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Post by JDrew25 on Feb 23, 2016 11:31:16 GMT -5
As they walked, Natalie kept her hands above her head, resting them on the back of her skull. She motioned for Rey to do the same, if nothing more than to keep the men calm and to keep the woman from trying to kill them. While she was sure the woman could, it would be senseless deaths and could cause them problems down the road. She didn't want to burn any more bridges than she had to.
"You said there were others like us before. How many? When did you see them last? I don't think I've ever encountered anyone else like Rey before."
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Post by Winters on Feb 24, 2016 0:38:52 GMT -5
Looking over his shoulder to see both of the woman complying with their situation, he respected it, and kept his finger off the trigger. Even though the guns werent being aimed. When the human asked about others like the non-human, it made things a lot more suspicious, and the two men looked at eachother. Clearly, she couldve killed them, but she didnt, so that was the main reason they didnt open fire immediately. She couldnt have been like the others.
"There were two more of her kind." He started, not aiming the conversation at the non-human. "They came through here years back, looking for recruitment. It was more like enslavement. They look more then half our guys, turned them into monsters, and then left. There wasnt anything we could do about it. Most of us wouldve went along with it, since weve all been on the side of taking from other communities that were less cooperative." It all seemed farfetched, but he was hoping that the women would understand, knowing full well what these non-humans were capable of. The really powerful ones at least.
Rey could tell that Natalie was very much interested in the mans story, and so was herself. The community hadnt been too far away, and they found themselves back to the bridge within a couple of minutes. Still, Rey wanted to stick with Natalie, and see where the plan took them. They already had a mission, but maybe they could earn some wheels, or even supplies, before heading back on the road. Maybe that was what she was going for, but it didnt matter much to her, so long as they didnt get shot at.
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Post by JDrew25 on Mar 2, 2016 10:10:11 GMT -5
"I'm sorry to hear about that. We didn't have anything to do with that, I've never even been this far out, I don't think Rey has either. We were just trying to go around that herd you saw earlier. We honestly don't mean you any harm, we just wanted a place to stop for a day or two and move on. Maybe trade for supplies."
Natalie was trying to think, what was going to get them out of this without either of them ending up dead. While she was sure that Rey could take them, she was trying to avoid any bloodshed. These people had clearly lost enough, they didn't want to make it any worse. She thought about her own community as they approached the gates, wondered about her father, and whether he had sent anyone out looking for them, looking for her. What were their orders? Kill her on sight? Capture her? She didn't think anyone would have come this far, word wouldn't have gotten out about what they were, what they were capable of.
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Post by Winters on Mar 2, 2016 20:40:55 GMT -5
"Fair enough. Were not usually open to letting people pass. I had a little chat with the patrol on the bridge, and they said they let you two in because you were women. I killed the sexist f*ck, dont worry. But youre here now, so get what you need, and be on your way. Unless you want to work for your take." The man spoke, and the other walked away with him. They knew either of them would cause any issues, because they would open fire before they could get away. Two against fifteen wasnt good odds, and its how they kept this community alive.
As they walked away, Rey looked at Natalie, seeing the groups of people around what looked to be like a working area. There had been crates of stuff, people gardening, even some livestock. This was where they needed to be, to get the supplies. But there was nothing they had that would get them a truck, so work was on the table. "Not sure what to think about this place, and im not so sure about working here. Im not a mercenary. Though I suppose I could be, if it paid what we needed."
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Post by JDrew25 on Mar 3, 2016 9:24:04 GMT -5
"Working wouldn't be so bad. Could give us a chance to rest up, get our bearings for the area, and then see where to go from here. The locals might even be able to tell us about traps or problems waiting for us."
Natalie turned back to the two men, keeping her hands away from her weapons, not wanting to get shot again over a misunderstanding. She had a few ideas, a few things she could help with. And she would be able to keep near Rey, but only if the guards agreed.
"We could search the bodies out front, scavenge anything your community might need. Besides, you are going to need a burial detail anyways. We can help with that, or do you plan on burning them?"
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Post by Winters on Mar 6, 2016 23:52:56 GMT -5
"Nah, waste of resources burning them, waste of our energy burying them. Just leave em to rot out another few days, and we can plow them into the ditch. Ill tell Stone I vouch for you two, seeing as you didnt try to kill us. He'll let you know when he decides what needs to be done that we dont already have getting done." The man replied, finally walking away as he finished speaking. Rey just watched. She wasnt too worried about their personal beliefs, it wasnt like she burned anybody, or buried them. It was realistically a waste of manpower, and the gas used to start a fire like that would be better used for a generator. This compound seemed to be running some power, surprisingly enough. Whether Natalie had the same feelings on their disposal was another story.
"Looks like we wait, then..." Rey trailed off, looking back at what was setup inside the compound from where they stood. The location they picked meant they didnt need walls, which meant there probably wasnt enough infected attacks to worry about. And since they were still thriving, the BOW in the area would have been slim to none, or nothing they couldnt handle. Which was a little bit alarming. "Their armory must be stocked. Hard to believe theyd have enough after eight years. Mustbe been some military training grounds, thats my guess anyways. I wonder if the people here are veterans of war. Theyre not hiding from the world, so they must be grizzled."
It was interesting seeing the group, and that they werent like Natalies. They didnt seem friendly, but they werent enemies. They were just neutral, people who did that they did, and did it well. Of all the colonies Rey seen over the years, this one was unique. Not in the sense that they all seemed to have guns, and artilliery to take out hoards, but because they didnt gun them down or ask where they came from. But all the other cards played, the group was definitely battle hardened, which made them strong, and something to be feared. "After you. Ill let you know if I see anything I dont like."
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Post by JDrew25 on Mar 7, 2016 22:58:03 GMT -5
"I see plenty I don't like, but they're the first people to not shoot at us. That's better than we've had. You got shot by my own people. And what they were going to do to us..."
Natalie let that sentence linger as she looked around. She couldn't believe the technology they possessed, even after all these years. She could imagine the kinds of raids they had to fight they seemed very capable, if the artillery was anything to show them. She was glad that so far they were alive and mostly unharmed. If they played nice it would stay that way.
"Alright let's find out who's in charge and then see what is going on around here. Maybe we can get some good Intel about the area. Might do us some good."
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Post by Winters on Mar 8, 2016 1:06:06 GMT -5
The pair just moved around the compound, looking at all the different people, doing different jobs. Some were even reloading ammunition, which was the first time Rey had seen anybody doing that. These people were smart, and judging from the smoke that came from several stacks further back, they had a refinery of some sort. The recasing of ammo probably meant they were crafting their own. Rey was almost starting to like this place, but knew there had to be a catch to having all of this stuff here stockpiled. She assumed there wouldnt have been any other communities for miles around left standing, because they would have been robbed of supplies already. It all matched up pretty well, but still, she was keeping to herself about it. Natalie mustve got the same impression. Maybe.
Once they were up on higher ground, they could see the back gate, which was closed. The bridge didnt have a gate, but it was well guarded. The gate was only guarded was one person with a rifle. If that was really all they needed, then they were definitely the only ones around, and they knew it. Not long after getting their bearings, a man approached them. He was a largely built hispanic, with long black hair, and scars all over his face. The look screamed 'boss man' to her. "When I heard there were two lovely ladies waiting for me, I didnt know what to expect. Name is Stone, and I run this place. Heard you might be willing to help us with something..." He barked, almost loudly, proudly. Rey didnt like it, and decided to come out straight. "Depends on what the something is. Doesnt seem like you need anymore help around here."
As Rey spoke, Stone listened, smiling to himself. It was overshown. "Cocky. Hm. What about you?" He switched focus to Natalie, stepping forward and raising his hand. Not to greet her with a handshake, it was more affectionate, and his hand moved toward her face. But Rey grabbed his wrist, throwing it back, and standing in front of Natalie. Stone barked again. "Oh, I see whats going on here. You two come together, huh? Lucky for me, I dont mind paying extra for the both of you. How about we go back to my room?" Rey knew that Stone was interested in some r&r, not two skilled survivalists. He was definitely a sexist pig, but Natalie could speak for herself, so Rey just waited for what happened next.
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Post by JDrew25 on Mar 8, 2016 10:08:24 GMT -5
"I think we'll pass. We aren't on the menu today."
Natalie nodded to Rey, and they took a few steps back to put distance between them and the town leader. This wasn't what she was expecting, but that didn't mean she wasn't prepared for this outcome. She was simply hoping this wasn't going to be what they ran into while they were in the settlement.
"We don't want any trouble. We'll be on our way in a day or so, and out of your hair."
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Post by Winters on Mar 9, 2016 1:03:21 GMT -5
Lucky for them, there hadnt been anybody else around, as they were in a fairly secluded part of the compound. Rey took note of this, and prepared herself further, but knew what was more than likely going to happen next. Natalie wouldnt like it, but she would do what she had to. "Oh yeah? Will you now? What makes you think im asking, and not telling?" Stone looked at Natalie, glaring at her with angry eyes, and slowly walked back toward her as she moved away.
It was then that Rey rammed into his side, drawing her bow in the process, and aimed it at his chest. It all happened in a quick motion, and Stone didnt even have time to react. He knew he was dealing with an enhanced human, but didnt know she would actually do something like this. They werent here to kill them, but if he kept up like this, he knew she wouldnt hesitate if he made any sudden moves. But it was her technique that got his interest. "Alright, aright. Maybe he got off on the wrong foot here. Just dont do what you want to do right now. You kill me, and youll have to kill everyone else here. I know you can, and will. So lets not, okay?" Stone finished, trying to dismantle the situation.
Finally, Rey undid her arrow, and slung her bow back around her shoulder. But twisted her body to one side, and shifted her weight with a punch, sending a right hook into the mans face. This sent him to the ground. "Dont get up until im far enough that I cant smell you." Rey walked off. However, Stone spit blood onto the ground, and spoke again. "Work. You want work. Ill get you work. After sundown. Meet me at the bridge." He spit again, but stayed on the ground.
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Post by JDrew25 on Mar 9, 2016 14:24:35 GMT -5
"Good to know you see common sense."
Natalie tried her best to imitate Rey, but as they walked away she could feel her body shaking. This was not what they had been expecting, or maybe it was and the world had become even more messed up than she thought it was. She didn't want to kill anyone, but she had the feeling that someone would die before they left this area, and she didn't want it to be by their hands.
"Come on, let's see if we can find some place where I can trade this rifle in for a bow. Could use your help picking out a good one."
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Post by Winters on Mar 10, 2016 0:16:43 GMT -5
From everything going on, Rey almost forgot that Natalie wanted to take a page from her book and try her luck with the bow. It was something that took a lot of skill, and practice to gain that skill, but given her ability to use the primitive sling, it would be very fitting and easy for her to learn. "Around here? Doubtful. These people all seem to be using military grade weapons. Probably the only reason theyre still working. The rifle you have now is a Mosin Nagant. Its designed to last a lifetime. Ill bet we could get a lot more for it, given its condition, and they would definitely have lots of ammo for it." She pointed out, knowing the guns worth. This complex had been American owned, so the guns would all be USA made. But the Mosin Nagant was a collectors item. Who knows where it came from at this point, especially after eight years out of the old world.
With that, she slung the bow out from around her shoulder, and handed it to Natalie. Along with that was the quiver, and a handful of arrows. "Lets get out of here now and practice for awhile, until its time to meet Stone at the bridge. Get some hours in now, then see what he has to offer. We can trade the rifle tomorrow." Rey knew that it would be sundown in about an hour or two already, so they didnt have much time left of the day to train. But truthfully, she wanted to spend as little time in this place as possible. It was already bad enough they were going out of their way from the current mission, but at least it didnt have an expiration date.
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Post by JDrew25 on Mar 23, 2016 10:24:13 GMT -5
"Alright. Lead on oh great and wise teacher."
Natalie was both glad they were getting out of the compound, and more than a little worried about being so exposed. She had spent her entire life in the city, this much open ground made her...nervous. There weren't enough places to hide, or building she could scout from or scavenge through. This would take a lot of getting used to.
"After we train, I want to get all of this...concealment off. I don't want to be mistaken for one of them, you know?"
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Post by Winters on Mar 24, 2016 9:02:26 GMT -5
Shaking off the remark about being some wise teacher, Rey shook her head. "Im not wise, just experienced. Theres a difference. Being wise would be to not taking risks, because taking risks got you killed. Experience means you know which risks to take, which ones dont entertain the idea of failure."[/b] She went on, making sure Natalie knew that if they were doing something, it was for a good reason. "But we should find another river, or new clothes..." Rey stated. She was reflecting back on a time when she used to blend in with the undead for sometimes days at a time, so having the "warpaint" on here wasnt a big deal, but Natalie was right. The soldiers around here might end up getting trigger happy if they werent careful.
Far enough from the compound, but keeping to side of the main road, both Rey and Natalie kept their eyes peeled. It was obvious that Natalie was paranoid about their surroundings, which was normal since she hadnt been out behind her own walls this long, and knowing she wouldnt ever get back inside them made things worse. But this is how people learnt, the hard way. Down the road, there was a shambler, which had been decays almost to the point where it would fall over on a windy day. How it even managed to stay up this long was beyond her imagination. "Perfect, there. Just shoot the bow. Dont let it scrape your arm..." Rey moved closer, showing Natalie the proper stance, waiting for her to take the shot.
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Post by JDrew25 on Mar 30, 2016 13:11:06 GMT -5
"Alright, but after this, we should get cleaned up, and keep close to the bridge."
Natalie aimed as she had seen Rey and others from her settlement do, keeping in mind her words about avoiding scraping her arm when she let loose. She closed one eye, and stuck her tongue out slightly as she steadied her arm, pulled the arrow back, and then held her breath as she let the arrow fly. It struck the walking corpse in the neck, severing it. The body was so decayed that was all it took to take its head off of its shoulders. She turned to the other woman, beaming like a child as she handed the bow back to her.
"A little low, but it did the job."
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