"I'm putting my gun away, but I draw fast. Any sudden movements, if I even think you'll harm anyone of us - I will kill you. Marshall stated - in a completely serious tone. "But worry not, I'm not going to cap you the way things are going. You seem like a decent man."

“Thanks. That sounds good to me. Keeps things easy to understand.” Conell spoke, smiling at the last bit. No one had ever called him a decent man before. The best compliment he had ever gotten was when another prisoner described him as “a cunt with principles, as fucked as they are”. It actually fit him pretty well, now that he thought on it.

This bloke was real smart. Every time he made a move that might unsettle the situation he compromised to keep things under control. It had Conell wondering what he did before the outbreak. He hoped he wasn't a screw. Not that he hated all screws, but enough were a complete bunch of assholes that they had spoiled the bunch. He did his best to stay still while he was searched, but flashbacks to getting ghosted from prison to prison and getting searched every fucking time almost set him off. Luckily he kept himself under control and a minute or so later he was being handed his weapons back.

"You're not a liar, you had nothing else. I admire that."

“I'm not a fan of lying. It's weak.” Conell spoke somewhat bitterly, believing in his own words. In his experience liars were bitches; weak, pitiful men.

"Marshall. Marshall Scott." Marshall spoke, outstretching his hand.

Conell shook the man's hand, somewhat foreignly. He couldn't recall ever doing so before. It wasn't much of a practice in prison. Too many people would have used it as an opportunity to stick a shiv in your throat.

“Good to meet you man, I'm Conell.”

((OOC: Please delete. accidentally double posted))

Charred and burning vehicles littered the streets. Dumpsters and trash bins had been turned over and their contents formed makeshift barricades that the trucks had to drive around. Walkers were shambling about in the middle of the road, and on the sidewalks. John’s Humvee made no effort to dodge them, if a walker crossed their path it was immediately flattened by the truck’s sturdy wheels. A little blood would splatter the windshield now and again, and LCPL Sykes would thumb the windshield wipers.

Suddenly, LCPL Sykes slammed on the breaks and the Humvee came to a stop, which in turn stopped the rest of the convoy in its tracks. Directly in front of them were a horde of walkers, likely to be in the hundreds.

John quickly thumbed the hand-mic. “All victors, switch to blackout drive.”

Immediately, the headlights dwindled down to a tiny beam. The Humvees proceeded forward slowly, as to not alert too many of the walkers.
John turned to look at his driver. LCPL Sykes was already putting on his night optics in order to see better.

“We aren’t going to be able to make it too much farther.” John said. “Take a right up here.”

The convoy made a right on West Aviation Road, which narrowed into a residential area. This street created a bottleneck for the convoy and severely restricted movement. But at the time being, John figured it was the only way to go. The convoy raced down Aviation Road in record timing, speeding so fast that houses, apartments, and various other buildings became a blur.

John turned towards his driver. “Alright Sykes, the next road we are looking for is Old Sage Road, and that will take us back to Fallbrook.”

“Roger.”

After blowing through a stoplight, running over several walkers along the way, the convoy made its approach towards Old Sage Road.

“There it is! Turn Left!” John exclaimed.

LCPL Sykes hit the brakes just long enough to keep the Humvee steady as he cut the wheel left and made the sharp turn onto Old Sage Road. This street proved to be just as narrow as the last one, with cars blocking most of the roadway. Cars were blocking the street, which prompted John to tell Sykes to pull over to the right and drive along the sidewalk.

The Blue Force Tracker displayed the convoy’s current location, and indicated that the six humvees were only a couple more blocks from reaching Fallbrook Street. The BFT came with a messaging system that John was currently using to communicate with the company commander.

He pulled up the text dialogue box, [“Renegade-16, Renegade-1. Reached Checkpoint 1. New route from Mission Road to Aviation Road. Aviation Road to Old Sage Road. Current location: Old Sage Road moving towards Checkpoint 2.”]

Before he could press send, his concentration was broken by LCPL Sykes yelling in his ear telling him to look forward. Two school buses blocked both sides of the road, and prevented any passage further. John’s Humvee came to a halt.

“All victors this net, Renegade-1, be advised there is an obstruction ahead. We will need to continue on foot from here.”

John disconnected the radio from its position in the truck, placed it inside his rucksack, and dismounted the vehicle.

----

Bryan's squad car wasn't looking the best as it should be on a regular day, but this wasn't a regular day; in fact, it has been hell for the pass three weeks. He had been driving around, looking for a way out, but the highways and freeways were block by cars and there is those 'things' near the cars as well. He got some fuel for some cars, that were abandoned as things got worst and nearly got bitten. It was almost full, but now the fuel is running out and he didn't want to walk in the daytime and hide in the night. He decided to not stick in the highways or freeways, but it use the abandoned streets and roads as a way to get out of Los Angeles. He saw the horror while he was trying to get out: officers being bitten while calling out for help; kids attacking their mothers; and worst of all, tons of bodies within the downtown area. He couldn't sleep for a day after seeing that kind of shit, he hoped that the government founds a cure to this madness. He then heard over the radio, that Camp Pendleton was hit by those things and lost, that was the third camp within the week; so far, ten camps have been hit and lost within the three weeks.

When he finally got out of Los Angeles. he couldn't help but smiled and laugh at the same time. It was a time of joy to be out of the city and into the calmness of the valley and the heat of the High Desert. He drove his police car until he realized that he was running out of fuel and then saw a sign that said: Gas Station: Three Miles; Dana Point: Four Milies. It was going to be a while, but he better find some fuel there, if not, then the trip was for nothing and he has to stay the night over at the station. He put the window down to feel the wind as the car was getting a bit too hot and then went under the San Diego Freeway. He then drove for a good ten minutes or so and then saw the gas station sign: One Stop. The sign was ironic for him as it was going to be his one stop at the station. But then, he saw two guys, standing by each other, and one guy, with his shirt in blood at the station. He stopped the cop car and then check, if he had his Glock 22; with a mag full of bullets and then drove towards the station and turned on his siren. It didn't make any sounds, as he knew that sound can attach those things.

He parked his cop car onto the dirt road, leading to the station and then got out of the car. He set his foot onto the dirt ground and then said, "Are you guys bitten in any form or shape?" then he saw the guy in the bloody shirt and said, "What's with the blood, sir?".

Sophia turned the car off and looked towards Marshall as he got out of the car, she followed him out of the Pilot and leaned against the hood of the truck looking out into the distance seeing the many cars that were on the highway. Katelyn sat in the back seat looking at Autumn as he said thank you for getting him out of there and smiled softly at him. "No problem at all Luke, you would have done the same for me or my sister." Katelyn said looking at Maria who was sitting the back with the backpacks grumbling to herself having to sit in the back, but staying in the group would be better and she would have to tolerate it for now. When Marshall opened the back door Maria got out and stretched slightly, she walked over towards one of the abandoned cars seeing that it had been burnt and only the car frame remained and the burnt dead body of a human was in the car seat.. "Poor bastard." Maria said to herself and looked around there weren't any walkers in sight.

"Just be careful out there Marshall, and we got Ash don't worry Luke we can take care of her while you guys get more fuel." Sophia said and got into the driver's seat looking at the two girls and Autumn sitting there and smiled. "You guys doing alright?" Sophia asked as Luke and Marshall walked off towards the gas station.

"Good to meet you also Conell. My friend there is Luke. The rest of our group isn't that far away - we're just here siphoning gas and getting whatever was left in the station store just there." Marshall stated, informing him of recent events. "These... Walkers. They're everywhere - as far as we've seen most of the population has been wiped out. Killed many of them?" Marshall asks, enquiring about Conell's events of the apocalypse so far. Shortly after conversation, Marshall went back up to the pick up, introducing Conell to Luke. He begun to start siphoning gas again, whilst they conversed.

A car pulled up close. "Shit, another one? Get behind the vehicle!" Marshall said as the car stopped. A cop car by the looks of it. A man stepped out. "Are you guys bitten in any form or shape?" The guy asked. "No... None of us are bitten. Not scratched or anything. Could ask you the same question." Marshall said, as he kept his gun firmly in his hands, out of the holster. Marshall wasn't about to aim at what could be a police officer - not because the guy was police officer, but because he didn't seem dangerous or anything. "You lookin' for gas? If so we just siphoned the rest of it. No gas here, supplies neither." Marshall stated, informing the cop of the gas situation.

"Good to meet you also Conell. My friend there is Luke. The rest of our group isn't that far away - we're just here siphoning gas and getting whatever was left in the station store just there." Marshall stated, informing him of recent events. "These... Walkers. They're everywhere - as far as we've seen most of the population has been wiped out. Killed many of them?"

“Cool to meet you bro. Enjoy that pistol, it's pretty new as far as I can tell. Not a lot of rounds though...” Conell spoke, smiling at Luke. “That's a good plan, these places have been gold mines since it happened.” Conell smiled. He had found some pretty awesome things in these type of places whilst he had been travelling. “I've killed more than my fair share. It's hard to remember how many. The days and kills kind of blur after a while don't they?”

---

A short while later Conell absolutely could not fucking believe it when a cop pulled up with sirens and everything. His jaw literally dropped. Even in the damn apocalypse he couldn't escape those annoying bastards.

When the bloke asked what was with the blood on his shirt Conell became dumbfounded. Was he for real? Was he going to ask why they were carrying guns next? Maybe he was just really good at spotting fresher blood though. It did look kind of different than walker blood after all. Either way Conell couldn't help himself. The sight of a cop just set him off.

“Well officer, I was searching through a shop when some asshole swung a mother, uncle, sister, cat fucking golf club at my head! Rather than, what would you call it, use... Uh, deadly force and stab his pansy ass to death, I instead elected to quickly, and rather efficiently if I do say so myself, beat several shades of shit out of him. He's alive though, if not exactly well, and I even left him a jar of... Baby food. See, no crime here. Complete self fucking defence.”

Conell laughed before rubbing his forehead as if he were stressed out.

“Fucking Max Max. Priceless.”

Bryan stool there as a guy, covered head to toe in blood, came towards him and said, "No... None of us are bitten. Not scratched or anything. Could ask you the same question.". Bryan then responded to the guy, "Well, for one, I'm not bitten; two, If I was bitten, I would still be at LA; and three, you are the one covered head to toe in blood, so you need to take a shower before you get killed by a bandit.". And then out of the nowhere, the guy with the bloody shirt appeared and told Bryan a odd story. Bryan remembered it word by word, "Well officer, I was searching through a shop when some asshole swung a mother, uncle, sister, cat fucking golf club at my head! Rather than, what would you call it, use... Uh, deadly force and stab his pansy ass to death, I instead elected to quickly, and rather efficiently if I do say so myself, beat several shades of shit out of him. He's alive though, if not exactly well, and I even left him a jar of... Baby food. See, no crime here. Complete self fucking defence.". Bryan couldn't help but laugh at his story and then said, "Sir, are you just fucking with me or what? Because, that is the dumbest story I have heard in awhile. 'A mother, uncle, sister, cat fucking golf club' what was that about?".

He then stopped laughing and said, "Sorry, that was rude, but I had to laugh at the crappy story." and then he breathed and said, "I'm Officer Earles. What are you guy's names?". He then realized that the other guy said that there is nothing left and that everything is gone. He didn't want to stay in this shit hole and then said, "Could you give me a bit of gas? Enough to reach Dana Point, then I can found gas and supplies there.".

"Sir, are you just fucking with me or what? Because, that is the dumbest story I have heard in awhile. 'A mother, uncle, sister, cat fucking golf club' what was that about? Sorry, that was rude, but I had to laugh at the crappy story. "I'm Officer Earles. What are you guy's names?".

“Crappy story!?” Conell yelled, throwing his arms up in the air and grabbing his short hair, exhaling sharply before starting off again.

“Listen. The golf club didn't really fuck anybody, it wasn't exactly it's choice, but the man who wielded it used it to try and fuck me! You get it! He swung it at my head! He tried to split my melon! Splinter my wood! Burst my bubble! Crack my safe! Give me a permanent anti-depressant to the side of my damn head! He tried to fuck my head open with a nine iron! It's not a damn story, it's a tale of true events! Recent events! … Fuck it... Never mind.”

“I'm Conell. A real pleasure.” Conell spoke, zoning out and shaking his head in disbelief. This is why he had spent most of his life attacking screws.

As the two conversed Luke was mostly content to stay silent. Marshall had made it clear that he wasn’t trying to be a leader, however he did seem to act like it when the situation called, which wasn’t a bad thing. When the other guy offered him a guy he looked to Marshall, who warned him against it and simply nodded again. He was still pretty sure he wouldn’t be much use with a gun, especially a hand gun. His father had taught him how to shoot a rifle, but that had only been to kill livestock or foxes.

It was completely different to a walker or human enemy. He stayed close as the other man disarmed himself and then Marshall began checking him for concealed weapons, his grip tightening on the blade in his hand in case things went bad before Marshall passed him the gun, which he took hesitantly before they introduced themselves. He was about to speak up when a cop car pulled up and they all backed away from the cop getting out. There was a short and rather confusing confrontation between him and their new… acquaintance which escalated to frustration before Luke shook his head and decided he needed to step up.

“Look, there’s an entire town about ten minutes back that way if all you’re after is gas, plenty of abandoned cars there.” He said simply, not liking the idea of inviting more people along with them. As it was he felt uneasy enough about this guy, and not because it had anything to do with trust issues, Marshall seemed to like him and he did seem like an okay guy, but he just didn’t think decisions like this should be made my any one person. With this in mind he took Marshall’s shoulder and gently turned him away from the others.

“Look man, I know you keep saying you don’t wanna be the leader and I think that’s a good thing. I think if we want to have any chance at working as a group we should make decisions democratically, voting and majority rules. I kind of spoke up about it last night, telling everyone else. And… I think things like this, bringing new people in… I think maybe we should talk to the others about it first; see if everyone is okay with it? I’m just thinking if it were me who was back there, I’d want a say in if we took on new people.”

He looked back to the other two, especially the cop. He had kind of showed up and acted like he owned the place, like it was his business if they were bit or something. He set Luke on edge, and it seemed that Conell didn’t seem too fond of him either, the two of them together could prove problematic. Still, he didn’t seem too interested in joining them, just getting gas. Luke personally hoped he just moved on and left them to their own devices.

"Could you give me a bit of gas? Enough to reach Dana Point, then I can found gas and supplies there." The man asked, in hope of a positive answer. "No." Marshall stated. "I'm sorry. We're runnin' low as it is. You'll have to keep searchin'." Marshall said, in a mannerly tone. "We ran out a while back, been here gettin' fuel ever since. No spare supplies either - if you were in hope of finding those too. We've got to look out for ourselves, and we're low on supplies as well as gas." Marshall stated, informing the cop of their situation.

Marshall turned round to Luke, as Luke began to speak to him. “Look man, I know you keep saying you don’t wanna be the leader and I think that’s a good thing. I think if we want to have any chance at working as a group we should make decisions democratically, voting and majority rules. I kind of spoke up about it last night, telling everyone else. And… I think things like this, bringing new people in… I think maybe we should talk to the others about it first; see if everyone is okay with it? I’m just thinking if it were me who was back there, I’d want a say in if we took on new people." Luke said.

"It's not that I don't want to be - Luke, no one wants that weight on their shoulder. And I've already said I'm not the leader - that's not been voted on or whatever. I've called some shots, yeah. Shots which have kept us alive - got us out of that house -when it was surrounded by corpses- alive. I'm not leading really, well maybe I am - I don't know. What I do know is that I'm doing what needs to be done - what I expect anyone would do. And the new guy? You can ask around if you want, might be good to get other opinions before deciding. But really? We could use the muscle bro. He's armed, and I expect he'd fight for us if it came to it. The more people the better." Marshall states - speaking his mind on the matters.

"It's not that I don't want to be - Luke, no one wants that weight on their shoulder. And I've already said I'm not the leader - that's not been voted on or whatever. I've called some shots, yeah. Shots which have kept us alive - got us out of that house -when it was surrounded by corpses- alive. I'm not leading really, well maybe I am - I don't know. What I do know is that I'm doing what needs to be done - what I expect anyone would do. And the new guy? You can ask around if you want, might be good to get other opinions before deciding. But really? We could use the muscle bro. He's armed, and I expect he'd fight for us if it came to it. The more people the better." Marshall states - speaking his mind on the matters.

“I’m not comfortable with the idea of one person making decisions for me.” Luke replied simply on the matter of ‘leaders’. “Look, it’s like you said; right now there is no leader and in times where there is no time to think, no time to react and you jump in and get us out, that’s all well and good. But like back at the side of the road, or at the house when ya’ll were making supply runs? You kind of just decided it was gonna be you, there was no discussion, no chance to talk it over and I’m sorry but I disagree with that.”

He shook his head slightly. “Bring the guy back sure, I was never saying no to that but I was just saying you don’t make decisions for the group. Not for me. Not yet so as of yet he’s not invited to stay.” Luke shook his head and groaned slightly before turning away and picking up his fuel can. It was full anyway. “You know what, fuck it. No one ever listens to a word I say anyway.” He said as he began walking off, making his way back to camp, that whole thing with the cop was as good as over as far as he was concerned and Marshall had already made up his mind.

Bryan heard the guy, who told the story, telling him that it was true and such. Bryan then said, "I'm sorry again. I shouldn't have laugh out loud." and then he heard the guy's name was Conell and then Bryan said, "Nice to meet you Conell.". He then turned and look at the guy, who told him that there was fuel and supplies at a town, ten minutes away for the gas station, Bryan said, "I would love to go there, but the road to get to that town is block by cars.". He then heard the other guy said no to Bryan's request, but then he was dragged away by the other guy and they were talking in private. Bryan stool there as he saw the guys talking, he couldn't hear what they were saying, but they were getting mad at eachother and Bryan didn't want a fight to unfold. He then saw Conell and walked towards him and said, "Do you know what are their names? I mean you have been with them for a while, right?" and then waited until he responded. He then turned and looked at the guy, who just picked up a fuel can, and walked away.

Bryan walked towards the other guy and said, "What's up with him?".

“I’m not comfortable with the idea of one person making decisions for me.” Luke replied simply on the matter of ‘leaders’. “Look, it’s like you said; right now there is no leader and in times where there is no time to think, no time to react and you jump in and get us out, that’s all well and good. But like back at the side of the road, or at the house when ya’ll were making supply runs? You kind of just decided it was gonna be you, there was no discussion, no chance to talk it over and I’m sorry but I disagree with that.”

"Whether you're comfortable or not with it is your problem. I'm fine with there being 'no leader', honestly I don't care that much. The decisions I've made have kept you alive - kept the others alive. Wouldn't be bad to show some damn gratitude." Marshall said, wiping blood off his head. "Damn man, the fuck's up with you today. The decisions I made were in favour of everyone else, and anyone else would've surely done that same as I did damnit." Marshall stated, voicing his words.

"Yeah. I will bring the guy back, personally I think he'd be useful. If you don't agree with that? Well plead your case to the others. I'm bringing him back in the interests of the group. I'm only trying to help - fuck man." Marshall stated. He stood back, listening to Luke say how no one listens to him - as he turned around and walked away. "Fuck sake..." Marshall said, watching Luke walk.

He turned back around to the cop - and the cop asked Marshall what's up. "I don't have a fuckin' clue. I try to help - keep people alive and he's being an ass for some reason. I'm not the leader. Never said I damn was. Yeah - I made decisions, and yeah they were successful. That Luke guy? He's caring for some little girl, and what I did kept him and that girl alive. Shit. Wouldn't be that bad for him to, I dunno. Not go off in huffs and show a little gratitude? Only tried to help." Marshall says, as he spits on the ground, turns around and puts some other stuff in the back of the pick up.

Turning to Conell, Marshall says. "A'ight cumon'. Let's get back to the rest of 'em." As he opened the passenger seat for Conell to sit in, Marshall walked back to the drivers seat. "He's got a 15 minute walk, we've got a 2 minute drive. Maybe some fuckin' air will clear his head." He stated, as he then turned to the cop. "We're headin' off. Looks like you're outta gas. Feel free to come with us - I can't confirm you have a 'place' in our group if people are gonna' be as uptight as that guy." He said, feeling his .44. We're leaving in a minute or so - consider my offer and let them decide whether you come with us or whatever - if you want to. Looks like whatever the fuck I say I'll get more shit for it. Damn. Try to save a couple fuckin' lives and get that shit." Marshall stated, as he wiped sweat from his forehead and sat in the drivers seat, waiting on Conell to get in - and the cop if he so wishes.

"I'm sorry again. I shouldn't have laughed out loud. Nice to meet you Conell.".

“Don't worry about it. I'm still just a little worked up I guess. Cool to meet you too, as long as you keep your handcuffs away from me.” Conell chuckled, walking away a bit and leaning on a car.

Conell was still deep inside his own head when Marshall and Luke walked off a little to discuss whatever the fuck it is they needed to discuss. It made Conell kind of paranoid but there wasn't much he could do about that at the moment. In the mean time he simply checked his MP5 was loaded and made sure the safety was on. He didn't need to go firing shots and get himself killed by a probably already jumpy group.

"Do you know what are their names? I mean you have been with them for a while, right?"

“Magnum man's Marshall. Machete dude is Luke.” Conell spoke simply. “Yeah, I've known them for a long, long time. “ Conell smiled, speaking sarcastically. “No, I've known them for approximately five minutes... So I would assume they're talking about us, but who knows.”

The cop then walked off too meet Marshall as he ended his apparently unsuccessful discussion with Luke. Marshall was pissed, as were most who felt deeply unappreciated. Still, it meant Conell could ride up front in the truck and that was cool with him. He got in the truck via the side door Marshall had opened for him, resting the MP5 by his side.

“Cheers Marshall.”

Ignoring Marshall's words Luke kept walking, not responding. He threw the gas can into the back of the pickup and just kept walking. He felt bad, honestly, for picking a fight over something so stupid but he had to think of something. Marshall was right, all his decisions had been to protect the group and he had been doing a really good job, Luke would never argue with that. True he had also been telling him what to do since they met, but he honestly didn't mind that so much. He had just been looking for an excuse, a reason to get away.

No way Marshall would have just let him walk back to camp on his own with no explanation. He would have asked questions. He would have tried to stop him. It was just easier this way. Luke only made it a short way down the road before he had to stop. Breathing heavily he turned and leant against a tree on the roadside, slipping down to the group as sweat poured down his face. The car with the others hadn't even gone past yet and he struggled for a few moments to rise before abandoning the effort and staying where he'd fell.

He felt bad for hiding the truth, but he'd been scared. He'd been scared about how people would react to him if he told them. Scared that Autumn would have jumped at the chance to spear him or Marshall would have shot him without a second thought. Carefully he reached out and pulled up his pant leg, wincing as he revealed a vicious scratch around his ankle where one of them had grabbed him during their escape from the house. He knew being put down would be better than turning, but he was too afraid of it.

Already he could feel the infection inside him, a burning throbbing sensation that started at the source and spread quickly over his body. He was going to die. Slowly, painfully and alone unless someone came along and shot him or one of those things got to him first. But it was better this way. At least that's what he kept telling himself.

Soon after - they left. Marshall closed his door and pulled his legs in. "Right let's go." He said, informing the next move. "Will do that guy some good to get some time alone damn." He stated, as he turned the -already in ignition- key, powering the car and he begun to drive forward. Marshall was beginning to feel tired - but he was fine for now. Whilst pulling out of the gas station he stopped the car, and looked back at it. "I wonder if any other survivors came for gas. Maybe they didn't make it. Fuck." He stated.

He started to drive again, taking a sip of water whilst he turned on to the road. He drove, looking around him. Trees, a car or two, nice blue sky - couple clouds. He just wishes things were as they were. Marshall sees Luke in the near distance leaning on a tree. "There he is. He stated - as he got a visual of Luke. Luke had fallen, and didn't get back up. "What the hell?" He stated, as he continued to drive. He was waiting for Luke to stand up but he didn't. "Shit." Marshall pulled up just near the tree. "Wait here. Please. Lemme' talk to him and clear the fuckin' air." He said, as he stopped the car - took the key, and exited the vehicle.

"Hey Luke get up a sec' I need to talk to ya'." He stated, walking towards Luke. By this point Luke had seen the wound. "Hey, Luke?" Marshall said, closing in on his position. "Get up man we gotta - " Marshall cut off his words, as he saw how exhausted looking Luke was. He was sweating, breathing heavily. "Luke, Luke what the hell? What's happened? Have you taken something or anything?" Marshall said, enquiring about Luke's pain. "What's happened?"

The rest of the platoon had already started filing out of their humvees as John made his way to the rear of the convoy.

“Alright everyone, in on me.” John made a circular motion with his arm, which signified the hand gesture for the “Rally” command. The rest of the men made their way to him and formed a semi-circle around him. Once he had everyone’s attention, John pulled out his map and laid it out on the hood of one of the humvees.

“Right now we are here, just a couple of blocks from our objective at Fallbrook Street.” John traced his finger along the road on the map. “We need to move north and look for survivors at the refugee collection point at the intersection of Fallbrook Street and Elbrook Drive.”

John turned to face his squad leaders. “Sergeant Patrick and Sergeant Tyler. You two will take first and second squads north and set up a hasty checkpoint at the intersection. I will remain here with third squad and set up the TOC. Check in with me on the radio when you make it there. If you do not find any survivors within the first thirty minutes, check in with me again for further instruction.”

Both of the sergeants nodded their heads and responded with a half-hearted “Ooh-Ra.”

John chuckled. “And cut that false motivation shit out.”

“False motivation is still motivation, sir.” Sergeant Patrick countered.

"Yeah, Yeah. Just come back in one piece. Don’t make me come looking for you.”

“Semper Fi, sir”

The two squads started to move out in a tactical column formation, and John headed back to the lead vehicle to link back up with the others.

---