Rebecca, Sean, Rusty and Zoe make shore and head for the fuel depot. The smell of gasoline fire is powerful indeed. Its clear there where several tank explosions, causing the damage. However, the building was clearly designed to hold up against the heat and flames. As a result, it is burned, but mostly intact. Out front is a massive pile of corpses. None seem to be moving.

The good news is you can easily see the fire was mostly outside, not in. Which means whatever treasures in fuel that exists might still be undamaged and inside. The bad news is there is clearly movement in the windows. Something is roaming around in there, and it may be several somethings.

Rusty growls as the smell overwhelms his doggy nose.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:34, Thu 18 Apr.

Our journey to the shore doesn't take long at all. One by one, we disembark from the small boat and walk up to the platform. The devastation is something like I've never seen before. Devon talked about the hospital massacre, but I never saw the results of the attack, but this? No one could have survived whatever happened here. I can't help but gag at the horrific odor. A mixture of gasoline fire and death. The pile of corpses is disturbing to see and yet it's impossible not to stare at the stack of dead bodies. Black carbon scores the remains of the large building, though it's surprisingly intact. On the far side rests the technology building.

"Remember, this is intended to be a scouting mission. If you find anything useful, tag it. Look for working vehicles, equipment to build solar panels, and refueling cannisters. Don't carry anything that will hinder you or your group. We'll be in touch through the walkie talkies. If you see any other living person, let us know immediately. Stay away from the piles of rubble. This place is a warzone and full of hazards aside from Ghouls. As much as a I like all of you, I don't want to administer tetanus shots in your ass cheeks." Grinning, I look around to everyone and give a peace sign. "Be careful and we'll meet back here soon. Good luck."

As our groups part ways, I motion for Rebecca and Zoe towards the large building off in the distance. My eyes squint as I try to focus on something or someone moving along the shattered windows of the building ahead of us. "I see movement, but I can't tell what's going on up there. Do you see it?"

As Zoe follows in Rebecca and Sean’s footsteps, she tries hard not to look at the gruesome sights of dead and burned people, attempting to steel her nerves and shield herself from the horror.

When they reach the fuel depot, Zoe swiftly starts tagging, the sound of the spray paint hissing as she crafts the bold, stylized letters 'L S'. Beneath the initials, a sequence of symbols and digits takes form.

"Crushed it!" Zoe boasts, shooting a smug glance at Rebecca and Sean. As she finishes her tagging, her eyes squint as she tries to focus on something or someone moving inside.

"What do you see, boy?" she whispers, hoping Rusty's keen senses might pick up on something she's missing.

Feeling uneasy, Zoe reaches for her gun, gripping it firmly as she keeps her gaze fixed on the building, prepared for whatever may come their way.

OOC: Zoe is helping to Scout +1. Rusty +1 (If it is ok to share talent?) Looks like Rebecca has 3+1, perhaps you can roll the Scout roll? And did you bring the binoculars?

In reply to Zoe Saroyan (msg # 3):

Ooc-up to 3 PCs and 1 NPC (the bestest boy ever in this case) can add to one PCs roll. Edit-No, that does not count as Rusty's 1/scene add one die.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:08, Thu 18 Apr.

Rebecca had a lot of equipment; in addition to her usual gear, she was carrying a knife, the flare gun, a bit of rope and the "Becca Mark 2" Juan had made for her. "Code words. "Irene", means that you've spotted hostiles. "Smith" means bail out, leave us and don't come back. "Patton" means we're returning to the ship. "Hope" means link up stealthily. "Spectator" means you've found survivors. Star on the alert for any abandoned weapons or equipment; there's got to be some after a fight like this." she said to the other group before they split.

Seeing the pile of bodies, Rebecca begins to regret bringing Zoe along. She was happy to have her sister with her, but Zoe shouldn't have to see this. Even as Rebecca watches for ambushers, she tries to step between her sister and the bodies. She scans the building with her binoculars. "I'm not sure yet. Could be an animal... sooner or later they're bound to move back into the cities." She lowers the binoculars for a moment to note "Zoe, stay alert. No time for artwork." She returns her gaze to where Sean is pointing, bringing the binoculars back up to her eyes.

11:57, Today: Rebecca Saroyan rolled 31 using 8d6 with rolls of 4,1,5,3,5,1,6,6.  Scout; Rebecca's four plus Zoe and rusty's one and two for the binoculars. Was Sean also helping?

In reply to Rebecca Saroyan (msg # 5):

OOC-you may roll +1 die. If you get a success, it will result in more info.

Today: Rebecca Saroyan rolled 6 using 1d6 with rolls of 6.  Assist. – 6

In reply to Rebecca Saroyan (msg # 7):

OOC-Nice! 3 successes, no stress!


With her binoculars, help from Zoe and Sean, and not to mention Rusty's keen senses and growls-Rebecca manages to see something in one of the windows. Maybe something she did not want to see...



It would be bad enough if it was just one of them. Turns out, every walker who moves past a window looks like that. With her close up view, which makes Rebecca a little sick, she realizes they are not just burned. They are covered with burned fuel...some of which might still be flammable. With her military training, all it would take is for a stray bullet to make a spark and...well, boom.

She also sees stacks barrels in various sections on the 3rd floor of the building. They look like fuel barrels. However, its not clear what sort of fuel it is, or how to get up there. The crew will need to go inside to get better intel.
This message was last updated by the player at 19:28, Thu 18 Apr.

"There are walkers in there, and they're covered in fuel" Rebecca reports to the other two. "We may need Matt's bow, although I've got that gadget Juan made for me. Bullets don't cause explosions as easily as TV would have you believe, but it could still be very dangerous. On the bright side, there are what look like fuel barrels in there, so we might not have to come all this way for nothing.

The sight of so many bodies, stack into piles, is horrific and poor Zoe has to bear witness but this is our new reality, isn't it? It's the reality brought by infighting between living people- military and civilian- in order to survive.
 
"That means the entire inside of the building could be covered in fuel as well. Not to mention, those barrels might be leaking. Depending if it's diesel or gasoline, one spark and the whole building could explode. I'm guessing you can't read any labels on those barrels, hmm?" sighing, I look from the building back to the Nancy, then to the building again. Navigating our way through the building only to find those barrels aren't containing anything would be a huge waste of time, not to mention extremely dangerous. A hand goes up to tug on my beanie, tucking in a strand of hair that made itself loose. My eyes shift across the landscape and look back towards the docks. "Did you notice if any of the naval fuel pumps were still intact when we approached the shore?"

"Hey, guys," Zoe begins. "I'm gonna climb up there real quick and see if I can spot any labels on those barrels. It's risky, I know, but we need to know what we're dealing with. Don't worry, I'll be careful."

With a determined gleam in her eye, Zoe swiftly tucks her gun into the waistband of her pants and starts climbing. With each handhold and foothold, she scales the side of the building with the agility of a seasoned climber.

As she climbs, the gritty texture of the concrete grazes her palms, but she pays it no mind, focused solely on reaching her goal. With each upward movement, she feels a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins, propelling her higher and higher.

Reaching her spot, she cautiously peeks through the windows, her heart pounding with anticipation. With a keen eye, she scans the interior of the depot, searching for any clues that might reveal the contents of the barrels below and if there are any walkers in there.

OOC:
14:41, Today: Zoe Saroyan rolled 29 using 9d6 with rolls of 1,3,1,6,5,4,6,2,1.  Climbing the outside of the fuel depot.

AGI 5, MOB 4, 2 success, 0 walkers

In reply to Zoe Saroyan (msg # 11):

Zoe climbs up the side of the building. With the damage done to the structure, there are handholds enough for her to make the climb. However, She quickly finds that there are walkers on every floor. To make the trip, she will need to do so slowly and quietly.

OOC-Please make a stealth roll. The barrels are on the 3rd floor, and the place is crawling with the dead. Current Swarm stats=Threat 1, Size five.

You are 'attacking' the swarm by trying to stealth by them.

Because you are doing so by yourself, you must make 3 stealth rolls.

first roll is normal, second roll is at -2, 3rd roll is at -4.

Effectively, you are 'fighting' the swarm by yourself. Thus the minuses and the multiple rolls.

You need to get a total of 6 successes over these 3 rolls.

"Zoe! Don't go in alone" Rebecca protested, but her sister scaled the building. Rebecca's heart was beating nervously. She raised her hand and tried to pick off a couple of walkers with the Beca Mk2 to make it easier for Zoe to climb undetected.

09:40, Today: Rebecca Saroyan rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Stress die. – 5
09:40, Today: Rebecca Saroyan rolled 38 using 9d6 with rolls of 6,1,6,3,4,4,4,5,5.  Push. – 38
09:40, Today: Rebecca Saroyan rolled 34 using 9d6 with rolls of 4,2,2,5,5,5,3,5,3.  Ranged Combat. – 34c

"Watch your footing! If it becomes too much, come down to us and we can explore together." Sighing, I look over to Rebecca with a disapproving look, I knew this was a bad idea.

19:29, Today: Sean Anderton rolled 1 success using 6d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 5,6,5,5,4,3.  Leadership. One success.

OOC-Zoe must make two rolls rolls. One unmodified, one at -1 thanks to Sean. She can use her mobility check as the first roll, and therefore already succeeded. Her second must be a stealth roll at -1, plus any modifiers she can use normally.

*Phew*

OOC:
08:32, Today: Zoe Saroyan rolled 1 success using 8d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 1,4,6,5,5,1,2,1.  Stealth.

AGI 5, Stealth 3, Rusty +1, -1 modifier, 1 success, 0 walkers

12:33, Sat 20 Apr: Zoe Saroyan rolled 1 success using 7d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 2,5,3,3,1,5,6.  Stealth pushed. – 1 success

This message was last edited by the GM at 15:28, Mon 22 Apr.

Zoe climbs up the side of the building, Rusty in her backpack managing not to whimper but clearly not happy. She climbs via an opening of the wall, the fire damage via the fuel explosion being enough to burn through concrete at several points. The opening is wide enough where both Sean and Rebecca can see her finish the climb. Sean tried to advise on the climb...or just waiting to do so as a group-but Zoe manages nonetheless.

What Rebecca sees is two of the charred ghouls reaching for Zoe just as she makes it to the solid floor of the third floor. Instead of reflexively going for her rifle-and noise it makes-she raises her wrist, squeezes her fist, and aims. The solid metal bolt on a thin cable shoots out with barley any noise-certainly not enough to attract anything with Walker ears. Her aim is true, as she piecing one through the lower half of its skull, and it passes through into the creature standing to it. Rebecca pulls back as she activates the rewind mechanism. Causing both ghouls to fall out of the opening in the side of the building, breaking into pieces as they land hard from the 30 foot drop.

Zoe, suddenly realizing she was very nearly grabbed, ducks under what looks like burned office furniture. She holds her breath, gently holding Rusty's muzzle and waits. Sure enough, there is no sudden roar and charge of a horde. Zoe gathers her courage to peek out from cover, and sees the barrels in the corner of the room. Just sitting there. However, between her and them is a wandering horde of the walkers. Just moving around, moaning lightly but without giving rise to the others. All charred and seemingly lost.

OOC-We are out of possible combat rounds...but only if the walkers don't notice Zoe. She will be discovered eventually if she stays put. She is not close enough to the barrels to see what is inside them.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:43, Mon 22 Apr.

"Remind me to thank Juan profusely. He may have just saved my little sister's life" Rebecca tells Sean as she reloads the Becca Mk2. "I'll give Zoe a talking-to when she gets back." That Zoe might not get back was too horrific to contemplate so Rebecca had blacked it out from her mind. Sean could still easily tell how worried she was. "Is there anything we can do to help from out here? I'd say make a little bit of noise to distract them, but that may be too risky if they really react and rush out here."

Zoe crouched behind the burned-out office desk, her breaths coming fast and shallow. The smell of charred wood, grossness, and burned bodies made her want to hurl. She pulled Rusty close in order to comfort herself and Rusty licked her face calming her down.

She peeked out, eyeing the barrels across the room. They were close, but there were walkers blocking her way, moaning and creeping her out.

"Seriously?" She muttered, feeling frustrated. She knew she had to get out before things got worse. But when she tried to bail, disaster struck. Her foot caught on a metal cabinet, and she crashed forward with a bang. Panic flooded her as she scrambled to get back up, making a racket.

For a sec, she thought she was done and braced herself for an undead attack, but the walkers stayed clueless, doing their zombie shuffle.

With a sigh of relief, she knew it was time to leave and quietly made her way to her entry point where she could climb out of the building and down to Rebecca and Sean without attracting any more unwanted attention.

"Oh man," her heart racing. "I could see those barrels, but with all those walkers on that floor, there was no way I could check what was inside."


OCC:
Zoe has a destress moment with Rusty to remove 1 Stress.

09:11, Today: Zoe Saroyan failed (no successes) using 4d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 5,4,5,2.  Survival find diesel. WIT 3 SUV 1

09:12, Today: Zoe Saroyan failed (no successes) using 8d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 3,3,3,4,1,2,5,5.  Stealth get out of the room. AGI 5 STE 3

09:12, Today: Zoe Saroyan rolled 4 successes using 9d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 5,4,2,2,6,2,6,6,6.  Stealth get out of the room. AGI 5 STE 3 STRESS 1

09:13, Today: Zoe Saroyan rolled 1 success using 10d6 with the Target Number system with a target of 6 with rolls of 6,4,5,1,2,4,1,5,2,4.  Mobility climb down. AGI 5 MOB 4 STRESS 1
This message was last edited by the player at 07:56, Tue 23 Apr.