[hr][hr][center][h1][color=firebrick]Black James(!)[/color][/h1]
[img]https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/avatars/6AE78329E91063505631975227392_pic-r-1396533712688c4afde8ecf.jpg.jpg?versionId=ZnGOSit0zozlhxpJk0w6QVx4cSozVRdq[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b][color=firebrick]Location:[/color][/b] Outer Gate [/center][hr][hr]

	James accepted the [url=https://d2cgdgk0o1xu5x.cloudfront.net/shop/3360/images/1317058/large_(12)_grande.jpg]necklace[/url] with some hesitation. This was not a mere trinket to remember someone, more than it was the last thing that this young lady had to remember her departed sister. [color=firebrick]"Now, you sure you wantin' me to have this?"[/color] He would have wanted to comment more, but Kris had pulled him into a hug that threatened to crack a rib. James wasn't sure of the occasion where he would wear this necklace, but he would do what he could to keep it safe. Tucking it into the bib pocket of his overalls, he whispered, [color=firebrick]"Gonna miss the hell outta you, baby girl. Wish I didn't have to leave ya."[/color] 

	Tatiana was next, giving her reminder that they had their appointment as soon as he exited the walls of Newnan. [color=firebrick]"Yes'm, but you go back inside the [i]second[/i] we done. I ain't havin' you on my conscience, 'specially not now."[/color] He turned his head quickly, trying to see if anyone was listening too closely. Froggy approached just behind Tati, giving him encouragement and pushing a deck of cards into his palm. He really couldn't think of anything else to say except for, [color=firebrick]"Hey, thanks man, really. You know how I do."[/color] 

	Ryan was fast enough with the smartassed comment about his cooking. Now, he was pretty good, no doubt. But James gave some serious wonder as to why he really wanted to go with him. Face value, it made no sense. Of course, he might change his mind when he finds out what they're going to attempt just as soon as they pulled away from town. But that comment did remind him: He was leaving his gigantic smoker/grill here in town. It wasn't practical to drag with him anymore, and these people could find better use of it than himself. He would have to find another meat cooking device to dote over. That was his parting gift to Newnan. 

	Jack... Jack earned a huge hug from James when he heard his news about their upcoming. [color=firebrick]"Man, damnit, you got a family. A [i]family[/i], Jack. You take carea that little lady, an' good."[/color] James was flat out jealous of the man. Not because of Tatiana, specifically; they had settled into the sort of relationship that close family might, but the idea of having a family to call your very own, in that moment, became a thing he longed for. He wouldn't get that where he was going. Point of fact, it would me miraculous if he survived the day, given their task. But if he did, and there was a wholesome, safe place he could go to, he did very much entertain the idea of starting a family and passing along all of what he knew to the next generation of black, pagan(ish) rednecks. Just for the hell of it, James bearhugged the Massachusetts native one more time before moving on, lifting him bodily off of the ground in the process. A tiny, little human named after him. That was huge. 

	Then there was Niesha. She had come a long way since their beginning, and he suspected a bit of trauma on her part, way back when. Not that he could blame her. The world was a traumatizing place. But he'd seen a possibly disturbed young lady settle into a routine and become a damned fine addition to Newnan. They needed people like that. And it was proof that you got to come back from whatever the world had done to you. Just sometimes, you needed help. Her parting words seemed a little distant, like she didn't want to be there. Well good call, James didn't really want to be there, either. All told, he'd rather be on a lake somewhere, surrounded by deep water, putting a hook and line down and trying to figure out the more subtle aspects of fishing.  But he took the box of goodies from Medical, nodding gratefully. [color=firebrick]"Yeah. Goodbyes suck. But it's a world [i]fulla[/i] possibility. Never know. Thanks ya much for the band-aids n' stuff, little lady. I won't forget you."[/color] He turned and settled the medical supplies into the back of his truck. 

	It looked like almost everyone had given their goodbyes. Everyone except for a few, just standing there with blank expressions as if they [i]wanted[/i] to say something but just couldn't quite get it out. He looked at each of their faces, Tiffany, Ray, Amelia, Riley, ...and Meg. [color=firebrick]"It's aight, y'all. I know, it's hard for me, too. Y'all'll be just peachy without me, no doubt... But I'mma miss all of y'all very much. Who knows? Might even see me out there on Runs, if'n I decide to stay in the neighborhood."[/color] It was a polite nothing. While he had hoped to see them again someday, the reality of his situation was that his probable lifespan was finite and looming. 

	But a dark cloud passed over his face when he learned that Beatrice was coming along with him. She didn't know yet. She didn't know, and he couldn't say anything right then. They would have to find a place to stop before they got far out to brief Bea and Ryan. Maybe they would be more comfortable returning to Newnan, after. Or maybe they'd take the same stance as Gavin and himself. James leaned against his truck, looking at Beatrice for a few seconds. [color=firebrick]"This a hard road we takin'."[/color] he said softly, [color=firebrick]"Real hard. You sure you wanna ride this train?"[/color] 

	

[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=steelblue]Ash Holloway[/color][/b][/i][/h1]
[img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/0d55b471-c5e5-4224-a6dd-f93f52f38ebd.png[/img][/center]
[hr][center][color=steelblue][b]Location:[/b][/color] Outer Gate [/center][hr][hr]

	Ash stood by as people came up to James one at a time, giving their goodbyes and a couple of parting gifts. After his last words with Ryan, he had said nothing, preferring to stand at parade rest and wait out the remaining few minutes until James's departure. Check that. James's [i]group's[/i] departure. Ash had made mention that people should know what was going on, one of the reasons cited being In The Event that someone wanted to join him. He didn't actually expect any takers. Well, the joke was on him. There were a couple. Plus the new guy, apparently. 

	Ash risked a look back to Thana, who was standing quite cool and reserved. He knew for a fact that she was capable of intense passion. He'd experienced it firsthand. But right now, she was the vision of restrained professionalism, backing him up with her mere presence. Thana reminded Ash of himself, not too long ago, when he operated as the Second in Command to Lt. Colonel Leann Joyce McCormick. His duty was to act in the manner of an Executive Officer, advising and carrying out the orders of his direct superior. Ash was a fine Second. An even better small unit commander. And a stellar engineer. Being in full command? It was something he had to get used to. Thana seemed to flow seamlessly to and from "Officer Mode". For a moment, Ash wondered if he came off that way, and Thana had similar thoughts underneath the ice of her expression. 

	But for now, James was at his truck. He had said his goodbyes. And the last minute of his allowable presence in town had arrived. James had a full tank of gas in his truck, he had companions, and despite the fat that he was technically in [i]exile[/i], he obviously had the blessings of the people of Newnan. Ash could not act in a manner that showed generosity or kindness past standard, however. He was the man passing sentence on him. It pained him, though. James was his best friend in the world, and he was being set out into the world. Admittedly, it was probably the best sendoff that a convicted murderer had ever gotten in the history of civilized humanity. [color=steelblue]"Commander Martin, back me up."[/color] he spoke quietly but solidly, before his approach. 

	Ash walked up to James, right within striking distance. In a clear voice, addressed James and the rest of those assembled. [color=steelblue]"James [i]Mandingo[/i] Grady."[/color] It was probably the last time he would get to use his full name in front of him, and one had to take opportunities where they showed themselves. [color=steelblue]"You have confessed to the murder of Richard Johnson, a citizen of the Newnan Safe Zone. Due to extenuating circumstances and exemplary service to the community, your sentence has been reduced from execution to exile."[/color] His face was stone. Inside Ash was hurting, but no one except those closest to him would be able to tell. James certainly could, and his expression reflected it.  

	[color=steelblue]"Sentence is to be carried out immediately."[/color] He handed over James's axe, pressing it into his hand and holding onto it for a second before letting go. Ash then produced the man's 9mm pistol, ejected the magazine, and cleared the chamber. He handed all three to James, one at a time. The bullet and magazine went first, but Ash held onto the weapon for a second, as if debating something. He pressed it to James's chest and leaned in close. By the time James had his hand up to receive the pistol, Ash had whispered something very quietly to him. He looked the man in the eyes to make sure that he both heard and understood.  

	It was only a word or two, but the relief and gratitude in James's face was palpable. The look lasted for half a second, quickly replaced by quiet determination. The girthy blackneck nodded three times, and turned to move back to his truck. Ash's voice rang out in proper military fashion, [color=steelblue]"Security detail! Proceed."[/color] 

	[color=firebrick]"You always gonna be Bossman to me, Cap'n! No matter what, you my friend, hear me? [i]No matter what.[/i]"[/color] The detail pressed together as James climbed into his big, extended cab truck. He started the engine, feeling the vehicle come to life, just as the front gates opened. Leaning out of the driver's side window, he called to Thana, [color=firebrick]"You see to him, huh? Make sure he's okay, okay? I believe in you, girl, and it was [i]great[/i] seein' you again!"[/color] 

	The truck slowly rolled out of the main gates of Newnan, which were opened just enough to accommodate the width of the vehicle. As soon as he was through, they closed back shut with a single, final-sounding clang. The truck pulled up a couple more meters and stopped; you see, he had an appointment to keep. 
	 


[hr][hr][center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/e7de846f-30f3-4613-933c-40dce7104529.png[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/e4117d5f-65c8-4b8e-98df-5810a59267c5.jpg[/img][/center][hr][center][color=dc143c][b]Location:[/b][/color] North Of Newnan (Veterans Memorial Park - Corner of Temple Ave. & Jackson St.)[/center][hr][hr]

	The water had come up to temperature, at least well enough to use for MRE instant coffee. Thalia took a moment for herself to prepare a cup of the hot, black liquid. She would dig into her breakfast, but not yet. This morning, the erstwhile pugilist decided to settle back and slowly enjoy her cup of morning coffee, now something of a luxury item. Even if it [i]was[/i] instant. She doubted that she would see another crop of coffee again in her life, unless she was able to get back to Mexico. Even then, being in an area with enough survivors to tend a crop not essential for survival? The odds were very much against it. She could think of worse ways to spend her days than surviving on an abandoned coffee farm outside of Monterrey, hunting and foraging, brewing fresh coffee year-round and making subtle teas from its leaves. Or, to make Lola absolutely lose her mind, there were cocoa plantations near her family's hometown, and several small scale growers of both coffee and chocolate in and near the city. 

	Thalia shook off those thoughts. The world in which she lived was not one of opportunity, it was a place where hard decisions had to be made to live to see the next day. Maybe she would get something that resembled a Happily Ever After with family, friends, and the capacity to consume her fill when it suited her, but that day was a while off, if it ever was going to happen. Right now, she was going to sip her freeze-dried, instant coffee, and be grateful that she had everything she had. 

	And in the more immediate, she was going to address a mild concern with the new guy in their midst. [color=dc143c]"Asking a lot of questions there, Alexander. Bunch of stuff we might not be able to ansah."[/color] Mild irritation had brought out her Boston, if only slightly. [color=dc143c]"But like Lola said, we're not headed southwest. Between what she's got and what I can find, there's no need to go checking in on every line of smoke on the horizon."[/color] She sipped her coffee, breathing a sigh of partial contentment. [color=dc143c]"I'm curious myself, but it's not worth the risk."[/color]