SPECIAL - BALLARD CANNIBAL MISSION

[Thy Dungyeon Maestyr]

The snow was light - a few inches on the ground - and in the most exposed areas of the street was wet underneath. It seemed likely to melt. A few random flakes trailed out of a bright silver sky.

Heroes of the enclave assembled in the street for a special mission of mercy.

Davin-
"Alright, is this everybody?"


Colqhoun-
"..."

((Check in with ur dood here, and we proceed. Joe was unavailable, so it's just PCs plus Davin & Colqhoun.))

[Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse]

Patti came down a few minutes later her trusty braining hammer in hand and her smaller pistol tucked into a hideaway holster in the back of jacket. She didn't plan on capping fools and she didn't feel like arguing the wisdom of bringing it, so she just remained quiet.

Was she alone? Who can say?

[∆§Indea§∆]

"I'm ready to roll... As long as we're not in the fucking role."

Micah brought his table leg and a backpack of food, including a couple cans of spam. The cannibals were used to meat after all, worst come to worse they could offer up Ashley... Micah grinned slightly to himself. He looked disappointedly at the mushy dying snow, kicking it around with his boot. So much for a white Christmas.

[DKender]

"Who is giving the inspirational speech before we launch this mission?"

Baseball bat in hand, Alex was ready to help save Colqhoun's flock. He knew that every second mattered to hungry people.

He also wore a safety helmet because he didn't want to become the next cannibal meal. Alex had a lot of muscle. And muscle was MEAT. Hearty, lean meat. Thinking about it made him hungry, which was vaguely disturbing, to be honest.

[∆§Indea§∆]

"Here's to hoping this isn't a fucking elaborate trap woo. How was that?"

[Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse]

"I'm pretty sure it's your turn for the motivational speech, Alex. Micah totally did it last time."

[Thy Dungyeon Maestyr]

((I expect Ashley is already present - jara just describe what he's equipped with and how he's feeling before they take off...))

Colqhoun-
"Do they have to joke about this? It's ... very fucked up."


Davin-
"Call it a coping mechanism. I'm sorry. Let's just get this over with..."

Davin assumed the duties. He was, after all, a management professional.

Davin-
"Alright people, we have a very disturbing job ahead of us. We need to get to Mars Hill Church in time to prevent a murder, cannibalism, and probably people turning into ghouls. The first choice we have to make is this - do we save time and increase our risks taking a boat to Ballard, or do we hike over the Aurora Bridge? Either way, we'll pass close enough to that damn bridge to have to deal with its dark ghost infestation."

[Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse]

Patti almost visibly flinched at the idea of taking a boat.

"In deference to folks that might not be strong swimmers, might I suggest we take the route with more direct routes of ingress and egress and take the bridge."

[Dr. Jar]

Ashley-

"Why are we so afraid of the water? Who saw something in it? And if they did I think we can just hike over the bridge. I'm less worried about land spooks."

He grumbles as he joins them at Patti's behest.

Today, Ashley carries a multi-purpose 3 inch knife, a length of rope, a hand ax (too small to be a great weapon), some flares and his sword, which has several large chips out of the end of the blade from hitting another metal object far too hard.

"We're planning the diplomacy route first, or are we going in with force?"

[Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse]

"There's no indication for force and hopefully there won't be. Always best to be prepared though."

[∆§Indea§∆]

"I'm cool with a boat, time is of the essence. How could it be more fucking dangerous than any other shit we do? The tattoos will protects us yeah? At the bridge?"

[DKender]

"I've dreamed about water lately. It's either a bad omen or a good sign ... the spirits are fickle."

His brow furrowed.

"Let's go by foot. I just feel more confident. We can travel quickly, if you're able, Pastor."

[Dr. Jar]

Ashley-

Ashley doesn't completely trust the tattoos, however.

"The chances of it tipping over are small."

He concedes. He seems to be cold despite all his machismo, while wearing only a suit jacket.

[Thy Dungyeon Maestyr]

Colqhoun-
"...I don't know. I can't stand the thought of... how long it will take."


Davin-
"Well, there's those underwater dark ghosts." ((These will be added to the monsters discovered during time warp.))

 "Makes it harder to use fire on them. And the tattoos have only been shown to work a few times. Everybody's tatts are different, and maybe some work and some don't. It's what I heard... Better safe than sorry.

Yeah, I'm sorry Colqhoun. We'll just get going and use the bridge. They just got the suicide fence in last year, so falling ain't a problem - just ghosts. I hear they keep coming back even after a bunch get torched, because all the suicides there made it ... fuckin' ghosty, I don't know."

The heroes set out toward Aurora Avenue. Not having to obey pedestrian laws meant they could hop the wall onto the street without detouring to Denny. Moving instantly warmed them, especially those with bulky backpacks and heavy weapons. They reached Aurora in moments, and then headed north. The street was still clogged with dead cars, a few with apathetic zombies still at the wheel - unable to budge their seatbelts with several months to think about it. Some cars had skeletonized human remains and scraps of clothing in the driver's seat. Crows hopped around in the snow, and seagulls cried above.

((On the way, anyone who wants to talk to Colqhoun alone or in a small group can find an opportunity to do so, as the group spreads out and contracts randomly at obstacles passed.))

[Dr. Maneep Pamplemousse]

Patti's curiosity keeps her within earshot if anyone talks to the guy, but not so much that she gets real close if they speak in hushed tones. Otherwise, she seems very leery of the man and keeps her distance.