Dead Earth: The Beginning

[ragincajun2288]

With one beautiful, solid blow Chuck's massive arms bring the axe down hard upon the creature's neck. A wet sloppy noise is heard and the creature's head rolls away from it's body. Black blood pours out from the stump left behind.

[maggieloo72]

Lily's face cringes slightly, but with a morbid satisfaction at the disgusting display of the dead creature. After Chuck has healed her again, Lily thanks him and takes a deep breath, stretching the injuries out. "Alright, let's go. Where to?"

[Gnomeo]

"Maybe we should check the police station up the street?  There could be survivors there, or supplies."

[maggieloo72]

"Alright. Maybe we can learn some more about this situation... if there's been any more news or discoveries. And supplies of any type would be nice. Should we go on foot so as not to attract anymore attention?" Lily looks to her companions, unsure how she became so reliant on these two. Stubborn and independent, her conscience reminds her that without Chuck and Hudson, she probably wouldn't be alive. And let's face it, she thinks, I'm not exactly built for battle.
[spoiler]((About how far away are we from the Police Station?))[/spoiler]

[shallowesoul]

Hudson looks to his companions after closing the hood of the truck with the device in his hand. "well this wont be much of a problem to us now. as for where we go the police station sounds like a good idea but, we'll have to be careful in case there are any people inside."

[ragincajun2288]

[spoiler]The police station is only half a block away and around the corner to the East.[/spoiler]

[maggieloo72]

"Then let's be off." Lily moves close to the building walls and walks as quietly as possible and listening for any threats. The destroyed streets incite a suspenseful uneasiness as she moves about, forcing her to remain alert.
[spoiler]Move Silently:1d20+5=7
Listen:1d20+10=16
Spot: 1d20+8=25[/spoiler]
Status
[spoiler]HP: 16
AC: 19[/spoiler]

[Gnomeo]

"Right behind you.  Let's keep a steady pace and ready ourselves for another ambush."  Chuck falls in line behind Lily; taking care to move as quietly as possible.  The realization that these infected are evolving into predatory hunters has instilled a severe paranoia.  He finds himself scanning every nook and cranny of the area as they pass.  What in the world could have caused this to happen?  Chuck keeps his axe at the ready, in case another infected comes out of nowhere.

Actions
[spoiler]Readied action to attack any infected that come within reach.
Take 10 to Move Silently behind Lily (10-2=8).
Spot Spot (1d20+5=13)
Listen Listen (1d20+5=20)[/spoiler]
Status
[spoiler]HP: 22 (bitten)
AC: 15
Action Points: 7[/spoiler]

[shallowesoul]

Hudson quietly follows behind Chuck and Lily, listening and scanning the area as they walk.
Actions
[spoiler]listen-1d20+2=16
spot-1d20+4=13
move silently-1d20+10=28[/spoiler]
Status
[spoiler]HP-20
AC-22
AP-7[/spoiler]

[ragincajun2288]

The party moves along, sneaking along building sides and hiding in the shadows when they think they hear something. Unfortunately in the bright light of the sun overhead they do feel exposed, but they make it to the end of the block nonetheless. As they head towards the police station they hear gunshots from ahead and then an explosion that rocks their eardrums. The party carefully moves forward to see the police station and what they see shocks them. The police station has been fortified and barricades are erected in front of the building. Men in police uniforms, some with armor attachments of their own wield hand guns and shotguns. A couple are decked out in full armor and riot gear, complete with shields and large batons. A couple lie dead near the barricades and one barricade is completely blown away, charred ground indicating an explosion. There are many bodies laying around them, the bodies of infected and the bodies of men in black leather.

One of the officers see the party and raises a weapon. "Freeze"! Suddenly all the officers turn their way and the party finds themselves in front of the barrels of many guns. "Drop your weapons", the same officer yells.

[Gnomeo]

"Take it easy!  We're alive!"  Chuck raises his arms, slowly, straight out to his left and right and gently lets go of his axe.  As the axe clatters to the concrete, he says, "We heard an explosion.  I have a medical kit.  Do you need assistance?"

[maggieloo72]

Lily slowly sets down her firearm and puts her hands up slowly. "It's okay, we're still human. I'm P.I. Lily O'Keefe. I know Director Reagan, can I speak to him?"
[spoiler]Diplomacy: 1d20+3=8 grr.[/spoiler]
Status
[spoiler]HP: 16
AC: 19[/spoiler]

[shallowesoul]

Hudson too lowers his weapons to the ground and speaks to the officer: "look we are all human here so lets not blow this out of proportions here. we came here hoping to find out if there were any survivors or supplies. this epidemic is hitting us all right now so just let us help you im retired colonel Sean, Hudson."
Actions
[spoiler]diplomacy-1d20=11 uck...[/spoiler]

[ragincajun2288]

The officer nods to Chuck, slowly lowering his weapon. "Yeah we could use some help here pretty bad, I got a wounded man. He's hurt pretty bad. He points to the man. "Grenade explosion, impact hit him hard and he caught some shrapnel. You don't look like a doctor but if you know anything you know more than any of us right now".

He squints at Lily then nods. "I thought I recognized you. I remember seeing you at the precinct. I'm Officer Tigraine, squad leader right now. We're having a hell of a time here holding off these gangsters. Go on in and speak to the director, I'm sure he'd like to hear from you, you two were close if I recall. He's in office trying to keep the refugees calm".

Officer Tigraine turns to Hudson and gives him a small salute. "Good to have you on board Colonel, we could use a man's help like you right now. I got a bunch of civilians inside the station, we've been using it as a bunker and trying to hold off these fucking monsters AND now these damned gang members. They are even worse, they have guns and they had at least one grenade. I've got a lot to worry about, so I'm not even going to bother asking if that rifle is illegal and has full auto", he points at the rifle over Hudson's shoulder, "in fact, I hope it does. You have any ideas on how to help us out here sir"?


[spoiler]Officer Tigraine is the man at W6. Other officers are standing around the area looking for any signs of trouble. The wounded man is crouched down behind the barrier at T9. A woman from inside the station comes out and gives him water while holding a bloody rag to his stomach.[/spoiler]

[shallowesoul]

Hudson returns the salute to officer Tigraine he then picks up his weapons and places them in his holsters. "im glad this didnt go differently. cause theres been to much death these past two days. and an answer to your question, this is an automatic. im a bit rusty tho so ill just stick to my pistols for now."

[Gnomeo]

Chuck picks up his axe, sets it in its place on the carrying strap, and slings it over his shoulder.  He then heads over behind the barricade to the wounded cop.  "I'm Chuck.  Let's have a look at that."  Chuck examines the severity of the wound while checking to make sure the area is safe for treatment.  If doing so is safe (won't harm the cop further), he'll move the wounded man inside the police station to make sure they're both safe before treating the wound. 

While he looks the wounded man over, he can't help but think to himself: (Who would throw grenades?  And why target cops?)

Actions
[spoiler]Gauge the severity of the wounds:
Knowledge: Earth & Life Sciences (take 10 +10 skill = 20)
Treat Injury: (take 10 +12 skill = 22)[/spoiler]
Status
[spoiler]HP: 22 (bitten)
AC: 15
Action Points: 7[/spoiler]

[maggieloo72]

Lily places her firearm back in its holster, then nods to the three men and moves toward the door. "I'm going inside to speak with him. He was a good friend of my father's. I'll be back soon, hopefully with more information."
As she passes the wounded man, she kneels down to him and says quietly, "Don't worry. Chuck here will do his best to help you," and she slips her rosary onto his neck. "It's up to us now."
Once she reaches Director Reagan's office, Lily greets him warmly, glad to see a friendly and familiar face in these troubled times. Then, with all seriousness regained, "Do you know anything about what's going on? Its chaos and death out there. What caused all this?"

[ragincajun2288]

Officer Tigraine nods, his hazel eyes looking into the distance. "I agree...too much death. I had never killed anyone until yesterday. Now I have killed many men...and monsters alike". He shudders and his face contorts and his voice almost breaks. "What is going on"? The break in composure is gone as soon as it appeared and he is once again solid. "I don't know what's happening, but I have duties. I must protect these civilians...then perhaps I can find my son". He looks to Hudson and nods. "Your pistols will do, we need every gun we can get. I hate to ask again...but do you have any ideas as to how we can defend against the next attack? These bikers have always been a pain in the ass but now they believe they're is no law. They are violent and blood thirsty...especially since we have the leader of the gang's girl imprisoned inside". Officer Tigraine darts his head suddenly and raises his gun. "Did you hear that"? [spoiler]Listen check Hudson.[/spoiler]

Chuck moves over to the wounded man. He greets the cop then kneels down to examine his wounds. The woman kneeling nearby looks at Chuck with what looks like hope, desperate hope, perhaps she is a relative or lover of the wounded man. The man grunts as Chuck moves his clothes aside to gauge the severity of his wounds. Chuck utters soothing words. The impact of the grenade's blast definitely had struck the man hard. He had a moderate concussion judging by the way he slurred his words when asked questions and he had a tendency to randomly lose consciousness. Besides this, shrapnel from the fragmentation grenade-for that must have been the type-had lodged into his stomach in several places, causing him to bleed externally and most likely internally. Chuck checked his equipment and silently cursed. He did not have the proper equipment to help the man, but he did have enough to keep him alive. "Let's move him inside", Chuck said to the lady kneeling nearby. Together they moved the man inside and Chuck treats him. When the woman asks about his condition Chuck shrugs..."He will live. For now. I need a surgery kit though if I'm going to further treat him".

Lily leaves the rest of the party, stopping by Chuck as he looks over the man. The wounded cop gives her a grateful look as she speaks her words and when she slips the rosary around his neck a tear falls down his cheek. Hopefully Chuck could help him. As she approached the front doors she is met by two more cops on the inside. They remove a wooden slat they rigged and let her pass since they know her a friend. Not to mention Tigraine radioed in and told them to let her pass. Lily walks through the front door, passing the water fountain near the front and the offices nearby. As she walks by she looks in, seeing many scared people huddling together in fear. The civilians Tigraine spoke of. Lily continues on to the back into the Director's office and poses her questions. The Director only shakes his head. "I'm sorry my dear but I know nothing about the why of what's happening. I'm as much in the dark as you are I'm afraid. The only thing I can focus on now is getting these civilians and my men north, to Wyoming".

[shallowesoul]

[spoiler]listen-1d20+2=10[/spoiler]

[ragincajun2288]

Hudson turns his head but hears nothing. Tigraine touches the pistol at his side, perhaps unconsciously. "I thought I heard a strange noise, like a loud clicking. Must be the stress getting to me...or maybe it's the bikers preparing for another attack".