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Reggie is determined to not let his dad (and the town) down. He takes the pistol with some reverence, makes sure the safety is on and, lacking a holster, he sticks it barrel first into a pocket. It's good to have, but limited ammo, and quiet may be better if they can manage it. Loud gunshots may attract more attention that they want.

"We should probably grab some food and water as well for the trip."

OOC: Looking at the map, what's the estimated amount of time to get there and back?
"Reggie, go grab Mazure and Jack and start grabbing us some supplies. Just enough food and water for the trip. Basic first aid supplies if they can be spared. I'll round us up a couple of shovels and maybe a couple of other weapons." Shep has a dark, determined look on his face. He hates being responsible for these kids, but he'll bring them all back alive if there's any possible way. If the Sherriff's right, though, it's more important that he make it back with the weapon since he's the only one that can use it. The good of the many over the good of the few.

Reggie is determined to not let his dad (and the town) down. He takes the pistol with some reverence, makes sure the safety is on and, lacking a holster, he sticks it barrel first into a pocket. It's good to have, but limited ammo, and quiet may be better if they can manage it. Loud gunshots may attract more attention that they want. The gun is heavier than what he's used to. Where did his father acquire this hand cannon? "We should probably grab some food and water as well for the trip."

"Reggie, go grab Mazur and Jack and start grabbing us some supplies. Just enough food and water for the trip. Basic first aid supplies if they can be spared. I'll round us up a couple of shovels and maybe a couple of other weapons." Shep has a dark, determined look on his face. He hates being responsible for these kids, but he'll bring them all back alive if there's any possible way. If the Sheriff's right, though, it's more important that he make it back with the weapon since he's the only one that can use it. The good of the many over the good of the few.

Sheriff Harper reaches into one of his workshop shelves and tosses Reggie their first aid kit. Shovels are near the barn door. The sheriff brings over two horses, already saddled up and a cooler full of sandwiches, candy, fruit, acorns and jerky. He then fills some water bladders for each horse and two more for the Shep and the kids to share.

After Reggie finds Jack and Mazur, who've hurriedly buried his mother, out of respect and so that no one has to see her mangled corpse, he brings them back to his dad. Hank hands Jack the pickaxe, "Just in case, but be careful." He nods to Jack.

For once, Mazur has stayed quiet the entire time. No sarcastic quips and jabs, no jokes. Everyone seems to be drown in depressive silence as they pack up for the trip. By horse, it generally takes one hour to get to Lake Crenshaw. Finding the map location may take another hour and then the hour back. Would the town survive three hours?

"Shep, Reggie." The sheriff says with a teary-eyed smile, "We're counting on all of you."

Shep helps stow the gear as best he can, eyeing the packs and tools with a practiced, logistical calm. He mentally weighs the load of each saddle, judging whether two riders could share a mount without overburdening the horses or slowing their pace.

For a moment, his focus slips. The sound of distant screaming fills his ears — raw, panicked, endless. He squeezes his eyes shut, as if that alone could silence it. It doesn’t. It never does. Were they his screams, or someone else’s? After all these years, he no longer remembers — or maybe he’s chosen not to. He gives his head a sharp shake, forcing the ghosts back into their corners.

oO We’ll make better time if we double up — the kids will burn out faster on foot. Horses’ll manage if we trade off. Oo

Once satisfied they can make it work, he turns to Hank. “We’ll bring it back, Hank. Whatever this thing is, I’ll make sure it’s put to use.”

Shep helps stow the gear as best he can, eyeing the packs and tools with a practiced, logistical calm. He mentally weighs the load of each saddle, judging whether two riders could share a mount without overburdening the horses or slowing their pace.

For a moment, his focus slips. The sound of distant screaming fills his ears; raw, panicked, endless. He squeezes his eyes shut, as if that alone could silence it. It doesn’t. It never does. Were they his screams, or someone else’s? After all these years, he no longer remembers, or maybe he’s chosen not to. He gives his head a sharp shake, forcing the ghosts back into their corners.

oO(We’ll make better time if we double up, the kids will burn out faster on foot. Horses’ll manage if we trade off)Oo

Once satisfied they can make it work, he turns to Hank. “We’ll bring it back, Hank. Whatever this thing is, I’ll make sure it’s put to use.”

"Just be safe and get back here as soon as you can," The sheriff reiterates. Jack, Reggie and Shep get the two horses packed up as Mazur fills the water bladders. Eventually, the group is ready. Reggie jumps on the first horse, a golden brown color beauty, named Bronzie. Jack mounts the black horse, appropriately named Twilight. Leaving Mazur and Shep to decide who to ride with. Mazur hands Jack and Reggie a water bladder each and slaps the horses water bladders to their necks.

OOC: Any last minute preps before you guys start dodging the walking dead to make it out of town?

Shep carefully climbs up behind Jack, allowing Mazur to get in behind Reggie.
OOC: Figured I'd put one PC on each horse. Nothing else I can think of unless you have another BFG up your @$$.

Shep carefully climbs up behind Jack, allowing Mazur to get in behind Reggie. Mazur tries almost unsuccessfully to get on Bronzie, but eventually Hank lifts him up, much like a father holding a baby that's not his own, and gently places him behind Reg, "There you go, little guy." He doesn't even smile, his sense of humor still shows, even though Reggie is sure that he isn't trying to be funny.

"Oh stop!" Mazur grumps, then jokes, "I have yiddle yegs."

Al shows up and asks what's going on. Hank simply replies, "We're activating the blackout protocol."

Al's face looks like it had been splashed with a cup of week old pee as he stares back at the boys. "Good luck boys." He tips his hat, "May the winds blow to your backs." His astonishment is obvious as he seems to want to say something to the sheriff as the boys ride out.

Eventually, the quartet and the two horses attempt to circle outside of town. They pass Yuno and Lux's rickshaw, which begs the question, 'Who was pulling that thing across the vast desert?' Several of the walking dead begin swiftly shuffling and some running like maniacs, towards them. Jack nods to Reggie as the pair spur the horses horses to pick up enough speed to outrun them all. They succeed.

The journey towards Lake Crenshaw is hot, yet peaceful, in comparison to the carnage back in Camp Wilson. How did the supernatural break through the protection from the 'lines?' What caused this? Who were Yuno and Lux? How did all of those people just... die... and then come back? Why would they attack loved ones?

Along the road, a couple, riding a motorcycle and sidecar, slow down as Jack slows to a stop to warn them, "Don't go that way! There's a battle going on back there and people are dying."

"I thought Camp Wilson was the epitome of small town boredom?" The flame-haired woman asks from the sidecar. "Hi, I'm Miriam. This is Adrian." She points to the ponytailed blond guy, with blood red dye in his hair, who's driving the cycle.

"Well, it's the opposite. You'll be killed if you go there. Would you be able to show us around Lake Crenshaw?" Jack asks.

"Sorry, we're escaping from there. Too much gang violence." Adrian admits, revealing that the red is actual blood on his head. "We'll head a different direction. Thanks for the warning." They turn their bike and resituate their belongings as Jack, Reggie and crew continue on. After a mile, Adrian and Miriam ride by, waving and loudly wishing them luck as they circle on a backroad out of the area. Shep notices an extra person on the back of the bike with a black leather jacket and dark greasy hair. He waves as well. Who could that have been?

OOC: Yes, that was Sandie and Chris' characters from way back. We've memorialized Christine's character after her passing. The third guy was Lucas Bloomfield from Drake's Blue Angels.

After another half an hour, the group see the tall bluffs which surround the lake and encapsulate the entire dammed lake. Several auto turrets and mounted rail guns adorn the top of the bluffs in strategic defensive positions. Two of the rail guns swivel and track the two horses as they approach the outer perimeter of the town. Upon reaching the checkpoint, two armed and armored sentries approach the boys. Shep's been through this a few times.

"Hello, boys," The first sentry greets as the other has his fancy expensive looking rifle ready. "What brings you to town?"

As Jack reins in beside the sentries, Shep sits steady behind him, his posture unhurried despite the rifles tracking their every move. “Afternoon,” he says evenly, his voice carrying the gravel of age and quiet authority. “Name’s Shep Wilson. We’re out of Camp Wilson — Sheriff Harper sent us to retrieve something my dad left here years back.”

He pauses, giving them a moment to read his tone before continuing as he tries to convey trust to the sentry (Trust/Intimidate 70%). “We’re not looking for trouble. Just need safe passage to collect it. Sheriff said it’s old business — family business.”

As Jack reins in beside the sentries, Shep sits steady behind him, his posture unhurried despite the rifles tracking their every move. “Afternoon,” he says evenly, his voice carrying the gravel of age and quiet authority. “Name’s Shep Wilson. We’re out of Camp Wilson — Sheriff Harper sent us to retrieve something my dad left here years back.”

He pauses, giving them a moment to read his tone before continuing as he tries to convey trust to the sentry. “We’re not looking for trouble. Just need safe passage to collect it. Sheriff said it’s old business — family business.”

The guard doesn't even let Shep finish, "Head on through. Good luck, Mr. Wilson!" he says with a respectful nod. The other sentry lowers his weapon and heads back to the guard shack.

The journey into town is met with a steep road up to the main part of the plateau. Another five minute trot along the plateau, next to the lake, leads to another guard shack, protecting a bridge which leads to the city in the middle of the lake. The bridge is one of three ways to enter the city. The guards don't even exit the shack, they simply raise the boom barriers, allowing the quartet to continue across the bridge into the city.

The city makes Camp Wilson look tiny in comparison. Tall brick or steel buildings make up the middle of the city. It seems vast, yet, busy. Armored suits with wings and skull helmets fly over the city, some outside of the city. Shep has heard stories of these things, called power armor. They belong to a military organization, known as the Coalition States.

Shep breaks out the map and tries to make sense of it. Eventually, he finds where they are and where this weapon is located. Jack seems more anxious than normal as Mazur hums a familiar tune. The map leads them into the worst part of the slums. Horses aren't a normal sight in Lake Crenshaw, which is apparent as locals seem to show interest. Some even seem a little too interested. Shep and Reggie feel like they may be the type to rob them, if given the chance.

They eventually arrive at an old abandoned warehouse... mostly abandoned. The homeless have turned the building into their own territory. Staring suspiciously as they approach. One young man steps forward, scars across his face and neck indicate the vast hardship that he's endured. "Hello, have you come to trade with us?"

“Maybe,” Shep says evenly. “First, we need to retrieve something. We’re not here to cause trouble. Just asking permission to enter.” His tone carries the kind of calm that comes with age.