Winchester/Fairfield Expedition - Depature

[winfield]

[After working for roughly a day and a half, nearly nonstop for some of you, the town's looking both healthier and hardier. With most (if not all) of the expeditioners contributing to reparation and building, you've managed to get a lot of work done: all the buildings have at least been patched up to some extent, and the poor broken fence is now standing and sturdy. You've even managed to get together a couple outposts. Nothing fancy-- they're just elevated platforms, really-- but they serve their purpose of allowing people to see far out quite well.

It's probably best to start heading back now, though, since you need the supplies you brought to last you the trip home.]

DR. BREWER | PACK IT UP, KIDS | HEATH | PEOPLE WHO WANT TO STAY

Comments

[sworn]

[Vereesa's not unreasonable, she'll hear him out.]

And there are many travelling with us that would rather do without. We've helped to fortify the town in case of another attack.

How long would you wish us to stay and wait for them to return? It has been several days since they've vacated this area, but if you'd like to be here to greet them...

[encryptedlock]

I would, actually. That's why I came out here in the first place - to help them against an attack.

[Why would anyone come out here if they didn't want to--but no, even the Doctor prefers not to fight, and York will concede that. But why not be here when they do get attacked?]

I mean, isn't it pretty shitty to just leave them all here after they call us in to help? What if they attack as soon as we turn our backs?

[sworn]

There will always be the risk of another attack. Days from now, even weeks from now. We could stay a fortnight, and even after leaving then there is the risk that they may attack once we leave.

I do see your point, and it is a valid one, but our supplies will only last us so much longer and I do not wish to be a drain on this new community when they've only just begun. But perhaps a smaller group could remain behind.

[encryptedlock]

I'll be in that group. [Even though he needs to go back to the castle and drag South out of her depression from her brother's leaving, he can't in good conscience leave now.]

Besides, I promised Dr. Brewer I'd help him build a better radio tower so we can have consistent communication. And I brought one of the sleighs, so...it would really only take me a couple of hours to get back to the castle anyway, if I needed to.

[sworn]

I imagine there are others who feel the same and would join your cause. Would you spearhead this smaller group? I've heard tell of your skill and trust they would be in capable hands.

[It's less flattery and more just stating the facts. She's wanted nothing more than capable leaders making themselves known.]

[encryptedlock]

[That does bring a little bit of a smile to his face - him, in a leadership position? Tex would probably laugh about it for days - but York nods.]

Of course. And I'll take care of supplying us, too, so we don't interfere with what they have here. I've been thinking about recruiting some people to be sort of traveling merchants, in case these guys need seed grain or livestock or something to get started out here. If you know anyone back at the castle that might be interested, let them know?

[sworn]

[She gives a nod, a smile coming to her face as well. He is certainly onto something.]

I will. Any that are interested I will personally escort here myself.

[She gives a thoughtful pause.]

Perhaps we can even begin to expand our reach. We know that most, if not all of the hostiles are no longer a threat to us. Without their intimidation tactics, we have a chance to establish bases further out. If Dr. Brewer and his allies would not mind, we might even make this the first.

[encryptedlock]

I don't see why not. There was talk a while ago of putting supply posts out here so we wouldn't have to pack so much on trips. This might be a good time to start putting that plan into action.

[Because one of the really, really annoying things about traveling out in the Dead Zone was that there was so little way to replenish supplies. Aside from Flora's and Paradisa Town, there was some edible fruit in that spider swamp and that was about it. The buffalo were definitely not for hunting, and they seemed to be the main type of large animal out here.]

Besides, I know these guys know more about traveling around in this place than we do. It's time we started filling in some of the blank spots on the map.

[sworn]

Agreed. [OH how wholeheartedly she agrees.] If you need any help with this endeavor, I am at your service. After I've ensured the others have made it home safely, of course.

[encryptedlock]

Appreciate it. And if you guys run into any trouble on the way back, just let us know.