Aberrant: Dead Rising - Chapter 5c: Fire in the Hole

[Dawn OOC]

Wesson & company

The rig was rolling along. Wesson had chosen to go more or less west, more or less the direction away from his old home. It was a way to distance himself from that old life, left behind him.

He shook off the bad memories as the radio crackled with noise. Min jerked out of her nap and lunged for the mic. A second later, they heard the broadcast out of Fox's Refuge. "Fox's Refuge, this is Wesson's rig. Do we read right that you're an open enclave?"

"Open enough," came back the voice. "Fox does have rules that have to be followed, but if you do that, all are welcome."

Ahead of them, they saw a car on the road.

Ira & company

The Up-Chuck roared along happily, shimmying only occasionally. Ira was about as happy as he'd ever been since Z-day; his car was running fine and his girl - if she'd claimed him as her knight it was only fair he got to claim her, too - had her head on his lap, snoozing. He was stroking her hair, as much to stop it from tickling his stomach as to feel its silky texture.

She sat up suddenly. "Locomotive," she blurted, looking behind them.

Ira checked the mirror, and for a moment, thought she was right. But it was just a big rig, moving at some pretty extreme speeds, rigged with a cow-catcher on the front. Given the stains on it, it wasn't hard to guess it'd been used as a zombie catcher instead.

Unfortunately, it'd do a heck of a job as a Nova-catcher, too...

Back at base...

Jules WhiteElk was not having the best of days. After everyone had left, she was left to her own ends. She wasn't really sure what to do, either. Fox had given her some command, but what did that mean? And what did that mean to anyone else here? She was determined to not force her way into the power command; she had to earn it, or they'd never accept her as anything other than Fox's tail.

"Fox's tail," she muttered, rolling her eyes. She'd heard enough of that joke before Z-day. Hearing yet another iteration of it would be unpleasant.

She was interrupted by a broadcast over the radio. They had made contact with someone. Well, that's something to do, she thought as she headed for the armory for a rifle, then out to the gate, to meet the new guy.

[Ira Sagebrush]

Originally Posted By: Dawn, OOC

The Up-Chuck roared along happily, shimmying only occasionally. Ira was about as happy as he'd ever been since Z-day; his car was running fine and his girl - if she'd claimed him as her knight it was only fair he got to claim her, too - had her head on his lap, snoozing. He was stroking her hair, as much to stop it from tickling his stomach as to feel its silky texture.

She sat up suddenly. "Locomotive," she blurted, looking behind them.

Ira checked the mirror, and for a moment, thought she was right. But it was just a big rig, moving at some pretty extreme speeds, rigged with a cow-catcher on the front. Given the stains on it, it wasn't hard to guess it'd been used as a zombie catcher instead.

Unfortunately, it'd do a heck of a job as a Nova-catcher, too...

The night had been spent in a welcomed rest after the drama of the day, the tension of the new-found companions draining away as they held each other, partly for warmth, but mostly for comfort. Needless to say, as Cassandra put it, "Making sheep jump." came easily.

After such a peaceful night, it was no surprise to Ira that something akin to 'USA Up All Night' would happen. He could almost hear Gilbert Godfrey screaming in his head.

"What is this...Beyond Thunderdome?" Ira queried, "Hold on baby, gonna hafta floor it."

Cassandra quickly scooted over to the passenger seat and buckled the lap belt, bracing one hand on the armrest and one on the back of the seat, a slightly concerned look in her lavender-colored eyes.

"Fly knight."

The image of Mr. T on her shirt seemed to threaten menacingly with consequences should he choose to disobey. Ira pushed the pedal down firmly, being careful not to put his foot through the rusted out floor. The Nova, as if sensing the beast on its tail, hunkered down and roared ahead.

"Baby...who exactly did I piss off by killing Fuzzy back there?"

[Dawn OOC]

"Death," Cassandra answered, biting her lip. "He sought to know of the burning of the stars. I fled from him, because he will take my words and shatter Home. The Hound was his retriever, sent to return me to his tool shed."

The rig didn't seem to be gaining on them, but Cassandra suddenly grabbed his arm and pointed at an off ramp. It was the best way for her to communicate with him; charades instead of talking. And she was pointing at what was probably a turn she wanted him to make - a turn he'd have to slow down for, and risk that the rig behind him wasn't really trying to catch him.

[Ira Sagebrush]

Ira listened carefully, and for the first time, he thought he actually understood her.

"Baby, either you are getting less cryptic, or I'm going crazy, cuz that made sense."

Ira saw the off-ramp coming on fast. The Nova's springs had long ago bottomed out for the most part, so the low center of gravity would help, but the tires had made the change to racing flats long ago, which wouldn't help. Ira's anxiety was climbing, he couldn't risk the big rig crushing him into the jersey barrier, the Up-Chuck couldn't handle it, let alone its occupants.

"Ok sugar, fasten your seatbelt, its gonna be a bumpy ride!" Ira said with a horrible Margo Channing impersonation.

Cassandra went wide-eyed when she realized Ira wasn't slowing down, "Tortoise beats the hare!" she shrieked, latching onto the dashboard.

The Nova entered the exit at high-speed, a sign advertising the local fast food restaurants blurring by as Ira cranked the wheel hard to the left as he slammed the emergency brake pedal down, locking the back tire and fish-tailing the back end around the off-ramp loop.

Just as the car was about to lose the last of its ground to the stunt and threaten to bounce off a section of barrier, it cleared the exit and slid into an empty intersection, the traffic lights standing guard like so many undead armored sentries.

Cassandra ended up half piled ontop of Ira, who in turn had been pinned to the driver's window, leaving an oily rorschach print. Ira looked up at Cassandra over his Presley shades that were only half on, the other half, having seen fit to cover his mouth.

A large grin spread wide on his face, "Baby, you are one wild ride."

Click to reveal.. (Drive)

(00:03:59) ChatBot: (Ira_Sagebrush) rolls 5d10 and gets 8,5,4,9,7. [3]

[Dawn OOC]

She hit him, an open-handed slap on his arm. Fear and anger danced over her face as she yelped, "Almost put Bender on his back!" Then she sagged and hugged him, shaking a little. "You jumped at me from a blind corner."

She didn't seem interested in letting him go for a moment. "Knight, please don't tread on the snake. I cannot wield your sword alone." Her purple eyes lifted to his; she still hadn't let him go, and she was somehow twisting oddly so that she could hold him and look him in the eyes. "You are... a fossil in a child's treasure box. To me."

[Ira Sagebrush]

Ira's smile turned to one of mischief as she slapped at him to one of genuine caring as she held him.

Click to reveal.. (Flashback)

"FUCKING CHRIST IRA! SLOW DOWN!" Lisa screamed hysterically, her ski gloves flying as she grabbed for the dash.

The Chevy Nova was barreling down a mountain pass, fishtailing violently in the fresh snow from the night before. Nothing keeping the car from a grand 'Thelma & Louise' ending except a small drift of snow.

"C'mon baby, calm down. We can't let them win can we?" Ira glanced in the rearview mirror, the jacked-up white Toyota Tundra bearing down on the smaller car like a Polar Bear chasing its prey across the frigid ice of the Arctic.

"I don't fucking care Ira!" she said, her voice trembling as she started to cry. "Slow down."

Ira looked over at Lisa, his smile disappearing as he finally got the hint that she wasn't enjoying this as much as he was. Ira slowly let his foot off the gas, and regained control of the car, the chains on the back tire finally grabbing hold of the solid ice again.

The Tundra caught up, its passengers throwing out jeers, insults and otherwise vulgar cuts at Ira's masculinity as they flew by. Ira's grip white-knuckled the wheel, if his eyes hadn't been hidden behind dark shades, it was very likely it would have melted the snow.

"Baby, this old rust bucket can take it, though I'm sorry I scared you." Ira said, stroking her hair.

Ira listened to her concerns, inwardly wishing he could promise her all that she asked, but in today's world, that just wasn't gonna be possible.

"I'll try baby, really I will, you're special to me too. These last couple days with you have been really great."

Ira looked into her eyes, regretting he had to break the moment.

"And I would love to lay here and hold you all day sugar, but that stunt only bought us a couple minutes, and if Death is really on our tail, I suggest we get going."

[Wesson]

Wesson, turned to Min, and smiled a bit.

"This rig has a name. Something Blue.I mean it is blue, and it is something. Besides you know why that name means so much to me..SO please this not Wesson's rig, this is Something Blue."

He took it easy on the road.No real need to get anywhere in any rush. Time was important but he had other things to do as well.Things that would only take time to fix.

"Sorry, grand. I was thinking about other things."

He smiled, but knew she wasn't think of happy things.

"Like all the pants you can get into?Sorry for screwing up your dating pool, last town, but really.They need to change."

[Dawn OOC]

"You really don't want to know about that, do ya pops?" Mina asked, grinning. "You let me worry about my pants." She turned on the mic. "Sorry, Foxy Refuge, this is Something Blue - had the wrong handle there. We're headed your way, if you'll only give us some directions."

"Roger that," the man said and started to tell him how to find the refuge.

Ahead of them, the orange car sped up, then made a dangerous turn onto the ramp. "Looks like we're following Evil Knievel," she remarked as Wesson slowed down for the turn. Ahead, the orange car took off again with with heady roar. "I wonder if we're going the same place," Min added thoughtfully. "I think I'd like to meet the guy who can handle his car like that."

[Wesson]

"I want you to be happy, I want you to be safe. I want you live a long safe life. I want many things, but what I want and what I get are rarely the same thing."

Such acts of stupidity were once interesting to Wesson.He did his fair share of them in his day.Now he would rather sit down, and read a good book, or build a good home, or really just let the days roll by. Still as he said what he wanted was not what he got.

"Oh, I feel that you wouldn't want me to meet that young fellow first, and min you shouldn't have any problems getting what you want..At least in that way.Just be safe."

[Dawn OOC]

Wesson & company

"Oh, I'll be safe, Grand, don't you worry your head about that," Min said, giggling. "Just follow that orange car..."

Ira & company

The big rig remained in their six as they scooted along the two-lane country road. Cassandra suddenly pointed for them to turn south, and Ira had time to slow down and make a fast, but safe turn onto a dirt road. From there they drove down into a valley between two hills -

And found the Refuge. Chain link fence enclosed an area that passed around trees and hills, and blocked their views of its dimensions. They received a tantalizing glimpse of permanment shelters before the view was obstructed.

At the chain link fence, there was a gate. A handful of men were waiting, rifles casually slung. One woman was there, striking in her beauty. She was the Noble Savage personified, until she smiled. Then she was just a lovely woman of Native American heritage.

The gate was opened, and Cassie took his hand, giving him an excited smile. One of the men leaned over as Ira rolled down the window a touch. "Welcome to Fox's Refuge."

Behind them, the semi's engine snarled as it rounded the bend at the base of the hill, coming into view again.

[Wesson]

Taping the glove box. It was his single that she should at least bring her pistol. He didn't want her to go in unarmed. He couldn't stand the idea of losing her.

"Come in, Fox Refuge, this Wesson of Something Blue, are there any rules prohibiting or limiting the possesion or carrying of fire arms in your town?And is there a need for a experienced civil engineer, with a good back,and strong hands? Over and out"

He noted the guards, the gates, the roads, the land.He took it in all the details. He looked over to min, and smiled. Things were going to be better here.He could help the world but he wouldn't have to have the world only on his shoulders. He could make this a better place without seeing all the ghosts. He could try to make the world a better place. He could really try. That was all he could do.

[Dawn OOC]

Min grinned at him as she dug out her pistol. Before she was done buckling it, the radio said, "Negative, Something Blue. No guns allowed freely in the compound. You're safe without them - Fox runs a tight ship."

[Ira Sagebrush]

Originally Posted By: Dawn, OOC

The big rig remained in their six as they scooted along the two-lane country road. Cassandra suddenly pointed for them to turn south, and Ira had time to slow down and make a fast, but safe turn onto a dirt road. From there they drove down into a valley between two hills -

And found the Refuge. Chain link fence enclosed an area that passed around trees and hills, and blocked their views of its dimensions. They received a tantalizing glimpse of permanment shelters before the view was obstructed.

At the chain link fence, there was a gate. A handful of men were waiting, rifles casually slung. One woman was there, striking in her beauty. She was the Noble Savage personified, until she smiled. Then she was just a lovely woman of Native American heritage.

The gate was opened, and Cassie took his hand, giving him an excited smile. One of the men leaned over as Ira rolled down the window a touch. "Welcome to Fox's Refuge."

Behind them, the semi's engine snarled as it rounded the bend at the base of the hill, coming into view again.

"Uh...thanks. It's great to be here... you know those guys?" Ira said, throwing a now gloved left thumb back towards the oncoming cow crusher.

"We have been in radio contact, yes." The guard said nodding.

"Oh good, 'cause we sorta thought they were Death." Ira said flatly.

The guard just stared at him, any thoughts he may have had he kept to himself.

"Right, we're here to see Fox's Doc, is he seeing patients today by chance?"

"Well, if you want to come in, we have a 24 hour quarantine to make sure you aren't infected. In that time, you will get to meet the doctors."

Ira looked over at Cassandra for reassurance, before turning back, "I guess that's fine."

Ah, crap.

The guard straightened up, glancing at the Citori in the dash.

"You'll also need to surrender all your guns, for the safety of the Refuge's people, we don't allow weapons on the grounds."

"Oh, I don't think so bud-"

"The wolves watch the fence for us, " Cassandra broke in, putting her hand on Ira's shoulder, "And no one bears swords in the presence of the King."

Ira looked back at Cassandra, holding the gaze of her beautiful mauve eyes for a moment.

This is it Ira, one more step and you're hers, there is no going back.

Without turning back to the guard, as if to address both of them, Ira nodded, "Alright."

"You will be escorted in and shown where to park, the quarantine is just inside." The guard quickly gestured as the big rig came up behind the Nova.

[Dawn OOC]

Ira was directed to the side, where some men were waiting with some zip ties and a rolling cart. As Ira stepped out, fretting about his guns and wondering if he'd made a mistake, he heard Cassie pop open the glove box. He didn't think about it as he relunctantly handed over his beloved Citori and showed them the trunk full of ammo and firearms.

Suddenly, one of the men paused and peered into the car. "Hey, your, uh... girlfriend? I guess? Whatever, she's crying."

Ira hurried back to her side, hopping into the seat. Cassie was wearing big sunglasses, and tears were tracking down her face. She was hunched over something, clasping it to her chest. Even with the glasses, he could tell she was in the Zone, back into Lithum-High.

What perfect timing.

[z-Jules WhiteElk]

Jules watched the car swing over to a parking area by the quarantine, and she was by Ger's side when the gangly kid stepped out of the car. She could see another person in there, but she paused to look at the guns. All fairly standard, and most unused. Kid must have raided a gun shop.

Kid? Come on, Jules, he's about as old as you. He just looked younger to her, his biggest worry being his guns and his toys. If only that was her biggest loss.

The mention of a crying 'girlfriend or whatever' caught her ear, and she stepped quickly around to see what was wrong. Ger was a shadow at her back, just as interested, just as concerned.

[Ira Sagebrush]

Ira glanced at the glasses again, then the glovebox, open and empty save a now useless registration and proof of insurance.

Oh shit!

"Cassandra, baby, let me have the box." Ira pleaded, reaching his hands towards her. "I promise to tell you all about it later sugar, but now is sooo not a good time. C'mon focus for your knight...please."

Ira slowly pried the small black fuzzy box from her hands, tossing it back in the glove box as soon as he had it.

Ira sighed as he held her. We were doing so good.

[z-Jules WhiteElk]

"She ok?" Jules butted in, looking from the weeping girl to Ira with dark, suspicious eyes. "She need a doctor or something?"

[Ira Sagebrush]

Ira looked over at the scowling woman, "She's fine, we just need a moment, overwhelmed by making it to a safe spot. You know how it is."

The lie rolled easily off Ira's tongue.

Ira whispered pleadingly into Cassandra's ear, "What do you want me to do baby?"

[Dawn OOC]

"No more broken dreams, no more sick earth!" she said, loudly enough to make him flinch. But as soon as she said that, she was starting to calm down, her hysterical noises becoming more normal noises. She lifted her head slowly, still crying, still sniffling. Whispering, she said, "I'm sick, my Knight... you can't cough for me." Her deceptively thin arms looped around him and held him tightly. After a moment, she murmured, "Must run the Gauntlet, complete the quest."

[Ira Sagebrush]

He held her, happy to give her comfort, and thrilled that she had come back down to earth.

"Maybe I can't cough for you baby, but I don't wanna see you hurtin'." he whispered as he pulled back to look at her. Lisa's glasses wrenched his heart, but he quickly buried it.

Let the dead be dead.

"When we finish this, then m'Lady can get some quiet time with her knight." Ira said smiling suggestively and wiping away a tear from her cheek.

Ira let her go as he hopped out of the car to face Jules.

"See, we're fine, emotions running high."

[z-Jules WhiteElk]

"Sure," Jules said. She looked a bit suspicious still, but that wasn't uncommon for survivors anymore. "Ok, then, if you'll follow me?" She led them to a small building, obviously hastily erected out of a pre-made form and steel. Inside were small cages, ten by ten, large enough the cot inside them. All the doors were opened.

"These latch when pulled shut," she said, demonstrating. "You don't have to keep them locked, but if someone else in here turns, you'll be safe until we can get you out."

She turned back, frowning a little. "Sorry for the lack of hospitality, but it's best for everyone if we take these precautions. I'm Jules by the way. This is Fox's Refuge, run by Morgan Fox, my brother-in-law." She glanced at them and smiled a bit. "What are you willing to tell me about yourselves? A name, at the least, I hope."

[Wesson]

Pulling up, got out of the truck, rolling his arms a bit. He paid no mind to the the people in front of him in the rust bucket.Well not no mind, just all his mind was on how Min reacted. He looked to the guards. He looked back to min. One the guards spoke in a solid tone.

"Sir,Ma'am. We due to the times were are going to ask you to go to a 24 hour quarantine to make sure you aren't infected. We would also ask to surrender all your guns, and other weapons."

Wesson, looked to the man, and smiled.

"Well, the quarantine is understandable, but the weapons is asking a bit much. Not that I am saying no. I am just stating it is a bit much. Seeing how I trust you. I will at least for non trust my guns in your care."

He let Min make up her own mind about her guns. Wesson didn't pick up guns anymore, hell he had forgot how to shot them.Part of his change. He brought the guard to the the side of his trailer, and opened it up. Lifting up the gun rack, it was packed with enough weapons to field a two dozen or so armed people, mostly rifles, but there were a few shot gun, and assorted side arms. These were not the hunting weapons you got in a store. He carried it out with ease. He was sick of hiding what he could do. Besides, he did not want to seem like easy pray.

"Do you need the ammo as well? I assure you the bullets will not go off with out those guns."

He waited for Min to stop looking at the young boy. Youth was a harsh master. He saw that she gave up her weapons as well.

"Anything else, I should know?"

[Dawn OOC]

"Ammo as well, for your safety," the security guard said. "No one will bother your truck for stuff they shouldn't have if you don't leave it there. It'll be safe under lock and key at the armory."

After the guns were safely stowed - with a low whistle from one man - he was led over to the same building as the young man and his weeping companion. Jules asked the young man to pause, and she repeated herself to Wesson and Min. "Well, folks, since we have some time, how about introducing yourselves?"

"I'm Min," his grandaughter said, giving Jules a perfunctory smile. Wesson's pretty granddaughter glanced at Ira and gave him a much warmer smile, testing the waters.

[Wesson]

he went into his trailer and pulled out a pair of foot lockers over his shoulders. He let the man have them. In a soft tone.

"I know what is mine, and hope my trust is not misplaced."

Letting Min have her fun.Let the world see her. He acted in a more reserved way.saying his hellos, and inturducing himself in a calm manor. His hands shakes were firm, but not overly so. His manor respectful and even laid back. He always made sure everyone was doing as well as they could.

[Ira Sagebrush]

Ira looked at the cages, unable to keep himself from thinking of a dog kennel. Was this a trap? These people were nice enough, but there were all sorts of crackpot militias out there just waiting for the collapse of society to take a slice of territory. He would know, he had met some.

However, he couldn't underestimate the raw chance of Destiny that he had met Cassandra the way he did. Rescued her, protected her, helped her fulfill this 'quest'...what was another day? As surly as this 'Jules' was, she didn't have the look of a killer, she was too smokin' hot.

Besides, how long had it been since he had lived? Not merely survived, but really lived? Cassandra had instilled in him a sense of purpose that he had needed badly. Who knew how many days alone on the road he could have survived before the desolate landscape found its way into his being?

But could he lock himself in a cage? Every instinct told him to flip-a-bitch and get the hell out of here. But even as he turned to leave, another look at Cassandra, still silently weeping, wearing Lisa's sunglasses stopped him. She was innocent, he was sure of it. She had been dragged into this unwittingly, and he had to help her. For Lisa, his Mom, Grandpa Sage and all the rest he had left in his flight for survival. He was a Knight now, there were standards to live up to. It didn't hurt that he was in the Land of the Babes at the moment either.

Duke Nukem, eat your heart out.

~~~

Ira paused, mouth open to start his introduction when Jules stopped him. He listened to the other's greetings, putting on his 'retail' smile and shaking hands with Wesson. The smile from Min caught him off guard, and he just smiled back.

Guess when half the world is dead, your hotness rating automatically goes up...'Hey baby, wanna see my wheels? I got some nice lotion I wanna show ya.' Oh shuddup, that's a horrible line.

He addressed the group as a whole, one-on-one repeating of his name was just redundant. "I'm Ira Sagebrush, my lady here is Cassandra, we're both just very glad to find a place of safety, it has been a long hard journey for both of us."

Ira leaned into Cassandra, putting an arm around her.

"Jules, honey, are you well-stocked enough to share some basic necessities? Or are you hard up that we need to fend for ourselves? I have some skills that I can barter, a shower would be awesome, hot if you have it. Hell, I think I would settle for a large basin of luke warm muddy water at this point."

[Wesson]

Wesson, walked up to Ira, figuring if he was going to have break Ira's legs he may as well feed him and help him out with what he could.Speaking in a soft tone.

"Ira, right?Well I have some food, and cloths that I could part with. Neither of them they best, but both will do the job. As for bathing, yea I need that too. Been using a wet towel to get the worst of the grim off, but you know it is just nothing like a good bath. So, if you need that stuff, we will see what we can do."

pausing a bit as he looked over Cas.

"I have some medical supplies if our new friends can't spare them. Not much and I am not doctor, but I bring what I think I'll need."

[Dawn OOC]

Min grinned. "Ira Sagebrush," she said, rolling the words in her mouth like candy. "I like the way you handle your car. Pretty hot."

Under Ira's arm, Cassie twitched. Just a little, and it was hard to read her expression, especially with the oversized glasses and the little hiccups of remaining sorrow. "Hey," Min said, bending down a little to look the shorter woman in the eyes, "you ok?"

Cassie just turned her head, pressing it into Ira's shoulder. He felt her hand slip around his waist tightly before she dropped it.

Meanwhile, Ger narrowed his eyes at the nice old guy talking like he could do shit about getting them a hot bath. "Sorry, but no bath, guys," he said shortly. "We don't have those facilities in this building. Unless one of you has a medical condition that I ain't heard of that requires you to be clean, you'll have to wait. The doc will be over in a bit to check you all out, and whatever you guys need that we have will be provided, if you agree to play by Fox's rules."

[z-Jules WhiteElk]

Jules put her hand on Ger's arm and the man fell silent, after giving her an uncertain look. She smiled, and it was apparent that she was going to smooth over Ger's rougher nature. "Morgan is willing to take in all people who want to work toward this community, and I'm glad to hear your offer of help, Ira," Jules said. "We're going to need it, I'm sure. There's some big things going on."

She glanced again at Cassie. What's wrong with her? Why hasn't she said anything? Concerns of abuse whispered in her thoughts, and she determined to get the pretty waif away from Ira for a bit of one-on-one. "Ger, would you see what's keeping the doctor?"

[Ira Sagebrush]

Originally Posted By: Wesson

"Ira, right?Well I have some food, and cloths that I could part with. Neither of them they best, but both will do the job. As for bathing, yea I need that too. Been using a wet towel to get the worst of the grim off, but you know it is just nothing like a good bath. So, if you need that stuff, we will see what we can do."

pausing a bit as he looked over Cas.

"I have some medical supplies if our new friends can't spare them. Not much and I am not doctor, but I bring what I think I'll need."

"Appreciate the offer Wesson, regardless." Ira said, the 'retail' smile in full force.

Originally Posted By: Min

Min grinned. "Ira Sagebrush," she said, rolling the words in her mouth like candy. "I like the way you handle your car. Pretty hot."

Ira turned to Min, "Thanks sugar, though I had the fear of Death in me at the time. Thought for sure you two were out to turn my Nova into mincemeat."

Still not convinced either.

Originally Posted By: Min,Cassandra

Under Ira's arm, Cassie twitched. Just a little, and it was hard to read her expression, especially with the oversized glasses and the little hiccups of remaining sorrow. "Hey," Min said, bending down a little to look the shorter woman in the eyes, "you ok?"

Cassie just turned her head, pressing it into Ira's shoulder. He felt her hand slip around his waist tightly before she dropped it.

"Hey, let her be. Her Zombigeddon experience has left her emotionally scarred, she's a little hesitant around new people. No need to be all up in her face." Ira said, a tad irritated, as he returned the sideways cuddle.

Originally Posted By: Ger

"Sorry, but no bath, guys," he said shortly. "We don't have those facilities in this building. Unless one of you has a medical condition that I ain't heard of that requires you to be clean, you'll have to wait. The doc will be over in a bit to check you all out, and whatever you guys need that we have will be provided, if you agree to play by Fox's rules."

Ira's shoulder's slumped, "Bummer."

Originally Posted By: Jules

Jules put her hand on Ger's arm and the man fell silent, after giving her an uncertain look. She smiled, and it was apparent that she was going to smooth over Ger's rougher nature. "Morgan is willing to take in all people who want to work toward this community, and I'm glad to hear your offer of help, Ira," Jules said. "We're going to need it, I'm sure. There's some big things going on."

"Ger, would you see what's keeping the doctor?"

"Big things, Jules? Mind sharin' while Grumpy there fetches the doc?"

[Wesson]

Smiling and going to his rig, he pulled down a pack he kept packed with food, a change of clothes and a few other handy things.Such was youth, think with your cock, and pride. Take rags, and dust over cloth and food. It wasn't his place to teach him about life. Ira would have to learn things on his own, and in his own time.

"Ira, just remember, these are harsh times, and there aren't going to many helping hands."

Moving to Min, he stood behind her, a hand on her shoulder.

"Youth, oh you are so lucky, and oh so cursed."

[Dawn OOC]

Min raised an eyebrow and straightened up. "I'm not picking on her," she said, her gaze direct, almost forcefully so. "I'm asking because she's acting a little crazy. I'm honestly worried about your friend's health."

Ger narrowed his eyes at Ira's term for him and Jules tightened her hand on his arm. He gave her a hard look as well, hesitating just long enough to make it clear that he wasn't going at her bequest.

When Wesson returned, Min shook her head at him. "Gramps, don't be so cryptic. And tell Ira I'm a nice girl, will you? I don't think he likes me, and that's just not right."

[Wesson]

Laughing lightly as he held onto min.

"Ira, Min is not a nice girl.I would love if she was a nice girl. The problem is not that she is not nice, in some ways she is too nice.The problem is she is a woman. If she was a girl, I would tell her what to do."

He was in good spirits, and it was a clear in his tone. He was joking around. This was him relaxed, noticing the looking in Min's eyes.

"You can do what you want, but doesn't mean I have to help you."

[z-Jules WhiteElk]

Waiting until everyone was back in the room, Jules said, "Well, I don't know how much you're supposed to know, but have you guys heard anything about a religous group in Kansas that's infecting people intentionally? It seems they're trying to infect whole enclaves, and they're the reason for this quarantine here."

[Ira Sagebrush]

"Thanks for the pep-talk Wes." Ira said placatingly, already tired of talking to the old guy.

Ira looked at Min, relaxing a little, "Sorry about that, I'm just a bit defensive about Cassandra here, but please don't call her crazy, because she's not."

Just misunderstood Ira smiled briefly.

Ira watched the exchange between Min and her 'Gramps' with one eyebrow cocked above the rim of his shades.

Looney tunes...is she trying to come onto me?...in front of Cassandra?...and she's using her grandfather for help?...and he knows?...what the fuck?

Ira listened to Jules, keeping one arm loosly around Cassandra's waist.

"Damn wheaties delayin' my shower...but, wait...how is a cult in Kansas affecting groups of survivors way down here? Wouldn't the infected 'turn' long before they made it anywhere?"

[Dawn OOC]

"Ya know, Pops, if you ain't gonna help, you should get out of the way," Min said over her shoulder, but she was smiling. Turning back to Ira, she said, "I didn't say she was crazy, I said she's acting that way. We all get a little crazy sometimes, right? I mean, I have some stories." She leaned closer to Ira and, while giving him a great view down her shirt, murmured, "I can share them with you, sometime."

Jules watched, her eyebrow cocked just like Ira's. "Right, anyway, from what I understood, they infect themselves right before entering the enclave. They apparently use syringes of tainted blood, to avoid having a nasty bite wound." She shook her head. "I don't understand the mentality myself."

"It's the end of the world - why not take it all with you?" Min asked. "I don't agree, but I can see how despair would cause some people to try to destroy everyone else."

[Wesson]

In a deadpan tone. His smile gone, his eyes glossed over.He had his fun creeping out the young lad, he just hoped that was enough to get Ira's interest off his Min. That boy thought he was trying to kill him. Shit, he gave the boy more space than a super tanker would have needed on that road.

"Simple, they do not infect people until they are close to the target site.In other words they take healthy victims and infect them near by towns and then turn them lose."

The painful part to him was that he knew just how to do it do, with who and where he would do it. The good part is that he also knew way to stop it. This was a good way, but not fool prof.

"WhiteElk, right? Do you have any way to test for the virus? It wouldn't by all means make what you are doing pointless. But it would help sort things out."

[Dawn OOC]

Jules visibly counted to ten – not out loud, but the astute could see it in her eyes. “It’s Jules, Wesson,” she said patiently. “And yes, if we had a test, we could probably bypass the quarantine, which would thrill me. I’m sorry that we can’t offer better accommodations for tonight, but you’ll all get a hot shower tomorrow, assuming you don’t become sick tonight.”

Ira squeezed Cassie’s shoulder in warning seconds before she lit off on her favorite topic. Fortunately, she caught the meaning of gesture and didn’t start ranting about sickness. Frowning, the young woman remained silent, sliding her arms back around him.

The door opened, and Ger was back with a young man, barely older than Ira himself. His skin was brown with the culture of the sub-Indian continent. “Dr. Singh,” Jules said, stepping back. “Here are your first quarantine patients. Wesson, Min, Ira Sagebrush and Cassandra.”

“It is bery good to meet you,” Dr. Singh said, his voice rolling and heavily accented. “Who is first?”

[Wesson]

Originally Posted By: Dawn, OOC

Jules visibly counted to ten – not out loud, but the astute could see it in her eyes. “It’s Jules, Wesson,” she said patiently. “And yes, if we had a test, we could probably bypass the quarantine, which would thrill me. I’m sorry that we can’t offer better accommodations for tonight, but you’ll all get a hot shower tomorrow, assuming you don’t become sick tonight.”

"Jules, that is not what I said. I said a test would help this proses not replace it. Look at this way, no test is prefect and the risk of infection is to great. So, you put all those that test negative in Quarantine and those that are positive in a more secure holding. To prevent or at least minimize any false results."

Seeing the look of annoyance in the lady's eyes.

"As for the test, if you have the right tools, I pretty sure I could make one.If you don't, I am pretty sure I could make the tools you need to make the test, it just would take more time. As for the accommodations, I have live threw far worse, and I see nothing wrong with them."

[Ira Sagebrush]

Ira looked, I mean, who can give up a free show? At least the sunglasses gave him some reasonable doubt to argue with. Not that he had anyone to defend himself against necessarily. Though it took a force of willpower unknown since the Time of the Titans to keep himself from getting a hard-on, with Cassandra against him like she was, it didn't help.

zombie babies, zombie babies, zombie babies

"That'd be great Min, I'd love to hear some of your stories." Ira smiled, in hopes to appease her seemingly lustful intent, at least for now.

Ira listened to the explanation of method of infection with a cold heart. A small shake of his head was the only outward reaction.

Click to reveal.. (Flashback)

"Ira! Watch out!" Lisa yelled, pointing to the shambling form that jumped in front of the car. Blood dripped from its hands and mouth, but not much more could be determined before the orange land yacht plowed into it, the body rolling up and over the car.

Ira slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a screeching halt. He unbuckled and quickly turned around in his seat, taking off his shades.

"Oh my God, oh my God." Ira said quickly, turning back and forth between looking behind and Lisa. "Baby, you saw that, right? He jumped out in front of me right? What the fuck was wrong with him?!"

The blue-aproned couple looked back as the body started to move, hesitantly at first, but then more quickly, if in jerky motions. The two shattered legs were hard to walk on, even for the undead.

"Holy shit." Ira said, an octave higher than normal, advertising his fear.

"IRAAA!" Lisa screamed as a zombie suddenly threw itself on the driver's window, the lower jaw missing from what should have been an attractive reporter. Her thick 'stage' make-up now serving to excentuate the concept of the 'walking-dead'.

"The accomadations are the best under the circumstances, I'm sure Jules." Ira stated plaintively. "Are we allowed anything to take with us, and are we restricted to one person per cage?"

Ira nodded at Dr. Singh as he was introduced.

"We can go first." Ira volunteered, "Where do you want me Doc?"

[Dawn OOC]

"I'll take you into the back room." Dr. Singh gestured for him to move down the hall, but stopped when Cassie moved with him. "Your girlfriend can wait here. It is a medical exam."

Ira nodded, but that changed when Cassie shook her head. Ira tightened his arms around her as she clung to him. Dr. Singh looked irritated and Jules said, "What's wrong here? Wait, Dr. Singh, take Min back - let me talk to Ira and Cassie."

"Sure," Min said easily. "Be right back, Pops." She fell into step next to Singh, and as they walked to the single enclosed room at the back of the building, she was heard to say, "So, you're a doctor, huh?"

As she walked away, Jules pulled Ira - and by extension Cassie further away from Wesson. "Ok," she said softly. "I get that you guys have bonded. Every time you speak for her, it puts my back up. But that isn't my business. I'm not going to make you all tell me what's going on. But you need to seperate enough for the doctor to check you out, ok?" She looked from Ira to Cassie, waiting for someone to talk to her.