Extrication

[Halbarad]

"Quick snack it is, then."

Taking the initiative, Tim ducks into the first such store that presents itself, grabbing a cup of coffee and assorted pastries and chips before continuing on his way.

[Brian]

Carlos adds a gallon of water to that list, and then throws a pair of twenty dollar bills at the cashier.  At about a mile from the town, when everyone is slowing down, an explosion sounds from the airport.  Carlos turns back to look and says, "Jim and Sterling got a pair of jeeps and should be here in about two minutes."  A column of dust is rising from the path ahead, presumably from the incoming reinforcements.

[Ebiris]

"... the hell?!" Daniel jumps at the explosion coming from the city. "Thank God we never went to the airport... you said you picked up Forge transmissions?" he asks Carlos. "Any idea what's going on back there, now?"

[Brian]

"They're quiet now," he says, as a huge cloud of smoke begins to rise from the airport.  "But why are they attacking this place?"

[Ebiris]

"It doesn't seem like a meaningful target," Daniel agrees. "But if they'd tracked us here, surely they'd be able to do something more precise. So just what are they up to?"

[Halbarad]

"Well, two easy answers to that. Either there's something here they're after - which I guess is possible with all the UFO stuff - or they're able to trace us somehow. But if they're after something paranormal here, why bomb the airport?"

[Ebiris]

"As a diversion?" Daniel muses, glancing over at the approaching dust cloud. "But where does that leave us? Should we investigate and maybe trip them up, or just get the hell out of dodge?"

[Halbarad]

"I vote for getting out, at least for now. What exactly can we do here? I mean, sure we could go mess them up, but we've still got to get to Arizona and god knows what we'll run into there. I'd rather not borrow any extra trouble we don't have to."

[Brian]

Carlos shakes his head indecisively, and then the two jeeps (both of which are dark, and look old, and very beaten up) come into view.  Sterling jumps out and squints at the rising smoke cloud.

"Well, what's the plan?" Jim asks, climing out.

"We've got to go save some lives," Walker replies, jumping out of the back of one of the jeeps, and walking towards the city.

David kicks Walker's shin once and says, "Try again, only think about the consequences before making a decision."

Walker scowls, but stops walking.

"I don't think this involves us," Jim says, frowning.  "Should we take advantage of the fact that they probably don't know we're here to screw them up, or should we just get away before they notice us?"

"They could be trying to capture more innocent people," Walker says.

"And it could be a trap, too," David counters.

Daniel is no longer recieving the urgent and immient sense of danger -- only the vague impression of something large and monstrous ... and a lot of blood.

[Ebiris]

"There's something..." Daniel shakes his head, backing away towards the jeeps, "... Really fucked up. This is way worse than when I predicted that explosion back in Edinburgh. It's... I don't know, but it scares the shit out of me."

[Brian]

Carlos thinks for a moment, and then looks back at the mine.  "Okay.  I'm kind of curious about this, but I'm not sure I like the risk involved.  If we wait an hour or two, the sun will set, and then if something bad happens, Ryan should be able to get us back to the mine safely.  As far as things go right now--"

"They're after another anchor," Kyle suddenly says, jumping out of the jeep and breaking into a run towards the city.  After a handful of steps he seems to ... flicker a little bit, and then is armored in what looks like banded armor made from gold.  He's also wearing a pair of sidearms which look to be made out of gold with silver handles.

[Ebiris]

"Damn," Daniel curses. "Guess that settles it. We've got to do something. But whatever they've got there... it's not going to be easy to deal with."

[Halbarad]

Tim sets his jaw. "Well, the anchor we're supposed to be keeping an eye on is currently headed right into the middle of whatever it is.  Looks like he gets the casting vote."

He heads over to the nearest jeep. "Ready when you are, gentlemen."

[Brian]

"Kid!" Sterling yells.  Kyle slows down and looks back.  "Get in the fucking jeep!"

Kyle turns around and climbs into a jeep.  "Okay," Sterling says, as the jeeps make for the city.  "Here's the plan -- everyone stick together.  If we get separated, try and stay behind Walker or Jim.  They tend to be our bullet magnets.  What do we know about what's going on?"

"Forge radio activity before the explosion, I don't know if they've gotten what they're after yet," Carlos yells from between the two jeeps (Sterling is driving one, and Jim the other).

"That means the airport is probably a distraction, so we'll want to avoid it," David notes.

"Right," Jim mutters.  "I'm trying to get into the security networks, or cameras around the area, but we're too far away for good reception."

"They haven't gotten her yet," Kyle says quietly.  "South ... there's ... something there.  A nightmare."

"South of the airport," Sterling says, as the jeeps break city limits, and screech to a crawl.  The streets are jammed with people milling around in a panic, police and fire vehicles trying to fight through the crowds to reach the airport in time.

"Damn," Sterling grumbles.  "Let's go on foot.  Carlos, David, Walker, I want you to go with Ryan and find a spot we can fall back to in an emergency.  Jim, you're with me and the new guys -- keep in contact with Carlos."

Without waiting to hear a reply, he stops the jeep, and hops out.  He starts heading into the city, and Kyle follows, garnering only a few curious glances from the largely stunned crowds.

[Halbarad]

Tim jumps out of the jeep and follows Jim and Sterling, trying to keep alert for anything out of the ordinary. Well, ordinary for a situation like this, anyway.