Disclaimer: I do not own Terminator or the Walking Dead or any of its characters, except for my OC's
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Chapter 9
Into the Frying Pan Pt. 1
"So Marlon." Clem started off casually as her new squad leader drove the Hummer onto I-710 S after East Anaheim with the M35 right behind them.
"Yes Clem?" Marlon asked, even though he had a good idea what it was the young teenage girl was about to say/ask.
"Which way is the quickest to San Pedro?" She softly asked as she was curious if her friends/teammates knew the fastest/safest routes throughout Long Beach.
"Oh, that's an easy one: Interstate-170 across the Vincent Thomas Bridge." Louis answered with a soft chuckle as he informed Clementine that the quickest route to San Pedro was the interstate they had just drove on.
"Yep, we should reach San Pedro in about 20 minutes." Marlon automatically added with a soft smirk, stating on how they would arrive the Resistance outpost in 20 minutes.
"...Louis, how did you know that?" Clem asked as she found it was suspicious on the way that the older African American boy answered her question for Marlon...and fairly suspected she knew the answer.
"He read it from an on the road map." Violet answered plainly as she fairly guessed that Louis had been reading the traveling guide of Los Angeles that she, Marlon and the rest of their team had stored in the Hummer's glove compartment for safe keeping.
"Tsk, nah. Don't listen to Vi, Clementine. The reason how I knew is cuz I'm psychic." Louis stated casually as he dismissed the blonde's statement and claimed that he had 'psychic powers' which earned an amused smirk from Marlon as he glanced between from the road and his best friend.
"Ohh, really?" Clementine playfully and teasingly asked with raised eyes brows after hearing Louis claiming to be a 'psychic' while glancing to Violet, showing that she didn't buy the older African American teenage boy's bullshit answer either...and how they both noticed Louis's eyes nervously darting back and forth through the rear view mirror as if he just hid something.
"Yep. That's right." Louis answered while attempting to keep a straight face...even though he knew his friends/group saw right through his weak facade.
"You were reading a map. Weren't you?" Clem asked plainly while leaning forward and speaking like a parent confronting their child for telling a fib.
"...Yeah, I was." Louis weakly stated as he hesitantly confessed that he had indeed been reading an on the road traveling guide which caused Marlon, Clem and Violet to burst into laughter as he turned away and rested his head on the knuckles of his right hand.
"Hey Marlon, everything okay with you, Louis and the girls up front?" Rick's voice stated through the Hummer's CB radio which instantly came online.
"Yeah everything's okay Brennan. Louis was just trying to hit on Clementine again by claiming he had 'psychic powers'." Marlon answered truthfully as he reached for the radio's microphone and stated on how the laughter that Rick and Mitch heard was just him, Clem and Violet laughing at Louis after he flirted with the young teenage girl and attempted to woo her by claiming he had 'psychic abiliities'.
"Tsk, really Louis? Psychic?" Mitch's voice asked over the radio as he and Rick turned to each other and shared an amused smirk after hearing how the older African American teenage boy was hitting on Clem.
"Ohh, shut up Mitch. When you first met Brody, you told her that you once trained under Mike Tyson." Louis swiftly countered as he brought up the time when the combative brunette had tried to impress Brody by claiming that he studied boxing under Mike Tyson's tutelage!
"Hold up...Louis. Did you just say Mike Tyson?" Clementine asked with a wide grin on her face after hearing how Mitch told Brody that he had 'trained' under the most famous and legendary boxer in USA history before Skynet was ever created!
"You have a crush on Brody?" Violet added with an equally amused grin on her face after hearing Louis imply that the combative brunette had a crush on their squad's 2nd field medic!
"Louis, you...! J-Just shut the fuck up man!" Mitch angrily stuttered as he was deeply flabbergasted on how Louis practically revealed to both Clementine and Violet that he was interested in Brody before he deactivated the radio, slammed the radio on the dash and leaned back against his seat with a pout on his face.
Meanwhile back in the Hummer, Clem and Violet couldn't help but laugh at Mitch's expense after they heard him stutter the moment Louis revealed to them, Marlon and Rick how he a had a crush on Brody and angrily telling Louis to 'shut the hell up' before he deactivated the radio.
"Ohh, now that was worth the price of admission." Violet stated as she clapped her hands together after hearing the embarrassment in Mitch's tone of voice after learning his truly surprising secret: how the hotheaded explosives specialist on their team had feelings for Brody!
"Hey Violet, I know this is going to sound like a dumb question, but did you guys know that Mitch..." Clementine began to ask before the older blonde had cut her off.
"Nope. Not one of us had a clue." The blonde teenage girl answered softly while shaking her head 'no', stating how she and the rest of the team were completely unaware that Mitch had a crush on Brody.
"So, do you guys know any of the troops stationed at San Pedro?" The young African American teenage girl stated as she asked Marlon, Violet and Louis if they knew any of the Resistance fighters in the 106th Infantry.
"Well, not personally. I mean, MSgt. Hammon did mention once how the commanding officer in charge of the 106th; Lt. Coleman had a rep for being a rather tough but fair squad leader." Marlon answered truthfully as he admitted to Clementine on how they didn't know any of the troops stationed in San Pedro and revealed on how Kenny once told him, Louis and the others on how the commanding officer of the 106th Infantry; Lt. Coleman had a reputation of being a rather tough veteran soldier.
"Hey guys, according to the map, we're already passing through Terminal Island and we're about the approach the bridge." Louis stated as he took out the on the road map he had been reading earlier and after going over the directions, informed his friends that they had already exited I-170 South and gotten on the Seaside Freeway.
"Ohh, yeah. I can see it." Clem stated as she opened her side window and leaned out to get a better view of their surroundings and spotted the Vincent Thomas Bridge once it came into view; which was a bright blue colored version of the Golden Gate Bridge connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco.
However, as soon as they approached the bridge, Clementine and her group couldn't help stare in silent shock and sadness: as they spotted numerous vehicles that were parked abandoned on opposite lanes...and several huge cracks on the roadway, which they knew would make traveling on the roadway dicey. But thankfully, due to Marlon's and Rick's superb driving skills, they managed to keep the Hummer and M35 transport truck steady and avoided the huge gaps as they drove across the deck.
"Okay, which way now?" Violet asked as she and Clementine glanced out their own side windows and smiled softly as they admired the number of boats/yachts floating on the flat surface of the ocean underneath the bridge.
"According to the map...if we continue to follow the freeway, we take the next exit, 1C and turn right onto North Harbor Blvd and then right onto Miner, which will take us straight to the marina." Louis answered as he went over the traveling guide, stating how they would continue driving along the Seaside Fwy before taking Exit 1C and turning right onto both N Harbor and Miner Street which would take them straight to Cabrillo Way Marina.
"Hey Mitch, did you and Rick get all that?" Marlon stated while speaking into his earwig radio and asking the combative brunette if he and Brennan had heard what Louis said.
"Yeah, we heard what Livingston said Marlon. Turn right onto N Harbor and then Miner after exiting the freeway." Rick answered over the radio, confirming that he and Mitch had indeed heard Louis and repeated back on how they would turn right onto N Harbor Blvd and Miner Street to reach the marina.
Once they made it across the bridge, both the Hummer and M35 transport truck had entered San Pedro and drove along Exit 1C before turning right onto N Harbor Blvd and Miner Street, which they followed for five whole minutes before they eventually arrived at their main destination: the Cabrillo Way Marina. Although, as soon as they had found suitable spots to park their vehicles; to avoid being spotted by any Scout Drones flying by and slowly exited the Hummer and M35...Clementine and her squad mates couldn't help but instinctively glance around the marina, which was completely deserted. As they glanced around the docks, the young teenage girl couldn't help but stare in genuine surprise: as she spotted Davey climbing out of the back of the M35 with black stripes painted across his cheeks, along with red stripes painted underneath and was wearing a blood red headband around his forehead underneath his Ultra-Vision goggles.
"So this is Cabrillo Way Marina." Assim stated plainly, even though he and the others could only imagine how beautiful the marina was before Judgment Day ever happened.
"Marlon, what's the plan?" Violet asked as she glanced over her shoulder to her friend and team leader, along with the rest of the squad.
"We should locate the warehouse that the 106th was using as their FOB. The Sarge said that we'd find it on Pier #1." The older blonde teenage boy answered plainly, stating on how their first order of business would be locating the warehouse the 106th Infantry were stationed at.
"I'm pretty sure I see it. It's just further up the road not too far from where we are." Brody stated as she informed her friends that she had spotted the warehouse they were looking for: as it was further up the right side of the marina.
"Nice eye Brody." Clementine stated as she complimented the slightly older red haired field medic on her impressive eye sight.
"Okay guys, lets move it." Marlon stated with a soft smile as he patted Brody on the shoulder before he sprinted up ahead on the road with his friends/squad running right behind him.
However, shortly after Clementine and her team sprinted up the road on the marina leading to warehouse that served as the 106th's base of operations on Pier 1...the young teenage girl and her squad mates had gasped and looked on in complete in shock: as they spotted the remains of numerous Scout Drones laying scattered throughout the industrial dock, along with numerous shell casings and several Colt M4's and Remington Model 870 Express Combo shotguns on the ground.
"Oh my God." Ruby softly muttered as she and her friends stared deeply stunned to what they just found/stumbled upon.
"...Well...Now we know why we lost contact with the 106th." Mitch stated plainly as he and his team/friends discovered the reason why HQ had lost contact with the Resistance soldiers stationed in San Pedro: as their outpost was sadly discovered by Skynet!
"...What the hell happened here?" Rick softly asked as he and Assim turned to each other, both wondering what had happened at the marina before HQ lost contact with the 106th Infantry.
"Marlon, what do you want us to do?" Louis softly asked as he, Violet and the others turned to the older teenage boy, whom was equally stunned to what they just found as they were.
"...Mitch; take Rick, Brody and Assim to check the perimeter. Louis, Davey, Ruby, Violet, Clementine and I will search the warehouse for any clues on what happened here. Hopefully, the 106th left something that says where they went." Marlon answered as he ordered the older brunette, Rick, Assim and Brody to scout the perimeter to make sure that Pier #1 was safe whilst he and the others searched the outside and inside of the outpost for clues on what had happened to the 106th.
"...Alright. Rick, Assim, Brody; on me." Mitch replied as he turned to Brennan, Durman and Easton; whom nodded softly in agreement before they walked away to begin patrolling the industrial dock for any signs of remaining Machines lurking around.
As soon as Mitch and his group headed off to patrol around the perimeter, Clementine stared on deeply baffled: as Davey knelt down on his left knee and scooped up several of the ejected casings on the ground and examined them...and slowly closed his eyes; as if he were meditating or something while Violet, Marlon Louis and Ruby looked on in silence.
"...What's he doing?" Clem softly whispered to Violet and Louis, wondering if either of them knew what it was that Blackwood was doing.
"Davey's just doing his thing Clem." The older African American teenage boy answered casually, stating on how the Native-American teenage boy was simply working his 'mojo'.
"What the hell are y..." Clementine attempted to ask before she was immediately cut off.
"Just watch. You'll understand." Violet softly replied as she placed a gentle hand on the younger teenage girl's shoulder, stating that she would see and understand what it was Davey was doing in a few seconds.
"What happened here Davey?" Marlon softly asked as he approached their team tracker, whom opened his eyes and examined the casings he had picked up; which were were 5.56mm and 12 gauge rounds.
"...It's strange Marlon. There was a firefight: the sentry's guarding the main door to the outpost were shooting in multiple directions." Blackwood answered truthfully as he surprisingly revealed to his teammates on what had happened at the marina: how the Resistance troops on guard duty were attacked by the Scout Drones and immediately fought back to defend the outpost!
"...H-How did he...?" Clem asked as she stared on bewildered to how Davey instantly knew on what had happened at the Cabrillo Way Marina before HQ lost contact with the 106th!
"He's magic." Louis answered with his casual grin and playfully stating on how Davey was practically 'magic' while smiling and chuckling at the baffled look on the young African American teenage girl's face, along with Ruby; as she couldn't help but find the dumbstruck look on Clem's face priceless.
"Tsk. I can't believe the 106th let their guard down." Marlon stated while scoffing in disgust as he naturally assumed that the soldiers serving in the 106th Infantry Regiment got sloppy and allowed Skynet get the drop on them.
"I don't think they did." Davey countered as he informed the older blonde teenage boy that the 106th hadn't let their guard down.
"What do you mean?" Violet asked as she and the others were curious to what made Davey believe that the 106th hadn't let the Machines catch them off guard.
"Just look at the ground in front of the warehouse: there are two sets of shoe prints on opposite sides of the door; no doubt the troops on sentry duty. They were keeping watch and then opened fire when the Scout Drones advanced towards the outpost." The Native-American teenage boy answered solemnly as he stepped forward and pointed out to the two dry/visible shoe prints on the opposite sides of the door to the warehouse: which indicated that the two soldiers standing sentry had been keeping their eyes peeled and pointed out the scuff marks on the cement; which also indicated that the two soldiers had gotten into shooting stances as they fired upon the approaching Aerial Drones.
"And judging by the other two sets of shoe prints...I'd say two other Resistance fighters joined in the fray to help fend off the Tin Cans." He softly added while glancing at and gesturing to two additional sets of shoe prints imprinted on the cold cement; as he fairly guessed that two more soldiers had assisted their fellow troops in fending off the Drones.
"...Davey? How did you...?" Clementine started off softly as she was deeply curious to how Blackwood predicted on what happened outside the Cabrillo Way Marina outpost before her friend/teammate cut her off.
"I'm Cherokee, newbie. My father would take me with him to our tribe's spiritual retreats; which helped us find peace and get in tune with our spiritual centers." Davey answered with a casual smirk as he revealed to the young African American teenage girl that he was Cherokee Indian and how his father had took him along to their tribe's annual retreats when he was a little boy; where he and their people would find their spiritual centers and become in tune with nature...which was how he had foreseen the events that took place at the marina before the 106th went radio silent.
"And before you ask, the face paint...I wear it as respect to my people. And as for the headband, I wear it for good luck in battle." He automatically added as he explained to Clementine he wore red/black paint on his face as a sign of respect to his people/ancestors and that the headband was his personal good luck charm whenever he and the rest of their team went into the field.
"Heh, sort of wished you brought more for everyone." Clem replied while chuckling softly as she was more than satisfied after learning which Indian tribe Davey and his family belonged to and playfully/jokingly stated on how she wished that he had brought more headbands with him for her and the others which earned a small chuckle from Violet, Louis and Ruby.
"Marlon, how about Clem, Ruby and I search the warehouse while you, Louis and Davey keep looking around out here?" Violet stated as she suggested to Marlon that she, Clementine and Ruby checked the inside of the outpost while he, Livingston and Blackwood continued to search the marina for clues on what happened to the 106th Infantry.
"Alright. But remember to be careful, since we have no idea what's in there." Marlon replied as he found no room for argument in the blonde teenage girl's request while reminding her, Clem and their 2nd red haired medic to be careful as they searched the inside the 106th's FOB.
"Aye Aye." Violet replied dryly and sarcastically as she saluted her squad leader before heading into the warehouse with Clementine and Ruby right behind her and sharing a brief laugh at the blonde's choice of words and faux salute.
~Meanwhile with Mitch and his group~
After Marlon had tasked them with scouting the perimeter to make sure the rest of Pier #1 was completely secured, the combative brunette and his group had split up of cover more ground while keeping in contact with each other over their radios.
"Hey Mitch, this is Brennan. The far left side of the pier is secured." Rick stated casually, reporting that the area he had been searching was 100% safe and free of any Machines.
"Roger that Rick. Find anything?" The older brunette replied through his ear wig while asking Brennan if he had found any trace of the soldiers stationed at the Cabrillo Way Marina outpost.
"Not a goddamn thing. It's like the 106th was never here." The 2nd teenage brunette answered while giving a soft sigh as he informed Mitch that he hadn't found a single clue of what happened to the 106th Infantry.
"Brody, how's it going on your end?" The combative brunette asked as he switched channels and checked on their team's secondary field medic.
"The northeast quadrant is all clear Mitch." Brody answered in all modesty as she reported that the north east end of the pier was secured and free of any hostiles.
"Find anything?" He softly asked...even though he already knew the answer to his question."
"Sorry, I haven't found anything on my end either...except for a bunch crates and crap stains left from the gulls." The 2nd redhead softly replied, stating that she hadn't found any trace of the 106th on her end of the pier either.
"The same goes for me on my end too Mitch." Assim stated over the ear radio's as he informed the combative brunette that he had the same amount of luck as Brody and Rick on the southwest end of the pier that he had gone to search.
"Nothing?" Mitch asked as his eyes widened in surprise after hearing Assim report that he hadn't found anything in his quadrant either; same as Easton and Brennan!
"Nothing. Not a fuckin' thing except for a few rats and bird shit all over the ground." The Indian-American teenage boy replied while stating the only thing he found/saw were a couple of rats running past the abandoned pier they and the rest of their team were on.
"...Fuck me." Mitch muttered softly before he switched channels and contacted Marlon over the radio.
"Hey Marlon, this is Weston. You read me?" He casually stated while rubbing the back of his head.
"Yeah, I read you Mitch. Have you and the others found anything?" Marlon replied while asking the hotheaded brunette if he, Rick, Brody and Assim had any luck in finding any trace of the missing Resistance fighters stationed in San Pedro.
"(Sigh) Not a fuckin' thing Marlon. Brody, Assim, Rick and I have searched every part of the pier and we haven't found a goddamn thing. How are you and the others doing?" Mitch answered while rubbing the back of his head as he informed his friend and squad leader that he and his group hadn't found a single clue that could tell them what happened to the 106th and asked on how he and the rest of their chalk were doing on their end.
"Louis, Underwood and I haven't had found anything either. But Violet, Clementine and Ruby have struck pay dirt inside the warehouse." The older blonde teenage boy answered truthfully as he informed the brunette that Violet and her group had found plenty of useful Intel inside the outpost.
"No shit? Alright, Easton, Durman, Brennan and I are on our way back." The combative brunette replied after hearing how Violet, Ruby and Clementine had found Intel that would help them locate the missing Resistance fighters.
~Meanwhile with Violet and her group~
Shortly after they stepped inside to investigate the interior of the warehouse whilst Marlon, Louis and Davey continued to search outside, Violet's, Clem's and Ruby's eyes widened in shock as they found the inside of the outpost in utter chaos: as they spotted a number of military issued Colt XSE and Sig-Sauer P229R handguns scattered and a large sea of dirt/dust covered papers laying scattered throughout the floor!
"...Oh my god. Just look at this mess." Ruby softly muttered as she and her two female friends were deeply stunned at the state the inside of the outpost was.
"It looks like a twister came through here." Clem stated as she, Violet and Ruby slowly stepped forward and glanced around the vacant warehouse: as they spotted numerous industrial shelves littered with ammo boxes and wooden crates that were half filled with packs of MRE's.
"Yeah, no shit. What's worse is that we have no idea what the fuck we're looking for." Violet replied as she strongly agreed with Ruby and Clementine while pointing out the rather painful fact that the three of them didn't even know what they were looking for.
"...Well, that's not true. Maybe the 106th left some sort of clues on where they went in the staging area." Clementine softly countered as she strongly suspected that they would find some indications on what happened to the 106th Infantry in the outpost's staging area.
"...Yeah, maybe..." The older blonde softly muttered while turning to Ruby, whom nodded in agreement with Clem's intuition as they continued to walk further into the warehouse and after making a left turn, they immediately stumbled upon the 106th's staging area: which was littered with three large tables covered in dossiers/radio equipment and a large city map of Long Beach/San Pedro on the bulletin board on the back wall of the warehouse.
"Holy shit Clem, you called it right." Violet stated while chuckling softly as she turned back to the young African American teenage girl, whom smiled softly before walking forward as she noticed something peculiar about the map hanging on the back wall whilst Ruby walked towards one of the tables and went through the dossiers, hoping to find some clue that would lead them and the rest of their team to the 106th.
"Violet...don't these symbols on the map look familiar to you or Ruby?" Clem softly asked while glancing over her shoulder as she turned to the older blonde, whom walked up next to her as they glanced at the map, which was littered with two peculiar symbols: 2 X's drawn in red marker; with one in the Rolling Hills area and one near Long Beach and three triangles drawn in blue marker scattered throughout San Pedro/Rolling Hills.
"Not really, I...wait a second. I do recognize these symbols. We use these to mark our safe houses and possible Skynet targets!" Violet answered as she instantly recognized the symbols drawn over the city map: which the Resistance used to mark the locations of their safe houses and targets of opportunity against Skynet!
"Vi, Clem. I've found something!" Ruby cried out as she informed her friends and fellow teammates that she had found something with one of the dossiers in her left hand!
"What'd you got Ruby?" The blonde teenage girl asked as she and Clementine walked towards the redhead.
"Listen to this..." The Southern redhead replied as she placed the dossier in her hand on the table and went over the contents of the paper that was stored inside.
"Commander Baron, I regret to inform you of rather troubling news: the location of the Cabrillo Way Marina outpost in San Pedro has been compromised. My men and I had just fended off a small wave of Scout Drones that somehow discovered our exact location and we fear that another wave, possibly of Terminators might be eminent. So procedurally, my soldiers and I will gather whatever Intel we've gathered the past two months and relocate to a more secure location and contact you with another update as humanly as possible. Lt. F. Coleman." Ruby concluded as she read the contents of the dossier, which was a report that the outpost commander, Lt. Coleman had sent to South Division and glanced up Violet and Clementine, whom had listened in silence as their 2nd field medic read the contents of the report; which confirmed Davey's intuition.
"Violet, do you want me to get Marlon and the others?" Clem softly asked.
"No, I'll do it Clem. You stay with Ruby." The older blonde teenage girl answered as she placed a gentle hand on her friend's shoulder before she walked out of the staging area and headed back to the main entrance of the warehouse whilst Clem assisted Ruby after she handed her another dossier that was on the desk.
"Hey Marlon, you guys!" Violet cried out to her squad leader, Louis and Blackwood, whom were still searching for clues out front of the outpost and glanced back to the blonde teenage girl.
"What Vi? Did you, Ruby and Clementine find anything inside?" Marlon asked as he, Louis and Davey were curious if the three teenage girls had found any clues inside the warehouse with his pointer and middle fingers pressed against his right ear; indicating that he was talking to someone on the radio.
"Oh, we didn't just find 'something'. We practically hit the goddamn jackpot!" The blonde teenage girl answered casually as she informed her squad leader that she, Clem and Ruby had hit the 'motherload' while gesturing to the back of the warehouse.
"No shit? That's some good work!" The older blonde teenage boy exclaimed after hearing Violet reveal that she and her group had found plenty of clues inside the outpost!
"What's some good work? Marlon, what the fuck is going on?" Mitch's voice cried out the ear radio which caused Marlon to visibly grimace in discomfort at the combative brunette's yelling.
"Violet, Clem and Ruby found plenty of clues in the warehouse." Marlon answered as he informed the team's shotgunner and explosive specialist that Violet and her group had found plenty of clues of what happened to the 106th Infantry inside the outpost!
"Finally! Brody, Aasim, Rick and I are on our way back." The combative brunette stated after hearing how Violet, Ruby and Clementine had found some Intel that would help them locate the missing Resistance fighters before he and Marlon broke contact.
"Okay, see you guys soon." The older blonde teenage boy replied.
"Was that Mitch you were talking to?" Violet asked.
"Yep. He and his group are on their way back." Marlon answered while nodding his head and stating that Mitch and his team were on their way back to the outpost.
"So Vi, where are Clem and Ruby?" Louis asked, wondering where the 2nd redhead and African American teenage girl were.
"They're inside, going over the files that the 106th had left behind in the staging area." Violet answered plainly before heading back in the warehouse with Marlon and Louis following right behind her while Davey hung back to wait for Mitch, Rick, Aasim and Brody.
Once inside, Marlon's and Louis's eyes widened in shock the moment they saw the state the interior of the outpost was in as they followed Violet to the staging area, where they spotted Ruby sitting behind the desk as she went over the contents of another folder and Clem doing the exact same while glancing back and forth from the dossier she was reading and the map on the back wall.
"What cha' reading there Ruby?" Louis casually asked as he and Marlon walked up to their team's 2nd field medic.
"Oh, hey Louis. Clem and I have just been going over what little field reports the 106th left behind before they abandoned the marina outpost." The Southern redhead answered truthfully, stating how she and Clementine had been going over whatever notes/reports the 106th Infantry had left behind while handing the previous dossier to Marlon, which he naturally accepted.
"...Hmm, well looks like Davey was right. The Machines somehow discovered the location of this outpost and the 106th were forced to relocate." Marlon stated while glancing to Louis as they silently read the contents of the folder Ruby handed him, which confirmed Davey's sixth sense on what had happened outside the warehouse before they glanced over their shoulders, along with Ruby and Violet to see Blackwood entering the staging area along with Mitch, Rick, Aasim and Brody.
"Jesus Christ, just look at the fuckin' mess in here." Rick muttered softly as he and his team were just as stunned at the state the inside of the warehouse as they joined their friends/teammates in the staging area.
"Mess, nothing. This place is a goddamn pigsty!" Brody countered as Mitch kicked a trash can that had been knocked on its side across the floor!
"Hey Marlon, guys. I've got something here!" Clem stated as she glanced over her shoulder and called out to her friends, whom walked over to her.
"What do you have Clem?" Marlon asked.
"I'm pretty sure I figured out what the markings on the city map represent. Listen to this..." The young teenage girl answered truthfully as she informed her friends/teammates that she had discovered what the different colored symbols on the city map of San Pedro/Rolling Hills stood for with Marlon, Louis and the others glancing up at the map.
"Commander Baron, due to the Cabrillo Way Marina outpost being compromised and the increased presence of Skynet, my unit and I, the 106th Infantry have been forced to abandon it. Fortunately, we were able to salvage and set up a safehouse in the abandoned Lomita Sheriff's Station in the city of Lomita. Also, it should be worth mentioning that my best scout team had made a rather crucial discovery while searching the nearby towns/cities for resources: my men reported the existence of a Skynet outpost in the remains of the Rolling Hills Estates, which is storing Plasma containers. As soon as my unit and I have reached the safe house in Lomita, I shall contact you with another field update. Lt. F. Coleman." Clementine stated as she read the contents of the dossier with her friends gathering around as they listened before she handed the folder to Marlon, whom silently went over the report as well.
"That's a hell of a find Clementine. One hell of a find." Marlon stated casually as he placed a hand on the young African American teenage girl's shoulder before he tucked the folder underneath his arm and pressed the button to his earwig.
"Not bad rookie." Davey stated casually with a soft grin as he congratulated Clementine on her stellar find with Ruby, Louis and the others nodding in agreement.
"Nice job Clem." Brody softly added as she tapped the young teenage girl on her shoulder and also congratulated her as well.
"Thanks Brody." Clem replied with a soft grin while turning to Violet, whom gave her a similar smile and wink, which she instinctively returned.
"This is Alpha 2-1 to Baseplate. Come in Baseplate." Marlon stated over the team radio as he contacted Long Beach HQ, which he, Louis and the others had explained to to Clementine went by the callsign 'Baseplate' and luckily for the older blonde teenage boy, he didn't have to wait long for their home base to answer back.
"This is Homeplate, go ahead Alpha 2-1." Kenny's voice replied over the radio.
"Sarge, my team and I have arrived at the Cabrillo Way Marina Outpost." Marlon stated professionally as he informed his commanding officer that he and his squad had arrived at the marina in San Pedro where the 106th were stationed.
"What do you have to report LCpl. James?" Kenny asked.
"Sarge, the outpost was abandoned when my team and I first arrived and we were unable to find any sign of the 106th Infantry. Although...we made a rather unexpected discovery." The older blonde teenage boy answered as he informed his C.O. that the Cabrillo Way Marina outpost was a derelict and that he and his chalk made a rather...unsettling discovery outside the marina.
"What did you and your team find?" Kenny asked as he was curious to what Marlon and his squad had found...and he would be left deeply stunned by the answer.
"Sir...We, um...we found signs of a struggle outside the outpost. The 106th were apparently attacked by Skynet...as we found numerous remains of Scout Drones scattered across the pier." Marlon answered truthfully while sighing softly and turning to his friends/teammates as he informed Hammon that the 106th Infantry were attacked by Skynet forces.
"...Skynet? But...that's impossible. There have been no reports of the Machines this far south of L.A.!" Kenny stated softly with a surprised/stunned expression on his face after hearing that unexpected revelation: how the Machines had ventured farther down California!
"Sarge, there's something else my team and I found inside the outpost." Marlon automatically added.
"What else did you and your squad find 2-1?" Kenny asked.
"While inside the warehouse, PFC. Marshall, Pvt. Everett and Cpl. Emerson found several field reports left behind by the outpost commander, Lt. Coleman addressed to South Division. Apparently before they abandoned the marina, the 106th had discovered the location of a Skynet storage facility in the remains of the Rolling Hills Estates." Marlon replied as he informed his commanding officer on how Violet, Ruby and Clem had located documents addressed to Commander Baron regarding the existence of a Skynet storage facility in the city of Rolling Hills Estate.
"Really? What about the location of the 106th Infantry?" Kenny stated as he was genuinely surprised upon hearing that Skynet had constructed a storage facility in the Rolling Hills Estate and asked about the whereabouts of the missing Resistance soldiers.
"According to another field report that PFC. Marshall and her group found, the 106th apparently have relocated to an abandoned sheriff's station in Lomita." Marlon replied as he informed Kenny how the 106th had relocated to one of their more secure safehouses: the Lomita Sheriff's Station.
"Excellent work Alpha 2-1. I'll pass on the information you and your team have gathered to South Division. I'm pretty sure Commander Baron might be interested in this." Kenny stated as he complimented Marlon and his squad on their stellar hard work and how he would relate the information to Commander Baron.
"Thank you Sergeant. Do we have your permission to investigate the Lomita safehouse and to take out the storage facility?" Marlon asked.
"Of course, you do son. Just make sure that you and squad watch each other's backs...and give those metal fuckers hell." Kenny replied as he granted Marlon and his team's request to investigate the Lomita police station and to destroy the storage facility: which would deliver a huge blow to Skynet's supply of plasma...which was what powered their highly advanced weaponry.
"Well do Baseplate. Alpha 2-1, out." Marlon stated with a soft grin as he and Kenny broke contact and he turned back to his squad, whom were casually waiting for further orders.
"So what did the Sarge say?" Rick asked as he, Louis and the others were curious to what their C.O. said once their squad leader asked for permission for them to investigate their only lead on the missing Resistance fighters.
"The Sarge gave us the green light to search the sheriff station and hit the storage facility." Marlon answered truthfully as he informed his friends/squad mates that Kenny gave them the 'okay' to investigate the Lomita safe house and destroy the Skynet outpost.
"Okay...so whose going where?" Clementine stated while asking the most obvious question: which group would be going to which location with Violet, Louis and the others wondering the same thing.
"Davey; you, Clem, Violet and Brody take the sheriff station. Mitch; you, Louis, Ruby, Rick and Aasim are with me. We're gonna take out the storage facility." The older blonde teenage boy answered as he carefully assigned the two teams to investigate the Lomita safehouse and to destroy the Skynet storage facility.
"Alright! Works for me." Mitch exclaimed with a bright grin on his face after hearing Marlon assigning him to his team to destroy the Skynet outpost!
Although...as soon as the words came out of his mouth, Brody wasn't that ecstatic about the team she had been assigned to.
"Um...Marlon, I think it'd be better if I went with you, Mitch, Assim and Rick to the Skynet facility." Brody softly countered as she requested to join Marlon and his team instead.
"What? Why?" Clementine asked as she was genuinely surprised at Brody asking Marlon to switch teams with Ruby.
"...Brody, are you sure you want to..." Marlon began to ask before he was cut off.
"(Sigh)...Look Brody..." Violet started off as she gave a soft sigh as Brody turned to face her with a concerned/conflicted look on her face, which Clem immediately noticed.
"You can ride with me, Davey, Louis and Clem. I don't mind." She softly added as she assured their secondary medic that she didn't need to switch teams.
"Are you sure?" Brody softly asked.
"...Yeah. I'm sure." Violet answered as she gave a soft nod, showing that she didn't mind having the 2nd redhead on her team.
"Alright then. We leave in ten minutes. Use that time to rest up and to craft together as many pipe bombs, first aid kits as you need on that workshop over there." Marlon stated casually as he informed his friends/squad that they would head out for their main objectives in 10 minutes and advised them to use that time to rest and to craft together as many extra supplies they felt they'd need whilst gesturing to the workshop that was set up near the far right wall in the staging area.
After they were given their new orders, Clementine, Violet and the rest of their friends had done as Marlon suggested: with Mitch, Aasim, Rick and Brody resting on the ground while the young teenage girl, the older blonde and Louis had used the work shop to craft additional pipe bombs, lock picks and med kits that they stored in their own backpacks. As they rested to gather their strength, Clem and her friends had helped themselves to the bags of MRE's that were left in the crates, which much to their good fortune were still edible. As they ate their own individual meals, Louis and the others had listened to Clem as she went over the contents of a field report address to Lt. Coleman.
"Lieutenant Coleman, my squad and I have completed our sweep of Los Angeles Harbor College at Avalon Village in Carson. The entire campus was a fuckin' empty. Kimura, Nguyen, Williams and I were unable to find any survivors...we also struck out at the Carson Branch Library. However...its's not just Spider Scouts and Scout Drones patrolling the area. My squad and I had unfortunate run-ins with several Armored Spiders as we made our way to the college from the library. We're on our back to the outpost, we should be arriving in 10-12 minutes. Cpl. Rhodes out." Clementine stated as she read out the field report, which was addressed to Lieutenant Coleman by one of his most trusted soldiers, whom reported that he and his recon team had fought/faced a number of Armored Spider units while searching for survivors in Avalon Village.
"...There are Armored Spiders patrolling the streets throughout San Pedro? Tsk, that's great. That's...That's just wonderful." Rick stated sarcastically as he and his squad mates listened to Clem read the file and stared in silent shock after hearing the name of the Hunter-Killer that a small number of Lt. Coleman's men encountered whilst out in the field!
"...Well, that's sure to make things a bit more dicey." Aasim replied with an equally sarcastic tone in his voice as he turned to Marlon and Mitch, whom nodded in agreement.
"What's the matter Clem?" Louis asked as he noticed an uneasy look on the younger teenage girl's face after she finished reading the field report.
"...My previous unit and I never faced Armored Spiders before." Clementine answered truthfully as she revealed to her friends/teammates that she and her previous team had never combated Armored Spiders in the field.
"Ehhh, there's nothing to worry about. Armored Spiders are practically easy to destroy: as long as you shoot 'em in the eye to blind them and destroy their battery packs." Mitch casually replied as he assured Clem that she had nothing to worry about and claiming that Armored Spiders weren't even that difficult to destroy while pointing out their main two weaknesses: their central 'eye' and the battery pack in their backs.
"Plus their armor is extremely weak, so it'd probably only take 2 pipe bombs to take out just one." Davey added as he pointed out another crucial fact on Armored Spiders: how their armor was incredibly weak, especially to explosive weapons and stated on how they would only need to toss two pipe bombs to destroy a single Spider.
"Okay...so their eyes and power source are their main weaknesses." Clem softly stated after learning everything she'd need to know on how to destroy an Armored Spider.
"Is something else on your mind Clem?" Violet asked as she had an instinctual feeling that something else was bothering her friend and teammate.
"You know that other marking on the map? None of the reports mention anything about it." Clementine answered as she revealed to Violet that none of the field reports that she and Ruby managed to find held no information about the secondary location of interest that was marked on the map of San Pedro and Rolling Hills.
"Wait a second...Clem in the report you just read, didn't it say the 106th investigate around Carson?" Violet asked as she slowly began to realize something else peculiar about that 2nd red X on the city map.
"Yeah...why?" Clem asked.
"Because that marking is in Carson." The older blonde answered as she identified the location of the 2nd marking in red ink as Carson, the exact location the 106th had been searching for survivors, which caused Marlon and the others to glance back to the map.
"What the hell is in Carson?" Louis asked as he was deeply curious to whatever it was in Carson that caught the 106th's attention.
"You know what Louis? That's an excellent question." Marlon softly replied as he was equally curious to what was in Carson and felt that it was worth looking into.
"Okay guys, let's get outta here." He automatically added as he and his friends/teammates stood up and began to exit the warehouse.
"Hey Davey. Rick." Clem called out to Brennan and Blackwood, which caused them to turn back to the young teenage girl.
"What Cle..." Rick began to ask before stopping in mid-sentence as she tossed them two Remington Model 870 shotguns, which they easily caught.
"You guys will be probably need those." She stated while picking up another pump-action shotgun, which she handed to Louis that he gladly accepted and picking up another Remington Model 870 for herself and slinging it over her back.
"Heh, thanks rookie." Davey stated with a soft grin, along with Rick as they immediately understood the reason why Clementine tossed them the Remington 870's: as 12 gauge rounds could destroy a Spider Scout in a single shot at close range and more importantly, were the only type of ammo strong enough that could stun a Terminator.
After she had given Louis, Davey and Rick with their secondary weapons, Clem and her friends exited the marina outpost and headed back to the vehicles: where she, Violet, Brody and Davey climbed into the Hummer while Marlon, Mitch, Louis, Ruby, Rick and Aasim climbed into the M35. As soon as they entered their assigned vehicles, the young African American teenage girl and her squad had departed from the marina and drove back onto Miner Street before they separated after approaching Gaffney Street: with Clem and her group heading towards Lomita and Marlon's group headed the Rolling Hills Estate...and neither teams not knowing what they'd find once they they'd reach their own assigned destination.
A/N: There it is everyone, the 9th chapter to my Terminator/Walking Dead crossover as promised. I would like to apologize to my fellow Fanfic authors and loyal viewers for the slight delay: I've been dealing with health issues in my home the last couple of weeks. My mother threw out her back by accident and my father had surgery performed on his foot. The 10th chapter should be posted sone time either in the beginning or middle of September. Until next time, bye.