A crimson flare burns in the sky, casting long, jittery shadows across the alleyway. The dust from the crushed dumpster begins to settle, revealing a newcomer perched on the fire escape above. He keeps his crossbow leveled at the gnome.
Tactical Survivor
Drop the stash and keep your hands where I can see them. You are making way too much noise for this neighborhood.
KaptKroniK
Great, another self-appointed neighborhood watchman. I just want a quiet spot to crack open this beer, not a lecture on stealth.
KaptKroniK
Relax, man. I am just trying to survive the night with my supplies intact. Unless you want to share a drink, stay up there.
Tactical Survivor
This gnome looks like he is barely holding it together, but he is dangerous if he managed to tip that dumpster. I need to keep him contained.
“Open duffel”
FAILURE (Great Agility, rolled -2)
KaptKroniK fumbles with the zipper of his duffel, but his fingers, slick with condensation from the beer bottle he still grips, slip against the jagged metal teeth. The bag remains stubbornly shut.
KaptKroniK
Stupid gear. Of all the times to have butterfingers, it had to be with a crossbow pointed at my head.
Tactical Survivor
I said keep your hands where I can see them! If that is a weapon you are reaching for, I will not hesitate to pull this trigger.
KaptKroniK
It is just a bag, relax. You are wasting perfectly good energy yelling at a gnome.
Tactical Survivor
He is stalling. I can hear movement behind the debris. Are there more of them?
KaptKroniK
The guy is twitchy. If I keep him talking, maybe I can find an opening or at least finish this beer before he gets brave.
A low, guttural moan echoes from behind the crushed dumpster, signaling that the zombie pack is far from neutralized. The survivor atop the fire escape shifts his weight, his aim narrowing as the sounds of rot and hunger grow louder.
+ Scene Quest Added
Survive the zombie pack and the tactical survivor
“Ask him to come up fire escape”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +2)
KaptKroniK
Look, your vantage point sucks if they flank you. Why don't you come down here, share a cold one, and we can watch them tear each other apart from behind this dumpster?
Tactical Survivor
You think I am stupid enough to climb down there with a drunk gnome?
KaptKroniK
I think you are smart enough to realize that ladder is a trap. One good shove from those things and you are zombie bait. My way, we have a wall between us and them.
Tactical Survivor
He makes a fair point. The metal on this fire escape is groaning. If the pack hits this level, I am done for.
KaptKroniK
He is considering it. The crossbow is dipping just an inch. Keep the chatter going, Kapt, and maybe he will actually climb down.
The tactical survivor shifts his weight, the rusty fire escape shrieking in protest under his boots as he eyes the alley floor. He looks between the approaching shadows of the undead and the gnome standing calmly amidst the encroaching dust.
“Offer a beer”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled -1)
KaptKroniK
Take it, man. It is a warm IPA, but it beats a zombie bite any day of the week.
KaptKroniK
He is reaching for it. The metal is really screaming now. If he does not jump soon, he is going down with the fire escape.
Tactical Survivor
You better not be trying to poison me, gnome.
KaptKroniK
My lifestyle is built on poor decisions, not murder. Catch.
KaptKroniK tosses the dented can upward. The tactical survivor catches it mid-air, his gaze locked onto the gnome below while the fire escape shudders violently. A section of the debris pile near the dumpster gives way, spilling trash and rot across the asphalt as the first of the infected heads push through the gap.
Quest Complete
Survive the zombie pack and the tactical survivor
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Good→Great
+ Scene Quest Added
Escape the alleyway with the Tactical Survivor