Ash Holloway
Location: Outside of the Hordebuster, Sprayberry Rd, in front of train tracks
Skills: N/A
"Aye aye, Captain Tightass"? Ash tilted his head back in Riley's direction, giving the slightest questioning glance at her. He had heard this muttered under her breath some several times back in Newnan, and had let it slide on account of various factors. Her difficulty with authority was well noted and she needed some time to adapt to her new surroundings. Truth be told, he hadn't expected much different from her, considering her celebrity status from Before. So long as she did her job well and wasn't overtly insubordinate, Ash was willing to deal with her tiny bouts of sarcasm.
That was when there was a Newnan, however. As of that day, there weren't even two bricks piled on top on one another that could pass as a former settlement. They were on their own, without so much as a secure base camp. The concept of Ash still being a Captain over anyone was supported only by the rank insignia on his patrol cap and in his pocket, right next to Leann's old Lieutenant Colonel's oak leaves. Maybe one day when he felt less ethical, he'd attach
those to his lapel and cap, then proceed to refer to himself as
Colonel Ashton J. Holloway. Or not. The thought was fleeting and silly. Just like Riley's comment to him a moment ago.
"Ridgeway?" he remarked quietly, trying to get her attention,
"Highly inappropriate. 'Aye Aye' is Navy. I'm an Army man." From his tone, it was difficult to tell if he was joking or being serious. One might assume it was a dry attempt at humor, even sarcasm of his own coloring the air. He had a talent for sarcasm, once upon a time. Still did, but it rarely left his mouth anymore. Reality had suppressed it somewhat. What it had heightened was his survival instincts, however, which he intended to delve into over the next few minutes, circumventing the roadblock and keeping his own posterior intact.
The thought occurred to him, and not for the first time, that maybe their efforts would have been better put to use helping Thana's group with Eden. But he had his own job to do now, as bitter a pill as it was sometimes.
Thalia Carmichael
Location: Near Eden, Golf Course (15 -> Other side of wall from 15)
Skills: Stealth, Survival
Okay. Thalia had his. She was quick, she was strong, she was motivated. This was a wall, literally a vertical obstacle to overcome. This was nothing. She'd seen some parkour videos on YouTube, back when there was a YouTube. It seemed easy enough for those skinny beardo guys with man-buns to pull off such an ascent, and she was pretty confident that she could beat the crap out of guys like that, up close and bareknuckle, quick, dirty, and quiet. Yeah. Thalia had this.
The enigmatic Miss Carmichael took a step or two back; just enough to get a few quick taps on the ground before launching herself up along the side of the obstacle as a swift, controlled ascent. She made quiet connection with supports, to pivot and push off of it to make solid connection with the next. Unfortunately, Thalia
completely forgot that parkour was an acquired skill, not a thing one may just step into like a comfortable bathrobe. This lesson was sorely learned as she found herself promptly hurled toward the ground from about seven feet up, gravity claiming dominion over the situation with iron resolve. Luckily, her butt broke her fall. Inertia shoved Thalia on her back, shield first. The handle made an interesting impression near her spine, promising to make a tender mark in the near future.
Thalia lay there for a second, then noticing Alexander's approach. Wordlessly, she raised a finger in the air and shot the veteran soldier a harsh look approximating "not a word, old man" before pushing herself off of the ground. She looked at the wall with fresh eyes, and pondered another way past it.
It was inevitable, of course, that she have to get in the water. She tried to avoid it, considering the season. But she
had to get in that place. The first, impressive round from the tank had gone off, signalling the sneak attack from the flank. Their already tiny group was short a person - the other person with actual military training - and nightfall was approaching. With haste, Thalia untied her hiking boots and cuffed up her jeans as high as she could, then ventured into the water to the right of her, her footwear laced together over her shoulder. She had no idea if it would help in the slightest.
The water was cold. Damn cold, influenced by the season and the melting snow. If they managed to actually do this, she was definitely scrounging up a new pair of pants from the wreckage. That was a trail of "ifs" to follow, and she had barely made her first steps down it. Thalia hugged the wall on her approach, quieting as best as possible as she neared the edge. There was little to be done about the spreading numbness in her legs until she found dry ground and warm environs to recover, else she gets some adrenaline going. The latter seemed more likely. She was almost around when she snagged on something in the water. If it was a foot trap then it was long neglected, but it was something, and it took more than a little quiet struggling before she pulled free. Then finally she was at the edge.
Peering around, Thalia saw a line of trees coming up to the water's edge. This wall was apparently constructed with Zeds in mind, moreso than people. Perhaps it was a favorable sign. As quickly as she could, Thalia traversed the open space on the other side of the wall to solid ground, unrolled her wet jeans, and threw her boots back on. It didn't seem like anyone took notice of her yet, and she aimed to keep it that way. She hunkered in the trees, pistol at ready, and took a quick look around.
