NationStates Jolt Archive

This will be the main thread for The Host. The OOC thread is here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=560516).

Before posting, please read through the information in the OOC thread and submit a character form found on the first post. Thanks!

Please keep comments in the appropriate thread. Thanks!

Elle woke in the dark, Koda's back pressed against hers. Sometimes, she loved being in the caves. They stayed relatively cool in the hot desert summer. She remembered when she was first brought to the caverns. It was much less homey then.

The entrance was hidden nearly completely from view. It was a small hole under a rock outcropping, only visable to those who took the time to find it. If they knew what they were looking for. Once one climbed into the hole, they would have to crawl on hands and knees in a dark, long, cramped tunnel leading downwards so slightly that you weren't aware of it until it opened into a medium sized chamber, where eight or nine grown people could stand easily. There were three large tunnels leading off, all big enough to walk through.

The one furthest to the left made a large circle back to the middle. If you walked down it, small rooms would be seen holding food, clothing, medical and hunting supplies. Then there would be caves branching out, leading to more medium sized caverns that held doorways to rooms. Doors had been made from thick cloth for privacy. The rooms continued all down the rest of the hallway to the middle opening in the initial chamber, deemed the "visitor's hall" by a rather sarcastic six year old.

The door to the right had a much smaller hallway, but it lead down to a huge chamber, big enough to hold a soccer field. To the left, a kitchen was set up. Stone had been brought in and stacked for tables and seats in the corner to make the dining experience more communal. Just next to it, there was a hallway to a cavern that contained four rooms. The largest was Elle's office, the other three were her sick bays. She was the acting medic. Before she fled, she was a medical doctor going to school to specialize on neural surgery. This talent had been her saving grace. It was her contribution to the colony. The back left corner had another opening, a large tunnel, that led to the underground streams.

The stream room was dangerous. The water moved quickly, and a person could easily be swept up and taken down under the ground into the stream. But in this room, there was a natural bridge. A pool of water the size of a 15 seater hot tub had formed, and the natural warm water that pooled there made a convinent bath for those who lived inside. With buckets to catch the cooler water from the stream for cooking and cleaning without getting into the bath water, all of their survival needs were met.

The group also had two jeeps hidden in a cave deeper than it looked. They used these for raids.

She rolled over, gently nudging her 6-year-old daughter Dakota away so she could sit up without disturbing her, and stood from the crude straw matress. She went to the stick bar she had installed to hang their clothes, and pulled a fresh shirt and pair of jeans from her side, changing and throwing the nightgown back onto the bed. She pulled her hair into a loose braid, then headed to the kitchen. It was her turn on breakfast duty.

She went to the shelves to take a quick inventory. There wasn't much. They were down to rice, meal, a little sugar and flour, and a bit of the other basics. The group who left on the raid about three weeks ago should be returning any time now. And they would be there none too soon. Their food and medical supplies were low.

She took out a jar of wheat, and began to grind it manually using a very large mortar and a stone. She would make wheat pancakes, and use up the last of the jam in the process, before it went bad.

Tyler lead the jeeps into their cave. They were filled to the brim with supplies and the prize was sitting next to him. They'd found a grocery store in the small town freshly raided. It still had electricity even though the owners had left it weeks ago and they'd found all sorts of still barely fresh dairy products. Most of them were easy to reseal so it was just a matter of making sure it was airtight before putting it all in a cage and submerging it in the river. It wasn't as cold as the refrigeration in the store, but it would work well enough for them. Ty grabbed various containers of butter, yogurt, cheese, and even a galon of milk before making his way into the main room. Not seeing who he was looking for, he entered the kitchen. Elle was standing there working at making four when his parasite decided to take over. "Hello Elle. It's nice to see you. We found some things you might like." He set a few things down on the 'table' for her to examine.

Elle looked up and saw Tyler, her face breaking into an obvious array of relief and joy. Raids were dangerous. That's how most of the wild humans (aliens had the nicest nicknames), or free humans as they liked to call themselves, were caught. Tyler was a big help to the group, as an implanted human. Sometimes, although not too often, he culd take advantage of the alien's system for them.

The aliens abolished money. Since everyone worked, and they were all honest, everything was free, and everyone did their jobs. He had the ability to walk into a store being ran by aliens, stock up under the excuse that he was going camping, and walk out with much needed supplies without causing suspicion. But it couldn't be a method they used often.

She stood and brushed some of the wheat flour from her nose, and gave him a big hug for the supplies, and for his return. She had always felt close to him since he joined their group. She had also learned much from him about the aliens and their culture. She always listened to his stories.

Another part of it may have been her motherly side wanting to protect him. He was terribly young to be in their situation, but he was strong. She hoped not too strong to get himself into trouble ...

"I was starting to worry about you." She confessed as she pulled away, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You have perfect timing. Our supplies are so low I almost imposed rations."

"Rations might not be a bad idea. Enough to get by, but enough to not go hungry at least. If we could do that, we could better manage our supplies and plan ahead more. There are more perishables in the jeeps however, and we found not only bread that wasn't mold encrusted, but a large quantity of jellies and the like." The parasite had it's time talking and Tyler took over. "I'm still getting used to that. It's freaky being able to see and hear and everything but not move or talk. Anyway, try adding a bit of milk to what I assume are going to be your wheat pancakes. They were a bit funny tasting last time we went without it in there." He looked around the kitchen a bit.
"You know, I've been thinking a bit, maybe we should work on taking out part of the wall between here and the underground river. It would make getting to the river a whole lot easier and we could use the rock we excavate to make a wall around the bath area. Of course, it would definitely take a while to do."

Elle laughed. It was amusing, seeing a pracite and an alien interact peacibly in the same body. Ty was an exception to the rule, and she didn't feel right calling any part of him a paracite.

The bit of suggesting rations when they had plenty was smart. She knew that. But Elle was used to a different kind of life.

"We're fine. If I have to go on a raid by myself, I will. And I won't even make you babysit."

She grabbed the milk and poured a careful measure into the flour and egg mix, stirring with a tin camping spoon.

"Are the others going to wait till night to bring in the goods?" she asked.

"No, we found a secluded little spot and they're working to bring things in right now. Which means I should help. I just thought that our chef should know we have some ingredients she would want." he put the lid back on the milk, but left some butter on the table. "I'll just be off then, there's plenty to unload and the clinic had a god supply of meds. We really stocked up on penicillin and pain killers." He left and headed to the jeeps.
Indeed there was plenty in there though within a couple hours there was no sign they had been used at all recently. Once all the perishibles were in their "refrigeration cage," Ty lowered it into the water. Hiking ropes were strong enough to hold the cage tight, even in water moving this rough. Soaps found in the clinic and elsewhere were stocked by the bath area while medical supplies found their home with what remained of their last raid's. Blankets were stacked in the sleeping area, they were always nice to have and some pillows were also a new luxury. Since the town had been abandoned, nobody had any quarrels with breaking into a couple houses to see what was there. They had plans on making another trip for some furniture when they got a chance.

Elle continued the cooking, smiling at how life had become easier with Ty. It hadn't been easy to break the group's prejudice at first, but once things cooled off, he did make raids easier.

Redd Cizia awoke in the dark, cold from the beads of sweat on his body. He sat up, and his hand grabbed for the gun beside him. These damned dreams were killing him. The image of Bowie, laying on the stairs, looking like he'd been chewed up and spit out of the devil's belly. It was imprinted in his brain, never leaving him for long.

As he looked around, he calmed down as he saw the familiar area of the "base" as it was sometimes called. There was a slight chill, but the dirt remained packed on the ground.

He caught sight of Elle leaning over a large mortar and pestle, talking to a recent addition, Tyler. There was something Redd didn't like about him, and he was never one to hide his emotions. Ty either didn't notice or didn't mind, because he tried his best to be kind.

Perhaps it was those sudden switches, between parasite and human, that set Redd off in sparks of jitters. He seemed to be a good guy, though. Both parts of him. It was strange that the parasite was so damned friendly. Most of them didn't like humans much, considered them almost lower beings, although they probably were.

His bones creaked as he got to his knees and, slowly, his feet. Redd could tell by the look on Ty's face that something interesting had happened or was happening, and so he figured he'd find out what. He walked over to the two and stood to the side, and let them finish their conversation. He caught tidbits such as "bread" and "penicillin", and saw Ty lower the refridgeration cage, as it was called, into the water. He decided to then ask what was going on.

As Ty walked away to help finish the unloading and she picked up a large wicker paddle to fan fire flames to cook, Elle turned to Redd with another large smile. She tended to be the group's optimist. Despite all they had been through, she knew they were all much better off together.

"Mornin' Redd! Ty and some of the others just brought back a haul from their raid. It was a succes. So we have a treat for our breakfast." She pointed to the butter on the table, next to a new jar of jam. "Won't it taste sood? I don't remember the last time we had butter!

Their oven was a small mudd brick oven, that smoked and baked on the outside, and fried on top. A small vent had been carved all the way to the top, to let the smoke clear out. She fanned the fire heating the bricks, then shut the metal door with the pronged tool and stood to grab the cast iron pan.

(OOC: imagine the temperment of Kaylie from Firefly)

OOC: that doesn't help me much ~_~

IC: Tyler walked back into the kitchen, anxious to see how the food was coming. "Hello Redd. Did you sleep well?" he had his hands behind his back. "And Elle, we have something for you that you might like." It was only lately that both Ty and the parasite began referring to the one body as "we" instead of "I," and that probably contributed to Redd's dislike of him. Of course, Tyler figured that it was his problem and the Parasite decided that it was because he was different than the rest and so there was nothing he could do about it.
He held out his hands and revealed a small collection of frying pans. "This should work much better than just the bricks we've been using" he said handing her the largest one and stashing the rest with their few other cooking supplies.

Aaron made his way towards the extinct volcano in hopes of having a place to hide his stolen Hummer and have some rest. He parked the Hummer behind some trees and got out. As soon as he stepped onto the ground he fell about 4 feet into a small tunnel. "What the hell is this?"


OOC: Somebody find me :)

Elle took the pans, her eyes wide with happiness and suprise.

"Thank you sooo much! This is-"

She was interrupted by a yell that someone was outside. That was never good. It could be a Seeker ...

"Redd, go! Everyone, BLACK ALERT!!!"

She ran down through the room, yelling the alert they used for when a suspected Alien was near.

OOC: I changed my char, but it didn't post. My char is from Dominican Republic. He moved to NYC to become rich. He never became rich, instead poor, very poor. He has dreds, tied up, he wears an all black shirt, and blue jeans. He wears gold sunglasses. . He has a jamaican type accent. His newname is Omari Agreopolis

IC: Omari got up and grabbed his AK-47 and followed the others.

Ty was familiar with the routine of their searches and the parasite took over. "Everyone stay inside. I'll go see who it is." He grabbed a pistol from the entryway and headed outside to figure out who was there. With a steady hand, he exited the cave, gun sighted straight ahead of him.

"Mahn, wait. I want to come with you."

Omari raised his AK and began following Ty.

(OOC: you see desert, and a guy trying to hide not too far from the back entrance, by the great room)

Elle made it back to her room, and pulled the curtain back. A light shone into her face.

"Dakota, put it down!" she said angrilly. Her 6 year old lowered the flashlight. She was hiding on the other side of the matress, covered in blankets, her head poking out.

"But mom, you told me to check whenever someone screams code black."

"I know ... sorry ..." she ran in, scooped up her daughter, and ran to the bath room, where it was dark.

"Don't worry, I'll protect you two." Omari walked to the bathroom door and stood guard, his AK pointing everywhere, to see if there were enemies about.

OOC: Thanks.

IC: Tyler ran for the person hiding. "Who are you?" He inquired, still holding the pistol out until he could confirm whether it was a seeker or who it was. He wasn't going to take any chances and both host and parasite agreed. I say just kill him and get it over with.
He may be useful to our cause though. We should ascertain if they're harmful first.
Fine, we'll do it your way. But only cause you're the one moving.

"Are you gonna shoot it, Omari?" Dakota asked quietly, almost reverently. "You can use my flashlight if you wanna check, first ..." she held it out, and Elle had to smile that her daughter wasn't crazy.

(Ooc: see checking/identification methods in the OOC thread)

"Sure I'll shoot it. If it gets near you two. My duty is to protect you two." Omari took the flashlight and was ready to shine it as soon as he heard creeking. "Thanks, very nice of you to give me this." he said to Dakota.

"You all, let me into the bathroom. I don't know if I could hold him back. If we hide then he may not hear us and we can get out and sneak up on him."

Elle, clutching Dakota to her, tried to shield her daughter between herself and the wall. She hoped everyone else would make it safely to a hideout.

She placed her handon Omari's back in a friendly gesture. "Thanks." She whispered. They scooted back to make room.

Having received no answer, Tyler bent down and looked into the face of the person trying to hide. "Silver rings." he mused as if singing. It was obvious Ty himself had taken over and he put the pistol to the man's temple. "Are you a seeker?"
"Yes I am. But you're obviously in need of a medic, your behav..." his sentence was finished for him by a gunshot sure to bring anyone else in the area to them. Damn, forgot about the noise.
I thought it would have been obvious that it would do that. And be on alert now, I don't want to die and I'm sure you don't either.

"No problem, you two are partially my responsability, and we are a familiy now, all of us, we need to stick together."
Omari got closer to Elle and Dakota.
"Do you mind if I get closer? It's kinda cold in this bathroom."

Tyler then went to search the area and spotted a hummer, cleverly hidden, but not well enough. "Damn, more company." It just took a bit of searching to find the sinkhole where it's owner vanished to. "Well hello there. Need help?"

Elle was about to answer Omari when the sound of the shot rang through the tunnels. Dakota screamed, and she covered her daughter's ears and shushed her, now frantic.

"We need to stay quiet! Be ready!" she whispered, pulling them right behind him for shelter.

He hugged Elle, who was hugging Dakota. He felt like they were becoming closer, emotionally.
"Don't worry, everything's gonna be fine." Omari said hesitantly. He really wasn't sure who fired that gun, or who was dead or not. He needed to comfort Elle and Dakota. They were very nice people, and he didn't want to see anything bad happen to the two of them.

"Is it ok if I hug you?"

Elle was too stunned to process what was going on. All she felt was defensive mode kicking on. She pressed Dakota between her and Omari.

"Do you hear anything?" she asked, lifting her head.

"No, I haven't heard anything in awhile."
He held them closer to him. He wasn't sure what was going on outside.

"How long has it been?" asked Omari

"Not long enough. When Ty or Redd gives the all-clear, we'll be okay. For now, let's stay ..."

"Ok, I'm okay with that. Are you all ok? You don't seem like it, I just learned to meditate sorta. You just forget about the situation and think of something peaceful. It usually works." He felt that Elle was hugging him even harder, he felt sort of attracted to her. He didn't know, he hadn't felt this way since his wife was killed by this whole event.

OOC: Whoa what just happened!?

IC:

"Ughhh what the are you a seeker!? If your not I could sure use some help."

Aaron grabbed his Taser and waited for his answer.

OOC: Dans reminded me not to kill you, that's what.

IC: Tyler laughed. "Do you think I'm a seeker? And what of yourself?" The gun was still in his hand when he looked at Aaron's eyes. "I don't see a silver ring, but I could just be missing it."

OOC: Oh meh.

IC:

"And how the hell do i prove I'm not a seeker? You know what? How bout you not shoot me and help me out of this hole so you can take a good look."

Tyler smiled. "That's how. You obviously know nothing of these parasites." He pulled Aaron from the hole. "Watch your step around here. Ok, two questions. Who are you and did anyone follow you?"

"Aaron Setter Ex-Marine Sergeant First Class. And no, nobody followed me, I'm pretty sure of that. I pretty much came here to find some shelter, and I guess I found it."

"Alright then, follow me." Tyler turned toward the cave system and lead Aaron to the Great Room. "Wait here, touch nothing." he said as he walked to the bathroom. "Oy! Get out here!" he called with all the delicateness of a train wreck.

"I'm ... fine. That's the signal." Elle responded, letting him get up before she could. They walked to the great room, mere steps away. Elle pushed her daughter behind her.

"What's this, then? Another stowaway?"

"Looks a little suspicious if you ask me." said Omari.

"Ya, pretty much. He says his name is Aaron and he's parasite free." The parasite took over. "And then we brought him here for you to meet. We figured it would be best for you to pass judgement before doing anything else." It was obvious that Tyler was rubbing off on his partner a bit.

"Well I say we should let him in, for now, then we watch him and see how he is. Anyone agree?"

I don't, but it can't hurt to let him stick around for a bit. "We agree." The parasite stated. It was still weird to Tyler to say we, but it made sense so they kept using it.

OOC: I'm gonna go off. I'm really tired. I live on the east coast of the US, for your info. its's 1:41 here.

IC: "Well what you all say?"

OOC: Good night. It's just 12:42 here. I'm in Minnesota.

OOC: It's 10:46 but i gotta log off soon.

IC: "What was that we thing?"

OOC: off to bed, as well!

"I think you all know my policy. I am all for open doors, until someone puts my daughter or this colony at risk. Speaking of," she turned to Aaron. "Coming in the middle of daylight? How did you get here? I hope your transportation is pretty damn hidden. Apparently, you were either followed or your partner was killed. That doesn't sit well with me in any case, but if it was the first, we'd give a bigger welcoming party." The party bit was a sarcastic joke. Rare, especially these days, were these jokes told from Elle.

"You know what, I think we should lock him in a room for awhile. Like when we sleep, and aren't on guard. And we should do shifts to watch him. One person every two hours. That way he won't do anything stupid that could get us, or him killed." When he said the end part he slightly looked down at Dakota, she was his main concern about this kinda stuff.

Elle tilted her head to one side, thinking.

"Omari, I think we should hear this man's story. He is human, after all. We help humans. And I want to start planting food crops soon, too. We could use an extra set of hands."

"There was a lone seeker. That was the gunshot. And I agree that we should hear him out before making snap judgement calls. Listen to his story and then we'll go from there." Tyler said calmly. "Besides, your guy's idea of confinement sucks."

"It's what me and my old group did before I met up with you guys. And it worked very well, and we'd let them out eventually. We disbanded and went our seprarate ways. Haven't heard from them in a long time."

Redd walked up to the two with an air of irritation and anger. He'd now been waken up, had to run, (and he was an old man for chrissakes!), and now he had to put up with these immature kids arguing.

"Can it, you two," he said loudly and with an air of seniority.

"Let's settle this. Omari, you're in no place to make commands, primarily because you annoy me. And Tyler, I don't trust that fucking parasite, or you. And me, I'm not too bright. So, let's have Elle speak her mind."

He shifted his white eyes over to her, avoiding Tyler and Omari's face.

{OOC: I enjoyed reading this in the beginning but the quality is just shit now, what happened to the big posts? :'(}

"Hey man, stay out of this! Your in no command either man. This ain't a dictatorship, this is a democracy. That mean we all can speak our mind. It's a free world now, after all this shit that happened.! Now just calm the fuck down."

OOC: By the way I doubt you didn't know this but italics like these mean that your char is thinking it. Sorry if you did already, just don't reply negatively. Cause some have in the past in other threads.

OOC: Buddha C, if I may have a word with you. We have an OOC thread, please feel free to leave comments there. Second, not every post is going to be great, we're working on it. If you want long posts, please, feel free to join in and make one! It comes in waves, if we have a lot to do, we'll make a long post, if not, it'll be shorter. Discussions take time and will be shorter because we're focusing on one thing. Once we start moving and going on raids, they'll be long again. BTW, expect more from our fearless leader.

IC: Ty glared at Redd. "I don't appreciate that. I've contributed more lately than you have. Did you go on the last raid? I don't think so." The parasite took over. "I too take great offense at that. I have put my life on the line to join you and help you when I could easily out this, would compound be the right word? Yes. Good, then I'll stick with that. At any rate, he's clear and obviously does not host one of my species.
"And Omari's right, we should be working on this as a group. It's not like we have one person controlling everything. We function together so we should all have a say." Their switching was getting faster, something that creeped both Ty and his parasite out a bit.

"I'm not playing dictator. I'm playing mediator. I ended your argument didn't I damnit?"

"I don't appreciate that. I've contributed more lately than you have. Did you go on the last raid? I don't think so." There came Ty's incescent voice again. And then, even worse, that creepy shift to the bug.

"I too take great offense at that. I have put my life on the line to join you and help you when I could easily out this, would compound be the right word? Yes. Good, then I'll stick with that. At any rate, he's clear and obviously does not host one of my species." And again!

"And Omari's right, we should be working on this as a group. It's not like we have one person controlling everything. We function together so we should all have a say."

Redd sighed. He was too old for this. "Ok. Fine. Have it your way. But don't you agree that Elle is probably thinking the clearest? Humor me. And her. Be quiet. Please."

OOC: By the way I doubt you didn't know this but italics like these mean that your char is thinking it. Sorry if you did already, just don't reply negatively. Cause some have in the past in other threads.

OOC: Ya, that's how Ty and his parasite speak without actually talking. It's good to let people know, but if it's not in quotation marks, it's obviously not speech. But when used in quotation marks (as part of speech) they add emphasis, not showing thought.

"Thanks man. Umm... I don't know which said that but thanks anyway. I trust you Ty, and your parasite. Oh, and next raid you go on Ty, I wanna tag along, only done a few, and I want to do some more for all of us." replied Omari, gripping his AK more loosly.

(OOC: Budda C, if more people sign up, more of your actions depend on ther's responces. But, as you wish, an obnoxiously long post that will have me exhaused and cranky at work tomorrow! ;) )

IC:
Elle rather enjoyed the brief pause, until it registered that she would be in charge of deciding the fate of this human, presumably too scared to speak. She looked him over, the weight shifting from one foot to the other uncomfortably. As a doctor, one would think that playing"God" and making big decisions would come easier. But in truth, nothing was easy these days.

It was sad, really, that everyone must be treated with suspision (? on sp and too lazy to check) and fear. Her eyes moved to her daughter. Dakota was her lifeline, her support. If she hadn't felt like her daughter deserved more than a soul disappearing and a paracite taking over her body, she probably would have succumbed to the invasion. Elle saw the logic in it. A perfect world, where war, disease, and famine were words learned in history books and not in the actual lives of people. Where respect was given and expected. Where lies could not exist. It would have been easier then, to give it all up and become part of the invasion. But it was different now. She knew her daughter as a person, not as an infant. She knew her personalities, her strengths, her goals, her dreams ... killing her soul, even if the body lived, was just plain murder.

Asking her to make the choice was like her former experience all over again. Killing him would solve nothing. Imprisoning him would accomplish nothing. She knew he had a story. She could read it on his face. She turned to Redd.

"Give me a gun. I will take him as my personal charge, if you agree to watch him for a few hours a day so I can rest. When he's proven not to be a Seeker, he is one of us. No questions asked. Is this acceptable?"

"Hell yeah, I knew my plan would be partially accepted!"

Ty shrugged. "Whatever works Omari. It's good to have others coming along, but you're going to have to be careful with the shooting. I've got the parasite, so diplomacy first. I like the idea though Elle. He's got no parasite, but it doesn't hurt to be sure." He streched a bit. "But for now, I say we head back to the kitchen. Last I saw, Elle was making wheat pancakes and I feel like some breakfast before bed." Ty turned and lead the way to the kitchen and put a small bit of the butter on the now very hot frying pan, enough to keep the food from sticking and add flavor, but still leaving enough for people to put on their pancakes.

"Yumm... I'm hungry as hell. I'll take a few." Omari followed Ty to the kitchen, licking his lips at the thought of pancakes.

"Uh so where do I take my Hummer, It's still running and it's got some canned food in it."

Aaron nervously stared at the wall while talking.


OOC: Canned food was the stuff he was supposed to live on.

"What you staring at?" asked Omari.

"I have to clue where to put it, somewhere close. I guess."

"So you want me to leave my Hummer outside or what? If that's what you mean at least let me go shut it off."

"I say, put it where ever the hell you want it. But try and keep it hidden, as not to attract any infected humans. By the way, unlike the others, I trust you. Well I don't know if they trust you or not. Just don't let us down and don't abandon us."

"That's nice to hear, I guess I'll go park my Hummer on a cave right now."
--------
10 minutes later...

"Finally! Got the damn Hummer in."

*Aaron sees bushes shaking."

"What the heck?

Elle sighed, taking a gun from the compartment she knew of, in a wall looking like a hand hole for rockclimbers. She didn't know much about them. It was a small pistol. But it would incapacitate, should anything happen.

"Omari, Redd, take Koda to the kitchen with you and grill up those pancakes. Ill be back."

"But MOOOOOOM, ..."

"Not a chance. Go." She pushed the protesting child with the men and followed the man.

*****

She took the actual entrance, the small hole in the rocks and brush. He noticed her movements, and she pulled herself through completely, standing and brushing the dirt from her jeans and black top. She realized now that wearing a black t-shirt and pants was stupid before the sun set.

"It's me. Relax. Next time, wait for me." She pushed him back into the cave he parked in with one hand on his chest, the other gripping her gun pointed down, puting them out of sight in case a plane or helicopter went over. "I want to trust you. But you've got to understand that my daughter is down there, and risking my neck for a lone wolf is not in her best interest. Tell me your story."

Ty called out to everyone still in the cave. "Alright, into the kitchen for breakfast." The butter had melted in the new pan and Ty grabbed the bowl Elle had mixed the batter in and poured some into the pan He checked it and managed to flip it without a spatula. "Alright Koda, I know you like giant pancakes so grab a plate." He tipped the pancake, which was larger than her head, onto her plate and worked on making a bunch of smaller pancakes for the rest of the group.
After ten minutes or so the whole batch was done and he brought them to the table. "Shall we say a prayer?" he asked the group.

OOC: It's sylvonia, I accidently left my puppet nation signed in.

Dakota hated being pulled and prodded from her mom, but she never had the choice. They got to the kitchen and Ty gave her an extra big pancake. But he had helped her mom leave without her, with that new guy who looked weird. So she couldn't be as happy as she wanted to. Besides, Ty 1 and Ty 2 were confusng sometimes.

"Thanks, Mr. 1 or 2." She said, eyeing him skeptically. "And why pray? Mom's not watching ..."

Ty laughed. He always got a kick out of her Ty 1 and Ty 2 thing. "Ty 1 right now. Ty 2 is sleeping. And because it's the right thing to do. God has blessed us with this food and today he even gave us jam and butter. If that's not good enough reason to give thanks, I don't know what is." He folded his hands. "Now, shall we pray or simply ignore the being that continues to provide for us?" It was amazing how even with a parasite controlling his body occasionally, he could still focus on religion and see the good times.

Dakota frowned, and set her fork down. She looked at the food with longing, before pushing her plate back to Ty 1. She really wanted it. But morally, she could not accept.

"I will ignore the thingy who is ignoring us." A tear fell from her eye and she turned away. "If he was blessing us, I would have a daddy here. My daddy. He doesn't have 1 and 2. Just 2."

Ty frowned a bit and moved to give Koda a hug. "Hey, I hated it when they put Ty 2 in me and I hated God for it. But soon I learned it was for a good reason. He wanted him to help us and I see that now. He's got a reason for only having your mother here and although we don't know why, we do know that it's for the best. Now come on, let's thank God for giving us food, a new friend, a treat today, and so many more things I could list off."

"I know why. Cause mama's strong, and kept me going when it all got rough," she said, trying to repeat from the lectures she heard from her mom. "But I am still upset with Mr. God. Its not fair to be afraid all the time, even if bein' afraid means making friends with bug guns. Hey, that's it!"

She pulled her plate back to her, folded her arms, and ckosed her eyes before she began, "Dear Mr. God, thanks for giving me friends with big guns, even if bein' scared is part of the trade. Bless everybody who is a 1 and a 2, but only the good guys, please. And make the new guy have big guns, too. And please add all the stuff Ty 1 says, and Ty 2, because he's a good guy. Thanks! Amen."

She looked up at Ty with a smirk on her face. "There! Said it!"

Ty smiled and took his seat, holding back a laugh. "Nice prayer." he said encouragingly. "But remember that God wants us to forgive those who are mean to us too. God has shown us mercy and love, we should share that with others." He clapped his hands together. "But that's enough of a lesson for today. Dig in folks." He took his own advice and put some of the butter and preserves on his pancakes before starting to eat.

Dakota took a big bite of her pancake after adding a tiny spread of butter, and a lot of jam. "Its easier to forgive people when you've got food. Cause then you're not so scared. But I bet even you and Ty 2 would be afraid if we didn't have each other."

Tyler laughed. "You're right. And ya, we would be scared. It was terrifying before we found you guys. But now life is better and we're not so scared." He finished the first pancake. "Besides, we all stick together as a group so we don't have a reason to be scared. We'll stick together and support each other. Besides, we always have God."

OOC note: If anyone feels I'm pushing God, I'm sorry. My character is just religious and I don't want to sound pushy.

Koda sighed. "Even if you didn't find us, you would be safe though, right? You look like the bad guys, even if the real you is superman of the cave city!" She ate her pancake greedily, then took her plate to the sink. "I'm gonna go get clothes on so I can play!" she scampered off to the room.

Boy, is it hot. Earl had never been an athletic person. Well, not before, anyway. He was drenched in sweat, running through the desert. He could still hear the screams of the "people" chasing him. Man, I wish I had remembered to grab some water! It is really hot out here. Earl hadn't have an easy life. When he was born, he was.... blessed.... with a birthmark on the back of his neck. It was almost funny how identical it was to the one that the infected people had on their necks. Almost. It was so funny because, well, he didn't want to be infected. But whenever he found a group of uninfected to join... he was chased off and nearly killed. He had gotten away every time, and now he didn't even bother looking for them. It was much easier. But less funny. Plus, the aliens could tell that he wasn't infected, and so they were chasing him too. Truthfully, he wasn't accepted anywhere. Jeez, this is a real scorcher! He was running through the desert with a worn white T-shirt, a pair of athletic shorts, and two Nike shoes that didn't match. He was running along, when he heard some strange voices that seemed to come from the ground. He stopped for a moment. He couldn't hear the mob chasing him anymore. He knew he had lost him on the last few sand dunes, especially with this strong wind. So he assumed he was safe. He approached the area cautiously, trying to find where the voices came from, only to slip on a smooth rock that was covered with sand. "OW! MY HEAD! AW, THAT S-" He stopped, remembering that there were voices nearby. He froze to see if he had been noticed.

Elle turned from Aaron, the gun flying up as she switched off the safety and held it with both hands, making steady aim. "Go back inside through the hole I came from. NOW!"

As he scampered in, she slowly walked out. "Who's there? Show yourself!"

OOC: this post will work, but they are in the Arizona desert!

He watched in amazement as a woman approached him with a gun. He hadn't seen where she had come from, so as far as he knew she had come from nowhere. Crap. This looks familiar... where have I seen this? Oh, right, she must be uninfected. Double crap. He stood up with his hands held high. "Uh... hi. I suppose you don't know where a fella could get some water now, do ya?" He tried to keep a smile on his face, but he was already planning his escape, or trying to. Darn. I'm in the middle of the desert, and I've already been running for hours. Best to go along with it, I suppose. At least for now. I hope she's alone... much easier to get away.

Tyler had just put his fork down when he heard shouting. "Redd, watch Dakota." he grabbed a pistol and went outside, past Aaron. A quick look around revealed Elle pointing her gun at a stranger. "Elle, what's going on? Who shouted?" He said, pointing his gun at the stranger too just to be on the safe side. "And for that matter, who are you?" He had a better view than Elle did of the man.

The whole time, Earl was careful to be facing at them so they wouldn't see the back of his neck. Best if they don't hate me right off the bat...

Ty took matters into his own hands and walked right up to the new arrival. Getting right in his face, he looked at his eyes. "He's clean." Ty said to Elle. "Now, who are you? I'm only being nice because Elle's here."

Elle didn't waiver her stance, just moving closer to the stranger.

"I yelled. Today is not our day for privacy. You! Who are you, and how the hell did you wind up here?"

She wanted to ask where her daughter was, but thought better of it, in case more came. Truth be told, she was scared out of her wits.

Earl was somewhat surprised. This one has the sense to check my eyes. They'll still be suspicious when they know, but how did he-? He noticed the silver in the man's eyes. One of them... with them? I should warn them... but how? "I'm, uh, just a nobody Ma'am. I was just running through the desert when I ran into this, er, place you have here. It was completely accidental, I assure you, but, well, people, er, well, they, were chasing me, and even though the wind took my footprints, I'd rather not risk them finding us out here. It seems like you have a nice place in there, seeing as you aren't sweating like me. Could we go inside?" He knew they would chase him out when they saw his scar, but he still felt sympathy for them, and didn't want them to get caught. Plus, he needed to warn them of this alien in their midst.

Ty's parasite took over. "I think it would be wise to get out of this sun anyway. Besides that, if the man's story is true there are humans heading this way and I wouldn't want to get on their bad side. Even if I am working with you, it's doubtful they would believe it."

Elle nodded, pointing her gun towards the expertly hidden entrance.

"Go in there, and wait. Once inside, do not take another step, or I will shoot. And I don't miss."

She turned to Ty.

"You better get in, too. We can't lose you. I couldn't live with that. Ill cover the hummer and our prints."

She knows?!?! He tried his hardest not to stare in amazement at the woman. Something must be wrong here. She's... one of them too? He had meant to say that aliens in peoples bodies were coming, but this was much more convenient. If he told them the truth, they might see it as reinforcements. So, they were going to take him in and infect him? Not if he could help it. "Wait, can I go get my, uh, water bottle? I left it right over there, behind that." He pointed to a small pile of sand that could have been big enough to hide a bottle as he began to slowly walk over to it, his hands still up.

Tyler laughed. "Look, I know you've noticed I'm infected, but Elle's clean. We're rebels just living our lives. It's not like we're trying to get others to go along with the parasites. And by the way, if you'd left your water bottle, you would have got that before hiding. I'm not stupid."

Elle reaimed and took up a defensive stance against the newcomer.

"Ass. Inside. Now."

Earl's eyes widened a bit, but he didn't stop inching away from them. What? Rebels? Why would an infected be helping the rebels? No, but if they wanted to kill me, why not shoot me? This makes no sense. Unless.... they don't want to hurt me! They really need a body, and so they don't want to shoot me and risk damaging my precious body! That must be it! It's gotta be! So... I just have to outrun this guy, huh? By inching along, he had positioned himself so the man was between him and the woman, so she couldn't see him directly. In one motion, he spun on his heel and began to run, kicking sand in the man/alien's face as he took off. Good thing I've been running my whole life. I just hope I'm not too tired to outrun him.

Ty took off in the direction of the breathing and grabbed Earl's shirt collar. "Damn it. I said get in the hole!" He grabbed Earl, lifted him from the ground, and started carrying him toward the entrance, spitting out sand the whole way. "You brought this upon yourself you know. At least I didn't shoot."

Jack McCrea adjusted the scope of his Remmington 700 rifle and lazily peeped through the sight at the vast desert that surrounded them and the high, red jagged mountains and rocks. Sentry duty was boring and lonely but an important aspect of survival for their small band of survivors. The slightest upset in the natural landscape, anyting that wasn't there before, is a possible threat. He knew this area like the back of his hand. Having been a deputy for the sheriff's department, they often used horses through some of the rougher terrain where even jeeps could not manage. They used to catch drug runners and illegal immigrants. Now, anyone and everyone is a danger to their existance. Situated behind a large boulder he cracked his neck and let out a sigh. Damn, sometimes I wish I'd move up to PA like Claire wanted...

Suddenly, his mind lapsed into painful and sorrowful memories of Claire. His eyes closed and drew away from the scope and faced the ground. The dirt, rocks, and a scorpion scurrying about. It didn't matter, none of this mattered suddenly. It was such a vivid memory even though so much time passed. He often wondered if she still saw the moon as he did. Does she still relax herself when someone touches the back of her neck? Is an M&M Blizzard fro Derry Queen still her favorite treat? Is her laugh the same? Does she even laugh?

A million questions asked a million times over still left wanting. He could not bring himself to pull the trigger when he discovered the horrible truth. That woman standing in his kitchen was not his wife, it looked like her, talked like her, but it wasn't her. Those blue eyes were dull and emotionless. An empty vessel captained by a sinister force that invaded her body and stole away her mind.

He ran a hand through his hair and scratched his rough, unshaven face before trying to push those memories away. Dammit, left my flask under my cot! Without his flask, his stomach demanded something else, he knew his watch was drawing to a close and then he could get some sleep but still had some time left.

"Hey, can someone bring me somethin' to eat?" Jack asked into the radio.

OOC: This is one fast RP

IC:

"Ok so that's what I saw, at least I'm not crazy, by the way Hummer's hidden. I guess I'll go get my food from the Hummer or something."
-------
Aaron came back down through the hole with 2 grocery bags full of stuff he had stolen from the stores.

Just as Aaron turned around to tell the group what he got he noticed the scar on Earl's neck...

"Oh crap... Hey guys the new guy has a scar on his back, you guys sure he's not an alien?"

Ty brought Earl into the cave and sat him forcefully down in front of the rest. "First off Aaron going out when we're in the middle of dealing with someone possibly finding us is horribly irresponsible. Second, look at his eyes. No silver."

OOC: This is nothing. No Rest for Humanity can rack up a couple hundred posts in about 4 hours.

Elle moved some larger stones in front of the Hummer, and from inside the cave pulled out a sandy colored tarp, made from glueing actual sand onto a tarp, making it very heavy yet theperfect camoflage for hiding vehicles and even people.

She got on her hands and knees and used the fingers of one hand to brush away evidence of steps as she backed into the entrance. Climbing down, she noted the canned foods, and kept going till she reached the room with the others. Her face had turned red from the heat.

"Elle, we've got the second new arrival here. And he's yet to tell us his name. But he's clean, no parasite." Tyler informed her. He kept a firm hold on Earl and was careful not to let him get a chance to escape like he'd tried before.

Elle looked at the two men who were new, her face tired and worn out. She began to speak, but was distracted by Dakota running and jumping into her lap, in a light purple sundress and sandals instead of pajandmas. Elle scooped her up and wrapped her arms around her, before responding.

"Look, there are lives at stake here. I need to know how two rogue humans just happened by here, and if more of you are coming. If Seekers are following you, we will see to it that you, or parts of you, are found. Endangering a whole community for two lone people, one of you most uncooperative, is impracticle."

Earl was breathing heavily. He could hear the blood pounding in his ears, and nothing else. Darn. I was more tired then I thought. So, this is how it ends? Forced to be infected in a dark cave. Wait, I'm not infected yet! I can still get out of here! But... how many more are there? He shuddered at this thought. Well, I don't think I can talk my way out of this one. Better clam up for now. He simply stared Elle in the face, trying to determine if this was still part of a trick or not.

Tyler kneeled down to Earl. "Are you going to tell us your name and any information you've got about anyone following you or should we scatter your limbs throughout the desert? I'm prone to both paths actually." His hand was still on the gun, though if someone looked close enough, they'd see the safety was on.

Earl knew it would be smart to keep his mouth shut, but he had learned from years on the run to get humor where he could, even if it wasn't smart. He simply shrugged in response. "Eh, I'm rather impartial, actually." He didn't think the man would actually kill him, even though he was an alien technically. Whether he was a rebel or an alien out for his body, it was doubtful they'd kill him. He hoped. But in the end, when it came down to it, he knew he would die eventually, so he didn't feel like he was taking a huge risk.

There was an audible click as Ty removed the safety and cocked the pistol. "Your name and information on who's following you." Ty demanded. "I'm not in the mood for crap right now. I'm tired, we've been on a raid for the past few days, and I'm the only one of us that can legally get fuel for the jeeps. I suggest you stop being a coward in the presence of those against the parasites and divulge any information you have about who's followed you." he put the gun to Earl's forehead. "Redd, please remove Koda from the room."

Earl's vision began to redden. Coward? His hand began to shake ever so slightly. Coward? He looked up into Ty's silver lined eyes. Coward?!? His hand became a fist, his knuckles white. "COWARD!?!?!" He stood up, completely oblivious to the gun at his forehead. "How dare you call me a coward, you alien scum! When you're the one hiding in a hole in the ground, pointing the gun at my head, and you call me a coward?!?! Because I don't want my body to be the new flesh-suit of one of your buddies?!?!?! Because I ran from of a mob of them who almost did it for you!?!?!? Don't you dare call me coward ever again!" Earl's vision returned to normal. His face was red, and he had been screaming at the top of his lungs. He held back a look of surprise as he realized what he had done. Woah. Did I just do that? Well, I guess I'm dead.

Ty stood frozen for a second before cracking up. "So that's how I get information out of you!" he said with a bit of glee. "Do you know how many of them there are? I don't want anyone coming with me unless necessary. And don't worry, we're not going to infect you. We're rebels." the parasite took over. "However, it is my specialty that deals with others of my kind. I will take care of them in a minute. Now, what is your name?"

Earl stared with his mouth slightly open. Wha-... what just happened? He fell to his knees shaking. Did... did his personality just switch, or was that the.... "Six. I think I lost them a few miles back, but I can't be sure." He paused for a moment, completely clueless as to what was going on. "And my name is Earl." His face had gone from red to white.

Ty nodded. "Thank you Earl. Oh, and before you faint, Tyler and I frequently switch off. Don't be surprised if just this body is doing something and one of us says we are doing it. It's what we do."

They can... share... a body? Indeed, Earl did feel the need to faint. After running all day, plus all this drama, he was exhausted. However, he fought it back, he needed to stay awake. He still wasn't completely trusting of these people. "Er... sure thing."

Redd sat off to the side, watching "Earl" with his ghostly eyes.

Poor guy, he thought. he looks like he's about to shit himself.

In the time he'd been awake (a notably short one, at that.) his face had changed colors from red, to pink, to chalk white. Ty was admittedly not doing anything noticably wrong, but that switch did have the tendency to freak unknowing people out.

Earl looked like he was going to faint, but he seemed to hold on for the time being.

Redd remained back. He was also kind of imposing, and he didn't want to jeapordize this.

"Look, we share, you got a problem with that?" Ty himself was obviously back in control. "It's mutually beneficial anyway. Should I get knocked out or need help, he's there to take over. And when he's not sure of what to do or doesn't understand something, I'm there. Plus, I keep him alive. We do more together than if it was just me in this group he's been a big help. If that's a problem, get over it."

"Er... I'm not sure if I have a problem with that. I didn't even think it was possible." He absentmindedly scratched the back his neck, but quickly pulled his hand away.

Redd was tired of this conversation, as it was leading nowhere, then circling around in the little Nowhere Cul-de-sac. He stepped out from behind Earl, and stood next to Ty.

"Ok. Quick lecture from the old fuck here. Ty here's a freak, and it's creepy for a while. But, you'd better get used to it real quick. Of course, if you're incapable of it, we can always use you as bait for the seekers. That's always an option."

He focused his eyes lazily on Earl's.

Earl shrugged. "Used to it? You make it sound like I live here." Some of the color had come back into his face.

"Thanks Redd. Thanks a million. That makes me feel real good about myself." Sarcasm dripped from every syllable. "Besides, I don't see you getting used to it that quick. Hey now, he's working on it. I know, but still, it's an unusually slow process for him."

"Thanks Redd. Thanks a million. That makes me feel real good about myself. Besides, I don't see you getting used to it that quick. Hey now, he's working on it. I know, but still, it's an unusually slow process for him."

Redd sighed. "Nice front of unity pal. That's a great tactic for an interrogation, which I believe this basically is. Also, I'm plenty used to it. I just don't like you." He flashed a huge grin in Ty's direction, then turned to Earl.

"Look, I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I believe that this is the only safe haven for people such as yourself for miles around. And if you were going to leave, you'd get caught, because they're going to be looking for you, and everyone knows how painfully thorough those bugs are. So you should stay here, and I'm just recommending that you get used to his freaky switches, because it makes things much easier."

You won't be saying that for long... "So, you not even going to ask me? I've been running all my life, you don't think I haven't gotten good at it yet? Maybe I don't want to stay."

"You don't sound used to it nor do you act used to it. Anyway, I'm not your biggest fan either. I must say however that I find it offensive. I didn't think you were all that bad aside from your incessant swearing." Ty was switching like crazy now that both halves of him were in the conversation.
"But he's right. This is haven compared to what's out there. Trust me, it's better in this group than out on your own."

"So, you not even going to ask me? I've been running all my life, you don't think I haven't gotten good at it yet? Maybe I don't want to stay."

My god! The kids these days!

"Ok. Leave."

He turned to Ty. "And I'm supposed to just take your word for it? No thanks." He then turned to who was called Redd. "Ok, fine then." He walked over to the hole. "Now, I just climb through this, right?"

"That's usually how they work." Ty said. "But seriously, if you want to leave, don't expect us to help if you come crawling back and don't lure the seekers toward here."

"Yup. Then you're out. I really hope you get your balls out of where your brain's supposed to be be, because, regardless of how it sounds, I don't want you to die. And if you go out there, you will. And I think you know it. I also think you're hiding something. So, leave, or not. It's your choice, and I'm too old to be stoppin' you.

Elle was tired. Real tired. And the constant whining was rather irritating, especially on an empty stomache. She stood, pushing Koda to Redd.

"Take her. Feed Jack." Her words had a very frightening finality about them. Once Redd had ushered Koda out, she lifted her pistol and fired two shots, one into each of Earl's legs. She watched him fall to the cave floor, as she walked to stand over him.

"Okay dick face, listen up. Your rogue attitude will not get my daughter killed. I don't care who or what you trust, but you are not going to ruin the safety we built for each other. If you decide to leave here, it will be on our terms. The last thing I need is a whiny prick who runs to tell the seekers where we are."

And with that, she tossed her gun into the air, caught it by the barrel, and brought it down on his head. Hard.

"Ty, take him to the medical bay. Tie him down so damn tight that a fart can't escape from his butt cheeks. Ill patch his sorry excuse of a body up. After I eat." She turned to the other man (Aaron) with an exhasperated glance. "You have two choices. Come eat and talk as a normal, well behaved adult, or follow your friend to my office in a similar condition. Up to you."

Ty picked up Earl and sighed. "I suppose we should have seen this coming. Well, we've got painkillers where we're going." He walked across the room and entered the med bay where Kathy was asleep on one of their two stretchers, a book over her face.
"Kathy, got a patient. Lead in both legs courtesy of Elle." Tyler laid Earl on the other stretcher.
Kathy woke up, slightly dazed. "Again? Alright." She pulled out her bullet removal kit. Basically a pair of glorified tweezers, antibiotics, sutures, and bandages. She took the plier like forceps and dug both bullets out, not caring how painful it was. She looked for any fragments before cleaning the affected areas and stitching them up. She put an antibiotic cream on both and wrapped them up. They couldn't afford infections so they took steps to prevent them out here. "He's done. I assume Elle wants him strapped in?"
"Of course." Ty said, flipping Earl onto his back. he pulled a couple of the straps as tight as he could and Kathy pulled the rest even tighter.

Damn.... they must really like me. That was the last thought he had before Elle pistol-whipped him into Night-Night land. While in Night-Night land, he dreamed pf a few strange things. He saw the mob of aliens that was chasing him. He saw the other groups of rebels that had chased him too. He saw his family being shot for hiding him from the rebels. At one moment, he became semi-conscious. He squinted one eye open only to see a young woman next to him. She had emerald green eyes, brown hair, and from what he saw, freckles. D... Darla? Then she pulled the bullet out, and he passed out again.

Elle went to her room for a breather, laying face down on her bed. She hated getting so upset. It wasn't fair. She tried to be responcible, reasonable. The group used her as the glue, mainly because of how protective and motherly she was towards all of them. A woman of her age in the pre-invasion world would be working and balancing life to that. But here, it wasn't possible. She had to fight to keep things running. The more people who joined them made it all easier.

But nothing could take away her longing for Eric. She missed him so much, that there was a void in her. A switch. When she felt threatened, she imagined him by her side, trying to see what he would have done. He would have shot the noncomplaicent whiny human in the head. But then again, she didn't always have to listen to his action. That's why she gave his legs a new set of holes.

After she composed herself, she pulled on her clean white labcoat, mostly for the scare effects. She left it open as she walked back to the med bay. Kathy was just sitting down from tying him down. She smiled to the woman.

"Thanks. What can I say? Sometimes my temper gets to me."

A grumble snapped Jack back into this shitty reality he found himself trapped in. They always say our imaginations are an escape to help us cope, his was like a drug. He needed to be away. But those nourishing memories came at a seering price. Each time he thought of her, a little more died. That's the life he finds himself in. The inability to care about anything. His life is meaningless except for an extra pair of hands for the group. Sometimes, he wandered in secret if he'd be better off infected. Maybe, just maybe I could see her again...

The timer on his watch buzzed and with one more sweep of the landscape he called it quits. Climbing around the boulders, leaping between gaps, and descending down then outcrop were all natural. This was his lands, his playground as a young child. Just several miles away he and a group of friends years and years ago went out playing when Jack lept before he looked and ended up breaking his leg. He smirked and slung the rifle over his back and stepped down from his position. The relief came and Jack simply tipped his hat and kept along his way.

Jack made his way through the entrance of the cave, always looking over his shoulder...just like he'll be doing for the rest of his life...to see if anyone is around. He sat on a stool and helped himself to some leftovers from breakfast and mainly kept to himself. That's usually how it goes, idle chitchat from time to time but mainly pulling his weight and going to that cot which is his home for some sleep. Apparently there was a commotion with two new check-ins to Hotel Hell and Elle put a pair of holes in a guy's legs.

He gave Elle heaps of credit for holding the group together and damned himself for not being there to see her shoot the bastard. All the while she's raising a child in this enviroment. No kid should have to endure this harsh life. Elle and Dakota should be in a home where they can live out there lives with eachother. He sometimes felt a pang of jealousy at what Elle had if that makes sense. Claire and him talked about kids but he was hesitant.

This fucking cave! Jack felt little droplets of water pat against his head. He shifted his seat and rested the back of his head against the jagged wall of the cave and closed those saggy eyes for a few minutes, only to reopen them to discover he's still in the same place.

"Eh, it happens to the best of us." Kathy said as she again looked up from her ever present book. This one in particular was a murder mystery though Tyler had been known to find the latest auto magazines for her. "Nice shot with the right leg though, you hit the tibula. He won't be walking on his own for a little while. Why'd you shoot him anyway?"
"Oh, and Elle, he said six seekers were after him, but he lost them a few miles away. Knowing how well you cover things I think we'll be fine if we just stay put for the rest of the day." Tyler said. He'd been reading Kathy's book over her shoulder.

"God, yeah I guess I'll be outside of this hole for like an hour or two see ya later."

Aaron walked out and sat next to a tree staring at the horizon for a while.
He thought he saw a dust cloud getting closer and closer but about 2 miles away he noticed the sound of engines and he immediately dashed down the hole and yelled, "CARS! About 2 miles out east! Could be seekers!"

The others hadn't noticed yet it seemed, but Earl had woken up. The first thing he thought of was the pain in both of his legs. Great... I told them that I'm only good at one thing, running. So what do they do? They cripple me, maybe for the rest of my life. Although I don't see why an alien would unnecessarily injure a body they could use... perhaps they're telling the truth? Then his mind turned to the girl he had seen, the brunette with green eyes and freckles. That girl... there's no way that was Darla, is there? Is it possible she made it all the way here? Alive? Earl wanted more than anything to turn around and look at her, but he was held back by his bindings and he knew it. No... Darla... after so long, you could be just a few feet from me, and I can't even see you. The irony is so thick... eh, I can't even think of anything funny. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, (but was in reality about fifteen seconds) he couldn't wait any longer. He began to struggle against the straps, trying to just turn around, but the girl had done a good job on tightening them, and eventually the pain in his legs forced him to stop.

He wandered around for a while, looking for Jack. Then, eventually, he gave up.

Fuck it he thought resignedly, and turned tail for the infirm, where he figured Ty or Elle would be.

Along with that annoying little punk, Earl. Koda leaned on his shoulder, surprisingly silent. He figured this was a pretty rare night. Punks left and right, arguments, and Koda being quiet! Redd shook his head slightly, marveling at the strangeness.

He reached the infirm, and noticed Elle with her back turned, and the nurse Kathy, looking at each other and talking. They didn't notice Earl squirming. Redd put Koda down and walked swiftly to Elle.

"Koda's behind you." he said as he stepped to the bed. Earl still didn't notice him, and he'd already stopped squirming, probably cause his legs hurt. Still, Redd needed a little outlet after tonight.

He walked up to Earl, cocked his elbow, and rammed it down to the general direction of his genitalia.

Ah...there we go.

Redd elbowed their man in the crotch. Hard. Elle heard the impact through the bindings. She spun around, somewhere between a grin and mortification on her face, as if she couldn't decide which it was that she felt.

"I hadn't even noticed ..." she said, reaching to take Koda. "Thanks for keeping her. I didn't want her to see that."

Finally, the cries caught up to them through the caves. Cars. Elle gaspt. Would this ever end?

"Okay, pull everyone inside! One sentry outside. Radios on frequency channel 9.3."

Aaron cocked his M16 and switched the safety off. He ran off toward the med bay where the shout of "pull everyone inside" had come from.

"Okay so what do we do now, the cars are probably going to arrive in 3-5 minutes at their rate. I saw 3 cars, one had a machine gun mounted up top in the pickup."

----------------------
Outside the cars were approaching the area slowly knowing that somebody had spotted them.

"Remember we don't want to kill anybody we're not like the.... Oh crap everybody out cept the gunner!"

I'll remember that you.... I think you said, "old fuck"? His eyes began to water, and he went limp. He didn't succumb and actually pass out, but he thought it might give him the chance to keep his genitals and have kids one day. Psht. Like I'll live that long. He tried to say something, but it was hard, as his face was to the ground, and he was in severe pain. "D...... Darla?" Maybe he'd be ok if it was Darla. If she even remembered him.

Just as those weary eyes came crashing down for the finale, the shouts and barks of disorder and panic forced them upwards again. Dammit! Just one hour is all I'm asking for! Aaron spotted three cars heading in the direction of their hideout. He grasped the rifle and darted through the cave and up the narrow passages to the med lab where the others were.

"I'll take post outside" Jack said and then departed. He made his way outside and took up a position that offered him a great view of the plains below. Through the scope he saw the trails of dust and three vehicles riding infront of the storm. Jack pulled the bolt back and rammed it home.

Kathy looked at Earl. "Hun, there's no Darla here. I'm afraid I don't know any Darlas." Despite growing up in New York she had the slightest of soutern accents. "You're not looking for someone are you?"

Earl tried to look to see who had said that, but the straps were in his way still. "No.... where's Darla?" He hoped that it wasn't the brunette who had said that, but he had a sinking suspicion that it was.

Kathy put her book down and loosened the strap across Earl's chest so he could move a little bit. "I don't know where Darla is. I don't even know who she is." she said while working on the strap. "I'm sorry, but I can't help you there."

OOC: I'm at my aunt's hosue, so no late night posting for me. We usually go to bed around 10:30 or 11 CST but I'll be on when I can.

OOC: I should be here for a while.... And I assume he can turn over now, right?

IC: Earl turned over. He was still stuck, but he could see the person he'd been looking for now. "Dar-" Then he noticed a couple things. First, that the freckles he had seen stopped at the middle of her face, which led to the second, that it wasn't Darla. "Er... no, sorry, I just... .well, mistook you for someone else." He grimaced slightly, his legs felt like they had holes in them. Oh, wait, right.

Redd exchanged a quick glance with Elle at the sound of

"Cars!"

and bolted out of the room. He tore through the caves, heading northeast. He came upon the beat up metal thing that served as the weapons locker. He rested his hand on the cool metal and bent, trying to gather his breath and his wits. He figured he needed a rifle, so he ripped the doors open, and frantically grabbed their secondary scoped rifle.

He fastened the strap and flung the rifle over his shoulder, and ran as fast as he could for the outlook. There he saw Jack, leaned over a rifle. Redd tried not to startle him as he came up beside him.

Redd immediately got on his stomach and pressed the scope to his eye. He couldn't see properly, so he adjusted it and wiped it with his sleeve. He tried again, and saw something that was either really bad, or really good. Three jeeps, amidst a cloud of dust, tearing through the desert.

His face was grim when he turned to Jack.

"Don't shoot yet. Let's see what they're doing."

"Wait, what's going on?" Earl didn't seem too concerned, but he was curious all the same.

Elle set Koda, who was now sniffling, down on the ground.

"We need to have some better luck here, or we're gonna get caught." She pulled Dakota to the back room, and opened the rock facing of the hideaway cabinet. It held water, some dry foods, and some blankets. Enough for a few days. She settled her daughter in, and walked back to the others, cocking the pistol she had shot Earl with.

"If anything happens, please take care of my daughter." She walked out, setting out to secure the main entrance.

Aaron followed Redd and saw the two of them preparing to snipe.

"Wait you guys, we don't know if they're aliens or just humans. But...Oh crap!"

The gunner on the back of the Jeep opened up his Browning machine gun on the cliff just over the 3 guys heads.

Redd swore audibly. Out came the animal in him.

"They're fucking dead men!" He screamed.

He put his eye up to the scope and tried to aim. It wasn't great, because he got the less accurate M1 Garand. He tried to center the scope on someone, but they were moving too fast. He had to lead his shots. Redd popped off about 5 to no avail. Finally, he struck home. From a distance, he saw the gunner slump a little, and the machine gun rounds stopped raining hell on their little ledge, and the jeeps seemed to stop. He took the scope away from his white eyes, and turned to Aaron.

"So, you were saying something interesting, I believe."

"Don't worry about it." Kathy told Earl as she grabbed a toolbox and began digging through it. "It's just someone out to either kill us or join us. Probably the former." She withdrew her right hand and held a wrench that most men would have trouble with.
Tyler checked the bullets in his revolver. "And it's my job to listen to Elle. Unfortunately this means protecting you too Earl, but I think I'll find a way to live with that guilt." he closed the gun and cocked it.

Earl held back a laugh. "A wrench? What's that good for? And yes, she'd done a brilliant job of protecting me, hasn't she? First, she takes away the one thing I have, running. Then she give me a concussion to boot. Oh yes, I'm so grateful for all my blessings at this moment." The sarcasm was apparent in his speech. He was not in a good mood, especially after having his hopes of finding Darla dashed.

"Err yah I was hoping to catch one of these guys, you know to check if they're aliens or not. Shit not again!"

Aaron fired a 3 round burst into a man that had a Desert Eagle pointed at his face.

Omari had just woken from a deep sleep. He could hear gunfire outside and no one seemed to be inside. He grabbed his M9 because he didn't know what was going on. He then proceeded to head outside. When he was he could see three cars headed his way. The men looked hostel and were shooting all around them. He went back down and got some molotov cocktails, a lighter and an MG249 SAW gun and went outside. He was wearing dessert BDUs so he was well camoflauged. He went up a hill slowly and lit a molotov. He chucked it toward a car, it landed within 5 feet of the car, it swerved a bit avoiding the fire and proceeded onward. He got his SAW and began laying down surpressive fire on the cars.

Kathy whacked Earl's head with enough force to addle his thoughts for a few minutes. To her, that was a light tap. "Care to see me throw it smart ass?" She asked the man. "Or would you rather I just strapped you down tighter?"

Lars took a moment to recuperate. Maybe it was because of the two concussions he had that day, but he had to hold back another fit of laughter before he could say anything. His head swimming, he said, "Oh sure, hit the restrained, beaten, cripple who doesn't even want to be here. Yeah, I'm sure you feel much better now. Maybe you'll feel even better after a few more hits, huh? Or better yet, just kill me?" His voice didn't get any louder or harsher as he said this. On the contrary, it seemed to get joking, mocking. Just as he finished talking, he burst into a fit of laughter, and he wasn't even sure why. Something about the whole situation just struck him as funny.

Aaron switched his M16 to full auto and shot the engine of one of the cars.
It swerved into a rock and the driver was killed by parts of the rock, the rest of the guys got out and took cover behind the jeep.

One of them fired a AK47 and grazed Aaron's hand.

"Shit! Bloody motherfucker!"

Aaron emptied a clip at the jeep and hit the person who had shot him.

Omari proceeded to run down to one of the jeeps, and empty out a 100 round clip into a car, still containing three men. He ran to it and stuck his guns barrel into the bit of broken part of the window and began to unload his payload.

Kathy rolled her eyes as she proceeded to whack his right leg with enough force to put a dent in a race car's roll cage. "We don't appreciate satire at times like this. If you're so eager to die, we'll give you to the seekers. If they don't kill you, they'll heal you up and infect you."
The parasite in Ty kicked in, sensing the time was right for a joke. "Yes Earl, become one of us. It's not all that bad. We make your life so much easier." Ty himself cracked up laughing in his head, which then spread to the rest of him when the Parasite released control.
I'm starting to rub off on you aren't I?
I fear you may be doing so. Oh well, the results are more than humorous enough to make up for that.

Pain shot up his leg, which already had a hole in it. He began to laugh again, louder then before and somewhat hysterically. "Yes, do that! Why don't you? You obviously don't like me, why not just let me go? I'm sure I'll do alright with holes in my legs, and a few dents here and there. Why would you care? If you can beat me up when I'm tied up, then just leave me be! I don't want your help! I don't need it!" Earl had been screaming by the time he was finished, but then he resumed his insane laughter.

Aaron quickly put his military training to use and climbed down the ledge. He shot the other 2 men and grabbed the hair of the man who had shot him.

"Night night motherfucker."

He rammed the butt of his gun right into the man's forehead.
Aaron dragged him back while avoiding gunfire.

Kathy set the wrench down, sick of his laughing. "Ty, you know how to prep a vein for an injection, do it for me will you?"
Tyler did as instructed and tightened Earl to the stretcher. "He's ready, what are you going to do?"
"Chemical restraint. It'll chill him out without knocking him out." She said as she stuck the needle in the vein in Earl's right arm.

Earl was about to object, but somehow the idea of moving while a needle was in his arm didn't seem to appeasing. He instead waited for the drug to do its work, unsure of what would happen. Suddenly, everything seemed to slow down. Things seemed blurry, and somewhat darker. Woah... I.... woah. Earl looked up at Kathy, somewhat delusional. For a second, he could have sworn she was Darla, but no, he knew that wasn't possible. "So......" He lost his train of thought, then looked at Kathy again. "You know, you're kinda pretty." What the hell am I saying? Earl tried to get mad at himself, at the people who were doing this to him, at everything, but found it impossible. He just didn't..... care. "What was your name again?" He tried not to sound too bored or tired, but he couldn't help it.

Kathy frowned. "Damn, psyche symptoms. I wasn't expecting that. Oh well." She completely ignored Earl while Tyler sniggered in the background.
"I wonder how things are topside." He commented.

OOC: Last post for now

Aaron dragged the man all the way to the med bay and dumped him in front of Tyler.

"Can you check em for me?"

At this he laughed, but a more natural, subdued laugh. "Just because I'm drugged doesn't mean I'm stupid. What if I was serious?" Was I?

"I can always knock you out completely. Chloroform will keep you out for a few hours." She pulled a bottle out of the drawer. "Oh, but the aftertaste. Find then, we can just up what I gave you. That'll do the trick nice and right. You'll have one hell of a migraine when you wake up, but you'll be fine otherwise." She said, pulling the vial back out and a syringe too.

Earl sighed. "Look, I don't really care what you do. I'm not scared of you. I'm not scared of anything anymore. The only reason I could even go one was to find someone, and if they're still alive, they don't need my help. I was just doing it for me. But if I die, I don't really care. Just make up your mind already. The suspense is killing me." Huh, I suppose I always was one to do badly with chemicals... I suppose that's how I survived being poisoned... four times. He looked at Kathy. He was starting to feel tired.

Kathy saw the standard signs of fatigue. "If you keep going the way you're going, I won't need to chemically induce sleep, your own body will do it for you." She spoke while closing the drawer, leaving the syringe and vial out in case she needed them. Of course, her wrench could knock him out, but not without the risk of a concussion.

"Why do you care if I'm asleep? I'm tied down, crippled, my head is pounding, and I already have some chemical in my veins. I'm useless." He paused, thinking. "Unless I'm simply bothering you?"

Tyler looked up from the person he examined. "He's clean." he pronounced before hearing Earl's comment. "Wow, that's hilarious. It took that long to figure it out. Dude, you are cocky, self centered, arrogant, and rude and not once did it occur to you that behavior like that might be annoying?"

Elle ran as soon as the shots were echoed throughout the cave, hanging on to dear life to her small pistol. She had never been much of a shot, but up close, she was sure she could get lucky again. She decided to run through the entrance, and draw the aliens to one location. An easy target.

She saw the shooting, not knowing how it went or who was winning. She cocked her gun and took aim, but before she could fire, pain exploded on the back of her skull. She felt warm blood trickle down her neck as she fell.

An Alien picked her up and pulled her onto the back of an ATV, speeding away. Hanging onto consciousness by a thread, she caught part of his radio wave conversation ... "E. Hudson located ... mild body damage ... hostage ... medical evaluation ..." It made her blood curdle, icy rivets causing pain and agony. She knew the voice. It was her husband.

She slept, only for short bursts as they bounced through the desert. She was vaguely aware of being lifted and locked into an ambulence before she blacked out all together. Elle wasn't sure if anyone had seen the rouge for what it was. As long as the aliens had her, the others would be in trouble ...

Tyler raced from the med bay, firing at the man who took Elle, but missing. "Damn it." He still had the key for the jeep in his pocket and took the opportunity. He took off for the jeep, knowing he had but a slim opportunity to catch Elle. He took off toward where the vehicle carrying Jax headed, flooring the accelerator and still wanting to go faster.

Omari saw the alien taking away Elle. He tried aiming his SAW at the alien, trying to make sure he didn't hit Elle. But he failed due to the inaccuracy of his gun. He dropped his SAW and pulled out a 9MM and a Desert Eagle. He ran to the same dirtbike he had used to get there all those months ago. He zoomed down the sandy stretch, trying to keep up with the vehicle containing Elle. He had no idea how he would tell Dakota, or the others. He could see Tyler making a desperate attempt to catch the alien who had taken Elle. Omari knew that chasing after the vehicle could just get them deeper, and deeper into trouble because him and Tyler were sitting ducks. Once he knew his dirtbike couldn't catch up, he stopped and made a few desperate shots at the alien before it sped off with Elle. He then got back on the bike and headed back to the site, to give the others the bad news. Telling Dakota was going to be one of the hardest things he'd ever done.

Earl watched as Tyler left, then turned to Kathy. "Well, just so you know, I don't care if I'm cocky, arrogant, or whatever. You caught me on a bad day. And I don't think that deserves being held at gunpoint, forced down here, shot, beaten, and strapped down. Just because I'm not perfect in every way like you, doesn't give you the right to control or judge what I do." Wait, what did I just say? Maybe that drug is stronger then I thought.

"Fuck it, wake up!" Aaron yelled at the man he had captured.
"Huh we gotta do this the hard way."

Aaron fired a few rounds into the ceiling right by the man's ear.

"Woahh, owwww my ear, you son of a bitch!" screamed the man.
"Ahh shut up pussy." Aaron pushed the man's head into the sand.




OOC: I Can Haz Interrogation?

OOC: Sure, go ahead.

"Ok, we'll start off easy, who are you?"

"Eric O'Brian."

"Ok Eric, who do you work for?"

"I'm not telling you asswipe."

Aaron checked his Taser and shot Eric in the leg.

"FUCK! Ok ok, I work with a group located 20 miles east of here. They're not aliens, we scout and if we find another place like this we try to capture it so we can survive."

"Mmm hmm that's all for now Eric."

Again Aaron rammed the butt of his M16 between the eyes.

"Geeze you people are mean. I have chemical restraints here that do less damage. But Tyler went nuts, was there still a radio in the jeep he took?" Kathy asked after hearing it roar to life. "If there is, we might be able to contract him."
Tyler meanwhile was following the tracks, but the wind was picking up and they were getting harder and harder to find.

OOC: Has the shootout ended yet?

OOC: For me it's over.

OOC: @EL: Yes, they're fleeing and they took Elle.
@Ziolis: Sorry to hear that. Mind if I ask why?

Finally!!! Kevin saw the volcano in the distance. It was almost attainable-

A bunch of vehicles flew by. Kevin saluted to them (was that the proper thing to do?) and they didn't even flicker their lights. Aliens. So impolite.

Kevin da Vincho's quest had started in Toronto, Canada. People left and right were being implanted-and not being the same. He joined a secret underground group that was trying to think about what to do. Then, news came of a secret alien-free community. Everyone left-except Kevin. Holding out against hope, he was soon the last person on his block. Then they called.

Month Previous

*ring ring ring*

Kevin looked at his called ID. Toronto Hospital. Oh my gosh-it's time. Everyone else on his block had been consoling him over the fact that he wasn't a host. Of course, they were all hosts. He answered.

"Hello?"

"Kevin da Vincho, please report to Toronto General Hospital."

"It will take me a while, I have a couple of errands to run."

"Please come ASAP." *click*

So Kevin was on the run. Through Michigan over to Illnois and the prairie states, and then to New Mexico. Many close run-ins... much seen.

Back to the present

As Kevin was pulling up in his Chevy Malibu, a great inconspicuous car, stolen by a host in Kansas, he saw a great commotion. People were crying, and yelling at each other. Hosts don't do that... I must be here.

He stopped the car and got out. "Erm... hello... I'm Kevin... and I heard about some wild human community in Arizona... this is it?"

OOC: Naw I'm talking about the interrogation.

IC:

As Aaron left the room he arrived just in time to see some guy pull up in a Chevy

"Hands behind your head, down on the ground, NOW!"

OOC: Naw I'm talking about the interrogation.

IC:

As Aaron left the room he arrived just in time to see some guy pull up in a Chevy

"Hands behind your head, down on the ground, NOW!"

Kevin stuttered for a second, then immediately complied. Security seems tight... maybe why they've been surviving for so long. I wonder if there's any traitors? Probably not.

"I'm just a wild who wants to get away from all those freaking hosts!"

Omari walked outside with a Glock 11 in hand.
"And how we know you ain't got an association with them?" asked Omari to this new person rolling up in a chevy.

Kevin gulped. Good question. "Well... I have a personality... and no scars anywhere really... except for that one on my big toe. Stupid doors." He paused. "I'm unarmed. No knives-hey wait! He pulled out a small pocketknife and threw it on the ground. "No knives. No bombs. Nothing. Except a man in jeans and a T-shirt. Plus a car. Desiring sanctuary."

"Well we can't trust you completely cause one of our leaders has been kidnapped when people kinda like you came and took her, and tried to kill us."

It was kind of hard for Kevin to make good conversation when he was lying down on the ground, but he tried. Hard. "Well, don't all people kinda look like each other? Even hosts?" This community was really secretive.

"I don't want any smart assing out of you! Your in no position to be a smart ass right now." Omari cocked his Glock.
"We can't trust anyone new, in the old colony I was with, we made the mistake of letting in non hosts and not being suspicious of them. Then we all eventually were attacked by another rebel group because they had members undercover in our group. So we can't take any chances in a world like this." Omari directed for Kevin to get up, he had his gun pointed point blank between Kevins eyes.

He was wondering when someone would make a remark about his comments. Kevin was just being honest. He wanted to be accepted-he hadn't done anything wrong. Although he did steal that Chevy...

Kevin put up his hands. He thought privately to himself, What now?

"I told you to get up, if you don't in five seconds, I'll shoot!"

"I told you to get up, if you don't in five seconds, I'll shoot!"

"Sorry!" Kevin quickly got up and put his hands up, and looked around without moving his head-as much as he could. A couple of other bystanders were there, that was all. He started to sweat. The situation wasn't that scary-he was clean, after all-but the sun was pretty intense.

Redd huffed. He was jogging as fast as his feet would take him to meet up with Omari and Aaron. His rifle was still slung across his back, although he was about out of ammo. The chevy was a beat up old Malibu, and there was some kid outside of it, on the ground, with his hands on his head. Aaron was trying his best to look threatening, but it needed some work.

Redd finally got up to Aaron and the guy, who looked like he was near pissing himself.

He turned to the kid and said, "Alright, get up. Now, I'm going to leave you in the hands of Omari," He gestured to him, "and Aaron. Despite your first experience, we're the good guys. No hosts here. Except a kind of pseudohost. He's harmless. Anyway, I need to borrow your car for a sec..."

Redd huffed. He was jogging as fast as his feet would take him to meet up with Omari and Aaron. His rifle was still slung across his back, although he was about out of ammo. The chevy was a beat up old Malibu, and there was some kid outside of it, on the ground, with his hands on his head. Aaron was trying his best to look threatening, but it needed some work.

Redd finally got up to Aaron and the guy, who looked like he was near pissing himself.

He turned to the kid and said, "Alright, get up. Now, I'm going to leave you in the hands of Omari," He gestured to him, "and Aaron. Despite your first experience, we're the good guys. No hosts here. Except a kind of pseudohost. He's harmless. Anyway, I need to borrow your car for a sec..."

Kevin turned around slowly... as to not spook Omari. "Take it, it's not mine. Though I warn you, they're looking for it in Kansas." And he couldn't help but remark, the idiot that he was, "What's a pseudohost?" Then he turned slowly back around and looked at the pistol butt in between his eyes.

"I guess it's someone who has an alien in them, but is harmless. Like they switch back and forth, but their good. Now go inside." Omari turned to everyone else.
"Who's in charge? I think I should be one of the people in charge. I was leader of my last group, until they turned on me and let in hosts. So then they took me back and I managed to kill all the hosts. I left them for this group. I've been in about 6 groups in the past since this whole thing begun."

"Thanks." He stepped into the driver's seat, and found the keys still in the ignition. He turned the key, and the engine came to life. He shut the door but rolled down the window. Time was wasting fast.

"You'll have to find out for yourself. Ask for Ty when he gets back. Also, Omari, calm down. Remember your first day?"

With that, slammed on the gas and peeled out in the direction Ty and that bastard with Elle went. He might still be too late.

"Shit, I wanna go and help them out." Omari looked at Kevin.
"Your coming with me. I'm following them to rescue her."
Omari went into the cave and got out an AK, five 100 round drums, five thirty round drums including the one in the gun. He then ran to his Escalade and turned it on. He signaled for Kevin to get into the back of the car. He knew that this wasn't the fastest, or the best car to be riding in. But it was the one he had so he began to speed away, with Kevin in the back.

Earl was glad that Kathy didn't seem to hear him. He knew he should be feeling sleepy, but he was wide-awake. He couldn't do much except for think. What do I do now? I'm captured by people who claim they want to help me, but they haven't shown it very well yet. And I'm sure they'd sell me out in an instant if it would benefit them. Also, I don't think they've noticed my scar. I guess that's good. I suppose I can either try to earn their trust, or try to escape. The second seems unlikely, at least for a while. I suppose I have to get along. His mind returned to his legs. Damn them though! How am I supposed to find Darla like this? I might never be able to run again! Maybe it would be better if I just died... or got infected. Earls thoughts were all swirling in his head, when he realized that Kathy was still there. Oh, right. I better focus on the moment, I guess. "So, how is the food here?"

OOC: Who's car Kevin's?

"Damn it's gonna get boring again."

Aaron sighed and walked back to Eric.

"Where the hell does your group camp out at?"

"I told you already, 20 miles east of here."

"Damn you, I want you to guide me there."

"Fuckin' gimme a car first."

Kathy laughed. "That depends on the chef. Ty and Elle aren't bad. Redd's not so shabby either. Just don't make me cook or you'll be eating the iron of my wrenches." She said this while noticing the look on his face. It was the look of someone trying to think with chemicals in their system designed to do the opposite.

Earl attempted a weak smile. He always had a fast healing body, but he was still struggling against the chemicals. He liked to fight it. He considered it a challenge. There wasn't much else he could do. "I'll keep that in mind. As long as it's warm, and not a wrench, I think I'll do ok. It's been far too long since my last hot meal." He blinked, and found it hard to open his eyes again, but he did.

"If you want hot and Elle's not cooking, you gotta start the fire yourself. I'm prone to some ice tea myself though occasionally I'll head out and find a flower bed a ways from here. There's some excellent plants out there for making tea with." Kathy replied.

Earl attempted all the shrug he could manage. "I've, uh... never been a tea person myself. Well, I've never had the chance to try it anyway. And I haven't had a fire in a long time, it would be nice." He closed his eyes, and his breathing slowed. Just when it seemed like he had fallen asleep, he spoke again. "I'm sorry if I've endangered you all... I brought those people who were chasing me. You should have just let me go. They would have chased me instead of coming here." It wasn't really apparent whether he was asleep or not by the way he was talking.

Kathy shrugged. "What's done is done. One should not dwell on the past for fear that it might make the future worse. Of course, this doesn't mean the past should be forgotten or it will be worse still." Kathy went back to her book, but still paid attention to Earl.

Earl was starting to see black, his vision fading. Before he knew it his eyes were closed. No, I don't want to fall asleep! He strained against the chemicals in his body, and opened his eyes, barely. He wasn't done talking yet. "Tell me, what happens now?" He was barely speaking above a whisper. "What are you going to do with me?"

"Shit, I wanna go and help them out." Omari looked at Kevin.
"Your coming with me. I'm following them to rescue her."
Omari went into the cave and got out an AK, five 100 round drums, five thirty round drums including the one in the gun. He then ran to his Escalade and turned it on. He signaled for Kevin to get into the back of the car. He knew that this wasn't the fastest, or the best car to be riding in. But it was the one he had so he began to speed away, with Kevin in the back.

"Where are we going?" Kevin asked sitting in the backseat. This is kinda humiliating. He noticed the AK-47... and hoped that it wasn't going to be used on him.

"Well the odds are against you, but once we get Elle back, we're going to decide if whether you're trustworthy or not. If deemed trustworthy, you'll be allowed to stay with us and your life as well as ours would get easier. If the opposite occurs, well, hope your legs have healed up damn well." Kathy said as if it happened every hour on the hour.

He sighed. He was very tired now. "If you're going to let me go anyway, why didn't you just do it before when I wanted to go? At least I had a fighting chance then. I never asked for your 'help' anyway."

"Not what I meant. I meant that since you found us, you know our location. If we allowed you to go free after deeming you untrustworthy, you'd be a liability to us and our safety. And Redd's a very good shot. You'd be free to leave at any time if you were deemed trustworthy of course, but we need to take extremes with our security to keep safe. I'm sorry if you don't like the idea, but if you're looking for someone, we'd be glad to help and provide you both with safety." Kathy said. She hoped he hadn't fallen asleep in her speech.

"We're gonna go off and kick some ass, and rescue Elle, or die trying. I don't trust you quite yet, but if you prove your trust worthy, I'll let you use the 10 gauge when we get there. That way they don't kill you, cause that's my job."

Omari looked back at him and then looked at the shotgun next to his AK. He wasn't sure if he could trust Kevin, but if they were under attack then he may have to give Kevin the gun.

"Alright Eric get in the Hummer."

"Damn, nice car you got."

Aaron floored the gas and was on his way to the rebel camp with the help of his hostage.

OOC: Ziolis, looks like you like my idea of taking my "prisoner" with me to rescue Elle.

OOC: Sorta, cause I had nothing to do if I stayed behind.

Eric took out a map in his pocket and said, "Turn left here."

"How much further?"

"Bout 10 miles."

Earl was silent for a few minutes, trying to comprehend what she had said. It was hard to even hear her at this point, let alone understand. At least his stomach had stopped churning. "Tell me... how exactly are you going to decide how trustworthy I am?" His words were slower, and almost slurred, but he held on to consciousness somehow.

Elle was bordering waking up in the ambulence. She was able to hear more voices. She had been healed with the alien medicines, which were instantaneous, but not given the drugs to wake her.

"Did the decoy work? Are they following the dud ambulence?" The voice- it was Eric's. Her heart felt funny, as if many little butterflies all decided for backflips.

"The one in the jeep did, yeah. The kid. I'm sure others will follow." Elle didn't know the other voice.

"Humans are so gullible, aren't they? Goig for the obvious, when the truth is right in front of them. So is she ready to be moved? We have an appointment with a Seeker."

"She'll be fine."

"Is she ... In pain?" Eric's hesitation over her comfort gave Elle a shred of hope. Hope that he didn't fear her. He wouldn't find her disgusting.

"Not any that could have been prevented."

"Good. Let's move."

She felt the van start, and move. She fgured the drive to Phoenix would be a few hours, about 3. Aliens never sped. They had no idea what they were missing out on ...

She was just about to fall asleep when the familliar circular drives alerted her to where they were. She became cold with fear. If he took her to the plane, she would be on her own. Who would care for her daughter? The group? A tear fell from her eye.

Ty was quickly approaching the ambulance, it wasn't hard once he caught sight of it. He pulled up along the passenger side and drew his gun. One shot to the tires and the ambulance wouldn't be going anywhere.

Kathy laughed. "It depends on your actions and answers. Which is why the odds are against you. Of course, those odds are better than you trying to leave."

When the shot hit the ambulence, it swerved and jackknifed on the road, stopping when it hit a light pole ahead.

The stunned alien opened the driver door, swaying and fell to the ground, glass sicking from his head from all the shattered glass. He died quickly.

Tyler quickly climbed inside the back doors to realize what had transpired. "Damnit!" he swore loudly and kicked a bag of saline, which promptly exploded all over him. "Well this is just getting better and better." He got back in the jeep and pulled a handheld GPS from the glove box. It was programmed with the location of the entrance to the cave and so was able to direct him back there. He pulled a u-turn and headed back.

Earl sighed heavily. He took a few breaths before saying quietly, "Thanks. That really helps. You know, you people are no better then them. You abduct me from the middle of the desert, take me to your base, shoot me, beat me, drug me, you tie me down and now you want to play twenty questions with me well I've about had it with you people and I will get out of here somehow and maybe if I get lucky I'll die trying and end it all right away!" Earl had started out quietly, but his voice had climbed and climbed until it was a wild roar that filled the cave. Suddenly he was very tired, and not caring what could happen next, he fell asleep, his fist clenched.

Earl woke up with a start. His mouth was open, like he was about to scream something, but he closed it instantly. He looked around. "Right...."

Redd was still following Ty when he saw him blazing back towards the base. As quickly as he could, Redd flipped the old Malibu around and followed him warily.

Kathy laughed. "Nightmare?" she asked Earl.
Ty meanwhile saw a Malibu turn around and pulled the mic for the CB radio towards his mouth. "Redd, that you back there?" he asked of the Chevy.

Earl scoffed. "Like you care. Like I care, for that matter. I don't see how anybody can have anything but nightmares anymore." He took a slow breath. "Sorry, I'm still bent out of shape of the whole beaten-prisoner thing. Do you think I could get something to eat?"

"We should have some fruit in the kitchen. I'm craving some myself." She bookmarked her page then stood up and left the med bay. She selected a pair of apples from their fruit bowl and went back to the med bay. Placing them down, she undid the straps on Earl's upper half and handed him his apple. "Enjoy. It's kinda warm, but it's fresh. Just finished a raid today." She bit into hers and reopened her book.

"Thanks." For a second he considered that the apple might be poisoned or something, but then he thought, No, what would be the point of that? So he took a big bite out of it. He was surprised. It was one of the best apples he'd had in awhile. He thought a bit. "So, whatcha reading there? It must be pretty good." He took another bite of his apple.

A faint crackling came from the dash. Redd noticed a small CB radio there, and someone was talking. Keeping one hand on the wheel, he leaned over slightly to grab it. He pulled it close to his ear.

"Redd...you...there." Came Ty's voice, faint and far away sounding.

Redd pushed the button down with some effort of his pre-arthritic fingers.

"Yeah. What's goin' on? Where's Elle?"

"Eh what theres 2 cars..."

Aaron swerved the car around and headed for the 2 cars.

"Ty, Redd that you guys?!!"

"I don't know." Ty replied. "I'm positive those were seekers so they're probably taking her to Chicago. The ambulance I took out was a decoy and I fell for it. He's very upset about it. Damn right I am. Forget your anger, finding Elle takes priority." Ty and the parasite were talking, still with the mic button pushed for Redd's "convenience." The jeep was still heading back to the base, the Malibu in tail.

"Yo! Over here!!!!"

Aaron honked his horn twice to get them to notice.

Ty heard the honking but ignored it, figuring Aaron wasn't enough of an idiot to go in the wrong direction. Besides, unless he had that radio turned off, he should still be able to communicate with them.

It didn't take long for Dakota to get bored. She wanted to go out and help her momma. Maybe if she was real quiet, she could slip out of the med bay and out towards the main exit. She knew the cave well enough.

She quietly shifted her weight to her knees, crawling and padding forward. She opened the heavy trap door as quietly as she could, slowing down so the squeeks would be silent. She took her time, making sure that the others couldn't hear her.

But she stopped when she heard voices.

Listening to Kathy and the stranger, Koda was gettng upset. And when children get upset, reason leaves their grasp. She stood and walked boldly into the open, hands on her hips and a stubborn grimmace on her face.

"You are stupid, guy. Look, you brought the bad guys here. And you keep saying we are hurting you? Do you know how bad you hurt my momma? She works hard to keep this place free of bad guys. So do yourself a favor. Stop being retarded."

Kathy was ready to smack the child. "Koda, that's not a nice word to say." She spoke, holding back what she really wanted to say. "And we did shoot him, so we're not entirely innocent."

"Yeah Ms. Kathy. But he made them follow him here. To us. Now we are in trouble, and he almost made it worse by leading them here and leaving, not cleaning up his own dishes." She used the phrase she heard often. Now she was a big girl, and had to clean her room and her dishes. Why did this guy get to just make messes then whine? And why was Kathy mad at her?

"Ill be nice. But he's gotta stop using his baby words first."

Kathy sighed. "Kido, something you've gotta learn is that if you want people to be nice to you, you should be nice to them. If you're rude and mean to someone, they're not going to want to be nice to you. Earl was mean to you and so you didn't want to be nice to him. And he didn't know they would come here, but we're working on figuring things out." Kathy was growing ever frustrated with kids. She'd be glad when Koda was a teenager, then she could try and reason with her more.

Koda crossed her arms, giving Earl the evil eye, secretly glad her mom wasn't nice. "I have to be nice. Because I get sent to my room if I'm not. Ill be nice. But where's momma?" she said all this in an overly-sweet tone.

"Koda, getting sent to your room is the least of your worries when you're not nice." Kathy scolded. "And your mom went out with Ty and Redd to make sure there's nobody else around that could hurt us."

Earl hadn't said anything while Koda talked. They even have a little girl? He had listened to her as he talked. Finally he interrupted Kathy. "You know, she has a point. I wanted to leave so I could lead those aliens away from here. I didn't trust you, but that didn't mean I wanted you all dead. I was rather paranoid when I got here, but only for good reason. Do you realize how many other rebel groups I've found? You're not the only one, you know, although you seems the best prepared and equipped." Earl leaned up as far as he could and twisted around. "See that scar on the back of my neck? It looks just like the one aliens leave. I've had it since I was born. Most groups don't know to look for the eyes, they just checked my neck. That's good enough reason for me to die for them." He leaned back down, not sure if he had just signed his own death sentence.

"Damn damn damn, radio radio, ah! Here it is. Ty, Redd i got the guy i captured here, he knows where a band of rebels who he's part of is, might be where Elle is."

"Look here Earl, you led them close enough to find our entrances. While that was probably just a mistake, it still happened." Kathy scolded. "As far as the signs go, We'd just be checking necks if Ty hadn't told us about the eyes too."

Ty sighed. "If he's out cold, get him back to our cave. If he's not, well, make it so he is. Kathy can wake him up later. As for right now, get back to the base, we can discuss this there."

OOC: Crap, I left myself signed in as iDell again. Tis Syl here.

Redd pumped the gas, trying to safely get up to the speed Ty was going. It was a lot harder in a Malibu than a Jeep. That's for damn sure. After a few seconds of coordinating himself, he finally caught up, then realized they were about 30 yards from the entrance to the base.

He slammed on the brakes and held the wheel steady, finally coming to a way-to-close-of-a-call stop near the entrance.

He stepped out and shouted to Ty who was just pulling in,

"What now?"

Omari looked at Kevin again and made a sudden stop. He grabbed the desert eagle and pointed it directly at Kevins head.
"Get out of the car, and don't return to the base. Ever. Or I'll blow your head off. I mean it." said Omari, directing Kevin out of the car.

Earl stared up at the ceiling thoughtfully. "To think, an alien is responsible for saving my life...." he didn't realize he had said this out loud. He turned to Kathy. "So, do you have a story? How'd you manage to make it here without a parasite?"

"I found Ty by accident. He'd just escaped from the Chicago facility and thanks to his power outage, so did I. He'd not taken care of his neck and it didn't quite heal properly and because it was the back of his neck, he had trouble bandaging and caring for it. I offered to help because of my doctor training and we swapped stories. At first he and the parasite fought vehemently for control, but eventually they calmed down and called a truce. From there we headed south, where the parasites hadn't yet taken firm hold, and ran into Elle and Koda. The end result is this facility." Kathy explained. "That's the shorthand version of course, but it's something. What about yourself, what's your story?"

Tyler meanwhile pulled the mic for his radio again. "I'm going to take a look around the area. Check inside and make sure everyone's alright. Elle would kill us if we didn't check everything." he drove off past the entrance and started to check any location nearby that could see their cave.

Earl attempted a shrug. "Well, I came from a small town in eastern Illinois, you've likely never heard of it. Well, the aliens came one night, raided our town. We were one of the first. It happened so fast... somehow, we fought them off. The people soon realized that they had to look for people with scars on their necks.... it was a small town, so they knew of my birth mark, but.... well, you can't be too careful. Anyway..." Earl paused, staring at the ceiling. "After I left, I got the same going from town to town, always rejected eventually. That all started when I was ten. Now... I've been looking for Darla. She's my sister. You are.... strikingly similar to her, but I suppose I was wrong. It's been a while, so I knew she would have changed, but... well, anyway, I've been on the run since." Earl sighed. Why would I open up to a stranger? Even if she looks like Darla....

Redd climbed into the cave, his weary bones creaking. The dirt was pretty packed down, but he still tried to be careful.

He got in pretty much painlessly and he bent his back up straight. The dust rose under his steps as he headed towards the infirm. He took his gun and put it to his shoulder carefully. Redd was a cautious guy by nature, but today had made him downright jumpy. He scanned every nook and cranny, every dark point. It took him nearly 20 minutes to get to the infirm, where everyone seemed to be ok, albeit a little wary. And even Earl was seeming to be ok.

He managed a meager smirk.

"How're the jollies?"

Earl coughed a bit before looking up at Redd. "Can't even feel 'em, really. Although that doesn't make it ok." He paused. "You seem happy. Something happen? Or does it not concern me?" He tried not to be too sarcastic, but it was hard, especially since Redd wasn't exactly nice to him last they met.

"That's Redd for you. Get him some action of any kind and he'll be happy." Kathy chuckled. "Ty still patrolling?" she asked him.

Earl grumbled something, then closed his eyes. He was getting tired of these people. He just wanted to get on with his life. Well, what he had left of it.

"Yeah, he went around to do a patrol I think. What I know, however, is that I need some serious sleep. This is too much for an old man to take sometimes. If anything happens at all, come get me. Thanks for the help in taking care of Earl here."

He turned his back on the two, but turned on his heel before he'd quite reached the door.

"Oh, Earl? Sorry 'bout the shot to the nuts. Contrary to your experience so far, we're not so bad here, and we always need an extra hand."

That said, he continued out the door, to his sleeping bag, and into a fitful sleep full of nightmares of the old days.

"Right. I shoulda guessed." Earl glanced down at his legs. "So, whaddya say, doc? How're my legs doing?" He glanced up at Kathy as he said this.

Kathy muttered something about being the only one to take care of Earl so far before returning to your book. "They'll be fine as long as you take it easy."

Earl rolled his eyes and laid down. His mind began to wander... Without warning, he chuckled to himself about something he remembered, but it quickly died back into the awkward silence.

Earl decided to break the ice. "So.... are you married or anything?" Earl figured that his situation couldn't get much worse, so he might as well find out what he could.

Redd awoke with a start. That picture burned into his mind. Lucky on the stairs, cut up in a puddle of his own blood. Redd was sweating like a pig, and it was clear to him that any more sleep was out of the question. He rolled over and pushed himself up. The cave was getting a little lighter, so he must've gotten about an hour of sleep. He strode off to the infirm.

His prediction was right, and both Earl and Kathy were still there, apparently starting a conversation. He looked at them and shrugged.

"No way am I getting any more sleep. The old nightmares came back again. Remember when I first got here Kathy? Those ones. So, anyting new?"

The question had just come off of Earl's lips when Redd entered the room. "Ah, you. So, I take it...." Suddenly, Earl didn't think he should say something sarcastic or mean. Redd didn't look like he was up for it. "So, I take it it's getting close to morning, huh?"