Episode 2

[brianfenris]

GM POST

It's about two days later before Buckley finally gets around to answering Bernie's question.

During the time, you settle into the safe haven community, getting to know more of the people who have come to make this place their new home. All in all, there is a total of fifty persons in Cochise, some living in the school or in the abandoned around it. Cochise led by a small committee headed by Hayden Buckley. For the most part, the have been nice enough to the new comers but guarded. It's going to take them some time to warm up to you. They have enough supplies to be self-sufficient but it's been pointed out that they are woefully in need of medical supplies, something Patty is working on trying to secure.

On the morning of the second day after your arrival, Buckley sends you a message to meet him in his office, which is located administrative offices. As you arrive, you see that a lot of the office space has been retasked as the nerve center for the community, the walls dressed up with maps of the area and a massive radio center taking up one side of the wall at which is Gil is currently sitting, quietly talking to someone over the set.

Buckley sees you enter and calls for you to come in and have a seat. Patty is sitting in a chair in the corner, flashing you a small smile greeting.

[achsaber]

"Hey Patty welcome back.You didn't make any state troopers mad at you did you?"is the first thing I say as we walk in.
"whats up Buckley"

[Tori]

Bernie spent his days attempting to augment the limited medical supplies making antiseptic tinctures and growing penicillium.

Biology [dice=100] needs 68
Holistic medicine [dice=100] needs 53

Slowly, but surely, he was making progress. He longed to meet the veterinarian referenced, but understood, with a physician on duty, he might want to take some time off. The quicker, he could get him up to speed, the sooner Bernie felt like he could be on his way.

During his "off" hours, he made a thorough inspection of the school and the community's defenses. He took great care to study the school's roof, and points where ladders could be used to get on top. A school would make a fair alamo, especially if it was post-Columbine. A flat roof could be a good evac point. Pull the ladders up, and keep shooting until the herd was dead. Trenches and hesco walls or sandbags would make for good machinegun nests. That was only if attacked by humans or zombie state troopers. Otherwise, he supposed, the best tactic might be a Revolutionary War model of massed ranks firing volleys into a herd, Hesco walls to keep the creeps out of the school, and maybe some mines or pit-traps. He also inspected Gil's beloved wire. If there were no cans on the wire, he would post a sign in the cafeteria for everyone to please save popcans. With a few, he would drop in a few stones and put them on the wire. If a zeke pushed on the wire, the popcans would rattle like a tambourine and a sentry would know just where to shoot.

That morning, Bernie enjoyed a frugal breakfast of black coffee and toast, with butter and a schmeer of marmalade. Expecting a mission, he didn't want to be weighed down with a heavy meal or go hungry and regret it.

The summons to Buckley's office was a welcome respite from monotony. Having spent his adult life either in the army, in the grinder of school or in a trauma ward, office hours seemed to drag. He made his way quickly to the office.

"I've treated two pediatric rhinitis cases and one ingrown toe-nail, Buckley. On the plus side, I've stretched the supplies just a bit."

He smiled back to Patty and took a seat, awaiting Anna's arrival and the briefing.[rand=44557340068816030813503748527363337540198293069669247091794963189]

[foxx]

After showering and sleeping for a good few hours, Joe spent the last two days keeping buys. As the community hasn't had anything for him to do yet he spent his time keeping his rig in good shape. Seeing as Dead-Wrecker was his means of transportation and escape in case things go bad he didn't want the truck failing him at a crucial moment. He does apply his knowledge of mechanics to working on the rest of the vehicles if the owners let him. Especially Patty, to keep her van in good shape.

He had a few ideas he wanted to run by her about protecting the van from zombies, nothing serious like his truck, but just a little something to buy her some time in case things go serious. He didn't want these smart zombies getting the best of her and a few surprises might throw them off.

He comes to the office to see what was up, wearing a clean t-shirt. He itched for his revolver, and hope that they would be accepted soon into the community. He just didn't like being without the gun since things went bad and the dead started walking again. Joe does take note of the maps and walks over to study the routes on them. One never knows when it may become important to know the best and fastest way back to town or out of it.

[sellsword]

Taking advantage of the camps limited amenities Bryan enjoys a bit of "normalcy".He does take the time to walk the camps perimeter familirizing himself with its layout and meeting the other residents.He does manage to give a few haircuts and organize their bar before being called in to buckleys.

[brianfenris]

GM POST

“I got pulled over by one for D.W.P. Driving with a pulse.” She flashes him a small smile. “When I realized the gig was up, I tossed some stale doughnuts out the window and drove away while he was distracted.”

Buckley smiles and shakes his head at her joke, then turns his attention to you. “I hope everyone is treating you well. Folks have had nothing but things to say about all of you. From our new doctor to the bartender that moonlights as a barber to our resident mechanic with the monster big rig.”

He pauses, collecting his thoughts, then says, “You all have had the chance to get the know the people around the town and I hope they've given the idea that they are good people. People who want to do the right thing.”

“But they're scared. The whole world has fallen apart and a lot of them are still struggling to cope. They forced to give up their old lives and make a run for, being hounded every step of the way by monsters that only existed in the movies. Here they are now, forced to start over again in place that was piratically a ghost town before the end.”

“I'm sorry to be going back over the obvious with you guys, but I'm asking for your help today. Officially. You all said that you would be interested helping Patty recover supplies for the town. I hope the offer still stands. Patty's partner quit on her after the undead cop attacked them. Despite the zombies ignoring her most of the time, this town can't afford to be sending out on her own. Everyone on the town committee agree she's an asset, but she only one person. If you throw in with her, that means she's got someone watching her back, plus we've got more people bringing in supplies.”

“On the plus side, if you agree to help us with the scavenging, we'll turn your weapons back over to you. So, what do you say?”

******
Bernie's Biology roll: Your homegrown penicillin is coming along nicely but will take time to harvest and prepare as you're still lacking the proper equipment.

Bernie's Holistic Medicine roll: Add 3 Simple medical supplies to your stash, from his results of foraging and making the much needed medicines.

[Tori]

"I'm sorry, I was under the impression we could ride out of town right now and our weapons would be given back. I didn't realize their return was contingent on us helping you out."

Bernie put on a hurt expression. He fully planned on helping the town, but was disappointed Buckley would hold his weapons hostage in exchange for doing the mission. That was breaking the deal, in his mind.

ME roll to trust/intimidate [dice=100] needs 45

"Well, I decided at our last meeting, that you could count me in on an expedition. I can't stay here, but I don't want to see you die. It's my mission to leave you better than we found you." Bernie took a sip of his coffee and grimaced. It was not that good, but it was better than nothing.

"We're all scared. Things are happening that defy the laws of science. On top of that, we've all lost friends and family. I cannot and do not speak for anyone else, but me? I'm in.

"Patty? What's the drill?"[rand=13473200638591076007244714131064311582382562018039942449958772114481]

[Mierin]

Anna arrives at the meeting and listens quietly. She frowns at the mention of the weapons, wondering if he meant to imply they'd only get them back if they helped with this mission. 'Never should have given up my rifle.' Anna thinks to herself. However, she waits for Buckley to reply to Bernie before making a comment about this issue. "I'll go." 'Nat, if she is still alive, would kill me if I let anything happen to Justin.' she thinks to herself.

[foxx]

"So we do this and get our stuff back?" Joe asks, still looking at the maps. he wonder what the others were thinking, but he had to frown a little at condition on getting their guns back was to do something to earn it. None of them had done anything towards the folks in town. Maybe Buckley was right, everyone is just scared and felt they needed to do things like this.

"Well, if we're going after medical supplies I think we should try the hospital. I use to make drop offs there all the time and they have warehouses on the property or nearby where they store all the extra medical supplies they aren't using.

"Won't be any drugs in there, at least I don't think there will be, but plenty of other stuff that could be useful. I mean you can do a lot with a bed pan if you put your mind to it."

[brianfenris]

GM POST

Buckley sighs, running a hand through his thinning gray hair, obviously flustered.

“I'm sorry guys. I didn't mean for that to sound like I'm trying to black mail you. Look, all of you are free to come and go as you like. If and when you finally leave town, your guns go with you. Me, I hope I can convince you to stay on as long as you're willing, but I'm not going to tie you down. I know some of you have priorities outside of Cochise.” He says the last bit to Bernie and Anna.

“Personally, I think we can trust you and if it was up to me, you'd have you guns back today. But I'm getting some resistance from the others on the committee. I want to show the others that we can trust you, and do that I want to send you out with Patty. To do a job that most of the other folks in this town don't want to do. I apologies for not being clearer before.”

He stops talks and looks to Patty, who gets up and walks over to a map hanging on a tack board.

“Big Mac, I like that idea about the hospital but I'm gonna put that on hold for now. I mean, not to much longer. I like to start you guys with something simple. You know, start small and work our way up.”

She taps the map with a pale finger, indicating Cochise then running southward. “What we're gonna do is head down Highway 191, past the power plant to right about here, at this gas stations called the Country Store. It's on the corner of 191 and Ricix Way.” She taps the map again.

“There spread of homes and out buildings, plus a couple of small businesses in the area. Our job is to pick through them and see what we can salvage for the town. Like Brian said before, a lot of stuff was abandoned by people who died from the disease or ran away. Good for us, because people were hoarding a lot of supplies at the time. We sneak in, find it and get out.”

She turns to your, folding her arms across her chest and leans back against the wall. “And you guys can what the obvious problem is going to be while we're running around.”

[Mierin]

Anna looks at Buckley and says bluntly, "Look. You want us to scavenge for suplies and that's fine. You have to give us weapons. I'm not going out there with nothing but harsh language against the zeds." Anna thinks to herself, 'I'm tired of dancing around this.' Anna continues, "And because you have to give us weapons, you might as well just give us the weapons we came in with. If we take off, we're not taking anything from you that was yours to begin with and, quite frankly, I'm more comfortable using my own rifle. If necessary, we can collect them on our way out and give them back when we return so no one thinks we're out to take over."

[Tori]

"I'm sure that's all part of his plan, Anna. I'm just sorry Gil doesn't want to come with us, yet is afraid to see us armed." He knew what Buckley meant, five-by-five. "If we have to prove our courage and loyalty, so be it."

Bernie sat in a chair that was much too small for adults, and looked quite miserable doing so. From the tiny seat, he studied the map.

"Looks like a pretty straight shot. Any concern about leading the geeks back to the school? I'm all for starting small, but this sounds like a gas station, and for now, you look well-stocked on food." Bernie did like the idea of a milk run, just to get to know everyone, and how they worked together.

"What are our priorities at the store, Patty?

[achsaber]

"I'm ready to go right now but two questions what kind of vehilces are we bringing and how long are we staying out there for?"

[Tori]

"I was planning on taking my SUV. I'll move some supplies out to make some room for new stuff and anyone that wants to ride along. We could probably clean out the whole store if we take Mac's lorry... I mean uh, truck."

Bernie was skeptical what the school needed with a lorry-full of Ding-Dongs, Ho-Ho's and Zingers, and would much rather go to the Willcox Middle School or Northern Cochise Community Hospital he saw on the map. But a baby step was proper, if they were going to form a team.

"Do they have anything else, aside from food and fuel?"

[brianfenris]

GM POST

“Don't worry, Anna. No one would think of sending us outside unarmed.”

“To answer your question, Bernie, priorities is to grab whatever we can find that's not nailed down. Hell, that too if we can manage it. I'm using the gas station as a land mark, it was picked clean a long time ago, but there's still gas there, if you're willing to take the time to get it out. That might be a bit of a problem.”

She points to the gas station marked on the mark and runs it down Ricix Way, then circles a larger area just below it, a large hash mark of smaller streets turning of it.

“That's what I have my eye on. The abandoned homes and small businesses in this area right here. It's where most of the stuff from the stores went to during the epidemic. Although, it's kinda hit and miss. Some houses have stuff we can use, or nothing at all. Plus there's always the chance zombies could still be inside.”

She smile slightly when she turned to Rob. “I was thinking of taking two vehicles, my van and Mac's truck.” She turns to Bernie and says quickly, “Or we can your SUV and the truck. I just figured we'd get able to get more stuff, you know if we got lucky. I'm flexible either way.”