Play@YSDC

Z-Day - 4:13 PM Central Time - Brooks High School, Omaha, Nebraska
In the kitchen-
Amelia Delacroix worked busily behind the stove, preparing supper for everyone at the school. Normally she'd have to feed hundreds of students, but today there were only about forty people. It was a lot less work, which meant she could put a lot more personal attention into the meal. Lunch had been a utilitarian affair, but she was making dinner more intimate and classy. She stirred the soup in the huge pot in front of her, putting in a dash of spices. There would be several courses to this meal, much like in a restaurant, and she would use her favorite Cajun recipes. She knew that this could be everyone's last meal, so she was pulling out all the stops.

In the cafeteria-
Tariq al-Tikriti was setting the long cafeteria tables for dinner, putting out place settings. Lori Desmond already sat at one of the tables, even though soup wouldn't be served until 5:00. The goth girl with the spiky black hair sat with her elbows on the table and her chin in her hands.

"You seem to be here early," Tariq says to Lori.

In the kitchen-
Amelia continued her busy preparations for dinner.

In the cafeteria-
"Yeah, I'm kind of hungry," said Lori. "Got anything to snack on?"

The fluorescent lights overhead flickered briefly. They had done that several times before, when the dead touched the electric fence. It was getting more frequent as time went by.

"Don't tell anyone," Tariq says as he finishes laying out the dishes, "but I bring my own lunch everyday. Not that Lori isn't a fine chef, but between the volume and speed of food we have to produce, and our school's incredible lunch budget, sometimes...I am more comfortable with the sort of food I grew up on. Since I'm looking forward to the food she can make when she has time today, I'd be happy to have someone eat the perishable food I brought. I won't be able to store it when the power goes out."

He then produces a brown paper sack that contains falafel and hummus with tomato. He slips out a small package of halvah and pockets it, then hands the sack to Lori.

"You're not one of those people who are fussy about food from countries other than your own, are you?"

In the cafeteria-
"Are you kidding?" said Lori. "I love trying new things, and even if I didn't I'd be grateful to have anything at all. Thanks, man." She accepted the food and tasted it. "Mmm, this is pretty good! I don't know if you remember me, but I used to go to school here. Graduated five years ago." She paused in thought. "Wait, did you just say 'when the power goes out'?"

"Look at the lights," replies Tariq. "And anyway, if things are really as bad outside as everyone says, electricity is often the first thing to go. "

"If things get really bad," continues Tariq, "I have some emergency supplies at my house that might come in useful. I wonder if it is possible to get them. Perhaps I should mention it to whoever has taken charge. Our principal?"

In the cafeteria-
"Yeah, he'd be the one to talk to," said Lori. "Sounds real dangerous, though. I mean, the streets are crawling with those...those things, and it seems like they're all heading our way, like they know we're holed up here. The front entrance is barricaded, and you wouldn't be able to get over the fence while the power's on anyway. Even if you could, how would you get past them all - twice? Is it really worth the risk? Well, I just hope the power stays on. If it doesn't, then the fence won't stop them for long - and then we'll be dinner!"

While they were talking, the lights flickered again and went out. This had happened before once nearly an hour ago, but they had come back on almost immediately. As the seconds passed, they realized that this time they were staying out. Fortunately it was still daylight for a few more hours, so visibility wasn't a problem, but now there was no power to the electric fence. The generator in the basement, which could be reached by the north stairwell, had to have failed.

"Me and my big mouth," muttered Lori.

In the kitchen-
Amelia Delacroix stopped stirring when the lights went out. "Oh, this is some bad mojo," she said to herself.

Tariq speaks slowly, choosing his words.

"It seems we are no longer safe. I've been in worse situations before, so listen to me. We just have to be fast, and calm. First, let us go into the kitchen and pick up anything that would be useful as a tool or a weapon. Then, we will go to the safest place we can. That should mean where the most armed people on our side - so the most living people - are. Failing that, we will have to make a run for the roof. These zombies - from everything I've heard, they attack like animals. They are not nearly as dangerous as armed and intelligent people."

Tariq enters the kitchen. Since he's worked there for so many years, he has no problem takingthe largest butcher's knife he can find.

"Amelia, if we are alone here without power, then we are not safe. I am going to go find someone else, and I think both you and Lori Desmond, who is in the cafeteria, should come with me. Do you think you could make a little of that food- what is the word? - "to go", just in case?"

He then moves towards the exit, looking around the room to see if he can think of any other kitchen implement that might come in useful as a tool or a weapon. He realizes that this might be the one room in the country he knows best.

In the cafeteria-
"You've been in worse situations than this?" Lori asked skeptically, but she still followed Tariq into the kitchen.

In the kitchen-
"Yes, we must all stick together," said Amelia as Tariq picked up a steak knife. She handed another one to Lori. "You know how to use a knife, young lady?"

"Is the Pope German?" asked Lori. "This is a lot better than my toothpick of a switchblade! Thanks!"

Amelia stuffed some food into a sack and grabbed a sharp meat cleaver. Aside from the door back into the cafeteria, the only other exits were a fire door leading out into the construction area and a set of dark stairs that went down into the pantry. From the pantry it was possible to reach the rest of the basement, including the generator room, but there was no light down there with the power off.

Tariq looks at Lori, confused.

"What is the pope? I have heard that German kitchen knives are inferior only to those from Japan and Switzerland, but most of the knives here are made in China. I think these bigs ones come from here in the U.S.A., though."

At the same time, Tariq is trying to picture the school's layout in his head, and plan the best route.

(Yes, I knew that, thank you very much. However, I have also known many Muslim immigrants over the course of my life, and, yes, one of them has asked me that exact question when seeing something about the Pope on television. In many cases, immigrants are well-versed in what they percieve to be the main religion of their new homeland, but sometimes not much about the second most popular branch of Christianity. If I didn't understand that both people like the immigrants I've described and really stupid people both existed online without any way to tell them apart from everyone else, I would feel as if you insulted my intelligence, but I understand that there really was no way to know.)

"If only I was sure where I could find the principle...do you think he will be at his office, at the barricades, or somewhere else?" Tariq ponders, thinking that the person in charge will be at the center of the defenses and therefore the best defended.

OOC,[b]Tariq[/b] has been living in America for well over 15 years, so it's likely he'd have heard about the Pope during that time, but I suppose it's possible he hasn't. Very nice way to characterize him, though! [b]Lori[/b]'s new player hasn't posted yet, but hopefully there'll be a post for her soon so you two can converse.

In the kitchen-
"He's probably in his office," said Amelia, "but he may have left when the lights went out. If we move quick, we can still find him. This way, you two." She went through the door back into the cafeteria's dining area.

OOC,Sorry I hadn't posted yet was just settling in and learning about my characters, basically playing catch up. Thanks again for letting us join.

Lori Desmond:

Lori follows Amelia Through the cafeteria area. "Come on Tariq, we might as stick together." As she is walking along, several paces behind Amelia she eyes the walls and ceiling of the room remembering her years in the school.

Tariq heads out into the cafeteria area as well, fidgeting with the knife in his hand.

"In his office? The lobby is bigger and central- that would be a good place for him to coordinate everything, and a good place for us to meet someone who knows more than we do."

Tariq continues from the cafeteria into the hallway, headed for the lobby and hoping to see other people.

OOC,No problem, Imported_Goods! As much as I enjoy running this game, it's the players' enjoyment that's the most important. You can't move that fast, [b]Tariq[/b]. It took all of the last round to move into and through the cafeteria. Now you'll be able to enter the hallway in the current round, but you'll have to wait until the round after that before you can actually arrive at the lobby. I'm keeping all of the Omaha threads in sync with each other so nobody gets further ahead in time than anyone else, which can cause all sorts of problems. Events are happening in other threads that may affect yours, and the opposite is also possible.

In the cafeteria-
The threesome crossed the deserted cafeteria, which remained just as they had left it - and just as dark. Sunlight was still coming in from the windows, and while it would only last for a few more hours, they knew that they didn't have that long if the power wasn't restored to the electric fence soon.

"This way," said Amelia. She opened the double doors leading out to the east hall and looked both ways. "Okay, we're clear. Let's go." She motioned for the others to follow and stepped out into the corridor.

Lori Desmond:

Lori continues moving at equal pace behind Amelia. "I hope that fence is back on soon."

"I hope so too, but even if it does, it will not work forever." Tariq says, "and we have to be making plans now for what can happen soon. Sometimes things happen that you did not plan for - but sometimes things that you do plan for happen."

In the east hall-
"Yeah, I hope they fix it fast too," said Amelia as she led the way into the lobby ahead of the others. "Donald's real good. I'm sure he can get the juice flowing again." She went into the lobby and peered into the north hall. "Principal Adler!"

"Good to see you, Ms. Delacroix!" came his booming voice from the north hall. "Is there anyone else down there with you?"

"Tariq and Lori Desmond are right behind me!"

"Good, we're moving everyone upstairs, just in case."

Tariq comes around the corner after her, and sees Principal Adler.

"I'm glad to see someone else, especially you. We were making lunch when the power went out, but we've salvaged some food that we can share. What is the plan now? It is a pity that we spent so much time doing fire drills and never drilled for a situation like this."

Lori Desmond:

Lori remains quiet while taking the corner behind Tariq and chuckles lightly at Tariq's comment about the emergency drills.

In the lobby-
Tariq and Lori entered the lobby behind Amelia. Looking down the north hall, they saw Principal Lawrence Adler standing there, holding his Louisville Slugger. He waved for them to come over, and Amelia did.

In the north hall, ground floor-
"We need to move everyone upstairs who can't help with the generator," said Principal Adler as Amelia reached his side. "Let's move quickly, everyone. Is there anyone else on this floor besides you three that you know of? Anyone still outside? All the fire exits are now locked, so if anyone's out there, I'll need to let them in."

OOC,Everyone, roll Listen.

"I don't know of anyone else, and I don't think any of us will be good with the generator, sir, " Tariq begins, then stops, having heard something very clearly.

"Is there any chance someone is out at the construction site? I can hear something running towards the kitchen's fire exit, but I don't want to open the door for a ... something hostile. And if I had to I would feel better doing it with better weapons and more people."

Lori hearing nothing out of the ordinary questions Tariq's hearing "You sure you're not hearing things? I dont hear a thing"

"Yes, I am sure. I would not have said anything if I was not sure."

He pauses and thinks.

"Actually, why don't we go look now? I keep thinking as if I was back in Iraq, and every enemy had a gun. Even if it turns out to be some sort of...dead man walking...there are four of us and he won't be armed. That should be safe enough, no? And if it is someone who needs to be let in, we should get there before he is chased. Let's go."

Tariq turns to head back to the fire exit.

In the north hall, ground floor-
"All right, let's all go check it out," said Principal Adler. Gripping his baseball bat with both hands, he went back to the lobby with Amelia.

In the lobby-
As the principal and the chef returned, Tariq headed into the east hall.

In the east hall, ground floor-
Tariq reached the double doors leading to the cafeteria. Looking back, he could see the other three in the lobby, not too far behind.

OOC,Everyone but [b]Tariq[/b] may attempt another Listen roll. If you succeed, click on [b]Tariq[/b]'s spoiler button below, as you'll hear the same thing.

Tariq al-Tikriti,[b]Tariq[/b] heard a definite pounding coming from the kitchen's fire exit.

Tariq runs toward the fire exit.

He shouts "Who are you?" loudly, and keeps walking towards the exit while he waits for a reply. He knows he probably won't open the door until everyone else has shown up, but he'd rather know what he can first.

OOC,I haven't had a post for [b]Lori[/b], so I'm going to assume she goes with the others. Imported_Goods, if you don't want to go with them, let me know.

In the east hall-
Principal Adler, Amelia, and Lori all entered from the lobby as Tariq went back inside the cafeteria.

In the cafeteria-
The cafeteria was just as deserted as it had been when Tariq had left. The only response to his shout was more pounding on the kitchen door. He couldn't see it from here, but the door to the kitchen was behind the counter. The cafeteria also had its own fire exit on the east side of the building, leading out to the construction site. It was some distance due south of the fire door being banged on, and was undisturbed.

Tariq moves to where he can see the kitchen door, aware that it is possible to bang on both sides of a door. He shouts again, and waits for the others to catch up.

Tariq continues to where he can see the kitchen fire exit door before waiting for the others to catch up.

Amelia, not wanting to leave Tariq alone and in potential danger, enters the cafeteria.

In the east hall, ground floor-
Principal Adler and Lori followed Amelia back into the cafeteria.

In the cafeteria-
Amelia, Lori, and the principal entered the cafeteria, still lit by sunlight coming in from the eastern windows. They arrived in time to see Tariq pass behind the counter and slip into the kitchen door while the pounding got louder and louder.

In the kitchen-
Tariq stood just inside the door leading from the cafeteria. The kitchen looked just as he had left it, except for the fire exit on the east wall. It had been dented somewhat already, but as the pounding continued it was nearly knocked off of its hinges! Whoever was hitting it was very strong, and it clearly wouldn't hold much longer.

Amelia, continuing after Tariq but unsettled by the banging, approaches the kitchen door. "Be careful" she calls out through the door.

Tariq turns toward Amelia.

"Someone is bashing in the door, without answering me. I don't think those fire doors are meant to be destroyed by one man's fists, and if there is someone who would do that, he's probably more than a bit dangerous. If someone was really trying to get in because he needed our help, he would respond. If the dead are really rising, than I think this could be one of them. I think the best idea is to turn around and run, right now. Until we find someone with the guns to handle someone who can put a fist through steel."

Tariq doesn't start running yet, but waits to see if he can convince Amelia. He grips his knife, aware that things will probably get dangerous, fast.

Amelia calls out to Tariq, "I think you should grab anything that might be of use in there at all, like the matches we use for lighting the gas hobs on the cooker. If the powers out then we might need them to light something to see later. But do it quickly. I'm feeling a nasty aura round this place. When you get out do you think the four of us should try to form a baricade out of the cafeteria tables? Whatever is on the other side of that door, I'd rather not give it easy access into the rest of school if its going to break through."

"Barricading sounds good - but we have to hurry, that door could give at any moment."

Tariq grabs a couple nearby items, not really paying attention to what they are, then runs to the other side of the kitchen door. As soon as Amelia comes through, he slams the door shut and begins to barricade it with cafeteria tables.

In the cafeteria-
Tariq and Amelia grabbed some matches and candles before returning to the cafeteria, slamming the door behind them. Just as they did, they heard the fire exit in the kitchen being smashed inwards, followed by running footsteps across the kitchen floor, heading right for them! Principal Adler and Lori Desmond grabbed one of the tables from the dining area and lugged it behind the counter, placing it against the kitchen door as a makeshift barricade.

Then a shotgun blast rang out in the distance.

OOC,Roll Listen to try to figure out where the shotgun blast came from. If it's not listed on your character sheet, the base skill is 25%.

Tariq desperately works at barricading the door, and so is highly distracted when he hears the noise.

In the cafeteria-
Tariq was temporarily deafened by the shotgun blast, and the ringing in his ears kept him from hearing anything for a few seconds. He couldn't even hear the kitchen door splintering, but he certainly felt it as he was helping to shore up the barricade. The door itself was destroyed, and the table he had just put into place in front of it was dented.

"Something just smashed down the kitchen door!" cried Lori. She helped Tariq drag a second table over while Principal Adler and Amelia held the first one in place. They shoved the second table behind it.

"There's no more room back here behind the counter for another one," said the principal. "I think this is as good as it's going to get - and it isn't good enough!"

Then there were two pistol shots, followed immediately by another shotgun blast.

"I say we run for the second level," says Tariq, retreating from the barricade and preparing to do just that.

OOC,A new player is taking over [b]Lori Desmond[/b]. I'll go ahead and post for her now, assuming she leaves the cafeteria and enters the hallway with the others. [b]Lori[/b], if you'd rather do something else instead, just let me know.

In the cafeteria-
"We should fall back to the hall," said Principal Adler, backing away from the kitchen, "but we can't just all flee upstairs. At some point we have to take a stand. Maybe we can find more people to help us fight. We don't know how many of these things are inside, but let's not stick around and find out."

Tariq, Amelia, Lori, and Principal Adler all retreated from the cafeteria, exiting to the hall through the double doors.

In the east hall, ground floor-
Everyone emerged from the cafeteria and into the hallway, which led left to the barricaded east stairwell and right to the lobby. More pounding sounds came from within the cafeteria, as the barricade was apparently hit again.

OOC,Everyone roll Spot Hidden and Listen. The base skill for each is 25% if it's not listed on your character sheet.

Tariq tries to disguise the contempts in his voice.

"We have to take a stand? The television news says that the enemy is overrunning the nation. Taking a stand is the last thing we should do - and only a fool would fight hand to hand who I knew where there are guns. Which I do, and which I think the people on the roof do. Mr. Adler, I'm running up there, and I think you should too."

Tariq does not hear anything, but he does notice something.

Lori seems utterly nervus as she in a shaky voice says 'yes yes... let move... up' following Tariqs advice

Lori does not notice anything spot and listen (1d100=100, 1d100=37)

In the east hall, ground floor-

Tariq al-Tikriti,As [b]Tariq[/b] started toward the lobby, he saw [b]Vice Principal Sharon Kaplan[/b] and [b]Roy McCrumb[/b] in there. They were looking up, focused on something on the balcony.

Roy McCrumb's shout came from the lobby, loud enough for everyone to hear: "BOOM! Headshot! Gotcha contact sport right here muthafucka!"

"Way to go, Roy, they work!" shouted Keith Stewart from somewhere up ahead.

Roy McCrumb's shout came from the lobby, loud enough for everyone to hear: "BOOM! Headshot! Gotcha contact sport right here muthafucka!"

"Way to go, Roy, they work!" shouted Keith Stewart from somewhere up ahead.[/quote]

'Oh man' 'they are on our side shooting those things!' 'Hey! come to us!' Lori shouts as loud she can.

"Come on, Mr. Adler. For your own sake, hurry."

Tariq heads for the lobby, shouting, "Roy! Keith! Ms. Kaplan! We just came from the cafeteria, and we need your help!"

OOC,Everyone is moving to the thread linked below.

Endgame