The Last of Us: Exodus (IC/Open)

[The Vekta-Helghast Empire]

First-Lieutenant Friedrich 'Fritz' Von Stetten.

As the fighting once again resumed and he once again dived into cover, he couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. How in the hell did they even get in? Who was supervising the watch? And which jack-ass was stationed outside? It all seemed like rather trivial questions, but it served as a bit of a coping mechanism for him - helping keep his mind off the stress and tension surrounding him, without distracting him too much. As the firing died down, he made his way along the desks, getting himself pressed up against the hall's wall, just beneath a window, keeping his rifle raised towards the front of the building. He kept himself tucked between a desk and the wall, exposing as little of his body as possible, almost prone.. "If even one of these fuckers survive this, the entire unit's going to be on latrine duty, I swear to God.." He muttered quietly to himself.

[Vulkata II]

"Fuck!" Brandon yelled as the nail board made contact with his shins and broke in two. Then the rifle was yanked from his hands. Not wasting a second he grabbed a half of the broken board, as did his counterpart. The Hunter stared at the pair, aiming at one then the other. The Hunter was smart enough to know that if he shot at one of the two then he would not have enough time to pull back the bolt and load a new round.

Brandon knew that he would have to do something, probably something stupid, or else he would die. When the Hunter was aiming at Alexander, Brandon dove. As he did the Hunter turned the rifle to the right to shoot Brandon, but as he dove he brought up the board to hit the bottom of the Remington. As he did, the Hunter fired a round into the ceiling on reflex as the gun was forced to point up. Brandon then began to wrestle with the man, managing to throw the rifle to the side. Still, he was at a disadvantage. He was stronger than the Hunter but he was at an awkward position and had a messed up shin. He hoped that Alexander, or someone else, would be able to help him in his struggle.

Alex had no idea on what was happnening, where did this people come from and how they got in was beyond him and this is why he joined the firefly, to actually protect the people but he even knew the fireflies aren't doing the greatest job in the world.

He saw a man wrestling a hunter.

"The more the merrier i guess" Alex said, so he dashed to the man that he didn't realize saved him and he saw the rifle and picked it up and slapping the hunter with his rifle knocking both Brandon and the Hunter to the ground and Alex was pushing the rifle to the hunter's neck.

"Strangle him! Strangle him before he breaks loose" Alex shouted to Brandon.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

With the help of someone else, Brandon was in a much better position. Brandon's arm wrapped around the Hunter's neck. Now that the tables had turned, the hunter began to panic. Brandon just squeezed. The Hunter's struggles began to slow, until they stopped.

Brandon pushed his body off to the side and got to his feet. "Oh my God, thank you. Thank you so much." He motioned for his rifle and the man handed it to him. He pulled back to bolt and loaded in a new round. "I'm Brandon," he said to his rescuer.

Fourteen. Fourteen rounds is all I got, he thought.

[Galdius]

<::BREAK, BREAK! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! TAKING SMALL ARMS FIRE! REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE AT TOWN HALL! ANY AVAILABLE UNITS PLEASE RESPOND!::>

Shit had hit the fan.

Lieutenant Pryzbylewski, Sergeant Seltzer, and corporal Bassett moved quickly through the streets as they headed towards town square in a standard three man formation. Weapons pointed upfront ready for an engagement as they pushed towards the source of the explosions, making their way past fleeing civilians as they rushed away, running for their very lives from the source of the attack. They had missed the initial fighting as they had been on patrol throughout the make shift neighbourhoods looking for people attempting to dodge the scans when everything had collectively went to shit. She knew that it was only a matter of time before something like this would happen. Sam even brought it up a few times with command. It had been something that was bound to eventually happen but nobody was even remotely ready for. They had got too comfortable with the lack of threats here and it ultimately had left them extremely complacent. Gunfire, screams and explosions were ringing out across the outpost, distributing the silence that had only been their mere minutes ago. The severity of the situation was clear, but everything else was totally unclear. They had no idea what they where about to walk into at town hall. None the less. They had a job to do.

<:: TAKING HEAVY CASUALTIES! I REPEAT! TAKING HEAVY CASUALTIES! REQUESTING IMMEDIATE SUPPO----::>

The person on the radio had been cut off by something, not a good sign. Sam silently cursed under her breath, they where taking too long to arrive on scene. "Fireflies?" Bassett quickly guessed from behind Pryzbylewski, who was the unlucky one to be on point. "No clue." Sam replied continuing on the push, weapon pointed towards the front, ready to call out and engage any contacts. She had no idea who it was, a niggling feeling was that it was hunters, but it could be anybody at this point. They had grown weak and where prime pickings. "I don't think we are going to be able to fix it this time sir." Seltzer cynically added from the rear in his usual cynical attitude. judging from the cackling of gunfire and the frantic beckoning over the comms system, she had a sinking feeling that he was right. Even if they got the attackers and repelled them, they had likely killed a good number of people in the sneak attack, manpower was hard to come by these days. it would be hard to come back from the brink. "Doesn't matter, we've got a job to do and a responsibility to see it through." Sam replied hastily, cutting off the possibility of desertion. "Keep moving!" she added, continuing to move fast towards the town square, now entering the alleyways as a way of staying off the large streets.

Eventually they stop at the corner that lead outwards into the main part of the outpost. With town hall being visible and a mere hundred meters away. Her two compatriots took up defensive positions as she raised her rifle up and analysed the area with her scope, the zoom of the optic gave a better view of the area. She scanned it for movement, looking over the other buildings and potential spots that hostiles might be laying in wait. Most of the crowd that arrived for inspection had dissipated shortly after the bombs had went off, leaving only the bodies of those who had got hit by shrapnel or bullets. smoke filled the air from the blast of bomb was still dissipating, leaving an almost misty effect around the front of the building. Whatever they had used. It had done its job really well, leaving the place in a total mess of splattered blood and debris. She couldn't see any troops moving around but by judging from the occasional profile of a gunshot originating from inside, so it was safe to assume that somebody was still fighting inside the building, likely what remained of the force that called it in on the radio, if it even was them. It wasn't the only noise filling the air, a much bigger battle was going on based on the echos of a firefight seemingly coming from the north.

<::THIS IS CORPORAL JAMESON! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK AT THE HOSPITAL! MULTIPLE CONTACTS! TAKING CASUALTIES! NEED REINFORCEMENTS! IF WE DON'T GET SOME HELP NOW WE ARE DEAD!::>

Fuck.

They couldn't be at two places at once. With the numbers the attackers they must have had, it was starting to seem like an invasion rather than a just a bog standard attack. whoever was going this really meant business, taking the time to wait to strike on the best opportunity.. "Whats the plan?" Bassett worriedly asked, split between the option of falling back to the hospital or sticking with the plan and making entry into the town hall. whatever they did however, it was likely that recovery at this point was impossible. These guys had hit them hard and now had inflicted serious casualties to their already low numbered force. "We stick to the plan. Nothing we can do." Sam responded. "Can't be two places at once, I want eyes on those windows, we are going to make an entrance in for the east and clear the building. If they aren't from around here, don't bother taking them prisoners, shot to kill."

Her hand moved over to her radio, pressing down on the broadcast button, ready to inform anyone who was still alive within the town hall building that they where about to attempt an entry. Her eyes watching the various windows through her rifles scope for any sort movement. None as of yet. Friendly or not

<:: Calling any friendlies in town hall, I repeat calling any friendlies in town hall; This is lieutenant Pryzbylewski with the QRF contingent, I'm pushing into town hall from the east, I repeat, pushing into the town hall from the east. hold your fire, do not engage on the east side, over::>

She wasn't expecting anyone to respond at this rate, but she didn't particularly feel like getting shot in some bullshit blue on blue incident. Not today of all days, so she elected that it might be a good idea to inform any twitchy servicemen waiting for a counter attack that she and her team was inbound. "Alright, watch your spacing and move fast, I don't want anyone getting domed on the way there." Sam informed her team, whom simply nodded in agreement with the order. readying themselves for the sprint across the rather open ground with little cover, but it was the fastest route towards the eastern fire escape door, and time was off the essence. "On the count of three..."

"1..."

"2..."

"3!"

The team quickly dashed from the cover of the corner alleyway, moving quickly across the open ground with their rifles low as they attempted to get through the open space and avoid fire from any potential snipers or hostiles on over-watch. Quicker they moved. Turns out there was one. Her heart almost skipped a beat as a familiar sound of a gunshot followed quickly by a loud crack that originated from her left side. Somebody was taking pot shots on them as they attempted to get to the building. Fuckin' bandits where smarter than she thought. After the first shot, more quickly followed from their left side in a much faster rate, including automatic fire from what she assumed to be a stolen rifle looted from a dead serviceman. "CONTACT LEFT!" She shouted as the rounds zipped past. making the distinctive loud crack as zipped through the air, colliding with the pavement or cover around them but somehow managing to miss their targets in the open. "DON'T STOP! KEEP MOVING!" The firefight ended slowly as reached the door, assumedly as they needed to reload as they had ran out of ammo, giving her and her squad a chance to get into the building and not get shot, and also engage them.

"Bassett get the door open! Seltzer lets not give these fuckers a chance to reload!" Sam and Seltzer took kneeing positions at the doorway as bassett tried to force it open, with them taking aim in the general area that the fire had came from, eventually spotting the two dickheads whom where clearly armed and had hostile intend, pop up from behind a concrete barrier as they yet again attempted to use them as target practice. Sam and Seltzer didn't give them the chance. They taking aim, they started to spit their own fire right back at them, taking single fire accurate pot shots at the vicinity of the targets. Sam watched through her scope as the rounds collided with the men light cover, causing them to duck down low and make themselves as small as possible as they panicked under the threat of being shot right back at.

Fuckin' amateurs.

The sounds of distant but clearly incoming feral screams however quickly changed her tune. Infected had just been thrown into the mix, which was going to make things even more difficult. They had to get inside and quickly. And her two friends one hundred meters away seemed to realise the same thing as they sat in the open with their asses exposed. The first had elected to get out of dodge, attempting to dash to safety almost as if he had completely forgot that he was under fire. They evidently weren't the brightest tools in the box. Sam didn't let him, aligning a shot with her scope, she squeezed the trigger, firing four rounds in quick secession at the bastard as he attempted to escape, the rounds penetrating into his lower section, shredding his legs and pelvis. Dropping to the floor as his legs could no longer support him in their broken state, Totally immobilising him in agony, causing him he let an ear piercing, blood curling scream out.

The second one soon followed suit, attempting to help his friend in panic by attempting to drag him to the nearest piece of cover. He quickly got a bullet in his jugular for his troubles from seltvers rifle, the round slamming into his throat causing him slump down. Snatching the guys life as he dropping to the floor like a bag of potatoes, twitching, dead on impact.

"Doors open! lets move!" Bassett shouted, indcating to the team that he hand managed to get the door open.

The team pushed into the building from the eastern fire exit, coming into a stairwell room that lead into the offices and upstairs area. Closing the door behind them it gave them a short breather to reload their firearms before breaching in and looking for survivors. Realising that her rifle was now half empty, she elected to quickly reload. Pulling a fresh magazine from her plate carrier, and quickly swapped it with near empty one, using her fourth and fifth finger to remove the magazine before replacing it with the full one. She only had a few rounds left in that magazine judging from her inspection. At this rate. She'd be lucky if she had any left by the end of the night. It had went surprisingly quite from within the town hall, with the door beyond them leading into the back offices of the building. Her hand slid over the comms radio broadcast button again as her team, now ready to make entry. Stacked up.

<:: Calling any friendlies in the town hall, this is lieutenant Pryzbylewski with the QRF contingent. We have made entry to the building from the east side fire door, I repeat, east side fire door, you have friendlies on that side, do not engage. Over::>

"Fix bayonets."

Her hand slid off the radio and onto her bayonet, which she removed from its cover, electing to attack it to the rifles lug. Chances where it was about to get up close and personal inside, and she'd rather be able to gut them if they got too close. Her team quickly followed suit, attaching the bayonets onto the rifle.

"Make entry on the count of three..."

"1..."

"2..."

"3!"

[The Vekta-Helghast Empire]

First-Lieutenant Friedrich 'Fritz' Von Stetten.

<:: Calling any friendlies in the town hall, this is lieutenant Pryzbylewski with the QRF contingent. We have made entry to the building from the east side fire door, I repeat, east side fire door, you have friendlies on that side, do not engage. Over::>

He hadn't been sat there for long when his radio began to buzz once again, Pryzbylewski, a voice he knew from various meetings and the occasional passing around the barracks and facilities. Though one he welcomed like family, given his current circumstances. He quickly gave his immediate environment a look over - corpses, gore and debris littering almost every surface. With one hand on his rifle and another on his radio, he called out to the QRF, in particular Lieutenant Pryzbylewski.

<:: Hearing you loud and clear Polak, this is Lieutenant Friedrich Von Stetten, I'm in the main-hall - we've at least one man and three civies in the rear offices, so check your fire. Main hall seems secure for now, but we've got gun-fire up-top, how copy? ::>

As he concluded his message he'd reached the front-doors of the hall and pressed his body up against the wall, the distant sounds of gunfire, screaming and the odd explosion rang out - but that wasn't what lingered with him. It was that damned smell of waste, the smell of torn flesh and sulpher. There was nothing worse in combat than the smell of it - the killing, the sights, the pressure - he could handle, but that smell always lingered in his mind, often making it difficult to sleep at night. But now wasn't the time for lingering thoughts and his night terrors. Quickly he shook the feeling off and offered a glance around the corner - the men who'd been left on watch's bodies lay still, arrows piercing their flesh. No wonder they hadn't heard the hunters coming. On an elevated position opposite - a window previously boarded up, he spotted him - a single man - rifle in hand, keeping a watch over the street. He'd heard a number of shots from the side, no doubt from the QRF - they seem to have landed in the area surrounding the window the man'd positioned himself in. Some penetrating his position and landing inside - right behind where he was standing - obviously he'd ran for cover when the rounds came flying and returned - amateurs. It was the first rule of being a sniper - never fire from the same spot twice in urban combat. Hell, even in the countryside that wasn't advisable - especially if the enemy knows where you are.

Fritz gripped his rifle tightly, inhaling deeply as he glanced around once again - this time raising his rifle, releasing a single round - CRACK - the round smashed against the shelf of the window, scaring the ever living shit out of the marksman within, though leaving him free of harm. With a sigh, he took aim once again - but before he could fire, the hunter had returned a round, landing it but a few millimeters from the Lieutenant's head with a loud snapping noise as wood and brick splintered, sending dust flying. Forcing the Lieutenant back into cover, before another round skiffed by where he once stood and collided with the hall's floor, "I'm starting to feel like he's trying to kill me.." He muttered to himself with a faint, albeit nervous chuckle as he shimmied back, making his way to one of the forward-facing windows, one which had been shoddily boarded up at some point or another.

Large gaps covered the window's boarding, granting the opportunity for Fritz to take a look out without being spotted - the marksman seemed to be keeping his eyes trained on the Lieutenant's former position and had lowered himself slightly, tucking his body off to a corner of the window so that only his upper right side and his rifle were exposed. Clearly he was expecting another burst of fire. The Lieutenant, however - wouldn't do him the courtesy of returning to his former position, unlike the hunter. He quietly slid the barrel of his rifle into a gap in the boarding, using it as a tripod of sorts to keep his aim steady. His breath stabilizing from the initial engagement, he took up aim, adjusting his positioning ever so slightly and then.. Once satisfied with his posturing. He took the shot. A simple singular squeeze of the trigger followed by an anticlimactic THIP as the round penetrated the Hunter's body, slightly beneath the breast. The round pierced deep, but didn't come out the other end and knocked the breath clean out of the would-be sniper, meaning not a single yelp was able to escape his lips as he dropped.

With that the Lieutenant made his way back to the door, glancing out - the street seemed abandoned, if there were more out there, they were smart enough to conceal themselves and that wasn't a risk the Lieutenant was willing to take. Quickly he rushed further back in the room - towards the offices and shunted one of the doors open, keeping his weapon raised as he began traversing the narrow corridor..

[Futrellia]

With a loud boom, the man above him, so eager to end Dustin, fell to his side, the bat smacking to the floor, the opposite side lifting back up once more and then following suit.

The barrel smoked as Dustin held his position. He wasn't one to easily be so stirred, but a massive pain in his chest had a way of throwing him back into the fragile category. He looked around to see everyone else wrestling down with Hunters as well. He couldn't do much with such a pain. He needed to get out.

Dustin slowly rose from his lying down position, holding his ribs as he went along, the pistol still within his other hand. He stood fully up, examining the scene. He knew of another operative that was based in the city, a man named Alexander. In most cases, two was better than one, but in dire circumstances, two meant near survival, so his purpose became clear. So he limped his way out of the room, looking around, he saw flames and embers. His pistol was up and ready to fire as he walked through to where he believed was an exit.

[WaRtArIa]

Olivia, sweaty and nervous, jolted out of her shock for a moment, and snapped back into reality. She quickly gave his immediate environment a look over. Corpses, gore and debris was littering almost every surface, and the putrid smell of blood and feces was in the area. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, Olivia listened in silence as her handheld tranceiver suddenly received a transmission.

::Calling any friendlies in the town hall, this is lieutenant Pryzbylewski with the QRF contingent. We have made entry to the building from the east side fire door, I repeat, east side fire door, you have friendlies on that side, do not engage. Over.::

Pressing the small grey button, she breathed heavily, and responded. Thankfully, there were more survivals, and even better, it was a lieutenant.

::Greetings, s-sir. Transmission received. Is the main hall secure? Over.::

[Anowa]

The pain Anna was going through was dulling, likely due to a mix of her pulling her thumb from the wound and the adrenaline being all but pissed out of her kidneys.

Vedenin answered, “I’m alright. Can you walk?”

"Yeah, at least until I pass out." And that was the grim truth, yes there was a hospital, and yes it was within walking distance, but the wound wasn't exactly cut and dry. It was ripped open, likely from a hollow point, and as such it was bleeding heavily. Anna hazarded a guess and gave herself anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes before she passed out. Twenty until she died. Her mother would be disappointed that she let it happen, but that's who she was. A scolding mother who just wishes the best for her children, pushing them to do better.

As she strode towards the entrance again she called out to those within, hoping they wouldn't shoot her... again, "Friendlies coming in!" As she entered, she noticed that the front hall seemed barren. Save for the dozen or so bodies, more than a few of which were soldiers. Anna once again began pillaging, belts, ammo, firearms. A Mossberg 500, another M4, and three extra mags for said rifle were what she was comfortable carrying.

As she finished she looked over at Vedenin, "We should find the others, they may be in a worse spot than us."

[The V O I D]

David Michaels

"Kill him! KILL HIM NOW! HE'S GOING TO KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T!", a voice screamed in Dave's head - he wasn't sure if it was his own or a new voice or what. But he listened. He used his larger size to force the man on top of him to release the blade, and knocked him over. Dave turned, grabbing the blade and slammed it into the man's chest. He then ripped it out and began slashing, stabbing and hacking; screaming in rage and desperation. He didn't stop until the man was rendered into nothing but hacked apart pieces. The machete was now drenched in blood and gore. As was Dave's coat sleeve holding it. His cotton ball hat laid on the ground. Dave quickly grabbed it, tucking it into his coat; he'd put it on later, when it was safer.

Dave looked around, trying to move in the general direction of safety and other people from the safe zone.

[The United States of North Amerigo]

“Oof.” Hale said, her black Crye G3 Uniform was now stained red. And, an irony smell made her feel light headed. Then she passed out.

“Oh. Shit!” SSgt. Porter said and caught Hale just before she hit the ground. Then put Hale over her shoulder, carrying the sixteen year old girl down the stairwell, where 1LT. Fritz, and two or three Russians emerged into the lobby, some wounded.

“Did she get hurt?” 1LT. Fritz demanded, noticing the blood immediately.

“No. She didn’t get shot.” SSgt. Porter sighed, setting Hale down by the overturned desk. Rylie ran up to Venedin and embraced him.

“What happened then?” Fritz questioned, standing up from cover. Then stood toe-to-toe with SSgt. Porter. “Well?”

“Three guys isn’t so bad for someone’s first day huh?” SSgt. Porter subtly reported to the Lieutenant. Who needed a moment but eventually understood and nodded his head. The Russians conversed, but the infantrymen didn’t really understand either because of the accent or maybe they were speaking in Russian entirely. PFC. Francis Johnson somewhat limped into the lobby, holding his stomach behind his plate-carrier.

“There’s an actual wounded one.” 1LT. Fritz pointed at Johnson. “Show me your wound.”

“Yes sir.” Francis lifted it up, it was minor and SSgt. Porter rolled her eyes. “Oh Christ.” He noticed Hale slumped against the turned over desk. He crouched to her level, then did a shrill whistle in a moderate tone. Hale woke up.

“Huh?” Hale said and then flinched a little as she didn’t expect Francis to be that close. “Geez.”

“Hey!” Francis said rather enthusiastically actually. “It uh… It worked.”

“Hmm? What worked?” Hale said timidly and confused. Francis smiled a little but didn’t say anything.

“Anyways, did you kick ass? Judging by that blood I’m guessing so.” He tried to cheer her up a little. But it produced the opposite effect, Hale frowned and looked a little sick. “Or is it just that time of month again?” Francis said quickly trying to stuff his words away.

That worked out a sheepish grin from Hale who extended her arm prompting for Francis to lift her up. “Right.” Hale whispered, Francis went to searching for medical supplies. That reminded SSgt. Porter, who had been eavesdropping the entire time.

“We need to find the others and get to the hospital pretty quick.” SSgt. Porter said quickly to Lieutenant Fritz.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

Brandon looked around the room. Everywhere he looked, he saw carnage. Dear God, he thought, we gotta get outta here. He clutched his rifle and limped his way to the door. He thought the best place to be right now was in the main hall, with the soldiers. As he limped, he monitored some of the other survivors. A few of them appeared to still be shocked at what just happened, or perhaps just wondering what to do now.

I know what. It's time to get the hell outta this place. There's nothing left here anymore. He grasped the door handle and made his way to the large room where the attack had begun. Maybe then they could think up a real plan on what to do next.

[Zhaas123]

Mason heard people come in after he had gotten back up turning around, and walking back he saw Porter, Hale, Fritz, and the russians, and Francis all around each other

"It's me Mason don't shoot" he said walking over to them. "First things first do we know where anyone else is, and two what do we do now?, he asked to no one in particular. Mason looked around the room at the staff sergeant and first lieutenant.

[Vulkata II]

Alexander

Alex was looking around the chaos totally lost.

He saw many other civilians and military personals running to the East but instead of that the thought of them revealing that he was a firefly was too great but a great battle happened in his mind whether it was safe or not. East won and so he tried to run to the East hall but he saw someone trying to escape, someone familiar he can't recognize. And a baseball bat! And so he ran to the bat first and into Dustin.

"Hey buddy we need to leave, give me your gun and use this bat as a walking stick" Alex said and he helped Dustin on his feet taking his pistol and gave him the baseball bat and escorted themselves to the East hall.

[Ormata]

Vedenin Arseniy Valeryevich
Murrell’s Inlet

"Yeah, at least until I pass out." And that was the grim truth, yes there was a hospital, and yes it was within walking distance, but the wound wasn't exactly cut and dry. It was ripped open, likely from a hollow point, and as such it was bleeding heavily. Anna hazarded a guess and gave herself anywhere from ten to fifteen minutes before she passed out. Twenty until she died. Her mother would be disappointed that she let it happen, but that's who she was. A scolding mother who just wishes the best for her children, pushing them to do better.

As she strode towards the entrance again she called out to those within, hoping they wouldn't shoot her... again, "Friendlies coming in!" As she entered, she noticed that the front hall seemed barren. Save for the dozen or so bodies, more than a few of which were soldiers. Anna once again began pillaging, belts, ammo, firearms. A Mossberg 500, another M4, and three extra mags for said rifle were what she was comfortable carrying.

As she finished she looked over at Vedenin, "We should find the others, they may be in a worse spot than us."

Passing out, dying, and all that joyous stuff. Needless to say, Vedenin was concerned on this; he did not want her dead. She might be an ass, sometimes, well, most of the time, but she did not deserve to die. The adrenaline would wear-off eventually, and that would be followed by her passing-out.

It was surprising, then, that she was so casual in going back inside. She began to collect weapons, too, for some reason or another. Rifles, larger weapons, even as she bled. That was hardcore; well, more like suicidal, in Vedenin’s mind. She shouldn’t be like that.


He looked about; there was yelling. Apparently the area was secure. The girl, the military one was was apparently Hale, was slumped-over. Another soldier whistled, sharply, and she woke-up. Apparently the fighting was less extreme than he had thought; maybe not. Vedenin could see them looking for supplies; it was quite obvious.

“Hey, wounded here!” He yelled at the soldiers, motioning towards Anna. She’d need to get it patched with gauze, at the very least, and while Vedenin would have gladly taken-off his belt as a tourniquet, he didn’t think that the move to the hospital would be so easy that they would have the time. He also didn’t think that her being restricted would help, but that was beside the point. He had no gauze, or clean clothing, and so they’d need bandages.

At the sound of his voice, Rylie poked her head out. “Vedenin, you sonuvabitch! Let me know next time you’re chasing after another girl!” This was, of course, half-jokingly; she was just as glad to see him as anyone else. Getting-up from her position, she went over to him, punching the old Russian in the shoulder playfully. “You need to watch-out better; get shot in the other arm next time,” she commented, fingering the hole in his suit sleeve.

“Yes, well. She’s shot, and damn me if this suit isn’t clean. Got any bandages on you?”

“Any for her? No. I’ll keep a few for myself, thanks very much.” Rylie bit her lip; she did have, technically-speaking, a shirt underneath. Technically. But she definitely did not want to be caught in the open in just a sport bra, and definitely not in the cold. “Frisky for a shot person, dontcha think?”

“Well, I didn’t say she had common sense, now, did I?”

Rylie pursed her lips at this; he was right. She didn’t seem to have much common sense. Maybe she was thinking of Blitzkreiging into the hospital, Rambo-style. That was a stupid idea, though.

"It's me Mason don't shoot" he said walking over to them. "First things first do we know where anyone else is, and two what do we do now?, he asked to no one in particular. Mason looked around the room at the staff sergeant and first lieutenant.

“We’re still missing a few,” called Vedenin, “Viktoriya. She went with the other group.”

[The Hoosier Alliance]

"Hey! Everything alright here?' Brandon said as he entered the room. He looked around and saw the condition some of the people were in. He also looked around, rifle at the ready, in case there were any hunters in the area. He barely made it out of the last scuffle and didn't feel like getting caught with his pants down yet again.

"Are the hunters gon-" then he smelled it. The smell of flesh, blood, and feces. All together. He gagged and turned his head away. When he got himself back under control he resumed speaking. "Hunters ambushed us in the other room. I think most people are fine, but a few people bought it, I think," Brandon said to no one in particular. His eyes once again wandered, scanning for threats.

"So," he began, "what should our next move be? It is definitely not safe here anymore."

[Anowa]

"Hey! Everything alright here?' Brandon said as he entered the room. He looked around and saw the condition some of the people were in. He also looked around, rifle at the ready, in case there were any hunters in the area. He barely made it out of the last scuffle and didn't feel like getting caught with his pants down yet again.

"Are the hunters gon-" then he smelled it. The smell of flesh, blood, and feces. All together. He gagged and turned his head away. When he got himself back under control he resumed speaking. "Hunters ambushed us in the other room. I think most people are fine, but a few people bought it, I think," Brandon said to no one in particular. His eyes once again wandered, scanning for threats.

"So," he began, "what should our next move be? It is definitely not safe here anymore."

Anna gave her two cents nigh immediately. "Hospital, no doubt I'm not the only one who's hurt. Whether or not I'm the gravest condition is up for debate. Regardless picking up medical supplies should be on our to do list." It wasn't easy trying to compartmentalize when your internal fluids are starting to drip down your leg. At least it wasn't an artery or a major organ. The the soon to be onset of lightheadedness and a lack of balance would hurt her more than the gunshot wound would. Hesitating will kill you, that's another thing her mother drilled into her head.

Speaking of her mother. She had just entered the main hall again. This time with Connifer draped over her shoulders. Despite her age, she was far from a weak old woman, the massive scar on the right side of her face was evidence to that fact. The Former VDV settled into a kneeling position as she regarded everyone. "I'm fine Vedinin. And I have to concur with my daughter. Everyone's conditions aside, medical supplies are a must if we want to survive from here on out. Weapons can be made at a later date, taking care of the wounded takes priority." The reasons of which she wanted the wounded taken care of she did not say out loud, but Viktoriya knew that the sooner they had no dead-weight, the better.

[Futrellia]

Alexander

Alex was looking around the chaos totally lost.

He saw many other civilians and military personals running to the East but instead of that the thought of them revealing that he was a firefly was too great but a great battle happened in his mind whether it was safe or not. East won and so he tried to run to the East hall but he saw someone trying to escape, someone familiar he can't recognize. And a baseball bat! And so he ran to the bat first and into Dustin.

"Hey buddy we need to leave, give me your gun and use this bat as a walking stick" Alex said and he helped Dustin on his feet taking his pistol and gave him the baseball bat and escorted themselves to the East hall.

Dustin Cole

Dustin finally could see Alexander, and limping over, he grabbed ahold of his shoulder, using it as a crutch to support him as every step it took, he could feel his insides twist and turn, making it extremely difficult to breathe. Alexander began to speak to him, handing him a bat and grabbing ahold of his gun, his intention to allow Dustin to put his weight on the bat, making it easier to walk.

"Thanks, Alex. I'f i had known this tray-full of bullshit was gonna happen, i would have stayed mah happy ass back in Garden City. Rather had taken my chances with the goddamn bloaters. But...i got that bastard before he could get me any worse. Lucky Miss Daisy, ooo!" He said grabbing his ribs once more, but causing more pain than before, so his hand flew off of them. He allowed Alexander to lead the way with the weapon. He knew he had six shots left, but Dustin had another clip, just in case. If shit went sideways, Dustin may be hurt, but he wasn't going to let his mission buddy take anymore shit.

[Ormata]

Vedenin Arseniy Valeryevich, Rylie Ashley Knox
Murrell’s Inlet

Anna gave her two cents nigh immediately. "Hospital, no doubt I'm not the only one who's hurt. Whether or not I'm the gravest condition is up for debate. Regardless picking up medical supplies should be on our to do list."

"I'm fine Vedinin. And I have to concur with my daughter. Everyone's conditions aside, medical supplies are a must if we want to survive from here on out. Weapons can be made at a later date, taking care of the wounded takes priority."

Viktoriya made sense; helping the wounded now would be smarter than doing what Anna was doing. Weapons held a secondary priority, though for a moment Vedenin wondered whether the hospital would be safe. After all, the entire inlet had proven itself incapable of defense, with the hunters being able to sneak up on them and the like without the guards noticing. He doubted the hospital was any different.

Well. They would just have to be on their guard, that was all. Hospitals were designed to have ease of access, and that meant relatively simple design schemes compared to most buildings. They would simply have to stay aware and not have people start to scream.

Rylie rubbed her bandage, picking-up her rucksack and checking that everything was inside. She had dropped it when she had come-in; the crowd was a crowd, though one instance had made most recall that you did not steal from her. That was how balls were lost. Everything was inside it, and she took-out the broken hatchet.

While it was broke, it was very, very hefty. Good metal was heavy, and it was that. Blunt or no, heaving it at an enemy would most certainly kill them, maim them, whatever worked. Her switchblade was too short, and her reach mediocre, and she did not want to get any closer than she had to to those bastard hunters. Shouldering the zipped back, Rylie nodded, ready to move.

A thought occurred to Vedenin, then. Infected. The hunters had to have gotten past the perimeter guards, and they normally liked to kill those in front of them. Risking an attack from the rear was not how they operated, and having to break-through a perimeter twice would seem unnecessary to them. They would have killed the guards. As such...infected would have little in the way of actual people to fight past. As a cruel joke, perhaps the hunters had even removed some of the obstacles. Vedenin could believe that.

“We should get moving, then. I don’t know if this place is safe. Those hunters had to get past the guards, and I doubt they left them living. Infected might be near.”

[Galdius]

Lieutenant Sam Pryzbylewski
Murrell’s Inlet


<:: Hearing you loud and clear Polak, this is Lieutenant Friedrich Von Stetten, I'm in the main-hall - we've at least one man and three civies in the rear offices, so check your fire. Main hall seems secure for now, but we've got gun-fire up-top, how copy? ::>

As the team prepared to breach into the room, a communication came over the line. It was from a fellow lieutenant. One by the name of First-Lieutenant Friedrich Von Stetten. She had heard of him a few times from idle conversation with other soldiers. he had a bit of a reputation for being a bit of a dull hard-ass. But at this point, they could have used a few more hard asses with how lax everything had become. Sam's arm shot up in a fist, signalling her men to stop, as the voice continued to inform her of the situation. They had been late to the party. He was positioned in the main hall and they had cleared that area out. At-least one of their guy's and a bunch of civvies in the back room, signalling that the back was mostly clear aside from a few civilians. Judging now by the lack of sustained gunfire or shouting, chances where, it was clear.

"Alright, we've got friendlies in the main hall and in the offices. Watch your fire." she stated clearly and precisely to the two other soldiers. "We are going to make entry and move to the main hall, our priority now is to regroup with any survivors and move to the hospital." Sams left hand slipped over her radio again, pressing down the broadcast button as she gave her waiting troops a simple nodding action to the door, giving them the all clear to move in.

<:: Loud and clear lieutenant, My team and I are coming to you. Over. ::>

In one swift move, the door was pushed open, With Sam and her men pushing into the room with their weapons in a low ready stance. "Friendlies!" Sam bellowed loudly as they pushed towards the main hall through the offices, eventually reaching the open door leading straight into the main hall. Spotting what appeared to be a few soldiers who looked like they had been through hell holding town square, with their uniforms speckled with fresh blood and dust, contrasting with her units mostly clean uniforms. The lobby itself wasn't any better either. Bullet-holes, shell cases and rubble was scattered across the room, various corpses decorated the floors across the hall with fresh pools congealing around some, and blood and chunks of flesh was splattered on the walls around them. The explosion, likely from some jerry-rigged shrapnel bomb had certainly did its job. "The one day I don't bring my fuckin' helmet." Sam spat under her breath, the scene in-front of her still registering in her mind. She had seen far worse in her life time and rather sickeningly committed similar acts. A 50 cal tended to produce similar results when used on a person. But these where people that she might have knew, people she had may walked past in the street and even had an extended conversations with. It was people she may have knew who lay on the ground mashed up into a unrecognisable pulp. Not nameless nobodies who she didn't give a shit about who elected to take a potshot at a military convoy and got on the wrong side of her gun.

Fuckin' animals.

Running her freehand over her black Bennie, she took a second to compose herself. Taking a large outward sigh as she looked around with a blank expression unsure how to feel about the scene that was displayed in-front of her. Spotting a couple of soldiers who had been slain, now unrecognisable and a few wounded civilians in need of basic medical attention. "see what you can you guys see what you can do with the wounded, try and get them stabilised enough to move.." Sam edited with a sigh, sending the two soldiers under her command moved towards the wounded as Sam continued to walk towards the remaining troops. They couldn't stay here for long. More attackers would be likely to show up, and if these wounded wanted a chance of survival they would have to push towards the hospital, which was likely over run by now. Fuck. The entire place was soon likely to be overrun at this rate. Before she could say anything however. The once solid voice of their commander, now thoroughly shaken came over the net.

<:: Break, Break. This is Guardian actual! Multiple contacts within wall! I repeat! multiple contacts within the wall! Active units are to engage any non military personnel on the streets. I repeat! Engage any non military personnel on the streets. This is a direct order. Out ::>

She couldn't exactly believe what she was hearing, it was understandable, bandits didn't wear a uniform of any sort, but having the actual order come straight from the horses mouth was troubling. It was now definitely FUBAR. Survival instinct was starting to take over. The chain of command meant very little as of that moment and she wasn't about to follow an order that had her shooting civilians. "We've got to get these wounded to the hospital and then start thinking of getting the fuck out of dodge." Sam stated to the remaining troops, It was desertion, but she didn't give a fuck at this rate. Getting these people to safety and survival was now prescient. "Last I heard over the net that it was in the process of being overrun, so we need to work together and get over there as fast as we can. Quicker we get to it the less trouble It'll be. Is everyone here able to move?"

[Kentucky Fried Land]

The survivors had gathered about the town hall, hovering over the dead like flies drawn to a stink. It was soon then, that they moved on, unable to bear the smell any longer. Anna would have about thirteen minutes then, before the Staff Sergeant herself bandaged the girl up. Emily Porter led them, cracking her neck and knuckles simultaneously. As they walked down, the sky only grew darker, a light mist dripping onto their weary heads.

They could hear ungodly screams from the fog; runners. They had passed into the QZ,?and a cold chill went down the length of Porter’s spine. They passed through the park, the foods uprooted and dragged. Of course, soon enough they reached the hospital. It was a smaller building, only one floor tall. The front doors granted them entry with a one-handed push, and then the Staff Sergeant turned to the group. “Listen up, people. Me and Friedrich have been talking, and we’ve decided on what’s going to happen.” She looked at Sam, who outranked both of them. Friedrich was less of a field officer, however, if that even changed anything. Porter had been born post-9/11, unsure of what the world was like before disaster. Who truly was? Even those before that day were in the mess of the Cold War and Vietnam. Back to the point, Porter wasn't really sure of military rankings anymore.

“We’ll be splitting up into teams, each assigned to a different room. Vedenin, David, and Sergeant Walsh. You three head to materials management, there you’ll grab anything you can find in the area. We keep a lot of general stock back there, so if you can find tools for weapons, or food or something bring it back. That brings us to our next group. Viktoriya, Rylie, Connor, and Private Rose. You are to head into the Hayden classroom. We keep extra clothes and backpacks in there, so only grab clothes that we’ll need. Then, we’ll stuff whatever anybody else finds into these backpacks. First Lieutenant Stetten is to move into administration with the materials management team, where he will search through all of our medical papers. That means your psychologist visits, regular checkups, physicals and such are all recorded, in that filing cabinet. He’s going to recover those papers and bring’em back. Now, Corporal Kurwell, Lieutenant Pryzbylewski, Alexander, and Dustin. You four are to search the courtyard and the CATH lab, just make sure that the next team stays safe. Try and be subtle about it too, alright? Anyways, after them. Nick, grab your sister, Brandon, Anna, Connifer and PFC Johnson. You six go to the cafeteria and grab whatever medical supplies you can, patch yourselves up. Me, Sergeant Seltzer and Corporal Bassett will stay here, guard the front entrance. Once each group is done, they should grab everything they were told to and head to the cafeteria. Lieutenant Pryzbylewski and First Lieutenant Stetten, one of you call me on the radio whenever everyone is in the cafeteria. Then, we’ll move out to the wall, climb over.” She paused finally, her long command taking the breath away from her. For a second she looked deep in thought, then made an indication was if she had finally figured something obvious out.

“One more thing. Ground rules for the cafeteria. You are not to go near the kitchen doors. It is locked, padlocked, chained, boarded and bolted up for a reason. You are definitely not to attempt to open the kitchen doors. Try and not be very loud, either. Understand? Good. Dismissed.”

They were going to try and move all of their medical supplies from the cafeteria today. But then they had been under attack. Porter just hoped that nobody would so much as touch those doors, if they understood what was good for them.

[Kylantha]

---

Lyle Tasche Sorenson, Cedric Rothstein Smith

---

Even before the sun began its daily ascent towards the peak of the sky, Lyle Sorenson was already awake and alert. He'd been sitting quietly on one of the long tables that accomodated his plants. As the light and warmth touched his back, he glanced over his shoulder. "Good morning, everyone. I hope you're all well and happy today." he softly said, pushing off the table and onto the stained tile floors of the rooftop on which he lived. Of course, with this greeting, he referred to the plants he'd been caring for. There was no one on the roof, after all. Not anyone who could give a reply, anyway.

Lyle had no one at the moment. Lieutenant Doyle was the only person that Lyle could consider true family in Murrell's Inlet. She had willingly taken Lyle under her wing after the raid that separated him from his family. Doyle comforted Lyle and apologized for what happened to his father, and promised him that one day, she herself would help him search for his remaining family. But now, that would never happen. Lieutenant Doyle was recently lost while on patrol, at the hands of Hunters. After that, Lyle became even more withdrawn, and he almost never left the rooftop unless it was to help with the town's improvised farm or to share his harvests with the populace.

No one cared. Lyle was just a kid from outside, and what mattered was that he worked for the good of the QZ.

But Lyle did. He cared for the town. Or.. For the plants, rather. He made few connections to the town's dwellers and so, had no reason to sympathize with them. All Lyle needed to do was care for these wonderful little plants. They were all that Lieutenant Doyle had left. Lyle considered this his own way of repaying her for her kindness and unconditional love. As Lyle prepared his tools and began making arounds among the garden, Lyle wondered if Lieutenant Doyle had once had children of her own that she lost or failed to care properly for. Perhaps she was trying to make amends.

Yes. Or no. But I'll never really find the truth to that, will I?

Lyle gave a soft sigh, slightly tilting the rust blue watering can in his hand to water one of his tomato plants. It was oddly the only one without any tomatoes. Grimacing, Lyle settled the can upon the table and leaned forward, bringing his face up close to the plant. "Hello little one..." he whispered. "What's the matter?.. Are you feeling under the weather?.. All alone?" Lyle smiled thinly and reached out to gently stroke the plant's leaves. "It's alright. I'm here. I'll take care of you, even if you're feeling down. I won't leave you all alone." Humming a soft tune to himself, Lyle takes the pot in his hands and moves the tomato plant to a spot where it would get the most sunlight for the morning.

Then came the announcement. It was time. Lyle walked over to the edge of the rooftop to look over Murrell's Inlet. Looking down into the streets, he could now see the townspeople leaving their dwellings to report for the scans. Lyle almost didn't want to go himself, but he needed to. He wanted to assure himself that he was clean. So before that, Lyle made sure to wipe himself down with a wet cloth and clean water, brush his teeth, and fix his hair just to be sure. As he put his clothes on, he slipped his ceramic knife into the tear in his windbreaker, pocketed his beloved bottle of isopropyl alcohol and mint gums, and readied his backpack which carried his gloves, hat, and slightly warped encyclopedia.

Before heading to the door, Lyle then remembers that he was going to farm today.. So he really needed to increase his inventory. He paused in thought, looking over the garden in front of him before abruptly moving out of place and taking some fertilizers, his watering can, a trowel, and a border fork, and subsequently placing them in order at the bottom of his bag. The rest would be at the ready at the town park-slash-farm. Lyle turns to leave for the second time, but freezes for a moment. Then, turning around, he takes the little tomato plant and heads off. There was whole day ahead of him.

---

"Cedric.. Cedric.. Come on, wake up. They're calling us up to the town hall." said Cedric's sister as she shook her brother out of sleep. He waved his hand weakly in response, rolling over to his side. "Yeah, yeah, just a minute."

Cedric's sister groaned, stepping away from the makeshift bed with her hands firmly on her hips. "Just a minute, huh?" she looks about the room and takes an unfinished glass of water, then dumps it over Cedric's head, bringing him to a seated position. "Get. Up!" she pointed towards the door, ready to fetch another glass in case her stubborn brother refused.

"Alright, alright. Damn it." Cedric raised his hands in surrender, grudgingly rolling out of bed. "Just let me get changed."

His sister nods. "You'd better change. If I come back here and you're back in bed the next thing I'll throw over you is the artichoke soup from last night." she points the glass threateningly at Cedric before stepping out of the room.

A few minutes later, Cedric comes downstairs. His sister was just on the way up herself, believing he'd gone back in bed. Cedric gives her a questioning look, and she nods to him. "Good." she says, turning back the way she came. Downstairs, breakfast was ready, but Cedric had no more time. His mum tells him to eat quickly as they make ready for today's scans. Once finished, the Smiths quickly depart. Outside they join a number of people heading out as well. Some people were still obviously sleepy, while others were obviously morning people. Cedric related more to the former.

As they walked, Cedric saw someone familiar. It was Fairfax. The boy had a backpack and some plant in his hands. "Hey mom, I'm just going to go see Fairfax over there." Cedric says, and his mom replies with a curt nod as they hurry to the town hall. Veering away, Cedric does his best to weave through the moving crowd towards Lyle. His sister follows a bit later, not willing to be left out. She also secretly wanted to hear what Lyle had to say about this morning.

"Fairfax!" calls Cedric, dodging a man and his wife. Lyle stops in his tracks and turns to Cedric, his sister in tow. "Good morning." he says monotonously, holding the pot protectively to his side. Cedric nods, unsure as to how he should reply. "Yeah. Good morning." he says a little awkwardly. Jerking his head to the side, Cedric begins walking alongside Lyle, who seems far too distracted with his tomato plant to raise any conversation, so Cedric starts. "So.. Heading to the farm after scans?" he asks. Lyle replies with a nod. It takes a few minutes before he gives a verbal reply. "This plant needs me."

Cedric grins a little, turning to his sister, who wedges her elbow into him in annoyance. "That's a tomato plant, isn't it?" she asks Lyle, suddenly changing moods. Lyle looks up momentarily, before the plant takes his attention once again.

"Yes. Yes it is. It's feeling very upset. It needs me to care for it." Lyle says, stroking the tomato plant's leaves. Cedric almost failed at keeping in his laugh. He just felt it was ridiculous that this kid really thought that the plants talked to him.

Cedric's sister chuckles sweetly. "I'm sure you'll do a great job, Fairfax."

Hearing this, Cedric sniggers a little himself. He makes two lips out of his hands and brings them together, consequently getting another elbow to his left side. The second one hurt even more. Mouthing insults at his sister, he rubs at his side, not noticing as Lyle walks further ahead once the town hall is in sight. The siblings hurry after him, their parents not far behind.

At town hall, people were segregated into lines, as was usual. Lyle tagged along after a particularly short line, and Cedric and his sister got permission from their parents before following the young blondie. Lyle seemed to have forgotten about the potted plant in his hands as he walked up to the desk and was asked for his name. "Fairfax." he said slowly, staring at the plant. The soldier who'd asked him gave the boy a weird look before waving him away and calling the Smith sibs forward. Once all three kids were done, they waited at the side for Cedric's parents. Lyle didn't want to stay for very long, but since the Smiths were on farm duty today, he guessed it was fine to wait for them.

While the scans progressed however, there seemed to be some isolated pockets of chaos amongst the crowd. Someone had apparently been identified as infected, and it immediately got Lyle's attention. Another one, huh? he thought absentmindedly whilst stroking the leaves of his dear plant. Cedric just shook his head. "Crazy bastards coming in here, putting us all in danger." he remarks, getting a scoff from his sister. Naturally, she felt sorry for the guy as he was dragged off in tears. He would probably be put down. Then a little bit after that, another guy seemed to break down. Maybe he was infected, too? But it didn't seem so as some soldiers came up to him to try and calm him down.

At that point Lyle had lost interest and had taken a spot near a row of long, comfy chairs. Cedric and his sister followed quietly. They were getting tired of standing up, anyway. While his sister searched through the crowd for their parents, Cedric scooted up next to Lyle. "So.. What's wrong with the plant? Is it dying?"

Lyle looked up at Cedric. "I sure hope not. I'm going to make sure it gets better."

Cedric just nodded. The kid sure was awkward, but he seemed cool, even with all the weird stuff he often said and did. Cedric decided to push a tad further. "How are you going to do that?" he asks Lyle.

The boy takes a pause. He sniffles, then shrugs. "I'm not sure yet. But from this moment forward... I'll be keeping a close eye on it. I won't let it out of my sight."

Again, Cedric nods, unable to keep himself from grinning. He forced himself into a mindset that would understand Lyle's condition, if ever he had one. The boy was probably autistic or something, or was a bit of a psycho. Either way, he was cool.
Feeling otherwise fine, Cedric leaned back, head rested against his palms. He, his sister, and Lyle were unaware that Hunters had encroached into the QZ and were ready for a slaughter. The three youths were luckily at the side, unlikely to be under immediate fire. But when it began, chaos overtook them. Lyle jolted out of his seat and hoisted himself over to the other side of the sofa about a minute after the first explosion went off. Cedric pull his sister back as gunfire commenced and tore through the hapless crowds of townspeople.

Screams filled the air amidst the gunfire and Cedric kept his sister's head down while she called for their parents, who unfortunately were shot down by the Hunters who had taken up positions upon the balcony. When Cedric found an interval as the Hunters receded behind cover to reload, he roughly grabbed his sister and nudged her towards the back of the Town Hall. They only narrowly escaped gunfire as Cedric pushed a window open and hoisted his sister over it. Fortunately, the Hunters were by then just preparing to flank the soldiers. Cedric jumped out and shouted at his sister to run.

Meanwhile, Lyle remained behind the chair. He remained frozen, holding the pot up close. "Shh, shh." he muttered, "It's alright. They won't shoot you. I won't let them." In his blind panic, Lyle made for the front door. The Hunters were fortunately nowhere in sight, and he ran with his head down along the sides of the building before scrambling off into the hedges outside the town hall's vicinity. There he remained until the gunshots went off once again. As the Hunters were distracted with their enemies, Lyle saw people running away, and he thought it was best to follow them.

Cedric's sister staggered as they reached the inner streets, falling to her knees in distress. Cedric tried to get her up, but she would only go a few steps. "I.. I saw them go down, Cedric. I saw them go down." she sobbed, taking handfuls of her brother's shirt in grief. A little later, Lyle comes down the street, noticing them. Cedric suddenly remembered. He'd left Fairfax at the town hall earlier, in an effort to protect his sister. He was glad that the boy was safe, but he also hoped he wasn't all to angry that he'd been abandoned, but Lyle seemed not to notice.

"Is she hurt?" he asked, glancing back down the street as the gunfight at the town hall dragged on. Cedric shook his head in reply, and Lyle nods. "Good. Now, quickly, we need to get as far away from the town hall as possible. I imagine they'll come after us once they're finished." Cedric was a little stunned. That was the first time Lyle said so much in one sentence, but he couldn't waste any more time. Bringing his sister up to her feet, they ran along with a few other terrified survivors to the hospital. Hopefully they were safe there. When they arrived, Cedric began to pillage as many supplies as he could, stuffing them in his pockets, in his sister's book bag, and he passed some to Fairfax as well.

"Come on." he tells the boy, who incredibly still has the tomato plant in his hands. "Let's find somewhere safe." Nodding, Lyle follows, assisting Cedric in bringing his sister along to the classrooms, where Cedric finds a bag and places the stuff he needs inside of them. They needed to be well equipped for the situation.

While Cedric comforted his sister, Lyle leaned against a wall and slid down. He wiped a tear from his eye and continued shushing the plant. "We're going to be fine." he said repeatedly to himself and to the tomato plant. He was calm, but the fact that so many people had lost their lives in that short span of time was something he could not withhold from his mind. He wanted to cry, but didn't. He sniffled a few times, felt lightheaded, but that was about it. They were gone from this world. They could not be saved. What mattered was them. They who were living, and yet to find their own deaths. Lyle moved behind a table with the young Smiths, shutting his eyes and letting the fear and shock pass.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

Brandon listened to the woman and nodded when she was done.

The kitchen doors? he thought, What could be behind those? This made him very suspicious. He wanted to know what was behind those doors. Would he try to open them? He didn't know. What he did know, however, was that the hospital needed ransacking. He looked to the people that were supposed to go to the cafeteria with him and said, "Lets go. The sooner we get this shit, the sooner we can get outta here."

With that, he walked through the doors, rifle at the ready.

[Futrellia]

Dustin Cole
Teamed with Cpl. Kurwell, Lt. Pryzbylewski, and Alexander

Dustin listened closely as the teams were made, each's objective located in different areas of the hospital. The fact that they could hear runners from within the fog was unsettling, but as long as someone locked the doors of the hospital, there was a chance that they would survive, but that was just speculation. There was also a chance that none of them were going to live through the night. Maybe more hunters, maybe the runners, maybe each other. Dustin tried to stand straight, using his baseball bat to balance himself, loosening his grip on Alexander's shoulder and eventually letting go. The pain was still like thousands of shards of glass piercing his flesh from the inside, and he had very little doubt in his mind that his ribs were broken, maybe even worse, but in order to survive, he had to push through the pain. He would rather suffer the pain of hundreds of broken ribs than to not live through the night. After what he's seen, from his travels from East Texas to Murrell's Inlet, he had decided long ago, that there was a fate worse than death: turning into one of the millions of infected that now roamed the shattered remains of the United States of America, looking for just one survivor to tear into, thrashing about on their bodies, tearing their limbs from their torso, ripping the skin off of their muscle, then ripping the muscle off of the bone. He was determined to fight, no matter what his body suffered. After the team was picked for Dustin, he was a bit nervous. Alexander and him were both Fireflies, something that would cause the instant execution of them if the two soldiers with them found out. Dustin would keep his mouth shut with them, not saying a word unless he absolutely had to. And if the two soldiers did manage to find out something was up with them...well...Dustin spent his free time lifting weights, running, building muscle mass, taking a few hand to hand lessons from Marines and Soldiers turned Fireflies. He was by no means a weak man, and if the team came to blows, broken ribs wouldn't stop him from doing what he needed to do. But Dustin was praying to the Lord that it wouldn't come to that. That even if they found out about their allegiance to the Fireflies, that the need to survive would overcome their need to follow orders to shoot to kill.

Dustin took a few steps and the pain worsened, forcing him to level a small fraction of his weight unto the bat, but he had walked successfully. He would keep up.

He turned to Alexander, who still had his 1911 pistol.

"Don't fuck up my gun. Here's another clip. You only have 6 rounds left in that one that's in there. If shit hits the fan, make 'em count. Let's go, guys." Dustin said, pulling another clip out from the opened slot on his backpack and handing it to him. Oh how he wished he grabbed an AR-15 or a double barrel, or something a little more powerful than a pistol, he wasn't expecting anything too dangerous in a Military-protected settlement. Guess he was wrong.

[Zhaas123]

Mason got back from the huddle, he looked at Vedenin, David "Ok men we got our orders, stay close and quiet" he paused for a moment "We might got infected in the walls so be on the watch" he said. he walked a bit towards the direction of the materials compound, but turned and waited for Vedenin and David to talk other survivors before going.

[The Hoosier Alliance]

Brandon walked down the hallway to the cafeteria with those in his team. So far, everyone was silent. He looked back and studied them for a moment. He didn't really know any of these people. He recognized a few of them by sight, but didn't know anything about them. Brandon really, really, didn't want to talk to anyone, but he knew that they would all have to get along for the time being. The best thing to do in his mind was to stay on good footing with his group members.

He slowed down until he was walking next to a woman about his age. She was probably the easiest person to relate to. Well, he hoped anyway. "Hi," he said," I'm Brandon. I don't think we've ever really met before. Anna, right? You feeling okay, need any help gettin' there?"