(M) The Treasure of the Lost Mountains IC (bluemoon x Siks apocy RP) (M)

[bluemoon]

Ezra awoke in stages, her senses slowly becoming aware of her surroundings as she regained consciousness. She felt the soft, yet damp, cotton sheets beneath her and a coolness from above as a cloth was applied to her sensitive skin. There were sounds of activity and when she opened her eyes to the dimly lit room she saw Samantha tending to her. Her last memory was of her and Gabe fighting...and that had been in his room. This was hers...

She tried to sit up and was gently pushed back down into the pillows. Despite the soft touch, Ez inhaled sharply, pain radiating out from her chest. She felt like she had gone a few rounds with a Crawler and lost, ten times over. She caught Sammy's hand in her own and squeezed, feeling a great relief just by seeing her. She offered her a smile, although it came out more as a grimace.

"I'm okay...I just...I need to sit up," she rasped.

Sammy never thought she'd be tending to Ez after losing a fight with anyone. The woman seemed as tough as Mr. Lawless half the time, but here she was sanitizing the wounds and fishing around inside her med bag for anything to help with the pain, but all she had were a few Tylenol. They'd keep the edge off, but the woman would be sore for a few days.

As Ez awoke and tried to sit up Sammy shushed her gently adjusting the pillows some so she could be a little up. "No mom, you need to stay in bed for a little bit longer. Mr. Lawless and Mr. Deck said it's best if we just stay put for now." She felt her heart flutter some at being able to openly call Ez mom, but she knew the woman wouldn't be to happy about her spilling their secret so soon, but in the heat of the moment as she entered Gabe's room it just slipped out.

Jackal and Deck soon appeared by Ez's bed, Jackal sitting on it, kissing Ez's head smiling lightly.
"Welcome back, "mom." He chuckled shaking his head, Deck's own deep laugh joining his.

Ez stared at Sam, her eyes narrowing when she called her mom, but as Jackal and Deck joined them and started in with a "mom" joke, she looked away, frustrated. She was happy to see them...and they looked relatively well, although scraped up a bit and exhausted...but her anger flared at their joviality. Obviously something had occurred while she was out...and she didn't like being in the dark about it...but she refused to acknowledge their jest.

Sam looked down, red coloring her face at seeing Ez's reaction, at least she didn't hit her or anything. At least not yet, the girl smartly slipped away from the bed going to throw the bloody bandages away. "Sorry, it just kind of slipped out."

Ez softened a bit at the teen's apology, but her concern was elsewhere. She looked at Deck without humor. "Where's Gabe? ..and why are we still here?"

Deck kept an amused smirk and jerked his thumb back to Gabe's room.
"Physically he's back in his room with his head and hand missing, but spiritually he's...what'd you say about that Jackal."

Like Deck the lawman kept an amused smile on his face as he answered.
"He's spending the rest of eternity as the Devil's personal sex toy." His smile fell as he moved closer to Ez hugging her gently. "So glad you're ok Ez, and don't be too mad at Sammy. She called you mom after we burst into your room and she saw you on the floor. Then she shot Gabe in the kneecaps like any good daughter would for her mother. As for why we're still here, it's still the middle of the night and the Cannibals are still hunting for us. Deck and I decided it would be best to wait it out til morning. Then shoot our way out of town."

Ez shook her head, then nodded. Confused. She just wasn't thinking properly yet and they were throwing so much information at her that her head was spinning. "Okay...we'll wait then," she agreed, then shook her head again. "Why are you all smiling...Gabe's death...Sammy...Jon...there's nothing funny about it." She looked at Jackal now, her eyes meeting his as they had so often in the past. "He told me you were in hell..." She stopped then, feeling herself choking up, but refusing to give in to the emotion. She tried to push herself up again, groaning with the effort. "I need to be out of this bed..." ...and she struggled against the hands that tried to stop her. "...I'm going to be sick."

Sammy quickly brought a bucket and Jackal helped Ez up and partially out of bed placing the bucket in her lap. Sammy quickly tied Ez's hair back and they let her go. Jackal patted her back softly. "The Devil would never let me in Hell, he'd be too afraid of me taking over and purging it. As for our smiles, it's the news about you not only being a mom, but Samantha's mom. It's....surprising."

"It..." ..and then she was gagging into the bucket. She had not eaten recently and there was nothing but acidic bile to bring up, the yellow fluid burning her throat. She hung her head down, feeling weak, her stomach churning. When she finally felt settled, she wiped her mouth and leaned back into the bed frame, setting the bucket aside. She was starting to feel more herself, her emotions in check and her thoughts in order. She even managed a weak smile.

"It shouldn't be surprising.." she stated, starting again following the embarrassing episode. "...just consider my past...experiences...there actually should be more."

Deck chuckled shaking his head.
"As obsessively as you've used contraceptives in the past Ez, it's still surprising to me." He patted Sammy on the back and motioned to the door. He felt the two lovebirds could use a moment alone.
"Come on Sammy, let's go see if we can find your momma some food in this place that isn't human meat or drugged." Sammy had come to the same conclusion as Deck about Ez and Jackal and grabbed her gun and coat and followed the cook out. He and Jackal had barricaded the entire Lodge while she tended to Ezra. So they won't find any surprise people eaters lurking the halls.

Once they were gone Jackal handed Ez some water and his handkerchief to wipe her mouth off with.
"You ok now Ezzy?" He asked rubbing her back slowly.

She drank the water slowly, mulling over his question, then nodded. "Yeah...stomach's better...but, damn, I hurt all over. I don't know how you managed all those wounds...I never want to be shot again." She laughed lightly, grimacing with the pain it brought. Her hand went to her chest and she gently probed the tender flesh there. "He said you taught him about this pressure point...hitting me was his way of striking back at you. All this..." she indicated herself and him with a wave of her hand, "..this was his doing...because of some dream to overthrow me and take over the group. Why would he do that? What ever did I do to him that would make him so vengeful?" She sighed then, leaning into Jackal, her head tilting to rest against his chest. "So many mistakes...and no one to blame but myself. I don't deserve to be a mother, I don't even have my own shit figured out."

Jackal sighed wrapping his arms around the woman's narrow shoulders, pulling her close, and kissed her head fondly. "I don't think it's your fault. My presence probably drove him to it. Men like Gabe are very possessive. Be it pride or a woman. I threatened his kingship basically. You just became the best way for him to try and get at me. Old Black Jack technique, if I didn't hire you he most likely would've just keep being your underboss."

Jackal lifted his hand and helped Ez soothe the pain by rubbing another nerve point at the top of her breasts. "I'm sorry for all this Ezzy, but don't beat yourself up over this please. Shit happens, I promised to protect you and Sammy and I've failed you both many times since then. We're humans, and despite all our best efforts failure will always dog us." He chuckled lifting her chin and kissed her lips softly. "As for not deserving to be a mother. You just became one again. You're still learning, but Sammy loves you and you've already proven yourself by protecting and teaching her as you have." He hugged her tight.

Ez returned the hug as best as she could, exhaling sharply, but keeping herself in the embrace and snuggling in closer. She breathed in deeply...his nearness and scent always bringing comfort. She kissed his neck, murmuring under her breath and exhaling warmly against his skin, wanting nothing more than to stay like this all night. But there were things yet unresolved between them and reluctantly she pulled back just enough to meet his gaze and frowned. "I should have told you...I wanted to...but I was afraid...I thought it would push you away. ...and I didn't want to take the risk, not with Sam so fond of you..." She sighed and closed her eyes, knowing her jealousy of Sam was founded in fear...fear of infidelity on Jackal's part which she had no right to question...at least not any more.

Jackal smiled softly at the woman stroking her cheek slowly his eyes looking tenderly into hers. "I understand your worry Ezzy. We've only really known each other a couple of weeks and Sammy said you only learned she was your daughter in the Salt Flyer camp. And on top of all the shit we've been through since that night in Carousel..it's a lot to take in. Even I'm having trouble with it all, but you need not worry about pushing me away. In fact now that the truth is out there it'll make things easier on all three of us. I knew Sammy had a crush on me from when she joined us in Outpost 4. But she's a little young for me and after the life she's had she should look for a man not married to his gun or revenge like me. Maybe a scavver like her mom." He chuckled lightly at the bad joke, but he wanted Ez to know everything was ok. He thought about telling her his whole plan, but he didn't want to ruin the moment.

Ezra shook her head in amusement. "Her father was twenty-five years older than me...I doubt she is too young for you...but I won't argue." She laughed. It felt good to be able to make light of things considering the past few hours. "I'll let her decide about scavving. I didn't have a choice, but she does, and it's not an easy life. Especially this deep into the bad lands. I've never run into this much trouble...and part of it is Gabe's fault, but the other is the land. It's poisoned and so are the people. I rarely come in this far...and I'll rethink it in the future. Once I get back to Carousel, I am going to take a long hiatus from scavving... Maybe spend a few days in a drunken stupor..." Although she hadn't spoken of it since the beginning, she still had doubts about the treasure Jackal intended on claiming. She expected to return to her old life once the search was abandoned. Beyond that, she really hadn't given her future much thought, but she wasn't sure how Jackal would fit into it...if at all.

Jackal chuckled shaking his head. "Well I guess that'll help explain her attraction to me, but still too young. " He nodded slowly at her plans for after this trip, sounded like she still doubted him. Which was fine, it took him a bit to come to grasp the idea. But visiting that Hermit in the wastes set his mind at ease and put him on the final path towards finding the Treasure of the Lost Mountains. He hugged her again resting his chin on her head. "Well, I haven't thought much about what will happen after the Treasure, it's easier to just have a goal and take things a day at a time. Just don't get too drunk cause I'm sure you'll still have a teenage daughter to look after when you two get back."

Ez tucked herself in tighter to Jackal's chest. If she wasn't careful, she was going to get to like these hugs a bit too much. She closed her eyes and ran her right arm around his waist. "Mmm..I'm sure I'll be a lovely role model," she murmured as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

[SikstaSlathalin]

As Sammy and Deck left to find food. The eeriness of the empty building set them both edge even knowing they were safe and secure from trouble. The human mind likes playing tricks like that, still they kept their weapons drawn and moved slowly through the building. So many questions and worries were running through Sammy's mind. Would her mom be ok? What would she do about her feelings for Jackal? Would they even make it through the night to get out of this damned town?

She thought about talking with Deck about it. But she was sure he didn't want to make too much noise just in case the Cannibals were still out looking for them. So the teenager gripped her pistol tighter trying to keep her mind focused on placing one foot in front of the other and keeping her eyes roving over the darkened interior of the Lodge.

As the pair reached the tavern room. Deck crouched down at the bottom of the steps and placed a steadying hand on Samy's shoulder bringing a single finger to his lips and saying shhh like a hissing breath. There was sounds of muffled footsteps coming from the kitchen, could the cannibals have found their way in? Were some of the non-fleshing eating villagers hiding out? The two adventurers had no idea, but with even the hint of danger about to drop on them Deck readied his shotgun.

Sammy leaned in and whispered.
"Should I go get mom and Jackal?"

Deck thought on it then nodded but signaled her to go slowly. The girl nodded and scooted back up the step moving as quickly and quietly as she could back to the hotel room. The Big Game Hunter took a quiet breath as the footsteps drew closer.

[bluemoon]

Jenny checked the tavern's front door again, insuring it was locked securely. She had seen the two men, one of which she had served earlier, locking up the place and still she couldn't shake the feeling that she was in danger. She regretted ever coming to this god-awful town and if not for her uncle offering to help her out by giving her this job at his establishment, she would have left weeks ago. She drew in a deep breath, and circled back towards the stairs, trying to keep her footfalls silent so as not to be heard. She had already spoken briefly with the men in the kitchen, hoping to gain their trust and possibly a escorted ride out of this place, but they had directed her to a woman named Ezra Bastian--supposedly the brains behind the operation. If she was the one brought in by that one kid, a gun pressed to her side, then she wasn't holding her breath for any miracles.

..................

Kenneth and Wiley stood with their hands busily occupied upon the wooden carving table that took up a good portion of the kitchen work space that they and four others found themselves holed up in for the past hour or so. Despite the incoming trouble, they were hungry as sin and Jen had given them the fixings for some sandwiches--meatless of course. Tony kept staring out a crack in the window, presumably on watch duty, and Mikey was sleeping against the door--also on watch, at least his version of it, his eyes periodically opening to feign awareness. The other two were pacing...waiting for morning so they could get the hell out of this cannibal buffet town. The four boys didn't know them too well, they weren't part of the "gang", but they were a part of Miss Bastian's group, so they were welcome to throw their guns in on this momentous occasion of horror. The group of four youngsters had been waiting for word from Jonny, who had probably been getting his rocks off for all they knew, to give them word on leaving with Gabe. The proverbial shit had hit the fan shortly afterwards, and now here they stood, waiting for whatever came next. Kenny paused as he was putting the last sandwich together. "Hey, you guys hear that? I think I heard someone.." he whispered.

Deck calmed his breath, the footsteps were close now. They sounded light, maybe it was a woman that had been hiding out. Or it could be one of those skeletal freaks sniffing around for dinner. He didn't want to run the risk nor did he want to hurt them if they were just hiding out like he and his little band were. As he saw a stealthy shadow pass he quickly grabbed the figure and yanked them back onto the steps being sure to press the cool double-barrel of his shotgun to their back. His hand came around and he felt wide hips and tits so it was a woman, but he still didn't know their intent.

Leaning in close he growled into their ear.
"Who are you? And what are you doin' here?"

Jenny let out a surprised squeak, but refrained from struggling against the man who grabbed her--the shotgun being a good incentive to behave. "Je..Jenny...I work here," she managed. "..but I'm not one of them," she added, afraid her first comment might get her killed without further explanation. "I can help...please...don't hurt me." Her body was tensed for flight, but she forced herself to relax some, the burly man behind her obviously much more than her equal in strength. "I don't have a weapon..."

Deck hmmed gently then let the girl go, but pulled her down to his level still whispering.
"Ok are you alone or has anyone else found their way into the Lodge? "

"I...um...I let six others in with me," Jen admitted fearfully. "They were part of your group...and they had guns pointed at me." She didn't offer an apology. She would have let anyone in that had threatened her with a gun--she just wasn't a brave person when facing her own demise. "They're in the kitchen." She pointed behind her to a door that was propped open with a chair. Inside the indicated room, whispers could be heard, the voices getting louder as an argument was starting. A young man of barely eighteen years with a dark crew-cut appeared in the door's frame, his rifle held at the ready.

"Jen," for a moment his shadow disappeared into the interior, "...damn it Kenny, let me be...Jen...you okay?" he whispered, returning, his attention immediately drawn to the form of Deck and the waitress by the stairway. He let out a grunt and lowered his gun. "Damn Deck...it's good to see your ugly mug." A grin spread across his features as he started to approach the two, a gunshot in the distance stopping his stride. Ducking down he turned his weapon towards the main entrance as the door began to shake in its frame.

"Little piggies?" a disembodied voice called out, "...you in there? Cause I'm a coming in." With that the door rattled again, followed by fists pounding against it.

The interior of the Lodge was dead silent even with all thoughts of stealth gone. Shortly there after came the sounds of Jackal, Ezra, and Sammy running down the steps to join the rest of the group. Jackal quickly assessed the situation and motioned for all the boys in the kitchen to come out. They reluctantly did and the sounds of moving feet was enough to make the man at the door howl like a wild beast and soon many more pounding hands and shouting voices joined his. Soon they would be able break through the boards and furniture blocking the front door and windows.

Jackal took control.
"Ok everyone ready your guns. Shit's about to go south quick."

Jenny immediately moved back behind the bar, returning with a shotgun cradled in her arms and additional cartridges in her palm. She turned a table on its side and positioned herself behind it, along with Kenny who had taken a shine to her. The men from the kitchen took up their positions as well, all guns trained on the door as the sound of wood cracking reached their ears.

Ezra was the last one down the stairs and she assessed the situation, glad that Jackal had taken the forefront. She had grabbed a rifle and handgun from the room, the former something she wasn't sure she could handle one-handed, but she wasn't going to wait this one out. She used the surface of a table to help support the rifle and took aim at the door, pausing only for a second before firing a shot at chest level. The bullet pierced the door easily and was followed by several others. With a final boom, the door crashed inwards, two bloodied bodies falling inward before being crushed by advancing feet. Gaunt, spindly figures were framed in the opening and with a blood curdling scream, the cult members rushed the room.

As the cultists rushed in Jackal gave a single order. "FIRE AT WILL!" And so the thunder of gunfire and the pained screams of the cultists filled their ears and the room hung heavy with the stench of gunsmoke. No one knew how long the few shooters held back the small horde, but they had been forced into the kitchen which had a better choke point and the freaks had to take turns coming through. In the retreat they lost three of the boys who had tried to rape Sammy, but it was unsure if she had killed one of them herself. In the end it didn't matter, only Kenny was left of the gang, and the last of the Cultists were dead in piles around the kitchen and tavern. Jackal called a cease fire...though at this point he was sure everyone was out of ammo.

"And thus justice is served, anyone injured?"

There was a few complaints of bruises and cuts, but all and all everyone was okay. The cultists hadn't had the wherewithal to bring guns and only a couple of them had knives. But most were armed with only their hands and teeth. Jackal quickly moved to Ez's side checking her over. "How about you Ez?"

Ez looked at Jackal fondly, her fingers brushing his hand. She then stood up on her tiptoes, brushing her lips against his quickly. "I'm good...better." In reality, she thought she could sleep for a week, but with their group numbers so low and danger in the town still a reality, she thought it was best that they got out now. She looked at the surviving members of her team and smiled thinly. "We should go...while we can. Everyone needs to get their things together and meet back here." She looked at the woman standing next to Kenny. She was older than Sam, yet younger than her, with red hair threaded into a tight braid. She had fought by their side and her stance was one of confidence. "You are welcome to join us, if you like. Seems we have a few vacancies."

[SikstaSlathalin]

With the gunfire done and the bodies gathered up, tossed outside, and dragged to the barbecue pit behind the town to be burned the expedition crew and the town of Liberty itself fell peacefully asleep for the first time in a long time. For six hours the town of Liberty was a ghost town, and the only sounds to be heard were vultures, Gulags, and Cloudhawks fighting over which parts of the cultists they want first.

No one even stirred until past noon, and only then very reluctantly. The normal townsfolk had been under the thumb of the cult for years and many of them couldn't beleive they were all gone. And it wasn't until they heard the Expedition Group gathering what gear and supplies they could and heading for their caravan which had miraculously been untouched by the insane cultists. The group just assumed they preferred long pork to horse, chabbit, or grox. That suited the group fine, but all the noise and such had still scared most of the animals quite a bit. Some even broke through the corral and had to be hunted down. By one'o'clock though the group was geared up and ready to leave.

Ez was taking her turn in the hospital wagon when ten townspeople, six men and four women approached carrying weapons and traveling kits. Many of them looked pale and skinny, but their hands weren't shaking and they all had clear determined looks in their eyes, and Jen was at their head dressed in a denim skirt, leggings, boots, and a white shirt, a long grey overcoat draped over her arm. She had the shotgun from the Lodge and an actual wood-cutting axe tucked into her large rucksack.

She looked at Jackal bowing lightly.
"Mr. Lawless, Ms. Bastian said last night you need some more bodies. So I brought some friends with me, like me they were prisoners of the cannibals who ran this town. And now that we're free we want to get as far the fuck away from this place as possible. We all know the area, and we can shoot...straight enough." She pointed to the three other women who were dressed in varying degrees like cowgirls. "With me there's, Ashliee, Jessica, and Maggie we can cook and know some foraging tricks." The women stepped forward and nodded to the lawman. "And to give you some extra animal wrangling and hunting help I brought Diego, Matches, Greggie, Austin, Ziggy, and Hollister." The six men joined the women in nodding to Jackal they all looked like farmhands with long coats. But their weapons were in good condition. Jackal chuckled once again that people assumed he was in charge. Hopping down from Vash's saddle he walked up and studied each person more closely. They weren't flesh eaters, but they weren't overly healthy either. A few of them looked like a strong wind would knock them over, but a few weeks of Deck's food will fatten them up and should they not run into anymore trouble that should be enough time for them to get on he same level as the remaining group which after last night is only six people.

He nodded slowly.
"Well, this is actually Ez's group and she needs to decide who joins. Let me go rouse her." He tipped his hat to the ten new people and walked to the hospital wagon knocking gently. "Hey Ez, gotta put your clothes back on we have ten new recruits that need your sign off to join."

[bluemoon]

Ezra grumbled under her breath at Jackal's intrusion, having just gotten comfortable after much difficulty. "Yeah," she responded with irritation, "..coming...and I am dressed...kind of..." She rolled to her side then sat up, surprised how much worse she felt after the short rest had allowed everything to tighten up again. "Fuck." Despite the curse, she pulled on her pants and boots, deciding tying the laces was too much trouble. Running her fingers through her hair was the last step at making herself presentable, then she climbed over the back and faced the new group.

Jen came over to her and started the introductions all over again, and Ez looked over each one as she spoke. Like Jackal she thought they all looked thin, but competent enough. She nodded after the woman was done, chewing on her lower lip as she considered her options...which were none.

"Alright...I guess you are all in...at least for now. Normally I would meet with each of you and have you answer some questions...get to know you, so to speak. But we have neither the time, nor I the energy for that. Over the course of the next few days, expect that to happen and if need be, other arrangements will be made." She looked over to Deck, signaling him over. "For the next few days, you will answer to Deck. He will hand out your work assignments and you will do whatever he asks without question. Jackal and Samantha will also help you learn the ropes...so if you have any problems, they're the ones to ask." She paused for a moment, looking at the ratio of male to female. "..and one more thing...I usually don't have this many women in my group, for obvious reasons. There will be no forced encounters of any kind...and all consensual sex will be done on down time."

She turned away and walked back to the wagon, calling Deck to her one more time. "Help me up?" she asked and took his hand when he offered it. "Keep an eye on them for me. I'm not expecting any trouble, but you never know. You're in charge now...I trust your judgment."

Deck offered a laugh. "In other words, don't let anyone disturb you again?"

She smiled lightly. "Exactly." Once inside, she stripped down again and laid back, maneuvering herself around until she found a position that didn't hurt. One day...two at the most...she thought to herself...then she would be up and around again. But it would be three days before she left the confines of the wagon, a fever claiming her strength for two of those. On the third day she managed to finally eat something and made an appearance, but only briefly. On day four, she was back on her horse riding with the new crew, which seemed to be working out well, if what Deck told her was accurate. She fought to stay upright in her saddle, but she refused to lay down in the wagon also. And the next few days passed without incident for a change.

...........

One week after the encounter with the cannibals, the group reached what could only be thought of as the true desert. Water was scarce and dried brambles made up the main part of the landscape. What few trees grew here were stunted and leaned in the direction of the prevailing hot winds. In the distance the mountains were little more than a shadow, but their rocky terrain was evident even here. Scattered outcroppings offered what little shade there was to have, and those who had any sense covered their heads or risked severe sunburn. Ezra wore her leather hat with the tattoos, plus an added accessory--a knotted rope band.

It was early the following morning that she was awoken by Jenny as she was returning from her watch. In the distance a rolling cloud of sand appeared to be moving in their direction. "Sandstorm!" Jen shouted, pointing to the east. It was a common enough occurrence and the group packed up quickly, heading towards the rocky areas, hoping to find shelter of any kind. Ez knew there were rumors of old military installations out here, but she had never encountered one before and she wasn't really thinking about them until she heard a shout from Deck who was leading the race for cover. He was already at the metal door when she dismounted, a look of concern on his rugged face.

"It's locked," he said to her plainly, muscling his shoulder into it. "..and solid as fuck."

[SikstaSlathalin]

Jackal had kept close to Ez since they left Liberty. Sammy was playing nurse again and being around to help made the tall man feel less useless. He divided his time between keeping Ez comfortable and helping the newcomers adapt to trail life. Luckily they all knew how to shoot a gun and he learned some more of their own skills. And would be sure to keep them in mind should they need them.

He was studying his map making changes and marks as this was mostly uncharted territory now. When the call came of a sandstorm the man looked up quickly rolling up and stashing his map. He was riding at the head of the group and felt the first stingy needles of sand go after his eyes. Ducking his head down he jumped from Vash and moved towards the door to the military bunker. It was indeed a well made door, but it was also too small for their mounts to get through. bases like this usually had bay doors to let big machines and such get in. And they were sometimes easier to get into.

He saw the sandstorm getting closer and swore under his breath pulling his hat lower over his eyes. "Unless someone is a good lock picker or we find a key no one is gonna get in this way! Everyone spread out and find what looks like a big hill with a flat front, that'll be an entrance to the motorpool! The doors aren't usually as tough!" He took off to the right.

While the others took off to find the larger entrance, Ez knelt down in front of this one and studied the lock. Most of the old locks were of a multiple tumbler variety and required multiple picks. This door had two locks and with the storm almost upon them, she did not have enough time to open both, but the upper lock would be the most secure and she decided to give it a try. Tucking her head down against the sand and squinting she went to her mount and got the necessary tools, pulling the horse along to get him more out of the wind. In no time she had the first tumbler in the dead bolt pushed back and went to work on the second. It was getting harder to see and she felt the sand tearing against her skin. Behind her, Clove whinnied, stamping his hooves against the ground in agitation. "Almost there..." she said, gritting her teeth then spitting sand from her mouth. When the third tumbler was pushed in, she grasped the three picks and turned them, hearing the bolt disengage. Now all that it would need was a hard kick to break through the bottom lock...something she couldn't provide.

Grabbing Clove's reins, she moved in what she hoped was the direction of the others, looking for Deck or Jackal. The sand whirled around her, blinding her, so she used her hand to guide her along the rocks, finally pulling a blanket from her pack and draping it over their heads to help with the grit.

The storm was upon them, but if they moved quick they could get in and as luck would have it Sammy was the one who found the big sliding door. She had gone to the left and was able to fire off a few rounds of her pistol to bring everyone to her. Before it was completely blinding them everyone was in the base and the door was slammed down and locked, but as Deck counted heads. Ez, Jackal and Clove were unaccounted for. And the storm was right on top of them so they couldn't even go look.

The stout man sighed and hoped Jackal's luck would protect them all.
"Ok everyone! Set up camp, but not fires until we know we're alone. Sammy, Jen, Diego, and Ziggy come with me. We need to clear this base and might as well do it since the storm is keeping us here. Ken you're in charge, make sure everyone stays in this bay until we get back or Ez and Jackal show up got it?"

Ken nodded and the chosen group followed Deck deeper into the base. Sammy kept close to Deck, no one knew what they'd run into in this bunker.

**outside**

With only Jackal and Ez going right it wasn't long before Jackal bumped into the woman trying to find his way back to the others. But just before he could say anything the ground under them collapsed and all three fell into a deep hole. Jackal grabbed onto Ez, but soon they all landed in a natural cave spring of some kind. Clove was panicked but alive like the other two.

With a gasp, Ez thrashed in the cold water, her fall barely injuring her due to a soft landing surface--namely Jackal. Beneath her, the gunman was fully submerged and she pushed against him to rise to her feet, extending a hand once she was standing. She looked around the open space, the light from above the only illumination, then turned her attention to him. "You okay?" she asked, trying to hide a smile. Then she stifled a laugh, foolish as it was, the sight of the clothed vigilante dripping wet was amusing.

Jackal ooofed and wound up swallowing a lot of water as Ez landed on him. He was glad it broke her fall and even more glad it was her who landed on him rather than her horse, but still that was an experience he really didn't want to repeat again. He grabbed her hand and pulled himself out while pulling her back into the water. "I'm fine best go save your horse though." He coughed and shivered, he then quickly emptied his pockets and laid them out on the cave floor, thankfully the map was made of animal skin and the pencil marks and such were only slightly smudged--he could save it. The rest of his pocket contents weren't so lucky, his last few pinches of tobacco were ruined, his spotting glass was cracked, and his pipe had chipped. His guns were tough, but they could rust if they didn't get dried soon, as luck would have it though his mother's bible was safe and he found it a few feet away. He didn't even remember yanking it off his belt and throwing it to dry land. But he was glad he did. He picked the precious book up and kissed the dry cover before placing it down with the rest of his soaking wet effects.

Ez coughed up water as she came back to the surface, splashing Jackal "unintentionally" at the same time. His belongings were lined up to dry and she thought to do the same, sparing a quick glance at Clove before doing so. Her mount had recovered on his own, his head now bowed to the stream as he drank his fill. Without giving it much thought, she threw her pocket and belt contents onto the rocks, then removed her jacket and boots.

"That was just mean," she said jokingly, moving closer to him. "I was just trying to help you up." Her humor had returned, a smile playing along her lips as she got behind him and slipped her hands under his shirt, wrapping them around his waist, then slipping them into his pant's pockets. "Did you get everything out?" she teased. "I'd hope so...cause you're going down big man!" She pushed him then from behind, using her body as leverage. She knew he could resist her easily, but hopefully she had surprise on her side. She knew they were alone...mainly by her horse's calm demeanor...but also by the dead feeling inside the dark chamber. ...and she had every intention of taking advantage of the rare alone time.

Jackal was indeed taken by surprise, but he managed to twist a little and grab Ez by her arm and bring her with him as he fell to his back. He quickly wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her on top of him laughing. He held her in a tight bear hug smiling. "Well if I'm going down you're coming with me!"

She struggled against him in a playful manner, biting his chest and finally managing to get her arms up and around his shoulders. She began kissing his neck, working her way up until she was at his mouth. She bit his lip, her tongue seeking his aggressively, kissing him deeply before she pulled away, panting, and looked at him in the dim light. She then laughed lightly.

"It's been too long..." she said breathlessly. "I've missed you." She then kissed him again, slower, but with just as much passion, her body now moving against his.

Jackal moved his hands down to firmly grip Ez's rear squeezing it firmly and bit her lower lip growling gently. "I've missed you too Ezzy." He began moving with her, he quickly rolled them over and began pulling off his own soaking wet clothes. "Hmm let's not waste any time." He winked at her and began peeling the woman out of her own clothes.

Jackal's body was warm against her, the stone cold and jagged, but she paid it no heed as they coupled with each other passionately. Time slipped by quickly and they continued their love making while the sandstorm raged above them. Afterwards they lay in each others arms, face to face, Ez feeling sore and exhausted, but content. She ran the tip of her finger along his bottom lip, then leaned over and kissed it gently.

"I much as I hate to say it...I think we need to go find the others," she said with a groan. "Can't have them finding us...not like this." She leaned into him, her breath hot against his skin while her hand followed the contour of his body. She then pulled back and smiled at him. "...if I don't get up soon, you may have to service me again..."

Jackal chuckled kissing Ez's fingers lightly then sighed and slowly pulled out from under her groaning gently feeling the soreness of laying on rocks rolling across his entire body. He didn't mind though, he treasured his time with Ez. "Yeah, we probably should, hopefully our clothes are dry enough now." The man let out a quiet shiver already missing the warmth of the woman's body against his, luckily they had the forethought to hang their clothes up on some rock formations to help with the drying process.

They were cold and a little stiff, but dry enough to work. He slowly began to dress. "Hope everyone else made it into the bunker safe."

"Hmm.." she responded lazily, content to watch him dress before getting up herself, his heavily scarred and muscled body never failing to thrill her. "I'm sure they are...other wise we would have had company 'drop' in on us." She rose slowly, feeling the stiffness in her body from the cold. She shook her clothes out before dragging them on, disliking the wet feel against her skin. Once dressed, she refilled her pockets with the now dry items she had set on the rocks. "Question is, where are we?" She began to look around, her eyes well adapted to the gloomy interior now. Although the cave was a natural formation, there was a metal door set into the stone deeper inside. Ez picked up Clove's reins and began walking over to the exit, using the beast as a early warning device in case of trouble.

"Look's like I get to pick another lock," she said sarcastically, dropping down to her knees. "...not like the first one did us any good," she added as she got to work.

Jackal watched Ez dress admiring her as much as she admired him. He stuffed his pockets and even slipped the map and his mother's bible into the dry pockets of his coat. He grabbed Clove's reins and held the beast while Ez went to work on the door. "Well this door looks less imposing than the last, plus you don't have a sandstorm beating down upon you so you'll have more time."

Ez looked over her shoulder at him, raising one eyebrow. "Perhaps you'd like to give it a try?" she said jokingly, standing up a moment later. "Done." She put the picks back in her pocket, then slowly turned the handle of the door. A musty odor drifted in, the air stale and still within the space on the other side.

Drawing her gun, Ez opened the door wider, finally slipping inside a dark corridor. She jumped when lights along the ceiling began to flicker on, the hallway coming into view for the first time in many years. "Holy shit....there's lights.." she said with amazement.

Jackal let out a low whistle and followed Ez in bringing the horse in with him. "Damn that's either a very good thing or a very bad thing." He pulled his pistol out and handed the horse back to the woman walking a little ways ahead scanning the length of the hall. The base looked to be secure from the top, but there could be anything down here. Mutated animals, raiders, even robots could be a possibility. He'd come across a couple in his travels, luckily they were shut down.

But the danger was still a possibility. "Well if this base is like the others I've seen the motor pool should be on the top level, so if we keep going up we should find the others."

Ez merely nodded, following several paces behind him and looking in all directions as she walked. The walls were once a pristine white, time fading them to a dull pale yellow, with patches of a rust-colored residue clinging to the paint. Behind her the lights faded as the ones in front flickered on. She shivered unintentionally--having her back in shadow making her nervous.

"I've never been inside a bunker before...underground in tunnels yes...but not a military base. It feels like a grave." ...and again she shivered, wrapping her arms around herself. "How can it be so cold...it's boiling outside."

Jackal pulled his coat off and hung it around her shoulders.
"Well our clothes are still a little wet, plus we're underground and while the lights might work I doubt there is any heat." They passed a number of locked rooms and the few with windows the tall man looked keenly inside--most of the rooms were pitch black, but the lights in the hall did show him a foot or so inside and he could see old equipment and lockers. Once they figure out where everyone is, he would heavily recommend going through some of these rooms for scav. "This place is like a scavvers dream. Looks pretty secure and the Pre-Fire Miltiary has the best toys in my experience."

"As long as it is safe..." she responded, pulling Jackal's coat tighter around her. She normally liked the cold, but this felt different, perhaps it was the fear of the unknown that was adding to the chill. "We need to check the rad count...make sure we are not exposing ourselves to danger...and Deck has the counter in his wagon...along with other things I will need." ...and despite her words of caution, she found herself looking into the rooms also and trying to determine what was inside that they might need...or want.

Behind her Clove nickered and Ez stopped to pet his velvety nose. "At least he is calm...if there was danger he would be keen to it...just like your Vash." She put the reins over his neck, knowing he would follow, then she moved up along to Jackal's side. "It's getting warmer...here...you can have it back." She leaned up and kissed him, placing the coat in his hands and smiled. "Thanks." There was more she wanted to say (and perhaps her look said it), but the time just didn't seem right and once again, she pushed her feelings for him back and took up behind him.

Jackal nodded taking his coat back and putting it back on. He gave her a smile adjusting the coat around his shoulders. It looked to him the woman did have more to say, but he also knew she had problems with sharing her feelings, which always surprised the man. But he believed in time she would open up more. Until then he'd let her set the pace. They soon reached an upward ramp in the middle of the long hall and the lights continued to follow them. Only illuminating the three of them and about a foot around him. That made the lawman nervous, but as of now they couldn't do anything. He reached back and took Ez's hand lacing their fingers together and began walking up.

The simple contact was nice for him, and just case something happened they wouldn't lose each other.

As soon as they opened the door at the top of the ramp, the sound of the wind as it whipped around the building increased and voices could be heard in the distance. Ezra smiled, squeezing Jackal's hand and picking up her pace. Even Clove seemed excited as he trotted ahead, nickering to the other beasts of burden. It was Sammy that noticed them first as they pushed through the last door separating them, and she smiled in greeting, running over to greet them.

The teen threw her arms around Ez, surprising her with the affection. "Mom! ...we didn't know if you two had made it." She smiled at Jackal over her mother's shoulder as Ez self conscientiously let go of the lawman's hand and returned the hug. "Your clothes feel wet...what happened?"

Breaking the embrace, Ez explained how they managed to drop down into an underground stream unharmed. The three of them then wandering the halls looking for them. Ez didn't go into any detail, but Sam knew there was more to it than just wandering. She shrugged, pulling at Ez's arm. "Come on...Deck has hot coffee on the fire and he's cooking something up for us to eat. I bet you are starved." The last part was said with a wink and the teen chanced a glance at Jackal as well, giving him an innocent knowing smile as she led them back to the others.

Jackal took control of Clove's reins and followed the rescue party back to the motorpool. A fire some food and coffee would be welcomed.

[bluemoon]

Ez ate the mixture of salted meat, rice, and potatoes by the fire, allowing her clothing to finish drying at she sat. She sipped at her coffee slowly, glancing over at Jackal periodically, her mind mulling over the past couple hours. When she rose, she excused herself and made for the wagon, Deck taking up at her side.

"I already checked the area," he stated, knowing what was on her mind. "The level is green."

Ez nodded, picking up the antiquated hand-held machine that they used to measure the rad count. It had some modifications--namely an energy transference that used rocking motions to recharge the batteries. If that failed, a hard knock on the side usually got the needle moving. It wasn't a very reliable tool, but it was the best they had. Giving it a gentle shake, she stuck it on her belt along with some crude bark paper and a pencil.

"I'm going to go take some readings and get the lay of the place. Might do us some scavving in the morning if it seems safe."

It was Deck's turn to nod. He could see Ez had something on her mind...she seemed distracted and out of sorts. "You okay Ez?" he asked, not really expecting an honest answer. Although he could read her moods, what caused them was usually a mystery.

"I'm good," she said with a smile, "...just got some thinking to do...I'll take Jen with me. She can draw the map." He watched her lean inside the wagon once more and pull out a small cloth bag from his spice collection sack and tuck it into her pocket. He opened his mouth to object, but she patted him on the shoulder then made her way over to the newest additions to their group. After a few moments she headed out the way she and Jackal had come, Jen in tow, carrying the paper and pencil. The red head was already making markings on the map-to-be as Ez created a mental image of the floor plan at the same time.

-----------

Deck sat down again by the fire, shaking his head and rubbing his hand over several days worth of stubble. "I'll never figure out that woman," he mumbled, grabbing another cup of coffee and adding a good helping of whiskey to the brew. He offered the bottle to Jackal across the pit. "Help yourself...plenty more of this rot gut...it's the one thing those cannibals seemed to enjoy that was worth taking along." He chuckled to himself, looking to the large metal service entrance. Outside, the storm continued to rage and the sound of the sand etching the vertical surface was barely audible.

[SikstaSlathalin]

Jackal took the offered drink nodding to the older man slowly. He was feeling a little chill still so the alcohol would be a welcome fix, though he still wasn't much of a drinker. He took a couple of swigs then handed it back to the man wiping his mouth. He listened to Ez and Jen walk down the hall chatting and making corrections to the maps as they went.

Hie listened until they were out of earshot then he rubbed his face noticing the good deal of hair he had grown himself. For years he had kept himself shaved even out in the wastes where shaving wasn't always easily done, but now he just doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Sure it collected dust easier but it also helped keep sunburn and windburn off the skin. Plus it was pain in the neck and waste of water unless they found another oasis anytime soon.

He looked out across the small camp. No one looked injured just very dusty, the people from Liberty were integrating well into the group. Granted there was almost no one left from the old crew so maybe that was the reason. Either way Jackal was glad to see everyone was ok, Sammy among them and he watched the young woman sitting around the fire with some of the younger Liberty joiners. Laughing, sharing stories and experiences this was probably the first time she's been able to be a normal teenager her entire life. It was as surreal as it was transformative it's something he never expected to see in this world let alone on some desperate treasure hunt to find a fabled treasure most people don't think even exists.

As he felt the whiskey burning a hole in his gut an odd smile crossed his face. If all else fails they could always found their own town and make it better than places like Liberty or Outpost 4.

[bluemoon]

Having mapped a large portion of the complex, at least the parts they were able to access, Ezra and Jen arrived back at the camp a few hours later. Both women were exhausted and went their own ways, Jen keeping the map to put in a few additional marks before retiring. Ez made her way to the fire, grabbing another cup of coffee before joining Jackal over by his mount. She was sure to make enough noise as to not startle Vash as she approached.

"Mind if I sit?" she asked, not wanting to interrupt his work as he repaired the smeared map to the Lost Mountains.

Jackal was glad he had a decent memory, but fixing the map was still a pain in the neck. As he heard Ez approach he patted Vash on the head soothing the big green beast back to sleep. The Chabbit humphed quietly and flopped back down sending up a small cloud of dust as he did. The tall man chuckled at the beast and nodded to Ez placing his repaired map gingerly back on the rock by the fire letting the radiant heat dry the new ink quickly. "Sure thing Ez, how was your mapping exercise?" He asked fixing himself a pipe to smoke while he rubbed the feeling back into his hands.

"Not bad...only a few areas are hot...but only in the yellow so we can scout them as long as we are quick. And I think I found a control room. Lots of monitors and big machines. Lights blinking. Nothing I understand...but perhaps someone else will get more from it. I think we can do some decent scavving tomorrow." She took a sip from her cup and grimaced...the coffee having sat too long and taking on a burnt flavor. She set it aside and moved closer to his side. "How's yours going?" she asked, indicating the drying parchment of skin by the fire. "I can help...if you need it."

Jackal puffed up his pipe for a few seconds then answered leaning back kicking his legs out closer to the flames. "Slow and tedious, I remembered everything up to Liberty well enough, but beyond it is fuzzy, I know there wasn't much between Liberty and the Silver Mine oasis, but maybe you can remember better." He handed her his pen and the warm paper to look over.

Ez placed the map on her lap, studying it for a brief moment before she put the pen to the hide and started drawing in the missing lines of trail and landscape details. She drew in a few additional features that she remembered from her earlier travels through the region leading up to Endver. "I haven't been much further than this, " she said, indicating her home town, then handed the map back to him.

Jackal took the map and studied it slowly. As he studied the woman's additions he nodded the fuzzy parts coming into the light. He chuckled around his pipe shaking his head wrapping his arm around Ez's shoulder hugging her tight. "So glad I found a Trail Blazer with such a good memory, I've never gone that far north to Endver. Is that really your hometown?" He asked placing the map back by the heat of his campfire to dry up.

Ez nodded. "It was, until I was ten. It's wasn't much of a town then, barely holding itself together. I doubt it's much more now." She knew the trail would take them right through Endver, hopefully quickly, if it even existed anymore. Her memories of the place were not fond ones, and she didn't want them to be rekindled by its presence. She shook her head to erase her thoughts, then turned to Jackal, forcing herself to smile.

"Are you going to sleep here tonight? I was going to set up my tent and you are welcome to join me."

Jackal nodded continuing to puff on his pipe.
"Hmm always happy to share your tent Ezzy you know that." He pulled the pipe out and kissed the woman's cheek lightly. Reaching out he pulled the map back and inspected it carefully. The ink had dried and while it still didn't look exactly right, it would serve them well, the pockets of radiation and known areas of dangerous animals and mutants could still be seen.

Ez put her hand on his wrist and smiled. "I'll get it set up...just take me a minute. Join me when you are done." She got up, putting her hand to her cheek where he had kissed her. He had such a tender way about him, especially when one considered what he was capable of doing to others. It was not something she was used to...and yet she found herself looking forward to the soft brush of his lips or hand.

Coming to her belongings, Ez grabbed her small tent and set it up away from the others, hoping to provide them with a little privacy. She laid one of the acquired furs on the ground, then tossed on a few blankets. Once she undressed, she slipped under the covers, pulling them up to her chin. The soft fur felt good on her naked body, her aches melting away as she stretched her limbs. Rolling over onto her side, she closed her eyes, looking inward, but not sleeping.

Jackal gathered his gear and grabbed Vash's lead following Ezra to her chosen secluded spot. This was odd for him. As long as he'd known Ez she'd never been one to really choose to set up away from the rest of group. And he wondered as to the reason, it wasn't because of sex-- they had been doing that within earshot of everyone most of the time. Maybe she had something important to discuss with him, or maybe she just wanted some quiet alone time.

Either way he found the spot and set his gear and Vash down beside a small stream before moving to the tent. He looked inside and saw Ezra was naked, with a smile he undressed as well and slid under the covers with the woman wrapping his arm around her body gripping her chest lightly before kissing her neck. She seemed introspective. "You ok Ezzy?"

Tucking herself in closer to his warmth, Ezra laughed lightly. "I'm fine...just wanted a little quiet. Jen damn near talked me to death." She scoffed, looking up at him. "My mother always said a woman talks more than a man--it's how she expresses herself. A man makes his feelings known through a look or touch, where as a woman just shouts it from the mountain top. Jen was like that...very chatty." She tucked her hair behind her ear then leaned up to kiss him. "I prefer the quiet type...like you." She put her head to his chest, listening to his heart beat, then closed her eyes once more."

When she spoke again a few minutes later, her voice was softer, contemplative.

"I don't say what I mean most of the time, especially in matters of the heart. I've always pushed people away, built up my walls. ...until you...and you were supposed to be nothing but a job." She sighed, uncomfortable with the expression of her feelings. She leaned back from him, looking deeply into his steel grey gaze and tracing his lips with her finger, her head tilting slightly. "I hope you know how I feel...cause I...I'm afraid if I say the words it will change things. ...and I don't want anything to change between us."

The lawman chuckled and nodded wrapping her in his arms and resting his chin on her head.
"Yes, my mother said that a lot too. Luckily neither her nor my sisters were very much the chatty type." He rubbed his rough hands down her back and sides his hands brushing against her burn scars, a frown crossing his lips while he remembered the story.

Thankfully though Ezra kept talking and took him away from the angry memory. He studied her lovely face and matched her own stares. He always liked looking at her uniquely colored hazel eyes. He smiled at her words and brought his hand up to stroke her hair fondly. He knew what she meant, both by her words and her actions. He leaned down and kissed the woman deeply, pressing their bodies together for more warmth, he broke the kiss bringing his forehead down and pressing it against hers. "Yes I know, and I feel the same. Only I don't think it'll change things too much, but I will let you decide that Ezzy." He kissed her again holding her body close to his again.

The unspoken words settled between them and Ez felt comfort with his arms wrapped around her. She didn't want to over-think it...there were too many variables with the journey left ahead of them. She pressed herself into him, enjoying the security his presence gave her. When his lips left hers, she smiled, her decision made to open her heart to him. She ran her fingers through his hair and rested her palm on the nape of his neck. "I love you Jackal," she said, a soft sigh escaping her lips before she kissed him again.

Jackal smiled broadly, he honestly didn't expect her to say it so soon after admitting it. But he was glad for it nonetheless. He returned the kiss and rolled them so Ez was on her back and he atop her, breaking the kiss, but staying mere inches from her face keeping his eyes locked on her own. "I love you too Ezra." He settled his body over hers and deepened the kiss, they'd had sex and made love before. But as he pressed himself closer it felt like this time would be a far deeper connection, soulmates was the term before the word, but such things were often scoffed at in Ragged America. Romance and love were reserved for kids, adults bred to continue the race. It was a biological imperative or a means to an end. But here and now as Jackal looked down upon the woman he loved and was loved by, he decided the people who thought that were truly unhappy wretches. He didn't want to seem a fool by admitting it, but he felt that Ezra Bastian was his soulmate. He kissed her again, breathing her scent in deeply.

[SikstaSlathalin]

The sandstorm continued to rage all around them well into the night. Everyone was tired and after the patrols had come back alive and well saying the base as a whole seemed secure and intact. Granted they didn't go much further than two floors down. But Deck and some of the others had figured out how to close and lock all the doors going to the third floor. Tomorrow a couple of people would go further down and see how far down the base goes and what surprises might be lurking around down there.

Even in the safety of the base though the watch schedule was made teams of four again only two would stay at the entrances of the motor pool while two others patrolled the cleared floors as a team. But no one expected trouble, so the merriment of the evening gave way to hopeful talk which in turn gave way to everyone drifting to their bedrolls and sleeping soundly. The howling of the sandstorm becoming white noise and soothing the troubled mind of the younger people in the group to an untroubled sleep.

Jackal picked a middle of the night shift. He was a patroller and found himself smiling as he looked out across the camp. The fires had heated the motorpool up to a cozy temperature. The smoke had wafted high into the rafters and was escaping through some old vents that had been working since Ez turned the power on. Everyone was sleeping soundly and just the gentle snores of the expedition disturbing the peace. Jackal has seen a lot of wonders and bemusing things in his many treks across the wastes many of them being on this expedition itself. But hear and now the man felt a strange contentment, total and complete safety in his surroundings and the people around him. He's never felt like this and he wondered if the Lost Mountains would be like this. The stories he had compiled about the legend were very vague about what exactly the Treasure would be, but even if it was just a larger base like this one he'd be happy. This new group was far more tame than the other one so maybe he'd even include all of them in on the treasure and they can build a full community around it. But that was for later, for now he was going to enjoy the silence of the patrol.


~~~The next morning~~~

Jackal awoke slowly the death of the fires in the night had sent a chill through his frame and caused him to wrap his arms even tighter around Ezra her body warmth continuing to awaken him. She had an earlier watch shift, so she should be waking soon. But for now he was happy to spoon her naked body with his own. He kissed her neck whispering softly to her. "Good morning Ezzy."