Episode 2B

[brianfenris]

GM POST

The soldiers manning the fortified gates to Fort Huachuca had been one hundred percent certain that there was a group of survivors hold up in a small town called Cochise. All you had to do was turn around and get back on Interstate 10 and head east. They warned you to be careful going through Benson, the place was overrun with zombies, and a safe route around the town was pointed out to you on your map; all you had to do was stay alert and keep driving until you were clear. The soldiers were even nice enough fuel up your Interceptor's tank and gas cans so you could make the trip. There was even an offer to take Taja off your hands, but you declined.

Fort Huachuca was closed to all civilians by order of the base's commander. All non-military personal would have to seek shelter else where. You were told that Cochise would be you best bet now. There was no arguing with them, they had their orders. There was no forcing your way past them, they all had guns bigger then yours and you could see they were ready to use them. Steeling your resolve, you and Taja left the military base and headed back out into the land of the dead.

The route around Benson had worked, although you wouldn't call it safe. You put the high performance police SUV through it's paces dodging the zombies that came staggering into the streets in pursuit of you. After a few close calls, and a lot of barking, the both of you were free and clear of the place and back on Interstate 10, that awful moans of the damned fading into the distance behind you.

The Interstate 10 from Benson going east seems to be open, the abandoned or wrecked cars along the side the road are far apart. In the morning sunlight, you see a bright yellow sign proclaiming 'The Thing? What is it?' and offering you a chance to find out what is. You quickly reach the attraction which to turns out to be a large filing station and gift shop complex painted red, yellow and blue. The parking lot is deserted except for the cab a big rig parked beside the gas pumps. At the mouth of the entrance you see a wooden home-made sign announcing: HELP AND SAFETY AT COCHISE. Below it are directions to get there.

What do you do?

((This is Janxi's story. Please refrain from posting if you're not her.))

[Janxi]

She was glad the SUV had good steering and even better brakes as she swerved in and around the zombies that stumbled out in front of her, only occasionally hitting one.

"Speed bump!" She said as she felt the body beneath the wheels. "Shit, I hope there isn't anything stuck to the bumper." Said to Taja who was barking up a frenzy as she slid across the seat with every turn. "Sorry girl."

Mariah wondered who the abandoned vehicles belonged to and whether they got out safely or were taken up.

It wasn't long before she saw the bright yellow sign that said The Thing."That's interesting, wonder what that is?" A single bark from Taja as if in response. She pulled into the parking lot and slowly made the rounds as she came up on the entrance. She stopped in front of it and read the sign out loud. "HELP AND SAFETY AT COCHISE."

"What do you think Taja, it's got to be better than being out here?" At least she hoped. Another bark and a quick rub under the dogs chin. She read the directions and headed back in the direction she came.

"To Cochise it is."

Perception [dice=20][rand=752522618375635576539255183812374890222724386714708265125504009035]

[brianfenris]

GM POST

As you pullout onto the interstate, you see movement in your rear view mirror. You see a person coming out of the store itself, carrying an overstuffed bag over one shoulder. The figure stops to watch you go, dressed in a duster and cowboy's stetson, a red kerchief tied over his face, looking for the all the world like a outlaw coming out the bank with a bag of loot. Unhurriedly he starts for the big rig parked at the pumps.

[Janxi]

Perception: [dice=20]

Mariah glances at the guy coming out of the store, and gives him a brief once over, especially the kerchief over his face and the bag over his shoulder.
With one hand on the steering wheel and the other on the scruff of Taja's neck she continues out of the parking lot and to Cochise.

"Times must be tough huh girl?" Said to the dog.

One bark in response as if the dog understood.[rand=16077020608579756985119376211353916875099067216825402441676681975]

[brianfenris]

GM POST

The Thing and the person exiting the store disappear behind you as you resume your journey to a possible safe haven. It doesn't take to long to reach the turn off from Interstate 10 to Highway 191, another home made sign indicating you'll find safety and supplies at Cochise.

As you turn onto 191 you notice in your mirror the big rig from the store coming up in the distance. Looks like Cochise will be getting another survivor pretty soon.

You cover the five miles to Cochise with no problem. Driving up you see an police SUV marked as AZ state trooper sitting at the turn off to Cochise. When you approach it's lights start flashing and a young man gets. He's pretty young, not more the early twenties, if that, and dressed in a battle dress uniform, which sports no military markings. As you watch, he fumbles with his shotgun but thankfully doesn't drop it. Quickly recovering, he holds up his hand signaling you to stop.

[Janxi]

mariah noticed in her rear view mirror that she wasn't alone on the street any longer as the rig had turned when she had. She didn't panic and thought well maybe he was just headed in the same direction as her.
Before she knew it she and Taja were at Cochise and headed towards the gate when she saw the military figure step out of his car and almost drop his gun.

She chuckled softly to herself and rolled her eyes at Taja. "This is their protection?"

She sees the flashing lights and the man holding up his hand for her to stop. She slows the vehicle down to a stop and rolls down her window and waits for him to approach it.

perception [dice=20][rand=37508738165792614839897146006943608722345779235728473891216669955]

[brianfenris]

GM POST

The kid, with an average build and very, very tall, trots over to your side of the jeep. You notice that he's gripping his weapon so tightly in his hands that his knuckles are turning white. When he leans in to see you and Taja, he relaxes noticeably.

“Um, howdy. I'm Freddie Parks.” He pauses, looking like he trying to remember his lines in a play. “Welcome to Cochise, officer. Looks like you and your partner both've come a long ways from home.”

You will notice that another person is still in the state trooper SUV, talking into a radio microphone while watching you and Freddie.

[Janxi]

Mariah almosts laughs out loud at the kid, because he looks like a little boy playing dress up. She leans a bit out her window and smiles "Nice to meet ya." Taja not to be ignored barks from the passenger seat.
"Can you give me directions from here and where I am to go?" A glance was given to the SUV and then back to Parks. "Oh, and by the way I have company behind me." Meaning the big rig from the gas station.

perception [dice=20][rand=624366042642556369068863295712281002011148264035318552953069856554]

[brianfenris]

GM POST

Freddie looks back in the direction Mariah came from. “Sure. Um, we'll send them on to Cochise once they decide to show up.”

Turning back to her, points to the street winding its way to the safe haven. “Just take the street there up to the school and turn into the parking lot. There'll be a few folks waiting to greet you and they'll help you get settled in. Oh, and I need to let you know that we have a rule about guns. If you have any, you'll have to check them in. For the safety of the community. Which I guess won't be a problem since you're a cop and all.”

He steps back, looking again to see if the company she mentioned is on they way or not.

[Janxi]

She nods and shifts the suv into drive, "Thank you." She heads up the street and drives until she sees the school parking lot. She inhales deeply and pats Taja with her right hand when she sees the people. "We made it girl."
She puts the suv into park and waits for someone to approach before she gets out.

perception [dice=20][rand=515175857750508985223714929652991303573786081462219679709059367945]

[Janxi]

(I have to be a pain but can you please catch me up with the rest of the group)

[brianfenris]

GM POST

As Mariah slips her SUV into park, two men exit the extensively fortified school, both of them armed but one bears notice since he's armed with a MP5 sub-machine gun. He is dressed dark blue t-shirt and fatigues, his web belt carrying a pistol and enough ammo to start a war; from his frown he looks like he's will to start one. His partner is not dressed in uniform and from his expression on his face as he drifts over to the passenger side of your vehicle it looks like he'd rather be somewhere else completely.

The bruiser with the fancy gun and short cropped red hair steps up to you window and leans in, your reflection cast in his mirrored shades. When he speaks it in a low growl and tinged with the heavy scent of booze that make your eyes water. “Ma'am, shut off your vehicle and get out. Keep your hands where I can see them at all times. Leave any weapons inside you vehicle, along with your dog.”

He steps back to let you exit, holding his weapon ready.

[Janxi]

What the hell is this? She says to Taja before the two armed guards reach her vehicle. It was the one dressed in fatigues that caught her attention first and it wasnt his face, but the arsonal hanging from his uniform.
Taja started a low menacing growl when the un-uniformed man came over to the passenger side. "Easy girl."
She watched the one move to her window and when he leaned in the smell on his breath was enough to make her shrink back in her seat and hold her own breath.
It was then that Taja's growl turned into a full out bark. Mariah simply raised her hand to Taja to stop and the dog did just that, but you could tell that the dog would lauch for the jugular if given the word or sign.
She did what she was told, shut off her vehicle and waited for him to move out from in front of her door so she could get out with her hands raised enough that he could see she wasnt holding anything.
She wasn't at all crazy about leaving behind Taja but she wasnt going to take the chance of either of them getting shot so she gave the command for Taja to wait.

Perception [dice=20][rand=222879027073957124766394474204593303788973124643940643541322030868995]

[brianfenris]

GM POST

Once you get out, the bruiser gives you rather unflattering once over, checking you out for more then just hidden weapons. With a smirk, he shoulders his MP5.

“You can put your hands down, ma'am. I'm Justin Dotson, chief of security for our little community. We got a rule here for new comers, if you're packing any weapons you need to check them in until we vouch you're not a threat to the community.”

He pauses, his gaze going over your travel worn Ford Interceptor. “Yeah, in military or police vehicles are to be turned over for use by the security force, so we can better protect the rest of you.”

“So grab your stuff and your dog, and I'll get you start getting you settled in.”

[Janxi]

Mariah ground her teeth at the frisk while keeping her eyes forward. She stiffened at his hands on her and had all she could do not to spit in his face. Instead she turned her eyes on him, smiled, winked and then brought her knee up as hard and fast as she could into his groin.
"Nice to meet ya Justin Dotson."

perception [dice=20]

Initiative [dice=20]
Strike, kick [dice=20]
Damage [dice=4][dice=4+2]
Reserved actions parry/Dodge or additional strikes as needed.
[dice=20]
[dice=20]
[dice=20]

Mariah grabbed her shotgun, pointing the business end at Dotson, and poised Taja to stand by with a gesture. She growled with rage. "We protect ourselves. A drunken pervert is in charge of nothing. You kid, go bring me Dotson's boss and we'll talk. The truck and the guns remain mind. I could have shot his balls off, as drunk as he is. Instead, he got what he deserved. I think that proves I can be trusted."[rand=32511412035649084110329741575713488732062180032688031169887855751]