[Been thinking on the time, mainly in how I do turns and how it progresses. Going to start doing mini-turns for conversations/combat/very small actions(such as walking five minutes to a place), so turns will be more meaningful, and we won't have weird instances, such as fights going from dawn to dusk. ...Although the idea is neat, not really proper here.]
Now that Samuel was sure the thing was dead, he gave Randall his belated answer. "Well given that it tried to kill us again, I'd say Harvey was mistaken about being dead. It's dead for sure now though. You guys pick up any medical supplies?"
"S-So the shot wasn't wasted, at least. Try to hurry up, we won't wait for you all day. M-Maybe there are some doctors at the shelter that can help with your w-wounds."
After that the line went silent for a bit before filling with talk of suited glowing men. First monsters, now glowing people? What next?
With the business of informing Randall out of the way, Samuel went to weigh in on Harvey's locked-door dilemma. "Maybe the recorder will have info on how to unlock the door."
Harvey could only agree, having come to the same conclusion. "My thoughts exactly."
Samuel peaked out of the door as Harvey retrieved the recorder, trying to get a good scope as to what's been going on. It seems like everything's quiet, nobody in sight and nothing in sight.
Harvey took a safe position in the store, facing the door leading out. He lowered the volume and raised it close to his face as he activated the recorder. The circle in the middle of the device lit up and a small projection of Claudius' face showed itself from the recorder.
"My name is Sir Claudius Servile The Fourteenth, owner and proprietor of The Most Dangerous Predator, my store. If you are hearing this, than I'm afraid I'm quite terribly dead. Oh don't fret, I've seen this coming for ages, one man can only dodge death with daring dos and grand adventure for so long after all! I care not for what did me in, chances are it was some dangerous beastie or the ravages of a collapsed society; I'm sure my death was a glorious spectacle to see. But I'm afraid my business is not done in death, so I must ask you, dearest finder, to do two tasks for a departed gentleman."
"The first, is that you ring my name out not with your words, but your actions! With every shot you put down in your prey, remember that you are the greatest predator around! Rifle in hand, a bounce in your jaunt, nothing can truly get a huntsman down. Remember to honor the name of Claudius, and Most Dangerous Predator's guns, by hunting down to your pleasure that which catches your eye! To aid in your endeavor, find my store in the mercantile sector on 645th street, you'll see it from the sign."
"In there, I have a stash that I wish to impart to you. It will have a keypad locking it, and I will tell you the pass into it in a moment, for you see this leads into my next task. Dearest finder, at the end of this message I have something I wish to say to someone. My daughter has recently migrated to this ship, and I know she survived. After all, she's of my blood. The password to open the vault in my store is simply her name, Adeline. Now, dearest finder, I must ask you to please turn off the recorder, for the next part I wish for only her ears."
"Woah shiiiiiit man that some freakyass mofo right dere." Frogdo jumped back from the approaching man and quickly flashed the gang signs of the major gangs, some of the minor ones, even a few he made up on the spot.
Freddie could only agree with that assessment, informing the others over the comms, and giving his demands to the glowing man. "Explain why you're glowing, sir, or mostly inaudible, and then we can speak! Are you an ad?"
The man in the suit stopped a few feet from the two, still clutching that briefcase, acting like he was out of breathe when it was clear to the two that he was not. Briefcase looked at Frogdo warily as he saw his startling repertoire of hoodlum hand signs.
"That is correct, user, I'm a hoload--but-wait-don't-ignore-me-yet! I need help! Please, hear me out! A trio of users have broken into my store despite my protests that it was closed and ignored me! Worse, they're looting my store and blocking the windows! I tried calling the enforcers but they didn't pick up, and I don't know what to do! I'm worried that they'll wake up my coworker at this rate, he isn't well and I fear what might happen!"
Briefcase seems desperate as his hurried plea tumbled out, looking at the two expectantly.
Randall responded to Samuel's call over the comms. Seems that the bullet wasn't wasted, although as to if that's a good thing is questionable. From the sounds of them needing medicine, probably not.
Figuring that doing something was better than nothing, Randall tried to persuade Wilmer to go hit one of the nearby joints for loot.
"As you already said, this d-door makes a d-damned lot of noise, s-so it can only be opened o-once in a w-while. While we wait, we can try to see what's left from that restaurant nearby, m-maybe there is s-some food there."
"Better than staring at a wall."
The two cross the street and enter into the mom-and-pop restaurant Samuel pointed out earlier. The inside was dusty and dim, the lights having been busted, and most of the tables have been smashed or toppled.
Randall was locked in a discussion with Freddie about glowing men while the two searched the restaurant, which didn't take long considering its small size. There was nothing of note in the serving area, but the real meat was in the kitchen. It seems that while it was searched, not very thoroughly.
There was a few frying pans, pots, butcher knives, cutlery, plates and bowls, even a chefs uniform and hat, surprisingly. Any food that was left out was spoiled, rotten, or worse, but in the back of the kitchen was a large metal door, that must be where they keep the food. Hopefully it kept cold though.
Wilmer broke the silence first though. "Wait! Look at the handle." He pointed at the metal hinge of the door. An end of a bare wire wrapped around the bottom of it and snaked down from the door, hidden from sight by the very slight crack between the frame and the door itself.
"Shit woulda probably electrocuted us or something if we tried to open it! If it still works, but I'm not going to be the one to find out."
Marion collects all of her finds and stows it away the best she can; she's getting quite the collection of useful gear at this rate. Her HUD indicated that it was nearing night soon though, best not hang around. She calls out on her Comm to the others, trying to get a sitrep. Freddie advised her to head back to the bunker and something about a glowing man which is now dominating the Comm discussion.
Marion figures its worth a shot and opens a line to the bunker. "This is Inspector Marion Dupont, do you copy? Can I get a sitrep on what's happening in the shelter? Are thing copacetic for us to all to return before lights out?"
"Reading you, C.U. three. Bunker status is nominal and has changed little, food supplies are still dwindling critically, unrest maintained. Hold a moment while I confer."
The monotonous voice concluded, as a slight tap was heard, then music started to play. It was the kind of music they play in elevators to keep people's minds off of the wait, which is to say quite boring to listen to.
The music stopped as quickly as it started, and it was replaced by the disinterested female voice again. "Command says you're clear to stay, but warns that results are necessary for continuation. Information, supplies, or any other possible aid rendered to the bunker is defined as results. Supplies are thin and everyone must pull their weight. Results for day one have been satisfactory."
While Marion was talking, she found herself back at the condo. It was quiet, the painted warning on the front still attempting to deter any visitors.