Society of Justice 3: Crisis on the Earth

[socialtangent]

Tommy's dire - and loud - warning caught Levi's attention. He was prepared to shrug his warning as some kind of Halloween joke when a faint, muffled sound became audible. Although distant, he noise was constant and droning...like the collective moans of the undead. It was slowly growing in volume, as if it was getting closer. Judging from the way it sounded, and the fact that he could hear it at all, it was a significantly large crowd that was heading their way.

A sinking feeling of dread manifested itself in Levi's chest. Zombies. At least it's season-appropriate. "Okay..." he started. "I agree with Richard. We need to be barricading whatever we can, with whatever we can. I volunteer to help build them, since my powers should be at least a little helpful," he said urgently.

 

[Pm0n3y]

Still slightly exhausted from the strenuous work on the costume, Jason found himself in the lounge on the verge of dozing off. That is, until all the commotion caused his head (and interests) to immediately perk up. Yet, slightly suspended in disbelief, Jason stepped towards the window leading outside, eyes widening as he saw the reanimated masses slowly approach the Promenade.

"Zombies. Damn." Erebus joked in a faux gruff voice, Jason turning to approach Levi.

"I'm up for helping you and Rich with the barricades. I could put spikes and stakes around the perimeter, serving as a first defense. Even if they don't outright stop them down, they'll at least slow them down." Jason suggested to the two, tendrils travelling up his face in their usual fashion to form his mask. His speech pattern pausing slightly as his eyes veered off to the side, noticing that Alex was inspecting and loading the guns he got her last Christmas. Jason's eyes glistened with affection.

"She's using them!" He thought, squealing with glee.

"I'll bet you 50 dollars that she'll get rid of them before the day is over." Erebus replied bluntly.

 

[tsatoma]

"Hell no we shouldn't go to the security room! Yeah, it might be nigh-impossible to get inside but it's also on the other side of the Promenade...away from all food sources and the closest water source are the bathrooms in the museum! Along with that it's right next to the conference room, which has windows! And it's not exactly a large room either though the walkway to it could maybe fit us," Leland said after his initial freak out at the idea that he was now in a zombie movie (and wondering how the hell people were seeing the zombies through non-existant windows). He finally calmed down after ideas were being thrown around, holding onto the cause of the disaster: Renton.

"I think we should have the lounge be are main operating area. If the zombies do push us all the way here we have a few options at least. We can continue falling back to either the basement or the roof. The stairs to both are right next to each other and are just outside and to the right! Not sure which one we'd use though..." he mused before getting an idea, "For barricading the big entrances outside we can move cars and such in front of the doors, to make it a bit harder to get into. Not sure how many cars we have outside though...I should tell my brother." He got out his phone and sent out a quick text, hoping nothing horrible had happened to Garrus.

----

"Goddamn you fucking bastards! MOVE!" Garrus yelled as he honked the horn of his X6 a dozen times, trying to get the people walking in front of his car to move. "Yeah nice costumes, but that doesn't mean you guys have to always act like your zombies! Fuck, at this rate I'll never get back," he cursed angrily whilst tapping the steering wheel with his hand before cursing once more and driving towards the Promenade on the wrong side of the road to get around the large crowd.

"And they just won't stop getting in the road! Move people! At least use the crosswalks!" he yelled as he slammed his head onto the horn a few times before trying to maneuver around the group in front of him. "Stupid costumes. Stupid candy. Stupid phone text...pfft does he expect me to believe that? Bullshit," he muttered after reading the text and put his phone back down so that he could concentrate on not accidentally running anyone over.

 

[socialtangent]

Levi nodded. "Okay, if it's going to be just me and you, we should get on that right now," he said to Jason, taking a quick glance at the others. "Uh...Alex! We're going to need you as well. You can throw up ice walls. That's going to help a lot". He gestured to the door leading back to the hall. Levi's gaze quickly met Taryn's before settling on the group in general. "We don't have a lot of time. We have to move, now," he said before heading through the double doors and down the hall.

 

[Lizmichi]

"Eric come with me, we'll need you as well. Alchemy is our best friend right now." Alex said pulling Eric with her as she followed Levi. "Who the hell would summon zombies to the Promenade on Halloween? For fuck sake." Alex said rolling her eyes letting go of Eric.

"Wait I get to use my sword. YES." Eric said thinking about everything he could do.

"Don't get bitten Eric, I'd hate to put you down with a bullet in your head." Alex said.

 

[RBMidknight]

Zombies. Actual real live...or...real dead zombies. If it wasn't for the apparent seriousness of the situation Taryn would have laughed. She did permit herself a regretful glance down at the empty shotgun holster attached to her belt. A shotgun would have been really helpful right about now. Taryn's gaze met Levi's and she felt a tiny bit of worry begin to creep up. She shook her head to banish the negative thought.

As soon as Levi began to move Taryn followed. It was habit, practically instinct, though she wasn't sure she'd be much help with barricade building. She wanted to help with something though. Leaning to one side briefly Taryn unsnapped her phone from her belt and held it loosely in one hand. She used the wireless access built into the phone to access the Promenade's secure network. It only took a fraction of a second because she'd done so often to perform quick tests. But this time she went a few steps farther. Using the networked system Taryn accessed the security cameras.

Immediately Taryn's vision changed. In a shaky overlay on top of what she was actually seeing, images of the outside of the Promenade came into fuzzy existence. Merely lines at first, the image eventually solidified into a full-color rendition of what one of the security cameras was actively capturing. It was...a little disorienting.

 

[blaze96]

"Katie, I know there are some hedges around for decorations sake, do you think you could extend those around what the others will be doing? I'm thinking you might be able to make them grow extremely thick as well. If you can do that, we can make some hedgerows, which gave the allies some real trouble in world war two. I figure if it took them using a tank to get through it, the zombies might have some real trouble. We could also use it to conceal some of the other traps the others might be laying.

While you all are setting up your individual walls so that we have as many of them as possible to buy us some more time to figure this mess out, I'll gather up every gun and bullet I can find and get them to the lounge since it seems that is where we are holding up. Levi can always use his magnetic powers to fling bits of metal while I'm shooting." Richard said already moving around the lounge to gather the few stashes scattered around the room.

 

[Pm0n3y]

Walking ahead with Taryn and Levi, Jason spun on an heel almost instinctively, facing Alex and Eric.

"Yeah, with the guns I bought her!" Jason blurted out excitedly, pausing shortly after before awkwardly clearing his throat.

"...Sorry 'bout that." He replied to the two before facing forward.

"So, where are we laying down our defenses? I was thinking mostly around all entrances and windows. If we lay 'em down thick enough, there'd be no way for them to get in...at least, that's what i'm hoping. I don't know if fifteen minutes would be enough for us to fully cover the entire area." Jason said to Levi and Taryn.

 

[Lizmichi]

Alex looked at Jason. "Yes these are the guns you bought for me and they work very well." Alex laughed some still following the other. She thought Jason had acted a bit odd but she let it go.

Eric looked at Alex and shrugged. "Why don't you use your gun's much anyway?" Eric asked her.

"I just haven't had a need to use them" she said.

 

[Lefthandofgod]

"They're possessed by spirits of nine hundred and thirteen lesser demons"

Demons...attacking
Steven's mind was racing at the sudden news of an attack. Panic was burning the liqueur out of his system, and his mind was slowly coming into the sharp focus he hated so much.

Think, Steven, Think! What did Tyson just say? Ten minutes, then they're here. We need to fight...need to defend the building

"Everyone! Get ready for combat!" He shouted. He was completely sober now, and he felt alive! His armor thinned around him as he concentrated, slowing his breath to the point where you couldn't tell if he still was. Light poured in from all the windows. Panting, he rose to address the group "OK...I covered the outside of the complex in a light shield. It should buy us about twenty minutes, if they're not too strong. Now..." he turned his attention back away from the team and again slipped into concentration. His armor flickered, lightening in color, and a myriad of weapons appeared, floating silently behind him.

Seeing his silent army floating behind him, Steven draws his trusty flask and says lovingly, "We still have twenty minutes, my love. And if we die, we shall die together!"

 

[socialtangent]

Levi considered Jason's suggestion as the group made their way down the hall. "I think we should worry about the bigger entrances first," he said, pointing to the main entrance to the Promenade that stood ahead of them. "Make it harder for them to get in, maybe funnel where they come in from. We definitely don't have enough time to block off every entrance, but we can at least deny them some of the bigger ones". Levi came to a stop in front of the Promenade's primary entrance. "At least, that's what I'm thinking".

Suddenly picking up on an electromagnetic disturbance, he looked up. At that moment, a bright light shined through the doors and windows of the Promenade, illuminating the entirety of the grand hall and casting harsh shadows on the various exhibits. What was that? Deciding to risk a quick look outside, Levi saw the source of the brightness. A shimmering barrier of light had manifested itself, surrounding the perimeter of the building. There was only one person who could've done this.

Steven. And he's attracted every damn zombie in Nova City.

Sighing with irritation, Levi faced the others. "Well, looks like we've got some extra time, but now every zombie in the city knows to go towards the bright, shining light," he grumbled.

 

[NeoAC]

Brian almost couldn't believe it when Tommy's seemingly fake call was proven true with Tyson confirming that zombies were assaulting the Prominade. It figures I would be going against the frigging costume's namesake. Why couldn't I have dressed up as like Gargamel or something?

He headed back to his room, figuring a cricket bat would not be an appropriate weapon, despite what the movies would have folks believe. At least, not when there are bigger and more shiny things that can be used to bash and fry a zombie's brains. I swore that damn Doctor would be the first one to taste this sucker's current, but I guess desperate times call for vows to be broken. Or something like that. Weapon retrieved, he headed back out to the lounge.

Brian filed in with the group listening to the new leader, Levi, describing the updated situation, and then he had a thought. "Well Levi, you know, couldn't we use this time to go to the garage there? Pretty sure we got some vehicles that would make some decent zombie plows, eh? Plus it might buy some time for some barricade building up there."

 

[elementsoul]

Tyson entered his room and put on his armor. Liking the swords and daggers from his previous costume, and feeling that they could prove useful Tyson put them back on over his armor. Next he grabbed his weapon, checked it, and loading in a fresh magazine before pulling back the bolt in order to chamber the first round. Now with his weapons at the ready Tyson grabbed a duffel bag and filled it with ammunition and some explosive devices. I was hoping that these would just gather dust. I hope we don't actually need to use them.

Listening to what everyone was suggesting over the comm Tyson sighed. I can't believe these people are suppose to be the top of the line. Leaving his room Tyson started to talk into the comm.

"A few things that need to be addressed right now. Number one Tommy we need to know some things about what we are dealing with. These aren't normal movie zombies so do we know if a head shot can kill them or if they have an other weakness. Additionally I need to know if we need to kill all of the attacking zombies or if you can perform a counter spell or something that will stop the attack and remove the demons.

Number two, the Promenade is big people. Unless you can be certain about creating a defense that will surround it don't waste you time on it. If you can create a perimeter with one or two entrances so that we can takeout the zombies as they arrive in the places that we want to. If we can't it's useless running around here trying to kill all of them as they arrive and if you completely block them they'll just build up and we'll have to deal with a much larger amount when they breakthrough.

Because of the fact that they'll eventually break through in a different location than the ones we create anyways we'll also have to create internal defense positions. Since the lounge has two entrances we'll have to block off one as it will be easier to defend. I suggest we block off the one leading to our rooms after we retrieve any weapons, ammo, and medical supplies from that area first. On top of that if we can extend the walls that separate the generations in the museum so that the garden entrance is blocked off, the openings in the walls on the same side as the lounge entrance are blocked off, and block off the cafe entrance to the main hall the zombies can only get to us one way so we can set up defensive positions in order to take them out."

Tyson finished his speech on what he felt should be done as he entered the infirmary. Upon seeing the doctor, knowing he didn't have a comm Tyson felt that he should inform him of what's going on. "Renton activated one of Tommy's spells and we're going to be under attack in a few minutes by demon zombies. I know it sounds insane so I wouldn't blame you for not believing me but I'm going to start taking anything that will be useful, meanwhile I suggest that you head into the lounge and wait for it to end." As Tyson finished his summary of what's going on he opened one of the cabinets and started to put gauze, bandages, pain killers, disinfectants and what ever else he found could be useful into his duffel bag.

 

[socialtangent]

Hearing a voice mumble from the comm in his pocket, Levi took the device and placed it to his ear in time to hear Tyson give some input about the defense plan. "Well, Tyson, giving them only a few entrances was sort of my plan to begin with," he replied into the comm. "Although blocking off the Cafe and the Gardens is a good idea too". He turned to face the assembled team of barricade builders. "Okay, we're going have to spread out. Alex and Eric can patch up the entrance to the Garden while Jason, Taryn, and I do the Cafe entrance. We don't have a lot of time, so I suggest we get going".

 

[Captainguy42]

" Steven's shield will buy us some time for me to explain, but Steven, if maintaining that shield takes energy don't bother, save your strength, this is barely a warm up compared to what comes later." Tommy activated his com link so everyone would hear him.

"Alright people! Let me explain a few things that might just make it so this night doesn't end it tears. First off, the zombies are possessed by demons, not created by a virus, so, don't worry about getting turned into a Zombie if you get bit. That said, these are corpses, and are full of bacteria, bites can quickly get infected if you don't take care of it. Also, the demons reside in the skull, destroying the head, or decapitating it will force the demon to leave the body. Keep in mind, also if you damage the body beyond use, the demon will leave on it's own. Once a demon leaves it will just find a new host.

" Also, the goal of these demons, is to get their hands on the book. It is literally all they want, they will keep coming in waves, getting stronger until they get it, or we banish them. And, well banishing is the tough part. You see, this spell has a clause to it, it can only be undone by having the caster, in this case Renton, read the spell backwards."

Tommy then ran to his room and grabbed the vest, MMA gloves, and battle Axe. Before joining the rest in the lounge.

 

[tsatoma]

The Doctor simply raised an eyebrow at Tyson's little spiel before going back to the book he was reading, glaring at him as he noticed him getting some supplies out. He muttered something about kids these days not telling reality from their fictional games as he looked back down at the page before him.

----

"Oh what the fuck is that? Did Steven get into the liquor cabinet?" Garrus groaned after getting around a mob of zombies only to see the Promenade being surrounded by a bright light. He wondered how he was going to get inside now (or how the little kids would once they came to get their candy), driving past the growing horde of zombies that were getting steadily closer to the Promenade as he turned into the the long driveway to the Promenade.

----

"Stupid clauses. In all my books back home there are always passages with loopholes for things...wish there was one in this book for this," Leland said as he looked over the page of the book, wondering how in the world Renton had read it in the first place.

"Now look kiddo, we all need you to say this spell backwards. You said it once, now just say it again in reverse, you got that?" he asked Renton who simply giggled and started babbling, "I think we're on a good start here."

 

[Lizmichi]

"Right, well head out Levi." Alex said then looked at Eric. "You know what to do Eric. I put up ice and you reinforce it." she added then ran off pulling at much water from the air as she could and took it with her heading to the Garden entrance.

"Hmmmm I should have enough water for this." Alex said starting to form a thick ice wall. Once the wall was done she supported it with a gray energy field. "OK Alex I'll use the floor to support the wall." Eric said placing his hands on the floor making it twist and turn around until it started to climb up the wall. The floor was deformed and full of holes until Eric finished. "There that should be good enough." Eric said.

"Good, I'll let Levi know it's done." she said then used her com. "Hey Levi the garden is secure. Anything else you need help with?" she asked.

 

[RBMidknight]

Taryn shook her head slowly as she disconnected from the security feeds. In an instant the small 'window' she'd been viewing disappeared and she began to see things 'normally' again. While the information obtained from the cameras was useful, the zombies weren't quite to the Promenade yet and the dual-vision was more distracting than it was helpful. Taryn brought her hand up to tug at her boot-strap necklace while she finished listening to Levi.

"...Alex and Eric can patch up the entrance to the Garden while Jason, Taryn, and I do the Cafe entrance."

Alex responded to Levi and left with Eric. The next voice that came over the communicator was Tommy's. And he had some rather detailed information about the zombies the team was about to face. The good news was that bites were, mostly, harmless. The bad news was that they had to decapitate the attackers. 'Or severely injure them.' Taryn noted. She dropped her hand to her sides and tapped her fingers lightly against her leg. Damaging the bodies was probably going to be her best tactic.

 

[Pm0n3y]

Soon after Levi divided the 'defense construction' group, Jason promptly set to work, racing through the cafe, reaching the outside area of the Promenade. His eyes widen as he realized how much more urgent the situation had escalated. The corpses neared enormous shield of light, closer than imagined.

"It seems the stakes have been raised." Erebus pointed out as Jason looked on.

"It was inevitable." He replied simply with a shrug before patching into his comm.

"Guys...they're banging at our door, and they obviously don't want candy. I think we should get a move on." Jason said before striking at the ground with a loud grunt, spikes of varying length and size sprouting from the ground, in attempts to close off any point of access in the area of the cafe.

 

[socialtangent]

Levi followed Jason out to the Cafe entrance, gesturing for Taryn to follow. By the time he caught up with the man, he had already began summoning spikes from the ground. Quickly, Levi reached into one of the pockets of his costume and produced a dense block of metal roughly the size of his hand. It was a dark grey color and had a dull sheen that reflected the light of the shining barrier overhead.

Finally get to use some of these...

It was one of the compacted sheets of metal that he received almost two years ago from May, a former member of the Society. Had the situation not called for urgency, Levi may have briefly wondered what had happened to the shadow manipulator after she left. He tossed the block of metal towards one of the Cafe's somewhat large - and vulnerable - windows.

It began to unfurl as it hurtled through the air, quickly expanding to cover the entirety of the window. Due to having to stretch out a considerable bit, the metal covering the window was somewhat thinner, but it would hopefully serve just fine in keeping the hordes of undead at bay for now. Holding his left hand out to the first sheet to keep it in place, Levi pulled a second condensed block out from his pocket, this one a somewhat lighter shade of grey. In a fashion similar to the first sheet, he tossed it, unfurled it and stretched it accordingly to fit the other window.

Now maintaining a hold on the two sheets against the walls, Levi called out to Taryn. "Taryn, I'm gonna need you to weld these to the wall as best you can," he said. Holding the sheets in place wasn't necessarily a demanding task, but he wouldn't be able to fight while doing so. Welding them to the wall would cause some cosmetic damage for sure, but it was necessary for their survival.