[center][h1][b][i][color=ed1c24]Secretive Shenanigans[/color][/i][/b][/h1][/center][hr] Captain Holloway was already braced for what he was about to see, waiting for the second their new arrival brought her scarf down. The fact that Jim elbowed his ribs barely registered, and he could tell that his stoic visage cracked, if only a little. After long seconds, Ash remembered his own manners and returned the salute. Meanwhile, James had gone as frozen as the ground beneath his feet, eyes wide and mouth agape as his brain struggled to form connections coherent enough to allow his body anything but the absolute basics of survival. That and not falling over, but if a really strong wind picked up, all bets were off. [color=steelblue]"Yes, there is something with your face, ma'am."[/color] began Ash, breaking the silence, [color=steelblue]"It belongs to someone else."[/color] "Glad I'm not the only one seeing this, thought I was losing my mind..." Jim muttered under his breath. Thana stood there motionless, not responding to the comment about her face as she stared at James. [color=0072bc]"You gonna say something or just stand there like I bitch slapped yer hog?"[/color] she asked rather matter-of-factly. Ash opened his mouth to continue the thought, but was situationally waylaid by James, who upon regaining the ability to speak, opted instead to let out a single, wordless exclamation of profound joy somewhat like a [color=firebrick]"HAAAAAA!!!!"[/color] and sprint at their new arrival with wide arms, intent on sweeping her up into a monstrous helicopter spin of an embrace. [color=0072bc]"Aww hell..."[/color] Dr. Martin squeaked out as a leg slid back and her knees bent reflexively. She was bracing for impact from the six foot tall chestnut man barreling towards her. She knew there was nothing short of a nuclear strike that was going to stop the man once he set his eyes on a target. Right then the only thing she could be grateful of was that he wasn't pointing a bow in her direction. Like a rampaging Taurean behemoth granted a shot of fast-acting energy beverage syrup, James intercepted their guest and began an embrace that swung her legs out in a wide circle, the likes of which can only be described as Scary Happy. [color=0072bc]"Shit bricks, put me down ya over sized horn-swallow!"[/color] Thana gasped as she was unceremoniously lifted into the air and twirled like a top. After two or three revolutions, he set her down and stepped back to take a full look at her, almost falling to the ground in the recently compressed snow. [color=firebrick]"Well hot damn, mama... We [i]all[/i] forgettin' our manners! Lemme get you inside someplace warm! Hey, Ash! Why you got her outside in this mess? C'mon, let's go.. ah, sorry, Cap'n. Um, can we do introductions back thataway, Boss, where it's more hospitable?"[/color] Steadying herself, she rested one hand on James shoulder and caught her breath before her other hand came up, giving the man a solid smack on the shoulder. [color=0072bc]"Don't ya be 'mama'ing me boy, yous got better manners than that,"[/color] she half scolded him but there was a crack of a smile on her features. James was certainly taking a lot of liberties with his speech today. Than again, he usually did; James was not military and really could not be held to exactly the same standards. So long as he was respectful, Ash gave him the lion's share of latitude. That just about summed up the look that he shot the excitable man. [color=steelblue]"Agreed, James. We should get out of the open. Infirmary first, let's get you checked out. And, um... wait. No - My quarters. No one has reason nor excuse to be there. We need to ease into this. Dr. Martin? If you would please replace your scarf for now?"[/color] Raising a brow, Thana turned her attention to Ash. Her head tilting to the side in the process as a look of confusion came over her features. [color=0072bc]"I know I ain't be gottin' no make-up on and look like I just slept inside a Tonton but ain't be no reason to coverin' up. I can't be lookin' [b]THAT[/b] bad now cans I?"[/color] James looked at the woman with just a touch of apprehension in his eyes, shaking his head in an attempt to dissuade Thana her train of thought. Words didn't quite make it out of his mouth, but he tried to put on a reassuring face. Again, Ash took the lead with the actual speaking parts of the discussion. [color=steelblue]"No, ma'am. We will explain everything in a little bit; you are owed that much. For right now, please accept our hospitality. Right this way."[/color] Furrowing her brows, Thana's eyes darted towards James and then back to Ash. This was most unusual, even for a world in chaos such as it was. After a moment of contemplation she finally responded. [color=0072bc]"Yes sir, request permission to bring my vehicle within the walls personally? It's rigged personally, I wouldn't be trusting any folk to drive it without gettin' themselves hurt. Sir."[/color] [color=steelblue]"Absolutely. If you would please, set your weapons on the dash so my security team can see them, and leave them when you exit the vehicle. Hell of an engineering job on that. We'll have to talk shop later, if you're up for it, ma'am."[/color] [color=0072bc]"Absolutely sir."[/color] Thana nodded slightly as she pulled her scarf back up to cover her features, leaving only her eyes exposed once again. Turning she headed down the stairs and trudged through the snow back to her redneck snowmobile. Climbing into the boat part she picked up her weapons and looked about. There wasn't exactly a dash board on a 4 wheeler in a pontoon boat. Reaching into her bag she pulled out some rope and laced the trigger through it and then added the belt loop of her knife sheath. Tying the rope off on the side of the boat she let it dangle so it was in clear view before putting her pack back on. Time to move, starting up the engine the snow kicked out behind her before she hit the gas and plowed forward and through the gate, coming to a stop inside and off to the right so not to block the main entrance. Turning it off she hopped down and tucked the keys in her pocket. Wasn't a bad set up for make shift. The pontoon boat had sections of the bottom cut out of it where the wheels of the 4-wheeler were laid through and chains were threaded over the front and back of each side to create treads. The whole thing was welded together, quickly one could tell but effectively. [color=0072bc]"Ready when you are sir,"[/color] she said from beneath her scarf as she hoisted her bag onto her shoulder. A sudden gust of wind kicked up, tossing the sheep-lined collar of Ash's flight jacket and very near blowing the hat from James's head. The ebon hogger slapped his hand to his head, regretful that he hadn't threaded the grommets in his stetson with a cord of some kind, considering the unseasonable weather lately. Georgia was fun that way. The climate was a craps shoot. For once, James spoke up first. [color=firebrick]"Yes'm! This way!"[/color] he remarked, waving her forward. [color=steelblue]"That's correct, ma'am. Short walk up this road to the Inner Wall, then we're cutting around to a back gate. I aim to get us to my quarters for briefing on the extreme quiet. Ten minute hike, tops."[/color] Ash glared in Jim's direction for a second, regarding the man. [color=steelblue]"Jim, I can't stress this enough. Until things get resolved, [i]you tell no one[/i]. Got me?"[/color] Jim nodded, still half in shock. Ash accepted this as a response and began crunching in the snow back to the north. Somewhat absently, Ash gestured a circle in the air, and then to his eyes. It was the standard signal for all security personnel to pay attention, just in case. Ash was wiling to give the benefit of the doubt to this person, but he had not completely lost his senses. [color=0072bc]"Don't be lettin' anyone touch my baby, it's rigged to go boom,"[/color] Thana said quickly to Jim, a stern tone to that seemed to get a nearly automatic response from Jim with a quick bob of his head. "Yes ma'am," Jim said. He quickly called over two men to set up as a guard for the redneck mobile. Something told him he didn't want to piss this woman off. Thana gave a curt nod and followed along side the men as she was escorted further into the wall, hearing the main gate close behind her with a squeak and a thunk. There was not turning back now, she was inside and she was without weapon. Granted she wasn't exactly helpless but a bullet from someone on the wall would end her if she tried anything. The Lt. Commander just hoped that no one would do anything to make her go on the defensive. Following the men around the outside of the inner gate she kept looking around. The people on the wall kept an eye out but there were a handful of others on the ground. Thana just kept moving, not really acknowledging anyone, just wanting to get out of the cold right then. [color=0072bc]"So, gots anywhere I can brew up a cup o' Joe?"[/color] she asked as she placed one foot in front of the other and headed within the inner sanctum. Ash could practically taste that coffee. Sweet, black nectar. But he couldn't seem too eager, no. [color=steelblue]"Few places, actually. We're headed for one now."[/color] And speaking of sweet, black nectar, James piped up, [color=firebrick]"Yuh huh, but don't go sayin' that word too loud. We been without for a while, an' it might kick off a riot, k?"[/color] [color=0072bc]"Good to know,"[/color] Thana said as she kept walking, her eyes darting this way and that as she surveyed the area. Too many years in the military and far too many since then on the road kept her eyes moving even when she wanted to just focus on what was head of her. Seeing Kris out in the livestock area, Thana didn't glance in her direction; merely keeping her scarf over her features. Her dark hair barely creeping out from below her cover giving no indication of her ethnicity. Her clothing was loose and she walked in a military style, even those that spotted her would be unable to tell her gender at this point. The group of three cut across he northernmost section of Livestock, almost parallel to the wall. A scant minute of two had them hugging the exterior of the Inner Wall northward on Perry Street. [color=steelblue]"And if you look to the right,"[/color] Ash began in his best Sarcastic Tour Guide voice, [color=steelblue]"You will be treated to the sight of the Newnan Community Distillery, origin of things fun and flammable. Ok, up this way and left..."[/color] Non-mortal stress had the curious effect of bringing out Ash's sardonic sense of (what other people may refer to as) humor. Funny, that particular muscle hadn't had a workout in a very long time. [color=0072bc]"Please tell me it is better than that bathtub gin my fellow sailors used to brew up. I swear, I swilled more Gin than Hawkeye ever did. Granted I could hold it better than those airmen could, something about flying high and booze never mixed well,"[/color] Thana quipped with a slight smirk on her lips and gave a visible shudder thinking back to some of the [i]paint thinner[/i] she had drank in the past. Ash waved them into the Inner Wall's central northern gate, nodding briskly at the gatekeeper present. It was good having enough people to comfortably man available security positions, though it did make their act of semi-secrecy a touch more difficult. [color=steelblue]"Second house on the right, right behind that big building."[/color] In a quieter voice, [color=steelblue]"We'll explain everything behind closed doors, I promise."[/color] [color=0072bc]"I'll be holding you to that promise Captain,"[/color] she muttered as she adjusted her scarf to keep it over the top of her nose. It was uncomfortable like this and it was warming up, it wasn't exactly needed right then. Least she didn't think so but they both obvious had other thoughts on the matter. Moving quickly she headed towards the house in question and slipped up to the right of the door, awaiting permission to enter. The curiously hasty Captain Holloway unlocked his front door and ushered the lady inside. From there, it was a series of urgent movements pulling curtains and checking doors, making more sure of the visual security of his domicile than that one incident when the musical stylings of The Rolling Stones began to move him in a most unflattering manner, post-shower and yet pre-clothing. [color=firebrick]"Hey, Cap'n..."[/color] said James in a low and serious tone, [color=firebrick]"I gotta get back - got meat on. Little Lady, you come an' find me after, huh? Just follow the smell of that good barbecue; won't steer you wrong. Ash is good people."[/color] He added that last part as more of a reassurance. [color=0072bc]"He better be or I'll be dreamin' of you bleedin like a stuck pig,"[/color] Thana said as she stood there, glad she had taken the time to knock the snow off her boots before she had entered the house. [color=firebrick]"Aight, I'm out."[/color] The enigmatic blackneck made his way out of the front door. His big, heavy boots could be heard crunching south, back down the road. Said door was swiftly locked behind him. [color=steelblue]"Ok, coffeemaker... Over here. Unless you'd like something stronger. I've got ale and spirits. Grab a couch, get settled in. We have a lot to talk about."[/color] [color=0072bc]"Nah, coffee be just fine this early in the mornin' though considerin' just how cloak and dagger you are bein' I might need somethin' stronger later. Permission to finally take this damned scarf off, wool be rubbin' my nose raw and I really don't want to walk around looking like Rudolph,"[/color] Thana said as she stood there looking like she was about to rob a bank in her current get up.