Resident Evil - Day 6 - Moving Day

[Nicole]

Day Six - Day of the Move



Danica

After eating a late lunch at the mess hall, Danica left the room with a full stomach and a traveling group of baby sitters. Over the past day she had avoided John. She was not very happy with his carelessness and knew that if she spoke to him too soon that they both would just get into a heated argument, piss each other off, and then never get anything accomplished. Danica doubted he would visit her, even if he wasn’t under house arrest. With the ball in her court and willing to fire it back into his own, she wandered down the hall to see him

As she walked she thought over what had happened and what possibly could happen. It seemed that the Director had taken a slight interest in them, though after watching the woman, she seemed more focused on John and Joseph then her. Danica didn’t know if that was a blessing or not. She guessed that she would have to wait and see at this point since asked questions to her four babysitters had produced no answers for her.

Reaching John’s door, Danica waited for his guards to move away from the door before she stepped forward. Raising one hand, she knocked on the door rather hard. Being that it was a door made of thick metal, she wanted to make sure that he heard the knock. Even if he was asleep, the self-proclaimed slight sleeper should here her rather clearly.

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John

-Up quickly he was. Swinging feet from the side of the bed and stumbling into the table at a sharp pain in his back, knocking a chair over, a loud but muffled crash could be heard outside of John’s quarters. The table went down as the giant man fell. A loud clunk and a few grunts later, John was standing again, wobbly still as he tried to get a grasp on his senses. Just where in the f*** was he? Why the hell wasn’t he wearing any clothes and just when the f*** did he get a table? Groping for memories that weren’t there, he found himself slowly shuffling towards the door. “Uhh…” He sounded unsure, “Who is it? What do you want?”

Where the f*** was the peephole on these godd**n things? Looking around in the darkness, he couldn’t find a f***ing thing. Sure there was a red LED light with big black letters that read ‘LOCKED’ but that didn’t tell him how to unlock it. They would hear another muffled crunch as John hit the door with his bald head; knee’s spilling him on the floor. With a groan the terrible memories resurfaced. The end of the world, the horrible atrocity committed just before, even more chilling was the face of Danica. Still foggy he rose again on shaking knee’s, abruptly noticing yet again, hey I’m f***ing naked! Groping for the utilities that had been given to him, he finally unlocked the door. A massive bruise on his crown and the wake of destruction behind the only evidence of his amnesia.-

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Danica

The guards turned towards the door as the muffled grunts and other sounds game through the door. Her eyebrow arched as she continued to listen. To her it sounded as though he had just woken up, knocked over the table, then somehow made it to the door only to bash it in with something as he fiddled with the lock. If she didn’t know any better, she would have said it sounded like someone waking up after a night of heavy drinking. Seeing, though, as this place had no liquor and she didn’t remember John being a heavy drinker, she wondered just what was going on.

When he opened the door, Danica’s eyebrow arched a little more. He looked like hell, to put it mildly. Noticing that the guards went back to their spots, Danica took a step through the door and into the room. Pushing the door shut, she looked him over. “You look like sh*t… late night party with your guards?” Her eyes looked towards his disheveled room and how it looked as though a most pit had happened last night.

Keeping a little distance from him, she eyed him again and the bruise that was visible on his head. She also noted that his clothing had changed once more. Reaching out, she slowly slipped his arm over her shoulder and used her body to hold up some of his weight. Wrapping her other arm around his waist, she moved with him back to the bed. “Looks like you could use a seat…”

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John

-The big man could only laugh at the suggestion of a late night partying. Even more disturbing was his lack of an answer. What day was this even? Every muscle screeched in agony. Seemingly on engulfed in flames, he sighed as she took some of his weight. Nodding, his face a grimace full of pain and confusion, he sat on the edge of the bed, surveying the chair that was upturned in his journey to the door. Weariness filled those usually hollow grey eyes. Danica reeked of safety and comfort. Leaning back on the bed, he took stock of the calamity his lodgings appeared to have survived. Another sigh wracked his body, bringing with it a cough. Covering his mouth with his forearm he closed his eyes and sat forward. Spreading his knees he placed an elbow on each and held his head between his palms.

John wanted nothing more than to scream over the anguish he now felt. The sharp pains seemed to peak and gradually recede as his body relaxed and calmed. John was helpless and nothing scared him more than not being able to take care of himself. After all, if he couldn’t, who would? Danica? He snorted out loud at the thought of that. Danica didn’t love him, no way in hell she ever would either, not if his suspicion turned out true. Tears filled the confines of his eyes, blurring his vision, only a remnant of the pain that was now only a distant memory. “Pretty sure something bad happened here.” That was all he could say, not even those eyes could rise to meet her gaze. Before Danica could even say the words, he brought up a massive hand to stall the woman, “I know. I f***ing know!” Now the growl entered his voice, the clam gone, the anger rising. Chest rising and heaving, he closed his eyes and rubbed his fingers up and down his cheeks. Finally after a few moments of silence, “It was my fault.”

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Danica

Leaving him by the bed, she walked over to the sink. Wetting a wash cloth that was sitting next to the basin, she turned and moved back over to John. Watching him lean forward and cough, she frowned slightly. Danica was confused by what was happening before her. It did not take a doctors degree to see that he was not well.

Folding the wash cloth, she placed the cool wet material on the back of his neck. Sitting next to him on the bed, she left her hand on the cloth and pressed it gently against him. When she had moved him, she could feel the warmth of his flesh radiating through his clothing. If she had to guess, she thought he had caught a bug of some kind.

“You don’t remember anything?” Her brow creased as she looked at him. Picking up the cloth, she flipped it over and again placed it on his neck. “What’s the last thing you remember?”

Looking away from him, she glanced up and looked over the room. Nothing seemed that out of place except for the table and chairs. It honestly did look as though he had drunk himself silly and was not paying the price for it. Eyes darting to the floor, she tried to find a bottle of some kind that might have fallen when he passed out. Not seeing anything, she looked back at him as she waited for his reply.

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John

-John couldn’t recall much of what happened. He couldn’t even recall the day. While she looked for a bottle that wasn’t there, he took hold of the wet cloth and moved it over his head, letting the water trickle down over his face in varying rivulets. “I don’t even know what day it was.” Danica only needed to think. How many drunks had she seen at that bar alone? Did John strike her as the type to embellish so harshly that he could forget what day it was?

Heart pounding in his ribcage, he fought to remember what he could. The Director, Monica, standing over him, there was nothing he could do strapped down on the operating table. He knew the futility of trying to struggle. The coy smirk on Monica’s visage was a telling tale of what had happened. From that point John could remember nothing but blackness and pain. Pain so great and terrible it made his dance to the doorway seem like an ant bite. Flickering thoughts caused his eyes to shift in their sockets, all around the room they darted, searching for details, for clues as to what had happened.

Finally he removed the cloth from his crown and looked at Danica. Blurry as his vision was at the moment he could still make out those mahogany eyes. She wore her game face as usual. The confusion and fog lifted in those few precious seconds as the memory of their shared night intruded. Features hardened, grey hues slowly lost their luster and that grim caste that was so imperfectly John appeared in the reflection of dark eyes. “I don’t remember what they did. The Director was there, talking to me, I was strapped to some table. I couldn’t do anything.” The truth was blunt. An instrument of savage efficiency when called upon, still John somehow doubted he could faze the woman sitting across from him. Danica was as hard and cruel as John, sure she had made her life doing good things, had even tried to save his soul. The last vestiges of pain still remained at the edge of his awareness. For once in his life John recalled what it felt like to be left alone. To know that everything wasn’t all right; however strong and hard he thought he was, he couldn’t tell her to get out as much as he wanted.-

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Danica

She looked back at him, the concern in her eyes barely registering to him. Gently she took the cloth from him and stood. “Lay down.” She spoke. Even though it game out as an order, she knew that it was only a request to him. Danica hoped he would listen, though, because he looked like he needed to lay down.

Walking back to the sink, Danica turned on the cold water again. Cloth in hand, she held it under the cold tap ad began to rinse out the warmth of his body from it. Watch the cool water pour from the tap, her mind continued to think over just what had happened. Never before had she seen him like this. Even thinking back to their meeting, she never recalled him going so far over the edge as to forget anything that might have happened.

Ringing out the cloth and turning off the water, she moved back to him. It had occurred to her that maybe he had had a dream, but as he was leaning over something caught her attention on his arm. Setting the cloth on the metal nightstand next to his bed, she reached out and took his arm. Extending it out before her, she looked at a faint bruise that had developed on his skin. As she looked closer she could see the faint hole of where a needle might have pricked him.

With having spent years on the streets she had seen a lot of junkies. Over time she, unfortunately, came to know just how needle mark looked on the arms of people and from the look of what was on his arm, she would say whatever was given to him was rather harsh in its application. Gently, she ran her fingers over the flesh before look up at him. “What is this? Did the Director do this to you?” With what he had said and now this, it suddenly appeared to her that he was making sense… kind of.

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John

-Reluctantly the whale of a man fell back upon the lushness of the bed. Sore brawn contorted his face once again into a visible specter of pain. About half way down to the bed, he decided it was just better if he sat. Grabbing his arm the way she did, hot in pursuit, sent a jolt of searing soreness. Sighing he looked at the arm himself, turning it just so the small hole was visible. Then he looked into her eyes as she spoke to him like a five year old. Was he f***ing bonkers or something? Did she not pay any attention to what he had said?

Placing an arm on her shoulder, the other came around to pull her even closer. There he could see her and see the worry strewn prone about her visage. “I told you, I don’t know. I only know that I was strapped to some table. I remember where the room is. I remember the Director talking to me, telling me I’m a fat piece of sh*t and she had hoped it would have been someone else. The rest…” He murmured into the small distance between them. Orbs of steel moved left to right reading every indication.

Finally he let Danica go, a pang of longing rising up before he clamped it back down. John had something he needed to do. Attempting to stand on wobbly knees only brought him back down to the bed with a yelp of pain and a cry of rage. He tried again and this time managed to fall forward. It was if his muscles could no longer support the weight of his body. Everything felt as if it were on fire. Weakness afflicted him in his sorry state. Lying prone on the floor he couldn’t even get back up. Arms refused to push him up, knee’s refusing to bend. Another fine f***ing mess John.-


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Danica

She could feel his grip on her arm, the tightness of his fingers digging into her flesh. Being pulled forward roughly, Danica had a feeling that she would bruise. Fixing her eyes upon him, she could see the pain etched across his features and running through his body. It only worried her more as she saw him internally battle what was going on with his body. She could tell he was losing it, not matter how hard he fought.

When he let go for her, she sat back on her heels and starred at him. “Where is the room?” She asked quietly.

Unprepared for him to move, she watched in shock as he failed to stand up and instead fell to the floor. Quickly she got to his side and curled her fingers around his mid section. She tired with all her might to life him, but found that he was far too heavy for her. “You have to get up and back into the bed John… get up, you have too.” Her words turned into an almost plea as she looked helpless at the back of his bald head. “You have to help me get you into the bed.”

Danica figured if she got him into bed, then she could go get help. Though she had no idea who to go to help for, it was a good idea still. Curling her arms under his torso, Danica used all her strength to get him to his hands and knees. She was strong for her size, but knew she was not strong enough to lift him on her own. “Help me John…” She said through gritted teeth.

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John

-Gingerly Danica tried to help John. He could hear her words as if from a distance. The ringing of his ears from the fall, the ache of his muscles, drowned out most of the words but the emotion within those words said it all. Pull it together John. With Danica’s help, he eased himself up, though heavily supported by Danica. Arm around her waist, he looked at the door and then the bed. Where is it John? “The room isn’t far.” John didn’t remember going to the room, in fact he could only remember the operating table and Monica’s lingering silhouette. Just how he knew where it was couldn’t be easily explained.

Shifting his weight to displace the weight upon Danica and onto his own feet, John struggled before righting himself by bracing his arm against the wall. Going to the Director was a bad idea; going to that room was an even worse one. Looking at either camera John wondered if there was anyone watching them right now. Danica would surely follow his gaze. “Fine bed it is.” Looking over to where the bed was, he hobbled towards it.

Moments later he was prone upon the bed, feet dangling over the side he wanted neither pillows nor blankets, turning his back towards the wall he waited for the pain to subside. Clear coherent thought began to trickle in amid the rubble of his fragile mental state. Rebuilding the walls and exterior that made up his persona he began to put the pieces back together. “Just calm down. The Director has had her fun, running to her or that room isn’t going to make any of this any better. I don’t know whats wrong with me.” He sighed and lids closed, head resting upon bicep. He wanted her to go, but he didn’t want to be alone. -

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Danica

With much struggle, she helped him get on the bed. He was far heavier than he looked, but then the man was pure muscle. Having been with him a night, she had not realized just how much weight there was to him. Then again she recalled that he had not put much weight on her the entire night. Pushing those thoughts from her mind, she grabbed the cloth that was still on the night stand and again pressed it to his temple.

“Whatever this is… you have to fight it. You have never been a quitter… so you better not start now.” Kneeling next to the bed, she held the cloth on him with one hand and the pressed the back of her hand gently against his cheek, feeling his temperature.

“I wasn’t planning on running to her any time soon.” She snorted at him. Just because she asked for the location of the room didn’t mean she was going to go on a mission to find it. Danica was really just trying to still figure out what was going on. “… I was actually wondering if that medic couldn’t help you… what’s her name?” Danica paused as she flipped the cloth over. “Andrea?... maybe she can get something for your pain…”

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John

-Allowing Danica to tend to his brow, he welcomed the cool of the cloth, trying his best to relax every muscle in his body to stop the screaming rampage of soreness. The whole of his body trembled from the effort, a sign of his weakness. “I’ll be fine,” he murmured to her words of encouragement. Odd hearing them from Danica, or anyone in concern for John, not even the doctors had been that pleasant the day he had gotten his namesake.

“I’ll live Danica. I just don’t know what I’ll be.” Hopefully this was all it was. Scorching pain and fear, as far as he could tell John was still completely whole. He had no desire to turn into one of those things outside. Without understanding what she was doing he took her hand by the wrist and opened his eyes to regard her. Of course John, you’re a f***ing idiot. She would never run off, she was thinking of you, thinking of a possible solution. “Andrea? Yeah Joseph might be able to help.” Though deep in his mind he knew it was futile. What could Joseph do? He wouldn’t let his unborn baby come to any harm, especially at the expense of John.

A hopeless avenue of thought, “I don’t think they will though.” Letting go of her wrist, he patted the bed, “Just calm down for a second and lets think this through.” Still groggy and filled with acute seizures of pain he tried his best to remember as much as he could about the situation.-

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Danica

She sighed softly, he never made things easy. Taking the cloth off his head, she opened it up and draped it over his bald head. “You can’t be so sure.” Getting off her knees, she turned and sat on the edge of the bed. “How about I do the thinking and you just close your eyes and try to relax…”

Looking away from him, she glanced up at the cameras he had been looking at a few moments before. Obviously this wasn’t the infection that was going on outside, otherwise John would not be laying down where he was still. Danica had a feeling that if that was true she would be alone and wondering exactly where he had gone. Since he was laying here now, what he had could not be that contagious... could it?

Looking at him again, she sighed once more. “Don’t think by getting sick you’re going to be getting off the hook that easy.” She rested her hand on his cheek for a moment again. “… we have a lot to talk about and you promised you would get me out of this place. You know I will hold you to your end of the barging…” She tried to lighten the mood somewhat, but knew with him it would be a rather failed attempt. At least she tired, he could not fault her with that.

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John

-Why couldn’t he just lie back and relax? He shook his head in the cradle of his arm, rolling to his back. Propping his head up, he watched Danica, wishing he could see more clearly. Shifting a pillow beneath his head she came back into view. A moment of clarity it seemed as fingers brushed along his craggy face. He tried to smile, but he just knew it didn’t have the usual charm. Opting for something more dramatic, something took him away from his ailing body; he peeled away the fingers and squeezed them lightly. Still unused to his newfound strength, John wouldn’t notice it was actually a harder squeeze than intended. “You think this will take care of good ol John?”

Laughter sprang from his mouth, a hoarse chuckle, “Take more’n that to get rid of me Danica.” John wasn’t sure how he could really come back from something as debilitating as his current condition, but somehow he would. Danica’s brown hues haunted him. He could see himself there in between the worry and fear. Had he just ruined another life? Letting her hand go, he closed his eyes to seal away his own emotions of guilt and anger at his own stupidity.

A few moments later a long drawn out sigh erupted from the man. “Pretty sure if I was contagious my body guards wouldn’t be out there. This place isn’t airtight. Vents are still running, “they could be heard whirring away just now as the air shifted throughout the quarters. “So I guess you’re still stuck with me.”

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Danica

She winched at the sudden grip to her hand. It was a hard squeeze he gave her, but not hard enough to break bone. When he let go, she took her hand and rubbed it gently with the other. Danica did not remember him being so strong. “When did you become the hulk…?” Shaking her hand to get some of the feeling back, she sighed. “…they really did a number on you.”

Picking up the cloth, she went back to the sink to refresh it. Letting it sit in the bottom of the sink, she turned and took off her jacket. Holding it in one hand, she bent over and picked up one of the chairs he had knocked over. Setting the chair upright, she then rested her jacket on the back of it. “…like you did a number on this room.” Danica muttered to herself.

Turning around, she picked up the cloth and rung it out once more after turning off the water. Returning to him, she sat down by his side on the bed and replaced the cloth on his forehead. This time she made sure that it covered his eyes as well to block out some of the light. “Guess this is pay back for when we were young… you took care of me then, so now it’s my turn to take care of you?”

Sighing again, she leaned forward slightly to look at his arm once more. “I know you’re pig headed… stubborn… and even an ass at times, but even you don’t deserve to be in so much pain. You sure you don’t want me to find someone to help you?” Though she knew his answer, she had to ask anyway. In the back of her mind she began to register that she actually might still care about him more than she would like too. She would shrug it off, of course, and just make the excuse that she needed the free ride out of here. That was her way, after all, and she doubted he would want to hear otherwise.

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John

-Confusion netted his brows together as he tried to make sense of what she meant by her comment. “The hulk?” Had he turned green and uglier somehow? Something clicked in his mind. He had hurt her with a simple squeeze. “I didn’t mean to squeeze so hard.” What the hell was wrong with him? Holding his hand up he squeezed the digits together. By the time she had come back to sit beside him, placing the cloth over his head and eyes. Partially blocking the light he just relented and closed his eyes.

Some part of John wished she had forgotten the times he had taken care of her. Part of him had tried to forget. Unclenching his fist he touched her bicep, tracing his digits along its contours. The closest thing John had to affection. “I’m fine.” How many times had he said that already? Did he really look as bad as he felt? With the darkness acting as a shield, “Stay here for a while huh? I’ll be okay, you’ll see. I’ll get you out of here, one way or another I said.”

Stubborn, stupid, ugly, one way or another meant any way possible. If he had to hold a gun to Andrea’s head and force Joseph to grow a pair, he would. At least in his blind stupidity he had put the focus squarely on his shoulders. While he wanted to say that, to offer what comfort he could, he just couldn’t. The courage wasn’t there to take that leap across the void and see what lay on the other side. -

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Danica

“I know…” She said quietly, answering him on when he had squeezed her like he did. Through everything they had been through, she could read him rather well I know that he was sorry for what he had done. There was no need for him to try an explain either, she knew he was not himself. Hopefully he would be back to himself… all bright eyed and bushy tailed.

“I will stay, if you want.” When his hand blindly touched her arm, she reached down and placed her hand on top of his. Giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “I know you’ll get me out of here. You’re stuck with me, whether you like it or not.”

Growing quiet, she watched him for a few moments. Her hand continued to rest on top of his as she sat there. Lightly, her thumb stroked the back of his hand. It was an unconscious gesture that she did not realize she was doing. Danica thought that maybe she should push him, go and get someone to help him. She did not want to leave him, though, and since he had asked her to stay, she would do that.

Breaking the short silence, she spoke quietly. “You want me to get you a glass of water or something?” She felt rather useless and wondered what else she could do to make hi possibly feel better. “…just let me know if you need anything.”
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John

-He wondered in his half-conscious state how much of what she was saying was pure bullsh*t. Christ what if he died here? The thought had never scared him before, but when someone truly puts their trust in you and you utterly fail them? Sighing he tore the cloth from his face, disgusted with the immediate thought of his sister. Lowering the cloth over his abdomen he watched her thumb move up and down on the back of his hand.

“I want you to stay.” Hazen grey eyes watched her face as she spoke to him. Treating him as an equal for once, reaching for her thigh, he pulled the leg towards him. Patting the inside of the thigh, very, very lightly this time, he tried to use his trademark grin, “You sure you want to be stuck with me now?” A coarse chuckle shook his body soon after, though the touching moment wasn’t lost on him. Then the silence befell them once more, John’s gaze wandering.

“A glass of water? No. Not really. If I could get up and leave with you I would, right now. I just want you here with me, that way if anything happens….” His voice trailed off as another piece clicked into place. “They f***ing…” lurching up, the pain was suddenly too much as he groaned, “… gassed me. Right there. I was sitting in that chair…” Sneaky little bastards.-

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Danica

She felt herself move a little as he grabbed her upper leg and move it towards him a little. Reaching down, she took his hand in both of hers ad sandwiched it between her palms. “Nothing is going to happen to you.” Patting his hand gently, she tried to reassure him that this was something that would pass quickly. At least that is what she hoped.

When he lurched up, she jumped back slightly and let go of his hand. Confusion crossed her face as he spoke. Gassed him? It dawned on her that if they did take him out of here, it was the only way to get him to move willingly. Only when he was unconscious would they get him to this room he mentioned. It also made sense why he could only remember fragments as well. If he was drifting in and out of consciousness, then he wouldn’t remember everything that happened to him.

Leaning over him, she pressed her hands firmly against his shoulders and held him against the bed. Even as his body was racked with pain, she tried to keep him still. Danica did not want him to hurt himself by twisting about in pain. He had already been on the floor enough as it was and she didn’t want to see him end up there again. “Try not to think about it… when the pain goes away, you’ll be able to think more clearly. Just rest now John….Rest.”

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John

-Danica settled John back onto his back, thoughts flickering rapidly through his brain. Restrained by the miniscule weight of Danica he didn’t even bother to thrash. Certainly this was much more preferable to the floor. Resting as she urged him, his breathing calmed, heart beating at regular intervals, though he held on as best he could. Still fighting through the grogginess, the weariness that had somehow seeped into his bones, “Promise me,” he croaked.

An arm looped around her back side. Suddenly it was very important to John that she be there when he awake next. Promises where just a bag of hot air with expectations, but somehow he knew if she promised, she would be there in the morning. Eyes searched upwards, though it was a struggle to keep them open, vision blurred. “Promise me you’ll stay,” another coarse whisper as he began to lose his grasp, fear enveloped him once more, at least this time he didn’t whimper. One lid drooped to a close, the other only half. “Say it.”-

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Danica

His arm snaked around her back, puller her body on top of his. Shifting her arms, she moved her hands so that they were rested on the bed on their side of his shoulders. Trying to keep her weight from fully being on top of him, she remained still and just looked down at him while she waited for his grasp on her to loosen. Hearing his words, her heart suddenly ached at seeing him in such desperation. She hated to feel this way, especially with him. A past like theirs was not something that should allow her to be feeling the way she was.

When his hold began slacked against her back and his eyes began to close, she moved her weight off him. Shifting until one hand was holding her up, she again placed a hand on his cheek. “I promise.” It was not something easily said, and with how quiet she spoke the words she wondered if he had even heard her. Clearing her throat, she spoke again. This time her voice was a little louder so that she could make sure that he heard her. “I promise I will stay.”

Moving again, she sat closer to the end of the bed. Sensing a panic before she even made her move, she turned to him. “I’m going to go dim the lights. I’ll be right back.” Getting up, she walked over to the switch and dimmed down the lights. It was enough that would allow him to sleep, but still give enough illumination so either of them could move around the room.

Locking the door, she turned and then headed back to the bed. Sitting once more on the edge, she took his hand in her own. Her other hand again came up and rested on his cheek. “Just because the lights are dim doesn’t mean you’re allowed to try anything fresh…. So keep your hands where I can see them.” Again she tried to lighten the mood. It almost felt like the old days again…. Almost.

[poignant]

-That dream state between consciousness and unconsciousness consumed his thoughts with their endless visions of paradise. It was hard to distinguish what was real and what wasn’t. That cold practicality that made John who he was completely failed him in his moment of need. The warmth of the body shifting above him was the only tether that kept him anchored to the world. What little strength he had pooled together was little more than a light tug at her clothing as she moved again, or had she really moved.

The other lid opened again trying to see through the illusions to the truth. Battling against the dreams that threatened to invade his reality, he didn’t make out the first whisper. But the second brought him a solace he hadn’t felt since he young and stupid. Old weary bones gave way finally, going completely slack beside her. You could trust a cop back in those days. They weren’t all so crooked and two-faced.

A small grin appeared as lids closed to her last comment. John had no way of knowing the panic, no way of seeing the grief and worry he had caused. “You sound just like a cop…” Fading, it was all fading to nothing. Eyes snapped open again, gulping for air, oxygen, anything to stay awake. Something was wrong. “You promised!” He called from faraway land. John couldn’t count the times he had been betrayed. Betrayal was an everyday occurrence to someone like John, loyalties constantly shifting against the backdrop as crime bosses sought the top. Still he could only remember one betrayal, “You raped her!” his lips moved as the fevered dream took him finally. The sand man had come and no one was going to save John from his nightmares.-

[poignant]

Danica:

It had been six days now since this whole apocalypse had started. The night before she had spent by his side, holding his hand and hold a cool cloth to his brown as he fought through the weird fever that had gripped him. There was nothing much she could do but offer comfort in the form of her presence. Danica was not doctor and her medical knowledge was very limited. She just had hoped that whatever he had was leave his body soon and he would get better.

During the night he had quieted some and she found herself growing sleepy. Without letting go of his hand, she moved off the bed, and sat down on the cold floor next to it. At the time she had thought to get one of the chairs and move it close to him, but each time she let go of his hand he would scream out and grab blindly for her. He remained calm when she was close and so she relented in not losing physical contact with him.

Sitting on the cold floor, her hand laced with his, she had fallen asleep with her head resting on the edge of the bed. Her position looked rather uncomfortable, her head at a funny angle and her knees curled up under her butt. Having taken off her coat, and leaving him with the blanket, she had grown rather cold in the night. The goose bumps on her skin told that she was chilled even as she slept, the occasional shiver running down her spin as she slept. Danica had always been a light sleeper, but for some reason, this time, she was actually out cold… literally.

John:

-The hellish visions tormented John throughout the long night. Visions flickered past the surreal landscape of his tortured mind. Only one constant remained through the darkest of moments. Digits interwoven with his brutish fingers, a few times he had thought he had lost that tenuous grip. Alien and nightmarish the world seemed to be without that small comfort – still he clung in desperation and when all seemed lost, there they where again. Soothing, nurturing words did their best to stave off the haunted look his face had taken.

Waking up in a cold sweat in the early hours of day six, he felt different. Eyes roamed about the interior of the room trying to adjust to the dim light that blanketed the room in a foreign black and white light. Without as much as moving his body, his gaze finally rested on the constant of the evening. Danica. She hadn’t left. He could remember his panicked rambling, the desperation that had seized his normally calm and collected mind and plunged it into oblivion.

The dull ache of his muscles was all that remained of the searing pain that had wracked his body the night before. Sitting upon an elbow, the same arm that Danica was holding, he leaned forward, the bed creaking as he did so, and very delicately laced it beneath her arm and around her abdomen. She felt even lighter than she had before as he lifted her from her awkward positioning and pulled her into the warm confines of the bed.

More pressing concerns however stayed his lips as eyes ran the length of her body and then finally once more over the room. Everything seemed as they had last night in the fevered visions. While everything was far from all right, he remembered the Director and Danica’s panic. Well he wasn’t a zombie and he didn’t feel like eating anyone. So far so good, what were a few more hours of peaceful rest with Danica? Who knew if it would be their last.-

Danica:

Danica only half awoke as a hand curled about her body and pulled her up onto the bed. A clammy torso pressed up against her own, the feeling of a soaked shirt and pants tickling the exposed flesh of the back of her arm. Eyes flutter half open, she rolled slightly towards the body that was behind her. Head turning, she looked through half hooded eyes at him. The grogginess of sleep was still upon her. “Feeling better?”

Not waiting for his response, she turned completely over and borrowed herself face first into him. She laid like that for a moment with her eyes closed, content to be close to him. That content state did not last very long. Hands moving up, she pressed the palms of her hands against his chest and sighed softly. The strong smell of BO finally drifted fully into her senses. Pushing back from him, she rested her head on his pillow roughly a foot from his own.

Eyes open and now fully awake, she licked her dry lips s she studied him for a moment. He seemed to look better, aside from the clammy flesh. Looking into his eyes, she could see he was more alert now. The haziness of confusion had left during the night, which she was thankful for. Though she doubted he was fully back to his usually self, she was happy to see that he did not have the panicked look in his eyes from the night before.

John:

-For a few blissful moments the world seemed right. The sweat matted shirt that clung to his back with each movement, the smell emanating was foul and irritating. With a wrinkle of his nose he didn’t blame Danica for moving away. Sitting upright bones creaked and popped as he stretched. Groaning as he gracefully moved over Danica and to the other side of the bed. You didn’t order someone like Danica to do anything but he could see the weariness there in those dark pools that followed him. John wore that grim mask he always wore, those his hallowed eyes swallowed the sight of her. “You should probably stay in bed.”

It wasn’t like he was going anywhere, but he did pull the sweat infested blanket from the bed and replacing it with the one from the cabinet at the foot of the bed, draped it over her body with an impish grin. That still didn’t account for his terrible odor, or the clothes he wore. Turning his back to Danica, he peeled his shirt over head and lofted it into the clothes hamper. Opening another cabinet, completely casual, he rid himself of the smell and donned a new shirt and then off came the pants.

Sharp pain still erupted across his back as he bent over to deposit pants and briefs after the shirt. Pulling a new pair of briefs on, followed by his holey pair of pants, he finally felt better. The sweat and sour smell of his body odor had gone with the clothes. Finally he decided it best to stuff the blanket in the hamper as well. You never could take chances with something like that.

All the while his mind worked on the events that had transpired a day past. He had been knocked unconscious staring at the table and woke up on a bed with the Director hovering over him. She had spoken to him, John had said nothing and then the world went dark and he awoke to a knock on the door and Danica’s beautiful face. How then did he recall exactly where the operating room was? He didn’t walk there of his own free will. So much for being invincible, turning back to Danica on the bed, he seated himself on the edge, back against the wall as he pulled a leg up on the bed. There was nowhere to go. The guard wouldn’t let him go anywhere and … a sudden realization occurred, “Did the guards bring us food?”

Danica:

She remained laying down on the bed as he covered her up. Turning her head, and then rolling onto her back, she watched as he got up off the bed and moved away from her. Quietly she watched him strip down and change his clothing. Watching him move back towards her, she curled her legs on the bed to give him space to sit down.

Seeing that he was comfortable where he sat, she finally sat up. Bending her knees upward towards the ceiling, she looped her arms around them and looked at him as she rested her chin on her knees. “I haven’t seen any food at all.” Her tummy grumbled slightly at the sudden idea at food.

Danica eyed him for a moment before speaking again. “You know… you still stink.” Even if her face was serious, her eyes seemed to twinkle with teasing mischief. “How about you take a shower? I’m sure that the hot water would help relieve some of your stiffness and it will also make you smell better.”

Pulling the blanket off, she turned on the bed and let her legs hang off the side. Leaning back, she rested her weight on one arm and looked at him over her shoulder. “What do you want for breakfast?” Danica figured she could go load up a tray with food and bring it back for him. Still a little groggy, she did not register how just open ended her question really was to a man like this.

John:

-John watched her move up beside him. Judging by the slight wrinkle to her nose, he stilled smelled. Fevers tended to make a human reek; he hadn’t wanted to turn his back for even a second. If anything should happen to her, he didn’t know what he would do. The Director knew that and even more, was in a position to do something about it. The ventilation system could be tweaked however and John was already scheming ways to make sure she would never gas him again. More importantly, he was also going to be keeping Danica as close to him as possible. If Joseph and the Medic could room together, so could Danica with him.

Jarring him from the seriousness of his thoughts, that impish grin returned, lightening his craggy face. Somehow he still able to hold two threads of conversation as he immediately reacted to the tease, “I’ll have you for breakfast.” He replied, bold eyes meeting her gaze. In the back of his mind the other thread was still ticking away. There had been no food. Which means his guards hadn’t fed him since he had been knocked unconscious, why didn’t he feel hungry then?

John didn’t plan to worry about it. With Danica’s suggestion manipulating his thoughts, he stood, offering the woman an arm. “We can worry about breakfast after.” John didn’t want to worry her with his dire thoughts so instead he concentrated on the growing tension in his loins. The desire and the want was there locked deep within the warm, inviting gray hues. The world could wait another couple of hours without Danica and John. Just one more time he’d like to forget and just embrace everything he had disowned so long ago. -

[Nicole]

Monica

The entire facility was eerily quiet all the way up til the last hour. Right on the dot, as the second hand hit the twelve a chime echoed through the empty corridors and into every room. Monica's strong commanding voice beamed into everyone's ears as she spoke.

"Code Blue Personnel to report to the Garage Immediately."

Only certain people had code blue clearance, including the civilians that were going to be going along on the little 'evacuation'.

Of course, Joseph would have to go get John and Danica.

___________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph looked up at the alarming voice of Monica rang over the speakers. God she was creepy when she talked like this, but he didn't have time to dwell on her voice all he needed to hear was code blue and garage to send him bolting away from Andrea to find John and Danica. d**n why did they have to off being odd, thank god he had made security keep him updated on their whereabouts as he darted for Johns quarters. He had a small idea what the Director had done to him, but no specific so he wasn't sure what he'd find or if they'd even be ready to run off right away or if he might have to pry them away from the eventual baby making he knew was going to end up happening. He skidded to a halt outside the door and slammed his fist against it hard*

"John open up, hurry!"

__________________________________

John

-Well the soup had never arrived. John had somehow managed to creep back into the room, after holding the conversation with the guard outside of his room, and plop himself at the table without waking Danica. How he had managed that was beyond him. Just as he had sat down the announcement over the intercom caught his attention. Code Blue? John didn’t think sending the guard to fetch Danica’s personal effects would cause any commotion. But then again it was the Director.

With a sigh, he knew Danica would be up and wondering why he had left her there in the bed. Dumbass should have gotten back in and stolen whatever seconds he could have. Too d**n late, something was coming and it was best he bent his mind to it than worry about what could have been. That tingling sensation at the back of his consciousness would have to be dealt with after whatever was going on. Any moment there’d be a knock on the door. John could just feel it.

Turning to it in anticipation a bland expression giving away none of the apprehension in fact it made him look older and somehow more calm and at ease. When nothing happened at first he grabbed his shoes, best not to go anywhere barefoot, besides it would provide modest protection if it came to violence. Hopefully it didn’t, but there wasn’t any way he was going to let them take Danica from him.
Just when John had tied the last of his shoe laces the thudding began. Upright and forward the door was open within seconds of Joseph pounding. Shocked to see Joseph, the big man still kept his emotions in check, “Whats up?”


________________________________

Danica

The sound of the directors voice sounded through the room. Even though she had been fast asleep, she jumped up as though she had been wide awake this whole time. Years of police training had honed her skills at wake up and being alert instantly. Though she did not feel 100%, she looked a little better after having fallen asleep.

Moving over to her shoes, she quickly pulled them on. Her jacket followed and she was ready. Ready for what? Danica did not exactly know. From the sound of the voice she had heard, whatever was going on Danica thought she should be prepared for it.

Her eyes flickered to the door, seeing John standing by it with Joseph on the other side. Moving away from the table, Danica moved towards the door to see what was going on. She was quiet, just observing. Hopefully Joseph had answers and he was willing to share.

________________________________

Monica

Monica was standing in the middle of the garage, dozens of people around her, all gathering into more or less three main groups at the locations of each of the three buses. Off to the other side of the garage some large containers were being loaded into some form of an armored transport. What exactly? No one knew, they were unmarked and had a team of armed guards creating a perimeter around said vehicle.

In Monica's arm was a clipboard, a metallic pen in the other as she checked off a few manifests, a few names, but more importantly the containers being loaded in that truck.

All over the facility people were emerging with a small bag they carried, rushing, silently, none talked, none chit-chatted about where they were going, they just went.

_________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph had made sure Andrea had his and her bags with them when they went down to prepare the buses, only thing he needed to grab now were John and Danica. He stared John down for a moment for the way he so casually answered the door, he was happier to see Danica's reaction and quick movements. He looked back to John as Danica finished her preparations*

"I need you both to grab everything you have and will need and pack it up and follow me. Don't say anything to anyone, just get it all together, stay right behind me and we'll get out of this alive. No questions just do it, we have to hurry."

*He couldn't really spend time telling them anything and they had to be quick eventually some of the people not on the list would be wondering what was going on, once that happened it was going to go to hell quickly*

__________________________________

John

-Joseph had this intense expression written all over his face. Whatever was going down was major. That much was certain just by the posture he held. Remaining calm himself, John didn’t allow his mind to wander too far and he definitely made sure to guard his emotions as Danica finally joined him at the door. Swinging the door wide open, being careful not to catch Danica in its arc, he noticed the lack of guards. Though one could be seen with a bundle in his arms, running frantically, making his way towards there room.

Then he noticed that guard wasn’t alone. While he was the only one moving towards their room, John also noticed the black bag slung over his shoulder and banging noiselessly with each step he took. So that had to be Danica’s clothes and he was going somewhere after. Suddenly all the pieces seemed to fit together and with Joseph there to confirm every bit of it, he glanced at Danica. She was going, see, John had been right. With only a twinkle in his eyes and a faint upturn of lips, he turned back to Joseph. John was wearing everything of importance, though there was still the nagging question of firearms.

But the man had said move quickly, get your sh*t, just then the guard had decided to hand off Danica’s remaining personal effects. Giving the man a curt nod he took a step into the hallway. The gun was still in his pocket, but loaded with blanks still. “Danica needs her gun back and I need some real bullets Joseph.” He was only pointing out the obvious and from the way he was standing, he was ready to go. He knew Danica would follow and each transitioned from the tender moments shared in the room, he wouldn't forget what he had said or the promises made. He would stick closer to Danica than Joseph so it was up to them to lead.-

__________________________________________

Danica

Danica caught John’s eye, his look of ‘I told you so’ etched onto his small smirk and twinkle in his eyes. She returned his look with a ‘I don’t want to hear it’ expression. Truth be told, she hated I told you so people and she’d get even with him if he even uttered a syllable of it. Looking away from him, she studied Joseph for a moment before glancing over his shoulder and to the guard that was running at them.

When he finally got close enough, Danica took her bag from him and slung it over her shoulder. If she had been under the weather before, she clearly was not showing it now. The only thing on her mind was getting out of this place, and if that meant staying quiet and following Joseph, then she could do that. Biting her tongue was not easy, but nothing ever came that easy. She only nodded her head at the mention of her guns. If this was a trip outside, she would like to defend herself.

When Joseph would turn to go, Danica would follow. As John stayed close to her, she would stay near to him. There was no way she was going to be left out of the action this time, left behind to be walking dead fodder. Hopefully things would go smoothly and they would get to where they needed to go.

________________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph eyed them both as Danica was given her stuff back and then nodded to them as he turned to lead them off, his pace was quick as he rushed through the hallways that all seemed to look the same, it was amazing no one was standing around wondering what was to go, then again the two that would be like that were behind him. He glanced back to them before rushing around a corner and finishing their run to the garage. He stopped at the door and motioned them inside*

_______________________________________

John

-John caught the look from Danica. To be honest with himself he was nervous. Joseph had to have an inkling of what had happened to John. More than just the Director where involved in what happened and John knew directly from Joseph’s mouth that he reviewed the security tapes, which meant he had seen it all. The man would be useful later to determine just what the hell had happened. However, with a sinking feeling, John knew the man probably had just as many questions. Falling in stride with Danica he remained close. Ever vigilant of what was ahead. It became clear early on just where they going. The garage would also be the exit point. Funny John thought to himself, there ought to be more than one entrance into this place, but then at the same time it was a sound principle in terms of keeping the infection from spreading within.

Soon enough it turned into a jog and then an all out sprint. Despite his girth John felt amazing. Barely even huffing he followed Danica into the garage and found the Director standing amidst the sea of Umbrella personnel. Keeping his mouth shut not out of fear but rather because for the moment Joseph and by extension the Director, turned into his ticket out of here. A way to see Danica safely off the soon to be blown up island and hopefully into a less tense situation, putting aside his feelings of hate and disgust he only briefly glanced at the Director and then made it a point to see what he could of the vehicles.-

______________________________________

Danica

She brushed past Joseph and into the garage. The short jog had winded her slightly, a combination of not doing anything for a week and then feeling under the weather. Stopping for a moment, she peered around the room. Her eyes followed the people that moved in silence, following a line like marching ants into different armored busses. A little farther back she could see the director, checking on some large crates that were being moved into moving trucks. Briefly, Danica wondered just what was in the huge armored boxes and why they were so important to the director.

Turning, she glanced back to Joseph. Remaining silent, her face read ‘where now?’ now it. Hoping that he would lead, Danica just assumed follow him to where they needed to go. Being the outsider here, Danica felt somewhat like a fish out of water. All she could really do was stay by John’s side and follow Joseph. While she waited for either of them to move, she looked again towards the buses and wondered which one they were all piling onto.

_______________________________________

Monica

Monica's head tilted slightly towards the entrance to the garage as the trio came into view. She slowly turned, her eyes glimpsing towards them with such a cold, icy glimpse before she looked back to the clipboard in her hands and scratched a check mark beside the two of them.

"Welcome back Major." she simply, glimpsing towards him. "Major, secure the second SUV, you and your medic will be assigned to it." she said simply before without a care in the world she glimpsed towards the other two. Those two.. she could've cared less about. However, a deal was a deal.

"Miss Brennan, Mister Simard, Bus one. " she stated before glimpsing away, starting to turn before she paused.

"Oh and John.." she started, tossing a small plastic vial of blue liquid towards the man for him to catch, if he didn't, well it wouldn't break, fortunately.

"To keep yourself in check." and there it was, the knowing cold pregnant dog look that said, 'Heel'.

________________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph eyed Monica, he wanted to make sure the other two got on alright and then he watched the vial get throw. A different look crossed his face as he looked back at Monica with a curious look and only held it for a moment before darting off to the SUV. He was going to do a very indepth check for explosive devices just incase before he got inside. He didn't trust Monica too far so he'd need to make himself feel comfortable before he'd be willing to trust the vehicle. He looked in once he was done and kissed Andrea before climbing in the front, he wasn't getting trapped in the back just incase*

_________________________________________

John

-The armored crates where marked in John’s conscious as suspicious. Flagged for retrieval later he kept his head moving. The precision of the movement of each person was amazing. Everyone knew where to be and what to do. Whether that was due to the Director standing calmly or because they actually knew was going on, John would never know. Then the Director was eying them with that cold, dead stare. Catching the vial without so much as thinking about it, he pocketed it, not quite certain what it was or why he should take it.

Without time to ask questions he was assigned a bus, along with Danica. Meeting the stern look of the Director with his calm demeanor he gave no hint of the inner turmoil he was going through mentally. The pregnant dog was toying with him. Goading him into a response he couldn’t give. Not when they were so close to freedom. Well freedom from a fiery inferno headed there way anyway. And at the very least he could find some solace in that he was right, Danica was going with. There wouldn’t be a need to fight today.

Glancing towards Danica that was all the resolution he needed to clench his jaw and say nothing. He waited for Danica to leave for the bus they were assigned. Watching Joseph run off in the direction of the SUV, he was glad to be rid of this place and all its d**n memories.-

___________________________________________

Danica

Without looking at the director, Danica heard which vehicle she was going to be riding in. It was interesting how she was separating out the groups. Danica would have thought she would have taken an evil liking to splitting everyone apart. Not that she was complaining, she’d rather stay with someone she knew. She also didn’t want to give the Director any ideas. Strength in numbers was something that John kept telling her.

Moving wit John, she entered the first bus and found some an empty space that she and John could share. She had already entered the bus by the time the vial was thrown, and did not see John stuff it into his pocket. Finding a seat, Danica scooted over to the window side. Placing her bag on her lap, she waited for John to join her. Sighing softly Danica did not look happy.

Opening her bag, she looked inside to do a quick inventory. On top of her belongings, her sour look turned slightly happy. Her guns had been returned and placed into her satchel. Grabbing one of the weapons, she clicked the handle. The mag fell out into her other hand. Again she frown when she saw she still did not have any bullets. Though she should be happy to have her gun, she didn’t understand how she was supposed to defend herself if needed. Danica was a little out of practice on pistol whipping.

___________________________________________

Monica

Monica smirked some and watched as the three of them moved to their retrospective vehicles. She calmly made her way over towards the armored vehicle to one of the smaller cases and sat her clipboard there. A few presses on the electronic keypad on the container had the top hiss and slide open revealing a set of perfect, clear cylinders with their beautiful spiral centers. Her fingers brushed over each one, admiring their beauty before she drew out one of the blue ones. With a press the container sealed itself while some of those loading took notice of what she held in her hand.

"Finish loading these immediately." she stated, turning and calmly walking towards the entrance of the garage that everyone had come in and into the rest of the facility.

Perhaps they could see her from the vehicles, perhaps not, the corridor was long, straight and she was not deviating from it as she paused down it at the entrance to the elevators.

A special key was drawn from her pocket and inserted into the opening on the panel, a twist had the doors open but no lift was there, merely an empty shaft down to the rest of the facility.

Monica's eyes glimpsed towards the vial before she calmly tossed it in the opening, and twisted the key again, sealing the door shut as the glass container descended below.

She was calm again on her walk back as she paused at the door to the garage, one which had it's thickness, it's heavy metal locks, it's own seal and she pushed it shut, twisting the handle and locking those huge metal bolts into place.

She gave a nod to the drivers who were waiting for final orders.

"Begin evacuation procedures." was her order as she stepped into the lead SUV. Engines roared to life as they all started up.

Monica's SUV in the lead, the three buses, the armored transport and Joseph's SUV in the rear.

[Nicole]

Monica

"Exterior Garage Doors Opening."

It was a term they all should know and know well. It was what the displays on the Umbrella Corporation personnel equipment stated, its what the computer generated voice on the loud speaker stated. And it was what the drivers responded to as a squeal of tires was heard as the lead SUV with Monica in it sped forward down the long open expanse towards the ramp which lead up and out.

Flashing lights showed the inner most blast door opening as the buses, slow at first began to catch up, all three having been ultra reenforced, windows barricaded with a meshwork of metal to prevent anything from getting through them. The hum of diesel engines permeated through the room only to be over showed by one thing. The sound of explosions outside the entrance. Grenades were being dropped from one of the Umbrella patrol choppers, clearing out the horde of dead that had gathered near the gate, clearing out a path just as the outer door opened.

A bounce, a jarr of the entire vehicle as the mighty Chevrolet bounced out onto the street, heading down a route planned by the Major straight for the piers.

By now a sleek silent black ship was beginning it's unauthorized cruise towards that said pier, it's Captain and a few of the crew paced the deck along with several well armed guns being manned on each section of the Ferry.

The chopper hovered at the entrance as the transit buses came out next, followed by the armored transport and at last Major Fayden's own Suburban.

Things were quite quick, speeding through the dead filled streets, the occasional ' KLANG ' as bodies were bounced off of the vehicles. The order was quite clear. Stop for nothing.

__________________________________

John

-The preparations for the operation had taken the better part of the last 48 hours. Ever since Dunn had pinpointed a few flaws in the overall plan, Grimm had been hard at working making sure the plan was fool proof. Overhead there would be aerial reconnaissance provided by one of their commandeered Harrier’s. Patrolling the island it was quite easy to pinpoint the location of the convoy as it crashed through the debris that littered the highways. The Ferry had been what tipped them off to something taking place. When the ship appeared to have a course that would bring it to the quarantined harbor Grimm jumped into immediate action. While his team had been out rescuing what survivors they could, the other team had been gathering and laying the ground work for the assault on Umbrella.

Containers had been flown in just two hours before the convoy had been spotted. The lights had been affixed around the designated choke point. After all there were only so many points of entrance and once the course of the boat had been plotted it was easy to pinpoint the exact pier they needed to setup at. Using the crates to box the incoming convoy in, it would appear business as usual. Using a Sea Knight to bring in all the extra equipment, Grimm had brought along additional bodies as well. Numbering twelve in total they took their positions onto of the heavy freight containers. Grimm remained shrouded away from the action, communications for the moment completely silent. They knew their orders and they knew what the signal would be. In the mean time they only had to wait.

“Is the Harrier ready for its run on the harbor?” Grimm asked the operator. A positive response was given, “ETA 2 minutes.” Looking out over the dark pavement he knew any second he would see the lights of the convoy.

John was seated firmly next to Danica. A multitude of thoughts kept his mouth shut and his eyes forward. Watching the charred remains of a car blur by, once or twice the jolt of a zombie would bring his eyes to the side. Everything was a blur of orange and gray. And then suddenly the harbor proper loomed before them.

Grimm saw them burst through the chained gates that lead into the harbor. Right into the funnel they had created, no matter how conspicuous it was Grimm was nervous. Just a few more feet, he wouldn’t be able to see what happened next, but he definitely felt the compression of the resulting explosion. Still he kept radio silence not wishing to give away their position. Soon they would be overwhelmed with too many problems to count and then it would be appropriate to reestablish their communications.

All at once the road ahead turned into a bright orange fireball. The resulting concussion of the explosion would shatter lesser made windows and along with those spindly shards would come chunks of asphalt. Mixed in where bits of metal from the lead vehicle. Monica’s vehicle was utterly consumed by the flame and where there had been pavement there was only a crater and the twisted wreckage of what was left over.

At first John didn’t react, eyes just narrowed. Then widened in shock and horror, about then the shock wave hit the bus, the rumbling of the engine dying away to the roar of the blast as the windows shattered. Cascading glass became projectiles of death. Luckily they avoided the metal and bits of pavement. Bringing a massive arm around the shoulders of Danica he pulled her head down along with his. He said something but whatever it was, was lost in the barrage of the explosion.-


___________________________________________

Danica

Danica looked out the window as the vehicles began to move. Placing her empty gun back into her bag, she blindly zipped it closed. Since she did not have any bullets, there was no real need to keep it out. With the loud bangs outside followed by the creaking of the doors opening, she knew this would be an interesting drive. No doubt the dead outside would be going for them as they moved through the city in their armored cars.

Once they had gotten passed the initial hoard that had gathered around the building, the streets they sped through only had few here and there. Occasionally there were some small groups, but nothing that formidable. Unable to peal her eyes off the streets, she looked over what was left of the city. It was a waste land to the dead, the post-apocalyptic horror that she could have never imagined. It seemed to her that a city this large had fallen very hard. Danica just wondered if there was anyone left out there, still surviving like they were.

Her mind was not on the road that laid ahead, but rather what they were leaving behind. She did not see the explosion, only felt it as it rippled through the caravan and the bus they were on. An arm was thrown about her and she was pulled downward. Head and body now protected by the seat in front of them, Danica listened to the rumble of what was going on. Faintly, she heard a scream of another passenger as the vehicle swerved. Confusion clouded her mind then, wondering what had just happened. Were the dead now throwing bombs at them?


________________________________________

Joseph

*The SUV roared to life behind the last bus, he didn't like being in the back but it meant he wouldn't be the one on lookout for any surprises. He just hoped whoever Monica picked for her driver had a keen eye. He loved the feeling as they jumped up the ramp and slammed onto the pavement that was covered by scattered body parts, the blood smeared all over made him smirk. The rush he got from driving like this again was really driving him crazy. Joseph had taken the moment to look back at Andrea, a smile upon his lips as they were so close to escaping, he winked at her before looking to the soldier beside him who was sitting there playing with his gun. He rolled his eyes before speaking to him*

"Get your gun loaded and ready, this isn't a pleasure cruise and this goes for all of you. Get your sh*t ready eventually we're going to be on a big sitting target and we're going to have to defend her so be ready for anything."

*He sighed as he heard the clicks of ammo clips being inserted all around him and Andrea, the sound made him smirk it felt like driving a hummer into a combat zone now. His eyes widened as his foot hit the break, the orange ball of flaming explosion filled his view, his eyes not following the ball up like most would but focusing on the origin as Monica's vehicle disappeared. He didn't like her but d**n he didn't want anything to happen during this trip. He saw as the rest of the convoy started to swirve and slam on their breaks, this was such a trap...who the hell had been driving that d**n point vehicle. He roared up to the last Bus and lurched to a stop and swung open his door and grabbed the handle of the door behind his. He drew it open and began to shout*

"Take up positions! Watch for incoming units and them d**n zombies!"


_________________________________________

Andrea

Andrea had been toying with the vest she was wearing, it had various medical equipment stuffed in various pouches and straps. She looked more like a war zone - doctor than a paramedic, especially with the weapons she had in various places. Joseph had made sure she had a gun, or two, and enough ammo to make something stop moving.

She shifted, bouncing with every lurch and shift of the powerful vehicle Joseph was driving. Her eyes glimpsed towards him from the backseat, she could see his smirk, the look of enjoyment on his face. She shook her head a little, closing her eyes and trying not to hear the sound of bodies bouncing off the vehicle.

Her mind drifted back towards what it had been like that first day, a nightmare, people she knew trying to kill her, this was no different, those things, were originally people, people she saw every day and thought nothing of while they were alive, ironic that she could care about them now while they were dead.

Her ponderings were quickly shattered as her eyes lit up with the orange glow a few vehicles ahead, even in the backseat, inside the vehicle she could feel the intense heat, her eyes winced a little as she tilted her head away instinctively. The power that generated out of the explosion, it shattered windows in the first two buses ahead, the last one managed to only get a few cracks in the front window and the truck and suv they were in, were left untouched, unscathed.

"What the fu.." she started to gasp just as Joseph jumped out, the door next to her being yanked open and the soldiers all piled out. She figured it best for her to get out, least their own vehicle be targeted.

All around, in the SUV, the buses armed Umbrella Security Personnel appeared, weapons bristled hot, aiming for anything just begging to be killed. It didn't take them long to all discover they were in a funnel.

The only vehicle which didn't open up, was the armored transport. The only one truly save from anything to be chucked at it.

All the while the Ferry continued on it's course right for the Pier, the explosion ahead that lifted up from beyond the storage containers lining the dock drew the Captain out of the pilot house and onto the railing, a set of binocs on his eyes as he tried to discover just what the hell was going on. Lights from the ship's deck mounted spots were sweeping the shore now. Something was definitely wrong.

___________________________________

John

-What happened next surprised even Grimm. While the explosion rippled through the convoy bringing it to a temporary halt the Ferry had pulled into the pier. A long droning horn could be heard once the thundering of the blast had died away. Only to fade away beneath the mechanical whirring of jets rushing overhead. The black silhouette of the Harrier could barely be made out, though Grimm had accustomed to the deepening gloom of the oncoming night. What hadn’t been seen or even heard was the AGM that had been deployed and which neatly tucked itself into the hull of the Ferry with a metallic chink as it burrowed its way through the thick plating. The detonation was spectacular in comparison to the fireball the earlier explosion had created.

Flooding each compartment that wasn’t sealed with fire and death the explosion tore a catastrophic hole in the side of the ship and gutted the inside with terrible efficiency. Tongues of flame licked at the gaping wound that had been brutally blown open. From within the sounds of the dying could be heard. Their screams and eerie wail as the ship began to sink right there.

The convoy had come to a full stop now, and with that stop the lights came into play. Flicking on each bulb was directed at the disarrayed line of vehicles. The blinding glare of the search lights would make it all but impossible to see in any direction save for behind the convoy. Creating a horseshoe around the convoy each light could easily be seen and hit should they be aimed at. Not even a second after the lights had been turned on, the low thump of canisters being launched into the air could be heard. The hiss as they hit the ground and exhaled a thick plume of smoke through the jumbled lines of vehicles, some even landed within the vehicles. Filling the air with an acrid odor it was harmless in the sense of physical danger. However it deeply hampered the ability to see more than a few feet.

Finally the operator began relaying reports from the four groups of three spread all around the convoy. “Begin phase two. Make sure to hit every vehicle.” Knowing it would take a few seconds to switch from smoke grenades to the odor that would attract the hordes of zombies hidden within the crates just forward of the convoy, Grimm waited, calm and assured of victory.

Emerging unscathed from the flying glass and Danica well in hand it took a while for his hearing to return. There was still that shrill whine of ears that had been damaged by the concussion of the blast, some of the other passengers remained disorientated, some even throwing up right where they sat hunched over. The more battle hardened security drones had piled. John remained where he was, unsure of the situation and knowing full well this was the safest place to be. Don’t be a f***ing hero John, heroes always die.

Releasing the grip on Danica, he managed to stand up on trembling legs. The adrenaline had yet to kick in. The busted out windows allowed the smoke to come in hampering anything he might see. “This isn’t good. Stay close.” John just knew something bad was about to happen. The sinking feeling in his gut said it wasn’t going to be good. While most people would have thought the worst was over, John knew better. There was more to come, that was just the beginning and hadn’t there been another explosion further out?-

__________________________________________

Danica

Shaking her head, she looked up at John. She had no idea what had happened, and that confusion clearly played across her face. Raising a hand, she rubbed her neck. The sudden stop had caused her to move violently forward, the shock hitting her neck and no doubt causing a whiplash effect. Danica knew she would feel the pain later, if she survived this.

Looking up, she peered over the chair in front of her and out the broken window. Barely able to hear anything because of the loud explosion, she used her eyes to figure out what was going on. When she saw the grenade smoke begin to fill the area around them, she knew they had to move. The situation was not getting good and Danica wondered if it might be best for them to try and protect themselves.

Turning her head, she looked at John to make sure he was ok. Seeing as he was ok, she had to read his lips to understand what he was saying. With the deafness from the explosion and he wasn’t talking loud enough, she almost didn’t understand what he was saying. “We need some ammunition!” She yelled over all the commotion to him. Hopefully he would be able to hear her.


___________________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph growled as he moved to Andrea and grabbed her and pulled down so they were crouching behind the bus. This was a big f*** up...were were the Umbrella airships that had so efficiently come to their rescue when they were fetching the buses? This was stupid, they bomb the entrance but can't do a fly over of the intented route to check it? This was quickly turning from easy escape to wow wtf we're dead. He sighed and looked into her eyes, a kind of scary smile crossing his lips*

"Well looks like we might have to wait a little longer to see you in another dress. Just keep your head down and shoot anything that comes at you, I'll take care of everything else."

*He kissed her suddenly his right hand moving up to slide along her cheek and then grip the back of her neck as he pressed into her letting it linger before pulling back. The smile still there as he looked into her eyes*

"I love you Andrea." With that he turned and darted off beginning to shout orders, "Get the wounded out of those vehicles, we're sitting ducks out here!"

*He heard the other explosion and saw the basic location, he knew before it ever happened their trip was screwed and wasn't happening as planned if at all. He growled more as he pulled a grenade from his belt*

"Grenades forward, over the pit into whatever's beyond...."

*That's when Joseph's vision went a bit blurry around the edges...wtf was this? d**nit he hadn't thought of a gas mask...this was turning into a utter failure of an evac as the nades were let loose hopefully in the right direction and proper distance*

_____________________________________

Andrea

Things were going from bad to worse and so d**n quickly. The armed security was taking up positions, trying to form a perimeter, only to be engulfed in the thick smoke that was shot into the pit. It coated the area, only offset by the glowing orange at the front of the convoy.

Andrea's eyes looked to Joseph for instructions as to what to do, the smoke was making her cough, her fingers tried to clamp over her mouth and nose, but it proved in vain, just as she brought her hand down Joseph turned to her, kissing her, her fingers gripped his sides as she clung to him, body trembling before he told her he loved her and ran off.

She shouted after him, "You better come back in one piece Fayden! You haven't asked me to marry you yet!" she shook her head.

They were indeed sitting ducks, the people in the buses began to spill out. Chaos was quickly beginning to ensue but just as things started to become unmanageable there was a familiar sound rumbling over the explosions in a thump thump thump thump, the sound of rotors as the swift little helicopter appeared around one of the towering buildings and took aim at the containers ahead.

Just then another familiar sound came, the sound of rounds being fired off as shell casings fell. The powerful swash of the copter hovering over the street blew a torrent of that smoke all around and about, spreading it out and clearing the streets out more, pushing it away from the convoy and out into the people whom had shot them in in the first place.

______________________________________

John

-Luckily John had been thinking of the same thing. What didn’t make sense to him was the way his body had recovered. From the yelling that was going on between the others in the bus and the security outside there was no reason why he should have been any better off. Slate grey eyes looked over Danica once more to be sure she had no cuts. Satisfied he leaned back into the seat bringing his cheek to hers, “I’ll see what I can do about getting some ammo! Going up front, just stay here!” Leaning back he looked into her eye to be sure she understood him. Taking her by the shoulder he gave her one of those looks that said everything he wouldn’t say. The words he couldn’t admit existed nor the words she wanted to hear besides. Squeezing it as lightly as he could given his incredible strength.

Leaving her there in that seat he made the trek to the front of the bus. The driver was slumped over the wheel having taken the full force of the windshield. Checking his pulse to be sure John gently picked him and tossed him out the open door to the shock of the guards out there. Giving them a shrug he looked around and just as he had assumed there was a veritable stockpile of weapons and ammunition.
Meanwhile all around the convoy concealed by the smoke and lights the combatants switched to their thermo goggles. With the engines still running on the vehicles it made it easy to spot and target each vehicle as well as the people who had made the mistake of getting out. Within seconds and from all directions vials similar to the ones John had been given by the late Director began to smash upon each vehicle leaving red smears wherever they landed.

Joseph had given the order to loose a volley of grenades over the crates. While most of them missed their intended targets, due to the smoke and the poor visibility a couple had hit their marks but not before the targets had been painted for their next problem. With a loud metallic clank and a rattling noise the crates where opened. From within the feral growl of the diseased masses began to pool forward. Slow at first and then as a great sullied tide of rotting flesh. While they had collected less than a thousand it would be more than enough to swarm over the stalled convoy. Snarling and driven to a rage by the odorous chemical they had been pelted with.

“Report!” Grimm had been shielded by the thick crates overhead. Not a single grenade had cleared it. But the loud explosions could be heard and Grimm knew there would be casualties. Most of team four had been destroyed as well as team three, that still left a total of 6 men, including Grimm and his operator. “Begin phase three and then pull out.” The Harrier was still overhead as well with another enroute and local military requesting information on the situation. Soon enough they would interfere and they would need to be gone at that time. “Fire up the helicopter, fall back after you mark the vehicles.” That was the entire goal. To mark the vehicles to figure out where they had come from and where they were going. Umbrella now had zombies to deal with. Unfortunately their air support had finally shown up, with a grim grin Grimm gave the order for the Harrier’s to engage at will.

The one still circling the pier opened fire immediately at the oncoming helicopter. While the smoke cleared the zombies became visible while tiny darts began to implant themselves onto the vehicles, though not the armored one.

An explosion from one of the stray grenades rocked the bus John was still in. The helicopter above exploded as the armor piercing bullets ripped through its cockpit like a hot knife through butter. The fuel igniting in one final shower of defiance as the frame crunched into the pavement below.

Knocked headlong into the seat, still fumbling with the ammunition he had been gathering he finally got back to his feet and rushed back to Danica loading his gun as he did. Everyone else had been evacuated, only the dead remained.
Danica was slumped forward in the seat. Pocketing his gun panicking at the thought of losing her so quickly he grabbed her jaw, “Danica?” Feeling for her pulse he found it and breathed a quick sigh of relief. Looking for signs of trauma he finally found it on the cheek opposite of him. Something had hit her and left a sweltering bruise. What it was he couldn’t be sure but he could d**n well guess what had caused it. This wasn’t good at all, this was no longer safe. Gunfire had erupted overhead, explosions following, it was chaos. No one seemed to know anything, not even the security outside.

Taking her duffle in one arm, her in the other he began to move to the forward of the bus and eyes widened. Zombies! A multitude of them rushing forward in a snarling jumble of bodies, completely disorganized they began to trip over one and another but still clambered on. Turning around he began to head for the exit, there was nowhere left to go. He couldn’t use his gun and he couldn’t stay in the bus any longer.-

_____________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph didn't like this, there was too much going on and no one with their eyes on it all leading this mission. No General was in charge from amid the gun fight, they had to be able to see the whole picture but he couldn't do that. Grenades went everywhere, he watched their paths as the smoke cleared and he just shook his head as many of them went all over the place, though some matched his own and flew over the barricade. He sighed and then saw the horde get let loose...oh sh*t was all he could think as he watched the crazed group of zombies heading for where they were and where those vials had exploded*

"FALL BACK! Get away from the vehicles!"

*With his arms waving he saw the copter take the shots and erupted, he closed his eyes and dipped his head down towards the ground as it crashed with a thud he knew all too well. Another deep sigh escpaed him as this whole plan came crashing down exactly like the copter. He was now pushing people back almost throwing them as they got close to him as he moved forward into the fray, his eyes watching the zombies close in as John moved to the exit of the bus. What the hell was he still doing there?! He ran up and grabbed the door as it would open and reach out for Danica*

"What are you still doing here?!"

____________________________________________


Monica

What happened next would likely be a shock to them all. There was a figure facing the other direction as the zombie horde swarmed past her, not one paying her any bother as she calmly walked towards the two containers.

That figure, it looked much like a person, but where there had once been a pristine white dress there was tattered ruins of what once was fine. Soot and grime coated body from head to toe. Her eyes were cold, hair well out of place as she carried the missile launcher slung over her shoulder, hand upon the trigger while her other hand welded the submachine gun quite well.

There was an inhuman pop as she tilted her head and tensed, popping it from side to side before righting her head correctly as she stepped through the two containers and right into view of the STARS personnel on the otherside, her hand leveled the machine up at them all and squeezed the trigger, painting them in a barrage of bullets that headed their way.

And those Harriers, well.. as beautiful as they were, that missile launcher pointed right up at one of them and soared out, right up into one, sending it exploding in it's own brilliant fireball and crashing into one of the towering scrapers behind them in a second greater ball of fire.

As for Commander Grim, well.. the launcher dropped to the ground discarded carelessly as she drew a 9mm and leveled it at him, squeezing the trigger for a bullet aimed right at the man's chest, though she wasn't particularly trying to kill him, at least immediately.

_____________________________________

John

-John surged past Joseph. Throwing the duffle bag at Joseph he gingerly jumped from the back of the bus cradling Danica in both arms now. Slinging her up and over his broad shoulder he took the duffle bag back. Narrowed eyes confronted Joseph then, but this wasn’t the time or place to start something, “I was looking for ammunition can’t exactly fight with my fists all day. Came back and Danica was slumped over, looks like she was hit by something.” John was moving the whole time back to the perimeter that had been setup.

The entire battlefield was clearly seen now. The bright lights did little to hinder as they had been jarred loose from their moorings. Swinging idly they put color to the horde of infected humans that had surged past the first couple of vehicles. John didn’t bother with repeating the obvious; they needed to get out of here and quickly.

The remaining personnel had just been gathering as the Sea Knight had just begun pre-flight checks. The rocket launcher took care of the helicopter. As well as the Harrier hovering just out of sight of Grimm, while Grimm should have been wearing his vest, he wasn’t. The bullet tore through the fabric of his utilities and ended his life the moment his heart tried to beat again. With the bullet lodged firmly inside the muscles the precious life fluid was unable to flow and thus began to pool. Falling to his knees he gasped for air, unable to comprehend the nature of his death or just who it was. Monica had take him unaware as they had been sure no one would have the time to find them.

Still there it was. All of them where dead and the second Harrier rerouted once the first had been blown up, the carrier would be alerted and now the military had decided to investigate matters.-

[Nicole]

Joseph

*All Joseph could do was growl as the bag was thrown at him and taken away, so much for trying to help him. It was then he looked back towards the oncoming zombies and spotted Monica, definately not in her perfect outfit like normal but still there none the less as the zombies surged past and didn't even blink at her...that was weird to say the least. He noticed the launcher and honestly didn't trust her not to shoot at him so after taking stock of the personnel in the area still he turned and booked it heading to meet with the others who had made it away. There wasn't time to help anyone else stuck in the convoy now as explosions were heard behind the blockade, which he assumed were Monica's doing but he couldn't be sure.

He looked around but didn't see much in the way of options as he looked. He moved to the center of the group and sighed*

"We've got to get away from here and find another way off this d**n island. We need to get that last bus and the armored truck and get all of us out of here. Pile in where you can. Let's MOVE!"

__________________________________

Monica

Dead. Everywhere. That was STARS doing. They had unleashed hell on uninfected people, Umbrella, but people nonetheless. There was such a fine line, good guys, bad guys.

There were bullets that rained everywhere on both sides of the storage containers. Monica shooting at their attackers, Umbrella Security at the zombies, and everything in between. Monica even had taken a couple of shots, round wounds bled through the tattered remains of the white dress. Still she persisted right up to Commander Grimm, with him on the ground, lifeforce draining from him she grabbed the strap behind his neck and began to drag him back towards the convoy. She had shot him, that much was true, and while he was in much pain, he wouldn't die anytime soon.

There were still screams all around as more zombies began to swarm into the area, what people had fled from the blockade were now meeting their gruesome deaths. In all, one hundred Umbrella personnel had been reduced down to forty.

Monica couldn't have cared less about the dead, they were...disappointing losses, in the end the armored truck was worth more than any of them.

As she drug the STARS Commander towards the vehicles she heard Joseph's voice shouting out, she didn't stop till she'd gotten to the bus, a glimpse towards Joseph as she pulled open one of the lower storage bays and shoved the man in before sealing it back shut with a click of the lock.

"We make for Intrepid Square Major."

With that she moved to the armored truck and stepped up into the cab, the heavy armored door shutting back.

______________________________________

John

-As John made his way towards the last bus, he caught Joseph’s widened eyes. Turning his head and his body just so he could see, he caught a glimpse of Monica. Judging by the shock in Joseph’s eyes he knew it was more than just a phantom. Somehow the pregnant dog had survived the road bomb. Events had yet to weave their way into his conscious. The screams of the dying, the ashen faces of those still too shocked and numb to do anything but sit and stare with those blank looks. He was kind of glad Danica wasn’t awake to take in all the destruction.

Maybe it was due to the conditioning of his mind through the long years of contract killing. No stranger to the dead or the wailing of the soon to be dead, John stood motionless facing Joseph as he barked orders. There was only one remaining bus. The other’s had been destroyed and their wreckages where crawling with the remnants of the infected horde. Looking around at the ragged survivors he couldn’t help but notice that Sahara wasn’t among them. While he should have probably cared, he just couldn’t find the empathy to do so.

Acute eyes noticed the abrasion once more upon Danica’s otherwise unblemished cheek. A trickle of blood had begun a long nervous descent. Wiping it away with his finger at the same time his head followed the return of Monica in a flowing white dress burned and singed, circular holes from the bullets that had penetrated the thin fabric. More importantly he noticed the man she carried with one hand. Eyes narrowed as he took it all in before making his way up the stairs of the last bus, Danica cradled in his arms, duffel bag held securely by a hand all its own.

Taking a seat near the back this time, he slid the limp body into the seat, resting her head upon his lap. The duffel bag would be tucked between his body and elbow. Hopefully she had only been knocked unconscious. John couldn’t be sure as he had never had to deal with the problem before. He knocked people out and people knocked him out, never had he needed to care for someone who was knocked out. Cupping her face in his large oafish hand he cast a worried look over her. And then he toughened the f*** up and regarded the remaining employee’s. The vial was still on the inside of his coat, calling to him as he began to sweat.-

_______________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph had heard Monica's footsteps, d**n that woman was f***ing creepy as hell, but none the less he nodded to her as she called out directions. He knew she'd have some kind of fall back plan, he just didn't expect to find out what it was after her vehicle exploded. He had seen the man get thrown in but just barely it didn't seem all that important given their situation but he definately took note of it as he watched Monica then moved to the armored truck and climb inside. He shook his head and looked at the others*

"Everyone inside that bus now!" *He pointed at one of his men* "You're the best driver Brian, keep that bus on my tail and if anything should happen to me keep going don't stop for anything."

*The man nodded before darting off as Joseph turned to Andrea with a smirk as he grabbed her hand and darted for the SUV* "Boy this is almost like the other night in the garage."

______________________________________

Monica

There was a rumble of engines as vehicles restarted, the doors to the bus closed with a hiss, those who rushed for the bus now were only met with closed doors, doors which didn't open and moments later the undead were upon them, tearing mouthfuls of flesh.

There came the comforting sound, the beep of reverse warning as they began to back out of the strewn bodies, even some were ran over in the process, rumbles as they moved, Joseph would end up in the lead, then the bus, and then Monica's armored truck as they sped towards the USS INTREPID a few blocks away. A few blocks strewn with cars and debris, strewn with the dead. And once they got within sight of the massive ship, it was quickly clear that the parkinglot was slammed full of vehicles and concrete barricades beyond that.

Andrea chuckled at Joseph and took her seat in the front next to him this time, her hand reached over and touched his arm, squeezing a little as she nodded, " I wonder if it's the same one." she joked.


______________________________________

Joseph

*He glanced at Andrea as she squeezed his arm and made her comment. He really hadn't had a chance to pay attention to it but it could be...wait was she really making a joke or was that just a reactionary statement from nervousness? He eyed her before looking forward again, his head shook as he took in the barrier past all the vehicles, he scouted a way up there and made sure the bus could pull as close to it as possible...Monica might have to park a bit of a ways off but he didn't care honestly, she had odd reasons for wanting that d**n truck with them as it was. He turned the SUV sharply, the side bouncing against the wall of vehicles before moving out of the buses way so it could put it's nose right against the wall of cars. He sighed and opened his door and looked at Andrea whose door was pinned shut.

He offered his hand to help her crawl over the seats to him and smirked*

"Come on Andrea, let's dance."

*He winked at her, he wanted to do his best to keep her calm and right at his side through all this craziness. He'd help pull her free before turning to the bus load of people streaming out and heading to meet on his side*

"Looks like we make a nice run of it people, hopefully none of them followed us and we can take it easy but I'd rather not."

________________________________

Monica

The armored truck paused at the rear of the little three vehicle convoy. Monica groaned when she saw how packed the parking lot was with discarded vehicles. She shook her head a little, glimpsing towards the personnel inside the armored truck.

"Priority One Equipment and all the Test Samples." she commented, it appeared that half of the truck would be left behind and only the important stuff would be taken, including some very lengthy rectangular containers that required two of them to carry. In the end a black strapped container was shouldered by Monica as she headed towards the bus and Major Fayden. Her eyes on him quite sternly as she commented.

"Get everyone on board the ship. " she replied. " You two." she called, pointing to two of the other armed personnel. " Get the man out of the bay. He comes with us." she replied, turning and calmly walking towards the big dark shape of an aircraft carrier.

_____________________________

Andrea

Andrea chuckled, climbing out over the console with Joseph, glimpsing at him once she'd gotten to her feet on the otherside, glimpsing towards his eyes, " We'll dance when we're not about to be eaten by the undead." her little moment was soon interrupted by the arrival of Monica, who had definitely seen better days.

_____________________________

John

-Where they were going and what they were going to do was pretty obvious. However once the bus stopped beneath the aircraft carrier he couldn’t help but wonder how they would crew such a large ship. And more importantly just what was Monica up to? The Director couldn’t be trusted, not with her big armored truck and the trick she had performed by not dying. While none of it made any sense to John he still got in line with Danica cradled against his chest, duffel bag nestled atop her abdomen as they began to board the titanic vessel.

Exiting the bus just as Monica had finished giving her orders he couldn’t help but glance at the wreckage of the ferry and the few people who had made it to the frigid water. Standing calmly in line he said nothing, just watched and learned as much as he could about the people who had survived. Even the containers sparked his curiosity, though what they could be he had only one guess, people just like John only worse off.

While he wanted to bug Andrea with Danica’s plight he knew better. There where people missing fingers and toes, some even entire appendages. While no one seemed to give a sh*t he knew Andrea would kick into action sooner or later and it was best to be out of her way and out of Joseph’s hair. Invisible as could be he waited for his turn to board the ship.-

______________________________

Joseph

*Joseph didn't like the idea of boarding such a...gigantic vessel with their numbers even fewer now, anything could be hiding in the corridors of this big ass vessel by now. He watched as some of the men moved to help bring all of Monica's equipment with them and he shoot his head, this was just odd and he watched as the man was drug from the bus' cargo area and hauled behind them.

He looked at Andrea, her comment finally getting a response as he smiled and leaned in to kiss her lips before leading them towards the others who were already heading for the carrier. He squeezed Andrea's hand as he looked over to her*

"This really is not sitting well with me...got any other ideas before we go jumping on here and pray?"

________________________________

Monica

Several of Umbrella Security were first onboard, the sound of gunshots echoed out from inside the massive hanger where the rampway brought them. A few dead were expected, just how many was uncertain. The INTREPID had been an evacuation center, people were being screened in the hanger and sent to the flight deck to be choppered out. That was until things just were overwhelmed and everything went to hell.

In the end, well... the only option was to flee.

When Monica reached the hanger deck she glimpsed around, examining the interior with it's portable inspection centers throughout, tons of luggage piled to one side of the room. "Room Secure."

"Major Fayden." she called out. "Walk with me." she ordered, letting those running from the buses enter into the room.

Monica was walking towards what she labeled access to the bridge tower.

Once Joseph joined her, she spoke, but not so loudly that everyone was to overhear.

"Anyone that's been bitten, or even scratched by those things must be terminated immediately. " she replied, " I want a systematic sweep of this ship. When one room is secure I want it sealed off. We have approximately.." she started, glimpsing towards her watch, only to find it broken, but the hands were enough that she could tell what time it had been when this all had happened, guestimating it now she replied, " Six hours to get out of the harbor or we wont be leaving ."

"I also noticed a few Umbrella Personnel not familiar to me." she pointed at them as they came onboard. " I can only assume they were from our previous transportation. See to it that they are brought up to the bridge. Seal the hanger bay doors and everyone else is to stay here."

_______________________

Andrea

Andrea savored the kiss from Joseph before she gave him a small hug, shaking her head as she lingered in shock, looking at how few people remained now. " N..No.. I.. I don't know Joseph.."

She wasn't use to this, hell no one was use to this, how could she be? She was a civilian, and knew nothing of this till a few days ago.

But there were people hurt, and as Joseph was called off, she found her instincts kicking in. She began to call out orders to people who were assisting with the injured, telling them what to do while she worked on the most serious cases.

______________________

Joseph

*Joseph didn't really like Monica calling him to her but figured what the hell she wasn't going to get rid of him now. So with a light squeeze of Andrea's hand he took off to catch up with Monica as she walked, her words sounded very clear, this was to be a military sweep up, that he could easily handle. He nodded as she talked and he too had noticed the people she mentioned, he'd have them rounded up in no time and sent to the bridge*

"Sounds good to me Director, I'll have it all done well before that time no worries."

*He bound off to start preparations for the sweet and checks on the personnel*

[Nicole]

John

-So John was ushered aboard the seemingly not so deserted carrier. Just how they intended to sweep through every corridor and operate the advanced technology that went into one of these monstrosities was something John would be forever glad he wouldn’t have to wrap his head around. Wouldn’t the military take a notice in one of their prime warships being stolen right from under their noses? Something was bound to happen in repercussion and John just knew he wasn’t going to like being trapped between a very, very pissed off Monica and the U.S Military. Sparks where going to fly and there he was trapped like a sardine in a very expensive tin can.

John was there to see the order given to begin taking the critical points of the ship and to begin clearing the ship of unwanted problems. The massive men still cradled Danica having found a nice corner away from the door and out of sight of Monica and Joseph. Eventually the medic would make her rounds as the severely wounded where left outside. That was when John noticed one thing he had missed before. Sure there had been signs and the massive pile up of cars, but it hadn’t quite registered with him. This place was a f***ing museum! The signs where right there in front of him, plastered on the walls little arrows pointing out where the various corridors would lead, it all made so much more sense.

They weren’t rooting out military personnel. They were rooting out the vultures that had staked the ship as a place to survive their impending doom. Perhaps the military wouldn’t notice, where these ships even fueled and ready to go? John couldn’t recall any time he had ever visited a floating museum before. As the familiar tattle of gunfire began to be heard he clutched Danica all the more firmly eyes narrowing as he watched the various entrances unsure of just what might pop out of their gaping maws.-


_________________________________________

Monica

Monica proceeded up to the bridge of the massive carrier, security swept ahead of her, clearing out the corridor of any unwanted foe, all the while the new Umbrella personnel were brought quickly behind her, up the stairs and to the massive room. The dim glow of buttons across the bridge proved that the giant floating hull still had power.

Most retired Naval ships were still kept in operating capacity incase war broke out that they could easily be requisitioned. The fact that the INTREPID had been made into a Museum further ensured the interior of the ship had been maintained. Even so getting the craft up and going would be no easy task. Why choose it over perhaps finding a smaller craft? Well. The answer should've been apparent - It was armored and with jets soaring around packing missiles, it would provide maximum protection versus a civilian craft. Not to mention the unmentioned weather reports of an incoming Noreaster.

Already rain was starting to fall in parts of the city as the storm grew closer. Other questions, how did Monica even know to come here? With Umbrella's spy satellites in orbit, searching out the source of heat from the ship's generators was a sign that the ship had power, and fuel. Just how much was another question but for the time being the main thought was to get out of the city before the nuclear devices detonated.

Monica paced back and forth, her hands clasped behind her back as the four men were brought to her. After some initial conversation it was confirmed that they had survived the Ferry explosion. They had barely made it ashore when all the explosions and gun fighting had happened. Barely had made it into the buses before the little party had departed. One was the Captain, two deckhands and an Engineer. It was going to work out well in the end.

After some initial arguments between the Director and the Captain the decision was made to unmoor the Carrier, the river would push them on down it into the bay while something with the engines could be worked out. Certainly there was no question that some of the civilians were going to have to be requisitioned to perform everything that was needed to get the vessel up and moving.

But first thing was first, some good shots were going to be accompanying the two deck hands out to each end of the ship to work on getting those heavy cables released.

____________________________________________

John

-Well Andrea still hadn’t come around. After all there was still some woman flailing on the ground both appendages lost, how she had managed to get aboard the carrier John would never know. Soon they were ushered into another room, at least the sounds of the dying woman couldn’t be heard any longer. Here they began to be weeded out by a burly officer who seemed to have an idea of what needed to be done.

John tried to look as inconspicuous as possible. He wasn’t going to taken away from Danica and he definitely wasn’t going to haul her around the ship like some steward. Unfortunately it didn’t work out that way and John had been assigned in helping to get the power plants back up and running. Luckily they were still there, the Navy had been about to take them out in its yearly inspection three days ago. Guess they zombie apocalypse took care of that problem.

Following the other stooges with Danica in his arms, duffel still on her abdomen, he went into the bowels of the ship with little idea of why he was chosen or just what he would have to do. At least he wasn’t getting shot at anymore.-

__________________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph had given the orders and sent his men to grab the new additions to the group and take them to the bridge, he was interested to see what Monica did with them depending on who they were. So now he took a small 4 man team including himself and was moving through the halls of the vast carrier securing the mass amounts of compartments and doorways. He didn't like this but he continued to make left turns working his way through the halls and doors locking them as he cleared them. Gun fire would be heard once in a while as they stumbled upon the undead in different sections, never a large enough group for them to worry about but he wasn't sure if this might stir up some hordes deeper in the ship as they moved.

His mind wandered to Andrea as he opened another door and d**n near lost his hand as one leapt from behind the door and nearly slammed the door onto his arm. His breathing was heavy and his brow was clenched as he kicked the door open harder and he heard the hit and fall as the door nailed him and he watched as another team member darted past him and opened fire. This continued as they moved through the ship*

__________________________________________

Monica

Monica left the bridge to the Captain, radios were being disbursed out to those whom didn't have them, most of the civilians were being taken to the mess hall of the ship, a secure placed that was easier watched. Most of the ship was being sealed off by Joseph's team, the warship aspect of the carrier was of little use to them, the movement abilities were the top priority.

The two small groups that went both to the bow and stern were working mightily to get those heavy cables released that secured them to the pier, in the end emergency axes were being used to hack them away, it wasn't like they'd be needed in the end. The stern gave way first, followed minutes later by the bow cable.

Everything hung quiet in a delicate balance as the Intrepid sat there, the current of the river pressing against the hull. Then throughout the side of the ship came a deep groan, the sound of metal bending and groaning as the gangway up the side of the ship began to shift as the carrier began to tear itself away from it. As metal twisted the rampway began to collapse down the side of the ship with a loud ear piercing screech of metal on metal till it collapsed on down into the water. Slowly the ship began to drift away from the shore, lumbering along at an impressive snails pace.

____________________________________________

John

-In what seemed like ten minutes later they emerged in a large hollow space. Filled with large squat machines that John couldn’t even begin comprehend. The burly man he followed turned out to be some kind of expert, either from previous service or just Umbrella trained, and called them boilers. While they were running they were not running at full capacity. Their job was to inspect each and every power plant. The job seemed daunting considering the row upon row of gigantic boilers.

The burly man never gave a name and before he could start instructing the ten stooges he had handpicked they found what former museum employees. They had held out in the generator room in the hopes someone might see their heat signature from above and send help. Help had never arrived and when the burly man explained the situation and the dire need for anyone with any experience most of the survivors signed up. John could only shake his head in bewilderment. Just how had Monica thought this old rusty bucket of a ship was going to do for a fallback plan? Perhaps it would have been better to escape with Danica when they had had the chance.

Adding a firm thirty experienced hands to their ten, they set to work on inspecting the power plants that weren’t running. All four converged on one power plant at a time in the hopes of speeding through the inspections and startups. First they checked the boilers for any signs of deterioration. Then they moved to the generators themselves and finally the connection shafts. After each inspection found no faults the power plant was powered up and monitored for any additional problems. Over all each plant would take twenty minutes to inspect and startup.

John being thick and unable to fit in between the small spaces was left to monitor the power plants after they had been setup. The entire time he held Danica and her duffel bag. Never did he tire and so far he had yet to see any indicators go beyond their parameters. Slowly but surely the great cavern begin to fill with the mechanical sounds of functioning power plants and the whirring sound of power being disbursed at need.-

_________________________________

Joseph

*Joseph finally made his way to the boiler room, enough left turns and he was finally feeling like he had accomplished something as he moved down level by level. The sound had honestly drawn his attention to this particular room but he had passed it a few times as he continued his circular pattern around the ship. He moved through the door with guns drawn, his hand grabbing the barrel of the soldiers gun as he almost fired on John and one of the survivors. He glared at the soldier for getting over excited and shoved the gun into his gut*

"Seriously? Watch what you shooting."

*He looked over the men and what they were doing before walking over to John and checking Danica for a moment. He looked back at him after checking her quickly*

"Just a minor concussion it seems like, doesn't feel like there's any swelling that would indicate blood pooling or anything. So what are we doing down here?"

*He turned from John and grabbed one of the other security officers from John's group and put him into his original four and assigned them to finish the check. He picked one of the men who had been with him the whole time before to lead them hoping they'd be able to finish it quickly and return*

________________________________________

John

-Just when his nerves had finally settled Joseph’s overzealous security officer had pulled a rifle on him. His first instinct was to react in violence. Holding his aggression in check seemed harder somehow as his face flushed. Joseph however had gotten a hold of the man and berated, which made him feel slightly better, though he stilled growled as the man stepped beyond him to check on the other survivors that where just inspecting the power plant a few yards down the line.

Still giving the back of the man the evil eye, John turned back towards Joseph just as he inspected Danica. She looked so peaceful there in his arms, like a little babe clutched in the paws of a giant. He was glad and his burdened lightened all the more when Joseph gave his assessment. “Yeah that is what I thought, Andrea had no time to look her over.”

A warning sounded from the power plant they were standing before. The pressure had built beyond its intended level and John would have to perform a manual release. Quickly setting Danica before him, her head resting on the duffel, he released a lever and watched as the pressure went back to normal levels before returning the lever back to its normal position. “Uh. We’re trying to get these power plants back up and running so we can get this sh*t can moving. My job is to make sure they don’t exceed capacity and blow up.” Hooking a finger down the line, “They are inspecting each before turning them on to be sure that doesn’t happen. We found a lot of surviving museum members and they seem to have a clue as well as the guy the Captain brought with.”

Stooping over to pick Danica up once more, he stopped and instead kissed her broken cheek without realizing it. The blood from the open wound was a coppery taste in his mouth as he leaned back with her in his arms, head upon his shoulder, legs dangling over his forearm. The duffel bag was picked up next as John moved down the line, still talking to Joseph, “Hopefully we can get out of here before more sh*t hits the fan. What the f*** happened back there Joseph?”

______________________________

Joseph

*Joseph raised a brow as the big man kissed Danica, wow that was a bit odd, but maybe now that they were away from the base he was more willing to open up. Regardless he moved to follow the man as he listened to the new orders he had been given. Seemed to make sense to get this hunk of junk away from the shore definately, whether they were going to take it all the way to their destination Joseph was still unsure of.

John's question stopped Josephs movement for a moment before he caught up and shrugged. He hadn't asked Monica what had happened back there, this wasn't the time for a conversation that didn't need to be had right now*

"Honestly I have no idea...but I had heard rumors of a group that was out to get our company, whether that was them or just some orginized crime militia i have no idea and given the equipment I doubt it. I'm thinking the Director knows more and definately the man she captured does. When we're secure I'll be looking into it, we lost alot of good people today, I just don't want to lose any more."

________________________________

Monica

Monica's fingers ran along the cool steel railing down each flight of steps she took down from the bridge. Her annoyance was noted as she stepped out on the massive flight deck. Her eyes skimmed along it's surface. Most of the museum fighters had been pushed to the aft, leaving the forward most of the deck available for evacuations during the initial outbreak. Her nose took in scent of the exhaust rising out of the funnel atop the tower, a paused moment before she turned and started to walk towards the very end of the flight deck. Her fingers clasped behind her back as she scanned ahead of the drifting vessel.

She had sent her two security escort to fetch Grimm and drag him up onto the deck with her. Certainly one of her own medical personnel from the armored truck had kept him from bleeding to death. When he arrived he was dropped down onto his side, hands cuffed behind his back and totally disarmed of anything he had on him.

Her eyes glimpsed down towards the man as she commented.

"It amazes me. In the world of such advanced technology I am forced to fall back on, by today's standards, an antique to leave this city."

________________________________

John

-John had indeed unleashed a public display of his affection. He dreaded having to set Danica down. The fact that he had was tremendous of itself. So he had given her a kiss even if she never knew he had set her down. John agreed with Joseph’s assessment. That definitely was no street gang or mafia hit squad. That was definitely military in origin. Nodding to the man, “I’m sure it’s none of my business Joseph. I’m just glad we made it out with our skins.” John was at a loss for those who had died, but there was nothing he could do.

Stopping at the next power plant as the crew moved onto the next down the line he regarded the various gauges making sure each was below the red indicator. Double checking just to be sure they weren’t in danger of exploding John turned back to Joseph, those slate grey eyes hardening. “You have any word on Sahara? I haven’t seen her and…” The voice trailed off as he looked around. No one else was around them and while it may not have been appropriate, John had to know. “Did they stick her just like they stuck me?”

Up on the aircraft deck there was a very surreal situation taking place. Somehow Grimm had survived a direct shot to the heart that had rendered the muscle incapable of pumping blood. And yet there he was, on his knee’s staring into the abyss of the rain fettered ocean. Someone was talking to him, the very same person who had shot him, ended his life. Grimm had still won in the end though. Umbrella had taken more casualties. “Be glad you where still able to get away.” His voice was coarse and felt raw with each word. “But STARS still won the day.” At least he could grin at the thought of a rescue or better yet, the sinking of this old rusty piece of sh*t. “They’ll come for me.”

____________________________

Joseph

*He watched John as he moved onto the next power plant letting him check the gauges as he did so. He listened to his questions which only mirrored his own thoughts as they had been assigned to the buses and SUV. He had no idea what had become of Sahara after they had left her in the garage but he assumed Monica had done something with her since she never showed up anywhere looking for them*

"I honestly have no idea John, I try not to keep track of everyone's movements exactly just things I find interesting or suspicious. I would assume the Director did something with her, what I can not say for lack of knowing. All I can concern myself with is the fact that we got away."

___________________________

Monica

There was a humored chuckle that escaped her lips as she clasped her hands behind her back, continuing to stare out beyond, diverting her gaze down towards the injured man. His comment was so true, " Of course they will. Just as they will try and stop us again. You see your importance now Commander." she commented. "You know things, important things, and you're worth your weight in gold once we make it out into the harbor."

She turned towards him calmly for a woman who had been shot, and her clothing charred and tattered.

"Franky Commander, you have experienced nothing compared to the true suffering I can inflict on you if you fail to cooperate."

__________________________

John

-John was certainly annoyed with what Joseph had said. But he couldn’t dare call the man out on it because in all honesty, it would have been the same thing John would have done. Still those steely eyes regarded the officer. “Do you at least have an idea of what they did to me?” John wouldn’t say anything more on it, but it wouldn’t take much to put together. There was that vial of blue liquid in his pocket still. Somehow it had not broken in all the chaos in getting here. He would wait until Joseph told him about what he sought before bringing up the vial. There had to be a purpose to it.

Grimm laughed at the woman’s threats. What cold rotting cell would she put him in? Would there be rats nibbling at him as he slept? Would she try and beat him? Grimm could only shake his head. Hands bound behind him, unable even to stand without the help of another. “You think I’ll tell you anything?” He spit in her direction but the wind carried the saliva far from its intended target. “You obviously don’t know who I am or what I’ve been through.” The scars where still there, even if she couldn’t see them. Though Grimm knew deep down, with all his bravado and experience, a man always breaks in the end. Sooner or later they would find the tipping point and this museum wasn’t exactly going anywhere quickly.-

___________________________

Joseph

*He eyed John, he knew she was going to do something to him, the extent however was beyond his scope of knowledge. He breathed deeply before answering the man*

"Honestly I have no idea, I knew she planned on doing it if you got out of control by her standards. When you pulled the gun on her that sort of sealed that deal, but what she did or had planned I had no knowledge of. Security doesn't extend into the...experiment area. They don't want anyone not of the science team knowing what goes on in there."

__________________________

Monica

Monica quickly turned to the Commander and in one swift swoop her fingers seized him by the throat, squeezing and lifting him up some, certainly she must be one strong woman in order to lift him so easily with one hand, though her intent so very sincere as she began to choke the very life out of him.

"Oh I think you'll tell me everything Commander, down to your very deepest, and darkest fears. In the end, there will be very little left of the man you think you are." she tossed him back, right onto his back before nodding towards the security who were standing so closely by.

"Take him to the infirmary."

________________________

John

-Shifting Danica’s meager weight, he somehow managed to wrestle a hand free and pull the vial with its jelly like contents. “I know you said you don’t have any idea what happened to me, but she threw this at me and told me it was to keep me inline…” The question was obvious. John knew he f***ed up by trying to grapple with the bull. All he wanted now was to survive and make sure the same fate wouldn’t befall Danica. Even if he couldn’t survive he would see Danica through until the end, but he wasn’t going to be some puppet dancing on strings whenever the rental unit of a Director felt like some entertainment. “And if you could find out, I would appreciate it.”

There was nothing Grimm could do but grasp for air in the unreal grip the Director had him by. He tried his best to keep from blacking out, but by the time his body hit the ground he had gone limp and lost consciousness. In his dreams he found refuge. They were coming, he knew they were.-

_______________________

Joseph

*He glanced at the tube for a moment his eyes taking in the view of the liquid inside before looking back to John. He'd find out what he could, given the way things were now he was pretty much Monica's right hand man in all this. After all there weren't really any replacements any more. He looked over the museum staff and watched them as they worked and then went back to John*

"I'd keep an eye on them so they don't go psycho and snap on you, as for the vial I'll find out what I can but for the time being I wouldn't use that stuff or let it break. I'm going to go find the Director and see what else needs to be done after I check on my team."

_______________________

Monica

Monica had let security take Grimm back down to the Infirmary where he was strapped in nice and secure to one of the medical beds there. He was alone, a guard stationed outside of the room. Monica's medical staff had been alerted that experimentation would begin on the man once they were clear of the harbor. Of course, none of this would be told to the rest of the passengers onboard. It seemed Monica had no intentions on ceasing Umbrella's experiments.

She had, of course gone up into the "Admirals Bridge" where she could be above everyone else, isolated, making it her office with such a perfect view of where they were headed. Leaving the Captain down below in the Navigation bridge she took her seat there, placing the case she'd been carrying with her on the console before her she opened it, inspecting the T-Virus and Antivirus tubes.

_________________________

John

-John nodded to the man and moved away at the same time. The power plant had remained stable even at full power. Amazing how world war two era technologies still worked even in this day and age. Name one thing contemporary that could last as long without breaking. Moving to the next he kept his mind focused on the job at hand even once and a while checking on Danica. It was going to be a long night activating the multitude of boilers that powered the titanic vessel. At least they would escape the fire ball to come, but what else waited for them out there?-

_________________________

Joseph

*Joseph had taken off and left John in the capable hands of the security that still guarded the area as him and the men worked to get the power up to full capacity for the vessel to really begin moving along. He followed his pattern working always to the left so he could catch the group quicker and soon enough he was upon the group. The four of them were just kicking a door open as the new guard from the power plant detachment went in first without checking.

Joseph shuddered at the scream that billowed from the other side of the wall as the man was grabbed and pulled from view. The blood that squirted as the mans screams became more and more aquatic as the blood pooled in his throat and lungs as his body was devoured by the three creatures that had hidden in the room. Joseph finally pushed through them and with his rifle infront of him leaned it out and pulled the trigger. With the gun held out so his body was hidden but the barrel pointed to them the recoil nearly knocked the gun from his hand as it fired shot after shot but he held on just barely before finally releasing the trigger and bringing the gun back.

He moved his head to signal one of the other men to move in, the look he got in response was the same he'd give anyone else who told him to go in first but none the less the man finally went and opened fire on the barely moving creatures and the security officer that had just been with them. Joseph moved in and looked at the pool of blood and the poor man now slumped into the pile with the three creatures. He moved over and pulled his pistol, putting a bullet through all of their heads before sealing the room and moving on. d**n that was eerie*

[Nicole]

Joseph

*Joseph had left John back in the engine compartment and after helping his men finish the security sweep on their side of the vessel Joseph left his team to go find the Director and see what the overall plan was from here. He had questions that needed answers now that they were away from the dock and moving into the harbor. He arrived on the bridge which was where he had been told she had gone but when he walked on she was no where to be seen. He moved to the ferry's captain and questioned him.

After being informed of where Monica had gone he turned and darted from the room and headed to the Admiral's bridge. He pushed past the guards who tried to stop him half assed and slammed his hand upon the steel door*

______________________

Monica

The door wasn't bolted and as Joseph began to pound on it it slowly groaned open under the force. Monica was sitting at one of the consoles, probably used for some map or charts to be laid out on, instead it contained a briefcase of some sort, calmly resting there while she lounged back in the old squeaky chair.

"Major." she commented, her eyes settling on him in their usual coldness.

"To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

______________________

John

-John’s arms and shoulders where beginning to weaken after the grueling pace at which the inspection team had set. Danica couldn’t be set down and picked up every five minutes and he wasn’t about to let her out of his sight. Sweat had begun to bead along the crest of his bald crown. Whether it was the heat emanating from the power plants, the exertion from holding Danica, or both he couldn’t quite tell. Occasionally his mind would wander to the vial held in his pocket. Trying to determine just what the Director had meant when she had told him it was to keep him under control.

Still he had a duty to do and his mind couldn’t wander as much as it wanted. Couldn’t reflect on the atrocities committed both inside and outside, unable to dwell on the unconscious form cradled in his arms, when would she wake up? Was it more than just a slight concussion? Shuffling along the line minutes seemed to be stretched into hours and John grew more and more heated.

A tiny ember of anger was fanned by his growing weariness.-

________________________

Joseph

*He moved into the room as Monica welcomed him with her usual warm greeting, oh how he loved being around this woman....not. He sighed as he pushed the door shut behind him and moved closer*

"I was hoping for an update on our plan now that everything had gone to sh*t. Maybe a little information on who those people where that attacked us andwhy you grabbed that one man and brought him along. Things are just getting more and more strange for what I was to believe was going to be a very easy evac."

________________________

Monica

Monica's brow rose slightly as she contemplated what exactly to tell the Major, what he didn't know was far better than what he wanted to know. In the end she turned in the chair, her back to him and facing the path the ship was traveling. Already a small vibration could be felt as the generators were beginning to shunt power into the engines, enough to get the screws turning abeit slowly.

"We were attacked by a group that's called the Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance, or BSAA for short. The man I brought was the team leader at the little ambush back there." she commented calmly.

"I have hopes he will be of use in gaining some tactical advantage over the other Carrier in the harbor." she commented.

"We might be in a warship but we are not equipped as one. To make items worse we have a storm approaching and a couple of nukes that'll be detonated soon. " she elaborated.

"Plans never go precisely to plan Major, you of anyone should know that. "

________________________

Joseph

*He eyed her as she turned her back to him, the one who was always there to help her when the plans turned to sh*t. He let her go for the moment cause she was finally telling him something he cared to hear. That sounded like military enough to explain the presence and weapons but just not quite enough to make it also sound like a corp or free alliance. He sighed, this virus was causing alot more trouble then what it was worth in his eyes*

"Perhaps, but normally not so terribly wrong after such a short period of time. This was well planned out...seems like we have a leak somewhere if you ask me. But lets worry about that later, what other carrier in the harbor? I mean I can fly a fighter but are they even equiped to drop anything as they are?"

*He hadn't had much of a chance to survey the planes for payload or anything else of that type just knew there were there and no one inside them hiding*

____________________________

John

-The droning of the power from the waking power plants began to fill the room with an acute vibration. After a while it leveled out and John quickly acclimated. On and on they went. Hour by hour power plants where brought on. Somehow the crews managed to speed the process under the direction of the burly men. More survivors had been rerouted to the generator room beyond to monitor the output and whatever else there was to monitor. John couldn’t be sure of the exact technical details, but the burly man seemed pleased so at the very least something was going right.

Wiping the sweat from his brow with his elbow he continued his relentless pursuit of the inspection team, watching the gauges. However as time went by John began to feel calm once more the temperature began to decrease as vents where open and cool air circulated about the cramped walkways between each squatting behemoth belching power throughout the ship. Would Joseph make his way back down? Where they preparing rooms? Just how secure was the ship? So many unanswered questions, at least he had something to focus on to while away the time.-

______________________________

Monica

"This is a museum Major. You are quite lucky that the engines on this rust bucket even continue to function. I would suspect that any of the aircraft aboard this ship are as equally useless." she commented.

"I have no doubt that our friendly BSAA will not hesitate to try and sink us. You should keep as many people to the interior of the ship as possible incase we are bombed. "

She slowly turned back to face him, her eyes right on him as she rolled forward in her chair back to the table and took the case, placing her fingers upon it.

"Once we are clear of the blast zone we will attempt to make contact with the Nexus to arrange alternate means of transportation. "

____________________________

Joseph

*He eyed Monica, her handle on the situation always seemed to impress him, almost like she was ready for it all which just served to upset him a bit more but he kept it in check as he watched her turn to finally face him once more. If they were going to be bombed and possibly sunked it would be better to keep them ready to abandon ship on the lower decks. He debated on the tactic for a moment before eyeing her*

"I see...doesn't sound like we're in a very good position....Oh I know what else i forgot to ask. John's been asking questions, wanting to know what you did to him. I've told him I honestly don't know but he has a vial in his possession that he wanted me to ask about. Anything I can tell him would be helpful."

*He wanted to see what look she'd give him for asking such questions. He had learned a few of her facial movements and body positioning and he was prepared to try and unscramble those actions into information he could use*

______________________________

Monica

"No Major, it is not a good position we are in. Preferably, I'd rather be on our own corporate vessel departing this putrid city. Unfortunately I am aboard this.." she motioned with her hand towards the vessel around them.

She eyed Joseph for a few moments as he asked about John's little vial, such a cold look descended upon her face as she simply replied.

"Tell him when the pain becomes unbearable he'll know what to do with it."

______________________________

Joseph

*He eyed her, apparently he wasn't supposed to know about the vial. He found that rather interesting as he stared her down for the time being*

"So what was your plan to get the small ass ferry out of here if there was a carrier parked in the harbor? I'm going to have to check on the planes...they should have some of the missles on display maybe we can get the armed again and give them a show they aren't prepared for. As for John's vial, that's very...vague but I'll tell him."

*He nodded to her, not exactly the happiest expression upon his lips as he turned and started for the door*

_____________________________

Monica

"The Ferry was capable of being stealthed past the other Carrier." she commented, "That they were well aware of our movements was quite...unexpected." she replied, her eyes lingered right back on Joseph, staring him down just as deadly.

"Then again, you laid out the route, and yet you still managed to survive too." she replied.

She watched as Joseph began to make his way out, speaking one last time as he commented about the missile.

"Oh and Major. Don't get yourself blown up. I'd hate for the ship to be damaged."

_____________________________

Joseph

*He smirked as he looked back at Monica as he opened the door, she had tried to imply maybe he was responsible and he wasn't really in the mood for that so he skipped over it*

"Oh Monica I know you worry about me, but you probally should have put the moves on me before I rescued Andrea."

*He closed the door behind him as he disappeared from her sight and headed off to find John and share what little information he had been given*

___________________________

John

-John was much where Joseph had left him, though he was further down the line and the noise was deafening. A lot more of the power plants had been brought online since his departure and even more survivors had been brought in to hurry the task. Just as Joseph would find John, the burly man had finally found a replacement and told John to head back to the generator room, at least he would be able to lay Danica down on one of the benches while he watched the output levels of the various plants.

Stalking past Joseph with Danica and duffel bag in hands he stopped only to say a few words. “Been sent to the generator room, need to watch the output levels of the plants.”

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[Nicole]

Joseph

*Joseph watched John, good thing his lip reading was good as he wore the giant noise cancelling head set that was hanging on the wall. He had grabbed a set for John and Danica as well and he followed them as John led the way to the generator room. He offered the headset to John for later now that the noise wasn't quite a bad as they moved but none the less it was good to have. Joseph slide the coverings from his ears so they could talk*

"Well she wasn't happy about me knowing about your vial, but other then that she wouldn't tell me much. Sounds to me like alot of effort to make you want to take it so I have mixed feelings about it."

*He wasn't sure if he should explain the full situation to John just yet, not alot of reason to stress the man out early if he didnt have to*

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John

-John grumbled about the lack of a headset. The ringing in his ears was still present as they stepped into the generator room. The walls had been girded so that they dampened the noise from outside but he still thanked Joseph in a louder than usual voice. Resting Danica easily on one of the padded benches that adorned the back wall of the room, duffel bag tucked between her arms, he turned to the dials. Then he split his attention between Danica and Joseph, nodding as the man told him about the vial.

“Well if she wanted to keep it secret she wouldn’t have thrown it to me in a room chalk full of people. Regardless I won’t drink it until I have to.” John shrugged his shoulders. It hadn’t been his intention to get Joseph in trouble but he wasn’t about to skulk before the Director and ask her questions he knew she wouldn’t answer. What he wouldn’t give to throttle the pregnant dog. He had already thought of a thousand different scenarios that ended in her imminent death. But then again, if a bomb couldn’t blow her to bits, what could he do with his fists?

A sigh tore through the big man as he tore his gaze from Danica back to Joseph. “Level with me Joseph. What the f*** happened back there? How did she survive that blast? We all saw it, no one made it out except for her … and just who the f*** where those people?” John had coped quite well with the trauma of the explosions and gunfire. Even the dead didn’t seem to bother him as much as they should. But then again, what else could you expect from a man who was paid to kill people?-


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Joseph

*He watched John, he had every right to be upset and curious it didn't make sense and what did make sense was f***ed up. He didn't really know where to start so he just decided to spill what he knew*

"It's an organization called BSAA, and I'm assuming they were drawn in by the virus that's spreading causing the undead and the fact that it's our company that's responsible for it. Now how they knew we were there and how we were moving I haven't the foggiest and seeing as we can't go back to check logs I doubt we'll find out. As for the explosion I haven't a freaking clue how she managed that, cause she also ended up with bullet wounds too."

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John

-Again John nodded, his anger receding, it seemed to ebb and flow with his every thought. The more he tried to calm himself the more angry he got. The more flashing images of Monica’s mangled body flickered across his mind. Clenching and unclenching his fist with each new image the big man grunted. Joseph had given him all that he could. And for a while that seemed to cool him back down as he began to pace between Danica and the monitoring board.

“Then I guess we better hope they don’t have something worse out there. At least Monica is on our side.” And for once when he thought of her, he truly was glad, it could’ve been them she killed. The seesaw of emotions was beginning to wear on John who was already exhausted from the ambush and having to carry Danica around. The stress had begun to wear down his usual distance and bland expression. “Are we going to be assigned rooms anytime soon? Some food maybe?”

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Joseph

*He looked from Danica over to John again as he began talking and shrugged. He honestly hadn't gotten that far nor saw a reason why it would be necessary to assign them*

"I'm sure no one's going to worry about it John. There are lots of rooms and bunks for everyone we have and many more. I say just find one you like and set up there, we're not really going to have much need for assigned rooms i don't think since hopefully we aren't on here for too long. But I need to go check on the aircraft if you both are alright here. I'll send Andrea along to check Danica out a bit more since she still isn't awake."