[COLOR=#4da6ff][I]** Dr. Diana Kipping stops at the door.[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: --I don't want to go out there.
Lydia McDowell: It's freezing.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: -- ah, Sullivan, the triage doors have closed of their own volition and--
[181 MHz] Wf. Cloe Veronesi: Pull them open.
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: -- on account of the power, we can't seem to open them. Pull them, right, uhh... bear with.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff][I]** Kipp pivots and brings her pistol up, leveling it with her visage. "What did you hear? Your friend told me what happened outside of this facility." **[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#00ffff][B][I]** There's a slight sound of straining metal as the pipes start to get cold and freeze. The noise is pervasive and grates like nails on chalkboard. **[/I][/B][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff][I]** Lydia McDowell doesn't notice right away, as she's shining her light on the door. Eventually, though, it slinks along the wall and over to Diana. Lydia cringes at the sight and the light shakes across the wall and ceiling. "What? Man--I've seen and heard a lot of shit outside of this place!"[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: We need the power on yesterday.
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: Lydia, got a crowbar?
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: ... or, well, does anybody have a crowbar?
[181 MHz] James Sullivan: -You guys need to hurry up with that medical bay. I can't do much more than stablization until that thing is open.
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Working on it!
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: -- we can't open it until we get a crowbar, or the power is on.
[181 MHz] Wf. Cloe Veronesi: [WHISPER] We're working on the power right now. I'm not a big computer fan, though.
[181 MHz] Carlyn Everett: Look for a supply closet![/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff][I]** Kipping's chest rises and falls, pounding like a firing piston. She sounds desperate and the wild look in her eyes attests to this. "You heard something about me. She told me you did. What did you hear?" **[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: Got the crowbar, one moment.
[181 MHz] James Sullivan: Hustle, hustle.[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR=#00ffff][I]** It's cold enough now that exhaled breaths can be seen. **[/I][/COLOR][/B]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: HAS ANYONE MADE IT TO THE GENERATORS?
[181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: Please, no shouting.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff][I]** "I don't remember!" Lydia shouts, admits. Her hands raise to the sides of her head, trembling still, though now more from the cold than fear. She's dressed in only a long-sleeve and a jeans, and the chill is getting to her. "I don't--remember! I wasn't paying attention,- okay?!" **[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: We're workin' on the med bay, Imari.
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: I've had to reboot the system.
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: We're going to be cold a little longer.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff][I]** Kipping releases a shaky exhale, watching as her breath slips past her lips. She swallows hard. "You're lying to me." **[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: No-[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] James Sullivan: How fuckin' long does it take t'get that medbay open? You found th' crowbar, didn't you?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: I'm not. I'm /not/.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: -- it's a fucking blast door, Sullivan! We're comin'![/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: You're pointing a gun at me, why would I lie:?![/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Hopefully emergency power will kick on first and re-active the keypads.
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: Too late.
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: The power in the security office /should/ still be on, but most likely the office went on lockdown when the shutdown occured.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#00ffff][I][B]** The knocking and creaking persists as the pipes get colder and colder. **[/B][/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff][I]** Dr. Diana Kipping closes the distance between the two, keeping the firearm leveled on her.[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff][I]** Her whole body trembles from cold, fear, and an undecided fight-or-flight. She sputters out a sob when the woman moves closer. **[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Girlie: Prepping the medbay.[/COLOR]
[B][I][COLOR=#00ffff]** The gurgles and creaking of the bowels of the facility sounds otherworldly and alien. **[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Systems are coming back up.
[181 MHz] Girlie: I've got some experience with being a nurse, so--
[181 MHz] Girlie: I've prepped the table ready for whoever's comin' in.
[181 MHz] Wf. Cloe Veronesi: Okay! Emergency power's turning on as we speak. It'll take a while for this shit to go back into gear.
[181 MHz] Carlyn Everett: -if we are not dead by then.[/COLOR]
[B][I][COLOR=#00ffff]** Dull orange lights begin to illuminate the many hallways as the emergency power begins to slowly kick in. **[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Wf. Cloe Veronesi: Yeah, well.. Cross your fingers.
[181 MHz] Clarissa Bruno: Lydia, you doin' alright?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff][I]** Kipp presses the muzzle against her stomach. The drumming of the building's underworld fill the silence left between words. She parts her lips to speak, whispering. **[/I][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Callie Amherst: None of you should be going about by yourselves.[/COLOR]
[B][I][COLOR=#00ffff]** The guts of the facility continue to slowly freeze and moan as the cold creeps in from outside. **[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Whatever you know, don't tell anyone. Don't ever.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: I'm going to the security office.
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: Pairs at least, if not threes.
[181 MHz] Morgan Linseed: What the hell is that noise?
[181 MHz] Sam: If you're goin' alone, you're askin' for it. Go in pairs, trios at least.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping lifts one hand off the firearm and takes her radio in hand, bringing it to her lips.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell nods rapidly. Diana can't see it, but she can probably just tell.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Diana Kipping: She is with me.
[181 MHz] Morgan Linseed: Why is it creaking, though?
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Metal contracts when it cools.[/COLOR]
[B][I][COLOR=#00ffff]** There's a series of unsettling mechanical noises heard above and all around as the heating units begin to kick in. **[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping affixes the radio to her utility belt slowly. She twists the muzzle of the gun into Lydia's gut.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Are we clear?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] -Please don't,--yeah, yes![/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Lydia McDowell pops her 'p'.[/COLOR][/I]
[B][I][COLOR=#00ffff]** It's a battle between the cold outside and the antiquated, wheezing boilers. The pipes erupt in a symphony of gurgles and groans as they begin to slowly but surely thaw. **[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Don't give me a reason to hurt you-- and you won't be hurt.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] I just want to go home. I'm-not. I'm not.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Do you understand that what you have learned is not for anybody else to know? And that if you betray my trust, one way or another, I will track you down.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] If you hurt me, Arianna will hurt /you/. Why are you doing this?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell spits a bold assumption in the heat of the moment, and probably not in her favor. Regrets coats her expression in an instant and Diana cant even witness it.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] You hold the most delicate details of my past in your memory. If this information spreads, you compromise my future as a resident of this facility. Do you understand that the past is behind us, correct?[/COLOR]
[B][I][COLOR=#00ffff]** Gradually the bunker begins to heat up, the battle eventually going in the favour of the boilers. It's intense though, particular around the sleeping quarters and wash rooms. The pipes sound as if they're being rattled against the walls. **[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: Girlie, come back up to the server room.
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: -- Girlie, you read?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping pulls the Beretta out of her gut and engages the external safety. She slides it into her waistband and pulls her shirt over it.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] Is it? You pointing a gun in my face feels awfully familiar.[/COLOR]
[B][I][COLOR=#00ffff]** Power is gradually restored to the doors, most of them clicking and hissing apart on their own as the keypads next to them flash green. **[/COLOR][/I][/B]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: Girlie's alright.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] I have to protect myself, girl. You don't understand what it's like-- to run the lengths I have, all the evil things I've done, everything I hide from.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: I DO understand![/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell snaps, volume raised. She steps closer, this time! The return of heat, if only faint, makes her braver. Something like that... "You don't even know me! You don't know what horrible shit I've done, or--any one of my people. I have been nothing but kind to you since we /got here/."[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: Fuck you. Fuck you,- maybe you shouldn't /be/ a resident here if you're so guilty you'll point that thing at everybody.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Morgan Linseed: Karen, I'm a little turned around here...
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: -- comin' back.
[181 MHz] Morgan Linseed: Nevermind, I think I've made my way back.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping pounces forward in an instant, cupping her hand over the woman's mouth and slamming her against the wall. Her eyes are widened, be it from fear or something else.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia loses her flashlight in shock, but she's displaced easily. Without her gear to absorb the contact-blow, she's left winded. **[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping holds her in place, one hand pressing her shoulder against the wall and the other keeping her quiet. The whispers that leave her tongue tremble just like the beam of the grounded flashlight.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt anybody, but you have to understand that /I/ am vulnerable like this. I am begging you. Please. Please just keep it to yourself.
Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] I'm sorry it had to come to this.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Carlyn Everett: Natalia is stabilized.
[181 MHz] Emiliano Dominico: Good. Tank' you.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Are the words received well? Probably. But Lydia's been backed into a corner like an animal and that's a position she loathes, so she fights. While her hands snake up to catch the doctorate's hair into fists, Lydia bites at the hand covering her mouth, intent to draw blood. In the darkness, though, who's to say either will do much? **[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: Does anyone read?
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Yes.
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: What's going on in there?
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: We're all good, Lyd.
[181 MHz] Carlyn Everett: How's the progress?
[181 MHz] Clarissa Bruno: Who the fuck knows.
[181 MHz] Violet Saugstad: Charlotte?
[181 MHz] Violet Saugstad: You there?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Diana's palm is ensnared by the animal, yelping in pain as her ponytail is pulled. She doesn't offer any offensive to Lydia's attacks. "Please! Just listen!" She cries out in the midst of the chaos. **[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell doesn't go for another attack right away-- the radio distracts her, and she stumbles just out of arms reach (and back into the light ). Her hands pat her body down for some sort of weapon, but she's left them all behind![/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: [WHISPER] Lydia, you read? We're good up here, how's Charlotte doing?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: I'm by myself. How's the power looking?
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Lydia. Did your sunlaps kick on?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping cups the bitten hand with the other. The tears welled in her eyes show just how vulnerable she is. "Please don't--" she pleads, "don't do this."[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: WHY IS SOMEBODY RUNNING AROUND PRETENDING TO BE ME?![/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell abandons her search for a weapon--she just prods a finger down at the scientist, as if that'd do anything substantial. All the while, she's backpedaling to the corner.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Clarissa Bruno: Lydia. You sure Charlotte's not there?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: Yes. I'm by myself. Why are the lights out?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff8000][I]** A voice outside the door. **[/I][/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Diana parts her lips to speak, but bites her tongue. Her eyes shift from Lydia's to the window pane on the door. **[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: McDowell girl, are the sunlamps in the hydroponics bay on?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** The color drains from Lydia's whole body. You know, if you could actually see that. **[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: You guys left my flashlight.
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: I eat my carrots.
[181 MHz] Carlyn Everett: I gave it to Callie.
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: The power is out, isn't it?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: So they're off.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] --get away from the door.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Kipp reaches for the back of her waistband. She inches away from the door. **[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Get behind me.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell does that, but like, only halfway. She's also behind the corner of the wall.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] -it's not me.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] I know.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell states the obvious. She snakes a hand for her handheld.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping backpedals around the corner.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Take the gun.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping turns to face her.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] What?![/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Strauss.
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Find Karen.
[181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Don't trip and die please.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping offers the Gulf War era pistol to her.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Take it.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell fumbles to find, then take it.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: Kerr, sound off.
[181 MHz] Morgan Linseed: She's here.
[181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: Yeah-yeah.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Not a word about this. Not now, not ever. Okay?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: Sweet.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] There's something /wrong/ here.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff8000][181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: Where is everyone?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Lydia McDowell snatches her radio up, for real this time![/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Clarissa Bruno: Where are you?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] Don't answer. Charlotte's not here.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping shudders as the voice comes through her radio again.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Karen Heckal: [WHISPER] Are you okay though, Lydia?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: No.
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: Help me.
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: [WHISPER] As long as Charlotte is alright, we'll be fine.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Has this happened before?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] She's fine.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell nods. She mutters.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] Charlotte is the code phrase.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] What is it?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: I know you're in there.
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: Who are you with?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] Don't answer.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] I don't know.
Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] --I don't know.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: I need help! Why is nobody coming?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] I can hear Charlotte through the door.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping's eyes go wide. A light shines through the darkness, but it's not from the hallway. It's from outside.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: Where're you at, Lyds?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: Help me![/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Don't turn around.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: Don't listen to her.
[181 MHz] Karen Heckal: [WHISPER] We gotta find Charlotte first, Kerry.
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: I'm fine.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Do /not/.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: No, I'm not fine! Help me!
[181 MHz] Clarissa Bruno: You fucks betta' HURRY UP an' get out heya'.
[181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: I'm... unsure of what to do. The pipes are leakin'.
[181 MHz] Clarissa Bruno: We gotta' find Charlotte.
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: I can see you in there. Who are you with?
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: Charlotte. Answer me.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell's trembling again, and it's not just the cold this time. She snaps her radio up again.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Sam: Man up Lydia.
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] That one wasn't me. It knows who Charlotte is.
[181 MHz] Violet Saugstad: Charlotte is busy, she's finishing up and will be there soon.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping exhales briskly.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#99ccff]Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] Is it gone?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] I don't see the light anymore.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: Hey, we've got a leaky pipe here from the freezing. Anyone nearby the pumps?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** The color leaves Diana's skin. She doesn't take her eyes off Lydia. **[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] If something happens--[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell runs cold. She doesn't move but one finger, to key her handheld again. Maybe for the last time! Who knows?[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping doesn't move. She whispers, again.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] If something happens. I'm sorry I did what I did.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Clarissa Bruno: Lydia, talk to me.
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: I'm here. Help me!
[181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: [WHISPER] It found us.
[181 MHz] Sam: Where /are/ you? Talk to me.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] Your name is Lydia?[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR=#ff0000]Clarissa Bruno: [YELL] FUCK OFF.[/COLOR][/B]
[I][COLOR=#ff8000]** The door slams shut. **[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell nods, then yelps![/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]Dr. Diana Kipping: [WHISPER] We're okay, Lydia.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping points over Lydia's shoulder.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0080ff]** Karen Heckal takes a knee and points her sidearm at the silhouettes in the flashlight beams.
** Clarissa Bruno tugs her rifle up and lets it hum with obnoxious life, signifying its readiness to fire. Her eyes snap between the duo in a paranoid fashion.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#ff0000][B]Clarissa Bruno: [YELL] CHARLOTTE?[/B][/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** James Sullivan yanks himself up similarly.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Lydia McDowell: She tried to kill me. She choked me.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** Droog Druzhinsky caught sight of a familiar figure. "Lydia? Is that you?" He keeps his nagant at a low, hip-level carry.
** Karen Heckal turns her head right, towards Clarissa.
** Clarissa Bruno snaps leftwards. She saw something. "No-"[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: Quyen?[/COLOR]
[B][COLOR=#ff0000]Clarissa Bruno: [YELL] It was through da' fuckin' WINNOW'.[/COLOR][/B]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** Karen Heckal snaps left, instead.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0080ff]Karen Heckal: -- I don't see nothin'.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Wf. Quyen Strauss: Hello.
[181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: She's with me.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#99ccff]** The light illuminates a very unsteady Lydia who sways on the spot. She's without her usual weapons or gear, save for the radio that's pressed right up against her mouth. "I'm real--I'm real. Please don't shoot me." It's all weak. The ordeal left her tired. **[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: I wasn't.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0080ff]Karen Heckal: -- I-- we won't, Lyd'.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** Violet Saugstad plants a hand on the ground, peering back to the window. "What-"[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0080ff]Karen Heckal: Say the-- say the name.
Violet Saugstad: No fucking way-
Violet Saugstad: She was THERE.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Dr. Atieno Imari: You're needed. Meet me at the main bulkhead.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** Karen Heckal inches towards Lydia and Kipping, sidearm half raised.
** Violet Saugstad steadies herself up.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping's eyes go wide again. She hesitantly glances to her left.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0080ff]** Clarissa Bruno drops her rifle to its sling and starts marching forward, exhaling a deep, deep sigh in painfully obvious relief. "Charlotte?" she questions, suspicion reborn. Her rifle's clutched but not aimed.
** Sam starts hesitantly moving down the corridoe.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Wf. Quyen Strauss: Okay.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#ff8000]** There's a sound of a suppressed pistol rattling. **[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Aileanna Kerr: Main bulkhead, you said?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** Karen Heckal's head snaps around at the report of suppressed gunfire.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]** Kipping stumbles backwards, clutching her abdomen. She's silent. **[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0080ff]** Droog Druzhinsky stumbles alongside the rest of the group, keeping his seven-shooter hip-level.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]** The gunfire breathes life into Lydia again and she stumbles back two steps before losing balance and hitting the ground. She crab-crawls away from the corner, entirely forgetting the code-word protocol. **[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0080ff]** Karen blinks, stares at Kipping, and then catches on. **[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0080ff]Karen Heckal: [WHISPER] -- it's right infront, oh fuck.[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** Clarissa Bruno heaves her rifle's stock back to her left shoulder, barrel trained towards the corner more than anything. "Lydialydialydia- back, back," she blubbers, finger coiling around the trigger with haste. Her jackboots click with a forward march.
** Sam widens her eyes as reality hits her like a truck, bringing her AR2 upward to stiffen against her shoulder as she takes a few overly-confident strides forward, barrel fixated against the corner.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#4da6ff]** Dr. Diana Kipping stumbles over herself and hits the ground hard. Blood seeps through fresh holes in her shirt.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0080ff]*[I]* Karen Heckal sticks her flashlight between her teeth, raises her sidearm one-handed again and inches slowly, very slowly, forward.[/I]
Sam: [WHISPER] DON'T LINE UP.
Clarissa Bruno: [WHISPER] Stay at my wing.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0059b3][181 MHz] Morgan Linseed: Imari, what are we looking for?[/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** James Sullivan makes right.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#ff8000]** A figure scurries out the door. It's left open, and fresh drifts pile in the entryway. In the faint moonlight seeping through the door, Kipping's blood can be seen soaking into the Persian rug. **[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0080ff]** Crack, crack! Karen spots something a shade darker than the wall around it and squeezes off two rounds. Her one handed form isn't on point, however. **[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell can do little more than watch on in mute horror. She stares down Diana from her spot on the floor, silently reaching a hand out to the woman.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#0080ff]** Droog Druzhinsky, being just about the only one with a free hand, skirts briskly towards Lydia's vague figure. He reaches and snags the scruff of her shirt, scooping her back.[/COLOR][/I]
[COLOR=#0080ff]Karen Heckal: -- fuck, it ran![/COLOR]
[I][COLOR=#0080ff]** Sam rounds the corner after Karen's rounds ring out.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#99ccff]** Lydia McDowell is then yanked back![/COLOR][/I]
[B][COLOR=#ff0000]Sam: [YELL] FUCK.[/COLOR][/B]
[I][COLOR=#4da6ff]** Kipping stares back. **[/COLOR][/I]