(Hey @Zandra003 - Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you enjoy it. Comments like that spur me to keep writing. But now... back to the story. Let's see if Jodi survives... )
Episode 28: Purity of Love
Jodi barely registered the cold on her right knee as she knelt and squeezed the trigger. She felt the kick against her shoulder, and in her peripheral vision, she saw the brass spinning away to the side.
(I'm ruling that Jodi and Catina have two turns of taking bursts or shots each to clear the nine zeds around the group)
Did she hit the first one (skill +1, +2 scope, +1 braced, -2 head shot)
(Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
She fired again. Hit?
(Likely | 8[d10]) Yes
And again, hit?
(Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
(Sure, I'll take the two for one special! Why not?)
With three controlled shots, Jodi dropped three walkers, dark-tainted blood almost a putrid blackish purple, sprayed the walls on the east side of the street, and the corpses dropped. She was on the left side (east) of the street facing south. Catina was on the right side (west) of the street also facing south. The two long buildings flanked them on left and right. Between them, the girls struggled to carry the man amidst an overpowering fear that threatened to consume them all.
Jodi noticed Catina was also hammering blasts from her rifle from the west side of the street...
Same shooting skill and setup as as Jodi.
Catina will also take three controlled shots.
Hit?
(Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
Hit?
(Likely | 4[d10]) No
Hit?
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
The group of girls that were carrying Lillie's father moved uncertainly as one of the zeds drew nearer. They almost stumbled to a halt. Jodi jogged a little closer so she was once again moving in a crouch parallel to the group, her rifle jammed in her shoulder.
Jodi tried to still her pulse as adrenaline coursed through her, tried to control her breathing. The group behind was walking quickly towards her. Not a lot of time. She exhaled, centered the scope on the head, but they were too close now. She switched to the iron sites beneath the scope, knelt, and centered on the head and opened up again.
There is one that is really closer than the others, the one that Catina missed. This one will incur an additional -1.
She shot a burst of five shots, and prayed that one of them would take it out.
Does she hit? (Skill +1, Brace +1, -1 close)
(Somewhat Likely | 2[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
(Somewhat Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
(Somewhat Likely | 3[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 1[d10]) No, and...
Two shots hit it. I'll roll damage. That "Yes And" means it's a damaging shot and adds an additional 5 to the damage.
First shot 1d20+3+5=1d20+8 damage.
(12 = 4[d20]+8) Moderate Injury: Hampers action significantly; will require first aid/medical attention.
Second bullet
(17 = 14[d20]+3) Severe Injury: Incapacitating and may become Critical if untreated.
It's not dead but the shot snapped the spine and it's on the ground, a crawler.
Bullets zipped down the street.
One of them ricochets off of something metal (for the "No and").
Does it hit any of the party members? I'll say Unlikely given the terrain and direction of travel and shooting.
(Unlikely | 1[d10]) No, and...
Does the ricochet hit a zed?
(Somewhat Unlikely | 8[d10]) Yes
Ooo. Nice. Rolling damage.
(14 = 11[d20]+3) Moderate Injury: Hampers action significantly; will require first aid/medical attention.
One of the shots ricochets off of something metallic in or near the walls with a zinging sound. One of the walkers fell back and was moving more slowly (+1 to hit on that one).
So, on turn 1, Jodi dropped four the first turn, Catina dropped two.
On turn 2, Jodi's first "shot" (burst of five) dropped 1 and knocked another one back.
That means there are two left.
She still has two more "shots/bursts" left.
The mass of bodies clawing their way towards her from behind was too distracting to take the time for aimed shots. It was spray and pray time.
She'll do a burst of 3 at one, and 4 at another
Burst of 3. Hits?
(Somewhat Likely | 2[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 3[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 8[d10]) Yes
Burst of 4. Hits?
(Somewhat Likely | 3[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 1[d10]) No, and...
(Somewhat Likely | 6[d10]) Yes
(Somewhat Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
Is the "No and" a jammed gun? (that would void the other two shots hitting)
(Somewhat Unlikely | 8[d10]) Yes
Darn! Well, that means those two yeses under burst of 4 don't count then due to the jammed gun.
Damage for the one hit from the burst of 3:
(12 = 9[d20]+3) Moderate Injury: Hampers action significantly; will require first aid/medical attention.
The shots knocked both remaining zeds backward, their bodies jerked them backwards, slowing them, one is knocked off balance goes to hands and knees but regained its footing and continued onward.
They are moving more slowly from their injuries (+1 against them)... unfortunately, the zeds behind them are getting closer.
Gunpowder filled her nostrils, the expected jerking motion of the recoil never came. Jodi's heard sank. A jam! She frantically tried to clear the jam, yanking the release back and forth. Off to her side, Catina still shot, bullets zipping down the street.
Catina shoots at the two.
(Likely | 5[d10]) No, but...
(Likely | 2[d10]) No
(Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
Catina shoots a burst of 3 at each.
(+1 shooting, +1 braced, +1 knocked back/injured moving more slowly, -1 zeds behind them)
Second burst of 3 at the other one:
(Likely | 5[d10]) No, but...
(Likely | 5[d10]) No, but...
(Likely | 2[d10]) No
For her third shot/burst, she'll go again for the one she missed:
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
(Likely | 8[d10]) Yes
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
Damage for zed 1. We'll say the Yes and is another good hit.
(9 = 1[d20]+8) Minor Injury: Largely superficial; painful and distracting, but not life threatening.
Not good.
Damage for zed 2.
(8 = 5[d20]+3) Minor Injury: Largely superficial; painful and distracting, but not life threatening.
(11 = 8[d20]+3) Minor Injury: Largely superficial; painful and distracting, but not life threatening.
(4 = 1[d20]+3) Negligible: Nick/Scratch/Bruise.
Well that's just sad...
The bullets did little more than bite of bits of flesh and send small sprays of brackish blood into the snow as the corpses lumbered tirelessly onward. They came near within arms reach of the group carrying the man.
Can Jodi clear her gun in time and shoot at them?
(Somewhat Unlikely | 5[d10]) No
Jodi's hands trembled and she fought against her fear trying to clear the jammed round in the breach.
Can Jodi leap up to the zed and club it in the head before it attacks?
(50/50 | 6[d10]) Yes, but...
Yes, but if she misses she'll be exposed to attack. What the heck! This is Jodi! Do it babe!
Jodi ignored the jam and leaped at the dripping body that reached out at the girls. She tried to slam the butt of the gun into his skill braining it.
Does she do it? (athletic and fit +1, -2 head, +1 it's wounded and slow already)
(50/50 | 3[d10]) No
Does she at least hit it somewhere?
(50/50 | 7[d10]) Yes
(8 = 8[d20]) Minor Injury: Largely superficial; painful and distracting, but not life threatening.
Her aim was off, and the butt of the rifle slammed into the creature's collar bone, spinning him partially around, away from the girls. It lurched off to the side then came around directly at Jodi.
The other one was also closing in on the girls. Does it go for Jodi who is in front?
(50/50 | 8[d10]) Yes
Suddenly another walker was there reaching for her.
Do any of the girls do anything?
(50/50 | 8[d10]) Yes
Seeing Jodi's danger, Jen dropped the leg of the man she was carrying, and swung her rifle and aimed it at the second zed's head that was closing on Jodi. It was an easy target this close.
(+2 very close, +1 shooting, -2 head)
She can get one burst out (it's a burst of shots at the head). She holds down the trigger and 5 rounds leap out.
(50/50 | 2[d10]) No
Hits?
(Somewhat Likely | 3[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
(Somewhat Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
(Somewhat Likely | 1[d10]) No, and...
One shot blew off the top of the monster's head, sending dark matter spraying out behind it. It toppling sideways onto the walker next to it, and they both fall to the ground.
One was headless and twitching. The other began pushing its headless companion off of him.
Jodi jumped over the pair as the group carrying the man drifts towards Catina's side. Jen flipped her rifle back on her shoulder, grabbed the man's leg again, and the group again surged forward with tottering steps through the snow and the fog.
As they struggled south, they finally came to the south end of the last pair of buildings that were flanking them on the east and west. Beyond, through the fog they could barely make out the south gate that was ajar. It was a straight jog down the road beyond the south end of the base to where they had hidden the ATVs.
They were almost free. Almost there! The anticipation of freedom welled up in Jodi. If they could just get to the gate...
They rushed passed the end of the building. Then, out of nowhere, a mass of lumbering jerking corpses were there, surging, gasping, clawing, reaching, straining.
The group carrying the group almost stopped.
"Run! Push through!" Jodi screamed. She raised her gun, trying to clear the jam again. "Go! Go! Go!"
Does Jodi finally clear her jam?
She had taken a knee, had forgotten her gun was jammed. Now she was behind, trying to clear the jam. She looked into the breach of the gun, slapping it, wiggling it with trembling fingers....
Come on!
(Somewhat Likely | 5[d10]) Yes, but...
But what? She accidentally ejects the magazine?
(50/50 | 5[d10]) No, but...
Something else. She falls behind?
(50/50 | 7[d10]) Yes
Ah... alas for poor Jodi. I don't know she's going to make it out of this one.
And finally the bullet tipped out, the jam was clear! But now she was behind the others, for fear had urged them onward, and they had pressed on ahead as vice-like dirty claws of the undead grasped at her.
They were a boiling mass of corpses. Disease-colored clutching claws grabbing at her, clacking clicking teeth, opened for her. Eyes in wide rictuses stared unblinking at her.
Do they grab Jodi or her backpack?
(Jodi is behind the others so more are drawn to her +1, Jodi is nimble and athletic -1, but there's a dang lot of them! +1)
(Somewhat Likely | 5[d10]) Yes, but...
Yes, but it's only her backpack.
---
We'll cut back to the group carrying Lillie's father and Catina now. Do they get through to safety? (+1 Jodi is behind drawing away, +1 Catina is in Amazon warrior mode, screaming, shooting and clubbing anything that comes close to her daughter, -1 a whole gaggle of zeds, -1 they're burdened by the unconscious man)
(50/50 | 7[d10]) Yes
As if in silent slow motion, Jodi struggled against the restraints of her backpack and watched the group move away from her. At least the others looked like they would making it through.
Odd details struck her, though:
Catina spraying a long extended burst into a walker that had come up behind her daughter. The bullets shattering its knees, the barrel jerking upwards raking more bullets across its body and then finally slamming more rounds into its head where its face exploded, and it toppled backward.
Kristie starting to run back toward Jodi but stopped, giving a wordless scream as the walkers began to close in around Jodi, Catina holding her back.
Jen slipping falling to kneel at the gate, hands in the snow, hands that were red and cracked and bleeding from exposure.
Ayanna struggling to lift Jen up, but falling herself.
Lillie looking tenderly down at her father's unconscious form lying in the pure snow beyond the gate. Lillie was coatless now, and the light-blue long-sleeved shirt she wore would offer little protection from the elements. How long would the girl last in the cold?
Had it been worth it?
Jodi caught the look of unspoken love in Lillie's eyes as she tenderly brushed limp brown hair back from her father's brow. It was such a pure love that it caused a matching ache to thrum in Jodi's heart. Lillie's eyes found Jodi's, and a soundless look of gratitude passed from Lillie's lips.
This was why she fought, Jodi knew.
This was why she would continue to struggle.
This was why her death would never be in vain.
If she could save this. It was the key to saving humanity. Her humanity.
She smiled.
Time crashed back into Jodi.
She dropped her rifle, struggled to release the the backpack's strap around her waist, numb fingers fumbling at the clip. Clawed hands gripped the pack, trying to unbalance her, pull her backwards. She strained against the yanking force, bowed her head and decoupled the clip around her waist. She tried to wriggle out from under the backpack's drag...
(Stay tuned for next time...)
Episode 28: Purity of Love
Jodi barely registered the cold on her right knee as she knelt and squeezed the trigger. She felt the kick against her shoulder, and in her peripheral vision, she saw the brass spinning away to the side.
(I'm ruling that Jodi and Catina have two turns of taking bursts or shots each to clear the nine zeds around the group)
Did she hit the first one (skill +1, +2 scope, +1 braced, -2 head shot)
(Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
She fired again. Hit?
(Likely | 8[d10]) Yes
And again, hit?
(Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
(Sure, I'll take the two for one special! Why not?)
With three controlled shots, Jodi dropped three walkers, dark-tainted blood almost a putrid blackish purple, sprayed the walls on the east side of the street, and the corpses dropped. She was on the left side (east) of the street facing south. Catina was on the right side (west) of the street also facing south. The two long buildings flanked them on left and right. Between them, the girls struggled to carry the man amidst an overpowering fear that threatened to consume them all.
Jodi noticed Catina was also hammering blasts from her rifle from the west side of the street...
Same shooting skill and setup as as Jodi.
Catina will also take three controlled shots.
Hit?
(Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
Hit?
(Likely | 4[d10]) No
Hit?
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
The group of girls that were carrying Lillie's father moved uncertainly as one of the zeds drew nearer. They almost stumbled to a halt. Jodi jogged a little closer so she was once again moving in a crouch parallel to the group, her rifle jammed in her shoulder.
Jodi tried to still her pulse as adrenaline coursed through her, tried to control her breathing. The group behind was walking quickly towards her. Not a lot of time. She exhaled, centered the scope on the head, but they were too close now. She switched to the iron sites beneath the scope, knelt, and centered on the head and opened up again.
There is one that is really closer than the others, the one that Catina missed. This one will incur an additional -1.
She shot a burst of five shots, and prayed that one of them would take it out.
Does she hit? (Skill +1, Brace +1, -1 close)
(Somewhat Likely | 2[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
(Somewhat Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
(Somewhat Likely | 3[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 1[d10]) No, and...
Two shots hit it. I'll roll damage. That "Yes And" means it's a damaging shot and adds an additional 5 to the damage.
First shot 1d20+3+5=1d20+8 damage.
(12 = 4[d20]+8) Moderate Injury: Hampers action significantly; will require first aid/medical attention.
Second bullet
(17 = 14[d20]+3) Severe Injury: Incapacitating and may become Critical if untreated.
It's not dead but the shot snapped the spine and it's on the ground, a crawler.
Bullets zipped down the street.
One of them ricochets off of something metal (for the "No and").
Does it hit any of the party members? I'll say Unlikely given the terrain and direction of travel and shooting.
(Unlikely | 1[d10]) No, and...
Does the ricochet hit a zed?
(Somewhat Unlikely | 8[d10]) Yes
Ooo. Nice. Rolling damage.
(14 = 11[d20]+3) Moderate Injury: Hampers action significantly; will require first aid/medical attention.
One of the shots ricochets off of something metallic in or near the walls with a zinging sound. One of the walkers fell back and was moving more slowly (+1 to hit on that one).
So, on turn 1, Jodi dropped four the first turn, Catina dropped two.
On turn 2, Jodi's first "shot" (burst of five) dropped 1 and knocked another one back.
That means there are two left.
She still has two more "shots/bursts" left.
The mass of bodies clawing their way towards her from behind was too distracting to take the time for aimed shots. It was spray and pray time.
She'll do a burst of 3 at one, and 4 at another
Burst of 3. Hits?
(Somewhat Likely | 2[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 3[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 8[d10]) Yes
Burst of 4. Hits?
(Somewhat Likely | 3[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 1[d10]) No, and...
(Somewhat Likely | 6[d10]) Yes
(Somewhat Likely | 9[d10]) Yes
Is the "No and" a jammed gun? (that would void the other two shots hitting)
(Somewhat Unlikely | 8[d10]) Yes
Darn! Well, that means those two yeses under burst of 4 don't count then due to the jammed gun.
Damage for the one hit from the burst of 3:
(12 = 9[d20]+3) Moderate Injury: Hampers action significantly; will require first aid/medical attention.
The shots knocked both remaining zeds backward, their bodies jerked them backwards, slowing them, one is knocked off balance goes to hands and knees but regained its footing and continued onward.
They are moving more slowly from their injuries (+1 against them)... unfortunately, the zeds behind them are getting closer.
Gunpowder filled her nostrils, the expected jerking motion of the recoil never came. Jodi's heard sank. A jam! She frantically tried to clear the jam, yanking the release back and forth. Off to her side, Catina still shot, bullets zipping down the street.
Catina shoots at the two.
(Likely | 5[d10]) No, but...
(Likely | 2[d10]) No
(Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
Catina shoots a burst of 3 at each.
(+1 shooting, +1 braced, +1 knocked back/injured moving more slowly, -1 zeds behind them)
Second burst of 3 at the other one:
(Likely | 5[d10]) No, but...
(Likely | 5[d10]) No, but...
(Likely | 2[d10]) No
For her third shot/burst, she'll go again for the one she missed:
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
(Likely | 8[d10]) Yes
(Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
Damage for zed 1. We'll say the Yes and is another good hit.
(9 = 1[d20]+8) Minor Injury: Largely superficial; painful and distracting, but not life threatening.
Not good.
Damage for zed 2.
(8 = 5[d20]+3) Minor Injury: Largely superficial; painful and distracting, but not life threatening.
(11 = 8[d20]+3) Minor Injury: Largely superficial; painful and distracting, but not life threatening.
(4 = 1[d20]+3) Negligible: Nick/Scratch/Bruise.
Well that's just sad...
The bullets did little more than bite of bits of flesh and send small sprays of brackish blood into the snow as the corpses lumbered tirelessly onward. They came near within arms reach of the group carrying the man.
Can Jodi clear her gun in time and shoot at them?
(Somewhat Unlikely | 5[d10]) No
Jodi's hands trembled and she fought against her fear trying to clear the jammed round in the breach.
Can Jodi leap up to the zed and club it in the head before it attacks?
(50/50 | 6[d10]) Yes, but...
Yes, but if she misses she'll be exposed to attack. What the heck! This is Jodi! Do it babe!
Jodi ignored the jam and leaped at the dripping body that reached out at the girls. She tried to slam the butt of the gun into his skill braining it.
Does she do it? (athletic and fit +1, -2 head, +1 it's wounded and slow already)
(50/50 | 3[d10]) No
Does she at least hit it somewhere?
(50/50 | 7[d10]) Yes
(8 = 8[d20]) Minor Injury: Largely superficial; painful and distracting, but not life threatening.
Her aim was off, and the butt of the rifle slammed into the creature's collar bone, spinning him partially around, away from the girls. It lurched off to the side then came around directly at Jodi.
The other one was also closing in on the girls. Does it go for Jodi who is in front?
(50/50 | 8[d10]) Yes
Suddenly another walker was there reaching for her.
Do any of the girls do anything?
(50/50 | 8[d10]) Yes
Seeing Jodi's danger, Jen dropped the leg of the man she was carrying, and swung her rifle and aimed it at the second zed's head that was closing on Jodi. It was an easy target this close.
(+2 very close, +1 shooting, -2 head)
She can get one burst out (it's a burst of shots at the head). She holds down the trigger and 5 rounds leap out.
(50/50 | 2[d10]) No
Hits?
(Somewhat Likely | 3[d10]) No
(Somewhat Likely | 10[d10]) Yes, and...
(Somewhat Likely | 7[d10]) Yes
(Somewhat Likely | 1[d10]) No, and...
One shot blew off the top of the monster's head, sending dark matter spraying out behind it. It toppling sideways onto the walker next to it, and they both fall to the ground.
One was headless and twitching. The other began pushing its headless companion off of him.
Jodi jumped over the pair as the group carrying the man drifts towards Catina's side. Jen flipped her rifle back on her shoulder, grabbed the man's leg again, and the group again surged forward with tottering steps through the snow and the fog.
As they struggled south, they finally came to the south end of the last pair of buildings that were flanking them on the east and west. Beyond, through the fog they could barely make out the south gate that was ajar. It was a straight jog down the road beyond the south end of the base to where they had hidden the ATVs.
They were almost free. Almost there! The anticipation of freedom welled up in Jodi. If they could just get to the gate...
They rushed passed the end of the building. Then, out of nowhere, a mass of lumbering jerking corpses were there, surging, gasping, clawing, reaching, straining.
The group carrying the group almost stopped.
"Run! Push through!" Jodi screamed. She raised her gun, trying to clear the jam again. "Go! Go! Go!"
Does Jodi finally clear her jam?
She had taken a knee, had forgotten her gun was jammed. Now she was behind, trying to clear the jam. She looked into the breach of the gun, slapping it, wiggling it with trembling fingers....
Come on!
(Somewhat Likely | 5[d10]) Yes, but...
But what? She accidentally ejects the magazine?
(50/50 | 5[d10]) No, but...
Something else. She falls behind?
(50/50 | 7[d10]) Yes
Ah... alas for poor Jodi. I don't know she's going to make it out of this one.
And finally the bullet tipped out, the jam was clear! But now she was behind the others, for fear had urged them onward, and they had pressed on ahead as vice-like dirty claws of the undead grasped at her.
They were a boiling mass of corpses. Disease-colored clutching claws grabbing at her, clacking clicking teeth, opened for her. Eyes in wide rictuses stared unblinking at her.
Do they grab Jodi or her backpack?
(Jodi is behind the others so more are drawn to her +1, Jodi is nimble and athletic -1, but there's a dang lot of them! +1)
(Somewhat Likely | 5[d10]) Yes, but...
Yes, but it's only her backpack.
---
We'll cut back to the group carrying Lillie's father and Catina now. Do they get through to safety? (+1 Jodi is behind drawing away, +1 Catina is in Amazon warrior mode, screaming, shooting and clubbing anything that comes close to her daughter, -1 a whole gaggle of zeds, -1 they're burdened by the unconscious man)
(50/50 | 7[d10]) Yes
As if in silent slow motion, Jodi struggled against the restraints of her backpack and watched the group move away from her. At least the others looked like they would making it through.
Odd details struck her, though:
Catina spraying a long extended burst into a walker that had come up behind her daughter. The bullets shattering its knees, the barrel jerking upwards raking more bullets across its body and then finally slamming more rounds into its head where its face exploded, and it toppled backward.
Kristie starting to run back toward Jodi but stopped, giving a wordless scream as the walkers began to close in around Jodi, Catina holding her back.
Jen slipping falling to kneel at the gate, hands in the snow, hands that were red and cracked and bleeding from exposure.
Ayanna struggling to lift Jen up, but falling herself.
Lillie looking tenderly down at her father's unconscious form lying in the pure snow beyond the gate. Lillie was coatless now, and the light-blue long-sleeved shirt she wore would offer little protection from the elements. How long would the girl last in the cold?
Had it been worth it?
Jodi caught the look of unspoken love in Lillie's eyes as she tenderly brushed limp brown hair back from her father's brow. It was such a pure love that it caused a matching ache to thrum in Jodi's heart. Lillie's eyes found Jodi's, and a soundless look of gratitude passed from Lillie's lips.
This was why she fought, Jodi knew.
This was why she would continue to struggle.
This was why her death would never be in vain.
If she could save this. It was the key to saving humanity. Her humanity.
She smiled.
Time crashed back into Jodi.
She dropped her rifle, struggled to release the the backpack's strap around her waist, numb fingers fumbling at the clip. Clawed hands gripped the pack, trying to unbalance her, pull her backwards. She strained against the yanking force, bowed her head and decoupled the clip around her waist. She tried to wriggle out from under the backpack's drag...
(Stay tuned for next time...)
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