The Shadow Runners (thriller/horror) PG-13

[Farewell]

Zaida was laying still on her sleeping bag her eyes opening as she heard runner 1's voice and sat up, and faced him. "Good, I suppose." she replied in a quiet soothing voice. A hand going through her short hair and her tail unwrapping from her waist to sway in its regular pattern. Looking around the fort some anthros sleeping still others already up, a few gone possibly on missions.

[Jacob Hail]

Jacob walked along the deserted road, his eyes scanning for any sort of movment as he held his M-14 tight in hand. His fellow runner walked behind him, a technician named Aaron, who was a smaller husky whos nose had practicality been in a book this whole trip. It figures that Jacob would get stuck on a tech run, having to escort and protect Aarons scrawny ass while they scoured the ruins in a far away place for lord knows what. The only thing they had managed to find was some type of small generator motor, one Aaron was able to carry strapped to his back. And taking a glance back at the husky, Jacob was surprised he was able to carry it this far without assistance.

 "How far out are we?" Aaron asked, without looking up. The grayfox stopped and pulled out a map, looking it over before answering. "We are about a day and a half from The Reach, I think over by Fort Lazarus." The technician looked up with a raised eyebrow. "Perhaps we should stop in and say hi. Maybe trade for some supplies." Jacob didnt see the point but kept his opinion to himself, Aaron after all out ranked him. "Fine." He growled. "We should be coming up on it soon."

[Draak_Tand]

"Good, good." Tand decides to leave her alone and, go on gate duty. With his binoculars he spots two people coming closer. "Who goes there!?" He asks hoping not to get into a fight.

[Trinity_Zane]

Trinity was coming around from the command post and amongst the number of anthros his eyes skipped over their heads to Runner 11. His face grimaced a little with a peaking sun coming just over the wall.

There wasn't an Overhead to be spotted from here. From his position and it made me feel at ease carrying a bag of equipment.

As he drew closer to Kaida Trinity spoke "I went to Planning, got a new map of our district and orders from Ops."

His eye patch uncomfortably rested over his left eye, once in a while had to shrug his cheek to resituate it "We need to find 01. We've got work to do."

[Jacob Hail]

Jacob puts an arm out and stops Aaron a good distance from the gate, keeping his rifle pointed at the ground but still ready. "I dont like this, we should just keep moving. We dont need help from anyone else."

"Nonsense, things will be fine. Our Forts havnt had any major problems with each other, so therea no need to be hostile." Aaron replies, crossing in front of Jacobs arm and waving at Tand. "Greetings Lazarus, we are from Fort Skyreach! We were out on a scavange run and thought we'd pass through to see if the neighbors were still alive."

[Draak_Tand]

"That's a relief! I didn't want to have to kill anyone today!" He said, hoping they weren't fibbing. He yelled up to the people at the gate, "We have people comin in, prepare to open the gate!" He waited for them.

[Jacob Hail]

"It wouldnt be you who would be doing the killing..." Jacob mumbled, earning an elbow from Aaron. "Play nice." He whispers to the fox, the two approaching the gate. "Yes, we'd hope there will be no killing today. If youd like we will leave our weapons at the door." Jacob only glared at the husky for his last statement, shaking his head.

[Farewell]

She looked over at the fort's gates to what the commotion was. However was unable to as anthro's got in the way walking about or some to see the two guest from skyreach.
Giving a long sigh she saw trinity approach her. Giving her news of a mission. She stood up fixing her clothing before speaking "Runner 01?... I am positive he is over at the gate, last I saw him." She replied in her natural soothing voice looking back at the fox.

[Draak_Tand]

"Well I don't care as long as you don't shoot anyone. By the way the names Tand, or 01. Who're you?" Tand asked, knowing full, well whoever they were he could take em. "The trader is three lefts then a right and, if you're hungry the mess is in the middle."

[Trinity_Zane]

The vulpes ears perked and pointed in the direction of the doors. They were opening slowly and creaked as they did. His teeth ground against themselves in frustration.

~now what?~

Trinity was coming to the entrance and stood motionless. His eyes narrowed and he concentrated his vision on the lonely three profiles. It may have been visitors from Port Station or Skyreach. He remembered reading something on the map that friendlys might be in the area.

Other forts seemed less trusting than Port and Skyreach. Velox had once stolen supplies from a pair of Runners a couple months ago. Their relationship with Lazarus was in flux. He was surprised to see that Lazarus traded with Velox for some supplies and Runner 11, Kaida.

Hopefully the newcomers we're bringing good news with them.

[Jacob Hail]

Aaron walked in with a smile on his face, Jacob following behind with a blank expression. He looked around Lazarus, his eyes shifting to yhe many people that had gathered around the gate, already wanting to leave. "I am Aaron, or Runner 23, and this is my escort Jacob, Runner 17. We were just on our way back to The Reach when we were in the area and thought we'd stop by to see how the fort was doing. Maybe do some trading?"  The husky began, adjusting his glasses. "Yeah, but I dont think we'll be staying for long." Jacob added, his annoyance obvious in his voice.

[Draak_Tand]

Tand walks up to 09 and says, "The big ones not very friendly but, the small ones nice enough." Tand then just watches as the two people walk around. "Wonder how long they can last, you seem pissed, what's up?"

[Farewell]

Zaida decided to walk over to the guest from skyreach. Her eyes narrowed. It was enough being here and guests didn't make anything better.
She held her hands behind her back studying this but not close. Sighing quietly she looked over at trinity. "Can we just go on the mission already, whatever the OPs told you... It would be better than this." She huffed.

[Trinity_Zane]

Trinity stood tall, crossed his arms as Draak came by. His response was slow but it was a forced silence as he kneeled down and opened his green pack.
From this area no one could see him crouch, not the security cameras, not any Lazarus personnel or Overhead.

The fox looked up at Kaida smiled and handed her one of the three helmets he had taken it was old, somewhat warn-bleached by the sun. A scratched chrome dome almost complimented the navy blue shroud tucked inside it.

"We're going for a little hike." He slung the pack over his shoulder after handing one to Draak.

[Jacob Hail]

While Aaron was busy talking to traders, exchanging things Jacob could care less about, the fox was keeping a watchful eye, looking over everyone in the fort. What he wouldnt do to be home right now. As he scanned he caught Zaida  looking at them, narrowing his eyes at her and scowling. "Hurry up any trade transactions you have, I want to leave as soon as possible." He said, Aaron simply rolling his eyes. "Fine fine, I have what I want, but we really should keep more in touch with these guys, its to bad the airport is so far away."