Information Needed [Christopher]

[Marianne Schneider]

Who would have thought that she had an idea of this type, which would bring her here to the same area near which she killed her parents. Well, it was for the better than letting them both sit there and suffer at the cruel hands of fate. However, Marianne's mind was elsewhere, especially now that she was in the midst of the mission. Going over the information in her head as she marched silently yet cautiously through the station, she'd go through the details that she did know that were basic knowledge. They all knew one man was the true reason that this virus had even started in the first place and that information was posted at the moment it was found, luckily, with the connection her phone had thanks to the military line, she received some intel that was useful. The military couldn't give any assistance and that was obvious because the entire world was going to hell in a hand basket. It was beyond ridiculous and luckily there were people like Marianne that could handle themselves but even so, they still needed to get their jobs done, no matter what the cost and Marianne would be damned if she were to die in this hell hole. The beauty had worked too hard and it seemed as if her degree was useless and all her training had become the most important thing, but she knew better. Her degree would help her crack this damn case and bust this situation wide open. Though the only thing they truly knew, was the scientist's name and his last location before he fell off the grid. No one would be dumb enough to unleash their experiments unless they wanted this to happen and for most things there was a way to reverse it, and she would hope that it was the case with this situation as well.

Having secured the area, Marianne would turn back to the end of the room, walking up to the computer before inputting her cell phone information chip into the computer to start downloading all the possible files in the front offices, knowing they had things that were unfinished and any possible links would be best for a start. The information they were doing was on the mad scientist himself and she was find something here. It was a fight to get this far in but being silent and stealthy was the best way to go in an area like this. She hadn't survived by looking like this in the middle of the city, her gun and blade at her sides, though her eyes were scanning the room, as she listened to the computer's small hum and that small noise was bound to attract the attention of someone in the building, be it zombie or animal. "The things I do for this clan.", she'd whisper under her breathe making sure she was loud enough just for herself to hear for the time being. Raiders too were known for coming and trying to steal things from the hideout they used as a storage facility as well. The intel would be in the 'closest' place the Hawthorn could call safe besides their home and they were still working on that too, but they at least made some type of ground in that department. Who knew what was about to happen but whatever it was, Marianne Lissa Schneider wasn't dying today.

[Deleted]

Entering the building wasn't the problem, the problem was taking a chance with the inside of the station. The Hawthorn clan had taken great efforts to clear out the old police station of the undead, but now and again the mindless humans found their way inside. Christopher was on patrol duty of the station today to make sure the supplies were secure and getting into the area wasn't possible, for undead or otherwise. The clan had worked too hard to lose anything to common thieves or the other clans. Glancing over his shoulder his blue eyes scanned the area and the street he had just come down, he didn't see any signs of undead or live fallowing him, so far so good.

Coming to the entrance door of the station he pushed the door open gently, slowly a faint creak could be heard from the now slightly rusted hinges. Deciding it was best not to push further, Chris slid his slim frame between the small opening he had created before shutting the door behind him. The clan didn't lock or chain the front entrance, they knew the other clans respected eachother's stash holds and if one ever did get raided it was most likely by hostiles or loners. Once fully inside the station he readjusted his assault rifle strapped on his shoulder before starting down the dimly lit hallway, the lights were on, that meant someone had turned on the power. Crouching just before the main lobby and offices he removed a Paraframe 1 knife from the holster on his ankle under his jeans, if it was an undead a knife was silent, and if it was a live human, well again the knife was quiet.

Standing he pressed himself against the wall before he peered into the doorway. The entrance lobby was dark and quiet but a white light came from one of the offices. Christopher's eyes soon picked up a movement from the shadows near the main sign in desk, it was followed by a drawn out moan. It was an undead, a zombie heading towards the humming light of what Chris assumed was a computer. As the zombie gripped to the door frame it started to groan mouth open and teeth ready to strike. Christopher did not hesitate before he started towards the undead creature from behind. Sliding an arm around it's neck he pulled it away from the doorway and in one swift moment he rammed the black military knife into it's skull, the zombie went limp as Christopher let go and backed up letting it fall at his feet.

Slowing his breathing he stepped over it's corpse and went to the office to see who it was that he had just saved. It was Marianne, a young blonde girl who was part of the clan. "Your welcome" he simply stated in a low tone as he came into the office beside the computer desk she sat at, his eyes looking the monitor over, what was she doing alone and using a computer and lights, it was all noise and elements that attracted the undead and worse. He let his gaze drift to her young face "are you insane?" he asked his tone was serious and it wasn't meant to be a joke. Christopher could be very unsympathetic and blunt when he wanted to be.

[Marianne Schneider]

OF all the possible things that could have happened, she would be the one saved by one of the hard-asses in the group though when she saw him come through the door, the corpse at his feet held her attention, but for just a short while as if she were completely unfazed, which in this instance she was. The girl didn't have her gun and sword out for no reason. It was obvious she was well aware of what was going on and he should know that she wouldn't EVER do anything to jeopardize their operation unless she felt it was completely necessary and right now was one of those times where they did not have the luxury of not knowing what was going on. Information was the only thing that was keeping them alive and besides that, was their survival skills. They were both warriors, people who risked their lives killing those things for their comrades and the group was slowly but surely getting larger and the more manpower, the more things that could be done but out here in the heart of the city, they sat in the middle of all the chaos, as if there was nothing wrong. For these two to be standing face to face not worried about their surroundings proved these two weren't new to the concept of death and danger. "Insanity, the act of doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. Since I haven't done that, no, I'm not insane." Pausing for a moment, she'd look up at Christopher briefly before unwillingly saying "Thank you. I'll have you know I'm downloading the database onto my PDA. I made sure to only cut on this light and though I would have just turned the light off, I figured it would be best to see all of my targets since I didn't bring my goggles, however, I'm well equipped for the situation." the young woman's light voice would say, as she had survived killing a horde at one point alone, so that wasn't the problem however, even she knew that right now wasn't the moment to be careless and whether he said it or not, he was looking out for his clan.

"I guess....I overstepped my boundary this time. I should have informed the group as a whole but I'm still getting used to the word team. I need to share my burdens, not take you along with me. So if I told you next time, would you be better satisfied or should I make sure my knight in shining armor is right behind me?" she'd ask her eyes noticing a small movement to the left behind her. It seemed their light tone of voice had interrupted someone's nap and he though he was prepping for the kill. With a small step back Marianne swung her sword diagonally, hitting the undead's head from the right side and sliding through to the left, it's head slowly falling apart in response. Her swing was clean and silent, having sharpened her blade earlier. Turning back to Christopher she'd move a bit closer as to make sure their voices were hushed,as she looked at the computer screen. This was all business for the world they lived in didn't allow such other luxuries and she had learned to deal with it and so far, everyone had been doing well.

[Deleted]

Christopher listened as Marianne spoke, she was right, she was not insane though Christopher wondered sometimes. She was a tough young woman, and skilled to almost match him in some areas. His mind wondered to what database she was after to put her life and come alone to the station, but he left the question in the back of his mind, for now. "No, I don't care particularly care if you live or die, if you die, that means you made a mistake... " he said, his tone low and serious, Christopher was part of a clan yes, but would he in the end die for the clan, no. In the end he'd only take care of himself, but he'd contribute to the clan and be part of a team as long as they respected him, and there weren't any weak links . He straightened up when he heard a groan and movement catch his vision. In a swift motion he removed the pistol from his hip and cocked it, ready to fire. But that wasn't needed, Marianne had used her sword to dispose of the undead in one clean cut, impressive. A small smirk came to Christopher's strong features "impressive" was all that come from his mouth as he leaned closer to the computer screen, fully aware of the closeness and small space between him and the young blonde.

His blue eyes looked over the database records, it was about the doctor who had released plague Y and his possible whereabouts. Christopher glanced to Marianne "this is what you came here for.... you don't intend to go find this man do you?" the words came out before he had time to think, a rare moment but Christopher kept his calm. If that was her intended plan, then she truly was insane.

[Jade Parrish]

Jade rounded a corner, her hand resting on the pistol she kept with her at all times. Once a girl with a remarkable taste in clothing, usually wearing ruffled black dresses and chunky jewelry, she had to trade in her dresses for jeans, which wasn't the end of the world. She pulled her leather jacket tighter around her as she scoped out the area for any undead, her blue eyes darting around. Okay, so she'd sort of followed Christopher, who followed Marianne, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her. She was a former journalism student after all.

So here she was, nearing the police station, her combat boots making as soft of a noise as she could manage on the pavement as she crossed the abandoned street. It seemed to her like Marianne had a curiosity that matched her own, so the two got along well. Christopher at times irked Jade because of his attitude. He was a part of the team and a very useful member, but he didn't seem like...well, like he'd protect any of them. But she guessed that she should expect that. It was the zombie apocalypse after all and when it came down to it, you were responsible for yourself. Christopher probably just wanted to survive like anybody else.

She heard a groan coming from near the building and found a zombie lurking behind a garbage can. Jade turned quickly to locate it, aiming and firing a clean shot at the head before it could catch sight of her and then she walked carefully into the police station, a smirk on her face. "Is this some sort of secret mission? Why wasn't I invited?" She looked at the two, blinking at them as they were in front of a computer. Marianne was looking so intently at it.

[Marianne Schneider]

Marianne wasn't one to combat someone's decision, especially a man's. If a man had made up their mind to do something and or risk their life, then so be it. She would let men be men and keep to herself much like her father stated once again as for real men. Her father had a code as well but it deferred greatly from that of Christopher's and that was fine as long as he didn't spew his mess to her. The girl's father had left her this PDA and though the area were infested, there could
possibly be more weapons somewhere and she could always use another weapon along with bullets and anything else. Her father wasn't in the military for show and she was aware of a few places he owned that held a weapons locker, not that she would tell anyone about those. Most people didn't even know she left the apartment half the time, so for someone to catch her outside like this was rare indeed. It was never something to worry about and to be honest, she wasn't truly sure if she could trust the people here. Yes, they fought together and saved one another at different times of each day or whenever they were together but that didn't mean there was a bond between them all. Right now things were about the survival of the fittest and Chris always made that clear by his actions. IF you want to know someone, just observe and you'd learn
quite a lot but this was one of the first times she had ever run into him, especially like this. Pleasantries nowadays were needed and they were a privilege especially now but things worked out. They had at least managed to survive this long without killing each other."Mistakes are a problem aren't they. I kinda figured as much, however, you don't need to alarm yourself. Nothing I do will put any of us in jeopardy or rather you in harms way. Besides a man like yourself is capable enough I'm sure. You have to be if you survived this long." the dirty blonde haired woman would spoke before turning her head back to the screen to read the 75% upload to the data chip. The last 25 needed to hurry it up because there she was spending way too much time in one location and though they normally cleaned out the place before stopping to talk, the place was as clean as it was going to get, at least for the time being.

With a light sigh, she'd flick her sword to the right, simply throwing the blood from the blade as she looked it over making sure it was clean in the dim light. This was no time to not have a good weapon and letting blood cake up would eventually make the blade weak but the longer it was clean the better though she had already fashioned blades that would last for years, especially the two she had on her person. In a sword or knife fight, she was definitely not someone to mess with. Marianne would simply nod at
his compliment as if taking it to be courteous but she knew he was only saying that because he did value talent as long as it benefited him and that he had the respect he deserved as did they all. Though, if it came down to it, he'd leave in a flash because at this precise moment, Charles Darwin was correct. Natural selection was one tough bitch this time around and now humans were on the food chain, though it was probably inevitable at some point. "Not exactly. I came here for the maps for specific locations. Eventually, we'll all meet this mad man but for the time being, he holds the key and right now, I'm not ready to contest him yet. Still though, I'll be reading a few
of his logs and who knows, it may help out somehow." her bell voice would say again as eh looked over to him, closing out the screen about the mad scientist and gave maps of the infrastructures of certain buildings. "These will be useful to some degree. I assure you."

Hearing a gunshot outside, she look up her gun pointed to the door as she heard it opening. Marianne definitely wasn't going to miss in the good lighting but to her surprise it was Jade. Lowering her gun she'd sigh heavily not bothering to move away from Christoper as she put her gun back to her side, though still in her hand. "Lucky, my next bullet would have accidentally been you." she'd say with a small laugh before answering her close associate's question. It was hard to really think of true friends being able to be made because her father taught her to be wary of certain things but Jade was alright in her opinion. The two got along pretty well. "No it just so happens Christopher was on patrol at the same time I suck away from the apartments. Such a small world, isn't it? What brings you here dear?" she'd ask before looking back at the computer that had now read 90 percent before she typed in a few more things adding those to the files to be downloaded. The girl was a wiz and you could bet she was an asset, if you truly had her on your side but how did that work nowadays when people could turn on you just like that. Marianne was sure that things were going to get a bit busier now that there had been a loud gun shot. Normally that was what most of them reacted too and that would mean work for the three of them if a small horde came to check it out. Allowing this place to be overrun wasn't an option, seeing as though they cleaned it out regularly and sometimes, it would be completely empty from the outside terrors."It's about to be a party soon. After hearing that shot, I know something's coming."

[Deleted]

Christopher simply smirked at Marianne's comment that he had nothing to worry about and that if he needed to he could handle himself, Christopher had no doubt in his mind he couldn't handle himself. It was just her he was concerned with, and that would soon change in a minute. He listened as she explained why she was downloading the files. Christopher was glad she wasn't truly insane to go after the mad man, and he doubted that even if she did, she'd never find him. Or if she did she wished she hadn't, Christopher held on to his theory that the man who's name escaped him in this moment was most likely dead, or infected and feeding, the cure long lost to the last of humanity. But when that day came, if ever, Christopher would see if his theory was correct.

He was about to speak when his ears picked up a single gun shot from outside the station, followed in a few moments by footsteps, boots along the floor. When Marianne turned and pointed her fun towards the doorway Christopher already had his removed and ready. He shook his head when he realized it was a young girl from their clan, Jenna, Jordan... no her name was Jade, his memory serving him. He put his gun back into his hip holster before he let his eyes gaze over the dark haired girl. "You do understand that by using your pistol to kill a lone undead you've most likely brought a small horde, ever so curious towards this station" he stated, his tone laced with annoyance, he tried to ignore Marianne's comment that a "party" would be coming their way soon. Turning to look back at the monitor he let his eyes direct to Marianne "what more could you possibly add to this, hurry it up, we need to get out and clear of the station and head back, unless you want to help Jade to dispose of the horde coming this way?" it was a rude and snarky comment, but Christopher was very unremorseful in this moment. Christopher was growing inpatient, which was rare, he was usually calm and collected, proper and precise, but these two young women were testing him. Straightening himself out he turned and heading towards the hallway brushing past Jade his much taller frame barely making it past her in the doorway. "I'll be out here waiting, your not ready in 60 seconds I'm leaving" he spoke as he disappeared around the corner and into the entrance hallway of the station.

[Jade Parrish]

Jade put her hands up in a joking matter when it seemed that the two of them had aimed their guns at her. When they lowered their weapons, she spoke. "Boredom, mostly," she answered Marianne. "That and I wanted to see what you were up to. You're always up to something, Mari." She winked in her direction, a playful gesture. She'd always liked that about Marianne. Of course Jade was curious as well and she knew that you had to keep a balance between your insatiable curiosity and taking precautions so you didn't go into a situation blindly. It occurred to Jade that she had sort of done that when she shot the lone zombie right in the head. Marianne pointed it out without shifting blame onto her, Christopher did much of the opposite.

She turned to face him, annoyance etched into her features at the tone he'd used with her. "I do understand. I understand a lot, Christopher. You must understand that this pistol was the only weapon I had on me at the time, so it was either that, or hand to hand combat with the undead." She understood that he was older and wiser...or whatever, but he wasn't a team player by any means.

She watched as he brushed past her after saying less than polite things to Marianne. She let out a sigh. "I get that he's being cautious and all, but he really knows how to suck the fun out of everything. And you have to have some fun when the world is crawling with the undead." Sure, Jade was actually scared of the horde that would surely come their way, but...sometimes Jade thought that dying wouldn't be so bad and maybe that's why sometimes she acted recklessly. She was unable to protect her sister. Little ravenhaired Lanie... Jade could see her smile and delicate features in her head and she could also hear the gunshot that ended her life, the gunshot of her own pistol. She pushed the thoughts away and looked back at the doorway. "We better get going, Christopher's impatient." She followed his path to the entrance, scrutinizing his back.

"You know, just because I'm younger than you, doesn't make it okay for you to be a total asshole," she told him, a snarky tone that had matched his earlier one, coating her voice. Sometimes she wondered why Christopher wasn't a loner, why he didn't just go off on his own. Jade was sure if she was one, she'd die. Not because she couldn't defend herself. She was stealthy and quick, but because she would be overwhelmed with the desire to want to die.

[Marianne Schneider]

With a laugh she couldn't help but let out, it was too much. Her voice was still hushed but now she was working on figuring the rest of this out. Watching as the screen reached 100 percent, she'd smile retrieving the data chip and placing it back into the PDA. The upload portion had been a breeze and watching as Chris walked out the door before turning everything off in the room, now that she had what she wanted.  Marianne could tell that the older male, Christopher, was so used to things
going the way he wanted them too that they were irritating him though, if you asked Marianne, he was worrying too much. Okay, its true that they were the only two in the group, at least at this time, that were skilled in hand to hand combat to a high degree or rather caliber but still he was just that efficient in whatever force he was in. Christopher was the leader type,a ruthless one at that but still a leader type and everyone had their owns styles of leading. Marianne would have been a loner but for the time being, she had somehow decided staying here with the group would be better for her for the time being, seeing as there was still things she needed from this area and there would be no better location than here, especially now that they had others to help fend things off with, which allowed people to receive some rest. "Christopher, I did come her alone. Mind you, I have no qualms with you leaving me behind. It's not like you haven't before." she'd say calmly because in essence he had indeed left her before. Whenever he left on patrols and she wasn't with him, he was obviously leaving her and that was an everyday thing for all of them, so it wasn't a big deal, especially when he opened his mouth with the minor threat like that one, hence prompting her to laugh slightly at the small thing. Making sure with one last glance that everything was off and silent, she walked out after the two, both her gun and sword still ready as she walked down the hall, her speed matching Christopher's because right now was not the time for anyone to be moving slow. "Yeah, he is quite impatient Jade but most men are." she'd say with a sly smile of her own before continuing on, her eyes on the lookout for anything moving and her ears ranging out for any nearby sounds that were not their own.

The fear of meeting these things had been lost to the sands  of time because now Marianne was completely used to seeing them. It was a matter of allowing yourself to be jostled by them or frightened and without that fear, anything was possible because it was literally like her father had always said, "Ride or Die." the light voice would say as she walked with the two. Her ears were better than most and she could definitely hear the sounds of feet though extremely slow. The group still had time but if they were going to get out of this it would need to be like right now at this precise moment. "So Christopher, we can still make it without fighting those things, unless you feel that we need to get rid of them. If we lock up right, they won't even notice the entrance, let alone get anywhere near the door. So what would you like to do?" the beauty would say now giving him the reins. It seemed he was in the mood to baby them enough so she'd require him to lead in that sense. Not that she really needed him or anything but to make him feel more in control, let him have his moment.