Dead Earth: The Beginning

[Gnomeo]

"The bite doesn't feel as bad as the thought of becoming one of these things." Pushing that thought as far away as possible, Chuck peers out into the street, trying to pierce the gloom.  He realizes he did not see Dave among the infected, though he's certain he's out there somewhere.

[spoiler]Actions
Listen (1d20+5=6)
Spot (1d20+5=7)

Status
HP: 16 (bitten, +7 bonus on next save vs. disease)
AC: 15
Action Points: 9[/spoiler]

[ragincajun2288]

Chuck looks out into the darkness. He doesn't hear nor see anything but the shape of Hudson's body disappearing into the darkness. Lily strains her ears as well, but hears nothing except for the distant sound of what might be screaming. She says a silent prayer for other people like themselves caught in this unbelievable incident. As she looks into the distance she sees shapes shuffling about in the darkness towards them. Possibly infected, the sound of the fire truck piquing their curiosity. She hoped Hudson reported back soon.

Hudson moves through the darkness like a wraith, a silent shadow as he approaches his store. Suddenly he nearly trips. Cursing silently he looks down to see a body. Then as he looks at the ground near the shop he mutters lowly, "what the fuck...". His store is surrounded by dead bodies and not all of them looked to be infected at the time of death. He looks back to the fire truck, the others were still waiting. He continues on to a window and looks inside. Everything is dark but he can see the back light is turned on. He moves to the front of the store and pulls out his keys, opening the door and entering. It's dark but he can make out the shapes of guns and dead bodies. People had tried to loot...and failed.

As Lily and Chuck start to wonder what the situation is Lily gets a tingling between her spine, as if someone is watching her.

[maggieloo72]

Growing tired of the tense silence, Lily says to Chuck, "That large monstrosity that appeared before the headlights earlier... how do you think it became like that? So different from the rest--more beastly and..." She trails off. "I wonder what other terrible things we'll encounter before this is over. If it ever is."
In spite of her training, not that it matters much right now, Lily's impatience and worry begin to show through her hands. Her fingers drum on her legs and she continues to listen and look about while they wait for Hudson to return. But when she suddenly feels as though she's being watched, Lily relies on her investigative intuition.
[spoiler]Listen:1d20+10=21
Spot:1d20+8=20
Intuition:1d20+7=20[/spoiler]

[Gnomeo]

Chuck continues the conversation as is seems to help Lily cope.  He can see that she's nervous, though she's trying admirably to hide it.  Not that he can blame her, he's nervous too, he just lacks the compulsion to fill silence with words.  "The infected that attacked us at the bar had claws as well.  I don't know how that could happen either."

Lily's question got Chuck thinking: Claws and...whatever that thing in the headlights was...are not the normal anatomy for a human being.  Could these things be...evolving?  He tries to think back to Dr. Cook's lectures in college.  He had this crazy theory about mutations and evolution...

[spoiler]Actions
Explore the possibility of evolution in the infected: Knowledge: Earth & Life Sciences (1d20+10=23)

Status
HP: 16 (bitten, +7 bonus on next save vs. disease)
AC: 15
Action Points: 9[/spoiler]

[shallowesoul]

after noting the dead bodies of attempted looters, Hudson walks to the counter to grab the case with his dual pistols in them. when he finds the case he grabs the small key in his wallet that opens the lock for it. Hudson also walks over to the isle with gun holsters and grabs one for his waist, and another for his torso. after strapping the holsters on and securely fastening the two pistols in them Hudson starts walking towards the back room. he tries to speak but all he can seem to get out of his mouth is a sentence that seemed to quiver with fear. "Hello? Lee its me Hudson is that you back there?" Hudson thinks to himself after talking and figures if it isn't Lee back there he should be prepared for whatever, so Hudson grabs both pistols noting that both clips are full and prepares for the worst.

[spoiler]listen for any movement in the back room-(1d20+2=12)[/spoiler]

[ragincajun2288]

Chuck continues to talk, to comfort Lily as much as gather his thoughts. His memories turn to his lectures in college, his professor speaking about viruses and their ability to mutate. He remembers doing a paper on the Ebola virus and how it turned its victims into a pile of goo as it attempts to conform human DNA.

"My God...", Chuck mutters to himself, "The virus is mutating...and causing it's subjects to evolve into various forms. You're right Lily, no telling what horrors we will see". He turns, "Lily? Lily"?

Lily turns from the window, although she saw nothing nor heard nothing new her face is stricken with fear. "Chuck", she says. "Something bad is gonna happen".

As Hudson turns to the backroom a form emerges from behind him. Suddenly he feels the stiff coldness of metal against his back.

"Drop the guns", a familiar voice says from behind him. "Or I blow your fucking liver out".

[shallowesoul]

"Lee you son of bitch put that thing down." Hudson slowly turns around with his hands up to be face-to-face with Lee. " I do however appreciate you keeping my shop safe, but pulling this on me? your own boss? come-on you should know better than that... I tell ya what you put the gun down and ill forget this even happened. but if you dont like that. I guess ill have to disarm you and force you to comply. its up to you whichever happens though so choose wisely. Oh and i don't think i should have to remind you what i used to do before i inherited this shop."

[spoiler]disarm attempt(if needed)-(1d20+3=14)
intimidation-1d20+2=15
should Hudson have to attempt a disarm and fail Hudson will grab one of his Berretta's and tumble to a crouch(this is an immediate action). the following round he will pull the colt m1911 from the back of his jeans and attack with these defensively(-4 to attack but +2 to dodge). heres rolls for this action if necessary.
tumble-1d20+10=21
attack(main-hand)-1d20+7=27
attack(off-hand)-1d20+7=23
damage(main-hand)-2d6+5=14X2=28(crit)
damage(off-hand)-2d6+5=13
HP-15
AC-22[/spoiler]

[ragincajun2288]

As Hudson slowly turns he does find himself face to face with Lee. The man is obviously frightened enough without Hudson's intimidation but he lowers the gun before taking several steps back to put some distance between them. He looks Hudson up and down, the gun in his hand slightly shaking but looking ready to spring up in a moment's notice.

"I'm sorry boss but this is necessary. I've had to kill a lot of people today so I won't hesitate to do another. I don't know what the fuck's going on but it's bat shit insane, people attacking each other in the streets...biting and killing each other". His face momentarily breaks, "Dear God I don't even know if my daughters okay", he pulls himself together and raises the gun a little, looking at Hudson. "I know what you're capable of boss but today I found out I'm capable of things too. I had to do it boss, you have to believe me. The crazies were trying to get in here...and the others were trying to steal your guns. I had to boss, I had to shoot them all you see? I had to. I couldn't trust anyone, no one, I let someone in earlier and the son of a bitch turned crazy to and tried to bite me, his body is in the back. I had to", he repeats again.

Hudson's lips compress as he looks at his employee. The man seems a bit traumatized by his actions today and possibly mentally unstable. Lee continues on, his eyes darting everywhere as if expecting a trap but one eye is always on Hudson.

"It seems like the bite is what changes them...have you been bitten? You look like shit, spread your arms and legs. If you haven't been bitten then it's fine, I know I can at least trust you if you're not one of them, sorry boss but you must understand it's only a precaution".

[shallowesoul]

Hudson lets out a sigh of relief from the reaction that Lee had."i'm sure your daughter is safe we can go look for her when its daylight out." he then takes off his jacket, to show he has only been scratched by one of the infected. "I haven't been bitten only had a close call when i first encountered them. but i have a couple of people outside waiting that helped me in the battle. i need to get them in here since I know its safe now..." Hudson seems to trail off for a moment in thought and realizes something. "Shit! i need to get them in here and we need to be ready. because if those things are attracted to sound theres about to be quite a few approaching. all i need you to do is trust me. and everything will be alright." after speaking to Lee he grabs his two Berettas off the ground and secures them in his holsters. after doing that Hudson quickly walks out to the fire truck to get Lily and Chuck. "you guys need to get in here quick because those things will be here soon if not already. Lily feel free to arm yourself with whatever you find in my shop same goes to you too Chuck. Oh and Chuck keep that bite concealed if you need to treat it you may want to do that in private, because Lee already knows how the infection spreads. and he may try to shoot you if he knows you've been bitten."

[spoiler]spot(for nearby infected)-1d20+4=8
listen-1d20+2=17[/spoiler]

[maggieloo72]

"I don't want to stay out here much longer... I'm getting all kinds of bad vibes..." She pauses, then sees Hudson outside. She sighs with relief. "Ok, let's go." She nudges Chuck out the door and runs inside, looking for a familiar handgun and, if she's lucky, some night-vision goggles.
[spoiler]Listen:1d20+10=23
Spot:to see the danger afoot! (1d20+8=26)
search: come to mama! (1d20+7=21) ha![/spoiler]

[ragincajun2288]

The party makes it inside safely, not hearing or seeing any immediate danger. However the moving shapes of men are still in the distance and appear to be moving towards the shop. Lily also can't shake the feeling she is being watched. She shakes her head tiredly, maybe she is just delusional from lack of sleep, it must be around 1 in the morning.

As they enter in doors Lee's eyes widen and his hand twitches toward the gun at his side. "Do you know these people? You sure about this boss? We can't trust no one...maybe we should kill them now". He licks his lips.

Lily spots an array of hand guns and ammo for them, also she finds night vision goggles hanging on a nearby wall.

Chuck hears Lee's words and steps up to him. "Hey calm down we're no threat to...", he trails off suddenly feeling weak and feverish.
"To you", he finishes and walks away to hide behind a gun rack and lean against it weakly. Lee watches him go the entire way before looking at Hudson expectantly.

[spoiler]Chuck I need a Fortitude Save from you.

Party, there are many License 1 weapons around and maybe other weapons too...pick from the Core or Weapons Locker and tell me your choices so I may review them. Don't forget ammo either. Also I'm not a stickler for weight but if your carrying body armor, a ton of ammo, and weapons, and other equipment I will encumber you.[/spoiler]

[shallowesoul]

Hudson look to Lee worried what may come of him and speaks. "Lee its alright i trust them, they helped me before so now im helping them." Hudson then walks over too Chuck and ask "Chuck you going to be alright?" in a hushed tone.

[spoiler]diplomacy-1d20=4[/spoiler]

[maggieloo72]

Upon hearing Lee's justified worrying, Lily introduces herself and says, "Please, we must work together in this chaos. We've taken care of each other so far. You can trust us." Yet, as always, Lily is wary... especially of the lip-licking.
She also vows to keep a watchful eye on Chuck and the awful bite. Lily grabs the night-vision goggles and quickly finds a Beretta 92F and a Desert Eagle. She finds a couple holsters and an ammo pouch. "Stock up, boys. We've got a rough adventure ahead." After loading the guns and filling the pouch, Lily stretches and says another silent prayer to a God of whose existence she's now unsure. How could He allow such violent suffering to happen to so many innocent people?
With the lingering feeling of someone watching her, Lily peeks out the windows and tries to stay keenly aware of her surroundings, despite her growing fatigue.
[spoiler]Diplomacy:1d20+3=11
Spot: to see her stalker! (1d20+8=24)
[/spoiler]

[Gnomeo]

Chuck rights himself and puts on a brave face.  "I'll be fine.  You got anything in here that's idiot-proof?  I've never used one of these things."

[spoiler]
Fortitude Save (1d20+4=12)
Ugh, add an action point to that: Action Point (1d6=2)
If the Fort save is for the disease, also add my ranks in Treat Injury (+7), which brings the total up to 21

Status
HP: 16 (bitten, +7 bonus on next save vs. disease)
AC: 15
Action Points: 8[/spoiler]

[shallowesoul]

"well nothing like that. i dont think you would do so well with a gun, so maybe a baton or some sort of knife would suit you well." Hudson walks Chuck over to the area that he keeps all his knives, batons, and few sword like weapons. "feel free to use whatever you like but try not to carry to much we dont want our strongest man getting fatigued from having to much equipment on him." while standing there with Chuck, Hudson grabs a small hunting knife and calf sheath for it. when done showing Chuck his collection of melee weapons, Hudson wanders off to the back rook where he keeps his other weapons; to make sure they are safely locked still.

[ragincajun2288]

Lee sniffs at Hudson's comment disbelievingly as the former soldier leaves him to attend to Chuck. As Lily introduces herself and speaks he cuts her off short. "Just watch your own back and I'll watch mine", he growls.

As Lee watches her and the others begin to stock up he spins to face Hudson. "Boss are you serious? You're just going to let these...these people take whatever they want. You're really fucking serious"? His hand on the gun still trembles.

Lily ignores the man behind her though. For she is too engrossed with what she has caught outside. She sees a dark silhouette hovering near the fire truck. The dark hides his actions but it's obvious the figure is fiddling around with something underneath the front bumper of the truck. She can't make out much else but the reflection of light off the man's wear. He appears to be covered in white cloth bandages.

Chuck shakes his head to clear his muddy thoughts. He feels a lot better for the moment. He nods his appreciate to Hudson as the man shows him his wares.

Melee Weapons Chuck sees: [spoiler]Simple Weapons: Brass knuckles, Police night sticks, Knives, Police tonfa's.
Archaic Weapons: Hatchet's, Machete's.[/spoiler]

Hudson leaves Chuck to glance over the weapons. Lee was shouting at him from behind, too loudly. Something may have to be done about the man. He may have to be put in his place before his instability becomes a liability.

Hudson unlocks the back door and peeks inside. He sees several large safes in the small back room. Only he knows the combination's, no other man, so he knows they should be safe. Inside the safe are his special items. Only shown to very special customers. Inside the safes are several illegal pistols, a couple assault rifles, and a couple grenades. He glances back at the party. Chuck didn't know guns, he doubted Lily had that sort of training either, hell even he didn't have advanced firearms training...but that didn't mean he couldn't figure it out eventually.

[shallowesoul]

Hudson replies bitterly to Lee over his shoulder. "would you rather them not be properly equipped to deal with these things? and besides it not like money is of any use; specially if this thing spreads to quickly to contain it." Hudson then walks over to his safe locks, enters the combination, and views over his hefty collection of riffles grenades and ammo.

[maggieloo72]

Lily's face turns to a sort of disgust at this man's blatant rudeness. But it passes quickly when she sees the man outside. The bandages... her mind flickers to Gerald (or, as he preferred, "Doleo") as he fell into the fire. But how could he be here, and now?! And he's tampered with the fire truck; they'll need something else. She fights the urge to run out and shoot him now--too much of a risk. But that bastard will pay.
"Hudson!" Lily raps on the door she thought he walked into. "We have another problem!"

[Gnomeo]

Chuck understands how this Lee is suspicious, considering the bite, and therefore takes great care to move slowly and deliberately.  He doesn't want to give the guy any reason to exercise his trigger finger.  He does his best to stand straight and refrain from wincing at the sharp pangs of pain lancing through his shoulder.  Thankfully, he seems to have weathered the first hour without losing himself to the affliction.  Knowing he isn't out of the woods yet, he makes a mental note to clean and redress the wound when he gets a moment away from Lee.  He can't help but think that some of the people laying outside were just looking for a safe place to hide.

After seeing the available assortment of handheld weapons, Chuck errs on the side of caution.  He grabs a brass knuckle for each hand, a pair of knives with sheaths, and a pair of nightsticks.  He prefers the heft of his fireman's axe, but wants to be sure he has a few options on hand.  He puts the brass knuckles on, straps a knife to each boot, and hooks the nightsticks through his belt.

Hearing Lily's warning, Chuck heads over to see what's going on.

[spoiler]Status
HP: 16 (bitten)
AC: 15
Action Points: 8[/spoiler]

[ragincajun2288]

As Hudson replies to Lee the man flashes angry eyes at Chuck and Lily but turns and walks away to stand in a corner, he seems as if he is almost sulking now.

Hudson then opens the safe and although the lack of light makes it hard to see he makes out the shapes of all the weapons: A Beretta 93R.[spoiler](9mm machine pistol). Damage: 2d6+dex. Critical: 20. Type: Ballistic. Range: 30 ft.  Semi or Auto. 20 rounds to a box. Med size. 3 lbs. [/spoiler]

A TEC-9  [spoiler](9mm machine pistol)   Damage:2d6+dex. Crit:20  Type:Ballistic. Range:40 ft. S or A. 32 box. Med. 4 lb.[/spoiler]

Hudson sighs happily then his eyes move over to the other weapons and he smiles. "Oh yeah".

AK-47 [spoiler](7.62mmR assault rifle). Damage:2d8+dex. Crit:20. Type:   Ballistic. Range:70 ft. S or A.   30 box. Large. 10 lb.[/spoiler]

Uzi [spoiler](9mm submachine gun). Damage:2d6+dex. Crit:20. Type: Ballistic. Range:40 ft. S or A. 20 box. Large. 8 lb. [/spoiler]

As Hudson looks over to the last item, he contemplates the illegality of the weapons in civilian hands...but would it matter now? It might if the military sees me with these, he thinks as he looks at the two frag grenades lying in the safe. [spoiler]Fragmentation grenade. Damage:4d6+dex. Type:Slashing. Burst radius:20 ft. Range:10 ft. Size:Tiny. 1 lb.[/spoiler]

Hudson's thoughts are interrupted by the sound of Lily's voice behind him. He turns to see her standing in the door way looking quite worried. Chuck walks up behind her, decked out in melee weapons as if he is going to war.