The common-room table is buried beneath maps, handwritten supply lists, and Jerry’s Garage notes. The white utility truck’s keys and the radio sit beside the marked route.
Thomas Roberts
I’ll drive. Charlie handles the recovery gear and vehicle checks, Maya watches the approach, and we keep the truck ready for a fast retreat.
Maya Rodriguez
I’ll take the UV lamp and cover the garage entrance. Charlie gets the heavy jack and tow straps, but nobody separates without calling it.
Evan remains near the stairwell, listening to the dorm’s barricades and distant campus sounds. The others stay behind to guard the medical supplies, water, and charging station.
Evan Cole
I may know a safer way there. Behind the music buildings, there’s a service lane that skirts the main road and comes out near the garage.
Thomas Roberts
How sure are you? A route is only useful if it keeps us away from crowds and gives us somewhere to turn around.
Evan Cole
I used it during campus deliveries. The lane is narrow, but it avoids the worst intersections. I can mark the turns before you leave.
✓ Quest Accepted
Inspect a suitable SUV
“Charlie says he thinks it is worth checking. Even if it is a dead end they have enough daylight for the detour. He also wants them to break into the Manager's office while they are at Jerry's. His boss kept a handgun in the desk drawer with a box of 9mm rounds. If they get lucky, it'll still be there.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Charlie Moore
I think it’s worth checking. Even if the lane is a dead end, we have enough daylight for the detour. While we’re at Jerry’s, I want to search the manager’s office too. My boss kept a handgun in the desk drawer with a box of 9mm rounds. If we’re lucky, it’s still there.
Thomas Roberts
That’s reasonable, as long as we keep the retreat time fixed. We check the office after the recovery gear, and nobody handles the weapon until you confirm it’s safe.
Evan Cole
I’ll mark the service-lane turns now. The first bend is tight, but it should bring you behind the music buildings without crossing the main road.
Evan draws the lane onto the campus map while Thomas starts the utility truck. Maya checks the UV lamp, and Charlie secures the empty cargo space for the jack, tow straps, and anything recovered.
The truck follows Evan’s marked turns through a narrow service lane, emerging beside Jerry’s Garage in clear afternoon light. The garage doors remain shut, and no infected move among the parked vehicles.
Maya Rodriguez
Entrance is clear. Charlie, take us to the recovery gear and manager’s office. Thomas and I will cover the doors.
Inside the office, Charlie opens the manager’s desk drawer with a pry bar. Beneath old invoices sits the handgun in its case, alongside a sealed box of 9mm ammunition. Both are recovered and secured.
+ New Item Acquired
Handgun
+ New Item Acquired
9mm ammunition
“After securing the firearm, Charlie moves to retrieve the heavy jack, tow straps, and other gear from the list.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Mechanics, rolled +2)
Charlie leaves the secured handgun in its case and moves through the garage’s service bay, following the recovery list beneath dusty fluorescent lights.
Behind a shelving rack, he finds a heavy hydraulic jack, two thick tow straps, wheel chocks, tire plugs, and a compact impact wrench. The equipment is intact.
Thomas Roberts
That is everything on the priority list. Check the straps for fraying, then we will load it before searching for anything optional.
Charlie inspects each strap, tests the jack’s handle, and confirms the tools fit inside a marked roadside kit. Nothing essential is missing.
Maya Rodriguez
The entrance is still clear. I can see the lane and the parked cars, so take the gear straight to the truck.
Charlie carries the jack and tool kit while Thomas takes the straps and chocks. They secure everything in the utility truck’s cargo space, leaving room for additional supplies.
Thomas Roberts
Recovery gear secured, office searched, and the retreat route open. We can inspect one suitable SUV, then head back on schedule.
+ New Item Acquired
Heavy hydraulic jack
+ New Item Acquired
Tow straps
+ New Item Acquired
Wheel chocks
+ New Item Acquired
Roadside kit
“Charlie nods and starts looking for a suitable SUV. He asks Thomas if he sees anything promising?”
SUCCESS (Good Investigation, rolled +0)
Charlie nods and scans the garage’s vehicle bays, comparing roof rails, tire condition, suspension height, and cargo space against the Knoxville requirements.
Charlie Moore
Do you see anything promising, Thomas?
Thomas Roberts
That dark blue SUV by the lift. It has roof rails, a clear cargo area, and enough seating for your parents and brothers.
Charlie moves to the SUV and checks its tires, wheel wells, undercarriage, and doors. The battery is present, the suspension sits level, and the roof rails are firmly mounted.
Thomas Roberts
The rear seats fold flat, too. There are no obvious leaks, and the spare tire is still secured underneath. This is worth recording as our Franklin candidate.
Charlie opens the hood and finds clean belts, intact hoses, and a labeled battery dated recently enough to be useful. The keys are missing, but the vehicle itself meets the transport requirements.
Maya Rodriguez
I’ll note the blue SUV and its condition. We have the recovery gear already, so photograph the details and let’s return before the deadline.
Quest Complete
Inspect a suitable SUV
Skill Upgrade: Investigation Good→Great