldnt I?" Eve didn't look up.

Hibiki looked up.
"The military harbor on the east coaat. The really big one. Cant remember what it's called. Wouls think the US Military would be there yaknow?"

(James)
"Probably. Though you'd think they would move out to sea, away from all this."

(Sam)
"Nah, it's fine. Nothing wrong with healthy banter."

I rub my face and look around the room, hand on my pistol.... holster. Then I realize the sun is right in my face and burning my eye sockets out.

"Ah! Fu-"

I roll over and, by accident, fall out unto the floor. Hitting my head on the nightstand AND the floor. By habit I ball my hands into fists.

"Fuckin' hell!"

(Allie)

I let out a yawn and rub my face, then go back to keeping watch. At this point I was praying for something to pop up so I could have something to shoot at.

After a few more... colorful words, I stand up a bit groggily. That's when blood seeps out of my bandages. Talk about a way to wake up folks.

(Andrew)

=I speed off to the yard, finding in a couple of minutes later=

Well...time to start our little search...

=I bring the ATV in between the trains, starting off my search at the first train in the yard. And just as I suspected, there were more trains in the yard=

Ah, good...that means we can use the others to siphon fuel to one of the trains with the most, and then use that train as our ticket west...

"If you say so..."
Eve smiled anyways.

"I'd like to be at the ocean..." hibiki mused.

(James)
"Yeah, ocean sounds nice."
=I figured that, since I had the walkie on me, I'd give Ace a call. After all, we were heading to the armory to check on sniper rifles. So I got it out and thumbed her channel, hoping she still had it=

"Ace, if you're there meet us at the armory. We're checking on the sniper rifles, and I'd like your help on that."

(Ace)

I perk up as my talkie sounds in. I hit talk and respond.

"Copy that, I'll be over in a sec. Out."

I release the button and climb down from my perch and B line over to meet them.

(James)
=So we headed for the armory, mostly in silence since I had no idea what to say. Then I figured we'd talk about the ocean=
"So, if we did go to ocean, what would we do? Go fishing?"

(Sam)
=We followed them towards the stadium, to the armory. I wasn't sure what else to say with Eve. Hell, it seemed we were fine just being next to each other=

"Swim...was thinking we could just...be there...you know? Live by the sea...get fish...get to see me in a bikini."
She grinned.

Eve sighed.
"I wish we had more to talk about."

(Andrew)

=I check the other trains, banging each gas tank for a sign of fuel=

This has fuel....that one doesn't...another one with fuel...another without fuel...

=I make a mental checklist of the trains that had fuel so far, and those that didn't=

So that makes three with fuel...two without fuel in the tanks. Those that do have fuel have either half or quarter tanks. So...it should even out in the long run...

=I get on the horn with Cooper=

Cooper...I got some good news on the fuel situation.

(Ace)

I arrive outside the armory and stand waiting for James and Hibiki.

*Cooper*
"What's the good news?"

(James)
"A bikini? I don't think I'd ever let us leave the room if you wore one."
=I saw Ace waiting for us, and waived at her=

"Hey Ace. Glad you could make it."

(Andrew)

=I look to the train yard=

I did find that there were five other trains that your men missed.

=I went through my mental checklist=

Three of those trains still have fuel in their tanks.

*Cooper*
"Fuel wasn't the main issue at the time. Functionality was. Those five others probably did not meet those requirements."

(Andrew)

=I nod curtly=

Even so...they do have fuel.

=I rub my chin=

Even if they can't move, they still have fuel that we need for the one that can move.

*Cooper*
"You had me at "they have fuel." I'll have some men extract the stuff and have it sent over to the working one. Now get back here, we need a mother set of hands that can swing a hammer."

(Andrew)

=I nod, turning the ATV around=

Got it.

=I then quirk up a brow=

Where is 'here', exactly?

(Allie)

I turn and give a smile.

"It sounded funner than what I was doing."

*Cooper*
"Back at the compound. Head for the northern fortifications, we're working on improving the walls we have set up, along with laying down some new defenses."

(James)
=I chuckled=
"Give it a few minutes, you'll be bored again in no time."

=My expression turned serious=
"Have you been up to date on recent events?"