I Wish I Wasn't in Dixie: Across the Way (IC)

[Labstoska]

So Andrews was this man's name, the one who knew so much about the state of the world and their current unfortunate situation. Alistair hadn't even known that they were part of the crowd until he heard that voice pop up, odd how many people he had seen around his apartment block had been brought to this outpost. Yet any thoughts Alistair was having were pushed aside when he heard that they were only permitted one suitcase, he inwardly groaned at the idea of how much cramming he's going to have to do, he began running through all the things he wouldn't need; well he would still require his clothes as he wouldn't be staying long at the outpost hopefully and his kit for his arm was absolutely imperative and... Alistair knew that he wasn't going to be able to make a decision in a few minutes.

When the woman mentioned the elevator processing, Alistair became rather interested it had been years since he'd seen an elevator it must have been when he first came over to America, in Europe most elevators had been removed and converted into parts for the ongoing war and any building tall enough to require one had long since been torn down by Soviet rocket bombs. The sketchy looking apparatus within it however looked like a far more unappealing prospect.

Abruptly the man standing next to him burst into a viscous rage against the New Englander couple he had seen earlier in the cafeteria it was vaguely amusing to Alistair, even though the apocalypse was greatly literally happening right now the class divide still reared it's ugly head.

[Biscaria]

Nell & Edwin Choate

Nell was shocked by the rather dangerous-looking man's outburst. She and Edwin exchanged glances. Edwin was disturbed, and knew with his wife that the only good way to resolve the conflict at hand and cool this man's temper would be through diplomacy. He decided to speak.

"Good sir, I am a diplomat of New England, and your tone is frankly uncalled for," he said in a composed manner without losing his cool, despite internal fear of this man's intent. "We are indeed thankful for our safety. And with whatever privilege that we have enjoyed, we ultimately only wish to do what is best for everyone. Now sir, sanitation is important, and I apologize if I came off in the wrong manner before. You must know that my wife and I, in our positions, are committed to saving people from peril. Now I don't know of your background, but from your words you appear to be an intelligent man. As you said, we are all in this together. We have all lived together, and we all are able to cope with our situation. We must now all get along, please." He paused for breath. "No need for anger or accusations."

The voice of an old woman in the crowd replied immediately. "Hear, hear!"

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lobby]
12:12 pm

The lady in white could tell that tensions among the group were starting to flair partly due to the conditions of the city as well as the age old class division. She spoke up "In the interests of preventing unnecessary conflict, I feel it best if we start getting everyone to into smaller groups to head down the elevators to the testing floor. All the elevators head for the same floor, but it will be easier on the decontamination machines if everyone isn't cramped into one elevator". Despite mumbling from a somewhat sizeable portion of the crowd the people in the lobby eventually complied, and started splitting into smaller groups entering the glass elevators before them. Before the elevators started their descent the strange looking apparatuses in each one began spraying a gas into the area before tubing at the bottom flushed it out.

The lady in white assured everyone the gas was completely safe, and was to help erase any germs or disease the people might accidently have gotten exposed to from the outside world. As the elevators began descending the lady in white pressed a button near them, and announced to the staff waiting below that "the guests were on their way". The elevators began a long descent into what seemed like an underground facility, and once light appeared it seemed to confirm what some had thought. The front of the facility was a cover for something that was massive, and eventually the elevators stopped. The groups all converged, and began walking down a tunnel with strange lights that almost seemed to calm any negative or hostile thoughts they had.

When they reached the end of the tunnel, a team of people in hazmat suits approached them with the leader saying "We are so pleased for you to join us this fine day. I am the director for the Oklahoma City facility, and for the next few hours we will all get to know each other quite well. I know you all have questions, but first if you will please come with me to the information room, and take your seats I will explain everything." The director simply pointed the way to them as his team moved out of the way. The crowd slowly funneled into the information room, which seemed of an old movie theater, albeit less dingy, and with much more up to date technology. Instead of a projector there was a podium.

As people began filling out random seats the director moved to the podium, and one of his assistants tested the mic for him. It erupted to life somewhat loudly providing the room with a bit of a shock "My apologies ladies, and gentlemen, we are still experimenting with some new microphone technology, and it is a bit tricky. Now, I know this is all very overwhelming for many of you, but you must understand to be here in this facility means you have some incredible luck. After the 'second rising' in 1952 we were able to purchase a telegram/telephone company that went belly up after its investments in Mexico were destroyed by the violence there. Since then we have scanned, and tested the citizens of Oklahoma City, and the surrounding area getting people ready for the inevitable."

Suddenly the lights dimmed, and the walls all over the room lit up displaying maps of different kinds with ones labeled "first rising", "second rising", and "third rising" on the lefthand side. On the right hand side one labeled "global situation" displayed several countries that were blacked out with the biggest being the entirety of the Soviet union, and its occupation zone. "When the Third Rising happened we sent out the call, and evacuated the applicants who survived out to outpost-12. Originally there were 200,000 people accepted by 1962...the 'third rising' saw that number cut down to 27,000. Since the vast wave of refugees have started flowing into Oklahoma City we have managed to procure acceptance, and transit for three thousand more people".

The director coughed somewhat before continuing "Point is that had the third rising not been so severe...Oklahoma City would have been abandoned by us, and Outpost-12 closed down. So I truly ask that you consider yourselves lucky to have gotten this opportunity. In a moment you will be broken into small groups for a process we call the 'test', and in case you think about lying I wouldn't bother. Those lights that shined on you on the way in have a certain...negation effect on lies, deceit, and trickery as well as hostility for those of the more aggression proned. Once inside the test areas all you have to do is answer the questions with your hearts wide open, and then you can leave. Afterword we will scan through the results, and call up those who are accepted, but before we begin...does anyone have any questions?".

[Biscaria]

Nell & Edwin Choate

Nell had a question for the man regarding the test he spoke of.

"May I inquire," asked Nell considerately, "What is the nature of this "test" you speak of? What variety of questions do you plan to ask us?"

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lower Facility-Information Room]
12:20 pm

The facility director spoke up "Mrs. Choate, to put it simply the tests are to gauge your abilities, your history, and personality. Questions ranging from what lead you to your current situation to what you believe the future holds. Our mission is to ensure honesty in the candidates, and after a few particularly nasty incidents...we simply cannot allow people the choice anymore. The moment you walked in the lights began affecting you in a way that ended any potential trickery, and deception on your part. Of course it would hinder our work which is why we wear these suits to protect us."

The facility director continued "lies destroyed the world, and the new world must be built through honesty. Therefore we at the outposts believe that stripping down test candidates into what they truly are instead of allowing them to lie to us will benefit us, and ultimately humanity in the long run. The questions sometimes will not be pleasant, but you will answer them honestly, but at the end we calculate our results. Once that is done you will get your answer to whether or not you are accepted into the program. After that within a short time the Zeppelin will gather the accepted candidates, and transport them to Outpost-12...any other specific questions from the crowd?".

[Flarbinia]

"Are there any escape tunnels? None of the people who will be staying want to be trapped if things go to Hell in a hand basket." Sean Rockwell said to the lady in white, several of the men in the crowd nodding in agreement. A silence engulfed the room as everyone awaited her answer, Luca "The Carpenter" Soprano making the smirk he made when he made a business deal. While the lights made it impossible for him to lie, funding his real estate business with mob money was the truth. Still, it had struck him as odd that the Imperial Army had technology straight out of science fiction.

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lower Facility-Information Room]
12:22 pm

The director sighed "Mrs. White, if you wouldn't mind answering the mans question". The lady responded "of course sir, and as for the matter of escape tunnels the city used to have them until the 'second rising'. As it turns out they were great places for ghouls to hide, and swarm out when authorities thought they hunted the last of them down. Eventually it was decided to simply blast them with dynamite, and seal them up for good. if there are any actual escape tunnels out of the city you could either try the ridiculously complex sewer system, or try scouting out the homes of the wealthy upper hills district".

The director looked at Mrs. White giving what some thought was a look of alarm at her suggestion to raid the upper hills. The director spoke "Regardless, you should only have to worry about this if you are left behind. That said given the rumors mercenaries are crawling all over upper hills to defend their employers property especially the slaves running around there these days isn't so wise. Anyway, are there other questions the crowds would like to ask before we begin the testing?". Motioning to the crowd expecting people to ask anything on their hearts desired...since for the moment they might as well take use of this newfound forced honesty.

[Labstoska]

Alastair had had something on his mind from the moment he'd heard about this so called safe haven where people would be able to survive the apocalypse and now seemed like the perfect time to voice his concerns.

"Yes I have a question for you, you people seem awfully confident in your little outpost system and its defenses, what exactly makes you so sure that you can survive where all others failed because you see that there." Alistair pointed at the map with the greyed out Soviet Union " that right there is the Soviet f**king union who ripped there way through Europe and forced the two most powerful empires on Earth to their knees, so I find quite frustrating when you say that whatever you've got can easily withstand whatever killed all of continental Europe!"

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lower Facility-Information Room]
12:22 pm

The facility director somewhat smiled at the mans brazen question. "Unlike the countries, and their old order, we have been paying special attention to the various occultic groups, and their actions since they started picking up pace in the late twenties, and early thirties. Everyone thinks there is some scientific explanation to the ghouls, and other horrors running amok as the world bleeds to death, but truth is there isn't. Everything in the name of mans misfortune, and cruelty to fellow man is partly due to a variety of factions with varying goals, but they all have one interest in common. That interest being in manifesting powers beyond mortal comprehension for their own gain, and use in the "new order".

The director continued speaking "Truth is, this whole crisis right now is the prologue to a war that will stretch the globe as various factions fight over the dying embers of a choking planet. Whoever wins will ultimately take their crown regardless if they rule over a kingdom of ashen cities, and the dead. One faction in particular has been particularly active, and is perhaps the most responsible for the events of the last thirty to forty years. When our various founders gathered together the outpost program its because they knew this group would one day rise to be a threat of global proportions. Stopping them was unfeasible in the long term since wealthy patrons for the group could protect them, build them new sanctuaries, hire armies for them, and even bring in new followers".

Behind the director a giant map of the globe popped up with highlighted areas representing various chapters of this specific faction the man was referring to. Some of the room immediately knew who he was referring to when the map centered on an area in Mexico with Laggards Burrow as its epicenter. "The big man on the block is one some in this very room have experience in dealing with called the 'order of death'. They are an intricate network of various chapters united in the common goal of birthing their 'god' into our world, and ruling over its remains as 'enlightened immortals'. Regardless, we will survive because the order of death is running out of time to achieve their goals".

The map changed showing the density of human population, and how rapidly it has declined over the last month. "This has entirely been the result of their efforts, but...the powers they use come at a cost, and they are running out of people before their main event is about to happen. Should they fail this time, and rest assured they will...the number of humans in the outside world will be...at our best estimates around 5%. We, at the outposts will use our armies to purge the earth of their remaining number, and resettle the remains over the decades, and centuries to come. So there, Mr. Alastair is your answer we will survive because otherwise humanity will surely perish".

[Flarbinia]

"By depriving us of the right to remain silent? The ability to overcome the differences that prevent us from working together? God made it impossible to cooperate by taking away the ability to communicate. You made it impossible to cooperate by taking away the ability to keep a secret." Luca "The Carpenter" Soprano said to the woman in white, his voice filled with disdain. "If you want to build a new world, you don't allow grudges, old and new, between the workers to fester." Sean Rockwell said to the woman in white.

[Labstoska]

"Hah!" Alistair laughed and rolled his eyes at the two people who had spoken, the same one who had shouted at the New Englander earlier it seems as if this one would be particularly troublesome not to mention he was now espousing a string of socialist ideals which were dangerous even when said in passing, Alistair had seen first hand how a socialist regime could lead to the quite literal end of civilisation, Europe was an example to everyone of the failure of the socialist system. "What do we have here a pair of budding communists? And how would you propose for this new society to be constructed because I don't know about the rest of the people in this hall but I very much enjoy my ability to hold grudges, particularly against socialists for their rape of Europe!" Exclaimed to the two.

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lower Facility-Information Room]
12:25 pm

Mrs. White responded saying "secrecy is hardly good, even for the short term, and if you want to envision a world with it, all you will need to do is take a look out the window of your apartment. The military is keeping it secret that the city is going to fall by making a show of using everything they have to defend it, but it will fail rest assured ladies, and gentleman. Secrecy ultimately leads to lies whether out of malevolence or the false justification that 'the public cannot know'. We inform all of you of our intentions, and the truths of our world because we don't lie here at the Outpost-Program. Secrecy is ultimately a poisonous weapon, and one the various cults used to manipulate wars on a grand scale, and induce human suffering on levels never seen before."

She raised her hand pointing to a new map which came up demonstrating the rise in occult activity over the past forty or so years. "People afraid to die, and wanting to live forever gathered together in secrecy. The very soul of humanity is at stake ladies, and gentlemen, but it doesn't have to be. The actions of a few who pooled the resources of the world in order to wage their war for ill begotten power, and their true prize is rooted in decades of secrecy which lead to lies, deception of the public, and mass genocide. The order of death aren't the only ones involved in this ruse, and now that their work is done they have no need to hide as much. So, I ask you what good is secrecy if it destroyed the world?".

[Flarbinia]

"Nothing is that simple. I wish I could point a finger and say "That is the bad guy. He is the cause of this mess. Let's fuck him up." or "This is a problem. This is the perfect solution", but I can't. The world's problems are too complex to blame a man or a single human flaw for them, too nuanced to be understood from a black and white perspective. As for what I see outside my window, I saw Rome after its fall: too quiet, mostly empty streets, businesses closed down, thugs around every corner." Luca "The Carpenter" Soprano said to the woman in white. "You make false accusations when me and my employer are unable to retaliate? Do you know who does that? A coward." Sean Rockwell said to Alister as he stared down the shopkeeper.

[Labstoska]

Now they had gone over the edge, he had called Alistair right to the face a coward and Alistair had been taught from a young age that a man's honour was everything and to quite simply let something as insulting like that go... well that just wasn't allowed. "A coward... Your accusing me of cowardice? Let me ask you something have you ever been to Smolensk, lovely town it really was yet sadly there was a rather large ghoul horde nearby and well you've heard this story a thousand times before but I fought tooth and nail to escape that town... I had to kill some of the best men I knew because once one of those monsters sink their teeth into your arm there ain't hope for you anymore." Every word Alistair said dripped with venom and anger, he raised his clockwork arm to this man "You see this? I lost my arm for king and country, have you ever fought for a cause? Have you and your oh-so-important employer ever fought for anything more then your next pay check? If not then I would kindly ask that you stop referring to your betters as cowards!"

Alistair now turned on his heels to face Mrs White "As for you, you ask us what is the value to secrecy and in response I say everything! It is one of our fundamental rights, the reason people turn to anarchy and occultism is because under your governments we're held on leashes and everyday that leash is tightened, I know I've most likely forsaken my chance in your outposts but if your outposts mean that this world will be ruled by the nations that this world used to abhor then I have no desire to be a part of them, in fact to hell with them!"

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lower Facility-Information Room]
12:27 pm

Mrs. White responded to the man she seemingly found herself in a debate with. "Sir, I am afraid given the past several decades I have to disagree with you. There was a time in the world where the dead stayed dead, and corpses didn't have to be mangled beyond repair or burnt to ashes in order for the person to find peace. There was a time when ambitious men, and women pursued political power, wealth, and everyday vices instead of a nihilistic obsession with achieving immortality at the cost of their humanity, and our worlds existence. There was a time cults were seen as eccentric, and odd instead of small armies lead by fanatics intent on giving the world as sacrifice to attain something forbidden to us who are mortal. Now the old order is gone, and with it any excuse of political or sociological relativism that might have excused or explained away the various problems. The only cause that can explain it away the current order of affairs is humanities need for deception under guise of secrecy".


A distance voice echoed across the room "pacification field activated", and the room began to display a strange, and disorienting series of lights toward the crowd. "While this has been exciting, I am afraid we cannot allow anyone to start getting too out of control here Alistair. That said secrecy is an expendable affair especially when the overall fate of the human race is concerned. After the cult is done we speculate within a few weeks time five percent of the human population will be left on the planet. After the planet has healed over the course of a few decades we will begin repopulation efforts for the sake of a better world. A world in which humanity can begin to feel pride that they are in control of their destiny again".

Behind Mrs. White a map of global outposts popped up totaling 100 in number, and there were a few in England knowing this Mrs. White asked an assistant to zoom in on them. "After the flesh of the undead has rotted away, and the the cults responsible hunted down, and destroyed any of you will be able to make a life again. The nations of the world by this point will no longer exist, but given its a fresh start who knows what could happen? My home in Phoenix is gone sir, but yours doesn't have to be, and should you pass the test I can get the authority to relocate you to one of our facilities in England. If you so choose after passing our tests, I can evacuate you back to one of the facilities in England".

Mrs. White continued her speech " I am aware you will most likely want to go home, and you will get the chance to. That being said you may not survive the weeks to come as the end stages of this war happen all over the globe especially in your home country. However, what you choose to do is your own choice, but first you must pass our test. Otherwise there will be no feasible way to get back to England for the next century. By that point you will be long dead, so if you wish to leave this site, but don't waste the only chance you are going to ever get sir".

[Flarbinia]

"I have one last thing to say to the Brit before he takes the tests: I got into shootouts with slave catchers. If killing men who are cogs in an antiquated machine that I despise with all my heart ain't a cause, I don't know what is." Sean Rockwell said as he stumbled side to side like a sailor after a drinking binge, his tone and the expression on his face indicating that he was high as a kite. "I smuggled escaped slaves to freedom using my connections at the docks. Is that enough of a cause for you?" Luca "The Carpenter" Soprano said to Alistair, the effects of the pacification field making him jovial.

[Labstoska]

Every man had a weakness, a vice in which they could be bent to any cause and for Alistair it was home when Mrs White said about the outposts in England two emotions swirled through Alistair's mind; the idea that his nation and people may survive the end was immensely uplifting, however shame also flooded through Alistair, he knew that he would be unable to leave the compound and in a way a small bit of his dignity crumbled for the offer of home was far too tantalising to Alistair. Silently Alistair sat back down and said in a grim tone "Well you've got me there, is there any news coming out of England or... I just want to make sure that if I do pass these tests that there's an England to go back to". Yet something didn't make sense to Alistair how did this woman know about his desperation for home, he'd have to do a full search of his room to see if he could spot any sort of bug that they could listen to him through he wouldn't put it past the Columbian government to do that

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lower Facility-Information Room]
12:30 pm

The same voice that called out to announce the activation of the pacification field began to call out from a list of names. "The following individuals are now expected in the various testing rooms so please listen carefully. Nelson Andrews is expected in room 1-A, and James Montgomery is expected in room 1-B. The Choates are expected in room 1-C while Sean Rockwell is expected in room 2-A. Luca Saprano is expected in room 2-B, and Allister Halleck is expected in room 2-C. There will be more names called shortly so please wait your turn at the tests everyone".

With that assistants in hazmat suits started to disperse into the information room, and collect the individuals needed for their testing. As the various people were funnel out of the room, and into a long hallway the last to leave was Allister. Mrs. White spoke briefly to him before he left "Don't worry, with the facilities we have over in England your home country in some form will survive this current disaster". A look of concern on her face displayed the fact she was very serious about what she was telling Allister. With a brief exchange of goodbyes Allister was the last to leave, and after a short walk they arrived at a series of numbered rooms.

This group didn't have to walk far to get to their rooms at all, but a more observant eye noted the numbers went all the way to ten. Each repeating in the similar fashion of "A,B, and C" before going on to the next number. Their rooms faced each other on the opposite sides of the room forming a half circle shape. Some of them could be forgiven if they thought this part of the building had been shaped this way for some symbolic purpose, but with the original owner gone no one knows exactly why anymore. A voice came on as each person entered their room "Welcome, everyone, the purpose of this test is quite simple, and only a few questions in length...all you have to do is answer, and then you can leave".

The rooms were somewhat spartan, and each had a table with a form on it containing a few questions, and a note of congratulations from a "Mr. Gray". This mysterious person may have very well been the purpose who just spoke to them quickly, but such matters were for later. That said the note of congratulations expected the answers to be completely honest as it was a matter of life, and death.

1) What could you bring to the outpost-program if you were accepted?

2) What are your most valuable skills which can be used to help rebuild humanity?

3) Have you ever suspected or had a confirmed experience with something of the occult?

4) When did you last have this experience, and what did you do about it?

5) What would you consider your greatest weakness?

6) How have you tried to cope with this weakness?

7) Why did you choose to come to Oklahoma City?

8 ) Why should we accept you into the program?

[Flarbinia]

Room 2-A. Outpost-12. Oklahoma City
"I am a marksman with handguns. My skill with firearms is my most valuable skill. A secret society offered me fifty thousand in gold to whack a rogue agent. Yesterday. I don't know why they want him dead, so I will be trying to find out what he did. I am stubborn. I have tried thinking about the money I could make. I came to this fine city to find work. I need to find out if anyone is willing to hire a bodyguard. People don't rat for free." Sean Rockwell wrote.
Room 2-B. Outpost-12. Oklahoma City
"I am a negotiator. As a businessman, I am skilled in diplomacy. One of my clients was an eccentric with a library full of books on pagan myths and a basement with a sacrificial altar in the center. Five years ago. My business partner hired Mister Moon to take him to the Hudson and fit him for cement shoes. I cannot tolerate failure or betrayal. I remind my staff what happens to incompetents and traitors. I need to find out about the competition." Luca "The Carpenter" Soprano wrote.

[Biscaria]

Nell & Edwin Choate

As others in the crowd, including that suavely dangerous man and the clockwork-armed Brit, lodged further questions and went on, the Choates remained silent and listened. In this environment, there would be no need to get involved. They were were somewhat more disheartened, however; after everything these outpost people had said, they knew there was little hope that their plan to have all the New Englanders in their jurisdiction saved by the outpost program would work. With this test, it didn't even seem guaranteed that they would be saved. The Choates accepted their losses, but weren't sure what they'd tell those New Englanders who weren't present.

When the British man asked about England and received word that there were outposts in New England, Nell remarked to Edwin. "Well if there are outposts in England, let's hope then that there are some in New England."

Edwin gave a smile. "I don't see why they wouldn't. Us Yankees are an enduring lot, persisting after all since the 17th century. "

Defusing tension, Nell gave off a little laugh. "Oh if only the Old Planters could see us now!"

When it came time for the testing, all the New Englanders in the crowd, including Jim Derby, Ellie Bartoll, the Herricks, and Mrs. Walcott, would go off to the rooms they were called to. When they were called, Nell and Edwin willingly went arm in arm to the room 1-C. They sat down by the table in the room, read their notes, and responded to the voice on the intercom.

"Mr. Gray? What is it with the color coding? Ugh... well, we leave after we answer this..." spoke Nell.

"I suppose we should begin then," replied Edwin. "There's pens here." He handed one to his wife.

"Ah, thank you, dear. Yes, let's get this over with..."

Response of Edwin Choate

1) What could you bring to the outpost-program if you were accepted?
I'd bring my skill in diplomatic and administrative work. I would capable in both roles. I have my BA degree in policy from Brown University.

2) What are your most valuable skills which can be used to help rebuild humanity?
My diplomatic knowledge, and intellectual knowledge. Administrative skills too, since this new humanity should be civilized, of course. If things get rough, I was in the Scouts as a child, and I still know the skills of survival I believe.

3) Have you ever suspected or had a confirmed experience with something of the occult?
No, not that I am aware of. I try to stay away from that sort of thing.

4) When did you last have this experience, and what did you do about it?
I don't think I've had an experience of that kind I'm afraid.

5) What would you consider your greatest weakness?
I don't like conflict at all, or bloody and spooky things.

6) How have you tried to cope with this weakness?
Nell has been a great help to be more assertive in my diplomacy. I'd still rather not do spooky things.

7) Why did you choose to come to Oklahoma City?
I came to be in charge of the New England diplomatic mission here as Consul General for the Columbian Mid-West, little over three years ago. It was a remarkable opportunity.

Why should we accept you into the program
I would be a good diplomat and capable administrator.

Response of Nell Choate

1) What could you bring to the outpost-program if you were accepted?
I would bring tact, assertion, and flair to the program. By tact I intend to mean intelligence and diplomatic know-how; from results, I feel I have a good way with people, know how to gain one's respect, and make and use connections. I am active in running our consulate.

2) What are your most valuable skills which can be used to help rebuild humanity?
I have skill in diplomacy, and as I said I know how to deal with people. I suppose for defense, I should mention that I am trained with a firearm for self-defense purposes. In a new world I suppose I could also act as a teacher, if needed, as I believe I am educated enough for the task. I received a classical education from private tutors the best in their fields, and this transferred to credit for a BA degree in liberal arts from Radcliffe College in 1955... I'm sure my education is already on file anyway.

3) Have you ever suspected or had a confirmed experience with something of the occult?
I did have one experience some years ago, which I normally hesitate in bringing up... but I wish to divulge now; occultism of all forms is a sore topic in New England. One of my private tutors, one of literature, was a woman named Miss Asenath Goldthwait. I do suspect she was a member of an occultist organization. We formed a friendship at the time, but in my innocence I never guessed then; in hindsight it was somewhat obvious, with most of the "literature" she taught being hermetic or mystical in some way. She disappeared before my 22nd birthday, but left me a pendant. She claimed to be of Newburyport, but her given address ended up nowhere. My husband believes the pendant is just another piece of jewelry, but I recognize it from her tutoring (as she did a whole chapter on a book with such artifacts) as an amulet of protection; I have surmised, from research, that she could have been from an Apothecary league of sort.

4) When did you last have this experience, and what did you do about it?
I last saw her June 3, 1955. I still have the amulet, and recently I have taken to wearing it. From the start, Asenath may have been trying to protect me for some important reason. Yet, perhaps it was our friendship that I have the amulet. In my heart I do wish I could see her again.

5) What would you consider your greatest weakness?
If time in the outposts is going to be a time of relative austerity, I guess the fact that I have been comfortable my whole life would be a problem.

6) How have you tried to cope with this weakness?
In the past few weeks I have tried to take comfort in the smaller things of life. To try to get used to a world of little. Maybe that's being thankful for some tea and music... I do still wish for fine things in some capacity. I suppose in the future I'll need to do more, if remaining luxuries dry up.

7) Why did you choose to come to Oklahoma City?
With my husband to run the consulate here about 3 years ago. He wouldn't have gotten the posting if it wasn't for my action; I really had to badger my father. My father is Anthony Putnam, Secretary of State in the Dominion of New England. I would have preferred a different city to be posted, but it was the best my father could do at the time.

Why should we accept you into the program?
I suppose if you want a learned diplomat and negotiator, or someone to take charge, I'm your woman. For a change, I'd be happy for an official title in my work.

Edwin put down his pen first, and waited for his wife. He wouldn't look at what she was writing, which seemed to be quite a bit. Eventually she too finished.

"So, do we leave now, "Mr. Gray"?" Nell questioned jokingly to the intercom. "If that's who you are."

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lower Facility-Testing Rooms]
12:50 pm

Nelson admired the tests simplicity since it was possibly a cover for something much bigger. The Outpost Program knew the candidates couldn't lie, but they may have been testing them to see how far they could go in their willingness to commit. Nelson sat in the chair provided, and as his hand shook he grabbed a pen from a nearby holder, and began writing down his answers on the form in front of him. Meanwhile Mr. Gray continued to speak over the intercom. Apparently there had been a miscommunication, and some of the late comers to their rooms such as Jack O'Connolly in room 3-A, and Daniel McCoy in 3-B with other names droning on in the background.

1) What could you bring to the outpost-program if you were accepted?

I could bring to the program my dedication to duty, and intent on preserving humanity from otherworldly forces which currently are ravaging our planet.

2) What are your most valuable skills which can be used to help rebuild humanity?

My unfettered determination, and expertise in the field of investigation as well. This is backed by years of service in various branches of the Columbian government aiding police, and others.

3) Have you ever suspected or had a confirmed experience with something of the occult?

Yes, multiple times over my life with the biggest ones being the "first rising" back in the 1930s, and the infamous debacle at Laggards Burrow. I know you have read my file so no need to explain myself about it.

4) When did you last have this experience, and what did you do about it?

I had to resort to defending my property with deadly force including killing my family who had been turned into ghouls. The incident in Laggards Burrow was an attempt by the Order of Death to bring about the end of the world, and I managed to delay it by damaging their efforts for a decade.

5) What would you consider your greatest weakness?

My greatest weakness is the inability of the occult to lay down, and die. On a more serious note it is the fact I failed to permanently stop the order of death ten years ago, and now am watching the world burn again.

6) How have you tried to cope with this weakness?

I have tried to cope with this weakness by fixing the mistake of the past, and seeking to correct it from ever happening again. Especially when it comes to the Order of Death, this time they will stay down for good.

7) Why did you choose to come to Oklahoma City?

I chose to come to Oklahoma City to finish the business that started in Laggards Burrow, and save some fraction of humanity before it becomes extinct.

8 ) Why should we accept you into the program?
Despite my noted disagreements on your views of how things should be handled you do hold the best hope for humanities long term survival, and reconstruction. With my methods you will be greatly enhanced, and I might even cause you to reconsider some offensive capabilities against the otherworldly threats plaguing humanity.

Outside of the rooms where certain individuals were finished assistants in hazmat suits knocked on the doors, and the voice of Mr. Gray came on the intercom to bid those finished "farewell". As people began filing out among a small crowd was Nelson, the choates, and the two who were most certainly criminal accomplices in some endevour or the other. The assistants began to lead the people back to the elevator by going back through the information. Nelson noted some othes were having an argument with Mrs. White, but the contents of it were irrelevant as Nelson simply wanted to leave the facility. As they piled into the various elevators the decontamination nozzles activated after one of the assistants pressed a button to signal them up.

Back in the lobby was someone waiting on them dressed in royal purple, and a handbag that most certainly had a small dog in it barking at the group of oddballs before them. The lady quickly put out the cigarette holder she had, and with a voice that seemed like one of the actresses from the new type of motion picture shows she spoke. "Well, hello there darlings my name is Ms. Purple, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintances". Either out of germaphobia or snobbery she refused to take off the silk gloves she was wearing as she shook the hands of everyone in the group. "You are all quite the special little birds from what I hear, and with Mrs. White occupied I thought I would take the time to get to know everyone. Your trolley will be here in a little bit to take you downtown, and I have convinced the steward to issue you exemption passes for the week".

The look of confusion on some of their faces lead Ms. Purple to sigh "What, you thought you could just walz out of the refugee districts anytime you wanted? Not anymore I am afraid, but with these lovely darlings you will be able to access most of the city within reason of course. If the military tells you to stay out of an area thats final, but you can feel free to use these to your hearts content. Just remember my lovelies not to lose them, and keep an eye on the curfew or else there might be trouble. It is so exciting to see the new batch of applicants, and trust me darlings you will know long before the Zeppelin gets here if you are accepted or not".

Ms. Purple motioned the group to walk outside the building as she lit her cigarette in the holder. "They say this stuff will kill me, but at the rate the worlds going I reckon its a hell of a good time to smoke as any. Now, the reason I have issued the exemption passes is in part there seem to be a few issues in the city that....need special care. Someone is draining people dry of their blood at night while criminals are setting up various rackets in the other refugee districts. The military is busying itself with news about a massive ghoul horde supposedly on its way here, and they just don't have the time to handle any of these personal requests....so any questions darlings?".

[Labstoska]

A smile of relief passed over Alistair's face as the men in hazmat suits began to lead him off to his assigned room, he appreciated this woman's sincerity in a time when Alistair found it so hard to come by, he wasn't the only to have lost his home and the percentage of people who had was growing larger by the day, this woman appered to be one who shared the burden yet unlike her Alistair actually had a chance to return to where he belonged. As Alistair began to leave the room he gave a small nod toward Mrs White in a gesture of solidarity, he also saw the shuffling and general grumbling of those who still hadn't been called up it seemed as if the fear of not getting picked was beginning to get to people and although Alistair maintained a face of calmness and neutrality beneath it all he very much felt the same way, this was perhaps his only chance to return home and there was no chance in hell he was going to allow it to slip out of his hands.

Alistair didn't know why but the rooms seemed to make him particulalrly uneasy, from the odd way in which they were arranged to the blinding white colour scheme of his own room all of it was vaugely unsettling as if they're purpose was far diffrent to what they were being used for today. When Alastair looked over the small sheet of questions he chuckled a little, the future of the human race was being decided by a small quiz far from the grueling interrgration and physical examination that Alistair was expecting yet as long as it made the process easier for Alastair he was fine with it, but then he noticed the note from Mr Grey and Alastair began to sweat a bit, each question was either a step towards or a shove back from survival.

1) What could you bring to the outpost-program if you were accepted? I'm a dab hand at clockwork engineering so if you ever need any kind clockwork device being repaired I'm the guy to call, I'm also a fairly good marksmen and a veteran of the Anglo-Soviet war meaning that I'm rather decent at general soldiering and finally after spending 10 years marching across a devastated Columbia I've acquired some good survival skills.

2) What are your most valuable skills which can be used to help rebuild humanity? Once again my knowledge of clockwork engineering could not only help to preserve that technology but develop it in new directions for the future reconstruction of mankind, secondly I believe my survival skills would be excellent to impart to the next generation of the new age

3) Have you ever suspected or had a confirmed experience with something of the occult? Yes I have had three encounters with the occult, the first was when I was a young man in London I was a member of a certain club of gentlemen known as the stag kings, it was a club of the most extreme hedonists I've ever met needless to say I was a very different man back then, yet as I continued with my membership of the Stag Kings I began to noticed that their upper members seemed to lack the ability to age as well as that a number of strange rituals to peculiar gods were being conducted after dark of course after learning these dark fact I immediately left the club. Another far more notable incident was when I was serving in the B.E.F where I was involved in the massacre at Smolensk where a large horde of ghouls attacked allied forces there I'd rather not go in depth about that matter and finally there is that whole debacle with Laggards Burrow which I believe you lot know quite a bit about it

4) When did you last have this experience, and what did you do about it? My first encounter took place in 1932 and I have already said what occurred there. My second encounter took place in 1940 and I fought tooth and nail in order to escape Smolensk leading to the loss of my arm. I believe most of us know when the events of Laggards Burrow took place, there I left as soon as the occult elements of that town began to expose themselves

5) What would you consider your greatest weakness? My general unwillingness to cooperate with others and the more hedonistic aspects of my younger self are beginning to seep into my present day mind.

6) How have you tried to cope with this weakness? In regards to the former weakness I tend to isolate myself from other Humans and in regards to the latter: Prayer and work

7) Why did you choose to come to Oklahoma City? I believed that there would be some sort of transportation in this city leading to the coast of America where I could catch a boat to Britain

8 ) Why should we accept you into the program? Bevause this is the only chance for me to go home

[/quote]

When Alastair finished writing out his reply almost immidiatly a knock came on his door and the voice of Mr Grey bid him farewell, evidently they wanted to get as many people tested as possible. Alastair was quickly shoved across the corridors and into the elavator crammed with a bunch of other people where the subsequently sprayed with the decontamination nozzles which Alastair at this point believed it was just cruel. After he piled out of the elavator he quickly took a few moments to compose himself and checked his pockets to make sure that nothing had been stolen before moving onto the lobbey.

In the Lobbey he saw what must have been the poshest women he had ever seen and he was from England for pete's sake, around was gathred a few other of the candidates so Alastair elected to listen in to see if she had anything important to say. First thing he heard was her name, seemed as if everyone in this facility had to have something to do with colours, second was the excemption pases looked as if the candidates were already getting some special privliges, then the woman mentioned the blood sucker and the colour fled from Alastair's cheeks, he recalled whispers over campfires in the Columbian wilds and a certain sect of Mormons in Laggards Burrow. Then the questions began, Alastair went first "First of all do you have any spare cigarettes? Secondly where exactly did the these blood suckings occur?" Alastair knew that he shouldn't smoke but he really needed something to calm his nerves

[Biscaria]

Nell & Edwin Choate

Nell & Edwin left the testing room after the hazmat-suited assistants knocked the door.

"It's a bit odd that they need all this protective gear, don't you think?" Nell asked Edwin as the left.

Edwin shrugged. They both made their way back to the lobby

Back in the lobby was someone waiting on them dressed in royal purple, and a handbag that most certainly had a small dog in it barking at the group of oddballs before them. The lady quickly put out the cigarette holder she had, and with a voice that seemed like one of the actresses from the new type of motion picture shows she spoke. "Well, hello there darlings my name is Ms. Purple, and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintances". Either out of germaphobia or snobbery she refused to take off the silk gloves she was wearing as she shook the hands of everyone in the group. "You are all quite the special little birds from what I hear, and with Mrs. White occupied I thought I would take the time to get to know everyone. Your trolley will be here in a little bit to take you downtown, and I have convinced the steward to issue you exemption passes for the week".

The look of confusion on some of their faces lead Ms. Purple to sigh "What, you thought you could just waltz out of the refugee districts anytime you wanted? Not anymore I am afraid, but with these lovely darlings you will be able to access most of the city within reason of course. If the military tells you to stay out of an area thats final, but you can feel free to use these to your hearts content. Just remember my lovelies not to lose them, and keep an eye on the curfew or else there might be trouble. It is so exciting to see the new batch of applicants, and trust me darlings you will know long before the Zeppelin gets here if you are accepted or not".

Ms. Purple motioned the group to walk outside the building as she lit her cigarette in the holder. "They say this stuff will kill me, but at the rate the worlds going I reckon its a hell of a good time to smoke as any. Now, the reason I have issued the exemption passes is in part there seem to be a few issues in the city that....need special care. Someone is draining people dry of their blood at night while criminals are setting up various rackets in the other refugee districts. The military is busying itself with news about a massive ghoul horde supposedly on its way here, and they just don't have the time to handle any of these personal requests....so any questions darlings?".

Nell considered this woman quite odd, not even taking account the garish color coding. From her voice she swore she recognized the woman from some public relations event they hosted at the consulate, when local Columbians (mostly elite) were invited to meet them to build goodwill (she honestly could not stand most of them for multiple reasons, but for the sake of her country put on a good face). She felt she remembered the obnoxious cigarette holder too... yet perhaps it wasn't her. She had met a lot of oddball local elite women in her time here and, unless they had some significance to her or their work, in the end they all ran together; they were in charge of the New Englanders, not them.

The Choates took in her words about someone draining blood and a massive ghoul horse, and then about the exemption passes. Edwin got a little more worried, though Nell was nonplussed. Of course these things were happening, she thought. What can you do now? Make the best of the situation and use the passes. She thought of their nice home here, which she liked despite personally not standing the neighbors (especially those who were god-damn slavers!), which they had to leave.

"With these passes will we be able to return to our home in the Hills which at the start of this crisis we were so rudely made to leave?" she inquired to the gaudy smoker before them.

[Benuty]

March 17th, 1962
Oklahoma City--Downtown District
Outpost-12 Testing & Processing Center [Lower Facility-Lobby]
12:55 pm

Ms. Purple looked at the man in front of him, and picked up a box from her pocket book offering him a cigarette. "Go ahead, and take one if you like, they are the finest cigarettes this side of the empire...whats left of it these days. I got it out of a shipment that came out of Mobile before all trade with them became far too disrupted. Regardless, I have enough to survive the days to come so sparing one won't put me at a loss". Mrs. Purple smiled before saying "I take it you have some experience in this matter Mr. Halleck? I wouldn't expect otherwise from a survivor of that dreadful matter in Laggards Burrow".

Ms. Purple decided to pull out a card for a man named Deputy Townsend, and hand it over to Allister. When you get downtown feel free to give this mans number a ring or visit his office in the downtown district. He is a deputy within the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Department, and reported to me this problem a few days back. Apparently about six days ago they found the first victim, a young girl, aged 15 drained completely of her blood outside of a hotel. The police at the time thought she was a normal prostitute, and didn't pay much attention, but the sheer brutality of it all caught Deputy Townsend's eyes."

Ms. Purple continued speaking on the subject "A second victim appeared four days ago in the downtown district, and was a local barber who seemed to escape from his attacker. He ranted, and raved about a terrifying beast after him before dying of shock in the arms of the group of soldiers he ran into. The most recent victim was a young mother, and her husband...the children were spared by the bloodsucker only to be killed by the parents who became ravenous feral ghouls. Apparently being drained of your blood causes instant resurrection, and these ghouls are especially ravenous, but the military has managed to contain the casualties in total to twelve. Regardless, this animal needs to be stopped before it gets lucky, and causes an outbreak of extra-ravenous ghouls to appear in the city overnight".

[Flarbinia]

"Can you tell me about these rackets? As a businessman, I need to know about anyone who would threaten my employees." Luca Soprano asked Miss Purple. flanked on both sides by his men. Being a businessman, Luca Soprano could not miss an opportunity, especially if it gave him the incentive to corner a new market. With real estate dying, Luca Soprano would need to find a new way to get the money rolling. Taking control of these rackets could provide the revenue he was looking for.