--Katherine Adler
The Warren

A light slap of Kathy's back hand gently hit against Cain's clothed shoulder in response to the jokes, a sort of playful and lighthearted "shaming" to best describe it, but another small grin that had at first been held back came about. Followed by the sarcastic, but by no means grim or upset, "Nice." If it weren't for the fact that Johnson took it so well and in such an easygoing matter, Kathy would have felt a bit guilty at her own reaction. However, the man seemed to not be so bothered by his own statements-being able to be humorous at something like that, something else Cain well deserved credit for. Perhaps if in his situation, the young advlt could eventually reach that point-but based on her current experience and the like? She would be bitter, very bitter, to experience her body rot like a corpse while the majority turned on you for it.

The conversation immediately ended as Cain verbally pointed it out, while simultaneously Kathy's eyes observed, that a stranger was approaching them. Stranger, of course, being the key word. The broad, entertained, and friendly grins almost mystically vanishing from her face in an instant. The following look was, once again, nearly blank-an open and curious air to it, and her seemingly, entirely relaxed body being all there was to indicate how Kathy felt. Her large and hazel orbs, as tired as they were, watched the man carefully. Though she evaded the action of actually staring, and gave a casual sort of nod in response to his own. As well as a short, "Hey" to greet the man.

As Cain's gaze fell upon the traveler, she switched her glance momentarily from Collins to her friend, and then returning it to the stranger. At which she made the slightest smile, once again brightening her often hardened face to that of a young, though roughened, girl. Or rather, now a young woman by all technicality. It was absent of the charm her broad, flat out grin owned, but it was nonetheless welcoming and more carefree than her typical look. More than even her typical, casual look of a kind of open neutrality toward newly met, friendly strangers.

OOC: I really hate "correcting" things in a RP because I feel sort of arrogant and obnoxious, but I just want to point this out (and I'm really sorry to be pestering any of you, again)-Kathy isn't holding her gun out at the moment. Purely because she doesn't want to attract attention to herself, and tries to look as typical as the other citizens as possible(most of which probably aren't showing off guns). It's totally possible, if one pays attention, to see the faint outlines of the top of her guns(which are in their holsters at the moment) against her ridiculously large sweater(or to maybe see them through one of the sweater's holes at just the right angle), but Kathy is avoiding any flaunting of them. You don't have to edit the post or anything, I just wanted to clear it up again. I feel kinda bad 'bout it for the nitpicking, though-sorry 'bout that. :[

MIRVIN

As Mirvin scanned the town called the warren, the term hellhole didn't fit as a description. Mr Frank had shown Mirvin what he called a hellhole, it had been one thousand and eighty six days ago. The level of devestation in Mr Franks version was far worse than this, buildings destroyed, Irradiated waste in the streets, large mutated insects. The warren had none of these and, although the evidence of battle still scarred some of the buildings, they seemed to be structurally sound. This place, by comparison to the other, appeared to be a haven for humans. It had what Mr Fank would call potential.

Mirvin walked into town with Mr Damien and Miss Kathy. Miss Kathy had refused Mirvin's offer of a firearm, stating she already had two of her own. Mirvin found this situation to be acceptable, Mr Frank said that everyone should carry a weapon these days to defend themselves. In the distance Mirvin could see Mr Cain with what appeared to be a large, agitated group of people.

Mirvin thumped along behind the two humans pointing his shotgun directly at the ground. Miss Kathy had requested that Mirvin do nothing to appear "Wierd". Mirvin did not understand the concept of wierdness, other than that it would draw attention. Miss Kathy had also said that she didn't want Mirvin to kill any of the civilians of the Warren. Mirvin surmised that by "Wierd" Miss Kathy may have meant "aggressive". Mr Eddie had been a big fan of sarcasm and double entendres around Mirvin and although Mirvin didn't often understand what Mr Eddie was saying to him, he did grasp the idea that sometimes humans substituted words. It was just one of their' quirks.

The group around Mr Cain appeared to have been subdued, but another man was shouting obcenities at Mr Damien. Mirvin moved away from Mr Damien, he may appear "weird" to the townspeople if they thought he was associated with Mr Damien. It appeared that the abusive man held a grudge towards Mr Damien and given the way Mr Damien had behaved towards Miss Kathy, Mirvin didn't find this to be an ulikely scenario. It appeared to Mirvin that Mr Damian was a man used to making enemies.

As the man approached, Mr Damien drew his weapon and shot the man in the head. Mirvin watched as the mob turned their attention to Mr Damien. If Mirvin were to hold to Miss Kathy's wish of non-violence, he calculated that he should leave now. If the crowd believed Mr Damien to have backup from an armed robot they were far more likely to attack first. He thumped of down an alleyway, doing his best to avoid notice. He would lie low for a while, just as Mr Frank had showed him and try to meet up with Miss Kathy or Mr Cain later.

A while later Mirvin detected two members of the Warren's security force walking near to his position. He could not hear all of what they were saying to each other, but he overheard enough to learn they were still looking for a murderer loose in the town. Mirvin had seen Mr Damien fleeing the town sometime before. The guards would not find Mr Damien, the most likely scenario was that they would begin to scour the streets looking for Mr Damien and any accomplices he may have had. Mirvin would endevour to remain unnoticed ultill he could locate any of his allys or untill he was apprihended.

OOC: Merry Christmas to all, got a new laptop so hopefully i should be able to post more often all my posts of late have been of an iPhone and its hard as hell to write something that long on one of them.


IC:

"Nice shot" Zoey lightly nudged the raider Sarah had sniped with her foot

"I thought so" Sarah let out a tiny giggle as she handed the L96 back to Zoey which she then strapped to her back. Zoey unlocked the door to their weapons building, Zoey threw boxes of ammunition to Sarah and then weapons and a few suits of body Armour

"Hey, food don't forget about that." Zoey nodded, opening the door to the mess hall Zoey must have jumped back about five feet as a rad roach scuttled out, the horrible sticky clicking sound it made nearly made Zoey hurl. As she walked down the room dust kicked up around her feet, the old fridge stuck until Zoey gave a big pull of the handle. Inside was a few boxes of Salisbury Steak, five tins of pork 'n beans, two boxes of Cram, Four Nuka Cola's, three boxes of Blanco Mac and Cheese, a few bits of Junk food and some purified water. Dragging the hefty bag to the Brahmin Sarah helped her lift it onto the creature's back.

"Lets hit the road, here" Zoey grabbed two Nuka Cola's out of the Brahmins pack and handed one to Sarah, there was a definitive crack as the two opened the fizzy drinks and knocked them back slowly.

"So what do you think of the group of people we've got?" Sarah asked as she put the Nuka Cola in a spare thigh holster and tied her long blonde hair into a ponytail

"Cain and Kathy, i trust them they where there that first night, Mirvin i have to say i like him, a robot trying to understand "Life" i think he'll stick with us" Zoey used quotation fingers when she said life, after all it was difficult to understand what life was now.

"I trust Harry and his team too, i suspect they wish to come back to the Warren. i guess that leaves Damien Marx, I don't trust him. He isn't very forthcoming, i mean not that expect anyone to be out here but still there is something i don't like. This Manchester woman he's looking for whats that about, its like he expects help from us but he didn't tell us anything, in all honesty i don't even know why he's helping us i didn't send them to get the list just to see if Manchester's on it i just said she might be, but thats not why i want it." Zoey knocked back some more cola as her M4 bounced of her stomach as she walked, she turned and looked at Sarah

"And you?"

"Gotta say i agree with you, but Ive always trusted your judgment anyway but like you said, i just can't see why Marx is helping us" Zoey looked at Sarah and noticed something

"You know you look better when you have your hair down, have i ever told you that?" Zoey's feminine side clearly showing, sure she had now been fighting for survival and in a war for the last three years or so but it was still there. Zoey still liked to feel like a girl every now and then, but the past couple of years had been horrible.

"ha, yea you have, multiple times. You look better with your hair down too" Zoey let a small smile creep up the corner of her mouth, an awkward silence had now been created. Maybe it was because no one really had time for that stuff anymore and it was a rarity to talk about, But needless to say the Brahmin broke the silence with four consecutive sneezes going from one head to the other which caused the two to laugh.

........


The two arrived back at the campfire still burning, the sun had nearly set on the horizon, you could just see the top of the sun

"Funny isn't it, under all this chaos and [censored] wasteland the sunset still looks beautiful" Sarah stood and watched as the last bit of the sun began to disappear

"Yeah i never get tired of seeing that, is it ironic? i don't know if that's the right word but i never get tired of seeing it" The two unloaded the gear into a pile as a notah tribe member took the Brahmin away. the two then sat down near the fire and waited for the others to return from their respective tasks although Harry was on a three day task.

OOC: Thanks for the correction, and no need to feel that way when addressing me, I love the help.

Johnny Collins

"Can I bring my niece with me? She would be useful to Mr. Williams, I assure you."

"I don't have no problem with it, why not?" Johnny said casually, he could care less if the man brought his niece, a friend of his was a friend of Johnny's. He was just glad the man gave him enough respect to let him. After all, the dead skin hanging off his dead bones was justification that one couldn't really be biased, he probably had a disposition to anyone who didn't spit in his direction. He looked again at the woman [who actually had her weapon holstered on her hip].

He walked around to the Administrative building and opened the elevator doors, pressing the 3 button for William's floor. Then it dawned on him, he hoped the doctor's office was on the third floor and not the second. Even better, he hoped William had enough room for the four of them. As the elevators opened he reminisced the days when he could actually relax to elevator music. Now the tune was jumpy and drained, the ambience fading in and out and up and down. Even if he was in the mood for tranquility, it wouldn't have worked with the barely functioning music. He turned to face the men behind him.

"This is his room. I guess you guys can just come in after me. I knew he got shot in the crossfire outside, but hopefully the medic is operating in his room." While John was talking, he couldn't help but sneak a glance at the woman, who was actually stunningly, almost intimidatingly pretty once you got past the grime and thin cheeks.

Ali & Madeline & Lara - Wichita

As the trio continues through the ruins of what was once Wichita, Kansas, the sound and echo of a camp, comes to the three. Madeline smiling with excitement as she points out the rising smoke from fires in the camp. But Lara isn’t too pleased, she keeps closer to Ali, looking at him with a worried face as he just keeps on going towards it, a blank stare on his face as they turn the corner and see the wall to what looks like not a camp, but an actual base or large residence.

“HOLD UP!” A loud booming voice shouts from the makeshift wall. “Who the [censored] are you?”

Ali looks up with the others to see a large fat looking man armed with a measly broken down rifle, but armored in metal plates and junk.

“We’re just passing through,” Ali states in a calm voice. “Come to make a possible trade?”

“Trade!” The large man exclaims with a bit of laughter. “Trade with you? Ha ha, do not make me laugh so hard. What could you possibly have to trade us?”

Ali shrugs, taking a look at the wall and the other three guards who are watching Ali and the other two.

“You never know what someone has in their bag,” Ali says smiling. The large man smiles, seeing that Ali is a man to be respected, even though by the way he’s dressed, one might think otherwise if it was anyone else.

“Well then, come on in Ali, I’m sure Rudi-bar will be please to see you.” The large man bellows as the large door in the wall pings as it unlocks, and the door slowly opens. Lara looks to Ali, sticking close to him as Madeline holds tight as well, fearful of the men.

As the trio passes through the camp, men and women alike look at them, curious on who from the outside would dare to come in and make a deal.

“Ali, how did that guy know your name?” Lara asks in a whisper, keeping an eye out on those around them.

“Who, the Guardsmen? I can’t remember his name, but I’ve been here before. During the war,” Ali says with a smile that should reassure her, but doesn’t.

“What about this Rudi-bar? Who’s he?”

“Someone you’re about to meet,” Ali says, turning to greet the man who comes before them.

The man himself is a short, muscular man with a hat with a long billowy frill of fur going right down the middle of it, as if it was some sort of Ancient Greek helmet.

“Ali my good friend, it’s been too long!” Rudi-bar says with a smile and open arms.

“Yes it has, Rudi-bar, but remember, I’m not your friend. Associate when I’m around, but a friend... never.”

Rudi-bar smiles, giving Ali a look as if they were good friends.

“And who are these two ladies?” Rudi-bar asks looking at Madeline and Lara with a smile. Ali kneels first, letting Madeline down and slinging his B.A.R over his shoulders.

“This is Lara and Madeline,” Ali states, pointing at each respectively. “They’re with me, so calm yourself Rudi-bar.”

“I haven’t the slightest idea of what you’re talking about, Ali,” Rudi-bar says giving a slightly fiendish smile. Ali just nods, clearly showing that this good friendship between the two is non-existent, and is indeed just strictly business. “So what is it that you’ve come to see me about, Ali? Business I’m guessing?”

Ali nods, Rudi-bar nodding as well as he leads the trio back to his large personal tent. Much too big for just one man to live in himself.

Inside the tent, the place is like back home, in Lebanon or Jordan. At least, what it was at one time, even far before Ali or the whole mess of bombs falling was even an idea. Pillows and blankets and rugs are spread out all around, women in different robes and clothes are scattered about, and Rudi-bar’s own personal thrown sit at the end.

“Please, take a seat, have some drink and food if you want.” Rudi-bar says, pointing to several men that have large plates of food and pitchers of drink in their hand. Madeline looks at it eagerly, turning to Ali to see if she can.

“Go ahead, but don’t eat too much, you’ll make yourself sick alright?” Madeline only smiles, the men with the food and drink come over to her without being told, kneeling and pouring her a glass of water.

“So Ali, what business do you have to speak with me about?” Rudi-bar asks slumping into his throne chair. Ali quickly realizes the chair’s familiarity. At one time he had seen it before, before the war. Back in Jerusalem. The throne once belong to Mohammed, or at least one of his second in command sort of men.

“I think this business is best spoken about is privacy, Rudi-bar. In another room?”

The two nod and get up, leaving Madeline and Lara to feast away at the food and drink offered to them. Ali and Rudi-bar leave the tent, taking a friendly walk together around what remains of a slaver clan that once had much power in central Wichita.

“What is this about, Ali? What sort of business deal are you trying to scam me into now?”

“No scam, just a simple transaction.” Rudi-bar nods, letting Ali continue as the two walk. “It’s about the woman inside-”

“The little one?” Rudi-bar interrupts.

“I said woman, not girl, Rudi-bar, listen so I don’t have to come back and break your fingers or shoot you.” Ali says plainly. Rudi-bar smiles, nodding as Ali continues on what he has to say. “The woman in there, Lara, how much will you give me for her?”

Rudi-bar smiles, rubbing his chin as the two walk and he thinks about how much to try and rip Ali off for.

“Hmm, I’m not sure? Has she been beaten before? Have you had your piece of her already? Any known history of sickness or anything like that before? What’s her history?”

“I don’t know about any sickness or if she’s been beaten. I certainly haven’t had my piece of her, I almost killed her a few hours ago. Apparently she works or worked for a guy named ‘Big Tom’? Know the guy?” Rudi-bar simply shakes his head, Ali continuing. “Well, apparently he bought her, and put her on his food scavenging team. I killed the other two, and kept her alive.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, I just did. I guess since I’m running low on caps, I thought to bring her to you. I mean, Mohammed did give you a good rap with the rest of us, and you’ve done good business somewhat. I mean, what more can you expect form a lying, cheating, dirty, filthy, raider and slaver all packed into one tiny little box?” Ali smiles, the two continuing on through the camp as Rudi-bar thinks about the deal.

“So how much you looking to get out of her? She doesn’t seem all that bad from what I’ve seen of her, but we’ll have a better inspection of her once the deals done.”

“Sure, I guess you could fork over about five hundred caps or so? Maybe five fifty?”

“Why do you need the caps so bad? Usually you’re not the one to come selling someone for just caps. What else you need? Ammo? Clothes? Food?”

“No, but I guess if you’re in a generous enough mood, you could have someone make or give a pair of shoes for the little girl back there?”

“She for sale too?”

“No, and don’t get any ideas either. She sticks with me, and as far as you know or care, she’s my blood, so keep your hands and your people’s hands off her. Understand me Rudi-bar?”

“Yeah, sure I got ya just fine, Ali.” Rudi-bar says with a smile. “Alright, I’ll pitch you five hundred fifty caps, plus a pair of shoes for the little one. But I’m warning you Ali, if this woman ends up being a jet or psycho addicts, I’m going to have men come looking for you. Got me?”

“I see we’re at an understanding of what we want to protect. Deal.”

The two shake hands, making the deal final before heading back to the tent. When the enter, Madeline and Lara are both sitting together, eating and drinking.

“Did you get your fill finally?” Ali asks, looking at Madeline.

“Yeah, they’ve got good food. And they’re nice too!”

“Well, don’t get too comfortable, we’re leaving. My business here is complete, so finish what you’ve got while Rudi-bar and I go make the transaction, alright?”

Madeline nods, getting up and finishing her glass of water, Lara doing the same.

“Men, take that woman into custody,” Rudi-bar says before Ali and him head into another part of the tent that’s not so personal, but personal enough. “And the girl too, she’s ours.”

Ali, surprised and shocked, quickly draws his kukri from it’s sheath across his lower back. The blade presses against Rudi-bar’s throat, a look of rage goes across Ali’s face as Rudi-bar raises his hands in the air, the body guards of his raising the weapons to Ali.

“I’m only joking, just joking. Take the girl, I know the deal.” Ali is hesitant to do so, not sure if Rudi-bar’s men will lower their weapons so quickly. Rudi-bar catches this, looking to his guards to lower their weapon’s first.

“Ali?” Lara suddenly says as one of the guards puts her hands behind her back.

“I’m sorry Lara, but you were worth more to me as a slave, than as a person to latch on and eat my food and drink my water. Besides, what I’m getting for you is going to help Madeline, so your sacrifice is greatly thanked. Don’t ruin it, Lara.”

With a surge of rage and anger, Lara breaks free of the guard, lashing out at Ali before the guard restrains her, the woman like a wildcat in full ready to kill mode.

“LET GO OF ME! LET GO OF ME YOU BASTARD!” Lara screams as the guard gets help to restrain her. “LET GO OF ME! I’M NOT A SLAVE, I’M A HUMAN BEING! STOP! LET ME GO!”

Madeline covers her ears at the screams, hurrying over to Ali as he takes her hand and leads her to the room with him and Rudi-bar. The transaction is quick, the caps are paid and the shoes for Madeline are brought after a little time of waiting. Outside, Lara is taken from the tent screaming, tearing at the guards to try and break free as they take her to a holding cell.

“Here try these shoes on, Madeline, see if they fit?” Ali says handing her the shoes. The little girl smiles, slipping them on and moving them around. They seem to fit, and are in decent enough condition to be kept up for a bit.

“Alright, now get out of here Ali, our business is done.” Rudi-bar says quickly.

Ali nods and grabs their things, taking Madeline’s hand in his as the two head out of the tent, and out of the camp, continuing on their way to the Warren.

“Why isn’t Lara coming with us? Will we see her again?” Madeline asks, looking back at the camp a bit worried.

“Don’t look back Madeline, keep walking. Lara’s staying there, she’s going to make some friends... hopefully. But no, we won’t see her again.” Ali replies picking up the pace. Madeline continues along as well, the two leaving the sight of the small slaver and raider camp as quickly as possible; continuing on their way to the Warren.

As he waited for the ghoul to arrive William continued to plan out his next move. He had certainly delayed Ellis and given himself time to find more things to use against him for the debate but there was much they had to do as well. Preparation for an armed conflict was one thing they had to plan for. There was no telling what Ellis would do if he lost the election or even if they won. They had to be prepared to fight the Warren's army in the event Ellis decided to try and liquidate the Warren's opposing factions. A revolution would need to occur.

In his weakened state William expected Ellis to strike hard at his reputation and image any way he could. It was only moments after he had thought of this that he received grave news over the intercom: Martial law was now in effect. "Damn!" Ellis had managed to take this incident and turn it against him. Things would now be much more difficult. Contact with Zoey and any other resistance members outside the Warren was now practically impossible.

They would really need a new plan now. There was a knock on the door and William called for them to come in. He figured it was Johnny so there was no need to be alarmed. Just in case though, he drew his pistol again and held it underneath his desk. When the door opened to turned out to be Johnny and the ghoul after all but there was one more visitor than expected.

It was a young woman who really didn't look too different than the rest of the people on the streets: thin and covered in grime. The alarms in his head went crazy when he saw the faint outlines of an assault rifle hidden underneath the large turtleneck she was wearing. Doing his best to appear calm and composed he asked them, "Welcome to my office I am William Penn, Director of the Warren Administrative Bureau, Chief of the Warren Police Force, and the head of the Warren Enforcer Corps, as subdivision of the WPF. I believe an introduction is in order Mr. and Ms.....?"

He trusted that Johnny hopefully did not bring another assassin into his office but he kept the arm holding his M1911 ready to shoot anyway.

OOC: I've edited my earlier post. Mirvin is now doing his best to lurk in the alleys of the Warren.

--Katherine Adler
The Warren

There was a bit of a sour undertone to her currently, nearly emotionless but open face as they piled into the elevator. These days, being in the forceful proximity of anyone made her unreasonably on edge-she knew there was just as much to fear even if they were only a little farther off, but it was nonetheless an enclosed space-a small one at that. One that, when around hostile forces, had little room-if any-to escape or run. The elevator, in all reality, promised probably much more safety-if it was stable-than walking up stairs, past suspicious, watchful, or malicious eyes. Adler knew that, but it bothered her nonetheless, and as a nervous tick lightly ground her fingers into her palms-causing no injury, but maybe a minute amount of pain which the girl currently didn't pay any attention to.

The music was terrible-she hadn't heard music in a long time, and she found it as pleasant as any other person, but there was no way to enjoy a song randomly and frequently interrupting itself with pauses, static, or other unpleasant defects. It reminded her of a horror movie too, really-songs always seemed to go poorly in horror movies. Especially nursery rhymes.

Trying to suppress the elevator's many unpleasant traits, she took to observing it for a moment, and briefly after Johnny spoke again when they had clearly reached the floor they were meant to. Her eyes darted back to him to give more full attention, and she followed with a nod in understanding. "Alrighty then, thanks again."

While keeping close to Cain, the girl left the elevator's structure as swiftly as possible, appreciating the larger room and the absence of poorly running music. Once again, she kept a watchful eye toward everything; doing so without making it appear too plainly obvious. Following a momentary line of sight on his part, Kathy realized he had taken notice of her gun-he didn't appear bothered by it, though. Unless he was one of the sort who excelled in the art of faking.

The girl's pose was, as always, somewhat nonchalant and easy going-despite the fact she also felt an almost compulsive need in the room to retain a high level of prudence. At the point where Williams addressed her and inquired her name, she offered a brief smile in greeting as the wastelander simply stated, "Kathy." There was a pause, and then an elaboration, "I'd really want to just be called Kathy-I don't do 'formal,' so to speak." Already there had been a lesson in giving others her full name, some ass holes couldn't respect anyone's requests-even when they were ludicrously basic.

"This man, here, is my uncle, so I came with him." A bit of a gesture with her hand closest, simply by having her arm rise slightly toward his direction, to him emphasized the point. There was an uncertainty as to whether pulling the lie was still necessary in this room, but there was no reason to trust the man across the room quite yet. Or anyone else with him.

"Nice to meet you," she added, another small, friendly smile reaching her to be more welcoming.

Vincent Reins - Notah Tribe

When Vincent awoke next the lighting from his window indicated that it was near dusk. Finally ready to deal with the day Vincent sat up, slipped his boots on, and made his way to the washroom. The washroom wasn't anything like the bathroom he had back in his flat at the Warren. The minuscule space consisted of a small wooden table with a bucket resting upon it. Draqed across the bucket was a wash rag and sitting to the side was a shard of glass which could be used as a mirror. Vincent took the rag placed it in the bucket then rubbed the cool cloth over his face. If Vincent had been inclined he could have heated the water before use but he truly didn't care. Throwing the rag onto the table Vincent lifted the shard looking over his face. Vincent's eyes were bloodshot, his hair was unkempt, and it looked as if he hadn't shaved in a month.

Content with his appearance Vincent returned to his bedroom collecting the bowl of meat that had been left for him. Sitting in the chair Vincent began ravenously devouring the slices of brahmin meat until the bowl was empty. Rising from his seat Vincent put on his jacket then went over to the bedside table setting the bowl down while picking up his shades.

Taking a deep breath Vincent stepped out of his hovel into the late afternoon sun. Making his way to the fire he noticed Zoey and Sarah sitting near it. Walking over he said, "Afternoon Zoey."

Sticking his hands in side his jacket pocket waiting for a response.

OOC: Welcome back Doc.

~Cain Johnson~

"This man, here, is my uncle, so I came with him."

I nodded to William and smiled,

"Can't you see the resemblance,"

I chuckled a little, it didn't matter if we were related, the only thing I looked close to was a corpse.

"I'm Cain by the way, a friend of Zoey's," I said while looking at Collins, trying to gauge the level if trust I could put in him.

I rolled my wheelchair forward until I was right on the other side of the desk.

"Anyway, she wants to meet you. She with these people, what are they called?" I looked at him questioned.

I snapped my fingers, grinding bone on bone.

"Ah, yes. The Notah. She needs your help with," I leaned foward merely for the dramatic effect and whispered, "retaking the Warren."

I leaned back and smiled,

"But I can see your kinda of busy," I nodded to the dry blood on his shoulder.

I gripped the leather on my wheelchair tightly, I love the feel of leather,

"So tell ya what. How about I watch your back during this debate thing your having,

I raised my hand to stop any comments from coming

"I know you have plenty of men, but none as good of as sniper as me I bet. I could watch your back from afar in case it get's dicey like a couple a minutes ago. It will prove me trustworthy, also. What do ya say? Oh, and I can't speak on her behalf, but my niece over there is quite the ghost. She might be useful providing she wants to help. She does she want. But it's not like I can go anywhere."

"Evans, situation report, what's happening?"

"We picked up a couple of smugglers and caught an attempted murder."

"And?"

The young soldier makes a come hither motion and another soldier drags out the two smugglers.

"What were they smuggling?" Ellis asks while the two men divert their gazes and shuffle about distractedly.

"Guns, they were stealing them from TimTom's shop and smuggling them out to local raider groups. The would-be-murderer is being held outside."

"Alright," Ellis says a smile slowly developing, "here's what we're gonna do."

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A young soldier approaches the door the Warren Police building. Three prisoners form a line behind him and are themselves followed by two more soldiers, guns drawn. They do not receive a particularly friendly greeting, but it's to be expected with William just so recently shot and all.

"Delivery," the soldier says smiling.

The three soldiers leave the prisoners standing outside the door to the Warren Police building , they're William's problem now.

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Stane paces back and forth through the tiny space provided by his cell. He cannot believe this day has found himself in prison, in William's custody no less. His thoughts venture to his upcoming trial, wondering how the hell The Warren is going to try him, and for what crime. He turns dispassionately as three new arrivals slowly walk in. They can walk as slow as they want.

Son of a *****.

Damien Marx

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed Zoey and two strangers conversing outside. I sighed and looked at my list once more from some seemingly paranoid hope that if I keep looking at it, I may find something on how to find Evelyn. I left the small tent and sat down with Zoey and the two strangers. "I found your [censored] list," I said bluntly, breaking out of my usual polite personality just this one time.

I spread the list out around the table, keeping the sheet with Evie's name on it for myself.

Ali & Madeline - Wichita

The sky was clear as Ali and Madeline walked, continuing on their way to the Warren. Ali couldn’t help but wonder to himself, what it was about the little girl at his side, that made him keep her so close to him, what it was about her that he had a feeling and need to protect her from the bad of the wasteland. Was it the strictly just the people? Ali had once been like Lara and Rudi-bar, and in fact still was like them to a degree, but he held himself up to a higher standard than they were. At least in his head anyway, but never the less Ali had done plenty of things that most would consider bad or terrible. But maybe it was something else, maybe it was her innocence that Ali wanted to protect? Maybe it was the strength she had showed him by simply climbing down the rope he had gone down himself to escape the wild feral ghouls? But why hadn’t he offered to at least take the children in the first place? It had to be the strength and will to survive that Madeline showed him, even if he didn’t know it then, and wasn’t sure about it now, that made him want to protect her.

Ali might not have chosen to protect her before, but he had some sort of feeling in his heart, that Madeline was one of the ones worth saving in this violent, hard world that they lived in. Just by looking at her, Ali couldn’t help but think where she might be if he hadn’t come to her family’s rescue. She either would be dead from being torn to pieces, or simply starved to death because her incompetent father couldn’t properly find food or protect the food they might come across. There were so many ways, but Ali was just glad she was with him now, able to survive like him, even though he was the one doing all the work to protect the two of them.

“Madeline, I was wondering, who were those people you were with before? Were they your brother and parents?”

“No,” she said plainly in her sweet little voice. “They found me, in a house, they woke me up and said to come with them.”

Ali nodded as they walked, looking at the little girl who had blood and dirt on her, yet seemed to have no emotion towards the death of those who had taken her in as one of their own, to help and protect her the best they could.

“Don’t you feel afraid or sad that they’re dead?” Ali asked, continuing his questioning as they walked.

“No,” she said plainly once again. It was a bit of a shock to Ali, but the question seemed to put Madeline into a bit of a trance, or a look like she was distancing herself from the horrors that she’d no doubt seen when the feral ghouls had made it in.

“Why not? It was a terrible thing, don’t you think? Those people, that little boy, they’re dead.”

“I’m not,” she said coldly. Ali nodded and took her hand in his, stopping where they were to talk for a moment.

“Madeline, it’s alright to cry if you have to. I don’t know how long you were with those people, but if you have to cry, it’s okay.” Ali said, trying to be as sweet and caring for her as he could.

“I don’t have to cry Ali... do you?”

Ali looked surprised, he hadn’t expected her to ask him that. But to answer her question, he simply shook his head and looked at her.

“No Madeline, I don’t need to cry. But why don’t you have to cry?”

“Because I don’t care about them.”

“Why didn’t you cry about leaving Lara?”

“Because she’ll make friends, you said so yourself Ali.”

“Don’t you feel any sadness or fear for those who’ve died, and what’s going on here now?”

Madeline shook her head, a cold deathly look on her face stared at Ali as he tried to understand. It didn’t take much, Ali looked her over, thought for a moment about her, and realized that she was just like him. Her courage and strength to keep going, even through such horrible things, and not have to cry about it, was just as he felt when such things happened. Madeline was like him, able to let go of people no matter how long or short they knew them.

For a moment, Ali looked around, seeing the tall buildings around them and remembering back for a minute, the war that had taken place inside their walls, all the dead that had ran through the streets before them, shooting, shouting, and crying for mercy and help when they were hit. Then he looked back at Madeline, the little girl who was just like him, but had come to the same conclusion a lot sooner than he himself had.

“Madeline, I’m letting you go, you’re not coming with me anymore. Alright? Go back to Rudi-bar, find Lara and be with her. She’ll keep you safe as best she can. And if Rudi-bar, or any of his men touch you, tell them in the meanest way you can, that I’ll come back if they do.”

The news was a shock to the little girl, she began to tear up and was ready to cry when instead, she held back what tears she could and smacked Ali across the cheek with the scar.

“NO ALI!” She screamed at him. “I WON’T GO!”

Ali simply got up, looking at the teary eyed little girl for a moment, and then started off on his own, not daring to look back at Madeline as she still stood where she was, tears running down her face.

“ALI!” She cried out, Ali continuing to walk down the road. “DON’T LEAVE ME, PLEASE ALI!” And like that, Ali stopped dead in his tracks, not turning around to look at her. He just stood straight as could be, facing his way towards the Warren. Behind him, the sound or rocks and rumble moving, came to him as a soft gentle hand took his. “I’m not leaving you, Ali, never.”

“Alright Madeline, let’s keep going.” Ali said calm and in a soft voice. He took a look at Madeline, her eyes teary no more as a smile looked up at him. He smiled back, knowing that he couldn’t let her go so easily either. They were two of the same, no matter who came into their lives, they would always be the two to stick it out in the end together, no matter what.

“How much farther till the Warren?” Madeline suddenly asked as they turned a corner, turning the subject back onto their journey at hand.

“Not much,” Ali replied pointing out to it in the far distance. “Not much farther.”

William received an introduction from both Cain and Kathy, although he still felt he did not know their true motives, he trusted Zoey to pick the right friends. These people would have to pass for now.

William placed his weapon back within his holster again. "Alright then, lets not waste any more time on small talk. We all have similar goals so I agree we should work together. Before we start though, I want to know one thing. What happened that night when Samuel died? I hope Zoey told you guys because what we really need to beat Ellis is the support of the people. To do that I have to have evidence that Ellis is really a murderer." William took another look at the visitors, scanning their faces for any signs that they were lying.

"I don't expect Ellis to be making any moves involving violence, yet. I do however, expect him to turn on us the moment he gains enough power. So I'll need one of you to help me establish a communications with Zoey if we're going to have an organized resistance against Ellis. Its hardly been a day since I've begun working against Ellis yet he's already managed to do a whole lot of harm against me. This has to change, we must turn the tables on him again" Overall this was certainly better than he was expecting.

He had expected to have to fight Ellis on his own. Now, with the knowledge that Zoey was out there gave him many new resources and choices to fight Ellis with. Word of this could not get out however, if Ellis ever heard any of this then the element of surprise would be lost. Now they only had to rally together the people and the fight of the Warren would begin!

William was alerted once again through the intercom that they had been delivered some new inmates. "Alright just lock em' up in the cells. Keep an eye on them, I don't trust Stane down there with the rest of them." This was nothing new, they received a few new suspects every day. They were all usually gone by the end of the day due to lack of resources. This would be no different. A slap on the hand and some community service then back out to the Warren. It was either that or shoot them in the head.

--Katherine Adler
The Warren

Kathy merely listened to the conversation, her bare hands almost carelessly stuffed into her worn jeans' pockets as she did a mix of watching Cain and William speak as well as observing the general room and its inhabitants. Penn seemed to be against Ellis, and that was dandy-but as Kathy glanced toward both Collins and the other man, she presumed Penn's doctor, there was no guarantee that they were definite allies of the director. For the moment, she wouldn't bring up the very important issue of trust-it wasn't as if Kathy or Cain weren't also suspicious.

At the mention of her title and her skills, there was a broad, somewhat energetic, and even almost sly grin. "When I want to be, sure," Her hazel eyes then returned to the two, "But I'm no good at anything requiring much manpower on my part-I'm pretty useless unarmed in combat-I'd need a gun. If I want to be stealthy, a silenced one-and that I don't have...I could use a good knife to attack weak points, otherwise, but that's about it."

At the mention of Samuel, there was a somewhat ambiguous look on her face-Kathy still wasn't sure what to think of it. Was that the Samuel she had met at the campfire? It seemed unlikely, but not impossible-he had been with Zoey then, it was possible he would have stayed with her. It wasn't as if Kathy's inability to stay with the group equated to the whole group being split apart. The tone in her voice wasn't one that could really be read, as too many emotions seemed to conflict one another-the most prominent being inquisitiveness and perplexity, "I don't know-Zoey said something about them killin' the man, but I wasn't there. I just sort of found the place she was at, and she turned out to be a face that I knew. And I got involved after that. My knowledge is based on Zoey and you, that's it. And thus far no one's told me much anythin'."

As the information of Warren's at least partial, possible impending doom came about-and the status of the current situation-was brought up, Kathy pointed out, "Well, I don't know all of the details here. Maybe you can inform us, hopefully sooner than later, what exactly has been goin' on in the politics here?" There was almost some sort of spiteful disgust at the word 'politics,' a rather distasteful subject in the wastelander's opinion. It just made the obvious more vague to fool the people uninvolved directly-that would be most of the public. It complicated things unnecessarily, and was in general a frickin' pain in the ***.

"But on the matter of communications-I could help pass messages back and forth. I ought to have the stealth enough for that so that I don't catch glances or trouble, so long as they're aren't a huge number of guards surrounding the entirety of the border and all. It'd also help if you could give us some sort of document or whatever to keep suspicious civilians or enemies from bothering us as much as they might otherwise. I don't know exactly how your system works, but I wouldn't be surprised if there's something I'd need to keep my guns or keep from being especially harassed by the military or police. I don't draw attention, trust me, but it seems possible. Plus, I have a robot friend 'round here, right now, who is no doubt more likely to attract attention than I am. So...do you have anything like that?"

There was a momentary pause, and a notable amount of attention given to the strangers that had freshly arrived-the eighteen year old did nothing else but listen and watch until they left. There wasn't much for her to say. As there didn't appear to be anything of importance involving them, though she did try to thoroughly scan their beings for any sign of paper, weapons-anything-that might be suspicious.

The moment Adler felt more confidently secure to talk, she repeated her previous inquiry, "So what is the situation here? I'd like to know what I need to be worried about when I'm in the streets-or in the Warren in general. Are sides being taken between you and Ellis, or anythin' like that-what if those guys just brought in, or anyone else, are spies? Checkin' up on us, on you, to see what we're doin'? What we're sayin'?" It was a thought that had just flashed across Katherine's mind, a very unpleasant thought.

"The more we all know, the better. If you don't know somethin', I might be able to be a very loose spy to try to help you figure somethin' out, but I want to know the basics of the Warren. And what's goin' on around here." A lot of subjects were being brought up by herself, but she wanted to mention them as early as possible-the sooner Kathy actually understood the problem, the more useful and happier she would be.

OOC: Welcome back, Strangeglove. I took the liberty of neglecting your posts only so I can read them al now!

OOC: Welcome back Strangelove!

ALISTAIR GETS... WAYLAID.

Alistair crept through the crumbling ruins, trying to remain as silent as possible to avoid detection by the two men outside. He didn't know who they were, but anyone wearing ramshackle leather armour in post-bomb Wichita spelt trouble. They were talking about a "great find" at one of the office skyscraqers in the city. Alistair thought they were brave to go there- the place was a hellhole. Literally. Nevertheless, they had food and water and he didn't. But, maybe he'd listen to them for some time longer. If he found a safe route into the city, it might be worth checking out.

"So where is it?"

"Dunno, some big beige tower in the city centre."

"And what is it, exactly?"

"They wouldn't tell me... Listen, whatever Stefan and his group found must be really valuable... maybe they're gonna turn on us..."

"Oh, you think? Screw it. Grab the food and let's go. Stefan's gonna be surprised."

Boom. The red-haired man was dead. One quick reload of Alistair's sniper rifle and his muscle-bound comrade got a new hole in his head. Alistair stood up and slowly hobbled down the stairs to the small courtyard where the two vagabonds had set up their camp. Two stimpacks, three bottles of (seemingly) purified water and several bundles of dried morsels was definitely worth killing them for. They didn't deserve it, Alistair had more honour than they'd ever have. He opened up his pack and took a heart pill. Hopefully that'd keep him going for just another day. The sun was rising... it was time to get moving.

~Larry : The Warren~

I walked around town a bit more securely now that martial law had been declared. I still wondered if I'd made the right decision...well I wondered a bit more, now that William seemed to be trying to get Ellis out of his position as leader. What would become of me if Ellis lost power...if William brought Zoey back. She probably knew that I knew that she hadn't killed Samuel, that she couldn't have killed Samuel. Would she kill me? Imprison me? Kick me out of The Warren?

I wonder still if I'd done the right thing, but I'd played my hand and I'd made my alliances. It was likely to late to go back so the only choice was to stick with my direction.

I hope Ellis knows what he's doing. I hope Zoey is dead. I feel bad about, but I really hope she's dead.

William leaned back on his chair and recited the story of his resistance against Ellis up to this point. "...So then I hear Ellis make his announcement that Zoey and the others were all traitors and condemned them all to death in their absence. Now I don't know whats really happening you see? Samuel led the Warren for years but all of a sudden he gets killed and overtaken by a veteran of the Warren Army. I knew only one thing was for sure, Ellis is not the real leader of the Warren and so I began by sending a single letter to him. I also had to spread around the Warren. I demanded for public elections and for a big debate to be held in order to bring 'freedom' back to the people. Now we're just waiting for the first battle to begin. We've suffered many delays due to my injuries but I think we're almost out of time."

From a logical standpoint Ellis was not a bad choice to lead. He was a capable dictator, William could certainly give that to him. In the wastes sometimes you had to have a strong leader to survive, all else would have to wait. They had no time for the luxuries of bureaucracy. For William though, this was a personal case. "I knew I couldn't just let him get away like that, I spent years working my way up. This is a matter of principle, I'm standing up for Samuel and the others who have worked so long for the Warren. I know Ellis might not seem too bad at times but if we just let him do what he wants then we're going against everything we stand for."

He slammed his fist on the table, but his wound caused him to fall back to his chair clutching his shoulder in pain. He said to the assembled group weakly,"I hope this makes it more clear what you're fighting for. I can give you a much more detailed version later but right now I'm going to need all of your support for us to get through this. Kathy, if its possible get into contact with Zoey and tell her everything I've told you about our current situation in the Warren. I'll help you guerrilla fighters as much as I can from the inside but I can't risk direct confrontation with Ellis."

He turned to Cain, "Your sniper support may come in handy during the debates. I doubt Ellis will try anything at the debate however, he's probably going to talk it out for real. What you could really be useful doing is to help out with my internal campaign. Do whatever you can to hurt Ellis. For now stay as our mobile reserve agent. Wherever we're surprised you'll come in and patch things up. Be prepared, Ellis will throw a whole lot of **** at us."

Finally he turned to Johnny, "As for you Mr. Collins, you'll stay with me for now. I'll get you more properly outfitted and I'll help you learn the ropes. I'm in need of a personal agent I can trust." He didn't really have many of those anymore, not after the Abu Nidal wiped them out in a storming of the Station back at the beginning of the war.

"All right people, any questions? I think we're going to be able to make Ellis a really unhappy man soon." He chuckled at this weakly and awaited their responses.

OOC: i will make an IC after work later tonight guys sorry for the absence

Johnny Collins

Johnny simply listened as Kathy talked, admiring the way in which she thought things through. Her speech pattern wasn't really parallel with the way the thought however, John could tell that much. She was too calculating, her words to careful, too well thought out. There was definitely more to her than what met the eye, which was already a lot. He made a mental note to get to know her, and sooner than later, she seemed able to do more than just think deadly. After she had stated her plan William countermanded, before once again outlining his plan. When he was done he addressed each member of the small party.


"Kathy, if its possible get into contact with Zoey and tell her everything I've told you about our current situation in the Warren. I'll help you guerrilla fighters as much as I can from the inside but I can't risk direct confrontation with Ellis."

Then he turned to Cain.

"Your sniper support may come in handy during the debates. I doubt Ellis will try anything at the debate however, he's probably going to talk it out for real. What you could really be useful doing is to help out with my internal campaign. Do whatever you can to hurt Ellis. For now stay as our mobile reserve agent. Wherever we're surprised you'll come in and patch things up. Be prepared, Ellis will throw a whole lot of **** at us."

While he was talking Johnny prepared for himself to be addressed, it felt good to finally be apart of something, and even better to take the first step behind his mother. He wished she were here, he wished they both were. At least then life wouldn't be so damn hard.

Knock it off Johnny boy, your a man now, he told himself.

"As for you Mr. Collins, you'll stay with me for now. I'll get you more properly outfitted and I'll help you learn the ropes. I'm in need of a personal agent I can trust." He didn't really have many of those anymore, not after the Abu Nidal wiped them out in a storming of the Station back at the beginning of the war. All right people, any questions? I think we're going to be able to make Ellis a really unhappy man soon."

"After you set me up, I'd like to actually help Kathy out. She seems to be charged with the hardest task, and I think I'm more of a sneaker than anything."

It wasn't that he simply wanted to be with Kathy, but after he went down to the shooting range, after he went thought combat training, he wanted to be more than just a desk jockey/confidante. He wanted to be in the gray area, behind the front lines, but in front of the guys with the sniper. He wanted to be like the secret agents he read about in the books, except less corny. He wanted to save lives. William was right it was about more than vengeance.

"Either way, I'll wait until these two are gone and then hopefully you can walk me to the shooting range."

Zoey sat at the campfire loading bullets into empty magazine's, With each click of a new round sights of Ellis flashed in the fire in front of her. Sarah began clicking her fingers in front of Zoey's face

"Hey wake up, that Marx guy is back" Snapping out of her little trance

"I found your [censored] list," Marx spread the list out on the table, noticeably keeping one of the pages for himself

Gathering up the list she noticed a lack of Kathy and Mirvin, Zoey immediately thought the worst. Giving Marx a stone cold look she slowly slid her pistol from its holster on her thigh

"Okay, one thing i know you kept a page, second, where the hell are Kathy and Mirvin. I should of trusted my gut, there is something about you that isn't quite right"

"Afternoon Zoey" Out the corner of her eye Zoey could see Vincent, She could also see Sarah moving around to the side from the firelight

"Afternoon Vincent, you've been asleep awhile,we'll catch up in a moment" Zoey turned her attention completely back to Marx

"Now I want you to explain everything, starting with where Kathy and Mirvin are and then why the hell are you helping us. Also who the hell is Evelyn Manchester and why is she so damn important. otherwise you'll be forced to leave us alone. Failing that you will meet Mr hollow point" Zoey was fiercely protective of friends, granted she'd only known Kathy and Mirvin a short while but the fact they where willing to help her was enough.

Damien Marx

"Okay, one thing i know you kept a page, second, where the hell are Kathy and Mirvin. I should of trusted my gut, there is something about you that isn't quite right"

I sighed, it was going to happen eventually. Just a matter of time before everything was to be revealed...but of course I always can leave out the more...fine points of the detail. There was always room for some drama in this group and the more they're paranoid on what I was going to do, the better. Paranoia is good in small doses but this dose was huge for the whole team.

"Now I want you to explain everything, starting with where Kathy and Mirvin are and then why the hell are you helping us. Also who the hell is Evelyn Manchester and why is she so damn important. otherwise you'll be forced to leave us alone. Failing that you will meet Mr hollow point"

I took a deep breath and contemplated on how to explain things. "Katherine and the robot are at The Warren, they're fine..." My mind flashed back to the promise I made Evie way back before the Great War. "I'm helping you because you're giving me what I want...and Evelyn? She's...she was to be my fiance before the Great War. My second in command...and then the damned news came in from Vegas. All mathematical calculations were certain, there was to be a nuclear war...

Evelyn took shelter in a bunker 200 yards from the Warren while I took shelter with my family. Due to the risk of both of the high commanders dying, we were to be put in different bunkers. But the calculations made in Vegas were 20 hours short. Around the time when the beacon was to be activated to track each other, the bombs already dropped. Without the proper anti-EMP shields up, both our bunkers failed for 3 hours. That was long enough for the beacons to also be flawed. I made a promise to her 3 hours before the bombs dropped. That I would find her and recreate our empire once again..."

Should I tell them about the Zodiac-A empire? No...not unless they ask.

--Katherine Adler
The Warren

There was a sort of gratitude, though not total satisfaction, in Kathy's manner as the brief summary of the problems at hand was finished. "Thanks," she nodded, "it's enough, for now, considering the situation." After that interjection, she remained quiet-the expressiveness of her person revealing more than perhaps her words ever could in reaction to everything Penn said. Mostly, the expression was that of a listening, attentive look-by the end, however, she looked a little mixed in emotions, perhaps uncertain. Even though she grinned, faintly amused in part, at the statement, "I think we're going to be able to make Ellis a really unhappy man soon."

As the man who had brought them to William spoke up, Kathy's attention diverted to him-a friendly smile widely spreading across her vibrantly brown colored face. A sort of energy coming about her attitude, as she voiced her own opinion, "Well I'd be happy to have ya with me, if you're up for it. But that actually brings up a problem-"

I'll be happy to do my part of the job-and anything else that doesn't involve direct politics or my bare fists only, when I can. But I want to make sure my--uncle, Cain, gets out with me or around the time that I do. He can handle himself fine, he wouldn't be alive otherwise, but it doesn't change the fact that he's the only ghoul here-I don't trust some people 'round here to not give him serious pain, if not worse, because of the likely discriminatory advantage and him being supposedly alone. Unless I assume wrong, and this town is full of entirely loving, tolerant, and understanding people who abhor that sort of thing?" At that, Kathy didn't even bother to attempt to suppress the doubtfulness and the hint of sarcasm in her final inquiry. Her brows lowered and gave her expression a rather flat, dry look, before she perked up ever so slightly to offer an idea.

"I was thinkin' of leaving just before the debates end-since most will be paying more attention before that-maybe the three of us ought to 'round then? Maybe not exactly at the same time, that'd probably catch someone's eye-somehow. But roughly at the same time. Of course, if that's alright with you all-and if I'm wrong about my theory, we probably ought to change plans. For the record."

"Just as long as no one's near dead or dead, and Cain and I can manage getting back out, I'm fine and will be fine. That's one reason I'm in this very room, actually."

MIRVIN

Mirvin had endevored to remain unseen for several hours now. Numerous times security teams had searched the alleys looking for the murderer. On one occaision they had chacked they alley in wich Mirvin had been hiding. Mirvin had lain on the floor, as Mr Frank had taught him, and shut off the lights behind his faceplate. The security guards had simply seen a broken robot lying between the buildings and moved on.

No-one had come searching for quite some time now and Mirvin surmised that either the town's security detail had left town in persuit of Mr Damien or had given up and retuerned to regular duties.

From his hiding place Mirvin had seen Mr Cain and Miss Kathy entering what appeared to be the town's police building. The two humans had seemed to enter of their' own will and not under any kind of duress. As the guard's appeared to have given up, Mirvin made a decision, he would rejoin Miss Kathy and inform her of Mr Damian's escape. He would of course do this surrepticiously, it wouldn't do to send these people after Mr Damien to the tribe that was sheltering Miss Zoey and the others.

Mirvin jerkily crossed the street to the police building, pushed the door open and thumped his way inside. He approached the desk and regarded the man sitting behind it. "Excuse me, my good chum." He rasped at the man, extending his claw. "My name is Mirvin. I am here looking for my companions, Mr Cain and Miss Kathy. Would you please be so kind as to direct me towards them?"