Thanks for those continuing to support! Though not many reviews (Hint, hint) it's great to see the numbers I'm seeing. I, myself, really can't wait to get to the "fun" scenes between Daryl and Tessa so I'm trying to breeze through this and juggle life. Enjoy! :)
EXT.- NEW FORT KNOX- NIGHT
Walkers feed on the bodies of two soldiers below at the base of the steel tower. Sasha, Carol, Abraham and Morgan now watch through the narrow cut windows and listen for any threat from either direction. So far the field is clear and the fort is calm. Sasha take a deep breath.
SASHA
For an army fort, this place doesn't look so well guarded.
ABRAHAM
Tessa said they've never been attacked to a serious degree.
So when you're at the top of the chain, what's there to fear?
On the ground over yonder, Rosita and Spencer's team stake out amongst the trees. They are dressed in Walker cloaks as to mask their odor from roaming Walkers and not blow cover.
EXT. - NEW FORT KNOX- CELLS- NIGHT
Two guards stand at the entry way to the holding cells. Suddenly, arrows simultaneously strike each of their heads from opposite directions. They collapse to the ground as Daryl and Tessa unite from opposite ends of the building with their weapons sheaved. As Daryl pulls the arrows from their skulls, Tessa opens the door to the building with the spare keys from The General's desk. Once open, she and Daryl each grab a body and quickly drag them inside. They drop the guards to the side and close the door behind.
TESSA
Come on.
Daryl follows her down the stairs of the dimly lit, grim looking building. It was one of a few as the base had settled around abandoned storages. They set up a few tents before adding some structure to the fences which were much like the walls of Alexandria.
INT.- NEW FORT KNOX- CELLS- NIGHT
Four people sit in chains against the wall. There are rusted pans for food and the water pals are molded with dirty water inside. The sound of footsteps rushing down the stairs alert the weary prisoners as they fear for the possibility that it is their time. Tessa stops at the last step to observe the room and who was in it. Two people are unfamiliar but the other two are. AN AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE ABOUT EARLY 50's, SERGEANT JONES...
SERGEANT JONES
I'll be damned...
TESSA
Sergeant Jones?
Surprised, Tessa rushes over as Daryl starts for the others. She goes for the padlock that looping the chains through the shackle to the wall.
TESSA (CONT'D)
Why are you down here?
SERGEANT JONES
Nevermind me. Why are you?
TESSA
To end this. I met some people- family- and
told them of Constantine. They're here to help.
SERGEANT JONES
The General isn't here and you shouldn't be either.
Constantine is wired for carnage. He killed Dr. Grayson.
Tessa's expression is of shock and sorrow.
SERGEANT JONES (CONT'D)
He found out.
Just then the other familiar face, A MID 20'S WHITE MALE, SETH BAKER, steps over. Tessa isn't excited and her expression "You son of a bitch." Without warning Tessa snatches him up against the wall. Daryl and Jones break them apart.
TESSA
Sucks when it's your ass on the line. Daryl, I
should have informed you to leave the "Judas" alone.
Seth stands before Tessa in an apologetic manner.
SETH
I was stupid and a coward... and you were right.
SERGEANT JONES
(Beat) It wasn't him. Constantine knew but was playing fools.
Just then the door from upstairs opens and movement is heard. Daryl grabs Tessa and everyone shifts under the stairs. Daryl and Tessa ready their knives. Down the steps comes Rick, Michonne, and Dr. Ferrell. Upon seeing them they, lower their defenses. Rick stops at the bottom not seeing anyone until...
DARYL
Rick...
Rick turns to the familiar voice behind him.
RICK
We need to move quick and now. We killed two soldiers
and it's only a matter of time before they're discovered.
DARYL
Yeah us too. Alright if we're going to fight this
guy we need weapons. Let's get to the infirmary.
SERGEANT JONES
Whoa... Fight?
TESSA
Yes. That's why were here. It ends here.
SERGEANT JONES
With what army?
TESSA
This one. There are still some who feel differently.
SERGEANT JONES
He's gone and took his most trusted men with
him. We should all just be smart and go too.
TESSA
You know we can't do that. He won't stop. We round
up our most trusted, take the base and him by
surprise. Besides, my group- my family- need supplies.
This sounds good to Seth and he braves up to chime in on the plan.
SETH
You can leave the people to me.
TESSA
No.
SETH
Trust me. I know who'll help.
TESSA
That's not it. If anyone sees you or the others they'll
know something is up. As far as I can see, Dr. Ferrell
is the only one who can walk around without suspicion.
DR. FERRELL
But I don't know who I'm dealing with. Some way he's got to help me.
Tessa considers this. Suddenly, an idea and she tears a piece of Seth's shirt before running up the stairs where Michonne stand watch next to the two dead men. Tessa dips the cloth in the blood spilling from them and goes back down the stairs.
TESSA
(To Seth)
Give me your hand.
A bit discussed he does and she ties it around it.
TESSA (CONT'D)
(To Ferrell)
If anyone ask... you're treating his wound.
SETH
And me?
TESSA
You're a good lair. Figure it out.
Rick steps into play.
RICK
(Beat) Here take our radio.(Handing radio to Ferrell)
Us four will head to the infirmary. Sergeant Jones, you
and these two get out by the East wall and to the woods.
We have a party there waiting. Ferrell, Seth, once you have a
handful of people send two off for others then start slipping through as well.
MICHONNE
We need to go.
RICK
Alright, get going.
Dr. Ferrell and Seth head up the stairs as the rest wait below. They open the door and head off. Moments later as the coast is clear Sergeant Jones and the other two make their way to the escape. Then soon after, Tessa leads the way to the infirmary.
INT. NEW FORT KNOX- NIGHT
A YOUNG FEMALE SOLIDER enters the building reviewing some business as she heads down the hall at ease. Halfway through the hall she stops and slowly turns her attention to a closed door. With caution she approach and presses her ear against the door to hear faint vocals on the other side. She glances down to see dark red oozing out from underneath the door near her feet. Hesitantly, she opens the door to find the Walkers of the two slain soldiers. They rush towards her and in a panic, she closes the door and backs away as they slam against it. Wide eye with fear, the young woman storms out of the building leaving the papers in the pool of blood.
INT.- NEW FORT KNOX- INFIRMARY - NIGHT
Three other soldiers lay dead as Rick, Michonne, Daryl and Tessa load up on what they can fit in the bags they carried in.
MICHONNE
This has to be the most weapons we've come across in one room since.
RICK
With the amount of people here it's to be expected.
TESSA
This is still only half. I use to be one of the
Supply Sergeants and we don't put all our eggs in one basket.
Daryl comes over with his share.
DARYL
My bag is heavy enough. Ain't no way we're getting all this without going unnoticed.
TESSA
You're right. So we get just enough to arm our people. We get the rest after the takeover.
RICK
Whatever we have let's just take it. We've lingered too long.
They rush out of the room with Tessa leading the way. Down the dark hall, the group head for the back exit door.
INT- NEW FORT KNOX- GUARD TOWER- NIGHT
In the tower, Abraham, Sasha, Carol and Morgan remain alert continuing to scan the area for any sigh of the enemy. Suddenly, Sasha spots three figures running across the field on the far side.
SASHA
We've got movement.
She quickly pulls up the rifle to peer through the scoop at the fleeing targets.
ABRAHAM
Hold up. Don't get trigger happy.
He looks at them through a pair of binoculars.
ABRAHAM (CONT'D)
No weapons... maybe they're a few of the people Tessa was talking about.
They all watch for a moment.
CAROL
Maybe they're not. (Beat) We should radio Rosita
and Spencer and give them a heads up.
EXT. - NEW FORT KNOX- NIGHT
After checking the surroundings, Tessa senses something is definitely up. She dashes out with the others and they stay alongside the compound. Voices are heard scrambling about and her heart race within her chest. Suddenly bright lights illuminate the fort and the sound of sirens fill the air. Tessa, Daryl, Rick and Michonne stop in their tracks.
EXT- NEW FORT KNOX- FIELD- NIGHT
Halfway through the field Sergeant Jones and the other two stop and turn to the fort. In a slight panic Jones wish to run back but is stopped by one of his accompanist.
ACCOMPANIST 1
No! They still have others out here and they're going to need your help.
He looks at the them with uncertainty.
ACCOMPANIST 2
We're out. Trust they will be too.
He hesitantly nods and they continue on through to the woods.
INT. - NEW FORT KNOW- NIGHT
Abraham, Sasha, Carol and Morgan drop there attention on the runaways and turn to the fort.
ABRAHAM
Monkey sacks!
Carol grabs the radio.
CAROL
Rick! Do you copy? Michonne, Daryl, Tessa?!
After a moment, there is no answer on the radio but gunfire is heard through the echoes of the siren.
CAROL (CONT'D)
We have to get down there.
Carol turns to leave but is stopped by Morgan.
MORGAN
Carol, No! We have to be their seeing eye and stay here.
CAROL
That's four against an army in there!
MORGAN
And we're there second line of defense. (Beat)
We have to have faith that they have allies.
ABRAHAM
The man's right. We rush in we lose everything.
Carol looks to Sasha who glances at Abraham unsure about the situation herself. But she looks to Carol and nods.
SASHA
Let's wait. If they need us they'll radio.
EXT- NEW FORT KNOX- WOODS- NIGHT
In the woods, Rosita, Spencer and the others are alerted as well.
ROSITA
Shhii...
The siren echoes through the woods. Rosita pick up the radio.
ROSITA (CONT'D)
Rick, Daryl, you in? Michonne, Tessa!
SPENSER
The hell happened?
ROSITA
Whatever happened this isn't good.
SPENSER
You're right because that siren is going to draw Walkers. We need to move.
ROSITA
With the cloaks we'll be fine.
SPENSER
I don't wanna risk it.
Just then they hear crackling and the running. Rosita snaps up and aim at the figures charging in their direction. At the cock of firearms the three people stop at surprise to the group. Sergeant Jones raises his hands in submission.
SERGEANT JONES
Hey, hey! It's okay. Tessa sent us.
SPENSER
What happened? Where are they?
SERGEANT JONES
They went to the infirmary after we were
directed to leave. Beyond that, don't know.
They look to the fort as it flashes with gun fire.