Endure - A post-apocalyptic survival RP (open)

[Llau]

- ENDURE -

Hey guys and gals. If anyone is bored and interested in joining me and Faclan in this, go ahead and jump in. 
OOC thread: yappashalorpg.proboards.com/thread/12571/endure-post-apocalyptic-survival-ooc

.:: Plot ::.
 

Many years after a nuclear war devastated the world, a group of survivors emerge from Sanctuary, their massive underground shelter. It housed over two thousand men, women, and children, who lived in a Draconian society, due to the resource scarcity of Sanctuary. When their oxygen filtration systems need replaced with parts that are no longer available inside, as well as reports on food and water levels being at critical stages, the leaders decide to keep what was happening a secret, as well as making the decision to cull half of the population in order to extend the time frame to fix the problems. These secrets were quickly leaked to the citizens when they were told that three hundred of them had to die, causing a violent uprising. Vital information was explained to those who wanted to escape about another shelter they could use that's located thousands of miles away in Alaska. After escaping with their lives, they continue to fight for survival as they encounter radiation levels, mutated creatures, other humans, and extreme cold temperatures of a Nuclear Winter. 

.:: Character Sheet ::.

((Please copy and paste into your post - even better, into a word program so you won't lose anything if proboards derps, or your own PC/phone derps. :3))

Name:
Gender:
Age:
Appearance: (image or description, or both will do)
Personality:
Bio:
NPC(s): (you are allowed only up to two right now. Later on, if you want your character to have another...like another survivor or two, or an animal companion as pets of any kind weren't allowed, you may add them in. Right now, while they are in the underground metro ruins, it's only two.)


(Mah dude. -le gasps!- I'm not using Mike! )

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Sebastian Kane

Gender: Male

Age: 41

Appearance:



Kane is a tall, 6-foot-1-inch man in his early forties, with wavy dark brown hair, brown eyes, and tan skin. He appears to have an authoritative presence about him.

Personality: Kane is a pragmatic individual, cold and willing to do whatever he deems necessary to "save the human race" before the riots started. He cared little for the lives of individuals, only for the idea of the human race as a whole. After the Council decided on killing half of the population inside Sanctuary, he is filled with regret and remorse for his actions and decisions and sees leaving with the other survivors to lead them to Alaska as a way to redeem himself. Kane often thinks logically rather than emotionally, though he is no longer "cold", or tries not to be at least.

Bio: Sebastian Kane was born to William and Cynthia Kane four decades after the nuclear war. He was a natural leader, intelligent, and had an interest in politics more than mechanics or engineering that his mother and father were known for inside Sanctuary. By the age of twenty-one, he was elected by the five other members of the Council to be the youngest member to help lead and work with the people of the underground shelter. During the same year, he married his childhood friend, Lind, and then later, they decided to have a child; a boy named Aden. A couple of months after their son turned fifteen, the Council had an emergency meeting about their supplies down at critical levels, and the need to repair their oxygen filtration system. He tried to get the other Councilmen and women to agree on sending out another patrol to gather supplies to fix the filtration system, as well as water and food they could use the radiation scrubbers to clean the consumables with until they were able to grow more food and purify more water to fill their storage of both up again. He even suggested the patrols find a hospital for medical supplies, but knowing the dangers and seeing the current data of the outside world on their monitors, they didn't agree. They decided to keep everything a secret, while also agreeing on purging three hundred people; half of the prisoners, while the other half were volunteering parents who wanted their children to try to live. Regretting his actions and decisions, he announced to every one of the truth, which caused the violent riots. When the security guards were unable to control the rioters, Kane decided to take his family, and anyone else with him outside to make a long journey to Alaska after showing them what was out there waiting for them.

NPC(s): Linda (wife, 40, blonde hair, blue eyes, petite), Aden (son, 15, blond hair, one blue eye, and one brown eye, tall and scrawny for his age)

Sebastian Kane
Underground Metro Ruins
Chicago, Illinois / Week Two
A Shelter from the Elements



'I wasn't born in this cold, wintry, post-apocalyptic wasteland. I was born underground in a large place called Sanctuary. Sanctuary is a fallout shelter built before the nuclear war that decimated every major city in America, including the rest of the world. It has been our refuge for many decades. First, it shielded us from the widespread firestorms of the nuclear blasts, and then what came after. Thick soot blocking out the sun, an extreme rise in food, fuel, and water prices, the collapse of the government, and complete lawless anarchy brought on by the chaos of the nuclear war. Followed by an intense drop in temperatures around the world to ice age levels, famine and death. If the nuclear blasts didn't kill you, the firestorms, radiation, starvation, other people, and the cold would have if you weren't prepared. To this day, survivors above-ground are living in an unforgiving wasteland brought on by that senseless world war.

Death is around at every corner, lying in wait for them, and now...now for us.

Once, we considered ourselves lucky living underground. The generations before me, the ones who built this, perhaps felt lucky the most, but my generation, and the younger generations after me, no longer do. We never experienced the outside world, of what it looked like before, only in old pictures and videos. Sanctuary's laws are very strict and harsh, unlike how the US Constitution was written. In the extreme conditions of living underground, with limited resources, and the continued survival of the human race is at stake, these Draconian Laws were deemed necessary.

Many of our laws were implemented due to dwindling resources. Rigid population control laws restrict couples from having more than one child. Food, water, medicine, and other supplies are strictly rationed. Medical personnel are forbidden to continue treatment on patients whose prognosis are too grim to be worth the resources on saving their lives. The punishment for committing all crimes, regardless of nature or severity, is the same. Those who are eighteen-years-old or older are executed immediately upon conviction. Minors are imprisoned until they turn eighteen, and are given one chance to make their case.

These same harsh laws caused all of this now. Now, we are surviving up here, dressed in several layers of clothing, protective gear, and masks to keep ourselves from radiation exposure when we are outside. The environment is still irradiated in many places, but most of it is at low levels. We still have to use extreme caution, and we try not to stay outside too long. It's not the radiation all of us are too worried about though, it's the mutated creatures, animals we remember in books, magazines, and videos, and...other...monsters? Monsters are certainly the right word for them. I don't know what they are or what they once were, but they certainly are deadly. I'm certainly glad we are armed out here. If...no...when we run out of ammo, we need to make our own weapons. Bow and arrows, makeshift machetes, spears...it's like we're back in the Ice Age now.

I hope I can get everyone to Alaska in one piece. It's wishful thinking, but I'll be surprised if all of us make it. I honestly won't be, given our circumstances. It's a frozen hell out here.

Sebastian Kane sighed, leaning back against a ruined cement pillar after writing in an old, leather-bound journal he had brought with him.

He gradually gazed down at the sleeping forms of his wife, Linda, and his young, teenaged son, Aden. The forty-one-year-old man quietly watched them sleep for the next five minutes, as he listened to the campfire a couple of feet away, and the raging winds from the blizzard somewhere above, as well as sounds of the other survivors sleeping or quietly whispering to each other when they couldn't sleep. Thankfully, they had found this place before the blizzard became worse several hours ago. He told the group they would stay here for the next few days to wait for the snowstorm to die down so they can continue their trek north toward Alaska, where he had told them a week ago of another shelter they could use. Many people didn't believe him, even when he showed him the evidence of the existing shelter. These people stayed behind, despite the riots and the low oxygen and supplies Sanctuary was currently experiencing. The ones who decided to join him were unsure and weary. A few probably didn't trust him and were angry with him about what happened. Nonetheless, they said they would rather leave with him to seek another life because they had hoped to start anew.

Hope...something all of them needed right now, and he hoped he can do it, and lead them to Alaska. It took them nearly a week to make it here from Ohio without any trouble or losing anyone. Perhaps he can, perhaps he can not. Only one way to find out and that was to move forward after they had a good amount of rest in order to continue. He returned his journal inside his outer-layer coat pocket and stood. He went over to dunk an empty can into the water they boiled earlier to clean it, and then drank some of it before he went to check on the others. 

[Faclan]

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Mackenzie Jones
Gender: Female
Age: 29
Appearance:
Gurl
Often wearing those goggles with the scarf over her face and a combination wolly hat under a light armored helmet. Armed with a semi automatic AR15 rifle and a SiG P226.
Personality: A mostly goal focused type of person but one with a lot of hope for the future. To a point. She was quick to join up with 'Baby Kane' when he split from the group of Elders and left for Alaska. She thinks he can find a good place for them and be a good leader but has serious doubts they will be able to make it all the way to Alaska, where it would probably be a literal frozen hell. However Pouches helps keep her upbeat and shes sure they will at least find a new place to crash on the way.
Bio:
Born after everyone had already taken to ground she was the second daughter of a police couple. And so was often told how good it was to protect people from the dangers they didn't suspect. As such she soon became a guard for Sanctuary. But this was too boring with not enough unknown dangers for the girl so she had soon weaseled herself onto the bases Scout forces. Checking out the tunnels and very occasionally the winter surface to see what was out there. Was a whole lot of nothing is what it was. She wouldn't admit it openly but shes glad they are finally leaving the box in the ground to see for real whats out there. If they die at least it will be doing SOMTHING.
NPC:
:v
Pouches the Possum - around to provide comfort, some warmth, and to warn of danger as he seems to have a good little button nose for dangerous beasts or radiation when Mackenzie is bundled up. Often held in a pouch on her chest vest, bundled in blankets with a little scarf and goggles. A little possum baby for mama Mackenzie's pouch. He was found early in her scouting patrols hiding in the subway systems, and is around two years old now.

Mackenzie Jones
Once more Underground, Chicago
Once more...underground.

Sitting about twenty feet away from the main sleep pile Mack was currently sat against an old standing billboard watching the direction that the main stairs were. Up there was the howling gale and the danger. So she was on watch to watch that side. One of the other guards watching the stairs leading down into the depths. At least they got a little extra food doing this. Pouches currently flopped over her head with his back feet resting on her shoulders. Happily snoozing away in his little goggles with a blanket over half of him. At least she had some company out today. And more on the way if all the movement behind her wasnt just James having night terrors again. Scooping up one of her knives she had on the ground next to her rifle she held it up to near eye level to skim back and see who was moving about. Didn't want to disturb Pouches after all. He was being such a nice hat. It looked like it was Boss Man unless someone else had snagged his spot. And with some wriggling and shifting of the blade it seemed like he was doing a check.

How nice of Boss. And so slipping her knife away she waited until she heard the footsteps get much closer before giving a little wave. Her goggles and scarf currently around her neck. "Trouble sleeping or just wanted to do a check Boss?" She asked quietly, keeping her eyes ahead to keep Pouches good and to watch for bad things.

She had to give Kane credit, so far he had done a good job keeping the group together and finding good spots. Even if he did seem to love the underground a bit too much.

[Llau]

Sebastian Kane
Underground Metro Ruins
Chicago, Illinois / Week Two



After checking on everyone who were either sleeping or awake, he eventually started to check on the guards who wanted to go with him and the others. He was thankful some of them did, as they were already armed with weapons from the armory inside Sanctuary. Not everyone was armed, and he felt like they needed to be to not only protect themselves, but protect everyone against the threats out here. If they could find a police station or a military base that wasn't completely destroyed by the nukes, or emptied during the riots and afterward by survivors years later, then everyone would be armed. He sighed a shuddered breath of air, which could be seen as it was still somewhat cold down in the metro ruins, but with all of the campfires and fire barrels scattered about their make-shift camp, it was livable and breathable down here. He carefully walked toward one of the guards, a young one named Mackenzie Jones. He remembered when she started off as a guard, but then joined up with Sanctuary's Scout Forces. He didn't blame her, and she learned a lot, and had survival training when she became a scout. She and a couple of others' knowledge and experiences were quite valuable, and he welcomed their advice out here.

He nodded when he saw her wave a little at him. He waved back somewhat a few feet away before stopping beside her by the billboard she was sitting against He gazed at the pet possum that was laying over Jones' head before answering her question.

“Don't worry about me, Kenzie,” he replied, rubbing his fingerless gloved hands together for warmth. Once the camp was warm enough earlier, he had taken off the outer, but thicker mittens he wore over the thinner clothed material ones he currently wore. “I just wanted to check on everyone. How are you doing?”

He gazed passed her, up the stairs, where the blizzard continued to rage on. It didn't look like it was going to stop anytime soon. His expression went from curious to concern the moment he hoped it wouldn't be long. It wasn't the first time these blizzards happened, as the scouting forces have reported back on how the weather was like out here more than once, and how their scouting and patrolling missions sometimes took longer because of these snowstorms and blizzards. They lost good people from these storms alone; either by getting separated from their team, lost, or were frozen too death when they couldn't find shelter in time.

[Faclan]

Mackenzie Jones
Once more Underground, Chicago
Storms a comin'.

Well, worry was something that was kind of impossible to avoid these days. Worry about everything and anything because all of them could lead to death. Good old Winter World.

"As well as can, still got all you so good. At least the storm is keeping most things out even if its also keeping us stuck. Been going for awhile though. Pretty heavy and thick."

Folding her hands over her stomach Kenzie gazed out toward the slowly pattering snow at the stairs way on the distance. Barely visible as it wasn't like they wanted to sign post they there were people in here. Too many bad things out there to try and allow others in. They had enough trouble with the few people they had now...Though. Looking back, making Pouch hiss a bit as he was awoken and started to look around too. Kenzie looked back into their camp and toward the stairs deeper. "Have you checked on the rear Guard? I would guess a lot of these tunnels would turn into shelters and the like...You know like in this old books (*cough* Metro 2033 *cough*)." Knowing Baby Kane he was a book nerd.

[Llau]

Sebastian Kane
Underground Metro Ruins
Chicago, Illinois / Week Two
Snow, Talk, and Booklets

“It certainly is,” Kane nodded in agreement.

He continued to watch the snow until she asked him if he checked on the one who was guarding on the other side of their camp. He followed the young woman's gaze over to where the rear guard was standing at the top of the stairs that would lead them deeper into the subway tunnels. He watched as the guard slowly paced back and forth, holding a full-auto AKM in one hand, and holding it up in the air. He frowned a bit at that. Of course, he should be thankful his finger wasn't on the trigger while pacing around like that.

Tyler Davis was the young man's name. He was eighteen-years-old and joined the Sanctuary's guard a few weeks before what happened in the fallout shelter. He had some good trigger discipline, but he needed some actual discipline with the way he acted and ran his mouth at authority figures most of the time. He was pretty clever in that regard and always was able to run his mouth enough that he wouldn't get into trouble with anyone. If the teen survived out here and made it to the shelter in Alaska, he was sure he would grow up fast and mature. Not wanting to be killed by anything out here, and danger had a way of changing people.

Kane smiled a little at the reference Jones made and returned his attention back to her. “Tyler's next for me to check up on,” He paused for a few moments. “If we can't make our way out from this main entrance, we may have to go down into those tunnels to find another way out.” He sighed. “As much as I don't want to take everyone into those depths, it's probably better to be inside as long as possible to minimize our exposure to the cold, as well as pockets of radiation.”

While adding, “The city center is far enough away from our position, but it was ground zero after all,” He pointed to the hand-held device that was clipped onto her vest she wore, saying, “We'll need to keep an eye on our Geiger counters I was able to hand out to everyone before we left Sanctuary.”

He waited around next to her for a few moments for her responses to what he told her and then went to open his survival backpack he was carrying on his back after sliding it off of one shoulder. He unstrapped the front pocket and pulled out a few thick booklets.

“Remember that one diner we took a small break at in Indiana?” He asked as he handed the booklets to her. “I found these in a box down in the diner's basement storage when Tyler and I were looking for anything salvageable we could use. They're vacation guide booklets and maps of a few summer destinations people used to go to before the bombs fell. Only booklets left that weren't damaged too much after all of these years.” He remembered her looking rather melancholy when she was trying to find one that wasn't ruined too much to look and read through but hadn't had the chance to give her what he found until now.

[Faclan]

Mackenzie Jones
Once more Underground, Chicago
Shiny!

Pouch, blinking up at Kane, would make an odd putter noise, like a small two stroke motor chugging on. Before he seemed to find it a bit too chilly to scope out the situation. As Kane got something out of his pack he would plop down to Kenzies shoulder and climb down her chest to curl up in her little pouch for him. Pouch's pouch of pouch-ness. And besides an ear sticking out of the pouch he was pretty soon asleep again. Curling happily at the light pets from Kenzie as she frowned and nodded.

Now able to turn around without her hat falling off she could just see Davis still awake and alert at least but not really watching carefully as he postured at nothing. She just hoped he kept that appearance if something did show up. If it was intelligent it would probably be hesitant at charging. But he was still pretty green. "Glad your going to check him out - may want him to tell him to save his energy for when its needed. And to relax but remain alert it probably makes the normies anxious if they seem doing that."

Looking back at the snow spattered entrance she nodded and bit her lip. "Perhaps - its getting pretty bad out there and getting everyone back to street level would probably be pretty slow going. We should try to find a fully enclosed exit to get people out quickly. Maybe try to find a map to help lead us through the tunnels if we need too. As you say better down here than trying to crush through the snow." At least she didn't seem too worried about that possibility.

"Are they all turned on Kane? The counters? I'd suggest leaving some off in case they run out of power or batteries. If we stay as a group we won't really need them all on. Just a suggestion." And then she went back to watching the snow as Kane rummaged in his pack and talked about the places they had been. The hell hole of what used to be apparently a really nice place. A shame really of what would likely never return. But when Kane pulled out a little pamphlet she immediately perked up and ooohed as she reached out for it! "Thats a good find Kane! Great!" She smirked and looked over the cover before slipping it into her pack. "Once its not my shift I'll enjoy looking through that. At least some memory will stay of the time before everyone decided to be stupid. As we always are."

[Llau]

Sebastian Kane
Underground Metro Ruins
Chicago, Illinois / Week Two


Kane glanced back where Davis was, watching the young man continue to pace around like there was no tomorrow. He quietly grunted at that thought, as anytime, either of them or all of them wouldn't have a tomorrow, as the stakes were high with danger all around them; unlike in Sanctuary. Although, even the fallout shelter had its hidden dangers. Not many knew of these dangers until everything became at a critically low level.

“That was on my mind, Kenzie,” he replied. “As for the Geiger counters...I told everyone to not keep theirs on when we're all together in a group. I guess you left to wander ahead of us on our way out of Sanctuary, hmm?” He grinned a little at that.

He glanced back up toward the entrance for a moment, listening as she spoke to him about how the blizzard was increasing in intensity. “Correct,” he nodded, “If we can travel through the old train tunnels, we'll stay slightly warmer, and use up less energy than if we were top-side.”

Kane quietly laughed at her reaction to him finding the pamphlets. “You're welcome.” He lightly patted her shoulder. “I knew you'd like them.”

“I'll see you later,” He started to walk away from her to go check on Davis. “Let me know if you need anything, Kenzie.”

He waved at her, and headed across the ruined lobby of the metro station, and made his way over to the steps that would take all of them deeper down into the lower level where the trains once were busy taking passengers to and from their chosen destinations around the Windy City of Chicago. Davis stopped pacing around, lowering his weapon when he saw the former Councilman approach him. The teen smirked a bit.

“Oh, hey, dude,” said Davis. “Oh! Er, Councillor.”

The older man raised a hand to stop him. “No need to call me Councillor anymore, Tyler, remember?”

“I know, but...uh...” Davis rubbed the back of his neck, shifting around nervously. “It's just...weird, you know? All of us called you 'Councillor' since I was a kid...and then this crap happened.”

Kane nodded in understanding. “It's fine,” He gave him a reassuring nod. “You can call me by my first or last name.”

Davis nodded. “So, what's up, Seb?”

“A few things,” he explained, “I wanted to check in on everyone, including you and Kenzie. Are you doing okay?”

“Yeah,” The teen responded, looking around anxiously. “Just really bored since I took over so Pete could sleep. Nothing's happening. It's all quiet. A little...too quiet.” He chuckled at that. “I always wanted to say that, man.” He grinned.

“Well,” Kane stared at him, not thinking that was funny. “I'm being serious, Tyler. I'm glad you're doing okay, but you need to save your energy for when something does happen. Sit down on the chair, and stay alert. Also...shoulder your weapon and keep it lowered, and with your finger off of the trigger. You'll make people nervous if they see you waving your assault rifle around so carelessly. That's dangerous...you know that.”

“Sorry, Seb...” Davis trailed off, doing what he was told to do, as he put the shoulder strap of the AKM over his shoulder, and rested the rifle over his front, with his finger off of the trigger. He then sat down in the chair the other guard must have made with an old tire underneath a couple pieces of plywood that was next to a wall to lean back on. The teenager could easily see the lower level for the most part.

He glanced up at Kane to see if the man had anything more to say. 

“Don't fall asleep. Make sure you keep alert and yell if you see or hear anyone or anything lurking around down there,” Kane told him.

“Shit, dude,” Davis grimaced, “The way you say that, gives me goosebumps.”

“Just stating the facts,” Kane replied with a shrug. “You'll be on guard duty for a couple more hours. Then Charlie will take over so you can rest for a few hours before I wake everyone up so I can talk to them about where we are going next.”

Davis looked over to where Jones was sitting near the bottom of the main entrance. “is it getting better outside or no?”

“Unfortunately, it's getting worse out there,” Kane shook his head a little in disappointment. “The wind is really strong, and the snow keeps piling up.”

“So...?”

“I'm thinking we'll be heading down and travel through the tunnel system,” He pulled out an old, dirt-covered map of the metro system from his coat pocket and showed it to him. “It's a very large place with many tunnels the trains used to take people all over the city, but we won't have to worry about all of that wind, snow, and ice.”

“And becoming a human Popsicle,” Davis chimed in.

Kane nodded. “Very much so.”

The teenager leaned over a little, and asked, “When do you think we'll leave to head down there?”

“If the snow doesn't let up by morning, we'll head down into the tunnels.”

Satisfied with the answer, Davis leaned back against the wall and continued to keep his eyes down the stairwell, and Kane walked back to where Linda and Aden were still sleeping at.

[Faclan]

Mackenzie Jones
Once more Underground, Chicago
Well then...guess we have a decision made.

"Glad you were thinking about that, not just 'oh man we got stuff better use it!' like some of your other 'Elders'." So many finger quotes as Pouch looked out and scanned around before curling back into the pouch for some more sleep. Kenzie looking back at the entrance in the distance as she shrugged. "Less space to maneuver though - but at least we won't need to worry about people hiding in windows waiting to throw firebombs. I'll see you when its time to move hopefully after sleep - and will do. Thanks again for the reading material." Stretching her arms she settled back into a comfortable position so she could keep alert and watch.

--- Two Hours Later ---

With her shift nearly up Kenzie was starting to feel the call of sleep as she yawned but leaned forward to keep watching her designated spot. The tiny snores of Pouch making sleep all the more alluring. And making Pouch all the more cute as he snoozed away on his back with his little hand feet things up. He really helped to keep her spirits high in these kind of situations. Elbows on her knees she rested her chin in her hands and mmmed as she looked back at the snow. It seemed to have slacked off a little but she could swear it had slacked off only about ten feet as the highest stairs she could still see were still getting more snow. It was almost like a slide of snow and getting out would really be a problem.

And then the loud groaning and then loud snap sounded from the entrance.

Snatching up her rifle and crouching down to sight at the entrance Kenzie and others who looked over would see the metal and wood awning that was over the entrance come crashing down followed by all the snow that had broken it. Thankfully because everyone was a good distance away from the entrance no-one had a chance to be hurt. But it looked...pretty blocked. Kenzie keeping her rifle at low-ready as she approached the blockage to see if there was a way around it.

And after walking back and fourth and poking around a little she decided that it was pretty thoroughly blocked off. If they waaanted too they could probably get out this way but it would take awhile and may end up in someone injured. Backing away from it so if it suddenly collapsed it wouldn't fall on her Kenzie turned away. Pouch's head sticking out of his little sling. And likely finding Kane right there waiting for a report she frowned and clicked the safety back on her rifle.

"If we HAD too we could probably move it, but at least it didn't land on anyone. Seems like we may be doing the tunnels like you suggested Kane." Stifling a yawn the rifle was soon slung over her chest just under Pouch.

[Llau]

Sebastian Kane
Underground Metro Ruins
Chicago, Illinois / Week Two


After he went around to check-in on all forty people who made his group, he went back over to where his wife and teenaged son were sleeping and added a little more flammable objects to the campfire next to them before nodding off to sleep too. This time, he fell asleep without any trouble and slept soundly by the fire until he was abruptly woken up by the loud crashing noise a couple of hours later. He quickly sat up, looking around with the same bewildered expression as many of them, and then fixed his eyes up toward the main entrance. For a couple of moments, he sat there, along with Linda and Aden, who were quietly looking on with wide eyes, like him.

Kane cursed under his breath, getting up to take a closer look at the damage and to see how bad it was. He walked over to where Jones was and surveyed the damage. It would be impossible for them to remove the debris and all of the heavy amounts of snow that completely blocked the entrance. He frowned, not surprised that it did happen, and he figured it was a good sign, or a bad one, depending on how one looked at the situation. Both, probably. He glanced down at the snow and debris-covered stairwell before them, and quietly reached down to pick up a block of snow that was the size of a baseball.

“No,” He slowly shook his head. “We could probably move some of it away by hand, but the rest of it would have to be safely moved out of the way using heavy construction equipment.” He glanced up toward the ceiling. He pointed up toward it when he noticed a slight bow in it. “If it wasn't for those support beams, more of it would have come crashing down, and it probably will at any time.”

He turned around, raising a hand up to motion for Charlie to approach him. “Charlie, over here,”

The middle-aged man ambled over to him and Jones. “Sir?”

“Take a couple of other guards with you and head down into the tunnels,” he told him. “I'll be taking them north. Scout ahead of the group, and leave marks behind to guide us through, and head back ASAP if you run into any real trouble.”

Charlie nodded, walking away to take a guard and a former scout, and Kane watched as the three headed down into the tunnels to do what they needed to do for him, and for the rest of the group. In a perfect world, they wouldn't run into anything bad. They wouldn't have to worry about dangerous radiation levels, wild animals looking for food, or bad people who would try to kill them...or worse. Alas, this isn't a perfect world, neither was the world before the Final War, but these days it was complete hell.

As soon as Charlie and the other two left, Kane spoke to the rest of the group, who were all looking at him, and waiting for what they should do next.

“I was going to wait until morning to decide which way to go next,” he sighed, “Looks like we'll be traveling through the old subway tunnels to continue after all.” A pause as he gave a reassuring glance to his son, who was staring back worriedly. “Everyone get ready to follow me down the tunnels. I don't think it'll be wise for us to all stay here in the lobby with the threat of the ceiling collapsing onto any of us, or all of us, under the weight of the heavy snow.”

Once everyone nodded and wandered off to where their supplies were to gather things up, and gradually put the campfires out, while the guards stood with torches in their hands for light, Kane walked back with Linda and Aden to where they were sleeping to put away their sleeping bags into their backpacks.

Aden looked like he wanted to ask his father a question, but didn't want to be a burden. He knew his father had enough to carry on his shoulders, and not just physical objects. It was a tense situation, emotions were running high, but everyone tried their best to stay focused, and stay hopeful. Aden's father was doing such a good job so far, so he didn't want to bother him with his question that was nothing more than filled with doubt and fear. Yet, his father could tell he was worried, and Aden snapped out of his deep thoughts and quickly looked up when he felt his father's firm hand resting on his shoulder to reassure him.

Kane whispered softly. “We will make it out of here, no matter what, Aden. Charlie and the other two are good, and they know what they're doing. I trust them, as I always have in the past.”

Hearing that, a lot of the doubt and fear lifted from the teen, and the boy sighed a little. “Okay,” Aden replied, just above a whisper.

He gave his father a nod, and Kane nodded back, squeezing the teen's shoulder briefly before letting go to finish packing up, and put their fire out once Linda turned on an LED lantern she had in her possession, while others had either the same thing, or flashlights, or old-fashioned torches made out of pieces of wood and cloth found on skeletons that were scattered around the lobby before they cleaned it up after the group arrived inside earlier to seek shelter from the raging blizzard. Once his family was ready, the three went over to the top of the stairs that would lead them down into the subway tunnels and waited there with Davis, who was already there to help escort the group down into the unknown.

[Faclan]

Mackenzie Jones
Now extra underground, Chicago
Dark delving.

Looking back as Kane pointed out the bowing ceiling Kenzie 'ahed' quietly and took one or three steps back away from it. Well that put a damper on things. Darn you nature! Edging back some of the group from getting too close to the well spotting damaged ceiling, Kenzie listened as Kane spoke up. Planning and being the face as she worked to keep people safe - as it should be.

She was glad to see the other guards start to get weapon or chest mounted lights up and ready to go as they moved past people and headed for the long since dead escalators down to the lower floors. Good to scare off smaller stuff and see the bigger. And once they were gone she kept an eye on the group as Kane laid out a plan for everyone. Making sure all her gear was ready to go while she did. Tired but she could last until they found a new place to stop for awhile.

As Kane talked with his son, Kenzie did a quick scan around their former camp to make sure they still had everything. Nothing left behind that they may need later. And with that done Pouch peaked out of his sling and made a few putter noises toward Kane's son. Maybe trying to comfort him some more before Kenzie nodded and directed them to head for the stairs. She would act as the rear guard for now as she nodded at Kane once she started to head down as well.

"At least there will be no wind down here." She mused, letting her rifle hang as she took off her goggles to have the best visibility down in the darkness.

[Llau]

Sebastian Kane
Underground Metro Ruins
Chicago, Illinois / Week Two
Into the Abyss


The group followed him and Tyler down into the tunnels. There was a slight tension in the air, and it will only grow in intensity the longer they walked the tunnels. It was quiet, besides the wind howling through, creating a constant, low eerie sound. They passed through debris and skeletons that littered the ground, as well as subway train cars that had crashed for the most part, or were left abandoned at their final resting places. While some of these trains they had to climb in to move through to get to the other side of the tunnel. They kept an eye for markings the scouts used to mark what was safe, and what wasn't. So far, it went smoothly as they walked for several hours until they took a short break for the children and the older folks to rest up a little.

While Kane waited, he sat on a bench inside the train and stared intently at a map of the metro tunnels, as he marked what was safe for them to travel through just in case they needed to backtrack. Fortunately, the majority of the track they were on was still intact, despite the moderate damage from the nuclear explosion inside Chicago, and the initial shockwave and the crashed subway cars in most places along it. There were so many skeletons of the dead; many were scorched black from the intense heat the firestorms that followed. The ones inside the subway car had no chance at surviving either, as he looked around what was left of the train he was inside. If the nuclear explosion, or the shockwave, or the firestorm didn't kill them, then the lethal dose of radiation would have. As he scanned his eyes around, he swore he saw multiple scratch marks near the doorways from those who were probably trying to escape.

These people had horrible deaths, he thought solemnly. 

Linda entered, smiling a little as she sat beside him on the bench. "How are you doing, Sebo?"

Kane shrugged, looking up at her as he folded the map, and then returning it to his coat pocket. "I'm doing alright," he answered. "You?"

She smiled, looking a little tired as she replied, "Same," she then continued, "I hope Charlie and the other two are okay."

He nodded at that. "So do I, but Charlie and the others are highly skilled. They'll be fine, Linda."

Still worried, she nodded anyway. Kane was always hopeful, but she didn't know how long he could stay that way, and how long he'll be able to keep morale within the group up. He didn't know either.

Yawning, he held her hand in his, and the couple quietly sat for a couple of minutes until Aden peered inside the open doorway near the back of where they were sitting. "Mom, dad," He called out to them to get their attention. When they looked over at their son, he went on, "Steven's back." Steven was one of the guards who left with Charlie to scout ahead.

His dad's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Is he okay?"

Aden nodded. "Yeah," he answered, "Charlie sent him back to give us an update before we go any further."

"All right, Aden," Kane gave a nod and motioned for him to get Steven. "I'll talk with him." 

Aden nodded and disappeared to get the guard. Moments later, a tall, decent dark-skinned man of African descent climbed into the train car to speak to Kane. "Sir."

Kane stood and went to shake the guard's hand. "Good to see you again," he said, "How are Charlie and Adrian?"

"Good to see you too," Steven smiled. "They're both okay. Charlie wanted me to find the group, and tell you that we encountered a group of survivors who made a camp several miles from here. They're non-hostile, but very wary of visitors since they're usually attacked by hostile groups sometimes."

"Did they say who attacks them so we can be prepared for any of them who decide to attack us?"

"Raiders," Steven simply said. "They're located further down the tunnels. They try avoiding the area though."

Kane nodded. "Fair enough," he then asked, "Is there anything else?" 

"That's all I was needed to report to you, sir."

Nodding again, Kane sighed, glancing over at Linda, and then back at the guard. He patted him on the shoulder, thankful for the report. "All right," he said, "Thank you. Will you need to report back to him, or will you stay with us until we get to this camp?"

"I can stay if we all leave now, and then I'll catch up with Charlie and Adrian after we make it there," he told him, "It'll be a good place for you and the others to stop for a while. They told us you're more than welcome to stay and rest as long as you need before heading out."

"Sounds like a plan," Kane followed him out of the train car, with Linda not far behind. He managed to get everyone's attention with a sharp whistle and explained to them about the camp, including the plan to take a long break while they are there. Some were concerned about these "wastelanders", but Kane assured them that he and the guards will protect the group if they needed to, or had no choice to defend themselves if this group of survivors turned hostile. Once he knew everyone was ready to go, the group began to move again through the tunnel. 


((OOC:

To help you visualize the tunnels better, this map of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will give everyone an idea of what it would look like in the RP. The group does want to avoid going through the city center at all costs since two miles of it is still highly irradiated. As well as minimizing their exposure to the outside as much as possible, which will be SO EASY. Hahaha...jk). The group will be heading north toward Linden, which is part of the purple line. So far, they are on the red line on the Far South Side map.))

[Faclan]

(Thanks for the mapo.)

Mackenzie Jones
Now extra underground, Chicago
Lunch n want.

Hanging around the back and mainly walking sideways to keep an eye on their rear as well as making sure the group wasn't leaving anything behind Kenzie was soon joined by Silas - another one of the guards with a short old Mossberg shotgun. Better for him to be here then in the middle as if some wackjob rushed them or some animal she wanted the shotgun next to her, not her between the shotgun and the bad thing. Though...none of this would go well if they got attacked really.

She had earplugs if they suspected an attack was imminent. But she didn't have them in now as she was in scout mode. But if they was a sudden attack in these depths and tunnels with guns from all sides she had little hope for any of their hearing. They probably wouldn't all die but going Deaf wouldn't be that good of a thing for the survivors. Guh...another reason to not love confined spaced. At least Pouch was helping her keep her anxiousness under control as he occasionally peaked out of his pouch to look around and lick her chin. What would she do without him?

But the group eventually stopped for a little break. Pouch asleep for around a hour and a half as Kenzie perched herself on an old barrel facing where they had come from. Water bottle now out as she rested her rifle over her lap. A old protein bar soon n her other hand as she took a little lunch in the time she had. Who knew how long it would be until she'd have a break again. Not to mention the sleep issue that was starting to creep up onto her now. She had been set to be relieved for a sleep soon before they moved. She just hoped that they wouldn't run into anything terrible soon...Pouch taunting her with his cute little cone face as he slept against her.

[Llau]

Sebastian Kane
Underground Metro Ruins
Chicago, Illinois / Week Two
The calm before the storm


Steven led Kane and the rest of the group down the three miles of tunnels, and once they saw the camp Steven mentioned, Kane calmly spoke as managed to slow everyone's pace down.

"I would like for everyone who is armed to keep your weapons lowered," he told the ones who were at ear-shot. "Make sure to tell those who are back there to keep their weapons lowered. Steven and I will go ahead, and talk with the group's leader." He glanced at the guard, giving him a nod to tell him he was ready to go and talk with this leader to inform whoever led these people who they were.

Steven ushered him to the closed gates, hands up as both men carefully walked over as they saw two guards aiming bow and arrows at them once they saw them. The guards wore patched leather and modern clothing and animal fur to keep warm from the cold. Standing in front of the gate, were two more guards, holding a machete and a spear, while the leader stood in between them; crossing her arms in front of her. The leader was armed as well, and like the two archers, the two melee guards and the leader wore the same clothing and gear. It reminded Kane of what it could have been like back in the medieval times, like the Dark Ages, or some kind of dark fantasy. It was odd to see, but at least they made new clothing for their own people. Many in Sanctuary wore hand-me-downs from those before them, but sooner or later, they would have to make new clothing from leather hides and animal furs from the outside. Eventually, Kane's group might have to do just that the further north they go.

The two stopped but kept their hands up until the leader finally decided to let them know they can lower their hands. She studied Kane after recognizing Steven from earlier.

"So," she started, "You're the leader he mentioned about from the first time we encountered him and the other two scouts from your group?"

"Yes," Kane nodded, extending his hand out to her. "I'm Sebastian Kane."

"I'm Terra," When she reluctantly accepted to shake his hand, Kane continued.

"I lead these people North. We had to use the tunnel system due to the severe blizzard outside...which also ended up causing a collapse at the main entrance we were taking shelter in."

She nodded. "I see," Terra studied him some more before glancing behind him to where the rest of his people were waiting.

There were men, women, and children of all ages, and dressed like Kane, Steven, and the other two who continued on passed her camp with their scouting. They weren't like the raiders who have tried to attack them many times before.

"The man who led your scouts mentioned all of you were from an underground fallout shelter called Sanctuary, and how you were one of the leaders who defected and allowed those who are with you to find another shelter thousands of miles away in Alaska.”

“That's correct,” Kane nodded. “I didn't agree with what the other leaders decided on. Told the truth to our people the next day after the atrocities were committed, despite warnings not to, and the truth caused an uprising against those leaders and our President who made those decisions.”

Of course, he left out that he was forced to agree to those atrocities, and agreed to keep things secret from the rest of the population in the fallout shelter, and how leading those who wanted to leave was a path of redemption for him. It didn't feel good to have the blood of six hundred innocent people on his hands for something he tried having the other Councillors to not agree to President Burke's insane plan, and instead agree to his plans for the survival of their people.

Nodding in understanding, she said, “This is why I'm the only leader. Having more than one is a spell for disaster sooner or later.”

“True,” he replied.

Terra soon changed the subject, “Before I let you in, I must see your hands.”

Kane looked at her for a moment curiously, and then back at Steven who motioned for him to go on.

“Charlie, Adrian, and I had to show our hands too, boss,” Steven mentioned.

Nodding, Kane returned his attention to Terra and then held out his hands to her. Terra examined both of his hands carefully, and when she was satisfied with what she was looking for, she fixed her vibrant green eyes on his brown eyes.

“You may proceed inside,” she said, “I will have my guards check the others of your group as well before I allow any of them into the camp.”

“Are the women and children exempt, or do you have to check everyone's hands as well?”

“No one is exempt from the inspection,” she simply answered.

Nodding in understanding, he glanced back at the rest of the group, as the two-door gate opened, and then he raised his hand up to let them know that it was okay.

“They need to check your hands before they let anyone else inside,” he explained to them. “Please let them.” After everyone understood, he stood by the opened gate to look on, while the guards carefully checked everyone's hands as they stood in two lines.

Steven stood next to Kane for a few moments, looking on as well. He leaned over and whispered into Kane's ear.

“Why do you think they checked our hands?”

“You don't know?” Kane tilted his head somewhat, keeping his eyes on his people. When Steven said he was confused by the inspection, Kane explained, “They're checking each of us for Kuru caused by cannibalism.”

“Ah,” Steven sighed, “Sorry. I forgot about how cannibalism can be a big deal out here.”

“It's fine,” Kane replied, glancing up at him. “I didn't even realize it until she told me everyone wasn't exempt from this.”

“Hmm,” Steven quietly thought about it, and then said, “All right, sir. I need to catch up with Charlie and Adrian. If you're good, then I will go now.”

Kane patted him on the shoulder. “Go ahead and catch up with them,” he said.

He then watched as the man walked toward the other side of the large camp toward where the back gate was. Once a guard allowed Steven to leave, Kane returned his attention to the rest of his people. Linda and Aden were just about entering the front gate, looking slightly confused and a little wary of these people. He rested a hand on Linda's arm when she paused, silently assuring her and then their son to continue into the camp.

Soon enough, everyone but Jones was inside the camp. He leaned against the opened gate, arms crossed, as he waited for the rear guard of his was done having her hands examined by Terra's guard.

[Faclan]

Mackenzie Jones
Now extra underground, Chicago
Finally sleepy times.

Clicking the safety on her M4 Kenzie yawned and slung her rifle over her back. Couldn't really have it on her chest with Pouch there snoozing away. Stretching as she stood in line to get 'examined' she turned around to look at where they had came from. Taking a step back every so often to move the line along. Taking a glance back every so often to confirm for herself that those people were indeed wearing furs with spears and it wasn't just her sleepy brain playing tricks. What an odd group of weirdoes.

Finally turning around when it was her turn she 'oppsed' and removed her gloves before holding them out to be examined. Pouch peaking out and waving his little handfeet at the person as well as he blinked before wriggling back into his sleep pouch. Kenzie couldn't tell if her giggles were the only ones nawing about the little possum as she was let in as well before the big gates were starting to be closed. Another yawn as she fumbled a bit putting her gloves back on she looked around to try and find Kane. Thankfully he wasn't hard to spot looking over everyone as she gave him a thumbs up before miming a pillow with her hands as she moved off to the side and worked on setting herself up.

Soon with her rifle beside her she was on her back with her backpack on the ground to act as her pillow. Pockets snoozing curled up on her chest as she softly held him and slept as well. Getting the much needed sleep that would be needed if things got more...violent.

[охотник]

[After discussion with Llau, I has entered da RP, this is just an intro post but she is planned to move into the underground, dun worry]

Niome Amanda Davis
Above ground, Chicago
Sanctuary? Maybe?

The candle the girl had hastily managed to light flicked and danced in the wind, causing shadows to change and jump around amongst the late evening ambiance that the setting sun managed to punch through the cloud layer. Of course, nothing that was happening around the girl was really being registered as she rushed around, trying to ensure her make do shelter of a seemingly stable abandoned apartment room was secure. Sure, it already had protection the windows but after time these had fallen off or needed strengthening against the harsh winds that were billowing around. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake she did last time, she was lucky to be alive after last time.

Of course, the girl’s diminutive height of 5 4 and her having, at this point, rather long unkempt copper hair did not aid in her situation as she struggled to secure the tops of windows and keep her hair out of her face at the same time. Which, did eventually lead to her falling off an old chair relatively harmlessly but caused the make do protection the window to collapse with a massive clattering. She did immediately get back up though, and with some panic hastily got her defenses back up, only hoping the howling wind covered the massive noise that was made.

Once she had paced up and down the room at least four times, panic jumping her blue eyes from one to the other trying to make sure that the entire room was secure, and then eventually deciding it was, she sat down on the chair she had fallen off of. It wasn’t exactly well maintained but it worked for what it was. Now she just had to make sure that the door to the room didn’t suddenly burst open and someone didn’t walk in and shoot her or something. Which meant staying up. Something she had done for the past two days now, that and she was hungry. She really needed to find something to eat but the wind had caught her scavenging and she had to cut that short. So hopefully it wouldn’t last… Or blow a window out.