Trevor gathered with the others for the meeting but stood behind the group. He already knew that he was pulling bodyguard duty with Jain for the duration of this encounter. Personally he didn’t mind where he went as long as he came along, always trying to be the first to volunteer for dangerous missions. After all, they did tend to be the most exciting.

Still, he listened and watched for where the others would be and what their objectives were. This sharing of information wouldn’t be something his strike teams would do, they would all be given their orders and what the goal was. If there was more than one group, they wouldn’t have a lot of details on the other group in case one became compromised. Once the meeting was over he wanted to go see what Maisy was up too anyway to at least say good bye, knowing Jain wouldn’t be leaving for a little while longer.

He walked away from the group before they ended their meeting, he had a good idea of what everyone was doing and their general direction. So he made his way back down the camp towards the main group where Maze was at. Hank, his trusty steed, although acting a bit careful in the new terrain and wide open fields he seemed to have calmed down a bit without being as apprehensive or cautious.

The one thing he was a bit unsure of was whether Maisy was supposed to move the group or not. He honestly wasn’t to sure why he had so much trouble finding the small girl. The last few days may have been a bit weird for the both of them but interesting. They were both a bit hesitant of each other to do anything serious or too physical, it was like an art form neither of them were familiar with. Still, he felt happy when she was around and something about her made him smile. Perhaps it was how adorable and cute she could be while still holding an air of deadly kick-assery around her.

The thought made him smile as he approached her and dismounted, “Stay here Hank” the mule didn’t give any signs of acknowledgment and continued to follow him. Trevor made it up close to her still smiling, “Hey Maze” he could see her tapping up her finger and holding glass in her hand, “just wanted to come up and say goodbye real quick.” Reaching back and grabbing hanks reigns and pulled him behind her, effectively blocking the view between them and a few of the onlookers. The large man pulled the small girl into a warm hug and stayed there for a moment before letting her go, gently holding her hand.

“Be safe beautiful, I’ll see you again in a little while” he didn’t wait to hear her reply knowing Jain wouldn’t wait forever. He let go of her hand before saying, “Jain's not going to wait for me, so I got to go” he smiled again and pulled Hank toward him, “Come on Hank, let’s go join up with the others.” He looked back to her one last time while riding Hank and headed off to meet up with Jain and the others.

@Poi

@NarcissisticPotato@Polaris North@Dnafein@Joker892@Poi@FortunesFaded@Wick@ReusableSword@Lord Orgasmo@DriveEMOut



Jain and her Team reached their position an hour before dawn and a recon showed her that the people of Arlington had used Cyclone fencing to shield their ground from the Risen and Earthworks to block off the causeway leading out to the artificial Island that shielded the harbor from the Columbia river.

April’s group she was sure had a much better view than her’s because of the elevation near the old dirt strip airport 200 feet higher than old hwy bridge. And the Marksmen a clear field of fire from the opposite ridge could see about 80% of the inhabited area the hwy 84 bridge the only shadow in their sight lines.

So it was with the confidence of support that she made her way down to hwy 19 with Aaron @DriveEMOut and Trevor @ReusableSword all three walking towards the Gate that was guarded by a short tower manned by three nervous looking men who were armed with what appeared to be a .22 bolt action and a couple of shotguns who she was sure were under the sights of Billy and Vicky.

One of the shotgunners was the first to notice her party as she walked as casually as she could towards their Gate and called the attention of the others in his cramped space to her.

”Hold it right there Missy you and them two fellers” he demanded in a squeaky voice pitched with fear.

”I’m ah Holding Neighbor, Haint got no wants to be shot” she called out raising her hands palms forward fingers spread to show she wasn’t holding or hiding a weapon.

Jain knew at any moment she could either be dead or alive at the whim of the frightened man because of the barrels of the rabbit eared shotgun pointed down at her so her movements and body language controlled and devoid of threat.

”Why you here?” he asked briefly deepening his tone to hide his fear

”I’m exploring here abouts to see if it’s just me and the boys or if there be others out here in the world; Names Jain Roe and I hail from Lasthope Township”

Her name confused the man and made him suspicious which he displayed by laughing
”Jane Doe?

Try again I am old enough to know that’s the name of someone they aint got no name

”J.A.I.N R.O.E she spells out and laughs her finest and most feminine

”It’s Norwegian, my mom said it means Peaceful Farmer or glen, not so sure if that’s so but is my name and these two fellers are Aaron and Trevor an we mean none harm that mean us none

---

---

The Duke and his boys ambled down river towards the damned little town that had resisted his gang for two months now dead set on revenge for the killing of his brother but mostly because they needed to take the guns the fishermen of Arlington had and maybe a few more women folk for his boys to show a good time. Little did they know that they were already under observation by a third party high on the ridge (April’s group)

36 strong they had 6 guns too but limited ammo and 11 poor horses and little discipline as they laughed and joked about the dance they was going to have with the girls of Arlington as they ambled closer

Raphael was bored; They'd been sitting atop this hill for hours. The only thing of interest was the Marksmen, and they weren't doing much. Rafe couldn't keep Athena entertained and so the canine was tense as a coiled spring. The scout rubbed the dog's back and asked April, "Is she done yet?"

April looked through her binoculars and said, "It looks like she is waiting for an answer on something." She scanned the area below them and caught some movement. There was a couple of dirty criminal thug types looking very suspiciously up the hill at them. Her peripheral vision caught movement to her left. "Wait, Rafe! We've got company!" April pointed to the men lurking in the tall grasses just over the hill where it dips slightly. "There!"

April grabbed the walkie talkie. She didn't trust these guys. They looked like a bunch of methheads to her. "Battlestations! We are about to be attacked." She heard Alicia scream as another man had gone around them and he was stabbing her with something. April Jumped up, ran and burried her knife into the back of his head. His large body rolled backwards into her knocking both her and his body into the ground where she slid a good thirty feet before she stopped.

At her first cry Raphael straightened, his bow coming up an arrow nocked. Athena took off like a shot, the Pitsky charging downhill. An arrow took the throat of the closest attacker, the canine leapt for the throat of the next. The scout scanned the highway, and saw the group moving towards Arlington. "Yo, Grim Adventures up the road."

Billy had been eavesdropping on the conversation behind him; At the first mention of motion he pulled his hand from the barrel and touched Vickie's shoulder, a silent way of telling her to hold her target. The Marksmen replaced his hand and scanned up the highway, he stopped as the Duke's men came into sight. William's voice was cold as ice as he spoke, "Six primary; two o'clock." The very next sound, was the retort of the rifle; And to the men on the highway there was suddenly one less.

Darric heard April's voice and then Alicia's scream. There was about thirty five feet between each of the pairs of look outs. Darric was already on the attackers closest to him and Jonah. The teenager was stunned and not moving quickly at all. Darric yelled at him. "Jonah!" The man he just punched came back with a lazy punch and Darric shoved him and he fell down the hill. Darric moved onto the next guy as he saw him pull a knife out. Darric wasted no time in ridding him of his weapon and breaking his wrist. The man's scream was piercing and anyone who didn't already know there was a battle on the hill did now.

April was upside down sliding on her back and she grabbed all the rooted grass that she could as she slowed down and flipped onto her stomach. Once she was there she dug her feet in slowing her the rest of the way. She rolled out of the way as injured went sliding or flying past her. She was in a hurry to get back up there to see how bad Alicia was.

"Alex? How bad is Alicia?" She yelled as she made her way back up the steep hill.

"She's fine, as far as I can tell. Or rather, she'll be fine. Wound looks fairly shallow and in her side, I don't know for certain, but I don't think it's anything life threatening at the moment." Alex stood over Alica, and scanned his surroundings. Pulling our a pair of knives from his bags, he readied himself for anyone daring to come close. Alica may not get so lucky with the next attack. A pair of the Duke's men seemed to be splitting off from the main herd, and rushing around the hill. Two more seemed to get the Idea and head in the other direction.

" Alicia! Behind you! They're trying to flank!"

Vicky found a target with what looked like a poorly maintained AK and squeezed the trigger sending the boattailed round at over 2,900 fps arcing over the gap between her target and her position catching him in the throat causing those men closest to him to be covered in a fine spray of blood. "Adjusting fire one click low" was all she said as she hunted her next target among the now panicked men

William's hand moved to adjust his sights then returned, he squeezed the trigger again and another gunman collapsed. Billy scanned for his next target.

Athena pulled her head out of the the ruined remains of a throat and rotated looking for another. She started trotting back up the hill, head swiveling. Rafe himself turned, arrows leaving whenever he got a clean shot. "Group up, watch each other's backs." The scout shouted.

Darric ducked a knife and blocked it as the large muscular man with greasy hair planted his feet in a good defensive stance for the slanted ground and Darric yelled at Jonah again who seemed to be frozen in place. "Jonah! You stupid fuck! MOVE!" Darric kicked backwards and got the kid in the gut doubling him over and making him come to life. For his efforts Darric got a hard punch to the nose. He heard the crunch as it broke and blood burst from his nose like a balloon.

Momentarily blinded by the blood he took another exceptionally hard hit to the stomach that took his feet out from under him and he landed on his back. He saw April run at the man from behind him and swing up onto his back wrapping her legs around his neck. She threw herself backwards taking the large man with her. She landed on her back and slid a couple of feet before she caught herself and grabbed a large rock on the way. She bashed the man in the head until his skull was oozing grey matter.

When she stood up she was breathing hard and covered in blood spatter. She walked over to Darric and pulled him to his feet and she grabbed Jonah by the shoulder and steered him towards Alicia and Alex. She grabbed her bag and handed Darric a clean rag to clean up his face.

"Alex! Can you keep these two out of harm's way?"

"Yeah, sure. I can do that." Alex tossed a knife towards Jonah, landing next to him. " If you see something I don't, defend yourself. Here's hoping things stay relatively quiet here. Leave the fighting to the fighters." Alex fidgeted with the knife in his hand. He wanted to help, but he couldn't exactly throw that far and hit. Standing guard seemed to be the best decision right now, If someone wants help, they'll call for him... Probably.

Jain heard the alarm then the shots from Billy and Vicky’s position and she knew things had gone sideways but then the men she was talking to did more than point their weapons at her and fired in fear thinking she was responsible and a danger. The shotguns missed her but the 22 sent a round into her thigh causing a burning pain as she’s only felt once before when Scouting the town of Sandy near Lasthope.

She broke for the cover of a building they’d left intact in their field of fire and hunkered down behind the block wall and began first aid on the wound to stop the bleeding as she cussed a blue streak. Her partners dove in with her and realized she’d been shot and were about to return fire till she warned them off.

”Hold your fire, they are just scared dumbasses and we’re safe here. She snarled as she pulled her radio up and said, ”Hold fire on the tower and town, shoot only if fired on, Maisy I want it hard and I want it now”.

The pain in her voice was obvious and the ham fisted man trying to stanch the blood wasn’t helping her hide it. She knew it was a small round because it hadn’t followed a straight path and she was sure it was lodged somewhere near her knee 6 inches below the entry point.

“Goddess I hope Amir is as good as he thinks he is” she thought.

@Rumikoohara@Poi@Joker892@Dnafein@reusablesword@Lord Orgasmo@Polaris North@Narcissisticpotato@Driveemout

Thump.

It would be wrong to say Trevor didn't understand how to swoon a woman. Trevor wrapped Maisy into a bear hug; his pine forest scent clogging the rancher's ability to smell with fresh aromas. A moment passed, until then all that was held was their hands. The goodbye was simple, yet it had struck Maisy like the satisfying crack of a baseball bat. The rancher adorned a rosy red; Trevor's compliment transforming Maisy into someone ever so giddy.

"Y-You too." Maisy meekly replied, watching Trevor disappear into the distance with Jain and Aaron. Coming back to reality, Maisy looked sideways, hoping no one had noticed her growing fervor for Trevor. Thankfully, everyone seemed absorbed in their own conversations or activities, and Maisy returned to her duties, although at the current moment there was little that could be considered a duty or a task required of the second-in-command.

Tick.

Hours had passed, the sun and quiet atmosphere transforming time into a wait of eternity. No word had squawked from either Jain or April, but it goes without saying that the troopers experienced the denizens of Arlington just as well. Waving for Maisy's attention, a trooper passed a pair of binoculars to the rancher, who soon gazed down the long straight highway. Far down the road was a large wagon, discernibly heading towards the encampment.

Placing the troopers on alert, Maisy sought to converse with the strangers on board. Two elderly men--Bert and Sam, presumably around their fifties, were the drivers of the cavern, who Maisy had no trouble acquainting with once hostilities were deemed to be nonexistent. Using the information passed on by the traders, Maisy set forth to verify the information, which had been an all but easy task through friendly chatter--Mandy Phillips was their leader, they had taken refuge on the nearby port and so on.

Bang.

Nonetheless, their meeting had been cut short as soon as it had begun. Gunshots had rung out in the distance, echoing all the way to the encampment. The radio screeched with April's voice, calling the group to arms. "I'm afraid that we must part ways, if only for a minute." Maisy explained, tipping her slouch hat in a friendly gesture. Approaching her horse, Maisy slung herself over the saddle, holding the reins as she motioned for the troopers to form ranks on the pavement.

"This is it, boys and girls. We're needed on the front line, but we'll have to ride to get there." Maisy commanded at the head of the formed lines. Perhaps out of her own faith, Maisy formed the sign of the cross before waving on the troopers. "Forward!" Maisy exclaimed, waving her hat to signal the trot, which soon turned into a canter towards the enemy. "Hold it, hold it!" The rancher continued to exclaim, albeit repeatedly until they were nearing the bridge cutting through Arlington.

Thundering.

Pulling forth a wooden war hammer, Maisy held it high in the air for all to see. "Here we go! Charge!" The rancher yelled, sending the horses into a rapid charge. What dust had settled on the forgotten highway was now stirred beneath the hooves and sent flying behind the charging cavalry. Anyone caught in their path would be trampled by hoof or battered by mace, therefore Maisy had hoped the scouts were wise enough to move out of the way.

Luckily, it had appeared that the scouts had retreated, yet they seemed to be in a predicament with the raiders. Focusing on the bandits that had not yet climbed the hill, the troopers ran through them like a hot knife cutting butter. Bones crackled upon impact, smashed painfully by the thud of a war hammer. Some ran, some tried to fight, but there was nothing to stop several horses that weighed at least a thousand pounds each. Maisy was sure to give them what for, contorting their bodies in agonizing pain as they struck like lightning.

---

April looked up and saw one of the attackers heading towards a PA Speaker. If he got to it before they stopped him she knew Jain would die and who knew how many others would too. She bolted down the hill. Darric turned and seeing her he ran after her yelling, "April!" Just as he saw another of the unkempt men raise a gun and a shot rang out. He saw his sister drop like a ton of lead. Her body lay there twitching for a moment.

Darric glanced at his sister as he bashed the guy with the gun in the face with his elbow. The man bounced off of the wall just as Darric took a knife to the back of the neck. He landed close to April and he reached out and held her hand as he was dying. The last thing he saw before he closed his eyes for the final time was his sister turning.

Doug Simpson (The Duke) had drug his men away from their fort which was a beached barge 15 miles up river from Arlington and headed for the town for fun and plunder both of which he had to give his men on occasion or have them turn on them. Thirty-three years old he’d been a teen and bully when it had all gone to hell.

He’d been lucky and found safety in the town of Ayer which had been only a subdivision before the fall of man. It was a small community and easy for his mentor and former boss Harry Lysander to take control of forcing the weak into slavery to the gang’s whims.

It had lasted for about 4 years till there had been a power struggle between himself and ole Harry but during their infighting they had somehow managed to burn it all down and scatter the slaves they had held sway over.

Forced from their comfort he gathered up the few men left who’d listen to him and hunted down anyone near his base taking what he wanted and even recruiting from the survivors till he had a pack of bloodthirsty dogs who’d kill or torture anyone their master told them to.

The dead had made his profession as a bandit raider like a wolf hunting in a sandy desert and several times he and his men had nearly starved and he’d been forced to eat their horses but they were still alive and hungry.

Two months ago they’d caught an old man and were about to kill him when he told them of how he’d come across a town that was fat and happy 25 miles down river so he’d sent some of the boys to check it out.

They’d come back with fresh women and goods as proof of the old man’s snitch telling the Duke of a large community made almost entirely of women and children as well as a good fortified position on the river that overlooked one highway and had another dead end at it.

His boys had almost mutinied and headed to the town a few days ago but The Duke knew even women in a well fortified position could chew up too many of his small force and he couldn’t afford to lose even 3 of them till he found better replacements. The Duke knew that if he was weakened too much another raider group could come along and eat them as they’d eaten others.

So he’d waited and used the fresh women to entertain his men and extract information from the women once their spirits had been crushed and what he’d found out made him a very happy man.

They had marched downstream for two days leaving only four of their number back at the barge to watch over the new girls and hold the position till he captured Arlington and could use it.

The march had been uneventful and he’d gotten to within a mile of the town and sent three guys over the hill to attack the gate on hwy 19 when his main force distracted the town’s defenders and everything was going well till suddenly two of his men were dropped by gunfire that was so accurate both were head strikes and the report of the weapons maybe two or three seconds after they fell.

This wasn’t supposed to be happening, the people of Arlington were farmers armed with as many as 14 shotguns and maybe on small rifle but his men had been killed by something bigger. Was their another bigger and badder Raiding party out here and they saw him as a threat? Doug didn’t know but he did know that they were in a bad way so like any Bully he turned tail and ran urging his old horse to flee at it’s best speed without even calling to his own men to retreat.

William ignored the sounds behind him. Rather the marksmen focused on the brigands below; His crosshair scanned across their ranks, freezing on the head of one wielding a gun. Billy exhaled, then squeezed his trigger. The spent round leapt from the chamber as the bolt was pulled back.

Clambering the next round, William swept his sights across the enemy below. His eye was drawn to a man fleeing, abandoning those who were turning to him. Billy ground his teeth briefly; This target didn't seem to be carrying a firearm, yet William suspected it was a target worth shooting. Adjusting his aim Billy squeezed the trigger again, his shot was aimed for the fleeing man’s hip; The intent was to slow the man’s flight. ”Tagged one; Hip shot, watch for blood trail.” Billy stated to those behind him, he also made a mental note to repeat those words later.

The marksman turned his attention back to the men below, there were still three firearms down there. Primary targets to thin before the troopers charge got within range. William still had to finish the task.

@Dnafein



Vicky heard Billy’s shot but saw no strikes in her field of view but she did see a guy with a shotgun among the raiders and it was a drum fed semiauto think he could make better cover between shots; he forgot or didn’t know there were 2 rifles looking down.



Went the enfield sending another 30/06 round down range to enter his left ear and pop out his right eye.

It was another perfect shot won after hours, weeks, months, and years of dedication to never wasting a shot for making another problem allowing a downed foe to become a Risen by her hand. Many who watched the yearly competition with black powder and saw the display of the Marksmen mistook accuracy as showing off which it was at competition but here it was a business that required precision because unless they were lucky she and Billy had 100 rounds each to last till their return.

She had to check fire at that point as she saw a close silhouette cross her field as an unfocused blur.

That’s when she saw a black haired girl and about 8 kids of mixed sex and under 10 above 6 years old. The girl was running at an angle to her and Billy’s position and would soon be behind them and the kids out of the battle field.

”Billy NCBs east west moving through our forward cover she said calmly but felt a pain maternal tug her to see them safe and protected as she made sure her partner had them registered

The walk up to the fortified portion of town was rather uneventful, there were few dead wandering around and less living. This town of Arlington had a small settlement standing, tall enough walls that seemed to have been put up hastily and then fortified. The people were at least smart enough to tear down or burn out the surrounding homes and buildings next to their wall. This left little cover for about 25 yards from their wall to the rest of town.

Trevor had been escorting Jain with one other kid he didn’t catch the name of, their mission was to establish communications and gain diplomatic entry into the town. Of course this didn’t come with its precautions, scouts and marksmen on the ridge with the Calvary out of sight but within striking distance. Going to meetings out in the open with little cover and in the mid-day sun wasn’t something he liked but Jain insisted he come along. He simply assumed that they might be more willing to open their doors to them if someone was there from another settlement that joined up.

The talks seemed to be getting somewhere at least, yet he could smell the fear from these men. Trevor kept alert to their surroundings scanning and listening in on everything, he wasn’t carrying his spear, but he still had his other weapons. Some tingling feeling in the back of his mind made him uneasy as if many eyes were watching and something was coming. Then the report of a rifle and the thunder that echoed through the valley. The men in the tower seemed to jump and fire at the trio.

He dove with the rest of them behind a brick wall and checked himself for injury, then the other two. The kid seemed fine but Jain got hit and was calling for something over the radio. More gunshots and distant screams from the ridge, quickly he looked from the ridge and back to Jain before turning and looking about the surrounding buildings. Movement from some buildings behind them, fast and only glimpses. “Scouts” he whispered before looking back to the kid and Jain, “I'm going to go clear our escape route.”

Crouching up to the edge of the wall he used a small pocket mirror to see what the guards were up too. He seemed distracted, almost like they were arguing with someone behind the wall. Seeing his chance the man looked to Jain and smiled before taking off as fast as he could from cover to cover, putting as much space between him and the wall as he could.

Once he reached the nearby buildings and wasn’t being shot at he paused to breath and drew his weapons. Holding his shield in his left hand and his sword in the other he glanced about the streets and buildings. Then something caught his eye, a small group of five unkempt and crazed looking men were arguing with each other. “Forget the town we need to get back up on that hill that’s where the actions at” another interrupted, “bosses orders were to distract the town until the others arrive” the biggest one there put a blade up to the last one to speak, “Screw what the boss said, I'm ganna go kill some bitches whether you like it or not, now let’s go.” The others remained quiet as they began to head toward Trevor’s location, moving for the hill.

The armored man waited and watched the group until they were almost upon him, hearing their ragged breathing he could tell they had been running for some time. Still, he waited, waited until two had passed before clothes lining the next man with the edge of his shield and slashing at the big man next to him. The sword bit into the man’s flesh at his right breast and cleaved through into his arm. With sudden blood loss the man fell and screamed. The other one he hit with the shield seemed to be unconscious and the last man charged forward only to be quickly cut down. A slash across his right shoulder to his left thigh saw to that. Blood and gore spilling from him and covering the armored man.

A sharp pain in his leg had reminded him of the others, the first man he cut jabbed him in the side of his right leg with a small knife. With the pommel of his sword Trevor struck the man in the head rendering him motionless. The other two that passed had turned and come back, one swung at him with an old ax and the other had some sort of old pipe. He was able to block the first swing from the ax and get in close enough to pierce the man’s chest with his sword. But in doing so opened he up, and he received a hard hit to his back.

He didn’t have time to pull his sword from the other man and instead turned striking the last man with his shield sending him to the ground. Without a second of hesitation he was on top of the man and proceeded to crush his skull with the edge of the shield. Slowly Trevor stood, breathing heavily he wiped some blood from his face and retrieved his sword making sure to dispatch the men before they could get up again. The first man he hit with the shield seemed to becoming out of his stupor in time to see this armored man kill his friends. But all he could do was beg and plead for mercy. “Stop your crying you have nothing to worry about” Trevor spoke with a stern tone. The man stopped crying and looked up at him from his knees, “r-really?” all he received was a smile and a few words, and “of course, I don’t keep prisoners” the man’s face turned grim, “w-w-what.” One more sword stroke quelled whatever whimper the man had left.

Trevor sighed and began to patch his leg and check the rest of him, he could hear the Calvary now and decided to continue to head toward where they were going. Pushing through the pain in his leg and back the bloodied man continued on his way toward the sounds of battle. He could see some fighting going on up near the scouts and only hoped that they were okay, but right now he had to focus. He had gotten sloppy which resulted in him getting struck twice. But, at least now he had a focus for his unchecked rage.

@RumikoOhara

@ReusableSword@Poi@Polaris North@Dnafein@Joker892@FortunesFaded



Jain had to ruin a pair of her pants telling the hamfist to split the leg down and expose the wound so she could see how bad it was. It was made by a 22 cal and while a small round an evil round to take a muscle hit from because they had the nasty habit of turning and twisting under the skin and causing a strip of damage.

Once her leg was exposed she saw it was shallow but nasty making it appear as if some tiny mole had been digging in her garden only this garden she needed to ride and walk on. The trooper once more tried to help when out of no where Summer seemed to appear and tell the young man to get lost.

Leave or I’ll sting you

Looks shallow sweetie but dam it sure torn up your pretty leg said the diminutive apothecary as she removed a repurposed cold cream jar from her bag only this wasn’t the paste Jain expected but hairy textured moss that and been stained a greenish brown.

It’ll numb the site and hold the wound open till the Doc can patch you then she committed an evil and heartless assault on the entry site forcing the stuff into the wound.

Jain wriggled like a worm on a hook and tried to not make any noise which resulted in her making a chirping like noise of pain at which the cruel pixie had the nerve to giggle.

The pain faded so quickly Jain was wondering if she’d even been wounded...She was soaring in seconds. Then it was as she took flight she heard an unknown woman's voice and realized the medicated moss had peyote-laced into it as she just giggled thinking how she’d get even with the witch.

Hallo, Hallo I’m Lorna Travit and we are so sorry you were shot by one of our boneheaded men Called out the still pretty at 50 blonde woman as she shoo’d back a man who wanted to stand with her his pump 12 at the ready and she didn’t want these strange soldiers worrying over whether or not they be shot again.

Vicky stood ready 472 ft distant elevation 60 above watching over the boss as Billy picked off any other threats.

Summer leans out from behind the wall and smiles as the woman looks a bit shocked and mouths “A Kid?”

Glad to hear you didn’t mean it

You got a stretcher and a couple of those boneheads to take her to our doc?

Lorna motioned for the gate to be opened and told a man to fetch the stretcher they had at the grainary

Is there any way I could meet with your commander?

I want to clear the air on how bad we feel that the woman was shot said the mayor as she walked slowly towards the girl who as she got closer proved to be a woman.

Well here she is, our Commander but I don’t think her conversation would make much sense. We do Have a second in command now in command as the commander is no longer able to command effectively but Maisy is more than capable of Command decisions….less, of course, she was shot in the charge.

Hang on I’ll give her a call. the small woman was applying pressure to the wound on a pretty redhead as she pulled out a dam walkie-talkie like she used to use at the local founder’s day.

As the odd little woman talked with someone on to other end Lorna looked around herself and what little of the battle that was in sight was stunning to behold. It had taken them only 5 minutes to destroy a group that had her people in terror for their safety. “Where they Army?” was there any of those type still out and kicking but then she changed her mind as she looked back at the readhead who was built like an aerobics instructor and maybe 22- 25 years old. Too young to have served but there was an air about her and her people that said Fuck with at your own risk without a trace of thug.

Dam professionals she said just as the stretcher arrived

Yes, yes they are.

I’m Summer by the by and I’m unit drug peddler
I told Maisy you wanted to see her post haste and she said as soon as she sees to the head cracking and sweep she’ll be free to chat

Help me move her on the stretcher, Jain’s had enough trouble with men today

Breathing heavily Hector wiped the blood from his right cheek and sighed as he kicked over the dead attackers corpse. "Son of a bitch," he muttered as he looked around him. The battle had begun to quite down a bit and Hectors team were taking care of a few fleeing attackers around the edge of the town. They had tried to get deeper into the battle zone, but gunfire kept forcing them to pull back. Hector shook his head and clicked his tongue in annoyance. They really need more firepower, his team were mostly made for up close and personal conflicts. He shrugged and sighed, there was no use complaining they simply had to make due with what they had. Hector watched as his men finished off any remaining enemies, both human and walker. Franklin let out a heavy groan and chuckled as he rested his spear on his shoulder.

"Pretty good work out, eh?" he chuckled before kicking a walkers corpse. The weary and bloodied group all gave a chuckle. Hector shook his head with a grin.

"Yeah, dodging bullets and cracking skulls really makes ya sweat," the team gave another round of chuckles. Bella shook her head and looked out towards the town where the main conflict had taken place in.

"Ya think the others were able to do as good as us?" she asked as she began to check a dead attackers belongings. Hector shrugged and twirled his tomahawk in his hand.

"Not sure, there was a bit of gunfire, but I'm sure they could handle themselves," Alex scoffed as he clear some blood from his face.

"Yeah I bet they had a good time riding in with their freaking horses. Meanwhile here we are on foot nearly getting our heads blown off," he shook his head and spat onto a corpse as he looked towards the main road. "Seriously, we need some mounts for situations like thi-" he paused mid-sentence and looked off to the road with a shocked expression. "Oh fuck," he muttered. Hector raised his eyebrow and snapped his fingers.

"Yo, you alright?" Alex looked to Hector with wide eyes and pointed to the road. The team followed his gaze, including Hector, and spotted a small group of walkers shuffling their way towards them. Hector scoffed. "What? Just some walkers, thought you saw something... bigger," he trailed off as something caught his eye. It was one of the walkers, it looked familiar, but the hair covered its face. He felt his heart race for some reason as he began to slowly walk towards the approaching walkers. A sudden feeling of fear filled his mind as he narrowed his eyes towards the certain walker with curiosity. After a few more steps Hector froze as the walker of interest raised its head. His eyes widened as his body felt suddenly much heavier from shock and dread that filled his body.

He shook his head and stumbled back with trembling legs. "N-n-no, that can't...," his voice trembled with denial as he dropped his tomahawk to the ground. This was real, this had to be a sick joke! It took Hector a moment to catch his voice, but as he felt his control over his voice return to him he spoke. "A-April?" his legs nearly fell from the weight of her name leaving his lips as he stumbled back. His team looked on with their own shock and dread as the reanimated corpse of April Hayes shuffled towards them with the same lifeless eyes of the dead. Bella shook her head and covered her mouth with shock, but as she scanned the small group of walkers her grip around her spear disappeared and let it fall to the ground.

"Darric!?" she blurted out with a shaking voice as tears began to fill her eyes. Hector snapped his head back to Bella and looked back to the walkers. Sure enough the walking corpse of his friend shuffled along towards them, lifeless like the rest. He shook his head and gritted his teeth with rage and sadness as he quickly snatched up his tomahawk.

"What happened!?" he shouted as he began to pace back in forth, his body now trembling with sudden rage. "What the fuck happened!? How!? How did this happen!? Huh!?" he roared demanding answers with tears now threatening the corners of his eyes. He chucked his tomahawk towards the walkers, but only hit the pavement below them. He ran his hands through his hair and panted heavily as he tried to wrap the whole situation within his mind. "What happened!!" he screamed as he began to back away from the approaching walkers. Bella could only fall to her knees as she stared towards Darric with tears overflowing her eyes and a muffled sob from behind her hands.

"Jesus..." was all Alex could say as he watched the scene unfold. He looked to the rest of the team and saw they were equally shocked and heart broken. He gritted his teeth and looked to Franklin. Franklin nodded and motioned a few of the others to follow his lead. Slowly the rest of the team began their approach on the approaching walkers, but has Alex passed Hector he leaned in close. "I'm sorry," he whispered before reading his spear. The troopers quickly killed off the group of walkers, but a few of the troopers held the two fallen comrades down. Franklin walked over to Darric while Alex kneeled down next to April. He watched as their friends struggled to take a bite from them and glanced back to Hector and Bella. Bella had buried her face into her hands and sobbed while Hector only shook his head and turned from the scene. Alex gave a heavy sigh and pulled out his knife before holding down Aprils head while making sure to stay clear of her mouth. He gently placed the knife against the side of her head and closed his eyes before whispering, "I'm so sorry."

As the bodies went limp and the hungry moans ended from the two siblings Hectors legs finally gave in as he felt to his knees. He let out a pain filled scream of anger and sadness that echoed through the air.

James had first heard the gunshots and then knew that he would get busy - a lot busier than he was now. He closed his book and then rushed around to prepare whatever he might need for later. Maisy and the others rode out to aid the main troop. James hadn't gone with them for obvious reasons. He waited for the people to come. He had enough trust in them to know that there wouldn't be anyone sneaking into camp. Of course, he still had some Troopers to guard the surroundings while everyone was out fighting. After all, someone had to look after their supplies, the remaining horses and dogs. Petra had been around, along with her own squad, so it hadn't reached the point where they had to ride into battle as well.

The fighting seemed to have died down, but James had no way of knowing. He was sitting rather restlessly, foot tapping on the ground. He had to get an all clear before he could charge in to see if anyone needed immediate help - either that or they come to him. They kept on telling him that he can't risk his own life because of the limited amount of doctors they currently had in their squad - which was two, him and Amir. James had been completely confident that they could handle it. While it wasn't a short expedition, not by a long shot, James thought that they wouldn't get into too much trouble. Perhaps it was because he thought that they'd be dealing with the Risen instead of other people with weapons who could seriously injure without killing. At least when it was a zombie bite, they wouldn't really need to do anything aside from putting the poor victim out of their misery.

"James, get on your damn feet! Jain's been injured!"

When that reached his ears, he had immediately bolted straight up and then headed over to who was speaking. He began explaining quickly what had happened and that Jain herself was coming on a stretcher provided by the people who shot her. Apparently it had only been a mistake as they had been frightened. Well, James didn't expect anything less. Jain wouldn't have been so reckless to get injured if it was a real fight. She was a great leader and a strategist, so the only way to catch her by surprise is when she's trying to negotiate - and you accidentally shot her because apparently they're an idiot. James quickly cleared an area so that she would be laid down there.

It wasn't soon until he actually did see her and her state. Surprisingly, she was being accompanied by Summer, of all people. She never rubbed him the wrong way and he was pretty alright with her presence. While James wasn't really sure about the whole drug dealing she dabbles in, most of which are harmless or restricted, he knew that Summer knew what the hell she was doing most of the time. A weird girl, but at least pretty smart. It looked like she already did her magic on Jain since she didn't seem to be in much pain. Drugs. Definitely drugs. He offered Summer a small smile and then looked at Jain. "Damn boss, you look worse for wear." He joked as she was laid down. "You just really had to go out and get yourself injured huh? You know I'm much more used to doing this with animals." He continued as he began preparing.

As he inspected her injuries, he just couldn't help but say, "Jesus woman, they're not kidding about this injury." James had never been fully confident in his abilities when it came to medical problems like this, but he knew he just had to do his best. He can't fail now. Taking out what equipment he had available, though smaller in selection compared to the ones back at home base, he had to make do. The process didn't differ much from what he did to Jax earlier on, but the only thing noticeably different was the fact that he had to get a bullet out. One of the things that worried him was shrapnel. While he could probably dig out the bullet itself, he wasn't sure if there would be other foreign objects he would need to worry about.

Nevertheless, he continued his work. He carefully sterilized the wound and then begun what he feared the most. Taking out the bullet itself. Trying to locate the bullet without proper equipment was bad enough, the fact that it lodged itself quite far from the entry point made it even worse. However, he did the best he could and finally pinpointed the general area where the bullet would be. After a while of attempting to get the bullet, the forceps finally clamped onto the 22 bullet and he took it out. He placed the bullet into the bin and he let out a struggled sigh of relief. Now that that was over, he felt a little bit more relieved. Jain still seemed to be in good condition, so that was good as well. He began to clean up the wound again, but this time to prepare for closing it. He took great care in stitching the wound together, following the instructions replaying in his head to the letter. He then wrapped the gauze around the wound after cleaning it up again.

James stood back and then grinned. "That should do it... I think." Though he sounded unsure, it was more of a joke than anything. Being one of the younger members of this expedition, there had been talk around that he was relatively inexperienced and shouldn't have been in this expedition in the first place. James took it in stride and used those for joking. Though he would admit, Amir should have been the one who did this considering he was the main doctor, but it would seem that he was busy with other patients. He took off his gloves and then disposed them in another bin and began fixing up the equipment that he had used to sterilize them again just in case there were other injuries in the field.

@RumikoOhara

Summer was there when Jain’s senses returned and she felt like a pile of steaming trail biscuits, her belly was both wanting to be filled and emptied at the same time which explained the pitcher of water by her bed and a wooden bucket on the floor.

She was inside of corrugated metal building that screamed a ranch barn and a nice one as it was supported by a steel skeleton. The room was a 10’x10’ with a concrete floor and hangers on the outer walls which at one time might have held rope, drop cords, tools, or the like. Uninsulated it was never meant for human habitation but in the new world served well in that function. Her bed was rough planked and judging by the smell of resin and the outer age made cutting parts from nearby and assembly on site…...her people had made this bed for her and the gesture touched her because it was roomy and soft.

Then she stepped in and demanded to know why she thought she could just lay around in the dark “Are you a Responsible Commander or a Gang Leader?” demanded Jain’s Commander personae as her womanly half pled her wounds….in the end the weak knee before the strong.

She almost punched Summer when the little witch touched her but the poisonous pixie’s tone was like a sweet warning.

I know that look sweetie and she don’t need get stirred up just yet because you’d be acting without knowledge and making demands, pissing in people's beer and generally making sure they think you’re nuts.

I’m here as your nurse, pusher, and maybe Priestess confessor but most of all as your friend

Jain tried to intimidate Summer with a glare getting only a gentle smile for her effort which made her feel silly so she sighed exhaling deeply.

How many?

Two dead and three wounded including yourself the little witch shivered but not in fear because she knew Jain too well but because as soon as Jian heard she’d lost two more people the room became a cold and empty place.

Who and How?

April and Darric…….they got over run and then things went to hell and she was trying some say to run towards your position when she was shot by one of those morons. They say Darric died from getting stabbed in the neck said Summer then braced for the eruption but it was far worse, the redhead had gone colder than death and had even managed to forget she had a body or emotions.

Both women sat in the same bed Jain as the user and Summer as the attendent at it’s foot as time stood still, was in minutes or days Summer waited she couldn’t honestly say all she knew was her friend was in her own hell and only she could climb out so she waited then it came.

Is Maisy free, if not inform her that at her earliest convenience I’d like her after action report. Also I want bread, eggs, and meat of whatever nature we have. Also I believe my dressing needs changing as I am presently bleeding. said Jain in a flat monotone.

Great thought Summer as she stood and offered only a smile in reply and went to do her bidding.

She heard as she closed the door to the equipment and tack room now convalescent room Jain using the bucket which was expected when weighed against the drugs her system was purging.

What in God's name was happening?

The charge was successful, sending the bandits fleeing from the battlefield, yet were the Troopers too late? One of the scouts had been stabbed in the side, and both April and Darric had been slain by the thugs. Where did it go wrong? How did simple bandits get the upper hand on trained soldiers in the post apocalyptic art of warfare? There had been many questions Maisy desired the answer too, but business stood in the way. Cracking a bandit hard in the skull, the rancher's cudgel had finally snapped after leaving a trail of wounded or dead crooks.

Another had attempted to limp past the Troopers, himself trying to drag his leg to where his friends were retreating. Casting the broken weapon aside, Maisy had reached for her lariat and swung it high in the air. Casting it towards the limping brigand, Maisy made sure that he couldn't escape after binding him tightly. It was then that Maisy received a call from Jain, asking her to return. Nevertheless, Maisy couldn't just leave the battlefield at an instant without planning for her absence.

"Leo, clean up the mess. Burn the bodies and bury our dead somewhere." Maisy ordered, placing the one who had survived even the impossible in temporary command. Then, with a quieter tone so only either of them could hear, Maisy continued to speak. "And make sure Hector doesn't kill anyone besides the remaining thugs or Crazed. I don't want to deal with a grieving man putting a tomahawk in one of our heads over losing people he cared about. Understood?" Maisy finished, heaving the captured bandit on to the back of her horse.

Once Maisy passed down her orders, she sighed as she rode to where Jain had been located. Commanding could be a pain in the ass sometimes, especially with all the responsibility suddenly forced onto Maisy. The main commander had been put out of action, people were dead and others were wounded... all and all, it was a mess that Maisy now had to deal with. By the time Maisy was nearly to the town, her thoughts had shifted once more. If Jain had been hurt, what about Trevor's status?

It was something that worried Maisy for reasons she knew existed, but were not clear. Still, regardless of how she felt, Maisy had not seen Trevor anywhere nearby, nor Aaron who had also been accompanying Jain. However, as much Maisy wanted to search for them, the rancher had other pressing matters--like the guard pointing a Remington 870 straight at her. "You one of 'em?" The guard asked, refusing to let down his sights that he had trained on Maisy.

"By jingo, you’re right. And since one of you lickspittles can't shoot center, I'm going to give you to the count of three before I clean your plow with that cannon you got yourself there." Maisy answered, referring to the fact one of them had shot Jain. She wasn't always so intimidating, but it was evident that the message Maisy sent was received, and the natives quickly let the rancher inside into their abode. Riding to the center of town, the town mayor was quick to meet with Maisy once she arrived.

"You must be Maisy, correct?" The mayor asked as Maisy dismounted, to which the rancher nodded her slouch hat too, yet before either of them could say another word, the bandit started to peep up with a mouthful of taunts, reminding Maisy that he still existed. "Can it, buddy." Maisy replied, slamming her boot into his behind and shoving him to the ground, causing the bandit to hit the ground and into a world of pain. "He's all yours. Just show me the way to Jain." The rancher continued, to which the mayor was happy to oblige.

It wasn't a far walk to reach Jain, who was housed in a repurposed building that must've held some sort of utilities or tools before the Risen had shown. Some of the tools were still laying around, evident from the hasty bed that the locals constructed for Jain. "You wished to see me?" Maisy asked, taking off her slouch hat and hanging it on an old hook. Her eyes flickered momentarily to James who was in the same room, leaving Maisy wondering once again what the hell had happened today.

---

The small town fell rather quiet while he walked, his pace was hampered a bit more than he thought it would. The small injury turned out to be troubling but at least nothing felt broken or ruptured in his back, one more thing to be thankful for. He could see a few troopers riding along down the road and waved at them.

The troopers rode up on him and stopped, “hey Jain wants all the leaders and supervisors to meet back at town” they looked a bit tired but otherwise looked fine except for one that looked like she had been crying.

Trevor put his sword away and looked up at the trio, “What’s the status on everyone else, I’m guessing we won?” he said as another single shot rang out in the distance.

The troopers looked among each other and seemed to be whispering, “Yeah we won, only looked like a small group got past us. But we had a couple casualty’s, April and Derrick. Only a few wounded I think.” The girl that was with them seemed distant.

With a sigh he rubbed his brow, “well that’s unfortunate, alright thanks for the info, continue your patrol and make sure the towns secure before joining back up with the others.”

The trooper nodded, “OK I’m guessing you don’t need a ride. And uh are you alright you're covered in blood” both male troopers eyed him over curiously.

The armored man paused for a moment and looked himself over, “no most of this isn’t mine and yeah I’ll walk back from here.” With a nod and a wave he headed off back toward the walled off town.

---------------------------------------------------

At least the walk back was peaceful, no gunshots or screams left his thoughts to wonder back to what those troopers had said before. It was always a worrying thought to have members of an expedition lose their lives, he could only hope that their deaths were worth it. Not only did they have to keep an eye on the morale of the troop but now they had to keep an eye on those that were close to them, the people of last hope are not well suited for loss of this sort.

This time the gate was open when he got to it, he could see several of the troopers and scouts already being mobbed by some town lady’s that insisted on thanking them. None of them approached him and to be honest it was probably for the best, the last thing he needed was Masiy to come out of nowhere and kick his ass which she still might do anyway. So the man limped over towards a nearby fire, the fire was small and looked to be for cooking. Taking out a small knife he rested it so that the tip was in the coals and began to take off his field bandage.

He heard a voice behind him that sounded strangely familiar, “hey, uh sorry about earlier the mayor told me to come and apologizes to you and the others” the man was one of the ones that were on the wall earlier and was most likely responsible for their leaders injury.

“Yeah, well if you’re really sorry then you’ll go get a 5 gallon bucket of water and a couple towels or rags” he paused for a moment as his bandages were fully removed, “unless you want me to go breaking down doors looking for the well.”

The older man looked confused for a moment before wandering off, now Trevor had an unpleasant experience ahead of him. He’s done this before cauterized a wound, but it’s never an enjoyable experience. Carefully Trevor pulled out a small metal bottle about the size of his thumb and took a little of the yellow material inside out on his finger, spreading the foul smelling material over his wound he grimaced. It stung but would ultimately help, tree sap and honey was his father’s cure all disinfectant and healing salve, that you would think would smell good but never did. Next came the unfortunate part.

Sitting down next to the fire and grabbed a small stick his eye barely caught a bit of movement nearby. He had a bit of an audience, some kids were staring at him and all he could do was smile as he was about to traumatize some of them. Retrieving the blade from the fire he eyed the red-hot tip and while biting down on the stick ran the tip of the blade across his small open wound, his flesh sizzling with the heat of the blade, and he could barely stifle the low growl that escaped his mouth.

He sat there for a little while longer breathing hard and not moving as the man from earlier came back with the bucket of water, “here’s your water, and do you need anything else? Like a doctor?” the man sounded worried either about this chain mail wearing man, the smell of burning flesh, or the cringing and gagging children hanging around nearby.

“No I think I’m good. Oh wait which way to my glorious leader?” the man seemed a bit off put by Trevor and just pointed in a direction.

“We cleared out a shed for her, there is already a few others there” the man set the bucket down and dropped the rag down next to it. Eyeing the stranger over one last time the older man wandered off towards the kids shooing them off further into town.

It didn’t take long for the ever so slightly injured Trevor to find the shed the man was talking about, a couple troopers were shooting the breeze outside talking about all the girls here and which ones they could get first. “Well at least they aren’t in too rough of spirits” he thought while setting the bucket down and opening the door. Just inside the door way he could see Jain laying down with James and Maisy nearby. “O hey guys, good to see that all of you are doing OK, don’t mind me or this” motioning to his blood stained clothes and skin. “I can truthfully say that most...” pausing for a moment to look at Maisy, “of it is not mine” he smiled sheepishly and shrugged his shoulders waiting for the punch he knew he would receive eventually.

The tall man closed the door and slowly limped over to the opposite corner with his bucket in hand, “don’t mind me I just need to clean myself off.” Again he smiled nervously at Maisy before taking off his chain mail and took off his clothes opting to quickly clean off the blood and grim quickly and hoping that Maisy wouldn’t make a big deal about his injured leg that for the time being wasn’t bleeding. After cleaning himself off he went to cleaning off his clothes, sitting down with his clothes drip drying off of any small little edge or hook he set to work with the smaller rag and began to clean off his chain mail.

Occasionally he would check his leg and eventually spoke up, “towns secure, ran into a small group of the thugs and one got lucky. I’m assuming that you’re all aware of the casualty’s on the hill, April and Derek.” He paused for a moment looking between them, “it’s a shame really but so far the troopers in town either don’t know or don’t care and are focusing on the local lady’s” his voice was rather mono tone, he wasn’t quite sure what the general feel for the two they lost today would be. “The leader of these bandits seemed to have run off when the Calvary charged I think anyways. With your permission I would like to interrogate the thug you brought in earlier and if able have me and my strike team go in and take out the threat.” He may have been speaking out of turn, but he was still rather upset.

@Poi@RumikoOhara

Raphael watched the battle below from where squatted between Billy and Vickie. There was little doubt in his eyes that it was over. Vickie had moved to watch the walled town while Jain was moved inside and even William hadn't fired in several minutes. Peeling his eyes away after Daisy separated herself from the skirmish, Rafe cleared his throat. He hated the thought of doing anything to mess up either of the marksmen, still he spoke. ”We pack up on your call. Once your done we’ll move down the hill.

Turning away from the snipers, Rafe moved back to where the scouts had fought. He noticed immediately that bodies were missing, and wondered when they left. With the various warm bodies around it was a surprise they left at all. Part of him wanted to go make sure they got put to rest, unfortunately he now had an uncomfortable situation to deal with. Alex was still with the two wounded and the others were trying to keep watch on their surroundings while dealing with what had happened. Pointing out two of the scouts, Raphael frowned realizing he’d have to try and remember their names now. ”Freckles, grab the hipster and make sure none of the bodies wander off. The rest of you spread out some, don’t want anyone else sneaking up on us.”

Rafe watched them only long enough to make sure those he named started what he told them. Turning his eyes back down the hill, Raphael studied the surrounding hills with a frown; He was trying to recall who was placed where.

The two who were hurt were the ones who were supposed to watch the angle the marauders used to approach. Fuck, he thought to himself, I’m going to have to find out what caused this FUBAR’d situation. Spinning the scout turned to face his most trusted companion. He raised a hand and made a circle with a finger followed by a fist then clapped. Athena least to her feet and started pacing the hilltop, circling just inside the other scouts positions.

Raphael's faced twisted sourly as he turned to where Alex watched the living casualties. The scout’s voice matched his face, “Alex soon as the marksmen clear us to move help Tweedle-dum move Tweedle-dee. Make sure her bandage is tight, ‘cause you’ll be one of her two options if she wants a bite.”

Turning away from the injured Rafe raised his voice so everyone could here. ”Also don’t get comfortable when we get wherever we’ll be bedding down tonight. Shore leave’s been canceled. Once the docs give you a clean bill of health find me. If the Doctor puts you on bedrest it starts after you give me a note with his signature on it.”

Raphael's stomach felt like a butterfly frat party. As April's scouting partner that meant it fell to him to command the scouts; At least until he died or Jain found someone better. Even while part of him wanted her to find someone better so that he could step back into the comforting shadows, Rafe knew he would need to get a list put together of the scouts and who they were partnered with.

---

---

William gave an acknowledging grunt at Raphael's words. He heard the man’s words but his attention was focused elsewhere. The marksmen was eyeing a target in the skirmish below; The shot was perfectly lined up, all he had to do was squeeze the trigger. He waited however, counting as the seconds passed. As he watched a Lasthope trooper passed through the crosshair, blocking the target.

“No shot,” Billy said, “There’s too much noise in the sights.” He pulled his eye away from the scope and turned to Vicky. “I tagged a runner; Looked like the leader.”

He paused in thought, “With what happened, we’d be best shot to find him. Are you up for a little hunt?”

At Vicky’s nod Billy collapsed the bipod, and backed away from his final firing position before getting into a crouch. He moved further back before standing straight and approaching Rafe. “You can pack up.” The marksman started, “Vicky and I will catch up in town. We have a line on the marauder leader, going to try to bring him in.”

Raphael nodded, and extended his hand. ”I’ll let the boss know; Come back in one piece.”

”We plan to,” William said shaking the scouts hand. As the marksman turned back to his partner, he heard Raphael starting to round the scouts up for their journey to the town. Cradling his rifle Billy met Vicky’s eyes and said, ”I’ll show you where he was headed when I hit him.”

The news that April and Darric had perished had hit James rather hard. They were his friends, and Jax had been more than sad as the dog mourned for the loss of his master. James had trouble with Jax, but he understood why. Jax grew up with April as his owner and caretaker. It would be rather difficult to reign Jax in now, so James just let him do what he pleased for now. There were more dogs that could be assigned, and they didn't need the dog yet. He simply prayed that Jax would eventually get over it and not stay behind to stay with his master - or, well, near her at least. James had no time to mourn, aside from his time when he simply sat down. Jain wouldn't allow him to wallow in grief either, so he braved it and then marched on.

He also had to go around making rounds for the others who were injured. Stab wounds and whatnot. Amir had taken care of the two and James was left with the other one, and he only had to redress the wounds. He apparently had to put most of his attention to attending to Jain - their boss. He wondered why. Summer had been there to keep an eye on her, and honestly? She was a big help. She was calmer and smarter than he was, so she was probably the best person to talk to Jain once she woke up.

It had only been a coincidence when Jain woke up and he was present. However, instead of outright going to her bed, he allowed Summer to talk to her as her sort of... psychologist. Or well, friend, in this case. James had been rearranging the medical supplies that was scattered around the repurposed building which he had haphazardly stored inside when they moved in. It had been the only place where he could fully trust the area and the fact that nothing would disappear. No offense to the people of the town, but honestly, he felt more at ease to have it in here where no one would dare enter until they were invited in than out there where anyone could snatch up his supplies.

James listened intently to the two girls, just in case he was called out. The fact that Jain's voice sounded cold and emotionless when she heard of the news sent chills down his spine. He had, like Summer, expected for her to have an outburst. This was much, much worse, and he hadn't even known that there would have been something more terrifying than her rage. Apparently there was, it was her pure, silent and cold rage. He had rarely been present when she got angry, since he operates in another part of the group from her.

But now that he heard it, he knew that no one exaggerated when they talked about how angry she could get.

Once Summer exited, James quickly came. "Need some redressing boss? I'm right here for 'ya." He said with a small grin so that it would alleviate her mood a little. He then began unwrapping the bandages, cleaning the wound again and replacing the dirty bandages. He had done it in silence, since he was quite scared of speaking up again. It was reminiscent of him being scolded by his mother... a memory that doesn't surface up nowadays since it had been so blurry from start to finish.

"And done." He said, smiling at her again before exiting to throw away the bandages that would have no more use. He waited for a bit since Jain seemed to have been expelling something onto the bucket inside. After a short while, he entered again and then went back to rearranging the stuff inside. "If you're wondering, the wounded have all been taking care of. They'll have to rest for a while, but they're stable." He pointed out as he continued with his possibly aimless work.

Maisy entered the building and he gave her a small wave, but knew that she was here on business so he'd rather not interrupt like an idiot. There was a time and place for catching up - right now wasn't that time. However, he found himself running out of things to fix, so he simply leaned back on the wall and crossed his arms. There was little he can actually contribute to any of their conversations aside from the injury report, since he had been there to see who had been injured and what happened to them. Aside from that, he knows next to nothing. He was admittedly curious.

Then Trevor marched in, bleeding and everything. James pushed himself off of his position and prepared to help, but then he said that he was fine and he could do it by himself. James paused and then nodded. "If you need any help, don't be afraid to say anything. I am your doctor after all." The male pointed out as he assumed his position again, but still glancing back at Trevor every now and then to see if he was having any trouble. His leg had been injured and he had a lot of blood on him - not his, he claimed. He'll definitely have to keep an eye out for Trevor, but he knew the guy wouldn't be foolish enough to soldier on when he's too injured.

@ReusableSword @Poi @RumikoOhara

@ReusableSword@Poi@Polaris North@Dnafein@Joker892@FortunesFaded



Jain struggles to keep the water she drank in her belly where it belonged and was grateful for James changing her bandage so she grants him a rare smile and even finds herself measuring the pretty blonde doctor as a man which helps distract her mind from how ill she feels. Then she turns to Maisy and takes a deep breath before speaking.

“Commander Palmer and witnesses I now relinquish full command of the Expeditionary forces to you in light of my inability to command in my present chemically altered state asking that you prevent any further loss of life among our people and maintain our present situation till you have spoken with the Council and they relieve me of my responsibilities.

Commander Trevor I place you as Maisy’s second in command and leave the disposition of the prisoner in question up to the two of you….

Then she feels the warning as she dives for the bucket by her bed spewing her stomach contents which are as clear as the water she drank as she internally curses Summer’s entire bloodline curious if it is just her who once again suffers from the witches concoctions. When it is all over because of the lack of content to heave Jain looks up at these wonderful people all around her as tears flow from her eyes in a copious torrent.

This should have never happened, and it is all my fault…..I…..I...never wanted this command and the proof I never deserved it is how many have died by my lack of understanding.

I should just hang it all up and become a mommy, at least with kids it's not all about life and death too late she realises that the drugs Summer gave her have broken her self control and made her expose how emotionally hurt she is by the recent turn of events.

She flings herself into her pillow and tries to muffle her sobs knowing she is now done having lost her people’s self respect.

Alex woke up face down in his pillow, drooling. His head hurt like hell and his mouth had a not-so-unpleasant grape taste left in it, and his lower half felt sore. What happened? Wait... why was he naked? He tried to recount his memories.

Well, April and Darric got killed, and then got killed again, so there was that. Afterwards, he and his compadres made camp outside the city. Well, that is until Alex overheard talk of a beach from a random trooper. He decided to break off from the group and head there. Shouldn't be to hard to find, besides, camp is just outside. What's the worst that could happen?

The beach wasn't to hard to find. He asked around and eventually found his way there. It was... fairly busy looking. Lots of people, even a couple of troopers washing up. Guess they were here for the... attractions. Alex went to the water and began to wash his clothes. His shirt had a few dirt and grass marks, but they came out easily enough. He was about to talk to some of the troopers about camp or something, when a tap on the shoulder grabbed his attention. A young woman, no older than him, and what were likely her two friends stood by her. They said that they were thankful for what he had done, and offered him a drink, and asked for his story.

Taking the drink, he decided to do just that. The grape flavored drink was nice, and the girls seemed to have a legitimate interest in what he had to say. Then everything went dark. He remembered being led... somewhere, being thrown down, and then... that's it.

He looked around his room. It was just a wooden cube with a bed and an end table. And... are those shackles on the bed frame? Uh oh. He looked around for his clothes. Luckily they had been neatly folded beside the bed. Throwing them on, he ran outside. Well, he was still in town, so there was that. He looked towards the sun. It was starting to set. He needed to get back to camp.

Luckily, seeing as they were right outside the city, it wasn't a long walk, but it was certainly more difficult than he imagined. His legs were like jelly, and the soreness didn't help either. Once he finally got to camp, he plopped down and laid back. If he was a drinker, right about now is when he'd reach for the song stuff. But for now, he'd just lay here, and try to recover.

Like peas in a pod, everyone seemed to settle back into whence they came. The bandits were chased away, and the casualties--including injuries--were being dealt with. Maisy stood beside Jain's makeshift bed, waiting to hear what her commander had wished to say. Yet before a word could be uttered, Trevor barged inside the room, making a point to draw Maisy's attention that the blood coating his person was not his. Nevertheless, Maisy had frowned upon hearing such a statement; Trevor's actions clearly making it hard to believe that he was truly fine. Even James had noticed Trevor's peculiar behavior, and constantly checked on the woodsman to ensure if he had needed any sort of medical aid.

Still, before Maisy could slug Trevor in the shoulder for causing her to worry over his possible injuries, Jain had spoke up with official orders. Until Jain was capable of command or relieved of her duties, Maisy would be in full command of the expedition with Trevor as her acting deputy. "I'll try darnedest to keep everyone alive. Anyhow, with our current casualties and with the bandits still out there, I ain't seeing us leaving Arlington for at least a few more days." Maisy explained, stepping back to avoid any excess splatter from Jain and her bucket. Despite Maisy's attempt to reassure her, their commander still broke down, letting those inside the room see a rare side of Jain as she bawled her eyes out.

"Hey now, Jain. My Pa raised me well, but he ain't ever tell me to light a shuck when someone wrongs me. I got me half a mind to show those loco son-of-a-bitches hell fire, and Trevor and I already have someone to start with." Maisy exclaimed, giving Jain a pat on the back as she reached for her slouch hat. "Get that wound healed up fast, 'cause we got some horn clipping to do." The rancher replied, waiting for Trevor to finish washing up. They killed April and Darric, stabbed a scout and most certainly gone and cut up Trevor, but now it was Maisy's turn to put them six feet under.

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