By the time the team arrives, its already getting dark. Night comes earlier these days, and the trip was slightly extended due to a large swam crossing the nearest highway. It was easily spotted and another route was found. However, it took longer than you thought it might. Soon you are at the largely empty strip mall expect for one massive store. The most shocking thing about it was the fact it was lit up at night-which meant it has power.

It could be seen the doors are sealed shut, and the insides look as if very little looting has been done. The reason for that becomes clear. Everyone inside the place is dead...and still roaming around. They don't seem to know how to get out.



[Private to Ryder Hudson: OOC-+1 xp!]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:36, Fri 16 Feb.

Rebecca looks at the building, dismayed. "well, I can think of a few ways to deal with this. Lure them all to one side of the building with noise and loot the other side. Or shoot them through the windows. But is it worth the danger?"

Zoe approaches the Walmart on her scooter, her eyes scanning the perimeter as she takes a cautious spin around the building. The challenge of sneaking into such a place excites her and she can't help but feel a rush of adrenaline at the thought of what awaits inside.

After her reconnaissance, Zoe rides up to the Ranger SUV. "Hey, Becs," she says, adjusting her leather jacket. "How's Matt really holding up?"

She glances around, lowering her voice. "I say we go in quietly, no unnecessary noise. And if we hit any locked doors, well, let's just say I've got a few tricks up my sleeve."

Ryder sits in silence, looking into the store. Rebecca makes a good point. He opens the door, to include Zoe in the conversation. Cool air, the mocking laughter of gulls, and the smell of gasoline from Zoe's scooter drifts in. He considers Zoe's idea.

"You know, we're never going to find a place that's unlooted and safe. We have a choice between empty and safe, or provisioned and risky."

He opens the door and steps down to the parking lot. At ground level, the Walmart looks even weirder. In a world of darkness, it's lit up like the Luxor Vegas. Even from here, he can see it has everything they need. Like the devil himself put it there to tempt them.

He rubs his chin. He can imagine a rooftop entry. Bound to be a maintenance hatch on top, maybe a gantry inside. They might pick stuff off the top shelves. They'd need rope, though. Other stuff they don't have. When they first hooked up, he and Laura used to go boosting stuff at Walmart. She was good at feigning being upset, getting all the guards fussing around her while he took what they wanted. Wasn’t like Walmart had stuff worth stealing, though. It was mostly for something to do.

Never thought he’d be risking it all for ramen and soda.

"I think your idea of distracting them is good, Rebecca. There's probably a delivery entrance at the back. Me and Zoe could sneak in. Anyone else who wants to come with."

He jerks his chin at the front of the store. "Somebody out front could keep most of them focused right here. Provided they don't get massed up enough to break the windows, we should be fine. They probably wouldn't even notice us in back."

He gives Sean a wink. "Walmart's got music. Think they might have that old time stuff you like?"

To him, Matt looks fine. What's going on inside... who knows? But he can use that bow well enough, and it's quiet. They could use him when they go in. Besides, nobody ever said Ryder was right inside. Hasn't stopped him yet.

As the sun slowly disappears, a bright beacon of hope makes itself known to us. It's as if we've stepped back in a time a few months; Wal-Mart is fully operational with customers jam packed inside with insatiable hunger for consumer goods. The sight before us is too good to be true. This can't be real and if it is real, it can't be safe.

"Something isn't right." My voice is distant and concerned as we pull up to the brightly lit building. Aside from the independently powered boat, the last time I saw electricity was down in the Gaia research center and before that? The Domes. Everything else had lost power and with it, any source of comfort. What did all three of those places have in common? People working to keep the lights going, but how could such a store be acquiring power? Gas generators? An online power-grid?

"I don't think this is a good idea," I say to Ryder, glancing over to him before I look back to the store front. You can't ignore all of those Ghouls shuffling about inside, as if they were trapped. Maybe they are trapped? "What if this is a trap? Turn the lights on to draw desperate survivors into a perceived gold mine of a find?"

"We've gone through this city more than once and no one has electricity aside from our boat and the research center, right? Those are only operational because people are maintaining those systems. This store can't be running off a backup generator. Those are powered by fuel, right?"

Ryder stares at the store. ”Solar panels? Who knows… maybe Walmart started using dead power? Get some walkers on a treadmill, stick some gurnack in front of ’em. Infinite power.”

Sean does make an excellent point, he concedes. The Walmart is the only place in town with power. Or rather, with power and no obvious living people to keep it on. Plus, they are far from the only crew looking for food and stuff. How is it nobody else has spotted this place?

”We could smash the windows, draw the dead outside, and lead them away with the vehicles…” He makes a face. ”Bottom line, we need food, that place has food. If it has power, the freezers will still be on. Fresh meat. Well, frozen fresh meat. And frozen vegetables. Man cannot live on ramen and dried milk alone.”

He looks at Sean. ”Can you hear him? Andy is begging us to bring him something he can cook with.” He cups his hand across his ear like he’s listening to a distant sound. ”Sean, he’s saying, bring me spices, bring me herbs…”

Ryder laughs. ”I still think Rebecca’s on to something. Draw ’em up front. Sneak in the back. Classic Detroit take out.”

Matt cuddles up next to Alex, listening to the others talk about solar panels and spices, and wonders what the hold up is about. Draw 'em out front, sneak in the back makes sense to him.