The utility truck idles beneath the church’s rear trees. Charlie remains in the passenger seat, his upper arm freshly dressed, while Thomas studies the blue-painted route ending at a slightly open side door.
Fresh footprints cross the damp concrete and disappear inside. A faint scrape of furniture carries through the doorway, followed by silence. Grant keeps his injured leg elevated in the cargo area.
Thomas Roberts
Nobody scatters, babe. Evan and I check the threshold while Maya covers the truck. Grant, Luis, and Mateo stay inside with the doors locked.
Maya Rodriguez
UV lamps stay ready, but keep them angled low until we know what is in there. If the shelter is occupied, we announce ourselves before entering.
Evan Cole
The footprints look recent, and there are at least two sizes. I’ll mark our retreat path from the truck to the door before we move.
Grant
If someone is sheltering inside, they may be frightened enough to mistake us for a threat. Give them a clear warning and room to answer.
Thomas Roberts
Charlie, stay with me at the front. We verify the entrance, call out, and pull back together if anything moves.
“Charlie nods. "I'm right with you, babe."”
Charlie Moore
I'm right with you, babe.
Charlie nods and checks the dressing on his upper arm before stepping out beside Thomas. The damp concrete reflects the dim morning light beneath the church trees.
Thomas Roberts
Good. We stay shoulder to shoulder, call out clearly, and keep the truck in sight.
Thomas raises one hand for silence, then moves toward the slightly open side door with Charlie beside him. Evan follows at a measured distance, marking the retreat path.
Evan Cole
The route is marked. We can reach the truck quickly if anyone inside needs space or if the shelter is empty.
At the threshold, Thomas and Charlie pause beneath the doorframe. Behind them, Maya keeps the truck covered while Grant, Luis, and Mateo remain secured inside.
Thomas Roberts
Church shelter, this is Thomas Roberts from Belmont. We have survivors with us, and we are here to help. Please answer before we enter.
“Charlie readies the hammer and listens for a response.”
SUCCESS (Great Perception, rolled +2)
Charlie readies the reinforced hammer, tightening its wrist lanyard while keeping the head lowered. He listens beside Thomas as the church doorway gives back only a faint scrape.
For several seconds, the shelter remains silent. Then furniture shifts carefully inside, followed by the click of a latch being released.
the church shelter occupant
Thomas Roberts from Belmont, we hear you. Please keep your hands visible and leave the doorway clear.
The side door opens another few inches. A woman in a church volunteer vest appears behind it, holding a kitchen knife low and watching the lamps, weapons, and marked retreat route.
the church shelter occupant
There are six of us inside, and nobody is bitten. We have children and an injured man. We can talk, but we need to know who else is with you.
Thomas Roberts
We have Maya, Evan, Grant, and two rescued boys. Grant has a leg wound, but we brought medical supplies. We are not here to take your shelter.
The woman studies Thomas, then lowers the knife slightly. Behind her, several anxious faces gather in the dim hall, and the furniture barricade remains ready to move.
“Charlie says they have built another shelter back on Belmont campus, and they came looking for the Roberts family. They are here as friends.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +0)
Charlie Moore
We built another shelter back on Belmont campus. We came looking for the Roberts family, and we’re here as friends.
Charlie keeps his hands visible and speaks evenly. Thomas stands beside him, while the truck and its survivors remain plainly visible beneath the church trees.
the church shelter occupant
Then you’re the people Thomas told us about. His family is here. We can lower the barricade.
The woman opens the side door wider and steps aside. Behind her, a tired man, a woman clutching a church blanket, and a young girl emerge from the dim hall.
Thomas Roberts
Mom. Dad. Ellie. I found you.
Thomas crosses the threshold, and his mother catches him in a fierce embrace. His father grips Thomas’s shoulder while his little sister presses close, crying with relief.
the church shelter occupant
Come inside slowly. We have six people here, supplies, and room to talk. Your friends can bring the injured man in when you’re ready.
“Charlie smiles at Thomas beforbhe turns and asks the survivor if they have a working vehicle. "We came to bring the Roberts family back to Belmont. I don't know if we can fit 6 more people in our truck."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled -1)
Charlie Moore
We came to bring the Roberts family back to Belmont. I don't know if we can fit six more people in our truck. Do you have a working vehicle?
Charlie smiles at Thomas, then turns back to the shelter occupant. Behind him, the utility truck remains crowded with Grant, Luis, Mateo, and the rescue equipment.
the church shelter occupant
We do. There’s an old church passenger van in the rear lot. It started yesterday, and the keys are in the office.
She gestures toward a chained gate beyond the side hall. Through the trees, the van’s white roof is visible beneath a layer of damp leaves.
Thomas Roberts
That solves the seating problem, babe. We can move my family and the shelter group without leaving Grant or the boys behind.
the church shelter occupant
The van has eight passenger seats, though the rear tire loses air slowly. We have a hand pump and a spare, if your mechanic can check it.
The shelter occupants begin clearing the barricade while Maya and Evan prepare to bring Grant inside. The church van gives the return journey enough space, provided it remains roadworthy.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure a roadworthy church van
“Charlie sets to work swapping out the spare tire.”
SUCCESS (Legendary Mechanics, rolled -3)
Charlie kneels beside the church van in the rear lot, clears damp leaves from the jack point, and unloads the hand pump, lug wrench, and spare tire.
He loosens the damaged wheel, raises the van, and works the replacement into place with practiced precision. The spare seats firmly, giving the crowded return plan dependable traction.
Charlie Moore
The spare is sound, but the valve stem is weathered.
The final lug resists, forcing Charlie to brace harder. The wrench slips and scrapes his knuckles, reopening a small patch of skin before he finishes tightening it.
the church shelter occupant
That tire is on securely. We can move the van, but you should let Maya clean your hand before loading anyone.
Thomas Roberts
Nice work, babe. One vehicle ready, one truck ready, and enough seats to bring everyone home.
Charlie lowers the jack and checks the van’s pressure by hand. The swap is complete, though a faint smear of blood marks the lug wrench as the shelter group begins organizing passengers.
Quest Complete
Secure a roadworthy church van