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by Mephisto on Fri Jul 08, 2011 9:40 pm
Agreeing with the newcomer's thoughts on the welding, Bishop got to work. Roland assisted him some when he asked for it, making sure not to look directly at the light. He guarded with a hand when he could. He looked to the new arrival, who seemed to be trying to relax since she was finally as safe as she had probably ever been in a long time. It was only about an hour ago or less that he himself and Bishop arrived here themselves, and were able to take a breather and a much needed break from the perpetual paranoia that was everyday life now days. It became the unspoken law-of-the-land. If you weren't ready at all times- well, those people are probably long gone.
Roland listened to the newcomer, making eye-contact as often as he could. He couldn't help it. She was the first attractive face he'd seen in so long. The only women he'd seen lately were either the degraded humans trying eat him or the one that were pacified and lounging about or moving sluggishly due to the need to recover. Other than them, there was the very, very rare, occasional survivor. The ones Roland had encountered were all too bent on survival and were as hazardous to his survival as the other monsters that roamed the streets. Sanity was, sadly, even more rare than it had been when civilization still existed.
"You got it all wrong," Roland said to the woman gently. "Miss Hawthorn was it? I am Roland Svensson." he offered his hand in a typical handshake. "It's really nice to meet you."
Sure it was pretty odd to use the pleasantries that were now quite out of practice. However, old habits died hard. He was a respectful individual and he wasn't going to be discourteous to another normal person. Not now days. Especially a woman. Unfortunately, they were somewhat of a rarity these days for some reason. So much for more females than males born to maintain the fertility of the species... Roland's thoughts then went to the feel of the woman's hand. It was pretty rugged than what he was used to women's hands being like, but he understood why. The brief moment of his touching her soft skin refreshed Roland's spirits a bit. Something that happened so often since things went south that he could count the instances on one hand. In any case, he was grateful to have a new companion.
"Anyway, I'm not the marine here," Roland continued. "Bishop is that man you're looking for." Roland grinned at the strange but welcome guest. She was clearly tied to the military one way or another.
The door wasn't too beat up from being pried off. With the combined efforts of the two men, the door was properly welded to the frame in only a few minutes. This was good. Once the torch was silenced, the sounds from the other side got clearer. Bishop went prone against the door, his hand cupped to his ear that was pressed to it.
"They're at the barricade," he finally said. "It doesn't sound like they're having any success though. I think they've been there for at least a minute or two... nice work you two," he said as he turned to face his fellow survivors. "In the event they somehow manage to get in that room, there is no way in hell or on earth they can make it though this." The marine slapped the door twice as he finished his spiel. "I am Master Sargent Bishop. You are Neveah Hawthorn, correct?" Bishop returned the salute he received. ((Sorry. Making an assumption off what I've read of Veah so far, can change if need be. :D)) "At ease," he said calmly. "There's really no chain of command anymore, though I truly appreciate your retained respect." He paused, and looked up to the foreman's roost. He then nodded up to it. "Let's relocate back to our base of operations. That's where Roland and I stashed our stuff. He and I desperately need to regain our strength. Food and many hours of sleep priority one, now that we're certain the perimeter is secure. The only way in and out now, other than the windows up top, or any other way out up there, is though that room there."
With his back still to the door, he turned to point to the right, behind Roland. They all looked and saw a door. There was a dark room beyond. "In there, in the back corner, is the only way in and out of this ground floor. It's a secure, locked door. I figured that we should have it available just in case... anyway, let's head up. We can talk more once I have something in my belly." Bishop cracked a slight smile. Another rarity. Roland noted how fortunate they seemed to be today. It's about goddamn time, he thought as he sighed, finally completely at ease.
Suddenly, a commotion on the far side the warehouse. It sounded outside, around where Roland and Bishop had entered the warehouse. Gunshots and calls, as well as the unpleasant sounds of the degraded. The group froze and listened, trained on the eastern front. It all died down pretty quick, and whoever was outside was gone and had taken the horse with them. After exchanging confused looks, Roland suggested they just continue on up. The three made their way up the ramp to the foreman's office.
Roland allowed himself to be last in. Of course he wanted the lady to be first, no matter how hardcore she was. Besides, he needed to be rearguard. Bishop's rifle was in the office after all. After locking the door behind him just in case, he offered Neveah the foreman's plush chair beside his awkward Mac/radio contraption upon the desk. Bishop, sat on a desk opposite the room next to the water cooler. It wasn't cold water, but it would do. Roland sat in a more rigid chair on the other side of the cooler. After a moment he stood up again and dragged a table form the back of the office to the center. He then retrieved his pack of supplies and laid on there. "Shall we eat," Roland asked. He was counting on the new arrival to make good on her offer of pooling supplies. Not waiting, however, Roland dug in and pulled out four power bars. He tossed two to Bishop, who caught them with no effort whatsoever. The pair then ripped off the plastic, kicked back, and began to thoroughly enjoy their feast.
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