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| Dead Men Walking | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 28 2014, 02:20 AM (70,837 Views) | |
| DoctorYerishi | Dec 27 2015, 07:55 PM Post #3586 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Hank was standing in the corner of the room, his arms folded as he listened to Willow’s story for the second time. Annie had already filled him in after the stranger left. He didn’t know what to think then and he still didn’t know what to think now. A few days ago, he would have jumped at the idea of a community out there that was ready and willing to help outsiders. Then Salt Lake City happened. He remained silent, waiting to hear Brandon’s take on it. * * * Eli finally looked at Kelsey, trying to gauge the sincerity of her ’good.’ She had just found out she killed someone. As far as Eli knew, Alma was the first person Kelsey had ever done in. Was she really unaffected? For now, it seemed, the answer was yes. Kelsey’s face was stone. Eli’s wasn’t – his wore a frown. And on Kelsey’s behalf, not Alma’s. Alma helped break Lowell out, Alma gave that bastard a gun and the opportunity to use it. She knew what he was capable of better than anybody and she orchestrated his escape anyway. She was culpable in Nolan’s death. Kelsey was right, she deserved it. But Kelsey didn’t know what she was getting into. She couldn’t know. But Eli knew all too well. “That road goes both ways,” Eli said. “We can turn back now, get to Elko by tomorrow morning.” |
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| Strompy | Dec 27 2015, 09:43 PM Post #3587 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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They came here!? Brandon's face reddened at the thought. They shouldn't have left. He closed his eyes a moment and found the strength to refrain from chastising himself. They needed to look for supplies and the greater risk did seem to be to the away team. They drove right past these people without realizing they were there, they were well hidden, he couldn't have known. He made the most logical decision he could with the information at hand, he assured himself. Instead of being angry at himself he decided to be calm and think. "My gut says it's a trap, but my gut's been really wrong before. I'm inclined to believe the claim there's nothing left in town. They've even stripped the houses practically bare. They wouldn't want our supplies if that's the case, unless they had a huge population which since we didn't notice any sign of them even when we drove right past them I don't think they have. So if supplies aren't an issue for them, what would they want from us?" he began. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Dec 28 2015, 02:30 AM Post #3588 |
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Is that so?
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Alma was dead. Kelsey had officially gotten some level of revenge. An eye for an eye, as her father always warned against. She expected it would feel better than this. But it didn't. Everything still felt so... empty. "Why?" Kelsey asked. "We're already out here. We might as well keep going." * * * * * It was impossible to rule out the possibility that those Church of New Hope, or whatever they called themselves, were behind this mess as well. The guy seemed like a normal guy when Willow had spoken with him before, however briefly that was. But it was not outside their power to coerce someone into saying that either. Or he could just be another one of their goons. Or it could be something else entirely. Frankly, Willow saw a lot of situations where they were taken advantage of again. "Well, we kinda need the supplies." Willow hesitantly admitted. "We can't just leave before Eli and Kelsey get back and we gotta do whatever we can for Emmett, you know? And the nearest city is God knows how far away from us. We're in the middle of bum-fuck nowhere with nothing to our names." The more she talked about it out loud, the less likely it seemed that they could just ignore these people. They were stuck here for a few days while Eli and Kelsey got back -- and they would come back -- so they had to do something. "Normally, I'd suggest we do something like scope them out. See if they're legit. But they knew we came into town and they knew where we were staying. Knowing that, I wouldn't be surprised if they were watching us right now." |
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| DoctorYerishi | Dec 28 2015, 06:32 AM Post #3589 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Eli cocked his head, a little bothered by the question. “Why?” he repeated. “For starters, how about because we’re flyin’ blind here? For real now. Weren’t you the one that said that going to Mexico was Alma’s plan? Well, where’s Alma at now?” He paused to point in the direction Kelsey had just been pointing. “Not to mention, every mile that way is a mile further from Nevada an’ Brandon an’ Willow an’ the rest of them. I promised them I’d get you there. More than that, I promised your dad I’d keep you safe. The more we ‘keep going,’ the harder that promise is to keep.” * * * Annie massaged her temples – she was tired, even more than usual, both mentally and physically. “Is there a way to tell if they are?” she asked. “Watching us, I mean. Brandon, do you know anything about… counter-surveillance, or anything like that?” She bit her lip slightly, expecting a ’no’ and not sure if she could even trust a yes. Maybe he would just tell her what she wanted to hear. Maybe he’d be overconfident. Brandon’s parents were preppers, not spies. And it wasn’t like Brandon had been in the military. |
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| Strompy | Dec 28 2015, 03:27 PM Post #3590 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"No. We just have to assume they're watching. If they are they'll be holed up nearby with this place in their sights, and that leaves too many places for us to check without being spotted doing so, which would give them warning to relocate." Brandon admitted as he surveyed the surrounding area. They could be in any of those buildings, watching the place for any comings and goings. "If we were to take off in one of the cars they wouldn't be able to keep track of us though. there's no vantage for them to watch us from a distance while we move around town, so they'd have to do it on foot or in their own cars, but then they'd be exposed. We could drop off a two person surveillance team away from here and then come back. Surveillance could then reposition to watch the Red Lion and stay in contact with us by radio. Then we could send somebody out to talk to them with the other team covering." he thought out loud. "We still haven't decided if we even want anything from them." Emily pointed out. Brandon didn't stop looking out the front windows for signs of human activity but he did point his finger in her direction to signify his concurrence with that thought. "I say we take our chances on the road. Leave a message for Eli and Kelsey to meet us at town hall in the next town over along the I-80. Last time something sounded too good to be true, we were right. We made the mistake of not acting on it." she voiced her opinion. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Dec 29 2015, 04:13 AM Post #3591 |
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Is that so?
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"These guys might check the place after we leave and collect and notes we leave behind." Willow countered Emily's suggestion. "I don't wanna leave Eli and Kelsey hanging like that." She understood the dilemma better than anybody. It was potentially dangerous to stay here, but she wanted even less to leave now and potentially damn Eli and Kelsey upon their arrival here. They were really stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. "Even if we assume worst case scenario, that these guys are out to get us, the fact they sent an envoy to lure us to the casino means they aren't comfortable bringing the fight to us, or else they would have done it already or kept their presence hidden. I think that means we are probably safe for the time being. Kinda." Not her most convincing argument. |
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| Strompy | Dec 29 2015, 09:49 AM Post #3592 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"Good point on both counts. I don't think we should leave before Eli and Kelsey get here." Brandon said as he nodded along with Willow's words. He wished intensely that they could just rest. Everyone of them deserved a reprieve, a chance to close their eyes, mourn and heal. "Could be they don't have the strength to take us in an open fight or when we're in a defensive position. It could be they don't know our strength. Or they might just be incredibly cautious." he mused out loud. "So are we doing something about them or are we just hiding here until we run out of supplies completely?" Emily asked. "Maybe we should send an envoy of our own. I can go." Brandon suggested. "Who ever we send needs to be able to send a message without saying anything. They need to know we can fight, and that we're not desperate for supplies." Emily said with a note of objection in her voice. Brandon gestured to himself questioningly. He was sporting numerous battle scars now, clearly he'd been through it. That could give them pause if they knew they were dealing with fighters. "You're still wounded, maybe if you were healed up some more, but you'd only make us look desperate right now. I can't do it, and neither can any of the other women because the fact is people just don't find women as intimidating. Needs to be one of the guys. I'd say Emmett or Brandon but in their condition that won't work. That means it should either be Antonio or Hank." Emily explained in more detail. There was a pause then. Brandon considered it. He didn't like the idea of sending somebody else to do this, but he knew both men were level headed. Hank might not have been in the right frame of mind for all this right now though. Brandon also hadn't seen Antonio try to be intimidating, but Emily seemed to know a thing or two about that, being a cop that made some sense. Maybe she had some pointers for them. "Are either of you guys feeling up to that if we decide to do this? You're going to be putting your head in the lion's mouth on this one." Brandon asked. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Dec 30 2015, 12:37 AM Post #3593 |
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Is that so?
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Everything since Green River had been a disaster. Fights had erupted, both verbal and physical. Tensions were high. People had died. Before the plague, Antonio could handle a situation like this. He could mediate and they could talk the issues out, and if they couldn't then there were still options. Things were different now though. He found himself feeling more and more helpless to the situations the group was finding itself in. 'Talking' wasn't a solution to people like Leonora and Gregory. It wasn't a solution for people like Cory. So what was the proper answer then? No matter how much he tried turning to God for guidance, he still didn't know what to do. A part of Antonio considered that maybe he had been wrong in following these people -- this journey had not strengthened his faith in the least. It had weakened it. "I... don't do intimidating very well." Antonio said. He had been only half paying attention to the discussion taking place. He only diverted his full attention to it recently after hearing his name thrown out there. "But I would be more than willing to act as an envoy toward these people and see if I can ascertain their motives." He continued. "I think, no... I want to think that we don't need to act like thugs to find out if their motives are good." * * * * * Kelsey let out a tired sigh. "You're just looking out for me because you promised my dad that you would." She said flatly. "You're not worried about me or anything, you're worried about keeping your stupid promise." |
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| Strompy | Dec 30 2015, 12:59 AM Post #3594 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"I'm not saying you to act like a thug, I'm saying you act like a cop. I can help you with the intimidating thing. What you need is a pair of aviators so they can't see your eyes, I have a pair. When you talk to them, try to ask a lot of rhetorical questions, makes you seem like you know more than you do or at least suspect more. If you answer any of their questions, keep them as monosyllabic as possible. Don't turn up with a gun, that'd be a little too aggressive but keep a machete on you because machetes are badass and show you mean business. The key is to say as little as you can and let their own doubts do the intimidating for you. All you need to do is be as inscrutable as possible." Emily advised Antonio to assuage any doubts he might have. If he came into a meeting doubting himself they could pick up on that and they'd lose a valuable edge. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Dec 30 2015, 02:38 AM Post #3595 |
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Is that so?
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"That sounds simple enough." Antonio shrugged. He had been pretty intimidating back in his gang days, but truthfully that wasn't the kind of intimidation they were looking for. And on top of that, he was an entirely different person now, he couldn't just up and change his entire demeanor at the snap of a finger. It was a part of himself he barely wanted to acknowledge existed. "Is that why cops always wear those shaded aviators?" Willow furled her brow curiously. "To be more intimidating?" "More or less." Antonio answered. "I mean, I know it's a pretty common tactic, but... I guess I just never put two and two together on that one. I never understood why cops needed to be scary. Or why some people thought they were." "Well, you did grow up rich and white." |
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| Strompy | Dec 30 2015, 06:28 AM Post #3596 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"So. If you're going to be our face I'll back you up with the ruger. I saw a couple okay spots across the street from that place where I could watch you." Emily offered. While the others talked over their next steps Brandon noticed Hank observing them from the doorway. He left the others to continue planning now that it seemed they may have arrived at a decision. With a heavy heart he approached Hank and spoke quietly. "I found those shovels I was looking for. I don't think the burial can happen just yet though, not until we have a handle on this new situation. If we're being watched and I'm sure we are, we need to limit our exposure as much as possible. I'm sorry." Brandon explained quietly. He knew how important it was to bury the people you lose, so his heart broke for Hank to be denied that even a moment longer. |
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| DoctorYerishi | Dec 30 2015, 10:32 AM Post #3597 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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“That’s not…” Eli started to object, but ended up swallowing his words. He cringed in frustration. Kelsey’s argument wasn’t a good reason to keep going down this reckless path, he knew that, but maybe she wasn’t wrong. At least, not totally wrong. She had accused him of something similar back when he first rescued her, but he wasn’t in the frame of mind to hear it. Now in the semi-clear light of day, while he was a little more focused, he could see it from her side. In her shoes, he wouldn’t be ready to turn back either, especially not for his sake. More importantly, the truth was that nothing had changed. If he wasn’t willing to handcuff her and bring her to Nevada against her will, then he had no choice but to continue helping her. He shook his head, in pre-disbelief at what he was about to say. “Fine, so we keep going. But it’s probably gonna be dark again before we catch them. We’re gonna need to find something to eat.” * * * Hank answered with a sad sigh. “Okay,” he said simply. “I understand.” He looked up and past Brandon next, to Antonio in the center of the room. He had overheard the plan, and it sounded as good as any. “Good luck, Father,” he said. “If anybody should be our ambassador, it’s you. I know you can do it.” He looked back to Brandon, and supressed the urge to sigh once more. “I should go check on my family. Let me know if something changes.” |
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| Strompy | Dec 30 2015, 02:54 PM Post #3598 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"Will do." Brandon promised and moved back toward the others. Emily already had her aviators out and was putting them on Antonio. "Just keep your face blank, show no emotion. Think T-800. Killing machine, you don't give a fuck." she instructed him. "You don't have to make any decisions out there. Just greet them, get a look at them, get a feel for them. Once you're happy you've done that tell them you'll think about it or something non-committal like that and come back." Brandon explained. He hoped he wasn't making a terrible mistake sending one of their's out there. They needed everyone. He needed everyone. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Dec 30 2015, 08:59 PM Post #3599 |
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Is that so?
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"I feel ridiculous." Antonio sighed. "You do kinda look like Super Mario with aviators on." Willow chipped in unhelpfully. "Who?" "Nothing." The priest exhaled sharply. He wasn't worried about something happening out there. Truthfully, if it turned south and he was shot, he could take solace in the fact there were much worse ways to go. "Which way is the Red Lion from here?" He asked as they made their final preparations to send him off. |
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| Strompy | Dec 31 2015, 02:57 AM Post #3600 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"The outfit is a little weird but I think the blood stains and the machete on your hip will more than make up for the fashion faux-pas. I don't think anyone would think any less of you if they know what they should be paying attention to." Emily appraised Antonio, looking him up and down contemplatively. "The Red Lion is back the way we came. We drove past it on the way in." Brandon explained. "So plan is, I hide in the back of the car out of sight. Antonio takes a little detour on the way to the Red Lion and I get out a little way back then make my way to the overwatch position. Antonio holds a his meeting out the front with me covering him, then once it's done he drives away and I make my way back to where he dropped me off where he'll pick me up again." Emily layed out the process. Straight forward on paper, but rotters could complicate even the simplest plans. "Okay then. It's your show now, man. Just head out when you're ready." Brandon declared. |
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7:27 PM Jul 10