IC- Chapter Three: Lone Wanderers

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“Steady…steady.” Whispered Reggie before holding his breath.

The three men tried vigorously to move the clattered debris which littered the stair case. Timber, rouble, iron, you name it; it was on that stair case. Sure they could climb down but no way in hell would they be able to get stretchers down there without clearing a passage through first.

For an hour now, they’d struggled and battled against the wreckage lying in their paths. Why just a couple of meters back up they’d been forced to cover a gaping hole in the stairs in order to pass.

In fact Duke had very nearly put a cap on the whole damn thing when he misplaced his footing and fell through the shattered boards. Luckily he’d had the fortune to land on the stairs beneath but it had been a nasty fall none the less. Reggie couldn’t help but laugh as Duke pulled him self back up with enough cursing to shock the devil him self.

"I know we wanted a fast way down but i think thats taking it a little too far!" Reggie had joked causing Luciel to nearly double over with laughter. Duke hadn't found it quite as funny though.

“What floor the med labs on again?” Quizzed Luciel taking a seat to catch his breath.

“Level five.” Answered Reggie looking over the edge and peering down to the floors beneath.

“Level freaking five!” Exclaimed Duke.

“Yea, but once we hit level 4, everything beneath that is accessed through a different stair well.” Reggie explained.

“Hell, the lift might even be working, but I wouldn’t count on it.”

“You reckon it will have been destroyed?” Asked Luciel.

“Could be, but even if it isn’t, we’d need power to get it moving.” Replied Reggie, “Situation can’t be any worse than what’s up here that’s for sure.”

“I hear ya there.” Duke laughed inspecting the grazes down his leg and chest, “If I ever see some stairs again it will be too soon, too soon ya hear.”

“Right lads, only one more floor before we hit floor four.” Reggie smiled in an enthusiastic way, “From then on its easy sailing.” Or atleast he prayed it would be.

“Bah.” Duke spat “Should have stayed with the caravan.” He mumbled, blindly unaware of the situation developing back at the caravan.

Mean while out side, Nat and her helpers had nearly got everybody into the hall way of the university which was now almost full with wounded and used medical supplies.

All that was left in the carts were the remaining med supplies. Nothing major, just some pain killers to keep the critically injured stable until they could reach the med labs.
They’d made a quick attempt to search the ground floor of the university for anything useful but found nothing. What hadn’t been destroyed in the blast had been looted by scavengers.

According to Reggie, it would take maybe another 20-30 minutes for them to reach level four and from there it should be straight access to the med levels.

“What are they doing?” Asked Shannon. She was staring at a small group of people shuffling around the remains of what was once the ground floor of the university.

“Scavenging I guess.” Replied Nat. She didn’t admit it but they gave her the creeps.

Nat was that fixed with watching them that she nearly jumped out of her skin when Thing One placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

“We got company.” He said anxiously
Sarge moved up and joined them to hear the news. “Incoming?” He asked.

“No, tracks.” Answered Thing One, Leading into the university.”

“Maybe just the scavs.” Nat mentioned hopefully.

“Nope, these wearing military boots possibly combat.” He whispered, “Maybe Border Patrol?”

“Let’s hope so, for everyone’s sake.” Replied Nat.

With light disappearing fast as night lurked just around the corner, if would be fatal to be attacked by any force, be it raiders, slavers or any other scum the wastes sheltered.

Nat, dodging the injured which covered the small space in the hallway, made her way back to the top of the stair case.

“How’s it going?” She yelled down. Her voice echoed off the walls filling the stair case with sound.

“We on the fourth floor.” A voice yelled back up…

Nat listened to the reply but something was wrong. The person’s voice sounded deep, like they had trouble getting the words out, almost as though they were scared.

"What do you see." Nat shouted back but no reply came, "Guys... guys?"

OOC- Ok, more is coming...
 
Pipboy sees only darkness as the man-machine goes deeper and deeper into the ground. There is no light, no illumination, and yet it seems as if Niles, the man-machine, knows where he's going. Each step down is a jarring sensation, and with each step Pipboys trepedations mount.

Every so often the machine turns and goes down another eight steps, turns and then again. Again and Again, deeper and deeper he goes. Pipboy can smell the lingering scent of dust and debrie, of smoke. He can taste the soot and dust on his tongue. Sometimes the man-machine kicks up a pile of dust and for a moment it is hard to breath. It stings Pipboys eyes, and makes him sneeze. But the man machine is undisturbed.

Finally the thing stops and again sets Pipboy down. Hard and abrupt and in another cloud of dust.

Again Pipboy tries to scurry away.

Again, the thing reaches a restraining hand that grabs at Pipboy and pulls him close. The grip is like a metal, hard and unyielding. It drags Pipboy across the ground, over broken stone and glass, back to the door.

The creature says simply, "Stay."

Pipboy listens, seeing nothing. He can hear the creature press a series of buttons.

THen there is a whoosh and the wall slides aside. There is a blinding light, and Pipboy covers his eyes, squints until his eyes adjust.

Lights come on in other parts of the University as well.

Quickly he is scooped back up and carried again.

Now down a corridor, only slight damaged. On the side of the wall he can read UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT GRADY: DEPARTMENT OF ROBOTICS: SPECIAL PROJECTS DIVISION. Under this he can read quickly, "Funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Department of Defense Research and Development- Special Weapons Division."

The creature carried Pipboy down this long corridor to another key pad, where again the creature punches in a series of numbers and another door slides open.

This time it seems that they have entered a work room. The man-machine walks to a table and removes Pipboy from the hold under his arm, and places him, firmly, on the table.

Then the creature, its face a mask of death, glares down at Pipboy and says. "You. Fix."

"Where?"

"Here. You. Fix. Here." Says the creature.

"What are you?" Asks Pipboy.

The creature continues to glare at Pipboy. Then it walks away to a shelf and picks a large manual from an assortment. He turns around and walks back, his movements mechanical. He thrusts the book at Pipboy. "Here. Me."

Pipboy looks at the manual. It is Titled Anatomically Advanced Mechanical Human Type ANDY-BOT- Service/Repair Manual.

Pipboy looks up at the glaring death mask of the Andy-Bot. "Don't know how."

The Andybot shakes its head. "You Fix. Now."
________________
 
OOC- Ok, meet the recon team, well whats left of them anyway!

IC-

“God damn it, move it soldier if you wanna fucking live.”

The last man ran with all his might. He could hear the creatures heavy panting, he could hear its claws scraping along the ground as it used its powerfull hind legs to close the gap between it and it’s pray.

The last man didn’t look back, he didn’t even think of what was following him but concentrated only on the door up ahead and making it there a live.

What was left of the small reconnaissance team sprinted down the steel corridor.
Each man of the team giving it everything they could muster in an attempt to out run the abomination, which ran hard on their heels, they pounded the last few meters in a desperate attempt to reach safety.

There was a loud crash followed by an ever louder thud as the first of the soldiers burst through the slightly open door slamming it against the wall. Unable to slow his momentum he collided with a steel table sending medical instruments clattering all over the room.

The rest of his team members followed closely behind, literally screaming from terror as they each charged through the door and into the guy in front.

1st lieutenant Lyall, commanding officer of the reconnaissance group was the last man through the door.
He turned, spinning 90 degrees on the heels of his boots and made a desperate attempt to shut the solid steel door.

As he swung the door round, he stared straight into the eyes of the creature which perused them. Like a deathclaw in its size but a mutant in its colour. The monster bore down on him with sheer ferocity and speed. Its arms, which resembled more long whips than arms reached out at the lieutenant’s face, letting out a cry that sent chills down the spines of each soldier present.

The remaining members of his team were quick to his aide as each one threw their weight against the door to force it shut. And just in time. The creatures arms met only steel as it banged up against the cold door.

It took all five soldiers to finally shut the door which was quickly bolted. Just to be safe, a steel table was jammed in front as a precaution against what lurked on the other side.

They stood in suspense. Each member listening in the darkness to the sickening scrapes and banging against the door, the creature howling as it tried to force through the steel. They Pictured in their minds the creature which was on the other side of the door until suddenly as fast as they had come, the sounds stopped.

Sergeant Cleary, second in command collapsed limply against a metallic locker. His face was pale white and looked as if he’d had the devil him self breathing down his neck.

The rest of the squad collapsed in the same manner. All accept the Lieutenant who tryed to scan over his men in the darkness.

Two soldiers from his six man team were missing. They were his communications officer and an assault member which had been assigned to the team as support in a combat situation.
Those two were the unfortunate bastards first through the doors and not knowing what lurked on the other side, had met a horrifying end before the others even had time to turn and run.

As they regained their breaths, the lights around them started to flicker. The men covered their eyes which had become immuned to the darkness.
The lights continued to flicker untill they suddenly stopped. The room went black again and then light flooded all around as the lights came back.

With new light, the lieutenant looked around the room.

They were now in some sort of laboratory. It was a cold place, everything was made of steel. The room seemed remarkably sterile as well.
Test tubes and instruments lined the walls along with pictures of the human anatomy. But not only humans, pictures of strange creatures were posted around the room. Like some sort of testing lab or possibly even experimentations but of what?

“Oh god, oh god.” One of the soldiers began to repeat, realising in the light the blood which had been sprayed over his armour.

“What the fuck was that sir, huh?” One of the men asked in a trembling manner but no answer came.

“Jesus, they got Diddy…Ram as well.” Said another.

“What the fuck were those ghouls doing down here, sir? Cleary asked. The others turned to their OC, all waiting for an answer.

“God damn it sergeant, I know as much as you do.” Snapped Lyall.

“Bull shit, they knew what the hell was happening down her but sent us anyway.” Spat one of the assault members.

“What’s it matter if they knew or not, it doesn’t get us out of this death trap.” Cleary replied now standing up.

“It matters, ever since we under went new management things have been fucked up, this isn’t why I joined up.” Mitzi said coldly as she stood up to face Cleary.

“Watch your mouth.” Lyall cautioned the men. He knew very well that some people present had big mouths and remembered everything.

No sooner had he finished the sentence did the door shuddered as something began to thump against it. The howling started again but this time there were more than one of the creatures.

“Oh shit, that door aint gonna hold for ever sir.”

Lieutenant Lyall pointed a finger towards a door on the far side of the room, “Move out, do it now and do it quietly.” He whispered pointing.

He turned and shoved a small grey object against one of the steel feet of the table; carefully he removed the pin and shoved a remote detonator against the leg.

The lieutenant then turned and followed the rest of his men.
 
OCC- Nice post Rogue-

ICC- Meanwhile back at the caravan, Isabella took Talon, Grim, Gabriel and Rogue through the school and the church. It was an old adobe building, formerly a mission church. The main building was the church, with a steeple tower. Adjoining it via a narrow corridor was the school house building, a large if less impressive construction. There were adjoining buildings, a repairman's shed, a garage, etc. The walls of the church and school formed the perimeter wall along the South and West walls respectively. Another long wall set the peremeter to the North and East, with a long gate to the North and a smaller gate way to the East.

In the courtyard in the middle was a working fountain. Sometime after it had been converted into a stronghold and a fortress. Parapets had been build, walls fortified, and strands of razor wire circled the compound. But these improvisations had mostly worn away in the intervening years. In better times it might have been a place of peace and tranquility, but for the people therein, it was but a final sanctuary against an indominatable evil.

For Gabriel, Talon, Grim and Rogue the building brought back other memories. Memories of being trapped inside a house surrounded by hordes of deathclaws. The dark memory of those days stained their enthusiasm for a defensive fight.

Isabella pointed out were they had placed their machine guns, but there was too much permeter to cover with only four guns. Talon suggested that his two M-60s cover the main courtyard, thereby freeing up two of the Ds Sivla Vickers for alternative location.

Jim and Virgil continued to take stock. In addition the 4 PTRS rifles, they had also removed a dozen grenade launchers, three more M-60s, three mortar tubes and four rocket launchers, addition assault rifles and carbines, plus ammunition. These would be put to good use around the permeter.

But it was still too much ground to cover. Talon and Raoul bickered over how the men should be deployed, but reaching an agreement about setting up a layered defense, with the people falling back from the courtyard, to the school and church, and then finally into the church itself.

Ibis busied himself among the wounded of both parties. He also expressed his concerns to Talon and Isabella. There were not enough medical supplies. If the Orpezki attacked in force and even if they beat the attacks off, there would be insufficient supplies for the wounded.

During the tour one tear faced young man, more an adolecent really, came and embraced Isabella and said. "El Don esta muerto." Isabella hugged the man for a long moment, than later, when she let him go, turned away from the others for a long, awkward moment.

When she turned back it was clear that she had been crying, her eyes still red. But she merely said, "Let us continue."

During the tour Grim took careful measure of the De Silva clan. They were a mix of people but few small children or old man. WHen Grim asked Rogue if she noticed the same, Isabella said merely, "We have lost many loved ones on the long journey. Only the strong have continued, and many of those too were left behind."

But those that remained seemed capable. Many carried home fashioned or improved rifles. Others were busy sharpening their blades, many fabricated from farming tools. As desperate as they were, they would fight hard before dieing.

The caravan and the Desilvas had brought their carts into the courtyard and had corralled their brahma in one corner. In another was an old barn where the horses were kept.

The group went into the school and into what had once been a cafeteria. They gathered near a table where food had been prepared and was waiting for them.

"Senora Isabella." Said Grim. "Your defenses will kill many of your enemy but I think it best we do not wait, and give him the initiative."

"You wish to attack him before he attacks us." Said Isabella.

"And thereby perhaps rob him of his ability. Yes. It is what I know, to attack rather than wait for the attack. To meet the enemy head on. I have to admit, I don't like this waitin."

"It will be a dangerous move. Senor Grim." She said.

"Yes, but it will not require all of us. Only volunteers. What do you know of the camp."

Isabella said something to Raoul and he called out orders. A few scouts came and for a few minutes they spoke quickly. Then Raoul turned to face the others.

"Our scouts say that the devils are maybe half days ride to the South. They are in a canyon." Raoul reported. "SO far the third column has not yet joined but they think it will come tonight, if not by now. The canyon is open on tow ends, and they have the horses corraled in a box canyon. OUr scouts also think they have recently attacked a nearby town. They have a number of captives and are making pleasure with the women. THe guards also say they have liberated alcohol. Still they are keeping the site guarded and patrolling the rim of the canyon regularly."

Gabriel was listening to this carefully. "They have guards at both ends of the canyon?"

Raoul spoke again to the scouts. "No, they have guards at both ends, but not in the middle."

"Perhaps I could use that as an opening." Said Gabriel, "SLip into the camp and back."

Talon nodded, "In my rustling days, a loud noise could scare a herd of brahma, and a stampede could do a bit of damage."

Rogue thought about it. "Count me in."

"We'd have to take out one end of the canyon and quick. How many guards?" Asked Grim.

Raoul asked the scouts again and then came back with an answer. "They say maybe a dozen maybe 20."

"And we'd have to take them out just about the same time we get the horses to stampede, maybe a bit sooner."

"Count me in," Said McReady. "You'll need an experienced tracker."

"You would also need someone to trigger a loud noise and make sure they don't run the wrong way." Said Gruug who had joined the group. "A rocket launcher from the cliff could work.

Talon nodded. "And a couple of M-60s to make a mess of what's left might do quite a bit of hurt. Maybe even keep them pinned down."

Isabella was nodding, agreeing. "You would need horses to get in and out. IF you could get the horses out of the caravan, you would need horseman to herd them. I can provide. But if this should work, the Oprezki would be hurt, and we could destroy them there."

Raoul said. "Senora Isabella, there is still a column out there."

"Yes, I know. But if we could destroy this force now, then we have a better chance against those that remain. We could send those devils back to hell they come from, once and for all."

OCC- ok, so the idea is to sneak into the camp, steal the horses, create a mess and escape. Is cool?
 
IC-

“Sweet mother.” Murmured Duke taking a deep breath, “What could do that to a man?”

“I don’t know, I don’t think I want to know.” Replied Luciel fighting back the urge to vomit.

There on the floor before them, laid the remains of a man which looked to have been partially eaten. In fact it looked like who ever did it only left the parts they didn’t like.
There was practically no smell and the still fresh pool of blood surrounding the body was good evidence that who ever it was died pretty darn recently, which wasn’t too reassuring to Reggie, Duke and Luciel at this moment in time.

The man seemed to have died whilst fighting off what ever killed him. His hand was still clenched to the hand gun which had failed to save his life. About the floor and in the blood were scattered numerous empty bullet casings.
He’d sure giving what ever had killed him hell before he died.

“Looks to me like they ate him alive.” Said Reggie.

“Oh…oh god…” It was all too much for Luciel who turned away.

Reggie slowly made his way up to the lift. Being careful to side step the dissembled remnants of the corps, he took a look at the lifeless computerised control panel.
There were a number of buttons, each had numbers and letters printed underneath which made little sense to the ghoul.

Reggie shrugged and punched a few different keys on the panel.

What a surprise! There was no response from the lift. He’d tried some different keys but there was still no response.

“Well this lift aint going no where, it’s deader than our friend here.” Said the ghoul.

Duke followed to where Reggie was standing, “Let me take a little look at that.” He insisted.

Duke then proceeded to yank the panelling off the control box and started tampering with wires and switches at will.

Reggie shot him a “Do you know what the hell your doing!” kind off look. He didn’t have much confidence in Duke’s electrical ability’s. In fact he wouldn’t have trusted Duke to wire a battery up.

“Hey, aint no way I’m taking those stairs another floor down.” Said Duke twisting some wires together.

To everyone’s surprise, the long bright lights hanging above from the ceiling sprang to life, illuminating the whole room. One of the bulbs went out nearly instantly whilst the other flickered a little before stabilising.

“Damn it Duke, your good.” Reggie smiled patting Duke on the back.

“I’ll say, normally I just get electrocuted and give up.” He replied with a smirk.

Reggie looked through the keys again and pressed the one he thought would lead to level five.

There was a loud cranking noise followed by a faint humming. It took a few seconds for the elevator to reach their level but there soon came a small beep.

The elevators doors whooshed open with a hissing noise to reveal plain stainless steel interior.

“Bingo.” Grinned Reggie who turned to inform Nat of their progress.

He shouted back up the stair well to where Nat was still waiting anxiously for a reply.
She jumped at the sound of Reggie’s voice and darted to the stairs.

“Cost is clear, bring down the critically injured.” The ghoul yelled up.

Luciel and Duke made their way back up to aide Nat with the stretchers. Those that weren’t critical injured were to wait on the ground floor where medical supply’s would be carried back up from the medical labs.
Those that where in a serious condition were to be carried down into the medical labs them selves for treatment.

With the stairs cleared and help from those capable, it didn’t take long to carry the critically injured down to where Reggie was waiting.

Nat looked away the second her eyes met the mess on the floor. Swallowing hard, she concentrated on getting the stretchers into the lift rather than the remains pasted about the floor.

“Were going to need two trips.” Said Duke bringing down the last of those to be treated in the medical labs below.

Nat nodded in agreement, “I’ll wait up here with Duke. You two take them down.”

Reggie saluted again as he stepped into the lift. “Right then, lets see if this baby works.”

Pipboy flicked lightly through the heavy manual the android had giving him. The robot seemed to just stand there as if waiting for Pipboy to do something who now knew at this point it was futile to try and escape.

Nope, the only way out of this was to fix the damn thing.

Now Pip knew about tech there was no doubt about that but his knowledge of Robotics and artificial intelligence was a tad rusty. But none the less, he continued to search through the manual for instructions on what to do.

He stopped looking when he hit the chapter titled technical failures and malfunctions. Maybe this might just be what’s wrong with the machine.

He then proceeded to quickly study through the next few pages in an attempt to make some sense of the Andybot's internal functions.


OOC- I'll try and go into more details with Pip in the next post. At this moment i'm not quite sure whats wrong with the robot?

Any suggestions...
 
OCC- Ok, I am going to leave this open for anyone who wants to join. A good time for new NPCs to come in. Gunslinger, this might be a good time for you to pick a second character if you want to get in on this part of the story as well.

ICC-
Isabella thought for a moment. "You may ask Raoul for what you need and we will offer what assistance we can. I ask, since this is a dangerous mission you plan, that only a few of your people go and the rest remain."

Talon nodded. There was much that could go wrong with such a mission, the risks were great. It would be important, if the mission should fail, that they retreave all they can. "Thank you Senora, we must begin our plans."

Isabella nodded, and said something in Spanish to Raoul. Then she turned back to the newcomers and said, "You will forgive me if I take my leave of you. I must bury my husband."

The others nodded and offered their sympathies.

When Isabella left, Talon looked to the others. "Ok we need to plan this. Gabriel, much depends on you, but not only you. Who else will go?"

_________

Furtheraway, at the University, the sun was beginning to set. The ghouls and humans that had stayed behind took note of this. Those that were more cautious began to leave the site of the University for a camp further away. Those who had not been warned or where willing to take great risks, remained behind to find what treasures remained of the University.

Below, Pipboy was not aware of this. All he was aware of was the deathly mask of Niles, the man machine- the Niles Version of the Andy-Bot "Anatomically Advanced Mechanical Human" - watching him fixedly. The steady intense gaze from an otherwise dead man was unnerving to say the least.

"Can't Think. You stare bothers me." Pipboy said.

"What want?" Replied the partly mechanical man.

"Look somewhere else." Said Pipboy.

The Nile-Bot looked steadily at Pipboy then nodded once. Then it pivoted its head on its neck in another direction.

Which surprised Pipboy who had come to see himself as something of a unwilling, if slightly curious, prisoner. Perhaps he wasn't quite the prisoner he thought he was.

Musing, he turned back. Much of the information was very theoretical. Certainly this was still an experimental device, pre-war. But certainly all the pre-war versions had ceased to exist.

Interesting, an intergrated mini fuel cell, much like a watch battery, was integrated into the unit's artificial intelligence hardware, which was directly integrated in the creature's cerberal cortex and throughout the right hemisphere of the brain. Wiring went down the creature down into the abodomen where another unit seem wired in through the human body's essential functions. Because the unit was made of inorganic materials the body could adapt to the parts, much like, as Pipboy once learned, artificial kidneys, lungs and even hearts had been created.

But the more he worked on the creature, the more Pipboy became aware of one defect. He was no doctor and what was needed was medical work.

This would be difficult to explain and Pipboy didn't think the Niles-Bot had much patience. Using the Index he tried to circumvent much of the reading.

On page 356 of the manual, under chapter titled Trouble Shooting, he found on the 38th entry. "Note, In the event of human death, the Andy-Bot's mechanical and electrical systems may continue to operate for the duration of the battery life. However, without organic life, the battery life will eventually drain and the system will seek to function. It is therefore important that the organic system maintain life functions. Should life functions be placed in jeopardy, one should seek appropriate medical consultation."

Great, that didn't help if the organic host had already died.

On page 225, under the heading of Self Destruct Protocol, the manual said, "In the event of capture, the human host has been given configured to utilize the automatic self destruct apparatus incorporated within the living tissue. Such protocol have been psychologically implanted, but should protocol been incapable of operation, cerberal hardware has incorporate a fail-safe override to initiate self-destruct sequence."

Great, but what if the unit had already died? Pipboy suddently felt somehow sorry for the creature.

"Hey, You." Said Pipboy trying to get Andy-bot's attention.

"What?" the head swivilled back on the neck.

"You dead." Said Pipboy.

"Illegal Operation." Said the Andy-bot.

"No illegal. Dead is dead."

"Information unavailable. Illegal Operation."

"No fix." Said Pipboy.

"Repair Andy-Bot. Survival Protocol Active."

"No Doctor." Said Pipboy.

"You Fix." Said the Andy-boy.

Pipboy sighed heavily. Well he could at least try. He shook his head. "Ok, Try."

He looked about the room. It certainly was a well stocked work area. He returned to the manual, looking for the schematics.

___________

Throughout the basement sections of the University, in the shadows and forgotten corners, through ruined hallways and empty rooms, things best left unknown crawled or slithered or otherwise began to move about, searching for food.
 
The unit had already died, and continued to live. Which would mean that the unit would stop functioning as soon as the batteries went dead. Of course, he didnt' know how far the batteries were gone, nor did he know how many batteries there were, and how fast they were being drained by the creature just doing nothing.

But Pipboy was finding a wealth of interesting information about lots of things in this book. He never knew that the human body could be kept functional with only a few watts of energy. Functional, here, meaning that it just lied down, with only a minimum of systems kept functioning.

This was like reading about one of those pre-war computers. With body parts and organs being described as systems, the eyes, for instance, were sometimes, perhaps sarcastically, being referred to as the input device. And the part of the brain which interpreted it all, was the video card. Ehe. How funny.

Of course, the ANDY-thing couldn't care less. It just wanted to be fixed. Which would be pretty damned hard if he was already dead. Bah.
Now, let's see. Getting medical help wouldn't help one bit here. He couldn't be brought back from the dead(well, not like that anyway). He could be recharged with energy once in a while, but that would just make him go out for energy, and do nothing but try to find energy.

This one needed to be thought over really really carefully....
 
Jackson squinted through the slit in the pillbox, at the approaching dust cloud. He rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was seeing a mirage, and peered out the slit again. The cloud was still there. Jack rose to his feet and flung his AK47 over his shoulder. He walked out the pillbox and back into the hot wasteland sun.

One of the mercenaries approached him from behind, and tossed him an old pair of binoculars. Jack examined them, and pressed them up to his eyes.

Armed men. A lot of them. Jack fixed his sights of the banner flying above them. It wasn’t the Blades. In fact, Jack had never remembered seeing that flag before, though it looked strangely familiar.

They were coming at Gray Falls fast. No doubt about it, this was bad.

Brian, another one of the mercenaries, and Jack’s close friend came up behind him.

“Our friends back already?” he asked, curiously.

“No.”

“Then who are they?”

“I dunno. They don’t look happy.”

“Oh, shit.”

“Yep,” Jack shook his head, and motioned for Brian to get the others.

A few minutes later, the other men assembled anxiously behind him.

“Ready the defense,” was all Jack said. The other mercenaries look at the oncoming forces, then at their defenses. They all nodded, solemnly, and went about their duties.
 
Laying on the wooden cart, half naked, Syphon sat. His legs dangled off the cart edge, and he was again, dazed and confused. He wasn't wearing a shirt, and he was partially sun-burned. He saw Kelli nearby, wrapped in a blanket, sleeping but everyone else not-hurt was gone. Sipping from an old canteen, Syphon tried to re-organized him and his thoughts.

His shoulder bandage was damp with sweat and blood, and started slipping off, revealing a hideous inujry. Blood and tissue was visible and was quite disgusting. Syphon almost gaged when he noticed it.

But off into the distance, Syphon noticed a four-legged creature walked towards him. It was a dog.

... As the large, golden coated dog approached, Syphon could see that the dog was in bad shape. Its skin was tight, and he could see its rib-cage, from lack of food, obviously. And it was groaning from starvation and thirst. Syphon had pity for this creature. He cupped his hand, filled it with water and lowered his hand.

The weak dog slowly made his way over, and licked the water quickly...
 
IC-

Reggie pressed another button and the elevator doors slid shut with a quiete hissing noise.
With a sharp jerk and a faint clunk from above as the elevator mechanisms locked into place, the lift started its steady decent to the lower levels which contained the vault’s med and bio facilities. Surprisingly it ran smoothly which was a good thing considering the status of both Syphon and Kelli.

Hopefully, the fact that these levels were located in side the old vault which the university teachers had planned to retreat to would have shielded the med levels from any structural damage caused from the missle blasts.
The depth its self should have provided sufficient protection and these levels had been well built and purposly created to with stand an atomic blast. There was little chance the missiles fired at the university would have possibly affected the vault. Or at least Reggie hoped there wasn’t.

Nat and Duke watched as the dull light above the elevator door jumped from 4 to level 5 indicating its slow decent downwards. They waited silently together with both Syphon and Kelli on stretchers, who with little doubt were the most injured amongst the wounded there.

Nat had waited purposely till the last minute possible before moving the two of them from the carts outside in an attempt to avoid any further damage being caused. This was especially crucial in Kelli’s case as any slight rupture could cause unthinkable damage and increase the chance of paralysis which in her case was allready high.

As the lift kicked into action and started to speed up, Luciel felt a sudden wave of sickness overcome his stomach. He groaned miserably at the strange and un canny feeling.

Reggie just laughed, “Never been in a lift before huh?”

“Feels like the world is moving around.” Luciel replied turning white once again... "Almost makes me wan't to takkle the stairs." He added.

The ride its self took barely a minute as the elevator soon slowed to a halt.

Punching another key, the doors hissed open to reveal a darkened area infront. If it wasn’t for the light provided by the elevator, they would have been in complete darkness.

“Lights…lights.” Reggie said quietly to himself.

He noticed a small control box on the near wall, a faint red light was flickering constantly from with in.

“There, that should do it.” Said Reggie switching the buttons to on. A green light appeared in the place of the red one and the lights flickered steadily on before coming fully to life. They illuminated a lengthily hallway that stretched out before Reggie and Luciel.
The corridor was fairly bleak from where the two stood. Just one long tunnel of steel with some form of reflective panelling . Placed along the wall were electronic doors every 5-10 meters or so which lead into the different medical departments.

Reggie grabbed his end of the stretcher and proceeded to head down the hallway, stopping momentarily at each door to inspect the small description on each of the access panels as he went.

“General wards…no, radiology…no, ahh he we are, surgery rooms.” He said triumphantly.
Reggie pressed the release mechanism on the door. He could hear the electronic locks snap open allowing the door to swing freely at his will.

“God help us if the electricity gives up the ghost down here.” Laughed Reggie. This whole place seemed to be run on electrical systems in some form or another.

Reggie and Luciel now stood in one of the 3 surgery rooms located on floor five and some impressive surgery rooms they were at that. This place had some major league equipment down here. State of the art medical devices as well! None of that dodgy made in Taiwan stuff he’d seen in certain places.
Each surgical table was surrounded by equipment. Respiration machines, life support, monitors and most impressivly a robotic medical arm.

“Damn.” Luciel exclaimed looking around the room. "This some tech."

They carried the stretcher over to one of the operating tables. The young man, one of the caravan guards who’d been injured badly in the slayers attack was barely conscious. As far as Reggie could tell he had an open fracture on his right leg and possibly from the size, fractures to his left. The right would need some sort of plate fitted to the bone as to allow the leg to heal efficiently.

“On my count.” Said Reggie, “1…2…3.” With Luciel’s help, they lifted the injured guard onto the first surgery table. Reggie began to wire up a respiration machine to the guard who’s name was Joseph.
Despite his wounds, Reggie needed simply to stabilise him for the mean time. Kelli’s wounds, Syphon’s as well were slightly more urgent and demanded his attention first.

“You should go and help bring down the others.” Said Reggie. Luciel nodded and jogged out the room.

Nat and Duke were already making there way towards the surgery rooms with Kelli as Luciel jogged past.

Reggie appeared at the door and took over carrying the stretcher with Nat whilst Duke turned and followed Luciel, making their way back up for Syphon.

Placing Kelli in the next room. Reggie had her hooked up to a functioning life support machine in no time. He flicked a few switches and monitor screens all around jumped to life. From there, he would be able to keep a close check on Kelli's vital signs.

Nat instructed by Reggie, began making preparations for the upcoming operation whilst Reggie seduced Kelli as he pumped her full of drugs. Watching one of the many vid screens, he saw her vital signs stabilise as she drifted away into a drug induced coma.

He looked at his patients wounds, this wasn’t going to be easy but Reggie was talented in the art of medicine and had preformed such procedures in the past, before the war. Despite his knowledge though, he would have given much for Ibis’s help or Wally’s renowned knowledge of medical aspects.

But in times like this, one did what they could and so Reggie began what was promising to be the most intense set of medical operations he’d ever undergone.

OOC- I had planned a somthing about the Recon team but this turned out to be longer than i had originally planned.
 
OCC- Ok folks this is a long post and in a sense its filler between now and the action. I am waiting to see who else is ready to go before starting the "theft" This is also an opportunity to tell more about the De Silvas, the Caravaners and Grim. It's a bit long.

ICC-

Talon, Raul, Grim, Gabriel, Gruug and Rogue made hasty plans. They would work out the details later, after the funeral. Now was a time for commemoration.

Grim had never quite seen a similar funeral. The De Silva clan had filled the church, each member of the clan dressed in black. All were solemn, all were kneeled down. Above, near the alter, the dead man lay. He had died only recently, his skin color still healthy. Grim noticed a leg was missing from the man.

Isabella De Silva kneeled in the front, nearby were Raoul and the boy that had come to tell her the sad news. Near the alter a priest spoke in their native language, something that Grim knew only little and which the others knew not at all.

The priest gave a sermon and then, there were three speakers. An old man first, perhaps the oldest member of the clan. When he spoke many cried, but many laughed as well. When the old man came down he sat next to an old woman who had cried throughout the proceeding.

Next came another man, about the age of the Don himself, who spoke strongly and convincingly. The people listened to him and seem to nod at each emphasis. But Grim noticed that this man kept looking at Isabella as if his eyes could convey some private message but which all bore witness too.

Finally Isabella herself came. At first she spoke softly, and full of sadness. But as she spoke her voice became stronger, and once or twice she made the other mourners laugh. When she finished the others attending cried out, as if in one voice. "Viva Don Pablo! Viva De Silva! Viva Isabella!"

Then the priest gave a last benediction, and finally stepped away. Then one by one, each member went to where the Don lay, each bowed their head and prayed something private. Then each came to Isabella, kneeled and kissed her hand. Finally the caravaners followed suit, at Talon's whispered instruction.

When Grim kneeled next to the dead man he took time to look into the man, and saw in his face the lines of worry and strain, but also the hardness of a man who had lived a hard life, a leader. A proud man. He could also smell the infection of gangrene that had finally killed him

When he turned to kiss Isabella's hand she said, "Your lips are cold, Mr. Grim. Are you ill?"

"I have known death in my time lady, and have gone past it." Grim said, his voice a whisper.

"That we should all be so lucky." She said kindly, perhaps looking at her fallen husband.

"Nah lady, for the hand of God takes from the world what it requires. To give onto God what he wills is as it should be. To hold on to something that has died is to be acursed. Life is meant for the living, death for the past. It is from death that we appreciate how good it is to live."

"Thank you." She said, and reached her hand down to cup Grim's chin and lift his face to look at hers. Her eyes were full of a deep sadness but her pride let her shed no tear. "You and your friends have come to us as a blessing. Through you we may yet live to see tomorrow. We are glad for you."

Grim nodded, stood and walked away.

After the ceremony there was a great feast. As if life had won over death, the mood of the camp turned joyous, as if celebrating the life of the man they were to bury.

Members of the De Silva's brought out instruments and were soon joined by members of the caravan, each picking different tunes. There was a large feast, the De Silvas having slaughtered three Brahmins which were cooked over a great pit. There were many kinds of food, breads which the men had the caravan had not tried before, made of grounded corn and other grains. There was even fruit from a groove of wild trees near the church grounds.

And as partys tended, people began to pair off. The De Silvas had lost many men these past months, and the men of the caravan found themselves caught between competing women who spoke a language they didn't understand. It was not important, they understood the intent. Even old Ibis found himself being teased by an older woman.

It was the way of the wastes. Death so wide spread required new life to sustain itself. Perhaps it was the survival of the species at play at some basic primative level. Or perhaps it was just the alcohol that flowed, the music, and the knowledge that this might be the last night for all of them.

Gabriel found himself pulled by one lovely brown skinned girl, who whispered words in his ears he did not understand, but who pressed her lythe body against his with unspoken understanding. He let her take his hand and carry him away but before doing so he saw that Rogue was also being entertained by a young man, the same young man who had sat next to the Don as he lay dieing and who had given the message to Isabella. She was smiling at him and Gabriel noticed the boy slip an arm around her and hold her close. He also noticed that she smiled at him and was willing. ANd he felt a pang of jealousy, of desire.

But he also thought of Marcus' words and how there had become a gulf of distrust between them now. He would have to prove himself, yet again, if he were to win her trust, and more.

He shook such thoughts out of his head and thought about the girl. But before he disappeared with her to her chambers, he felt a hand grip his shoulders. He turned.

It was Grim.

"Gabriel. Remember, tonight we have work to do. We will leave before midnight. Enjoy yourself."

Gabriel nodded. "I'll be there."

Grim smiled and watched the young man disappear into the night. It was good for him, the boy had known too little tenderness and deserved to know a bit of the taste of life for which he might sacrifice himself.

Grim turned, noticing that Gruug was also taking part in the festivities. A large woman had found him and was teaching him to dance, an activity in which he showed great clumsiness.

"Tonight Gruug. Remember."

"Aye."

Grim looked for Talon, but he had already paired up with someone and gone elsewhere. He spoke to Rogue, and she nodded.

Grim also noticed that Isabella was there, going from person to person, speaking warmly. He saw the man approach her, standing too close to her than a friend should, and speak urgently. He saw Isabella say something to the man. The man responded, speaking quickly and desperately. She turned away and went elsewhere.

It was not Grim's concern, and he thought it better to pay it no heed.

Then Grim went to the walls to check the guard. He walked the perimeter, joking with the guards and releaving a few so that they could grab a drink. They would have their turn at the party as well. At the West wall he stopped and looked.

It was there that Ibis found him.

"You are worried about the others." Said Ibis.

"They have a lot of ground to cover if they are to get back here in one piece, and there are more dangers out there than they know."
Siad Grim. But he wasn't really thinking about Nat, Reggie and the others.

"It is always that way. But you should enjoy the party." Ibis said.

"I don't feel right about it." Said Grim. And it was true. He felt as if he didn't truely belong.

"You are one of them." Said Ibis.

"No, I'm not. You know it too. I have eaten the flesh of man. I will always be different now."

"You have to survive." Said Ibis.

"Why, so I can procreate? Can I?" Asked Grim. "I feel my body and feel the coldness of the dead. I am dead, or I should be Ibis. Just a living corpse. Like the ghouls, I can have no more family, no more kin."

"We don't know that, Lucas." Said Ibis. "We don't know the long term effects."

"I am a walking corpse Ibis. And while I have resigned myself to that life, I must also accept that I will always be alone."

"That's not fair." Said Ibis.

"So much is not fair." Said Grim who walked away.

He ended up in the church steeple, where he releaved the guard.

It was there that Isabella found him.

"You are not enjoying the party." She said.

"Someone has to guard." He said.

"There are others." She said.

"True, but they should enjoy themselves. Who knows what tomorrow brings."

Isabella nodded, but did not quite understand. "It is good that there are so many men in the caravan. We have many widows. There has been much loneliness."

Grim wasn't sure if she was speaking for her people or for herself.

He didn't let the silence continue. "Well there are a lot of men down there who have been without a woman for a long time." Said Grim. "And it seems natural that at these things that people should pair up. Maybe that's what keeps us surviving as a race."

"And you?" She asked, although she was looking out into the distance, far away.

"And me?" Grim asked, surprised.

"You are not pairing up? Is that not what keeps you surviving?" She turned to face him.

Grim didn't answer for a time. What had kept him surviving?

Not much, not at all. It seemed mostly pain that kept him going. He had gotten caught in all of this because of Kroeger, because he had been betrayed. He had stuck with it because of Caleb, and had perhaps shared his pain in some vicarious way.

Before that, he had been a badge, but it hadn't been about the law that had kept him going.

No, it had been about revenge. About bring justice down. About avenging grievances that were not his.

And for how long had that been his reason?

Since the day he had come home to his farm and found it burned, and with it all his dreams.

"I was married once." He said. "But she died a long time ago."

Isabella said nothing, but was not surprised. She waited for him to speak more, waited awhile, before asking. "You loved her?"

"Very much."

"It is the way of life that we mourn those we lose. Is it not true, that this is the price of love. Sadness. For all those we love, we lose with sadness it seems. The greater the love, the greater the sorrow."

"So it seems, Senora. I am sorry for your loss today. I think I understand what you feel."

"I think you do. " She said. They both did not speak and watched as the moon arose. Both suddenly feel very alone, as if the nearness of the other was only reminding each of the distances they felt.

"Will you do me a favor." Isabella finally asked.

"Certainly." Said Grim.

"Speak to me. Of your loss," She said. Perhaps in their sadness they could share something that needed to be shared. " And perhaps listen to me of mine."

Grim didn't speak for awhile, but watched the moon. But inside he drifted back, back into the distant past, to a better time and another life.

"I can do that." Said Grim after a time. Then catching himself in a memory he spoke, slowly and softly.

"Well," He spoke, "I guess you can say I met....."

And so Grim told the story of his life to Isabella, who listened patiently, interrupting little, until it was her turn to tell her story as well.

And so it went until it came time for Grim to be relieved, and prepare for the night's business.

Isabella watched as the caravaners got upon the horses back, trying to find comfort and listen to her and Raoul's instructions. They were uncomfortable at first, but seemed to settle in.

Then later, she returned to the steeple and watched the riders as they left, crossing the fields, then going over the hill to the South, on their night raid.
 
IC-

“Judd go left, Metzi right.” Ordered Lyall, “Studly, take the rear.”

The two soldiers broke off from the team, taking defensive positions on both sides of the corridor whilst Studly dropped to one knee and watched for any movement from they way they'd came in.
The small team had moved quickly through level 7, passing through the experimental labs and storage facilities. Now they found them selves at a small intersection.
With a hallway leading off to the right as well as one to the left. The Lieutenant had stopped to gain his bearings and take in the surroundings.

From what he'd seen so far, level seven seemed to be some form of lab complex. Possibly created for experimentation into genes and DNA. What exactly those crazy ghouls had been experimenting don down here was unknown though.


“Sergeant, the blue prints please.”

Sergeant Cleary produced a set of schematic blue prints the team had obtained from one of the upper levels of the University. The group had already obtained a rough sketch of the university’s layout from intelligence before they departed from base yet despite them having suspicions about there being a Vault situated under the university; they had little known information on its layout.
The blue prints sergeant Cleary was carrying however showed a detailed view of each level of the University and also that of the vault below.
The find had been a god send to the recon team, sparing them of the time consuming task of scanning the entire location.

Luckily for the ghouls though, not everything had been added to the blue prints in their creation, leaving some small places and exits left hidden and unknown to their enemies in the event of an attack. Which was probably a good thing considering the current situation.

“Our current position is here sir.” Cleary placed his index finger to the location on the blue prints where the team were currently holding out.

“Those things are cutting us off from any extraction point on this floor.” Stated Lyall noticing that the single path leading back to the elevator was back through that dreaded doorway.

Unfortunately, in the midst of the attack sprung by the abominations, the recon team had been forced to take a quick exit leaving them placed on the opposite side of the vault level to where the elevator and stair well were located.

“Sir, if we can make it to a lower level, we can take the elevator from there.” Suggested Sergeant Cleary.

“Carry on.” Said the Lieutenant

“Well sir, we can access level eight through either one of these air ducts,” Cleary explained adding, “From the drop, we can make it to the lift and double time it back to the surface.”

“Providing that level is still free from hostiles.” Lyall exclaimed.

“Lets hope to god it is sir because if it aint, we’ll have to cut our way out of this whole were in.” Said Cleary, “And I don’t fancy our chances against those things back there.

Lyall frowned “Right, let’s do this and for god sake stick together.” He exclaimed, “We’ve lost two good men down here, I don’t intend on losing anymore.”

Sergeant Cleary rolled the blue prints quickly and placed them in his pack.

“Ready?” His lieutenant asked.

“Aye sir.”

Lieutenant Lyall gave the command, and the rest of the team hustled round whilst he explained their plan of action briefly. Once done, the recon team then proceeded in the direction of the closest air duct which was situated but a couple of minutes away from their current location.

…………

Meanwhile on the level above and none the wiser of the ever increasingly dangerous situation brewing below, Reggie examined the X-rays he’d taken of Keli’s body.

He whistled to him self. Keli was messed up pretty bad. The weight of the cart had certainly caused some severe damage to the bone structure through out her body.

“There’s some really severe damage to the spinal area, all the way up to the neck.” Reggie explained to Nat. “Looks like bone reconstruction is going to be unavoidably in and around that area.”

“We may need something fitted to this area as well.” Reggie said pointing to the x-rays.

“Plate?” Asked Nat curiously.

“That would work for the lower section of the right leg, but I was thinking more about this section here.” He explained, “In order to be able to move efficiently like normal, she’s going to need something a little more complex inserting in place of the bone, mechanical maybe.”

“We’ll start with the spinal area; it seems to be the most severe area and sensitive to work on.” Reggie decided as Duke and Luciel appeared through the door carrying a partially conscious Syphon.

Through blurred vision, Syphon stared around the room. He noticed Nat stood by a ghoul. Both were wearing a strange identical uniform.

But most of all, he noticed Keli laid unconscious on one of the tables. Luciel and Duke carried him to the table next to her and set him down where Nat proceeded to wire him up as Reggie had done with Keli and the injured guard moments earlier.

“Keli?” Syphon managed to force the words out. He held out his hand towards her.

“Don’t worry, she’s in good hands.” Said Nat clenching the desperate hand. “She’s going to be fine and when this is all over, you’ll be able to see her again.”
Syphon was in a bad way as well. He didn’t even notice the prick of the injection Reggie had given him whilst Nat was talking.

Slowly, he gradually drifted off into a deep coma like sleep. Nat stayed by his side till Syphon’s hand no longer squeezed back. Then, she proceeded forward to take her place where she was most needed, at Reggie’s side as he began the first of the operations.
 
Talon followed the scout and Raoul to a small outcropping that overlooked the canyon below. They had gone perhaps a mile along a dry creek bed that ended at the Canyon wall. They had been quiet and low, blending into the ground as best they could. The Oprezki had patrols on the rim of the Canyon, and it was essentialy that these patrols not be alerted.

Further behind them they had left the horses in the hands of De Silva men. In the event something were to go wrong, they would make fast their escape, back to the church and school which had been transformed to a fortifide encampment.

If they failed, the Oprezki would launch a counter attack. Although Talon was confident that many Oprezki would be killed in such an attack, their numbers were too great and the vulnerabilites of the defenders too many. It would end in a massacre.

The canyon was deep, as deep as 200 feet in some areas, ran a length of about two miles and opened to the South and to the North. The South entrance was narrower and high, whereas the North entrance was wider and less obstructed. From what Talon could see the West wall was the firmer of the two, but in the east he could see an area where the Canyon broke off. This was the boxed canyon which Raoul had told him the horses were kept. The ground on the east side looked less stable, more prone to sliding, and therefore a more dangerous place to descend.

The men tried to stay in the shadows least their silhouettes give away their position. Talon, more advanced, checked behind him. Grim, Gruug, Gabriel, Rogue and Buffy were immediately following along with others from both the caravan and the clan. By the chill of the evening and darkness of the night, he could tell that the night had almost reached its peak, and soon daylight would come and the camp below would reawaken.

But now the guards would be at their most sleepy, and so the camp was most vulnerable.

They would have to act fast, and well.

"The exit to the South looks tricky." Said Talon.

"Yes it is too narrow. Easy to defend and easy to block." Said Raoul.

"Not only that but it puts us away from our retreat. If we go South we will have to double back to return to our base." Said Talon.

"Yes, not only that, but that canyon is so narrow the horses will not be able to get through if they are stampeding. many will die as they try to exit." Said Grim. Grim had found the ride from their impromtu fortress exhilarating and looked forward to more.

"No doubt some of the horses will run in that direction out of panic." Said Raoul.

"Yes, but most will need an easy exit. So I think the North end is better." Said Talon.

"But here the problem. There are many defenders there." Said Raoul.

"But if we keep your horseman to the North they might be able to round up most of the horses that escape and drive them North, to camp." Said Talon.

"But how to get into the camp?" Said Raoul.

"Gabriel?" Whispered Grim.

"Let me take a look." Said the young assassin, joining the others.

Gruug for his part was considering the best places along the canyon wall to launch his rockets. Rogue was also considering best places to shoot. She still had Syphon's rifle, but now she was also holding onto Grim's modified silencer. She had first fired it in Tabis, and had been surprised at the whisper of the bullet through the homemade muffler. She would no doubt be responsible for removing guards silently.

Down below, Talon could see the many campfires burning and the tents of the Oprezki. There were many tents, and many more men were sleeping near fires, while a few continued to patrol through the campsite, ever vigilent.

He could also see that there was a pit, covered with a make shift sheet of metal from which one of the Oprezki was taking a woman, probably a captive.

Then he noticed something else. "What the hell is that?"

Raoul and Grim got closer to the edge to look at what bothered the Borderman.

"What are you speaking of?" Asked Raoul.

Talon pointed. "There, along the road. It looks like they have marked the road with crooked crosses. Is it religion? The sign of the Crooked Christ?" He asked, but even as he did so he began to focus on the image.

For as his eyes adjusted to the light, he saw there were bodies on the crosses, and one of the bodies was moaning in pain.

Grim also recognized what he saw. He had not seen this since he had been down in Old Hispaniole, when he had first seen similar images. Piles of skulls, the skeletons on sticks.

"No my friend." Said Raoul, with a trace of both hatred and sadness in his voice. " The Oprezki have no God but themselves. Those are crucifictions. Of the people they captured in a town, south of here, only yesterday."

Talon stepped back, having seen enough. Then he looked at the others, "We should kill them all."

OCC-
Rogue, nice continuation on the story at the University. Ok, the group at the campsite is going to make their plans quickly. Any thoughts?
 
Jack fluttered into consciousness. He yawned, lazily, and looked around. It was dark, maybe around three in the morning. He glanced at the sentry, expected him to be staring at the horizon, but it was quite the opposite. He was crumpled on the floor, near the entrance to the pillbox, snoring loudly. Jack swore under his breath and got to his feet. With the sentry asleep, the army sitting at their doorstep could just waltz in, though they’d probably send a prob-. All the thoughts in Jacks head ceased as he caught site of the entrance to the pillbox. Or rather, what was outside the entrance.

A five or six man team stood outside the pillbox, facing the gates of Gray Cliffs. They looked distracted, most of them fiddling with a device at the base of the wooden gates. What could it be? Jack gasped, silently. Explosives. He looked for his rifle. It was half way across the pillbox. Not enough time. He drew his pistol. No ammo. Where was his submachine gun? He remembered, it was disassembled for cleaning and currently sitting inside on of the ammo crates. He felt something roll into his foot. He looked down, to see a frag grenade resting hear his boots. Jack looked left, and spotted the sentry, who was now awake, pale as a ghost. He nodded and pointed at the grenade.

Jack picked up the grenade, and examined it. He shrugged and pulled the pin. He rolled it along to ground towards to group of men. It nudged the leaders foot. He looked down at it with curiosity. He couldn’t quite figure out was. It finally hit him, and he looked towards the pillbox, only to see Jack waving him goodbye.

The resulting explosion hit Jack with such force; it threw him through the air, colliding with the concrete wall. Fortunately, the men hadn’t managed to arm the explosives before being blown to Kingdom Come, their body parts flying through the air, landing with large thuds on the roof of the pillbox. Jack rubbed the back of his head. A concussion, but nothing much. He wiped the blood off, and picked up his rifle. The other mercenary rushed to the machine gun.

“They’re coming!”
 
OOC- A little long but it gets the recon team moving...

IC-

“That it?” Asked the lieutenant. Lyall stood facing what looked to be the metal grate of an air vent. It was located in the middle of the floor and was the soldier’s ticket off this wretched level.

“Aye, that be it.” Commented Cleary, “A little tight I must admit but I think we can make it with a squeeze.”

Metzi inspected the vent closer and laughed quietly to her self, “Bolted on sir, always bolted on.” She said to the others.

Judd produced a small tool kit from an inside pocket and threw it in Metzi’s direction who then went quickly to work on the bolted down vent hatch.

Lyall turned and looked towards his sergeant,” Cleary, what is level 8?”

“Well sir, from what the schematics show, it’s the command level of the vault.” He explained. There’s also a fair few supply rooms down there.”

“Mainframe?” Judd asked curiously. Apart from being an assault operative, Judd was also a tech and a bloody good one at that. He knew pretty much more about computers and the like than most and could hold is own in electronics.
It was one of the reasons he’d been drafted into the small recon team a few hours before departure on this mission, replacing the tech already on the lieutenant’s squad.
HQ said they needed someone of great expertise in that area on the team.

Despite Lyall’s raging complaints about HQ screwing over his team by replacing his current tech and having to receive a new member on such short notice which had consequently gone un responded by HQ, Judd had been placed under his command and sent in with the recon team.

Intelligence had an idea about what the ghouls were doing so they sent in the recon squad after the bombs hit to assess the situation, search for surviving members of any significance and finally recon the university’s lower levels. Judd however, had been given his own primary commands from slightly higher up the chain of command.

“If it is in fact the command level below us, chances are any mainframe systems will be run from down there.” Cleary replied.

Judd nodded in acknowledgement.

“Piece of metal shit.” Metzi spat standing up, she was losing patients with the bolts. The female soldier drove the but of her assault rifle into the metal hatch crumpling and denting the metal. After a few swift and enraged slams, what was left of the grating clattered to the floor below.

“Suttle.” Lyall grinned, “Very suttle.”
“Hey, sometimes it takes a woman’s touch to gets things done sir.” Said Metzi sarcastically.

Studly punched Metzi in the arm amicably, “Get over your self little soldier.” The two had been together for a long time, practically joined up at the same time. The bond between them was strong and one could always find them together. Metzi smacked him back, “Shhh little boy.”

Cleary peered down the vent. The level was vaguely lit up but the sergeant couldn’t hear or see any sign of the abominations. If they were down there, they sure were keeping quiet.

“I can’t see a thing, seems quiet Sir.” Cleary said looking back up to Lyall.

“Ok Studly and I are down first, Cleary you follow, Metzi, Judd take the rear.

The recon team prepared to descend down to level 8. They would make it swift and precise. Try to move through the level with out contact of any form.

So it was that Studly was the first man down. The tall 6’4 combat specialist dropped through the small vent and down to the lower level. He hit the floor fast and moved immediately to secure the area. The lieutenant followed swiftly after and copied taking the opposite side of the room.

The rest of the team followed just as fast, each member moving like lighting forming a circle around the spot where they’d landed. They were specialists, trained soldiers carrying out what they did best and they did it with perfection.

The recon team now found them selves in a small room. It was dull from the lack of illumination and the air tasted old and musty.
Despite the lack of light, they could still make out the monitors and control panels lining the out side wall of the room. There was a longish table placed in the middle with metal chairs neatly arranged around it. The computers seemed lifeless, not even a flicker in their screens.

After nearly what seemed like an eternity of silence as the team took in every aspect of their surroundings, Lyall held a hand high in the air and pointed in the direction of the doorway.
His crew seemed to act almost instinctively, as if performing an operation that needed no words.

The soldiers moved up to the door and took it slowly. Studly and Metzi, the teams remaining assault members where the first through. They seemed the swiftest in their ability’s. Cleary followed afterwards and then the lieutenant with Judd controlling the rear of the small column.
Pushing through the door, they soon found them selves in a similar hallway to that of the level above. The only difference being a slight change in colour and the reflective panelling was missing.

“Clear.” Whispered Studly.

“Clear.” Mitzi Complied.

“Sergeant?” Lyall asked gesturing to Cleary. The sergeant kneeled down using the cover provided from the other team members and produced the schematic blue prints from his pack.

He studied them with speed and turned towards where Mitzi was covering the long winding corridor that lead away through the bottom level.

Pointing, “Down there, 3rd exit right.” He whispered to the lieutenant.

Lyall nodded and made the flashy hand movement. His team moved out again, each man naturally assuming their role. Their path being covered by Metzi, the young women lead on with Cleary and the lieutenant following. Judd took the rear helping Studly in his task. There was still no sign of the abominations that had dominated the upper level.

Metzi passed the first two exits swiftly. Each time she wound wave her rifle down the entrance covering her self as she went passed. The rest of the team did the same as a precaution.
On arriving at the third exit on the right, she stopped sternly, pushing her back against the wall and awaiting the rest of the team.
The lieutenant was first behind. He dived across the entrance they desired and pushed his back against the wall to the left of the opening, glimpsing cautiously down the hallway as he did so. He could see nothing moving though.
The rest of the team arrived, covering both the rear and in front from hostiles but there were none to be seen.

“Straight down, elevator is at the end.” Cleary said adding, “We’ll pass through some large openings.”

“You heard the sergeant, so keep your eyes peeled and your asses covered.” Added Lieutenant Lyall. “Now move out.”

Mitzi lead out again, followed by Lyall and Cleary, the others continued to supply cover from the rear of the team.
It was a straight corridor this time with no curves. Every couple of meters there were metal doors which resembled security doors. Solid steel with a control panel for a handle, probable key card or pin code access for security reasons.

Some of the doors were ajar. They were storage rooms used to house materials long since evacuated. A clear mess left in the place of the materials. From first glance, it looked like the ghouls had taken what they could with them. What that was exactly Judd couldn’t say.

As the team acted quickly with only the elevator in mind, Judd had other ideas. Whilst scanning the rear, he checked each door they passed. Some were labeled whilst others were a little more discrete about the content they had held or maybe still held yet. Under different circumstances, Judd with the help from the rest of the recon team would have searched this entire level room by room for information or valuable equipment but time was precious and a commodity they had very little off so his main target would have to suffice.

The first open area was coming up fast, Metzi could make out the increased lighting and elevated roof from where she was. The young soldier prepared for take down as the lieutenant moved up along side her.
As they reached the opening, each took a side with Cleary still covering upfront whilst Judd accompanied by Studly kept their weapons trained on the rear.

It wasn’t till Judd passed out into the small room that he noticed the large embedded security doors that he knew of his current location. With disregard to the team and lives of others, Judd approached the doors and examined the access terminal which was still active.

“What the fuck you doing soldier?” Said Studly in a quiet yet menacing way.

Judd chose to ignore the comment, prefering to study the access terminal. It looked to be digital code operated yet also had a voice input point. Maybe a voice acted mechanisme as well.

Cleary, noticing the rear elements had stopped signaled forward to Lyall, brining his lieutenant’s attention to the situation.

The team came to a complete stand still. Each man covered any entries to their position as the lieutenant jogged back to where Judd was still examining the door.

“What the fuck you think your doing?” Lyall spat in his face. This wasn’t the time to be admiring the scenery.

“The mainframe.” Judd gestured, “It’s on the other side of those doors.”

“What?” Lieutenant Lyall snapped, “We haven’t got time for this bull shit.”

“Bull shit?” Judd replied, “Every bit of information we need is probably located on the inside of that room.”

“What the fuck you playing at soldier?” Said the lieutenant coldly. “You’re putting the lives of every man on this mission at risk.”

“An acceptable risk.” Judd came back.

Lyall went red in the face. He could feel the rage in side him burning like fire, ready to erupt at any moment like an active volcano. “Acceptable risk?” he said grabbing Judd by the jacket, “acceptable fucking risk?” Lieutenant Lyall repeated again slamming Judd up against the door.
“Those are my men you’re fucking talking about.”

Judd seemed in affected by the words, “Lieutenant, I don’t think you understand the importance of that information.”

“And I don’t think you understand the importance I place upon the survival of my men.” The lieutenant said with pure anger in his words. “And as commanding officer on this trip, you can go to hell.” Lyall turned away from Judd, disgusted with man.

“Well then lieutenant, you leave me little choice.” Judd said catching the lieutenant’s attention, “Lieutenant Lyall, you’re relieved of command of this squad.”

OOC- The operation progress will be posted as soon as i can finish writing it.
 
Pipboy had found the section of the manual on running diagnostics. But it would require a working computer.

He got off the table on which he had been sitting and reading and walked to the nearest PC and turned it on. There was a strange medly of tunes and the light came on in a blink, a happy "beep" and the computer seemed functional.

The words on the computer read. "Hello Dr. Sawyer. It has been 42, 631 days since you have last logged in. You have no new messages in your Inbox."

Pipboy read the message and then began to fiddle with the system. Then he searched behind the computer and found the cable port.

This would work. A quick search of the lab also revealed the appropriate computer cables. Then Pipboy returned to the computer, followed by the Andy/Niles. Andy/Niles had followed him intently across the room and was standing only a foot behind, staring intently through otherwise dead eyes.

Pipboy looked up at him. "Ok, must run diagnostic."

"Diagnostic."

"Yes, turn around."

The Andybot did as he was commanded. But the machine was too high.

"Come down here." Said Pipboy.

The machine turned at him and looked. "Illegal command."

"No, sit down. Cannot access control. You tall." Said Pipboy, impatiently.

"Command accepted." Said Andy/Niles, who turned and sat down.

Pipboy began to look for the panel behind the scalp. Found the part of the scalp that hung over a section of skin. Using a small scalpel he cut a square piece of skin along three edges, then lifted the skin up, revealing blood and tissue, and the bone of the scalp.

Blinking on the scalp was a small red light, and underdot, what looked like a small dot. He had found it.

Pipboy pressed the dot lightly wiht the dull edge of the scalpel, and waited.

It took only a moment until a piece of the skull suddenly lifted up like a lid revealing a black sensor that had been surgically attached to the brain itself. And there was the cable interface.

Pipboy clicked the cable into the unit attached to the brain. Then turned to the computer. Searching the hard drive he found the diagnostic function.

It took awhile but eventually Pipboy found what he was looking for. But the results weren't good.

"System malfunction. Organic system non-functioning," Read the computer.

Pipboy shook his head, and said allowed. "Can't fix. You're dead."

"Illegal command. Abort, retry or quit." Said the Andy/Niles.

Pipboy retried.

The same result. "You're dead. No organic function." He said

"Fix." Said Andy/Niles.

"I can't. You're dead. Dead is dead. No organic function."

"Fix." repeated the man-machine.

Pipboy sighed. "Problem not mechanical or electronic. Problem organic. Cannot fix. Don't know system functions. No tools. Need medical tools." Said Pipboy.

"Who can fix?" Asked the Andy/NIles.

"Need a doctor." Said Pipboy, disconnecting the system, and removing the cable. As the system was disconnected, he again tapped the little plastic button and the skull bone slid back into place.

"Doctor?" Asked the Andybot.

"Yes, in a medical clinic or hospital." Said Pipboy.

"Understood." Said the man-bot, who waited until Pipboy had finished. "Ready?"

"What?" Asked Pipboy.

"Go." Said the machine, picking up the small man under his arm and carrying him away.

"Where go?" Demanded Pipboy.

"Hospital. Fix." Said the man machine, as they left the robotics lab.
 
OCC- ok back to the raid.

The plan they drew was simple. Gabriel would decend into the camp and make his way across the sleeping Oprezki to where the horses were kept. There he would kill what guards and release the horses.

Gruug would fire a flash rocket across the canyon and above the horses. This would scare the horses and begin a stampede. He would continue to fire down into the canyon, hopefully directing the horses by scaring them towards the North opening, and causing as much destruction as possible.

Joining him would be most of the other men who had come along. Ideally the stampede would do the most damage, but those on the canyon wall would continue the havoc until all the horses had escaped or until resistance from below had become too intense.

Meanwhile Grim would make his way to the southern opening where he would set a small charge and kill what guards he could. Ideally this would send the horses for the North entrance.

Rogue would take a position at the top of the caravan, and using Grim's modified silencer, would watch over Gabriel's approach. The weapon, a modified 10 mm pistol with a barrel extension, scope, sound suppress and metal stock, was not the most accurate weapon, nor did it have the best range. But it was the most silent, and discretion was necessary. She would also try to take out any loan sentries on the crest of the canyon.

Talon and Raoul would go to the North end, and on either side of the canyon entrance, would set up a gun team. Talon had brought one of the caravans M-60s and Raoul had brought an ancient MAG. They would have to wait until the horses had past, but then would cut down any pursuit.

With the exception of Rogue's shooting, there would be no use of weapons until Gruug fired the first round. Until then, only knives.

Escape was to be by horseback. Further away the horses were hidden in a patch of old trees. Riders would bring the horses to those involved in the raid, allowing for a quick escape.

The scouts had found a shadowy crack along the canyon face. Gabriel looked at the others, "Good luck to you all." and then slipped over the rim and began his decent down the crack. His black suited body blending against the rockface, his position virtually invisible.

Grim looked at the others and nodded, setting off to the South entrance. He quietly blended in with the high grass forming around the canyon rim and moved quickly. Gabriel had predicted it would take him an hour to cross the camp, which would make it near daybreak, so they would have to move quickly.

Rogue and Raoul both left as well, back tracking and working around until they had a position facing the canyon opening.

Rogue sighted the silencer and bagin looking for targets. The night was not perfect for such operation, moonlight spilled down into the canyon and against the grass. Even so, it was dark enough that individuals could use the night to their advantage. In such conditions one had to make best use of the other senses.

She listen intently. Faintly she could hear the men below snoring, the crackle of fires in the stillness of the night. She began looking for targets along Gabriel's line of approach.
 
He heard the sentry approach before he saw him. The sound, a footfall through the tall grass now waving in the slight evening breeze. He breathed in deeply through the nose, and could smell the sentry, the smell of food of sweat, and of gun oil.

Slowly he moved, keeping the movement of his body consistent with the ebb and flow of the wind on the grass. Forward, along the approach to a spot where the ground dip lightly and shadow was darker. A place to hide and from which to strike.

He crouched low to the ground, his knife colored black without gleam or shine, ready like the claw or a fang.

Wait now. Be patient.

The smell is closer, and the sounds, footsteps falling on grass, the step is light but not light enough.

He waits until he can almost hear the man's breathing. Waits until the man is infront of him and then steps further.

In the sentry's midstep, a strike.

Fast and lethal, one hand coming around the man's neck, under the chin, lifting up. The other brings the knife across the bare throat. The knife slips across the throat, deep and smooth in its cut, through windpipe and arterial flow.

The sentry feels his legs give out even as he tries to call out. His hands raise to fight, but it is already too late. Weakening fast, he falls still alive, the taste of blood filling his mouth. His body rolls of its own accord, and he turns his face to look up into the night. His eyes dimming he still sees his killer.

Grim looks down at the man he has killed. A boy really, perhaps 16 years old, perhaps less. The boy is looking up at him, eyes blinking now, as the blood flows from his neck. Mouthing words that have no sound.

Too young for such work, thinks Grim, whose stomach suddenly hungers.

Grim turns his attention away, and using his knife's serrated edge cuts open the boys shirt and jacket, while another hand looks for a pouch.

Grim spares a quick glance at the boy, who is still alive. Using the knife he cuts deep into the boy's abdomenal cavity. The work is savage and quick. Then he reaches in and removes the organs he is looking for, which are deposited in the pouch.

Ibis is also hungry and will be pleased with fresh meat.

The boys eyes open up, reawakened at this new attack, and when Grim turns away to continue towards his target the boy is still alive, though fading away fast.

He dies, and his eyes roll back as the lids close, and the first of the scavengers come to feast.
 
OOC- Sorry this isn't much. I'll try and get a little more up later on this evening...

IC-

“God there’s another piece.” Said Nat.

“Another, there’s pieces all over the place. Looks like someone crushed the bone with a sledge hammer.” Exclaimed Reggie.

Keli’s operation was now well under way. Reggie had opened her back where the break was and had soon gone to work on it.
Unfortunately, Keli had not had the luck of a clean brake during her unfortunate accident. Her spine had been shattered in two separate locations leaving splinters lodged into the tissue surrounding the wound. This left a slightly messier job for Reggie to carryout.

“There, that’s looking a little cleaner.” Said the ghoul triumphantly

“I suggest we carry out the bone re-construction too these areas before inserting the implant.” Said Reggie pointing as he explained, “Speaking of which, any news on the mechanical arm?”

Luciel and Duke had found all the needed mechanical applications necessary for the operations except the mechanical arm on this very floor. The other implants which would be used for Keli’s back and possibly her and the guards legs were already in medical storage there on the med level but the arm, being slightly more robotically complex couldn’t be found and had obviously been stored somewhere else.

Reggie had suggested the robotics labs as a good place to start looking for such a piece of hardware and had had Duke and Shannon check it out. Luciel had stayed with Reggie and Nat in the operations room to provide extra assistance during the operation if needed.

“No, there’s no word yet of their return from the robotics labs.” Replied Nat. “Can you be so sure the arm has not been salvaged by those who escaped?” She asked.

“It is possible, but I can think of other equipment that was more important to the ghouls here. Hopefully the arm is till here with us.”

“And if it isn’t?” questioned Nat.

“Then our friend Syphon there may be without an arm.”

Luciel entered from somewhere inside a back room. He was carrying a large tray laden with gleaming medical instruments. It was the equipment with which Reggie would carry out the bone reconstruction. That and the medical robotic arm of course which had a tendency to be much more precise in this area than the old ghoul was. Together they would recreate the bone segments in Keli’s back before attaching them to the mechanical implants Duke and Shannon were searching for.

“I sterilised them as you asked.” Said Luciel placing the metallic tray down next to Reggie.

“That’s good, very good.” Answered the ghoul, “Were ready to begin then.”

Reggie named the instruments which he would first be working with. Each one was passed to him with care by Nat who was on hand in case of an emergency.
Every now and then, when permitted, she would check on the other two patients who were still heavily under from the large dosages of drugs they had received.

Luciel peered closer observing the ghoul work. Luciel wasn’t a squeamish person and the sight of blood or gore didn’t seem to bother him, probably the direct results of too many a year spent in the bare wastes.
But as the young boy observed Reggie carryout the bone reconstruction with unique skill, he couldn’t help but find himself fascinated by the view. The manner in which Reggie was working was amazing, the ghoul carried out his operations with such delicacy and expertise. The fact that Reggie had preformed this before was clearly visible.

Duke and Shannon had made their way to the robotics level following Reggie’s directions to the very word.
Finding the level hadn’t been difficult, it was located above the med levels and a blackened out sign had pointed them in the right direction.

Considering the level was located further up from the med levels and had received less protection from the multiple blasts, it was in pretty good shape. A little messy maybe, but good considering the carnage of other areas dotted around the university’s top floors.

To their advantage, each inner department of the level was clearly signed. However not knowing which department, if any, contained a mechanical arm of the likes they were searching for, the pair had been forced to start from the beginning and search the floor room by room.

“Anything?” Asked Duke.

“Nope, just more scrap.” Shannon answered.

“I hear you, looks like this level has been pretty much stripped.”

The two exited the room and proceeded to search the rest of the level. Unaware of their friends which made their way back up the level, going in direction of the med labs below.

OOC- Should the Andy/Niles bot and Pipboy encounter the searching Duke and Shannon?
 
Wind whistled through the canyon, jostling Gabriel’s hair as he slowly, carefully, edged his way down the craggy wall. He glanced down and his eyes pierced the darkness easily, seeing where he would reach the ground. Slipping further down, he continued to observe the camp, mentally plotting a route through the sleeping enemy band.

The canyon was large and the camp spread out, which meant he had a long way to go while remaining undetected. Speed and stealth were hard to mix effectively.

The climb almost half an hour, surprising the assassin, who had underestimated the looseness of the rocks. Twice now he had disturbed pebbles and watched in horror as they tumbled down to the ground, skittering loudly. Luck prevailed however and favoured the attackers, as none of the Oprezki noticed. After these rookie mistakes Gabriel was very careful, taking his time over every movement. He knew it would cost them and could force him to rush the rest of the mission but he was gonna be damned he fucked everything up at the insertion stage. He was picked for this because he was the best stalker they had and he wasn’t going to let them down. He wasn’t going to let himself down.

At last the assassin reached the dusty canyon floor and he stealthily hopped to the ground, landing lightly as cat. He quickly padded to the cover of a small boulder and hunkered down behind it. Gabriel looked up to the rim and thought he could see the barrel of Rogue’s weapon jutting over the edge. He knew the Oprezki wouldn’t notice it, lacking his night-vision but he was glad of the comfort seeing it brought. The assassin couldn’t think of someone he’s rather have giving him sniper cover.

Still resting behind the boulder, Gabriel close his eyes and tried to recreate the mental map of the camp he had made since they began observing it. Now he added the closer views he had gained on his descent; the position of guards, where the highest concentration of genuine sleepers were. Together, it all formed a difficult problem to be solved. But like and problem, it had a solution and Gabriel had been trained to solve these sorts of problems since he was old enough to walk.

He believed he had a reasonable route to the corral plotted in his mind. He had to be flexible though. This was a new enemy and he did not know all their procedures. He could not let a minor change destroy his plan.

Time to move, he thought.

Gabriel slowly rose, peering over his boulder, seeing he was still the only wakeful person in fifty feet. Perfect.

The assassin began his slow, painstaking, stealthy trek across the camp.

He would have stayed close to the canyon walls, using the crags and shadows to hide his advance but the Oprezki, demonstrating good tactical thinking, had placed burning torches at various points near the walls, throwing firelight in his preferred path. Still, the dancing shadows played to his advantage. People became less suspicious of jerky movements around fires because their eyes adjusted the random movements of the fire and the shadows cast all around them.

So, Gabriel was forced to pick his way between the bunches of sleeping enemy. Not the perfect method but the only open to him. At least they would not expect such a risky scheme and the moment of hesitation in anyone who spotted him as they tried to decide if he was friend or foe would give him the chance to silence them.

The assassin moved slowly, gently placing his feet on he dusty floor, avoiding rocks and pebbles. He kept looking around check that no sentries were close. He knew that he would see them before they caught sight of him and was confident he could avoid them.

The first guard Gabriel assumed was on duty, was asleep. He had a rifle by his side and a sword handle gripped tightly in his hand. The guard was young, maybe twenty, but Gabriel knew youth never guaranteed innocence in the wastes. The assassin had killed more people than most ever managed in a lifetime by the time he was twenty.

Here the assassin faced a choice. He could kill the boy and remove an enemy but there was the risk that no matter how silently he went about it, things could go wrong and he could wake the camp. Gabriel crouched in front of the sitting sentry, weighing his bowie knife in his hand, considering the options. Sleeping marauders surrounded the silent pair.

In the end, instinct prevailed. As Gabriel sheathed his blade and prepared to continue on his way, leaving the boy, deciding not risk the chance that the struggle might wake other, the boy snorted in his sleep and the noise woke him up. His eyes flashed open and he caught the departing assassin in the corner of his vision.

Gabriel heard the sudden intake of surprised breath and he reacted as he had been trained to, striking suddenly and without mercy. His hands clamped around the sentry’s head, one on the crown, the other on the chin and he jerked it up and round as hard as he could. Gabriel winced at the loud crack, but he held the body up, waiting to see if anyone was going to react. If all else failed, he’d have a human shield.

Nothing happened. Then one man coughed and rolled over in his sleep but the harsh sound almost made Gabriel drop the corpse and reach for a blade. Instead, he calmed himself and slowly lowered the body to the ground.

Not even half way and I’ve fucked up already, thought Gabriel. The Nightblades would disown him if he hadn’t already be labelled a traitor.

Look forward not back, he reminded himself. Focus. See the goal and know your path. That’s all that matters.

Five more sentries on patrol or guard, more guarding the corral. He’d killed more before, he could do this.

Once more, Gabriel continued his stealthy advance across the camp. It was taking too long. Dawn was coming soon and once light spilled into the canyon his only advantage over the guards would be gone. He had to pick up the pace. The assassin tested the ground and examined the ground along the path he had chosen. The light poor as shadows from the surrounding sleeping forms obscured the trail he was using. He was sure he could make it faster.

Gabriel sprang forward, his foot landing with the slightest padding sound, then he bounce off again, landing between two more Oprezki. Neither stirred and Gabriel continued his quick, stealthy leaps. He moved like a leopard, springing gracefully from one clear patch of ground to another.

Above on the canyon rim, Rogue watched Gabriel increase his pace. What the hell is he doing? She thought. With grim determination and a little anger at the cocky assassin, she tightened her grip on the silenced weapon and held the butt securely against her shoulder. Rogue felt she was going to need to use it soon.

Gabriel continued his silent advance successfully, managing to bypass the first sentry. He had paused and observed the guard, waiting for him to patrol the other way, then it was child’s play to slip past unnoticed. The second noticed Gabriel’s passage but shrugged it off, having not realised it was an enemy. It saved his life, as the assassin had crouch in the deep shadows he had been aiming for, a throwing knife poised ready to silence any attempt at a warning cry.

The third guard was more difficult, occupying a space between two sets of lit torches. The lack of effective cover and darkness made bypass impossible. Gabriel crept as far the shadows would allow, easily getting him within range. The throwing knife he launched did, however, miss it’s mark slightly. The blade slammed into the side of the man’s neck, missing the windpipe and he released a loud gargling death rattle as he fell to the floor. Gabriel cursed inwardly as he hurried forward, pistol in hand, ready to fight his way clear if the alarm was raised. Once into the light, going for the body, hoping to drag it away, he could see further into the shadows on the other side. To his horror, the assassin realised that the next sentry was looking with concerned curiousity in his direction.

Gabriel had just managed to lug the body out of the harshest light and he thought the sentry was too calm to have witnessed the death, but he was stuck. Any second now, the man must realise that he was not a guard and then all hell would break loose.

It had been a very tough assignment but Gabriel had still thought he could manage it. He was very disappointed in himself.

He was considering an attempt at a long shot with his pistol when the man began moving in his direction.

This is it, thought Gabriel, readying his SiG. The assassin saw the man’s mouth open but before he could utter a word, the top of his head exploded in a quiet explosion of gore. He remained upright for a moment, and Gabriel darted forward, realising the new danger. Racing toward the standing corpse, Gabriel saw him begin to topple and he knew he wouldn’t make it.

The body flopped down on top of a sleeping marauder who let out a quiet yelp of surprise before Gabriel’s hand clamped over his mouth. Then the knife descending into his eyesocket and he was still.

Gabriel slowly breathed out. Then he looked back up at his saviour and gave a slight nod of thanks.

It had taken a long time, but he was nearing the Corral now and he could see the guards lounging in the firelight. It was going to tough but he was an expert at the disposal business and these evil cavalry scum weren’t going to escape with their lives.


(OOC: Hopefully more to follow when I get back from training later)
 
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