[IC] Chapter 1: The City has Fallen

"I very much agree," Konstantos agrees. "Should we ... where ... does your family - I mean ... " his demeanor demonstrates panic setting in.

Maeve finds that following any rational train of thought is hard. She feels her thoughts racing while at the same time she feels stuck and every new idea feels incomplete, not fully formed or thought through. What is happening? Usually she is able to stay composed, even if everything around her falls apart. Standing here right now, however, surrounded by desperation and debris, Maeve feels ... overwhelmed.

She looks left and right, looks at the little crew of survivors. Safety first - proper strategy later.
Maeve walks towards Dan, puts his arm around her shoulder and supports him in a way that will prevent further strain on his injured leg. Being tall is definitely an advantage. "Let's scram. The military camp will be a natural target, I think. They might have a place for the survivors, but there will be fighting and who knows if we can leave again... Best head for the hills and find shelter there, or the burbs. Maybe we can find an old school radio and see what's what." To Dan she says: "Where are your folks? We could hide and rest up a bit on the way. Let's get going while we still can."

"My family....." Dan drifts off for a moment, a spacy look in his eyes. "Just over the rise there."

He waves in the general direction of there, which of course no one can see due to the particles of debris and dust hanging like clouds across the landscape.

"Hills yes. That makes sense. Thanks."

Dan hitches an arm around Maeve's waist and limps along. The pain is better but he is still feverish and in need of better care.

Konstantos walks with Katerina - he hopes she's coming!, following Maeve. "Hills sound good," he says. His voice shakes.

Abruptly, he darts back to grab his hammer - he sees it lying on the ground, over there.

"Could be some kind of resistance maybe. Let's wait and see what they do. Might help us figure out who they are or at least what side they are on. The drone could prove useful if they happen to be on our side. Everyone agreed?"

Dan sits down slowly and stiffly, grunting at the pain in his leg.

As long as neither of you decide to throw things at them, I am sure we will be fine. But let’s be careful.

I found some food. We should eat and rest a little. I have some water to share as well.

Maeve wraps her arms around herself more tightly and snuggles into the fabric of her jacket's collar some more. She sits on the floor, back against the wall. She feels spent. Their situttion feels hopeless at this moment. Everything important is gone. And now some makeshift combatants come to raid what's left - which doesn't seem to be a lot.

Maeve nods in Dan and Kat's direction, then listens to the commotion outside. What language are they speaking? Is there anything she can make out?

Dan smirks at Katerina's comment. "It was a reaction in the moment. What can I say? So guys? We should tend to ourselves first I think. Otherwise, we will be useless out there. We have some sort of shelter. Like Katerina said, lets eat, rest and make a solid plan."

Having an analytical and ordered mind, Dan would have liked a fully fleshed-out plan before they made a move. But in his current state and with the immediate landscape being a horror show, that would be hard to do, and all this had the added effect of making him even more anxious than he already was.

Konstantos realizes that he has no food or water to refresh himself. Neither does he have his stash of weed. As these realizations rise in his mind, his hands begin to tremble and a twitch starts under his right eye. "Guys ..." he says wearily, "this sucks." He has nothing more to contribute.He looks around, hoping he can at least find a sip of water from someone in this rubble.

"Hey," Konstantos says hesitantly, running his hand over his shaggy hair, "anyone got a bottle of water or something?"