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Post by nuclearstorm on Apr 13, 2012 20:30:57 GMT -5
Yorick and Lilith stand outside the entrance to the zone.
"You ready Lilith? Once we enter, theres no going back." Yorick said to his niece.
Lilith smirks. "Of course, Uncle. I think of this more like... a much needed vacation from normalcy."
Yorick approaches the gate into the zone, holding his access papers high. "Don't shoot! We have papers!"
The guards keep a careful aim on the pair as the main officer checks their papers. "Fine fine, you are all set, however, I should warn you. There are some... things... in there. Things nobody should see. Things nobody should be OK with seeing."
"Yes yes, mutants and the like. Why do you think I am even here? Certainly not for the view." Yorick replied in a smug manner. "Now if you will excuse me, there is research to be done."
Lilith followed her uncle through the gate with a look in her eyes that can only be described as hunger. Upon noticing this, the main officer put a hand on Lilith's shoulder and whispered into her ear, "You'll fit in well here, girl." He began laughing to himself as they went their way.
The pair heads north toward the carpark where Lilith had arranged a contact with Shade through the few connections she had established in her short time as a hitman.
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Post by blackpapermoon on Apr 13, 2012 21:58:29 GMT -5
Shade stood waiting for the scientist and his assistant, it was strange that a bandit would be assigned to escort them instead of robbing, mugging or murdering. The four rookie bandits stood at his side like hungry hounds awaiting his command. For little did they know the where just there to be pack mules and meat shields if things got rough.
The assassin cared little about the research that this Yorick was going to be conducting up in the ship graveyard of Zaton; he was just doing what the heads of the bandit organization told him to do. For whatever reason the scientist had connections with the underworld, and that was all that Tosya needed.
“-Yo boss here they come,” said one the bandits with a pair of binocular. Soon the two arrived at the entrance to the car park.
“-Aw professor Yorick and delightful assistant I assume, “said the bandit in almost mocking tone, as he stepped forward to greet them. Welcome to the zone , welcome to hell.”
A small grin of an amusement crossed the black clade man’s face as he noted that the assistant was a woman. The thugs under him probably thought they were going to hit it lucky with the woman, however the demeanor she gave off told him otherwise. He would have to keep his eyes on that one.
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Post by nuclearstorm on Apr 13, 2012 22:10:01 GMT -5
"Pleasure to meet you gentlemen, but please, call me doctor as I am no professor." Yorick sighed, he disliked being referred to incorrectly, but professor at least showed some respect so he did not push the issue further. "You are here to escort us to the site of our soon to be research base, yes?"
Lilith glared sharply at the men eyeing her body, giving off the aura of a bloodthirsty animal ready to tear their flesh apart, only held back by knowing that these men were required for them to reach their destination. She made a mental note to save them for later.
"Well, best not dawdle men. Time is research, and my research is very, very precious." Yorick's tone became serious and dark at the mention of his research, but lightened up as he continued, "Also, do not worry about Lilith here so much. She may be a woman, but I assure you, she can be quite vicious. What kind of resistance are we expecting along the way?"
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Post by blackpapermoon on Apr 15, 2012 21:33:05 GMT -5
The plan was simple when laid out, leave the Cordon through the Garbage exit and pick up a few more bandits before heading to the Agroprom. Dodge the military to make it to Lake Yantar. Sneak passed the zombies in the factory yard to make it to the Red Forest. Once there they would make camp at the old ranger station, the next morning they would make contact with Freedom and gain entrance to their base. Buy some supplies then move out and then it was just following the river to Jupiter then Zaton. But nothing in the zone was that easy.
“What kind of resistance are we expecting along the way?" said the Doctor, Shade did not pay much mind to the first part of his rambling.
“Anything the zone wants to throw at us, “said Shade motioning for everyone to ready to move out,“ the Garbage is relatively safe compared to the other parts we will passing into. The Agroprom has Bloodsucker and Military patrols, and once we hit Yantar mainly Zombies and Snorks.”
“Zombies?, “said one of the bandit rookies, “like from the movies.”
“No ya moron, stalkers that the zone has brain fried, bunch of brain dead fuckers that shoot anything that moves,” said another of the nameless bandits knocking his comrade on the head .
With a roll of his eyes Shade continued, “The messy stuff will be in the Red Forest and beyond, as I’m sure you are all aware Duty and Freedom sent expeditions to the northern reaches a few months ago, few returned. “
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Post by nuclearstorm on Apr 16, 2012 11:43:30 GMT -5
"Sounds... perfect." Yorick grinned wickedly as he spoke. "These 'Zombies' you speak of sound like the perfect test subjects." He then turns to Lilith, "Think you can handle a few mindless drones with guns? Oh wait, of course you can. You've had plenty of experience with that now haven't you?"
"Of course, sweet uncle," she said as innocently as possible, "It seems helping you with your 'research' will be just as fun as you led me to believe..." The thought of killing without consequence, and possibly even with reward, caused great delight in her. She could finally 'hunt' and not be out of place.
"Well then, gentlemen, shall we depart?"
The devious pair had high hopes for their lives in the zone as they began their journey. Yorick could taste the power that would come with completing his research. Lilith hungered for the bloodshed that would be required not only for her uncle's research, but for simple survival.
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Post by blackpapermoon on Apr 22, 2012 18:09:47 GMT -5
“-The capture and transport of zombies was not our agreed upon arrangement,” Shade said checking over his guns for the last time before moving out, “but if you wish to go get your assistant killed go right ahead Doctor. The zone weeds out the weak and the stupid quickly enough. Now let’s move before some loner comes to play the crusader.”
They left the Car park and moved along the road, briefly stopping to navigate an anomaly that sat in the middle of the road. Packs of dogs circled but never got close to the group, the beasts knew better than to attack a party of this size. They passed the bridge with no opposition; the military no longer stationed men there and only sent a patrol once or twice a day. It was late spring in the zone and the ground was saturated with snow melt and rain fall, making the land a muddy mess to walk through and give a detailed history of all that walked through the area. As one could surmise the area around the cordon was full of Dog tracks, boot prints of stalkers and the occasional boar print.
To which when a boar charged out from the over grown vegetation, it not no surprise. It trashed it’s tusks about trying in vain to gore one of the party members with reckless disregard for it life. The bandits pulled out their weapons intent of shooting the beast into a dark oblivion.
“Conserve your bullets you fools, “said Shade unsheathing a long wicked knife, than dodge out of the mutant way as it ran towards him. On its seconds pass he trusted the knife in to the boar’s right eye socket, removing the eye and impaling the pig’s brain with his knife. The boar dropped not even letting out a death squeal as it died. The lead bandit removed his knife from the pig's skull and then flicked off the boar’s eyeball.
“Let’s continue on,” said the black haired assassin, “Unless you want to march through Agroprom at night.”
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Post by nuclearstorm on Apr 24, 2012 12:13:55 GMT -5
Lilith raised both of her shotguns toward Shade.
"Don't move," she commanded without emotion.
Before anyone could react she fired both shots straight past Shade, into the face of a second charging boar. The boar fell to the ground and skidded beside Shade, it's face now an unidentifyable mess of blood and flesh.
"You should watch your back more carefully," Lilith said playfully and winked at shade as she giggled. The sight of the mangled boar's blood made her giddy.
"I assume this was simply the weak side of what the zone has to offer, Mr. Shade?" Yorick asked. "An interesting creature to say the least, but not what I am here for. Let's move on."
As they resumed their travel Lilith looked back and grinned at the sight of both boars' blood forming a small pool. She was going to like it here.
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Post by blackpapermoon on Apr 26, 2012 8:17:56 GMT -5
“Wow boss she really showed you, “said one of the rookies bandits with a big mouth. Pointing with amusement at the assassin. The leader gave his subordinate a hard glare before pulling the other's hood over his face and giving the man a swift kick in the ass.
“Watch your tongue or you may end up losing it,” said the tall bandit after disciplining the rookie, “the beasts that you see before you Doctor are just minor annoyances but pose more of a threat than the blind dogs.”
Shade noted that the good doctor’s assistant, Lilith kept looking behind the group at the boars. It was clearly not fear on the woman’s face, in fact she almost seemed giddy. Blood seemed to make her giggle. She was showing herself to be a bloodthirsty little thing. Shade on the other never killed out of pleasure, although death and murder where his trade it was nothing more than a job for him, a means to an end. She would have to watch his back should she get frenzied.
They continued on, upon entering the Garbage they sacred away a lone blind dog that was feasting on a cadaver of some poor stalker. The body was too mangled to identify, the shreds of clothing told only that this man was a rookie loner or bandit.
“Stay on the road, “said Shade steeping over the body careful as not to get any of the gore on himself ,” or end up like this poor bastard.”
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Post by nuclearstorm on Apr 28, 2012 18:00:25 GMT -5
As they continued on, Lilith glancing back at the corpse, they heard a noise in the distance. At first it was inaudible, but soon it was very clear what it was. It was a man screaming, running toward the group. As he approached they also noticed that he was waving a white flag vigorously.
"AAAAAHHHHHH HELP-A ME! HELP-A ME!" Giovanni screamed as loud as he could, attracting more attention as he ran toward the group, "Somebody help-a me! There are some mean puppies chasing me and growling and ima scared! Somebody help!"
The speed at which he was running from the pack of dogs was almost superhuman, leaving a large dust cloud behind him. Still screaming, he ran straight into the group, more specifically into Shade. He dove for shade as if he was trying to hug him, all the while screaming and crying.
"Please sir! Make the puppies stop it! They are scaring me! Don't let them hurt-a me and my beautiful face! I'm-a too delicate!"
At this point the pack of dogs, larger than a pack usually found due to Giovanni's screaming, was almost upon the party. Lilith fired off both of her shotguns, killing two and maiming a few more. Yorick drew his weapon and prepared to fire.
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Post by blackpapermoon on Apr 28, 2012 19:36:05 GMT -5
Shade side step as the short man dove at him causing the runner to fall and skid on his face. Looking up from the screaming man Shade saw one of the largest packs of dogs that he had even seen this far south of the center. There must have been fifty or more in the pack, by this time the bandits and the two they were escorting had pulled out their firearm and where shooting at the pack.
He took a hold of one of Lilith sawn-off shotguns and pulled it away from her and then took a handful of slugs from her pocket. Reloading the doubled barreled weapon, he took aim at one of the oncoming dogs and fired just one shot. The slug torn into the dog’s head nearly blasting it off completely. A small group of the dogs broke off from the main pack to flak the lead bandit; Shade rolled avoiding one of the snapping maws. He fired at the nearest one and killed it before getting up and reloading the shotgun. With a his free hand he pulled out one of his Colt M1911s and fired at the main pack of dogs before it could overwhelm the rest of the group.
“Watch you back,” he yelled emptying the Colts magazine missing only one of the dogs, “don’t let them get behind you.” With that pistol empty he dropped it and pulled out the other Colt from his holster, and fired at the dogs that tried to flank him and killed them. He again dropped the empty pistol and began firing at the main pack with the shotgun. The dogs soon began to retreat behind one of the piles of radioactive debris, having lost over half their numbers. After a few minutes the bandit finally let down their guards.
“You girl, get a better gun,” he said tossing her the sawed-off he took from her and went to collect his discarded weapons, “you’ll never make it up north.”
He then turned to the newcomer who was still crying when Shade had last left him.
“And you rookie, can stop cowering now the dogs are gone now.”
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Post by nuclearstorm on Apr 29, 2012 11:46:17 GMT -5
Lilith caught her weapon. "Maybe the big bad show-off will buy little ol' me a new weapon," she remarked sarcastically, obviously pissed off that Shade had taken her weapon.
It took Giovanni a few seconds to realize that the threat was gone. He stopped cowering and began to thank everyone for helping him, "Thank you mister! You saved my life! And you too miss!" He gave them hugs as he thanked them. "To show you my thanks, how about I make-a you all some pasta? Oh! I almost forgot, my name is Giovanni, who are you nice people?" he began to pull out ingredients and cooking utensils to make pasta as he spoke.
"I am doctor Yorick, pleasure to meet you, but may I ask why you are in such a dangerous place with nothing to defend yourself?"
"Oh, I am looking for my father. Have any of you seen him? His name is Antonio DiPasta."
Lilith chuckled, "You still haven't explained why you have no weapons. Oh and by the way, my name is Lilith."
"Oh sorry, I have no weapons because guns-a scare me," Giovanni said matter-of-factly, "They are loud and hurt people so i do not like them."
Lilith and Yorick began laughing uncontrollably at the absurdity of a man in the zone afraid of weapons. Yorick managed to calm himself down first.
"Well Giovanni, I am afraid i have not seen your father as Lilith and I have only just entered the zone ourselves, and you may want to put your cooking utensils back, this is no time for cooking."
"Oh I see, we must keep moving, yes? That is ok, I brought pizza too!" Giovanni packs up his cooking supplies and pulls out a premade pizza, handing slices to everyone. Yorick and Lilith take a slice as free food is not something to reject. "How about you mister?" He said talking to shade, "Have you seen my papa?"
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Post by blackpapermoon on Apr 29, 2012 17:13:41 GMT -5
“Maybe,” Shade said barely smirked at Lilith, “but I’m only into classy women that bathe frequently .”
Perhaps it was not wise to taunt the woman but was certainly very fun, and she asked for it. The Loner Giovanni was very peculiar, no weapons just food and cooking utensils and seeming no clue about the dangers that zone held within. Yet odder yet was his accent and name, Shade had done jobs in Italy and had some understanding of the language and customs.
“ No non ho visto tuo padre, ma vi sono italiani? Sì?,” he asked the young man in Italian. (No I have not seen you father, but you are Italian? yes?)
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Post by nuclearstorm on Apr 30, 2012 8:04:39 GMT -5
Lilith scoffed at Shade's remark, but let it be. She knew that he was much more experienced than her, even before entering the zone. She decided that she might want to try and break this man's spirit somewhere down the road, but that would be a while off.
Giovanni was excited that another man knew Italian in the zone. "You speak Italian!?" Giovanni exclaimed in his home language, "That is wonderful! First you save me and now you know Italian! It is too bad you have not seen my father though. Also, where are we going?"
"We're heading to zaton. My research requires such an area." Yorick said.
Giovanni cut Yorick off before he could speak anymore. "Oh, you are a scientist? That is-a so cool! What are you researching? What's a zaton anyway?"
Yorick, slightly annoyed at being cut off, kept his cool. "My research is a private matter, and as for zaton, it is a very dangerous and scary place."
Giovanni shuddered for a second, but overcame it. "I am not-a scared. At least, not with mister..." Giovanni realizes that Shade did not reveal his name. "What is your name again strong sir?"
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Post by blackpapermoon on Apr 30, 2012 13:27:32 GMT -5
“The name is Shade, “said the bandit once again heralding the signal to move out, “Zaton or the swamp is one of the zone’s most northern territories, a no man’s land that very few have ever returned from. And whatever the good Doctors research is, it’s none of my concern.”
The party continued onward, keeping to the road and Shade’s advice. The remainder of the large pack ran circles around the mounds of trash but stay far from the road. Giovanni must have attracted dogs from not only the garbage but the cordon and dark valley as well. But how in the zone had he done that, sure dogs could smell fear but they never pack together in such large groups to go after just one target.
The group only rested a moment at the train depot to pick up seven more guards for the expedition, before moving out to the entrance to the Agroprom. Their geiger counters ticked angrily as they passed a few rusted vehicles along the road. The bandits where put on high alert as they entered the area, the military’s presents did little to keep the mutant populations in control. Dogs, boars, bloodsuckers and the rare Snork or zombie roamed these parts.
“Giovanni how did you manage to get some many mutates chasing you at once,” asked Shade tired of pondering the thought in his head but kept on guard, “Half of the dogs south of Rostok where on your trail.”
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Post by nuclearstorm on Apr 30, 2012 19:19:06 GMT -5
"I don't know. I just tried to pet a puppy but he tried to bite me, so I got scared and started running like you saw. I did not notice there were so many until you killed them. Why are the puppies so mean here Shade?" Giovanni rambled on for a while as they traveled.
Giovanni eventually stopped rambling to the sound of a few boars charging the group. Naturally, Giovanni was frightened. He grabbed onto shade for dear life and screamed at the top of his lungs. Lilith blew open one boar's head, while the other guards and Yorick finished off the other two boars.
"Calm down you fool! This is dangerous territory and you will attract more mutants." Lilith gave Giovanni a light slap as she scolded him, unfortunately her warning was too late. Two bloodsuckers appeared out of nowhere and killed two of the guards. Lilith scrambled to reload her shotgun. Giovanni tried to hold back his fear as to avoid attracting more attention, but it was to no avail. Yorick noticed another blood sucker just entering stealth in the distance. He shot with surprising accuracy for a scientist, piercing the mutant's head. It staggered slightly before falling down and skidding forward. He then noticed one of the closer bloodsuckers coming for him. He shoved his rifle into the creature's mouth and fired, only for his weapon to jam. By this time Lilith had reloaded her shotguns. She turned quickly and blew off the head of the mutant attacking Yorick with one arm and shot the other mutant in the chest with her other arm. the bloodsucker staggered, but continued to attack, killing another guard. Yorick dropped his rifle and dove at the remaining bloodsucker, pulling out a knife as he moved. He stabbed the creature in the back of the head and twisted the blade, mangling its brain. the creature stopped moving and fell to the ground.
Lilith turned to Shade. "You're right, mister show-off, I could use a new gun. These pieces of shit can't hold a decent clip. How far till we can trade?"
Yorick retrieved his discarded rifle. "Well now, these ARE interesting creatures. Mutation leading to stealth, very interesting. I will need to make a note of this. Shade, do you suppose we may be able to transport one of these corpses to the site of my lab?"
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