*Groans.. and slowly rises to one knee. He surveys the carnage strewn about, and slowly makes his way over to everyone.. making sure they are at least moving. After a few long moments, he gets to his feet, and heads over to the newly open-air Grocery Store.. opening the freezer, he gathers up the last of the green herbs and adds them to his bag.. while walking back to the others, and the entrance to the Grocery Store, he reloads the MH with the last two rounds from the clip, and discards it.. plucking the blank red book from the bookcase on the way out..*

"Is everyone alright..?"


*Heads over to where Rachel is lying, and checks on her again.. knowing she was ravaged by The Judge about as badly as he himself was..*

"Told you you'd be safe with me.."


*Laughs lightly, but his smile changes to a slight grimace, as his chest and back are still a bit sore from taking that shoulder block from The Judge, and hitting the wall..*

"Alright.. well we should head over to The Warehouse and check it for anything else of use.. and maybe even a bookcase.. by then the Tower Crew should be back on the ground, or close to it.. from there we might as well explore the other Tower, and hopefully gear up enough to tackle the 'Prison'..."

[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Modified Handgun (12/15), Survival Knife (Def. Item)
[Items (8/8)]: $500, Starter Kit, Green Herbs x4(?), Computer Circuit, Cookie, Lv. 2 Key Card, Blank Yellow Book, Blank Red Book
---
«« Â.Ž.P.ü.ñ.ï.š.h.ê.r ™ •¯`·._.·•
•---------------------------------•

Hearing the crash behind me, I whirl around to see two zombies making their way from the stalls, one on it's feet, the other crawling.

"Hey guys, I could use some backup here!" I make my way to the door, and train my gun to the standind zombie. "This time, I won't hold back..." With that, I unload a few rounds at the zombie with the key around his neck, just as Natus runs in. "Don't worry about the one on the floor, let's focus on this one first!" I shout.

Natus gives a smile, holding his self defense magnum, but not really aiming it anywhere. 'Is he even gonna shoot??' I think to myself. Not wasting anymore time, once the standing zombie is 'dead', I cautiously make my way around to the crawling zombie, where I leap directly onto it's head. The weight of my frame should be enough to squish his head like a grape. "Vaya con dios, amigo."

Once the deed is done, I grab the bloody key from around the zombie's neck, and examine it.

Status: Fine (hopefully)
Equipped: Handgun (~8/15)?
Items: (Jacket - Empty Flashlight), Starter Kit, $500, RT:E Key, Shadow Emblem, Flare Gun (1/1), BLOODY KEY

---
There's more to life than video games! Like television!

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

I sat, recovering from my latest ordeal. My breathing was ragged, my skin still clammy, my vision unfocused. Damn it. I was alright, on the whole. I just needed a few minutes. I’d be fine. Not too shabby, all things considered. I was very proud of myself.

My eyes focus, displaying Natus’ smiling countenance. I gave a goofy finger air-dumming wave-type…thing.

"Heh, you look how I feel!" Seymour beams.

How do you feel? "Err...Thanks...I think..." I mutter, throwing something out there. Furious and Nate were nowhere in sight. "Where are the others?"

Natus started to tell me, "Well, Nate's over -" but a loud explosion cuts his words off. I shot a look toward the bathroom.

"What the hell!?"

“****, that sounded like where the rest went off to. We gotta check on ‘em, guys.” I said this with the utmost urgency.

"Sounded like the warehouse, or marketplace..." Natus told Nate. But that was it?

I shook my head. “C’mon! Let’s get Furious and go see what happened. He has the stupid tower key. They might need our help!”

"Hey! Guys! I could use a little backup here...!"

Crap! That was MF now! From the bathroom! Hope he was decent…

We headed there straightaway. MF was being confronted by a zombie with a key ‘round its neck. Fine. We’d clean up here and then head to the market. I was worried about the others.

"Pick a body part..." Natus mutters, aiming his SD magnum. "Oh, and Tur? No heroics!".

I wanted to slug him. After what I did, he’s going to chide me like a malcontent child? My fist clenched. But maybe he was just looking out for me safety. Whatever. I didn’t like how it sounded, but it wasn’t a priority. MF was in deep ****.

But not for long.

“Just worry about yourself,” I said coldly, drawing Sam. I let Stabby clatter down again so I could grip Sam with both hands. It’d make me aim true.

[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Sam (10/18 - Single), Mr. Stabby (Def. Item) – on floor, but if course I’ll retrieve him.
[Items (5/8)]: Starter Kit [Encrypted Note], $500, Water Emblem, 'House 300 Key', Mr. Shocky (Def. Item, 0% Battery)

THE GAME PLAN
-Open fire on all zombies, starting with closest ones to MF, kill them
-Retrieve Mr. Stabby post-fight, naturally
-Take key if no one does (but someone’s bound to)
-INSIST we go back to 1F, leave, and check on our friends. If the others don’t want to, then I will INSIST on them taking a short ‘vater detour to drop me off on 1F so I can at least.
-Head to market, confirm everyone’s safety.
-Head to House 300. I have the key, and have been itching to check it out.

---
"It's a travesty of corruption!" - Felix Blunk

GSMY looks around at the disaster. He helpped save Rachel which made him reliefed that his promise had been kept and the Judge was in chaos. Leaning over to Rachel he tells her, "I went insane to keep my word and I will contuine to in order to keep it".


Lloyd walked over to the remains of the backroom and found the bolt cutters sticking out of a box, still in great shape. He grabed them and followed AZ into Market Place grabbing what he could to help him. Then returning to scene of the hell hole he checked around under the boards looking for the weapons the Judge left behind. In hopes of turning the tables on him.
---
What do you want here something witty? **** you I ain't that smart.

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

*I quickly look at the photograph.*

*After looking at the photo I quickly desecrate it, in the same fashion as the paper, I place it on the table near the handgun clip.*

"Ok, Stacy, Anne when I say go, you two will slowly walk to the door and open it. Don't worry, I'll be right behind you. When the door is open, I want you to hide behind me, We will be exploring deeper into this forest. Let's hope I can get us in and out in one piece...heh. If the thing outside doesn't see or hear us, we will slowly, sneak around it and leave this area and head deeper in. If it turns and goes for us, I'll shoot it, Ok?"

*I take the F-aid Spray, and use it on my wounds.*

"Crap...This ain't as good as the herbs but, at least the burning is gone."

*I slowly walk over to the door, with Anne, and Stacy, behind me.*

"Ok, Stacy, Anne.....GO!"

*While they slowly move towards the door, I quickly reload my shotgun, and walk to the front of the door, as Stacy and Anne, opens it.*

*I walk outside aiming high.*

[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Shotgun (5/7)
[Items (4/8)]: Starter Kit, Shotgun Shells (7/7), Red/Green Herb Mix, Class Lvl. 1 Key card

asks the marketplace group "well where do we go now"??? what about room 002 in the pub wit all the guns cant you use the lock pick
---
i like chicken:) and....................RESIDENT EVIL!!!

Releasing his grip on the knob to the office after being startled by a resounding blast that rocked the towers very foundations, Nate was left little time to ponder its significance. Furious' cry for help sent him sprinting for the bathroom to find out what it was. Natus and Tur were already in the doorway. Not having to worry about wasting ammo, Nate told them to lower their weapons.

He brought his crossbow to bear, not even checking to see whether Tur and Natus had listened to him. Taking aim at the zombie, which was very close, his aimed settled on its temple. When he felt confident, he pulled the trigger, then lowered his weapon before even checking to see whether his aim had been true. Running up to his target, he gave it a good hard kick through the open doorway of the stall. Checking his feet for the other zombie, he realized it wasn't close enough to worry about at the moment. He loaded another bolt as quickly as could and plugged the zombie on the toilet right in face before it could rise up for a retaliatory attack.

Turning his attention to the crawling zombie, he danced away from its reach as it tried to grab for his ankles. He hadn't registered what he was doing, he had just let the adrenaline rush of battle consume him over the last few seconds. The fleeting concern that he was killing what used to be a human being, he dismissed it with the assumption that they would want to be free from their undeath, free from their bondage to villainy. Nate took aim at the zombie's head, steadied the bow, squeezed the trigger and closed his eyes.

After dispatching the current problem, Nate checked the handgun clip and tossed it to [either Tur or MF, depending on whose gun it fits]. He recollected his bolts, cleaned them on some toilet paper. I'll also point out to the others the files I found, and the fact that I have the left tower key, just for future reference.

(If at any point I get attacked while reloading a bolt, I'll bust out Louie and beat my attacker into submission... well... not submission, but death.)

Nate-
[Status] Fine
[Equip] Crossbow(1/1), Aluminum Baseball bat (Def. Item)
[Items (7/8)] Starter Set, $600, 'LT:E' Key, Yellow Herb, Green/Green Herb Combo, Quiver(4/4), Lighter Fluid

lj opens his eyes and sees CC a few feet from him. He get's up slowly and watches as both AZ and GSMY run by to check on her. Seeing that those three were all right he staggers toward TJ and NES to check on them."How you holding up TJ?"lj aks as he helps him up. lj turns around and hears AZ mention something about the warehouse. "uummm.... about that.....I don't know if I mentioned this, but there's a giant spider in there. I threw that gamecube you gave me somewhere in there to distract it to give me time to get away from it, but when i did that I think I saw something fly from the gamecube." lj says this while his head was still groggy. I was thinking that maybe Az and GSMY could distract the spider while CC and NES go and retrieve what flew out of the cube. Me and TJ will go check out the room."

lj-
[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Samurai Edge(5/18; Burst), Crowbar(Def. Item)
[Items (4/8)]: Starter Kit, $500, Warehouse Office Key, Blue Gemstone


---
President is Bush, vice president is Dick, so a whole lot of ******* is what we gonna get- Talib Kweli

"Sounds good to me.. we should head out soon though, while The Judge is incapacitated. The more we accomplish before he's back on our tails, the better.."
---
«« Â.Ž.P.ü.ñ.ï.š.h.ê.r ™ •¯`·._.·•
•---------------------------------•

CLOSED'D

Strike 1- CC

...Someone's making a habit out of this, but I shan't name names...

-_-
---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

"Good idea, LJ and we could that thing then check the office with the key I found *reloads AR."
---
What do you want here something witty? **** you I ain't that smart.

Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder, and the fashion Rachel sucked in air was prove positive of this. She gave her thanks to th others, particularly Az & GSMY. After hearing Lj's plan to have herself and NES run blindly around an area, she decided to try alter the approach slightly. “Instead, why don't.”, She was slowly becoming reacquainted with oxygen. “You lead the way. I will follow...help get the disk. You know. You're way. Around. The ware. House.”
---
Only stupid people see the doctor about that. Smart people piss worms and post on gamefaqs. -lbiggy

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

(Ha, don't forget gang, I'm heading over to the Market. Want me to tag along to the Warehouse with you all?)

---
"It's a travesty of corruption!" - Felix Blunk

((Mos Def, Turk. GSMY & Myself could use more Spider-Bait..))

*Shoulders Rachel up, as they depart for the Warehouse.. his right arm around her waist, helping her along while she regains her stamina, and awareness..*

"Come on.. we've got to get moving.. an open-air Market is not the safest place to be in Zombie-ville.. walk with me until you feel comfortable enough on your own, alright..?"


*Offers a light smile, in an attempt to lift her spirits, and detract from the last few horrid events that befell her..*

"Told you I'd have your back.. you did some good with that dagger of yours, believe it or not.. had you not stuck it's wrist, I doubt he'd ever have released his hold on you... at least Judgy has good taste in women.."
---
«« Â.Ž.P.ü.ñ.ï.š.h.ê.r ™ •¯`·._.·•
•---------------------------------•

(Well, let's see what FF's update has in store. If he gives me the option, I'll go with you guys, UNLESS a lot of others are too. But if you look underhanded, sure.

Where IS that update, anyway?)

---
"It's a travesty of corruption!" - Felix Blunk

im not sure
---
i like chicken:) and....................RESIDENT EVIL!!!

"AZ, I have to ask you something.... you seem to know a good deal about guns. I was wondering how many bullets you think it would take for my AR to kill a zombie with all shots to the head or chest?
---
What do you want here something witty? **** you I ain't that smart.

lj looks at CC "umm... well... about that too.... You see it's true i've been in the warehouse twice, but I'd always got ran out by something before I really had a good look around the place. Plus it was really dark the second time I went. You do bring up a point though maybe TJ could go with NES and you could help me search the room, but from what I read in the logbook there's going be something in that room so have your knife ready." lj turns to TJ and NES " I'm still not quite sure where it's at, but it should be somewhere across from where the office door is at."
---
President is Bush, vice president is Dick, so a whole lot of ******* is what we gonna get- Talib Kweli

*Replying to Lloyd, on the way to the Warehouse..*

"Well, a few shots of any gun to the head will take out a Zombie, I'm sure.. ARs have quite a rapid recoil effect, so a novice shooter will have trouble keeping dead on aim at first, for awhile.."
---
«« Â.Ž.P.ü.ñ.ï.š.h.ê.r ™ •¯`·._.·•
•---------------------------------•

Desecrated Market Place- As the smoke continues to pour out of the now open-air Market Place, the researchers begin to stir after nearly being blown into oblivion by the Judge's rocket, and NES' grenade... Looking at the General Store, it has been completely gutted. Everything and anything of use in that Store has been reduced to rubble. But even that sight pales in comparassion to the Hardware Store's current state. There is no longer a standing structure where the Hardware store stood just ten minutes ago. No walls, no ceiling, no back room... Just a pile of smordering, charred ash... As the smoke disipates into the morning sky, the researchers can clearly see the outskirts of the Village, and the rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean... AZ groans and pushes aside a piece of glass covered wood off of his chest... He manages to get up to one knee, and observes the carnage around him. The once beautiful Market Place was now reduced to post-Apocalyptic hell. But on the bright side, they had managed to quell the Judge's bloodlust, even if it was just for now. AZ was unsure of how they did it, but was certain that the grenade was the catalyst in their victory... Even if that grenade was also the reason why they were all strewn across the ground at the moment... AZ watches as GSMY rolls over off of his stomach, furiously brushing off an ember that was beginning to burn through his shirt. Extinguishing himself, GSMY sits up and brushes some of the ash off of his face. Laying out flat on his back, lj slowly opens his eyes and attempts to focus on something else besides the throbbing in his head. AZ is in a significant amount of pain from the shoulder block of the Judge, and his chest and back are seriously bruised. The shot he took from the Hunter even pales in comparassion to what he is feeling at this very moment. On shaky legs, AZ manages to stand up again, and fully take in the carnage. Had you not known before hand that there was a Hardware Store, you would never know now... Through a dry, raspy voice, AZ calls out for everyone, hoping that they are all alive... He gets no response from any direction, except for a mumble or two that could have also been the reminants of the fire. AZ manages to make his way over to where CC lies face down across the floor, her dagger still clenched tightly in her hand. GSMY too has gotten back to his feet and joins AZ at CC's side. The two men look at each other, fearful that CC hasn't survived the showdown with their own personal Nemesis... AZ bends down and places his ear close to her mouth... She's breathing, heavily but quietly, as she has simply been knocked out. AZ whispers something into her ear, and then stands back up. Seeing that everyone is at least beginning to stir, AZ motions to GSMY that he will be right back, and then turns towards the Grocery Store and picks up into a slight jog. AZ hops over the wreckage strewn about in the open area of the Market Place, and then enters the only remaining structure in the Market... Opening the door and entering, AZ takes comfort in this familiar setting... He's been here before, and although he had some problems here, it still feels comfortable to him... Shrugging off the homely feeling, AZ gets to work. He doesn't want stray away from his companions for too long, especially after what just went down. AZ first heads to the freezer, filling his ziplock bag with the remaining two green herbs that he left there earlier. Then AZ heads to the bookcase which he thought was useless yesterday. Now he knew it was going to help him survive the Village. AZ reached into the all Blue Bookcase and pulled out the Blank Red Book that he had stashed on his first trip to the Grocery Store. AZ looks down at the floor and once again sees the blood trail leading to the door. He now knows that that blood was from Trevor's leg...

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

Deep inside, AZ wished that Steve would have killed Trevor... That would have been one less Trio member messing with their heads... One less person trying to steal their lives. AZ takes the last two bullets out of his clip and adds them to his gun, discarding the clip onto the floor. His physical wounds starting to feel a tad better, AZ takes a deep breath and exits the Grocery Store. The smell of burning wood and metal fills the air, even though the smoke is all but gone now. GSMY is knelt down by CC, who has managed to rise into a sitting position. GSMY whispers into her ear, affirming his continued loyalty to her, and promising to always protect her. She smiles at him the best she can, through the pain of the bruising around her neck. Her knuckles white from the tightness she had clenched her dagger with... lj's head finally begins to calm down, so he decides to try and return to his feet. It is hard, as his head starts to flare up again, pounding inside of him like a bongo drum, but he sucks it up and returns to a vertical base. Seeing AZ come back over to GSMY and CC, lj decides to check on NES and TJ, the two people closest to the explosion. They had been shot forward by the blast of the Hardware Store, and TJ is bleeding from the mouth. NES is knocked out cold, lying flat on his back, the bolt cutters a few feet away from him. TJ coughs once, and spits out a mouthful of blood. It's entirely possible that he has internal injuries. From an explosion that size, it wouldn't be entirely too unfeasible. lj helps TJ into a sitting position, and he can do nothing but groan... TJ also has a gash on his forehead from where he hit the ground that was covered in glass... Somehow, NES had managed to land in a clearer patch of ground, but he too was a bit banged up. GSMY gets up from fron CC's side and walks over to the bolt cutters and picks them up. NES may have retrieved them, but GSMY was going to be the one holding onto them. GSMY headed into the wreckage once known as the Hardware Store in hopes of finding any of the Judge's old weaponry. Sadly, all he finds is shards of twisted metal, and a few warped bullets. That explosion had been devestating... Nothing could be salvaged from it... Not even Simon's body... GSMY sighs as he exits the ash laden earth, and rejoins his comrades. NES has finally woken up, a bit dazed and more confused then usual... He had had bolt cutters... Where did they go? NES groans, and rolls up onto his feet. lj helps TJ to his feet and GSMY and AZ each take an arm of CC to get her back up to a vertical base. Looking at each other's faces, they are a beaten and weary crew. Ashen black faces and blood stained clothes... And it was only 8 O'Clock in the morning... The sound of the dying fire is soon meet with the screams and groans of the undead from all throughout the Village. However, it is now unsafe to stay here in the Market Place... The Judge could return at any moment, and the now open Market could attract all kinds of BOW rejects from the warped mind of Doctor Karter. With an arm draped over his chest, AZ takes the lead of the group once more...

"NES... What the hell were you thinking...? We all told you not to do that... You could have killed us all!" AZ is having slight difficulties getting his words out through broken breaths

"What else would you have suggested, AZ? It's not like we had many other options..." NES retorts. Even though everyone would love to be screaming at each other, it would take far to much will and energy at the moment... Something they just didn't have right now...

"Did you at least get everything from the back room first?" GSMY cracks, with a hint of spite.

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

"I got the bolt cutters and the Poem, and TJ took the watches... But I don't know where the bolt cutters went after the explosion..." NES coughs once, to clear his throat. GSMY holds the bolt cutters up, and NES' face turns sour to know that he had effectively been stolen from.

"Well... Does the poem have anything important written in it?" AZ is beginning to get annoyed at NES' overwhelming lack of forethought.

"I haven't read it yet, considering we were kinda under attack..." NES' dry antagonism is more then apparent, "But since you seem to want to read it so bad... Here, we shall read it."

NES fumbles through his pockets and finally finds the poem that he had stuffed into his pocket. Maybe there was a hidden message in the Poem, or perhaps they could gain some insight into Simon's more then odd behavior... AZ was hoping for anything now... Anything that could make sense of this tragedy...

File #33- Simon's Poem

"Early Sunsets over the Village"

Late dawns and early sunsets, just like my favorite scenes...
Then holding hands and life was perfect, just like upon the screen...
And the whole time while always giving,
Counting your face among the living...
Up and down escalators; Pennies and colder fountains...
Elevators and half price sales, trapped in by all these mountains...
Running away and hiding with you,
I never thought they'd get me here...
Not knowing you changed from just one bite...
I fought them all off just to hold you close and tight...
But does anyone notice? But does anyone care?
And if I had the guts, to put this to your head...
But would anything matter, if you're already dead?
And should I be charmed now, by the last thing you said?
Before I pull this trigger, your eyes vacant and stained,
But does anyone notice? But does anyone care?
And if I had the guts, to put this to your head...
And would anything matter, if you're already dead?
And now should I be shocked, by the last thing you said?
Before I pull this trigger, your eyes vacant and stained,
Now you said that you loved me;
Make things harder at first...
And this world changing nothing,
Must your body remain?
And there's no room in this hell...
There's no room in the next...
And our memories defeat us,
And I'll end this to rest...
But does anyone notice? But does anyone care?
And if I had the guts, to put this to your head...
But does anything matter, if you're already dead?
Should I be shocked now, by the last thing you said?
Before I pull this trigger, your eyes vacant and stained,
And in saying you love me,
Make things harder at first...
And this world changing nothing,
Must your body remain?
And there's no room in this hell...
There's no room in the next...
But does anyone notice,
There's a corpse in this bed...?

</file>

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

NES finishes reading the poem out loud, and then meets the gaze of the other researchers... Had Simon written this... recently? Maybe he had gone through much more then they had given him credit for... He was just as torn up inside as everyone else. He had just succumb to the pressure more quickly then the rest of them... They had killed an innocent. AZ hangs his head, as does GSMY. They felt genuinely sorry for what they had had to do, but Simon was a threat to their lives... He could have very easily killed them all... There was no way to know for certain if he would have or not though... And they could not change events that had already passed. However, lj could not help but harbor ill feelings toward the two that prematurely took Simon's life away from him. He keeps these feelings lodged deep inside of him though... He could not risk being exiled from this group right now. Going out alone would be suicide. lj couldn't help but think that Tidus was already dead. He didn't want to end up like that... AZ rubs his forehead, taken aback by the poem... However, he can't be second guessing his decisions. He had saved the lives of five other people. He was sure of it...

"I don't know what you guys want me to say about that... Simon may have had his reasons to be so distraught, but that doesn't change the fact that he had an assualt rifle pointed at every one of us. I'm sorry he had to die... I truly am... but..." AZ pauses, unable to finish his statement. But what? But some people's lives are more important then others? AZ is left stunned at himself... He is brought back into reality by another voice...

"It had to be done..." TJ says through blood covered teeth, "As much as he was a friend to me... He just wasn't the same person anymore... He changed... And apparently he had good reason to. He's free of his own private hell... He can only be in better places."

Everyone nods in agreement, except for AZ. He still couldn't come to terms with the situation. But he had to at least try and ignore it for now...

"It's no longer safe here... The explosion is bound to attract something." AZ speaks slowly, but firmly, and he has the attention of everyone. ""Alright... I think we should head over to The Warehouse and check it for anything else of use, maybe even a bookcase... By then the Tower Crew should be back on the ground, or close to it... From there we might as well explore the other Tower, and hopefully gear up enough to tackle the 'Prison'..."

"Um, yeah... about that... I don't know if I mentioned this before, but there's a giant spider in the Warehouse. I don't mean tarantula big, I mean almost as big as me big... I threw that gamecube you gave me somewhere in there to distract it in order to give me time to get away from it. But when I did that, I think I saw something fly out from inside the gamecube." lj's voice is slightly hoarse from all of the smoke. "I was thinking that maybe AZ and GSMY could distract the spider while CC and NES go and retrieve what flew out of the cube. TJ and I will go check out the room."

TJ looks at lj with a semi-confused look. He hadn't felt quite like a part of this survival group, even from the very beginning. But in the past few hours, he was slowly earning the respect of the former researchers. It would have made him feel good, if it weren't for the fact that he was in so much pain. TJ smiles at lj and nods...

"Sounds good to me. We should head out soon though, while The Judge is incapacitated. The more we accomplish before he's back on our tails, the better." AZ agrees as he holsters his gun for the first time in a long while.

GSMY reloads his assualt rifle, and then looks up at lj. "Good idea, LJ. We could pick up that thing and then check the office with that key I found."

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

lj tilts his head to one side... The key he found? Oh yeah! lj had found the key in his pocket after he had woken up, with a note from GSMY! This causes lj to chuckle under his breath... He had almost forgotten all about that.

CC was still having trouble getting air into her lungs. The Judge had nearly snapped her at the neck, and there were large finger-esque bruises all along her neck. She turns to AZ though and tries to get out any statement she can. "You lead the way. I will follow... Help get the disk. You know. Your way. Around. The ware. House...."

Seeing CC's evident discomfort, AZ goes over to her and places his right arm around her waist, aiding her stability and her movement.

"Come on... We've got to get moving. An open-air Market is not the safest place to be in Zombie-ville. Walk with me until you feel comfortable enough on your own, alright?" AZ helps her a few steps and then adds, "Told you I'd have your back. You did some good work with that dagger of yours, believe it or not. Had you not stuck it's wrist, I doubt he'd ever have released his hold on you... At least Judgy has good taste in women..."

CC smiles and nods at AZ's cheap stab at flattery. She knew she had been helpless, but she didn't want to hurt AZ's feelings, so she just played along with his compliments. lj assists TJ in getting started, while GSMY and NES bring up the rear of the group. As they all exit through the the cracked double doors, they turn one last time to take in the full grandeur of the Judge's destruction. Shaking their heads in disgust, the leave the Market Place behind them, and head off for the Warehouse. It is a long trek to the Warehouse, made even longer by the unstable conditions of the researchers. As they pass by the farm house, loud barks and growls fill the air, startling NES, who had heard those snarls the day before. The researchers pick up the pace and head to the doors of the Warehouse. On their journey there they had witnessed no less then a dozen lumbering corpses, but they managed to outrun their slower attackers. For some reason, the undead count was begining to rise. It wouldn't be too long before they wouldn't be able to go anywhere without bumping shoulders with a reanimated corpse. At the Warehouse doors, lj pauses, remembering his first encounters at this place. Finding the T-Dragon Vial, Dr. Karter pistol whipping him, the giant spider... He shudders remembering all of this...

"Are we all ready?" lj asks for a group concensus

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

Everyone either nods their head or remains stoic. There was no way you could be ready to enter the lair of a giant spider. Not ever. AZ unholsters his gun, and everyone raises what weapon they have. lj throws open the door and AZ and GSMY run in first, lj and TJ follow them, and NES and CC bring up the rear. The door closes with everyone inside, and the six already battered researchers cannot believe their eyes. The large warehouse was almost entirely covered in spiderweb... The whole ceiling was coated, as were the walls. The shelfs and crates were covered too... Parts of the floor were free of the spiderweb, but it looked like they wouldn't stay bare for long. With the ealry morning sun filtering in, lj can barely make out the frame of the Manager's office. Luckily, it was devoid of spiderweb. Also, towards the back of the warehouse, the broken Gamecube had come to rest, with #something bronze# several feet away from it. CC's breathing was finally beginning to return to normal... But it quickly fires up again as a huge spider drops down from the ceiling above them. Not giving anyone ANY time to react, it spews an acid all over NES, coating him from the neck down. He screams out in severe pain, as the acid begins to burn at his clothes and flesh. NES wildly flails out with his axe, almost taking out CC at the torso. This causes everyone to scatter, with CC, AZ and TJ on the right side and lj, and GSMY on the left side. NES was left in the center to flail about, as the spider advanced on him once again. As lj, and GSMY back up and ready their weapons, a second spider drops down from the ceiling about half way back in the Warehouse... AZ spins around and trains his gun on the second spider...

"I thought you said there was A spider. A. One!" AZ was of course directing his comment to lj.

"Yeah, there was only one! There was also none of this web **** all over the place!" Was lj's only response.

NES was in dire straights. He was hurt, burning, and stuck between the spider and the door. The only chance he had to survive was to either flee the building, or to hope his fellow researchers would bail him out one more time... The pain was beginning to become to much for NES, and he could barely swing his axe. There was a second, more euphoric feeling overcoming him now though... It felt so good... Every muscle in his body was beginning to feel rubbery, and numb... What was going on...? The second spider began to advance on GSMY and lj, while the first focused on NES... Is the black wind howling for the last time?

CC-
[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Dagger(Def. Item)
[Items (8/8)]: Starter Kit, $500, Yellow Plug, Patron's Diary, Circular Crank, Fire Emblem, Lighter, Lockpick

lj-
[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Samurai Edge(5/18; Burst), Crowbar(Def. Item)
[Items (4/8)]: Starter Kit, $500, Warehouse Office Key, Blue Gemstone

AZ-
[Status]: Okay
[Equip]: Modified Handgun (12/15), Survival Knife(Def. Item)
[Items (8/8)]: $500, Starter Kit, Green Herbs x4, Computer Circuit, Cookie, Lvl2 Keycard, Blank Yellow Book, Blank Red Book

GSMY-
[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Assualt Rifle(30/30), Sheathed Knife(Def. Item)
[Items (6/8)]: Starter Kit, $500, Hidden Note, AR Clip(15/30), Shovel, Bolt Cutters

NES-
[Status]: DANGER {Severely Posioned}
[Equipped]: Rusty Axe
[Items (5/8)]: Starter Kit, $500, First Aid Spray, Red Gemstone, Poem

TJ-
[Items (4/4)]: Digital Watches
---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

Right Tower- Tur sat up with Natus and Nate looking over him. Tur was having a hard time focusing, and his breathing was tad abnormal... And his skin was so cold and clammy... However, as the seconds continued to pass, the blue herb began to purge the poison from his system, and he began to feel better and better... Despite his current status, Tur was quite proud of himself. He had single handedly taken down those two plant BOWs... In a pretty convincing fashion too. Natus smiles down at the groggy Tur and can't help but make a wise crack at his situation.

"Heh, you look how I feel!" Natus jokes.

"Err... Thanks... I think..." Tur mutters, just to throw something out there. "Where's MF?"

"Well, MF's over-- " Natus is cut off as a distant explosion fills the air... Then a second explosion right after that, even bigger then the first, manages to send chills up and down the spines of all three of them. Despite still not feeling one hundred percent, Tur rolls onto his knees and gets back to his feet with a little aid from Natus. He almost falls back over, but Nate catches him while a tad lost in thought himself.

"What the hell!?" Nate shouts, sounding somewhat distant.

"****!! That sounded like where the rest went off to. We gotta check on ‘em, guys." The urgency in Tur's voice was very evident, and was even more so when Tur began to bite the bottom of his lip.

"Sounded like the warehouse, or marketplace..." Natus told Nate.

Couldn't have been the Warehouse... An explosion at the Warehouse would have rocked the tower with shockwaves... Only the auidble portion of the explosion
was heard, so it was more likely the farm or the Market Place. Tur thought this to himself, but didn't voice this to Natus. He simply shook his head. He needed to get MF so that they could use the elevator.

"C’mon! Let’s get Furious and go see what happened. He has the stupid tower key. They might need our help!" Tur was extremely worried about the others...

"HEY! Hello?! Someone?! Help!" MF's voice escaped through the closed bathroom door

MF's cry sends all three men rushing into the bathroom, weapons drawn. As soon as they enter, Natus raises his weapon and takes aim at a zombie advancing on them, who was wearing a key around his neck.

"Pick a bodypart..." Natus mutters, aiming his SD magnum. "Oh, and Tur? No heroics!"

Tur was stunned by Natus' remark... So much so that he even lowered his weapon in order to give Natus a dirty glare... Had he NO respect for the fact that he had saved his live on more then one occasion?! Tur's left hand dropped Mr. Stabby and clenched into a fist. After all Tur had done, Natus had the nerve to chide him like a malcontent child?

"Just worry about yourself..." Tur said coldly, aiming his Sam with both hands.

"Don't worry about the one on the floor, let's focus on this one first!" MF shouts, plugging the standing zombie with two rounds to the chest, staggering it.

Natus simply stands there, not even pretending to act like he is going to shoot. Tur's observant eye notices that Natus' finger is no where close to the trigger. Tur is about to unload on the zombie, now that it has recovered from MF's inital barage, but Nate steps forward and takes charge.

"Lower your weapons..." Nate says resoundingly as he takes aim with his crossbow, "I've got this one."

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

Natus has his weapon holstered before Nate can even finish his statement. Tur and MF keep their weapons, trained on the zombies, but acknowledge Nate's wish and do not fire. Taking aim at the standing zombie, which was only a few feet away now, Nate's aimed settled on its temple. When he felt confident, he pulled the trigger, then lowered his weapon before even checking to see whether his aim had been true. It had been close, shooting straight through the neck of the zombie, but Nate did not see this, as he rushed the zombie, and gave it a good hard kick through the open doorway of the stall. Nate then paused to load another bolt into his crossbow before the zombie could react. Nate thought the crawling zombie was too far away to be a problem, but in the time it took him to reload the bolt, not only was the crawling zombie within striking distance, but the other zombie had risen as well. Seeing Nate's danger, MF holstered his handgun and rushed to Nate's side, leaping into the air and coming down directly onto the skull of the crawling zombie... It's rotten head gives way, and crushes beneath the force and weight of MF's jump. Nate looks down at MF's victory and gives him a slight nod of thanks before bringing his crossbow back up in order to aim it. He has little time though, as the zombie is just about on him... Throwing aim out the window, Nate simply pulls the trigger and prays that his bolt will fly true. It flies straight through the forehead and skull of the zombie, putting it down for good. It stumbles back a few feet before falling back upon a toilet. Nate and MF let out a sigh of relief, and Nate takes a few moments to recollect his bolts and whipe them clean. MF undertakes the task of removing the key from around the neck of the re-deceased corpse. Using a bit of toilet paper to clean the key off, MF reads the engraving to see that they key belongs to the 'RT:Manager'. Intresting. Exiting the stall, MF watches as Nate reloads a bolt into his crossbow. While he's doing this, Nate details to the others the files that he has found, and the fact that he still has the LT Key. Tur leans over and picks up Mr. Stabby, actually pleased that he was able to sit out a fight. But the sound of the explosions still echo in his ear...

"Guys... I don't know about you, but I have to find out what happened to the others... If you don't want to come with me, that's fine, but MF I beg of you... At least drop me off on the first floor."

"No problem, Tur." MF smiles, "I really want to finish up the tower, but I can at least drop you off."

Nate finishes with his crossbow and rejoins the others, holding a handgun clip in his hand.

"I found this, but it does me no good, so whichever one of you wants it can have it." Nate says to Tur and MF

Tur looks down at the clip in Nate's hand. It's the same calibur asboth of their guns, so Tur shrugs. "Split it?"

MF nods and removes two bullets from the clip, the two he just used, to give him a full clip. Tur in return removes three to give him a full clip as well. Now there was ten bullets left... MF takes the clip and forces it upon Tur.

"You're going to make the trip all the way to the Market Place..." MF tells Tur, "You might need it more then me. Plus you'll be going alone."

Tur graciously accepts the clip and thanks MF. Natus comes over and places his arms around MF and Tur, and looks at Nate.

"Let's drop Tur off now, so we can get back to finishing up this here tower." Natus smiles

"I think I can handle a little elevator ride by myself." MF curtly informs Natus

"I don't know. Staying together is always the best option..." Nate adds, sliding his last bolt back into his quiver

"Fine... Let's Go..." MF sighs

"Thank you so much." Tur grins
---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

Exiting the bathroom, the crew heads to the elevator and enters. Using his key, MF slides it in and presses the button for the main floor. The elevator whirs to live and brings them back down to floor one. However, when it reaches the main floor, the elevator beeps three times... Much like the robot had done on the fourth floor. Also, through the steel doors of the elevator, Natus thinks that he hears clicking... Natus draws his .22 Magnum and takes a deep breath. Seeing Natus' anxiousness, Tur and MF do the same. Nate grips his crossbow even tighter. Slowly, MF removes the RT:E key, and the doors to the elevator slide open. The sight that awaits them is one to stop the heart of any man. The all white furnishings of the main floor have been torn to shreds, ripped apart by huge claws... And standing at the door to the Right Tower are two massive green beasts... Muscular and stout, these things look vicous... Inside the elevator, Natus curses loudly...

"Dammit! That ****ing robot WAS a spotter... Damn it to hell!" Natus explodes

This causes the beasts in the front of the room to take notice of them, and they begin to charge at the elevator. With quick thinking, MF jams the key into the elevator, which forces the doors to close. The reinforced steel doors reflect the attack of the Hunters, who click loudly now outside the door. Natus continues to curse up a storm as MF sighs at their current situation.

"Sorry Tur, but it doesn't look like we'll be leaving this tower at all unless we go through those two..." MF does not look happy

Nate watches as Natus goes off. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you? That's whay you insisted we all come? ISN'T IT?!"

"Wait... I... No, but..." Natus stumbles

The Hunters outside have stopped banging on the door. They were smart... They knew their prey would have to come to them... Eventually...

Nate-
[Status] Fine
[Equip] Crossbow(1/1), Aluminum Baseball bat (Def. Item)
[Items (7/8)] Starter Set, $600, 'LT:E' Key, Yellow Herb, Green/Green Herb Combo, Quiver(4/4), Lighter Fluid

Natus-
[Status]: Fine
[Equipped]: Self Defense Magnum (2/2), Steel Pipe(Def. Item)
[Items (4/8)]: Starter Kit, $500, Pillcase(2/2), Whistle

Tur-
[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Sam (18/18; Single), Mr. Stabby(Def. Item)
[Items (6/8)]: Starter Kit [Encrypted Note], $500, Water Emblem, 'House 300 Key', Mr. Shocky (Dead Battery), Clip(10/15)

MF-
[Status]: Fine
[Equipped]: Handgun (15/15)
[Items (6/9)]: {Jacket Item- Empty Flashlight}, Starter Kit, $500, 'RT:E' Key, Flare Gun(1/1), Shadow Emblem, 'RT:Manager' Key

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

Forest- Hearing the noises outside, Tidus' instincts kick in and he moves into a defensive stance. However, the noises don't sound too threatening right now, so Tidus figures he has a few moments to spare. Tidus pulls out his first-aid spray and goes over his wounds, in hopes that he will feel better. Amazingly, he does! The burning in his ankle subsides, and his wounds in general feel so much better. Even his well beaten chest isn't throbbing as much. Tidus drops the empty can of spray, and takes a deep breath. He was feeling good... For now at least. The spray isn't as good as the herbs, but at least the burning and itching are gone... Tidus decides to take a closer look at the photograph, in order to allow the F-Aid spray enough time to settle in...

File# 34- Photograph B

[The picture is of a family, at some sort of Barbecue. There's the father, standing over a grill holding a spatula and wearing a chef's hat. The mother standing next to the father, smiling and holding up a plate of hotdogs. A man in his twenties, the son probably, was sitting at a picnic bench by the grill giving a thumbs up sign. Finally, a teenage girl with comedically oversized sunglasses is sitting on the opposite side of the picnic bench.]

On the Back: Evan, Mary, Jim, and Stacy- The Jones Family!!

Scrawled in the corner of the photo- Entertainment Center

</file>

Tidus looks at the photo, and then at Stacy. Yep, same person. Tidus then takes a good look at the guy on the bench. Hmmm... If that guy was about 50 shades of red deeper, he would look just like that Jim Zombie... Wait... Dammit, that was Jim! Tidus groans, remembering the troubles that Jim had given him. Tidus drops the photo onto the table, and tries to take everything in... The dragging sounds snap him back into action though, and he turns towards Anne and Stacy.

"Ok, Stacy, Anne when I say go, you two will slowly walk to the door and open it. Don't worry, I'll be right behind you. When the door is open, I want you to hide behind me. We will be exploring deeper into this forest. Let's hope I can get us in and out in one piece... Heh." Even Tidus isn't sure he can pull this off... "If the thing outside doesn't see or hear us, we will slowly, sneak around it and leave this area and head deeper in. If it turns and goes for us, I'll shoot it, Ok?"

"Are you sure you can handle this?" Anne asks, slighly worried

"Pfft... No problem..."

"I'm... Scared..." Stacy whispers

"Don't worry, I've got my trusty boomstick!" Tidus attempts humor, but the seriousness of the situation is too grim.

The three of them slowly make their way to the door... Tidus fumbles with his shells, but he manages to get it fully reloaded. Then, Tidus raises his shotgun into an offensive position, and motions to the girls.

"Ok, Stacy, Anne... GO!"

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

Anne throws the door open, and Tidus rushes outside, aiming high. There is nothing directly in front of them, but slightly to the left, by the well... There is something... Well... Hidious... The beast in front of them has a muscular body, but it looks as if melted flesh has been dripped onto it. It's face is skeletal in appearance... The right arm of the beast is extremely long and muscular, but it's left arm is just a tiny stump. The whole body of this thing just pulses and throbs. The sound they had been hearing had to have been the sound of this beast dragging it's arm across the ground. Had it come from deeper in the forest? With lightning quick reflexes, the bandersnatch shoots it's right arm from the well to the shack, smacking Tidus in the chest and sending him back a few feet, into the cabin again. At this exact moment, Tidus begins to wonder why he didn't take the back door and avoid all of this struggle... Anne and Stacy yelp as Tidus flies back into the cabin... The beast stretches it's right arm out and grabs on to the frame of the door, pulling itself into striking distance. Tidus scrambles back to his feet and shakily raises his shotgun... Why hadn't he taken the ****ing back door?!


Tidus-
[Status]: Caution
[Equipped]: Shotgun (7/7)
[Items (4/8)]: Starter Kit, Shotgun Shells (5/7), Red/Green Herb Mix, Class 1 Keycard

---
I think FFDragon just became my new Idol. Screw Clockspider. ~Crimson Sword

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

Right, so where was I? Oh, yeah. Furious was in some deep **** as it were. Natus, Nate, and I came to his aid. The weird thing was, one of the damn zombies had a key chained around its neck.

"Don't worry about the one on the floor, let's focus on this one first!" MF shouts, plugging the standing zombie with two rounds to the chest, staggering it.

Right, right! I raise up Sam. It dawned on me that this would be the first time I’d ever fired him. Hell, the first time I’d fired ANY gun. But it was just like a camera, right? Just point and shoot. Only this “camera” killed things!

I was ready. Natus was…not? Hey! His finger wasn’t tensed up on the trigger at all. He wasn’t going to shoot? My trust for Natus continued to dwindle, replaced by paranoia and suspicion.

**** it. I’d do it. But I had to keep my distance. I did NOT look forward to a second possible infection.

"Lower your weapons..." Nate says resoundingly as he takes aim with his crossbow, "I've got this one."

Natus IMMEDIATELY had his gun put away. Well, horse****!! What’s the deal, Seymour?!

“Here, Nate, take a piece of the action! [yes, I quote] Furious and I gotcha covered!” I told him. I made sure to emphasize the ‘Furious and I,’ not including SN.

Nate punched a crossbow bolt through the throat of the standing undead, then booted it through the open door of the stall. Nice.

While Nate reloaded, I trained Sam on the other one, making sure it didn’t get too close. But I didn’t shoot it. If Nate wanted to take it out, he was more than welcome. I’d just make sure it didn’t attack him while he was reloading and vulnerable.

It was getting close. Nate looked just about done. The other zombie was up and at ‘em again, but I didn’t have a clear shot. Nate was in the way! Damn! But it looked like Furious had things covered. Excellent.

Furious instead opts to go squash Crawly’s head, and Nate now reloaded puts his shot into Chain-boy’s forehead. Whatever works. I shrugged, lowering Sam. The bathroom looked all clear now.

MF snags up the key. Groovy. So, we were all done here? Nate explained about his files, then mentioned he also had the key for Tower L. Okay, fine, but the Market was just blown to smithereens or something. Our friends came first.

Ah, sorry about that, Mr. Stabby. I dropped you, there, didn’t I? I reclaimed my favorite pal, and told the rest, "Guys... I don't know about you, but I have to find out what happened to the others... If you don't want to come with me, that's fine, but MF I beg of you... At least drop me off on the first floor."

"No problem, Tur." MF smiles, "I really want to finish up the tower, but I can at least drop you off."

I nodded. I didn’t want to really leave them on their own, but they’d do alright without me, as the latest scuffle with T-Draggy freaks showed.

Whoa. Nate had handgun ammo. Sweeeeet. "I found this, but it does me no good, so whichever one of you wants it can have it,” he said.

I turn to MF. "Split it?"

He seemed to like the idea. We both refilled our clips, wondering what to do with the leftovers. Furious shoved it into my hand.

"You're going to make the trip all the way to the Market Place..." MF tells Tur, "You might need it more then me. Plus you'll be going alone."

I grin and nod slowly in thanks. He was right, after all. It was nice to have a full Sam for once. But poor Mr. Shocky was too tired to help now. I hoped I’d find some food for him soon.

Natus said, "Let's drop Tur off now, so we can get back to finishing up this here tower."

"I think I can handle a little elevator ride by myself." Furious retorts.

(cont'd)

---
"It's a travesty of corruption!" - Felix Blunk

Nate held true to his policy, telling them both, "I don't know. Staying together is always the best option..."

I just kinda stood around at this point. Didn’t do anything too interesting. Anyway! Furious relented, and agreed we should all ride.

"Thank you so much." I graciously grin.

The four of us piled into the ‘vater again. And back down on the ground floor. Natus removed his gun again. He knew something was up, so Sam was ready for action, too.

MF uses his key to open the doors.

What.

The.

Hell???

The room was shredded. The couches and chairs was knocked over, torn apart. It was no hospital, but still an unsettling sight. Especially since the perpetrators were still there. What were those things?! They looked like that body I saw back in the Inn. But these two were A-Okay…

Natus went ape-****. "Dammit! That ****ing robot WAS a spotter... Damn it to hell!"

Spotter? The little robo-rover from the fourth floor. He knew what it was. He knew what EVERYTHING here was!!! More trust lost. And these caused the green lads to turn their attention to us.

They bum-rushed us, but Furious used his key to shut the doors. I could hear them, their odd noises they made. They were right out there, lying in wait. Natus kept his loud swear streak up. I’d had enough of him.

A few a few heated steps at him a shoved him into the elevator wall. “SHUT THE **** UP!!!! Good going, jackass!! We coulda got the drop on those things, but your loud mouth alerted them right to us!! Stupid bastard!! And I KNOW you’re pullin’ something here! You’re hiding something from us, ya dumb son of a *****!!!! TELL ME!!”

I stood in his face, seething. Furious said, "Sorry Tur, but it doesn't look like we'll be leaving this tower at all unless we go through those two..."

“So we go through ‘em,” I bluntly stated. I didn’t want to be around Natus anymore. The more I learned, the less I liked him. I’d never hear the real deal of him, I was sure.

I wondered if the others were hiding just as much? If I’d been around them this whole time, I’d have a better idea.

Nate was pretty pissed himself. "You knew this was going to happen, didn't you? That's whay you insisted we all come? ISN'T IT?!"

“Hell yeah he did,” I snarled.

SN tried to explain. "Wait... I... No, but..."

“**** it. Just **** it. I don’t care anymore. I just want to go check on our friends. That I trust. Unlike you, Natus. When you’re ready to tell us how you know all these minute details about the things we’ve run into here, and what the **** is going on with you, I’ll listen. Till then I want nothing to do with ya.”

I flicked Sam over into BURST MODE!!!

Getting onto one knee, and aiming Sam roughly where I noted their heads would be, I told Furious, “Open the door. I’m getting through. Those greens bastards ain’t stoppin’ me.”

[Status]: Okay, really pissed
[Equipped]: Sam (18/18 – BURST!!!), Mr. Stabby (Def. Item)
[Items (6/8)]: Starter Kit [Encrypted Note], $500, Water Emblem, 'House 300 Key', Mr. Shocky (Def. Item, 0% Battery), Handgun Ammo (5)

THE BATTLE PLAN
-We shoot the ****ers. I’m going for burst headshots. If they fall, I’ll go right for point blank range SINGLE face shots. Probably go Stabby on their throats and kick ‘em in the faces if needed (much more likely if they fall, to save ammo. Definitely what I’ll do if there’s only one left and it falls)

THE GAME PLAN POST BATTLE
-Head on over to the Market.
-Naturally, I’ll find it destroyed, will search. Not gonna find any researcher corpses. Will be happy about that, but confused as to where the frig they went, and what exactly went down.
-With no clues as to where they headed off to, I’ll go to House 300, needing some time alone. Certainly away the mysterious SN.

---
"It's a travesty of corruption!" - Felix Blunk

Oh, yeah, and!

ALTERNATE BATTLE PLAN (if no one wants to fight 'sides me)

-Take non-combatants back to a 3F or 2F. Drop them off.
-Hang onto key. Use it to go back down.
-See BATTLE PLAN
-Hit button for what floor they where left at, but get out of 'vater before doors close (leaving key in it for them and sending 'vater back up to them, while leaving me on 1F)
-See GAME PLAN

---
"It's a travesty of corruption!" - Felix Blunk

*As LJ responds to Frank's statement, he quickly retrieves an herb from his bag, and slams it into his mouth, chewing as he goes.. no time for the paste right now, which he knows would heal the bruising faster.. but only significantly so, as they work just as good from within.. he focuses his aim on the second spider more completely, as he had been trained on it since it made it's presence known.. while opening fire on the second spider, he maneuvers in between web patches, to a place of cover from the first spider, near the crates.. his shots to the second spider would be enough of a distraction to give GSMY and LJ a chance to attack.. he hoped.*

"Lloyd..! LJ! Now!!!"


*With that, he turns toward the first spider, atop the squealing NES.. taking time to make his aim true, he takes pot shots from his spot of coverage, being sure to not strike NES with a stray bullet.. he continues this assault, while casting a quick glance to the second spider every other moment, to be sure GSMY and LJ have not been over-run..*

"Rachel!! TJ!! Get out of there!! Go for the Gamecube!!"


*Continuing his assault*

[Status]: Fine
[Equipped]: Modified Handgun (<12/15), Survival Knife (Def. Item)
[Items (8/8)]: $500, Starter Kit, Green Herbs x3, Computer Circuit, Cookie, Lv. 2 Key Card, Blank Yellow Book, Blank Red Book
---
«« Â.Ž.P.ü.ñ.ï.š.h.ê.r ™ •¯`·._.·•
•---------------------------------•

"Anne, Stacy back door now!"

*I quickly stand up, and run behind the table. I fire my shotgun into the thing (bandersnatch). If it swings its arm my way I will duck behind the table. After firing a round into it, I will quickly follow Ane and stacy out the back door. I quickly shut the back door.*

(If I make it out alive)

*I quicly use my red/green herb on my wounds.*

"Damnit!!! WTF!? Ok, we are heading back to the Inn, I'm dropping you two over there, and then I'm going to explore the House areas, this forest can wait until later, when I'm better prepared."

hurry someone spray this on my back holds up f aid spray can in the air
---
i like chicken:) and....................RESIDENT EVIL!!!

Still seething in rage, Natus turned to Tur...
"Listen, I'll explain everything, but not here..."...Tur's expression didn't change.
"Well...mind explaining the situation?" MF asked, quietly.
"Those'd be MA-121's...or some variation of them...Judging from their skin tone, they aren't poisonous, but..."
"Waitwaitwait, poisonous !?" MF blurted out.
"Yeah, toxin injected through the claws." Natus replied. "Well, in any case, MA-121's take some killing... I recommend we use my 22., but there's a problem..."
"what?" asked Tur.
"The MA-121's are fast, very fast...my aim is pretty good but..." Natus went on...
"...but the 22. Deringer is not automatic...or even Semi...It takes about 5 seconds to fire rounds consecutivly..." Nate interjected.
"Someone mind saying that in english please?" MF practically shouted.
"It means, I can take one out, but by the time I can shoot at the second one, we'll be turned into borscht." Natus explained.
"Well, what if one of us takes out one of them, while you kill the other?" Tur asked.
"With your weaponry? It'll take at least 2 of you..." Natus responded...
"Well, if it makes you shoot that gun of yours at long last!" Nate joked.
"Alright then...ready?"
Natus unholstered the SD.Magnum, prepared to shoot this time. He knew, better than anyone, that he had to work with the others right now...maybe he should procure another weapon before entering the facility...

Natus
[Status] Fine
[Equip] SD Magnum (2/2), Pipe.
[Items] Starter Kit, $500, Pillcase (2/2), Wistle


---
"It's coming...It's not going to stop...it'll never stop...it's coming for us...It's coming to kill us..."

"GSMY quickly started to follow AZ's orders. But, something was still bothering him as his aim steadily improved with each bullet. How did they avoid a half a dozen zombies?"
---
What do you want here something witty? **** you I ain't that smart.

'Dammit, this is all my fault' I think to myself, recalling that ****ing camera back on the fourth floor. Hearing the thrashing coming from the other side of the elevator doors, I keep one hand on the key, making sure it stays in the lock, and the other clutching my chest, making sure my heart rate returns to normal.

"Those things are just like what Charlie became..." I say out loud.

"They are MA-121s. Hunters, but they don't appear to be poisonous." Natus responds.

"POISONOUS??" Looking at Tur, I realize that we have had enough of poison for one night. "Let me at'em! Open the doors!" Tur tells me.

Thinking quickly, I realize that we will have to deal with these things sooner or later, if we ever want to get out of here. I hatch a plan.

"Ok, listen up. There are two of those....things, and four of us. When I pull out the key, I think we should run out in pairs to opposite ends of the room, hopefully separating them. Nate, you come with me, and Natus, you and Tur take out the other one. With your magnum, you should be able to drop that thing in one shot, or at least one shot and a quick dose of Mr. Stabby to the throat." Tur just smiles at me as he switches his SAM to Burst fire.

"Nate, you and I will deal with the other one, I will pop as many rounds as I can into it, you can try for a quick bolt to its face, but you may do better with your Louisville Slugger. Tur, when you and Natus finish off yours, come and help us take out this other one."

"Once we do this, we will be home free. Are we ready?"

Looking into my fellow researcher's eyes, I see that Nate shares my apprehension, Tur is out for blood, and Natus....he just has this odd look of...disappointment? Whatever, now is not the time...

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...." And with that, I remove the key.

"GO!"

(There better be some good ol'fashioned Hunter killing going on!!)

Status: Fine (for prolly the last time!)
Equipped: Handgun (15/15 but not for long!)
Items: (Jacket - Empty Flashlight), Starter Kit, $500, RT:E Key, Shadow Emblem, Flare Gun

---
There's more to life than video games! Like television!

Every word that came out of Natus' mouth increased Nate's suspicion of him. Nothing he said made any sense. Or maybe it was that it made perfect sense. Whatever it was, something was not right about Seymour. He could not be trusted, and he was the last one Nate would trust to have his back, especially in the firefight to come.

Eyeing Natus, but saying very little, Nate took a knee as MF explained the plan of attack. He thought it was a bad idea, and voiced this opinion.

"We stay here, in the elevator. That way, they have to converge on one small point, and we should be able to cut them down before they even make it into the elevator," Nate began, looking around for reactions, but not judging his comrades expressions. "We wait here for a minute or two longer, so they wander away from the entrance. When we're ready, you, MF, will release the key and we open fire. Tur, Natus, you take the left two. Furious, you and I will take whichever of those creatures is on the right. They'll be toast before they ever reach us." Nate concluded his explanation, then raised his eyebrows as an inquiry as to what they thought of his plan.

(If there are no objections...)

Nodding to acknowledge their consent, he put a finger to his mouth to signal for silence. They have to be quiet for a minute or two and listen to what their enemies were doing. As soon as they could determine that they had left the entrance to the elevator shaft, they would open the door and open fire.

Nate's plan of attack was to fire one well-aimed bolt into the chest region of the monster. He would wait until it got within 20 feet before he fired; he did not want to miss his intended target. After incapacitating it for a few seconds with his bolt and whatever fire support MF provided, he would check to see how close the other hunter was before dropping his empty crossbow, bringing Louie to bear and charging his initial target. His goal was to bash out its knees then club it in the head, then have somebody finish it for good with a single shot to the head. It sounded good, but in the heat of battle, nothing ever went as planned.

As his plan began to unfurl, Nate could hardly force himself to breathe. Utter silence was necessary to make his plan succesful.

>After Battle<
Convince the others that exploring the towers is not a priority at the moment. They all need to go check on what happened to the others, as they probably are in danger, or at least need some help. I'll then follow Tur to the marketplace (I'm assuming we won't see the other group on our way there). Once there, if MF and SN have come with us, I will try to convince them to help me seek out the others. The first place to check should be the inn. If we can't find them there, we should probably return to the right tower and finish our investigation. If Tur is intent on exploring the house, I will go with him (if he allows it), and try to get the others to come along as well. Returning to the right tower and concluding our investigation should come first, though. If Tur wants to go it alone, we should all return to the right tower and, assuming we don't see any sign of the other group, finish up that place.

Nate
-----
[Status] Fine
[Equip] Crossbow(1/1), Aluminum Baseball bat (Def. Item)
[Items (7/8)] Starter Set, $600, 'LT:E' Key, Yellow Herb, Green/Green Herb Combo, Quiver(4/4), Lighter Fluid

lj was determined to get past the second spider. He had been close so many times he couldn't let what could be his last chance slip away. lj starts firing at the second spider along with GSMY. After shooting the spider he runs quickly past it to the door of the office. Remembering what he read in the logbook he knows something is going be in there. He unlocks the door opens it slowly and goes in with his sam in one hand and his crowbar in the other.

lj-
[Status]: Okay
[Equipped]: Samurai Edge(5/18; Burst), Crowbar(Def. Item)
[Items (4/8)]: Starter Kit, $500, Warehouse Office Key, Blue Gemstone


---
President is Bush, vice president is Dick, so a whole lot of ******* is what we gonna get- Talib Kweli

And... Something, Something... Closed.

Stirke 1- Guess.
---
Insomnia is like having immortality, except you're gonna die. ~PepsiPlunge

The Forest- The Bandersnatch stood in the entrance of the front door, staring down the three faces in front of it. It was something unlike anything Tidus had ever seen... He couldn't believe that it was standing there in front of him! On unsteady feet, Tidus motions to Stacy and Anne with his eyes and screams out to them...

"Anne, Stacy! Back door now!" Tidus gets out as quickly as he can

Without another word, Stacy and Anne take off for the back door. Unfortunately for them, the Bandersnatch didn't take too kindly to fleeing subjects, and used it's oversized arm on the back door frame, pulling itself into the doorway... effectively blocking the exit. They never even got the door open. Not being able to turn around fast enough, Stacy is met with a stiff uppercut swipe that takes her off of her feet and sends her sprawling back against the hard wood floor. Anne yelps, but too is unable to escape the monster. The Bandersnatch palms Anne's head in it's right hand and lifts her off of the ground. It was crushing her head. Stacy lay on the floor, quietly weeping, a trickle of blood flowing down her forehead. Tidus is in a state of shock. He is uncertain of what to do... He could shoot, but a scatter shot at this range would undoubtedly strike Anne as well. Tidus looked down at his shotgun, and then back at Anne. She was going to die if he didn't help her, and she could die if he did help her. Quite the quandry... Tidus shook his head and planted his foot, ready to move. Taking a breath, Tidus charged towards the back of the room, disregarding any value to his own life at the moment. Getting to the side of the Bandersnatch, Tidus quickly lets off a shot into the side of beast, trying his damndest not to stirke Anne. The Bandersnatch drops Anne, and lets out a howl of pain. It thrashes out and punches Tidus across the face. Tidus falls to the ground, but quickly gets back to his feet in a fit of self-preservation. Anne had already recovered and had gotten Stacy to the front door. They motioned for Tidus to get his ass in gear, and he scrambled to the front door while the Bandersnatch was still writhing from the shot. All three manage to escape through the front door and Anne slams it shut, locking the Bandersnatch inside. Tidus was heaving in large breaths, he was dangerously close to death. That last shot from that beast had all but taken it out of him. Tidus began to get Tunnel Vision, and things began to go black. Fearing for his life, Tidus quickly pulled the cloth out of his pocket that held the red/green herb combo. With no time to waste on making a paste, Tidus dumped the mashed herbs into his mouth, chewed once or twice, and swallowed. He stumbled back a step or two, in shock from the sudden rush the herbs gave to him. Instantly his tunnel vision went away, and the area outside the forest began to brighten for him. His chest, ankle, and face were also beginning to hurt less and less as the seconds passed. It was... a miracle? No... Those herbs had been genetically engineered for healing... They were just that damn good. Tidus took a look at Anne and Stacy standing by the well. Anne had a cloth in her hand, and was trying to whipe the blood off Stacy's forehead and cheek. Tidus walked up to them, without pain, and sighed...

"Damnit! I'm sorry about that... That thing was... Unpredictable. Ok, we are heading back to the Inn, and I'm dropping you two over there. Then I'm going to explore the House areas alone. This forest can wait until later, when I'm better prepared."

---
Insomnia is like having immortality, except you're gonna die. ~PepsiPlunge

Anne and Stacy solemnly followed behind Tidus, as he headed back through the forest. They weren't too thrilled at the fact that they could have been killed. They didn't really want to leave, but thay had no choice now that the Shack was occupied by a new owner. Going back through the forest, it was more lively then before, possibly because it was later in the morning. The sounds and chirps were louder then any Tidus had ever heard. He shuddered and tried not to think about what might be hiding in those trees. Piercing the forest's edge, Tidus was a bit taken back by smoke rising from the far side of the Village. It was very, very far away, but Tidus could clearly see black smoke up on the horizon. Had something big happened? Tidus and his makeshift crew walked the path between the graveyard and the Hospital. Tidus caught a plethora of movement in the graveyard... He could imagine what that was... Tidus never lowered his shotgun, as he never had a free moment. All along the path were scattered zombies, but he and the others were able to move around them in order to save ammo. At the Inn, Tidus made sure things were clear before telling Stacy and Anne to wait in the Inn for his return. Anne started for the Inn's double door, but Stacy started for the Village Idiot. She tried to open the door, but it was locked. She banged on the door, a tear in her eye, mixing with the reminants of the blood on her cheek. There was silence... Until a voice broke through the Pub door...

"I told you to go away... I'm a timebomb waiting to explode..." The voice sounds dry and raspy.

"..D... Daddy?" Stacy chokes

There is silence inside the Pub, and then a small weep. "Stacy... I'm so sorry... I should have stayed with you and Mary and Jim..."

"No! You were helping the rest of the people!" Stacy is now in full blown tears, "You were trying to protect everyone!"

"I couldn't bring myself to leave the Pub... I was afraid I wouldn't make it home... After the last of the resistance stopped coming in, I knew we were all doomed, but I couldn't leave... I just couldn't... And then Jim... I'm so sorry..." The man is in hysterics now

"Daddy, let me in... Please!" Stacy bangs on the door twice

"I... can't." The man's voice falters, "Please forgive me, but I couldn't endanger you like that. I love you too much... You have to escape this place... For me... For Jim... For your mother..."

Stacy begins to cry even harder. "But dad... Mom's... gone too... You can't do this to me!"

There is a bang on the inside of the pub door, either from a fist or a head banging into it... "Mary... I'll be with you soon... Stacy, I love you. You have to understand..."

"Daddy... I love you too..."

Tidus listens as the crying from inside the Pub becomes farther and farther away... Apparently the man on the inside has moved away from the door... Stacy keeps his fist on the door for a few more seconds before bursting into a fresh set of tears and rushing into the Inn, passed Anne. Tidus goes to call out to her, but stops... He knows nothing he says will make her feel any better. Tidus does walk up to Anne on the steps to the Inn and bids her farewell.

"You take care of Stacy until I get back. I'm going to try and find a way to get us all out of here, OK?" Tidus puts on a smile

"I want to go along with you. I know more about the Village then you do." Anne is trying to sound superior to Tidus

"Yes, perhaps. But I have a gun, and Stacy shouldn't be left alone." Tidus shoots back

"So give me the shotgun and stay with Stacy..."

---
Insomnia is like having immortality, except you're gonna die. ~PepsiPlunge

"No thanks... I'll be back soon enough. Just try and get some rest... It's not like I'm never coming back."

"Fine... Go ahead. I guess I'll trust you..."

Anne head through the double doors and closes them, a bit disturbed at the charred ground and signs of a fight inside the Inn... Outside, Tidus is feeling better then he did getting off the plane. Those were some good herbs. But now, it was time to head to the Houses... There had to something useful there. Tidus dodges the undead and makes his way to the center of the Housing area. He tries House 200, 400, and 300, but finds them all securely locked. Angry, Tidus heads over to House 100 and finds the door slightly ajar. Hmm... Odd... Walking inside, Tidus is overly careful. The House seems to have been searched once already. Looking at some of the photographs around the room, Tidus recognizes Stacy and the others from the photograph he saw in the Shack. This must be her house... What did the bottom of that photo say again? A sound of something moving in the basement catches Tidus' attention... Was there someone else down there?

Tidus-
[Status]: Fine {Pefectly Healed}
[Equipped]: Shotgun (6/7)
[Items (3/8)]: Starter Kit, Shotgun Shells (5/7), Class 1 Keycard

---
Insomnia is like having immortality, except you're gonna die. ~PepsiPlunge