Vilana (Stasia)

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Rick chuckled and left while she readied herself. It seemed she had combat in her blood if touching her weapon brought her around that much more quickly. The uniform itself was a match for Rick's in every way except for the shoulders that held a different insignia, that of a combat knife and a feather as opposed to Rick's crosshairs and skull. Whenever she meandered back out to the common area of the market, Rick would be waiting with a well kept sniper rifle with a heavy supressor and a scope that held another of the strange blue chips. The chip itself was set into the scope of the weapon rather then anywhere else which made Vilana wonder how it enhanced the weapon itself.

"Alrighty Vilana, lets not waste any time, I'd say leave the pup here, but he would just eat everything... So there's no avoiding it. We're going to the river at the far easter edge of the city, it's a long trip on foot."

And with that, he started off, grabbing a pair of canteens, one of which he tossed to her before assigning a different man to guard the makeshift compound. Outside, the morning light seemed almost normal in the decimated city, it's own red glow peaceful compare to the unrest inspired at night. "Well, first things first, pop quiz. What's the best way to get across 8 miles of urban wasteland on foot."

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana wandered into the commons area, then gawked at the sniper rifle. "Holy crap!" She seemed very much awake now. Catching the canteen, she giggled at Bubbles before focusing back on Rick. She pondered the question, seeming thoughtful before giving the answer. "In a straight line?" She finally offered.

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Rick chuckled, "Only half right. Notice anything strange about the day time? Nothing and no one is out, everything is hiding away in the sewers and other dark places, so it is NEVER safe to forage during the day. Ever, it is important you remember this. So the safest way to travel, is to use the roads, and I mean the Middle of the road, because the sewer grates are still dangerous. The only other safe way to travel is the roof tops, and those are a little trickier." He said starting to walk down the road.

"Now, what is the most dangerous thing out here that you've seen, the one thing that set your hair on end in more ways then one." He asked, expecting another answer as they started moving towards their goal.

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana moved to keep pace, jogging a little with a huff. She paused again, and answered quicker. "A zombie... it still looked human kind of... just with it's parts missing." She pursed her lips a little, looking down at Bubbles. "Unless of course you count Bubbles, he's terrifyingly cute!"

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Rick laughed. "While the zombies are scary looking, they're stupid, and slow, although in packs they're very dangerous. No, the most dangerous thing out here are demons, specifically the smarter ones. I know of 2 succubi in the area that have given us no end of trouble, it used to be three" He said patting the rifle.

"There are other kinds out here, but a Succubus can directly influence your mind if she knows you're there. There are also demons that inhabit objects like rope or machines, and somethings we don't even have fucking names for. The moral is, that the smarter the enemy, the more dangerous they are, never forget it." He said, seeming a little grim and scratching a scar along the side of his neck.

"You'll find Bubbles... " He had to stop himself from laughing at the name "Can smell them a mile off, he'll be all kinds of useful in that regard, so pay attention to him if he acts weird. He'll also give you a little leeway with the hellhounds, along the lines of, if he's fed and happy, then they should leave you alone, or at least tolerate your presence as a pack member rather then a toy to play with."

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana listened intently, while her eyes scoured the horizon. She hmmed, looking down at Bubbles. "Well an early warning system. How convenient." She teased then gives the chin of Bubbles a stroke. "So..." She looked back over to Rick. "Where are we going today?" She asked.

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Bubbles licked her hand as Rick answered. "We're headed down to the river, and then to the power plant to check in on the group there. After that we'll send you on a little run job, nothing like trial by fire right?" He said grinning. They had been unusually lucky as they traveled, not encountering anyone, or anything as they moved, and they managed to make the river in good time. The River itself however was a murky, disgusting affair, the shore lined with sulfur and something putrescant and obviously toxic welling up from it's depths. Any vegetation along the slope was blackened and dead and just being near it gave Vilana a slight shiver.

However, Rick, sighing sadly as he looked at it, pointed down the river to a massive building with no less the 7 smokestacks, 2 of which were busy chugging away as huge clouds of steam pounded into the air. "And that's the powerplant." He said matter of factly, starting down the river to get to their apparent destination, although now he had his rifle in his hands, as if he expected trouble...

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana watched as the powerplant slowly rose into view from the horizon. She skimmed the water with her eyes, screwing up her face in a cringing disgusted look. Contact was definitely not an option for her. She noticed the smokestacks leaking the sooty byproduct, and furrowed her brows. "They have it running?" She looked over to Rick, and noticed his own readied posture. She grabbed ahold of her hatchet in one hand and relaxed the other to snatch her pistol if it was needed.

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Rick nodded and started moving more carefully. "I don't like it here, because some things live in the water and don't mind the light, but we can't go any other way because of the bandits setting up their camp directly in the road. They've been trying for days to seize the plant, which is why we're here."

Once again however, their luck held out, and nothing bothered them apart from a lone zombie that Rick spotted 90 yards or so off, kneeling to take careful aim before putting the thing down like it was as simple as dusting something off of his shirt.

The powerplant, which indeed was exactly that was a heavily guarded gated affair with rows of razorwire and several olive drab trucks parked just inside the gate like a kind of barricade. The men guarding it we one and all on the second story however, and all carrying long range rifles, keeping anyone from approaching that wasn't a friendly. Seeing Rick, someone slid down a ladder to open a small and partially concealed sidegate. "Rick!? The Hell have you been? We sent a runner a week ago!" The panicked and uniformed man said, pulling them both in before shutting the gate.

"Then he didn't make it, who did we lose?" He asked, a little worried.

"We sent Susan, our resident bitchy blonde because she was the fastest, The HELL do you mean she didn't make it! And who the hell is this!" The man practically shouted, tearing his gas mask off and revealing he was a tawny haired youth who couldn't be older then 16. Rick, annoyed, smacked him upside the head and gestured towards a door in the side of the plant, it's large windows boarded up. "Shut up. And get us inside." He said, glaring at the boy who lost most of his steam immediately.

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana silently watched the zombie go down, flinching from the sound of the sniper rifle. She pursed her lips a little at the uneventful demise of another monster, before turning toward the plant once more. Continuing on, she watched the exchange, but felt it appropriate to remain quiet, instead following Rick and the rest in. As they enter, she whistles. "You guys are serious, I thought it was just a struggle but you're actually having a war!"

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Rick looked at her like she was mildly insane for a moment. "Umm... Yeah, that was unclear?" He said a little surprised as they moved into the dimlit and noisy plant until reaching what looked like an old employee lounge where everyone was made to sit in the relative quiet at the same table. "So. You sent a runner, What the hell for!" He suddenly shouted at the boy who flinched, apparently realising now that sending anyone right now had been a mistake. "umm... For... For Supplies... We've been out of medical supplies and food for 3 days now..."

Rick, glaring at the boy, looked like he was about to hit him, and hard, but her restrained himself. "The next shipment is tomorrow you know that, Why the hell would you risk a persons life when all you had to do was cut rations and WAIT!" He shouted, still looking beyond furious as Bubbles growled softly and hid behind Vilana's leg. 'Vilana. We're going after Susan." He said angrily, starting for the door again.

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana pursed her lips a little as she looked to the side. "Well, I just thought... it was some dire odds. Well, I mean..." She huffs. Then grins. "You have this more planned out than I thought!" She said cheerfully with some teasing interlaced with her tone. She watches the scene unfold before her, glancing down at Bubbles as the two discussed the business of the army. After the exchange of looks, she gives a small nod, looking over to the group. "Don't worry, we'll mop up your mess!" She said with a dismissive look accompanied by a nonchalant gesture of her hand.

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Rick looked over at her as she waved at the group when they departed, as if impressed a little by her attitude, although it was quickly hidden again. "So you know whats going on, and this is what your training was actually revolved around, intelligence gathering. First step is to think hard on whether you know or remember anything about the current situation, and if so, to write it down in shorthand, remember to be intentionally vague. The only one who should understand your notes is you. Next is to think about the situation and figure on where the next best source of info is. I know you're smart Vilana, so lets get this sorted, and fast." He said quietly as he spread his hands across the hood of a dead car, looking at her thoughtfully.

It seemed that despite what was going on, he wasn't going to sacrifice her training for it either, handling both at once, although if she proved completely inept he would guide her in the name of moving forward.

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana purses her lips as she contemplates. "Well, Susan was sent out a week ago, which means she could be a lot of places. However, with only seeing one zombie, she could have lured the rest elsewhere... so perhaps we should look for an area that is teaming with zombies? And she would be going back to the main building..." She pauses. "Is that everything?"

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

"You're right, good. We need more gear, and better information. If she was indeed harassed by the undead more then anything, and hasn't been captured but is simply pinned up somewhere, which is more likely, then we need to recon from the rooftops and look for increased activity. That woman is dangerous so lets head out. You're in charge of this situation until I deem otherwise. Lets move" He said quietly, gesturing to head towards the main compound.

"My own emotions will get in the way here, so you need to keep a clear head. Just so you and I are clear." he added, sliding his rifle into his hands and looking distinctly unhappy with the situation as a whole.

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana gave a nod, tensing her face. As soon as she heard the last comment, it softened, and looked toward Bubbles. "You like this girl?" She asked, raising a brow at Rick as she looked thoughtful. "You seem to be the 'all business' type of guy." She teased with a grin.

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

"She's my little sister" Rick said quietly, smiling down at the goofy hound before nodding. "Usually I am, but... Survivors you know? Family stays close." He added, starting to move after sliding the action on his rifle to check for a live round. "Any more thoughts before we start mving?" He asked, suddenly his old self, face hard and set.

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana's eyes widened, blinking a little. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know..." She said, seeming a little taken aback. She gives her head a shake. "No, let's get more stuff, then head out in search of your sister!" She announces a little dramatically, adding a pointing finger toward the main building.

 

[Courage Wolf]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Rick nodded, his gaze hardening into something like marble as he bunched his shoulders and started jogging. The two made it back in about half the time as the initial trip, the other guards ushering them in. It seemed the city really was mostly dead during the day, which meant this was the best time to find who they were looking for. Marching inside the building, Rick took them both to a backroom again, although this time it was guarded by a very old looking gentleman holding what had to be the strangest looking weapon Vilana had ever seen, let alone thought of. It was a shovel, sharpened at one end, with a shotgun steel strapped to the handle, and the pump wired to the front near the bladed spade. "Meet Henderson." Rick said in way of introduction, before pushing through a huge metal door to their left and walking inside.

Inside said door was the largest collection of armour, firearms, and other tactical equipment that Vilana had ever seen, like they had confiscated an entire armoury to amass this collection. Everything from Binoculars to High Explosive was carefully tagged, and set on the wall in a different section of the room, although in case of the explosives, it was all crated and carefully seperated from the detonating equipment. "Grab what you think we'll need. I trust you" Rick said, grabbing more ammunition for his rifle and a machete."

 

[Antithetical Inquiry]

Re: Vilana (Stasia)

Vilana's quiet on the way back to the building, then sees the cache. "Holy-" She pauses, then looks to Rick with his comment. She nods, then silently begins loading up on her pistol ammo, taking a moment to compare the caliber sizes to make sure they're right. She then grabs the hatchet and the binoculars, putting them in her pack. "Travel light I would think." Grabbing some rations and a first aid kit, she turned on her heel. "Time's a wasting, let's go!" She cried, dashing out once more, full of energy.