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| Dead Men Walking | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Nov 28 2014, 02:20 AM (70,834 Views) | |
| Strompy | Jan 12 2016, 04:27 AM Post #3631 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"I don't see how we ever could without taking a chance. You know I share your doubts. If we can't leave, then I don't see how we have much of a choice. We need what they have. Here's what I think we should do. We surrender. We give them our weapons, but only the ones we take with us. We leave some hidden here. We hand over enough of what we have to be convincing. They've seen the rifle, maybe seen a couple other pieces but they have no way of knowing what else we've got. If they stiff us on our pay, then at least we can come back here and protect ourselves." Brandon suggested. "And if they kill us?" Emily asked. "Then we're dead." Brandon said flatly with a chastising look. The situation was frustrating to say the least. So far nobody had actually suggested a viable solution since leaving town was a last resort. Brandon liked to think he had a good idea but knew it was really only a half measure. "I can't think of what else to do. If you have an idea you need to say it, even if it seems stupid." he declared. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jan 13 2016, 05:08 AM Post #3632 |
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Is that so?
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Willow's lips curled into a frown. She was afraid and, unfortunately, didn't have any new ideas to input either. "Are you sure we can't just go to the next town over?" The pink-haired sniper contested. "Look, I know doing that is a risk. If we go, there's no guarantee that we will even find the supplies we need. Which is terrible, but but we run the exact same risk with these people. Not only do we risk not getting more supplies, but we risk getting killed as well." Antonio sighed heavily as Willow finished and rebutted almost as quickly; "We can't just give up on people because of a few bad seeds. Cory and Leonora... they are hardly indicative of humanity as a whole. But... I don't disagree with your logic." Willow unconsciously furled her brow at Antonio's words. Funny that he would look down on her opinion just to say that he agreed with her afterward. Though, to be fair, she never really understood the padre -- as Eli had nicknamed him -- all that well. There were a lot of things about him that never made sense. But considering how little he talked about himself, she supposed that couldn't be helped. "So, do you have a better idea then?" "I do." Antonio confirmed. "The way Brandon spoke, it sounded like the plan was to have a lot of us go over there. We don't need to send all of us into a potential trap. Just one or two of us. That way, if they were less than honest with their intentions, most of us would be safe and armed on the outside. That might also serve as a deterrent to stop them from trying anything funny as well." Willow hummed. It did make sense. "And obviously, I wouldn't have suggested the plan if I wasn't willing to be our inside man." |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jan 13 2016, 05:15 AM Post #3633 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Annie looked at her feet, then back up at everyone else in the room. “No ideas,” she said. “Just hopes and prayers that you’re right about these people. Antonio’s right, though, we don’t all have to go. And I need to stay here and keep an eye on Emmett.” “I want to…” Connor piped up again. Annie cut him off. “Honey, you…” “No, I want to go!” Connor cut her off in turn. “Eli’s not here, Emmett is sick, Hank and his family are useless – come on, you need me. I can handle myself.” Annie took a deep breath. His point wasn’t a bad one, necessarily. And if she was going to trust Brandon on this, she needed to trust him all the way. And Connor had started to prove himself capable. “I was going to say, if Brandon will have you, you can go,” she said. “But at the first sign of trouble…” Connor smiled. “I’ll run, I know. I’m ready.” “At the first sign of trouble,” Annie insisted. |
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| Strompy | Jan 13 2016, 07:24 PM Post #3634 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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There was always an instinct to tell Connor no when he made a suggestion like that, despite how he'd proven himself and how he much he'd been trsuted with already. He had been trusted with a gun, trusted to help them in several fights, even gunfights. It was Brandon himself who put the gun in hands and lead him. It would have been the height of hypocracy to tell him no on the grounds of the danger he'd be facing. This situation was far behind the line they'd already crossed. Instead of agonizing over it, Brandon chose simply to feel honored by the trust Annie was placing in him. Another person in his corner going in there made him feel more confident, even if they were going in defenseless. "Okay. I appreciate the backup. We're leaving everything here though, even the cars. We're taking nothing worth stealing." Brandon said as he began removing his HK and its holster. He laid out all his gear on the chair next to him. Even his knife. He drew the Supergrade from behind his back and briefly considered taping it to his back or otherwise trying to sneak it in with him just in case. After only a moment of contemplation he stopped looking at it and placed it with the rest of his gear. After that he excused himself to go inform the Kellys. He knocked on the door of the room they'd taken for themselves. |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jan 14 2016, 03:51 AM Post #3635 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Hank opened the door quietly and greeted Brandon with an even expression. Behind him, on the city manager’s couch, Ruby had managed to fall asleep and Hank didn’t want to wake her. Riley, meanwhile, had sought refuge in the manager’s office. Last time Hank checked in on her, she was curled up in the office chair, also sleeping. He had been watching over CJ alone for the past couple minutes. “Brandon,” he said, giving him a simple nod. “Annie came by and told us what’s going on. She said you’re going unarmed. You… you think that’s a good idea?” Hank had a little trouble believing that when she told him. He thought back on Salt Lake City and how wrong they were to let their guard down there. He also thought about Lowell, Noah, and Alma, and their unforgivable actions. He couldn’t see himself trusting strangers again anytime soon. But it was Brandon’s life on the line, and he had no right to tell him what to do with it. Still, he couldn’t hide his doubts. |
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| Strompy | Jan 14 2016, 04:47 AM Post #3636 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"It's the only one we've got." Brandon confessed. It was odd that after everything they'd been through he felt more at ease going into that casino than he did back at the depot. Maybe it was their mutual mistrust that paradoxically put him at ease. Leonora's people were too accommodating, too eager to please. randon had never trusted them, but he had come to underestimate them and hadn't thought they would act so brazenly. This time he was going in with his eyes open, so if it was a trap at least it wouldn't come as a surprise. "This could go really bad and you may need to leave in a hurry. Now might be the only good time you have to say goodbye to Andy. We'll leave for the casino once it's done, and after we do everyone needs to be on high alert. Show Riley and Ruby how to work a gun and put one in their hands, you might need to defend yourselves." Brandon advised him. |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jan 14 2016, 05:07 AM Post #3637 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Hank scratched tiredly at his stubble. He tried to suppress the annoyance he felt at receiving an order from Brandon right now. It wasn’t a productive emotion, he knew that. Blaming him for what happened to Andy wasn’t productive either. He reminded himself of that after Brandon brought him up again. He took a breath as he looked back at his sleeping daughter and then again to Brandon. “Riley and Ruby are sleeping. After the night they had, I think they deserve the rest,” he said. “Andy’s not…” …going anywhere, he finished the sentence in his mind, but couldn’t bring himself to do it out loud. “We’ll take care of him later,” he said instead. |
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| Strompy | Jan 14 2016, 03:58 PM Post #3638 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"Everyone deserves rest, I just don't think we can afford it right now." Brandon said but didn't press the issue. Hank's family was his own business. Sooner or later they'd need to learn how to fight, and the most vital part of that was simply being willing to. Even in the midst of their grief they were still in a high risk situation, rotters and bandits wouldn't care that they were in mourning. If Hank wanted to chance being caught napping that was his call, Brandon just hoped it wouldn't affect any of his people. He had to acknowledge there was wisdom to what Emily said about distancing himself from the Kellys. Brandon left them to themselves again and returned to the waiting room where the others were ready to leave. He automatically grabbed his carbine and was halfway through slinging it over his shoulder when he realized what he was doing. He lay it back down with a soft chuckle and looked outside. With a sigh he wondered if the others could sense his apprehension about going out there. No weapons. Might as well be no clothes, in fact he'd feel less naked if it were. It was always a risk going out there, but at least he could make his peace with that knowing he'd go out fighting. He'd promised himself not to let his fear dictate his behaviour. They were going out there because it was their best, and maybe only option. It felt inadequate but before he opened the door he kissed Willow's cheek and held her briefly. Anything more would have felt like a goodbye and he was far from resigned to that. The town was so quiet they couldn't hear much more than the echoe of their own footsteps as they made their way through to ghost filled streets. There was nothing to mark the pressense of rotters save tell-tale bloodstains. These people had been very busy. He wondered how many people they must have to so effectively clear the streets. The walk was eerily uneventful and in a few minutes they stood just down the road from the casino. "If either of you want to head back, now's the last chance. I won't hold it against you." he informed the others. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jan 14 2016, 08:05 PM Post #3639 |
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Is that so?
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"I was going to say the same to you." Antonio mused in response to Brandon. "You don't need to push yourself to do this." He wasn't going to lecture Brandon on his decisions. On his recklessness. he was risking his life unnecessarily; he was leaving behind a girlfriend and a group that needed him when he could barely walk. He didn't agree with Brandon following him out here, nor did he agree with his decision to let Connor come with them. But the young boy wanted to come along of his own accord, and Antonio was in no position to serve as anyone's moral compass right now. |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jan 14 2016, 10:21 PM Post #3640 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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“Yeah right,” Connor said, summoning a sarcastic smile. “Like I’m going to change my mind now. Let’s do this.” |
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| Strompy | Jan 15 2016, 04:03 AM Post #3641 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"Here goes nothing then." Brandon said before limping forward again. He knew they'd have shooters on the roof but he couldn't see any sign of them. The windows all had their blinds drawn. The ground floor windows were boarded up tight. It didn't appear to be ramshackle work either, they must have had a proffesional in the group. After a few moments they were standing out the front of the building. He couldn't see them but he was certain they were being watched. "We've come to speak with Mr. King. We're unarmed." Brandon declared, raising his hands and gesturing for the others to do the same. After a few moments his shoulder began to ache and he could feel his arm getting weak but managed to keep his hands up as they clearly took a few moments to decide what to do. There was a metalic creaking noise and after a second three men emerged from inside. Up top he could see the women Emily mentioned had returned to their post. The men approaching them a similar cosmopolitan array. One was a weathered looking aging white man, another was latino in his thirties and the third was the kempt asian man Antonio met before. All three carried pump-action shotguns, they looked like remingtons. "Please remove your clothes for inspection." the latino man instructed them with a heavy accent, in a practiced tone. Brandon cocked an eyebrow at the order. He expected a pat down at least but it seemed they took security more seriously than he thought. He was grateful to finally lower his arm though as he undid his pants. Again he gestured for the others to follow suit. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jan 15 2016, 04:45 AM Post #3642 |
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Is that so?
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When the Latino man demanded a strip search, Antonio flinched and shifted his weight between his legs. However, their demand was reasonable; though he found himself thankful none of the women had come along to be subjected to this. "Very well." Antonio conceded as he started undoing the clips on his overalls. The weather wasn't exactly warm, and the brisk breeze bit at his bare skin, but at the end of it Antonio's clothing lay in a pile in front of him. The only article that he had left to his name was a pair of plain, white underwear with 'Hanes' printed along the elastic waist band. "Is this enough, or...?" He asked before taking the final step. |
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| Strompy | Jan 15 2016, 04:54 PM Post #3643 |
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More posts, more Busey.
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"That'll be fine, thank you." Byron informed him and gestured for the latino man to retrieve their clothes. They continued undressing and eventually stood there as naked as Brandon already felt. There was a murmuring among the women up top and a quiet chorus of laughter followed it. Brian grimaced at their giggling, evidently taking the situation more seriously than them. The older man lowered his weapon and began going through their clothes, emptiying every pocket, checking every fold. Brandon appreciated the care he took with them as he still had those three little slugs in his pocket. The man held them in his hand as she checked the pockets and rather than assume they were just pocket trash went so far as to place them back where he found them. "Mitch, could you please check his bandages, he could be hiding a razor blade or something under them." Byron instructed rather than asked. The older man, Mitch, raised an eyebrow at the order and gave Brandon an apologetic look. The fixation with security was quickly becoming becoming uncomfortable, but hopefully stopped short of cavity searches. Brandon acquiesced and held his hands out to the side non threateningly and allowed Mitch to his bandages. Mitch was a mix of sympathy, ghoulish curiosity and apprehension as he inspected Brandon and his growing collection of injuries. He even checked his eye patch. Once satisfied their clothes were returned to them. Mitch considered Connor with a mixed expression as he handed his clothes back. Clearly the pressence of a teenager raised some questions for them. The three of them did create an odd picture. Brandon wondered what they made of Connor, if it reasurred them or made them a little more anxious about what kind of people they were dealing with. "They're all clean." Mitch declared in a gravely voice. "Alright. Follow me please." Byron instructed the trio. He lead the way and they followed, toward the entrance of the casino. The other two men followed behind them, so they had guns on them at all times. The glass doors were locked in an open position, but behind them was a formidable gateway. It was made of metal and topped with barbed wire. The entire structure was concave with a rolling door in the centre, and two sturdy looking walls to either side lined with wicked looking barbs. A raised platform was on one side of the gate where a short man, who looked to be filipino, stood holding an automatic rifle. The gate rolled over with a metallic creaking sound and they were ushered into the spacious lobby. There were more guns pointing at the from behind the fortified reception desk. Brandon was almost flattered by the effort they seemed to be going to. "Gentlemen. Welcome." a voice spoke boisterously nearby. Brandon looked for the source and was a little surprised to find a slightly hefty man in a wheelchair making his way toward them. He was in his sixties at least, his hair grey all the way through with a prominent bald scalp, and he sported a not insignificant and well maintained moustache. He had a seeming of dignified ease about him. "I'm Saxon King." he introduced himself and looked to Antonio. |
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| DoctorYerishi | Jan 15 2016, 05:39 PM Post #3644 |
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Dude, wake up! We've got a world to save.
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Connor was uncomfortable with the order to strip, but let out a frustrated sigh and did it anyway. Though they had made it pretty far west, it was still cold this time of year, and Connor rubbed his shoulders for warmth as the strangers sorted through his empty pockets. When the guy called Mitch handed him his clothes back, he hurriedly put them back on. Soon after, they were in the lobby of a casino. Connor had never been in one before, but even if he had, he didn’t think the experience would be much familiar. In the old days, they probably didn’t have barbed wire on the entrances and patrons probably weren’t greeted at gunpoint. When their leader introduced himself, Connor frowned slightly, but was quiet. |
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| Make-7-Up-Yours | Jan 15 2016, 05:55 PM Post #3645 |
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Is that so?
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As they came in, it was hard not to notice that this place was locked down pretty tightly. It was a war zone outside these days, so Antonio could not blame them for being on the cautious side of things. Though he hoped that would be the last time they were subjected to a strip search, he had the idea that it was going to be something he would just need to get used to as long as they dealt with these people. "I am Father Antonio Mendez." The priest introduced himself to the, surprisingly, wheelchair-bound Saxon King. He was not quite what Antonio had been expecting. First they had little old ladies with guns, now it was a man in a wheelchair; though he was a man with a very respectable moustache. That had to count for something. "These two are Brandon Keenan and Connor Berman." He motioned to Brandon and Connor respectively as he said their names. "We were told that you are the man to talk to here." |
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7:27 PM Jul 10