Dead Rising: Hoof, Camera, Action!

Chapter 2: A Day Full of Surprises.

TIME UNTIL HELICOPTER ARRIVAL

Hours Minutes

7 2 : 4 2

After the quick presentation were Frank couldn’t get a lick of detail information, he decide to enter to the janitor’s room where the girl known as Jessie was sitting in a chair watching the camera’s monitor, observing anything that could draw her attention, then he enters the storage room to put the pegasus on the comfy sofa and sitting next to him for awhile.

“This is going to be one hell of a story to cover, don’t you think?” Frank said to the still sleeping pony. I wonder, where do you come from? for as far as I know there wasn’t any zoo nearby and the farms are pretty far from the town when I fly here. He thought, then he placed a hand in the pony’s mane, petting his head gently.

So Frank stood up and decided to leave the pegasus rest in the sofa to go after the man named Brad and try to get some information out of him, if he can manage to stay alive around the zombies but first he needs to inform Jessie and the employee about his plan, partially.

When Frank entered the Janitor’s room and before he could get closer to Jessie, who was still looking at the monitors she said. “I told you, I can’t answer your question. Even if we rounded up everybody and arrested them, I’ve still got my hands full with-” before she could continue speaking, she was cut off by Frank.

“That’s not what I was going to ask you.” Jessie turned to see him in the face. “I was wondering if you can keep an eye on the little guy, he is resting on the green sofa between the stairs and the bathrooms.” he explained.

“Where are you going?” Jessie asks with curiosity.

“To do my job” Frank said.

“As much as I would like to babysit your pet I can’t leave my position until Brad comes back.” she answered. “But you can talk to Otis, he seems available to help you out.” Jessei makes a head gesture signaling Frank to the mall employee before turning back to the monitores.

Frank made his way to Otis who was standing next to the A/C’s door vent. “Hi there Otis. Jessie told me that you could help me, if isn’t much of a bother.”

“If it’s something I can do then I can help, I’m free.” Otis said to Frank. “What’s the job?”

“I need you to take care of the pegasus while I go back to the mall to cover this incident.” Frank explained to Otis.

Otis surprisingly said. “You are goin’ back down to the mall!? I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” said Otis, later he sigh knowing he wouldn’t change his mind. “But you folks never listen to me… Alright, I will take care of the little fella for you , but at least take this transceiver with you. And you better take this map too mister?”

“Frank, Frank West.” he said while extending his hand for a hand shake that Otis responded by shaking it back. “Well, I gotta go, the story is waiting.” with that Frank entered in the air duct crawling his way outside.

After a pair of minutes of crawling, Frank was now outside on the roof where the air duct divide into small ones to reach many parts of the mall, he then walk to a big step were the rest of the roof was divided by a long construction, to the right was an elevator that leads inside the mall and to the left was a more spaced area that ends with a gray door, Frank jump of the elevation towards the elevator but then a man with a golf club appeared yelling for anybody around.

The man notices Frank and approaches him asking him if he had seen his wife Natalie while introducing himself as Jeff Meyer, Frank said he didn’t see her but he will lend him a hand to find her. After that the two men walk to the other side of the roof, in the other side was a woman in the corner end of the hallway, much for Frank surprise that woman was Jeff’s wife who was also looking for him, when both look at each other they hug one to another making a scene which Frank took advantage and pictured while trying to understand how long this couple were trying to searching for the other, breaking the moment Frank took the couple back to the control room that is now named security room, after that Frank continue his why to the elevator who took him inside the warehouse that was filled with boxes on the metal shelves, he walking between them and reach an open space that lead a hallway were Frank entered.

Before reaching the exit door that will take him inside the mall, Frank heard some steps getting close to him. “Zombies huh… Had a feeling you’d show up.” Frank said, then he put his back against the wall of the hall and pick up a fire extinguisher, he backpace to the corner of the hall preparing to strike the zombie that was following him, In the moment when he turn the corner and swinging his weapon, Frank change the trajectory of his attack after realizing that who was stalking him wasn’t a zombie but Jessie.

Both scream from that little scare, “God is you,” said Frank in relief while approaching Jessie who was laying on the ground while holding a handgun towards Frank’s direction, he put his hand over the gun to avoid any accidental shoot. “Look, don't sneak up on me.” he said, then he helped Jessie to stand up.

“Brad was attacked.” Jessie responded. “I locate him on the monitors.” She finishes but when Jessie makes her first step she almost falls, her ankle hurt.

“It’s probably just a sprain.” Frank said.

“I’ve gotta help Brad”- she said while trying to walk towards the door by using the wall as support. “Or he’s done for!” she said in pain for her ankle.

“Alright, fine… Gimme your gun.” Frank said, making Jessie look to him. “ C’mon. I’m the reason you just got hurt. Let me help.”

“No! I can’t let a civilian do that.” Jessie said, trying to sound authoritarian. “That’s against regulations.”

Frank looked annoyed by this point. “Yeah… Well, I don’t think they had zombies infested malls in mind when they wrote those regulations, kid.” he said sarcastically while extending his hand for the gun.

Jessie wasn’t totally convinced but she had no choice “Do you know how to use this?” she asked.

“Kinda” Frank answered calmly. “I covered wars, you know.” Jessie then decided to trust Frank and lend him her gun in which Frank put the lock and put it in his pants. “Look. After I’m through helping you… You and I are gonna have a nice little chat.” With that Jessie slowly returned to the security room while Frank continued his way to the mall.

Meanwhile at the storage room, moments after Jessie went through the air duct, a certain pony was starting to wake up.

There he was, slowly opening his eyes, closing them for the sudden that the fluorescent tubes were producing over the ceilings, slowly but surely the pegasus focus his eyes on what it seam as a large room, he was in a hallway connected to other rooms and a stair that goes up, weakly he stood up from the green sofa that he was laying on and jump off of it, almost falling for not been fully recovered, he inspect the doors noticing that they were bigger for him to opened, then he run up the stairs but there was also a door, he return and went to the end of the hall where he was in front of the door label Janitor’s room, he tried to reach it using his back hoove to stretch, barely touching the handle but fall on his flanks, then he kick the door with his back hooves in hopes to opened it but he was too weak that after kicking it he fall forwards face first, rubbing his face he heard someone pulling the chain of a toilet then water running in signal of whoever creature was cleaning its hooves. Paralyzed by fear the pony was at the foot of the door shaking, breathing fast for whatever creature would appear from the corner that covers the bathroom doors.

Otis came out of the bathroom rubbing his hand against a tissue to later dispose of it to the bin next to the door, after that he notice that the pony wasn’t in the sofa anymore, Otis looked to left to right, then upstair and finally down the hallway where he spotted the little animal sitting there next to the door that leads to the monitors, He tried to get close to him but after taking two steps forward something happened that makes him stopped in his track.

“Stop! Please don’t eat me!” the pegasus said which made Otis speechless.

Otis was so surprised by what the pony did, he spoke and in English, not knowing what to do since in his experience pointing out the obvious wasn't going to help in this situation.

Seconds later a sound was echoing the hallway, it was the little pegasus belly growling, he was hungry, who knows how long he was in the mall without food, so acting fast Otis check the boxes that were on the shelves looking for something to give to the little hungry pony, between canned beans and chocolate milk Otis found some apples and took them.

Otis began to walk slowly towards the scared animal while gently speaking. “It’s okay little buddy. I am not going to hurt you.” he said while the pegasus was pressing his back at the corner of the wall trying to stay away from the strange creature. “Here, you seem like you haven't eaten in a while.” Otis said, placing one apple on the floor and pushing it slowly so the pony could reach for it.

The cream pegasus with one hoof reached for the apple and took it, smelling it and inspecting it before he began eating it.

Otis looked at how the small pony was devouring the apple, a clear sign that he was starving but he noticed the expression that the pegasus makes were similar to humans and he was intelligent enough to talk and use his hooves to take objects.

Then Otis placed another apple near him and asked. “Are you feeling better now kid?”

The pegasus took the apple and bit it, after swallowing he looked at Otis and replied. “I am not a kid, I’m a colt!” Then he looked at the apple he was holding, his ears laying flat in his head with sadness in his tone. “And yes I feel better.”

Otis noticed the sad look that the pony had and asked. “Is there something that is bothering you?” The pony looked up at Otis again.

“Is just that… I don’t know where I am, how did I get here or where my friends are.” Then the pony asked the creature in front of him. “Sir, can you tell me what you are… if isn’t any offense?”

Otis surprised but happy that the pegasus showed more trust, he began explaining. “Hehehe. Not at all, well my name is Otis Washington and I’m a human.” The pony put his attention to him. “And now you are inside Willamette’s mall.”

“So I’m in a different world? Aren't any other pegasus, unicorns or earth ponies in here by chance?” The pony asked.

Otis was speechless, there was a world full of fantastic creatures like him. Otis composed himself and asked. “Is there a world full of ponies like you!?”

“Well not just ponies also zebras, gryphons, dragons and many others.” the pony replied.

But before he could continue with his questions the sound of a door opening was heard by both of them.

From the air duct Jessie was coming out with his leg hurting, walking slowly towards the Janitor’s room so she could sit on the chair and put some lotion in her ankle, when she reached the room and sat down on the chair Otis entered the room with the pony behind him.

Otis noticed how she was massaging her foot “Did you get hurt?”

“I got a sprain thanks to Frank.” she replied. “I need some lotion, did you have some in here?”

“Yes, there should be, I’ll go get it” Otis replied leaving the room and the door opened.

When Jessie was going back to watch the monitores she noticed that the pegasus was now standing in front of the open door.

She leans down a bit and stretches her hand. “Common little buddy! TSK,TSK,TSK, common, let me give you a rub.” She said with a smile and tone of a little girl that went to a farm to pet the animals in it.

“No thanks, I’m okay for now.” replied the pony which in return made Jessie freeze in her spot.

Moments later she moved backwards and fell from her seat while screaming. “AAAAHHH!, YOU TALK! YOU TALK! THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN TALK! OTIIIIISSSS!” her scream made Otis run back at the room with the lotion in hand.

“What is going on! something happened!?” Otis replied not knowing why Jessie screamed.

“Did something happen!? Otis if you didn’t notice this creature just talk a second ago!” Said Jessie while pointing and using the seat to support herself.

Otis now with a relief expression, he understood the situation then he proceeded to explain to her what just had happened.

Back to Frank who was now in Paradise Plaza, he make his way between the zombies taken some photos while breaking some heads, using a bat Frank opened a path towards the second floor and entered to Colombian Roastmasters where he took a gallon of orange with him, then he jump off the second floor and landed in the tent balcony which on it have a katana for some unknown reason, then he proceed to jump off and go to the glass doors while smashing some zombies in his way, the door lead him outside to the Leisure Park, it was a field in middle of the mall so big that entire families could play and camp here, but Frank now needs to cross the zombie infested park to meet with Brad.

After some running and dead zombies later Frank was now at the Food Court, but sooner than he could expect, gunshots were heard and he felt that those were aiming at him, so he jumped behind the wooden walls that were surrounding one of the segments where people could sit, eat and watch their food being made. Deciding to move Frank spotted Brad who was returning the fire, he then looked at him shaking his head saying this isn't a safe place.

Frank decided to move close to him while avoiding the bullets that some hostile people were shooting at them. “Your, uh… girlfriend sent me to find you.” Frank said to Brad.

“Who? Jessie?” Brad was annoyed by the news since he didn’t want to involve civilians to his mission. “Dammit!” Another shot was shooted at them. “OK, We’ll have to talk about this later…” Brad assured him. “You know how to use that gun?”

“I’ve never fired at a person.” Frank said not wanting to take someone’s life and have it in his coincidence.

Brad knowing how difficult this could be to Frank but also knowing that if they don’t act quick they will be the ones death he told Frank. “Alright, I’ll cover you from here. You stick to the shadows… Try to get closer to the target, OK?” He orders it to Frank.

“And what am I supposed to do when I get close?” Frank replied.

“Well, the best solution would be to shoot the guy. But if you can’t do that,” Brad said, then he lent Frank a magazine for his gun. “Keep him busy dodging your bullets and stay out of trouble. Are you up to it?” He said, waiting for Frank's answer.

“I’m a lot better with the camera.” Frank replied. “But… Yeah I give it a shot.”
Brad now with a plan starts explaining it to Frank. “Alright, next time he reloads, I lay down a suppressive fire. I am counting on you. Make your way over there.” He points Frank to the left entrance to the Food Court’s dining tables and starts counting. “1… 2… 3!” Brad starts shooting at the hostile letting Frank to run towards the entrance of the dining tables.

Back at the security room, both Jessie and the pegasus receive an explanation, more for the pony understanding since he didn’t know about the zombie outbreak and the place he was now.

“And that’s what was going so far.” Otis ends his explanation making Jessie to think about it and the pony to ask a question.

“There wasn’t any other pony around where I was found?” the pegasus asked.

“I am not sure, you are the first one that I saw this far.” Otis replied.

“By the way,” Jessie interrupted. “You haven’t told us your name.” she pointed out.

The pony realized that it was true, he didn’t present himself all this time. “Sorry… I was scared for my life that I forgot.” He explains, then he calms down. “Hi, my name is Featherweight and I am a pegasus student from Poniville’s Schoolhouse.” he said it politely

Both Jessie and Otis were surprised by the form he introduced himself. “Nice to meet you Featherweight, I’m Jessica McCarney but you can calm me Jessie.” She said then with her hand she gestured to Otis. “And the man who took care of you is Otis Washington” She finished while Otis waved his hand.

Then Featherweight said to Otis. “So you save me from the zombies?” That made Otis turn his head in embarrassment.

“No, I wasn’t the one who saved you.” he answered, then he turned his head to Featherweight. “I was just watching you as a favor to the man who saved you.”

“Man? What man?” Featherweight said.

Then Jessie looks at the monitors and finds Brad and Frank fighting against someone that was shooting at them from the roof of the little restaurant. “That man” she said while placing her finger on Frank who was shooting his last round of his shotgun.

Featherweight got close to the monitors watching the man who was evading and cover himself with the walls to get closer to the other man to attack him, Featherweight was impressed in how the man was moving and enduring some of the hits that the other man land on him but when he look closer he notice what it looks like a camera hanging from his neck.

Featherweight was confused and looked at Jessie for answers. “That man’s name is Frank West and he is a photojournalist.” She said. The pegasus was impressed by that testament.

“Really!?” Featherweight said, “I don't believe it, he is fighting against an armed man! he is putting himself in danger.”

“Well for what he told me he had experience when it comes to dangerous events.” Jessie clarified. “He covered wars, you know” she quoted Frank.

Otis then asked. “Why did you get surprised that he was a reporter?” He gained Featherweight’s attention.

“Well… like I said, I am a student at Ponyville Schoolhouse.” Both Jessie and Otis nod. “But before I appeared here I became part of the school press since I like to document everything in hope to uhh… get my Cutie Mark for it.” he explains to the two humans.

“What is a Cutie Mark?” Jessie asked.

“Uhh… well a Cutie Mark is a symbol that appears on our flanks when we discover our special talents.” he answered, earning a confused look from Jessie and Otis, then both look at his flank making Featherweight sad since he had no Cutie Mark.

“Sorry, it wasn’t our intention to make you feel bad.” Otis said to the pegasus.

“It’s okay.” Featherweight replied. “I started at the school press three days ago, so my Cutie Mark could take time to appear.” he said, trying to motivate himself.

Then Jessie put a hand under her chin, thinking about something, later she snapped her fingers. “I got it!” she announced. “Featherweight, what will you think if I can make Frank teach you some photojournalist skills, maybe that can help you get your Cutie Mark more quickly!”

“Really! You think so?” said Featherweight, with hope in his eyes.

“Yes, in fact I can talk to him when he finishes his work.” Jessie said while smiling at Featherweight. “So, what did you say?”

Featherweight could hold his enthusiasm. “YES! Thank you so much.” he said while giving Jessie a hug to her legs. “ You don’t believe how much I want to get my Cutie Mark for photography!”

He was so happy for this new opportunity, but the real reason for Jessie to mention Frank and make the promise was to keep Frank out of Jessie and her partner’s investigation by making him occupied with the pegasus that he rescued and not reveal him any crucial information that can jeopardize the mission. This is the perfect plan! She thought.

Back to the Court Food, Frank has deliver some hits with his bat at the man who was shooting them who results to be the same man that give him the warning at the roof of the mall, after that the man aim his gun at Frank who receive two shoots and fall from the taco restaurant roof, Frank took cover feeling weak he proceed and drink the orange juice to get more energy, seconds later Frank saw the man moving from one roof to another, the he was aiming at Brad to shoot him, Frank then decide to took advantage of the situation, he pull out a handgun and start shooting at the man forcing him to run and leave the area since he was tired and at disadvantage by using a rope that was falling from the selling, later rope pull him up and disappeared from the Food Court.

Frank and Brad were aiming at him but he was no longer there. “He got away.” Frank said, annoyed he turned to Brad.” Who was that, anyway?” he asked.

Brad calmly and watching the surroundings said. “I don’t know.” After seeing that there was nobody else, Brad turns to Frank. “Well, thanks for your help. The name’s Brad.” he said while extending his hand to Frank for a shake which Frank ignored while looking directly to Brad’s eyes.

“I’m Frank West, photojournalist.” he said while pointing to himself. “And right now, i’d rather have an explanation than your thanks, Brad.” he said professionally as a reporter.

Brad looks bothered for the question. “Sorry, I’ve got nothing to tell you.” he said to later add more in his explanation. “Look, I don’t know what Jessie told you, but as far as i’m concerned, we’re through working together.” he states, to later add his final word. “So you cover you zombie story and leave the rest to us.” he finished while Frank was using his camera features.

Frank found what he needed and turned to Brad. “You, uh… You guys are looking for someone here aren’t ya?” he said while showing a picture of the old man with a red suit.

Brad was surprised that Frank knew the person that they were looking for, he approached him slowly and extended his right arm to the cameras. “Who is that? Where did you take it?”

Frank moves the camera away and interrupts him. “You help me, I help you.” Frank said, waiting for an answer while shaking the camera in an effort to convince him, which it worked.

“Damn!” Brad walked away, then he turned and pointed at Frank. “You’re one hell of a journalist, aren’t you Frank?” he said, angry at the situation, he continued. “A hot-headed, underhanded, hotshot paparazzi with nothing better to do than to invade people’s privacy.”

“I try… You got a point?” Frank answered back, not affected by the insult.

With nothing else to say or lose Brad had made a decision. “You win, Frank. Let’s work together.” Brad said, earning a nod from Frank but still no camera so he is forced to reveal more. “Jessie and I are DHS agents. And, yes, we’re looking for the man in that picture.” he finished.

Frank was impressed but upset about the situation. “You’re with Homeland Security? Is this guy a terrorist or something?” Frank almost shouted, wanting to have more information in which Brad only answered with a stern look.

Frank, understanding that he wouldn’t reveal more, handed him his camera and explained to him that that photo was taken at the Entrance Plaza. “The Entrance Plaza… are you sure.” Brad said and Frank nodded, he then returned his camera and fast walked towards that direction.

“Hey!” Frank yells, making Brad stop and turn to him. “So, do I have your permission to cover this story or not?” he asked, this made Brad to exhale in annoyance for his question and continued walking with Frank following him.

Back at the Safe place, at the monitores both Jessie and Featherweight were watching how Brad and Frank were heading to Entrance Plaza while shooting, bashing and slashing through the horde of zombies together (Mostly Frank), Jessie didn’t want the photojournalist to keep sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. But Featherweight in the other… Hoof was having a mix of feelings from fear to amazed, he could not believe how Frank was facing the zombies with a big hammer that he took from a tool store while taking some pictures, putting himself in danger for the shot. Is he crazy or incredibly brave? Featherweight thought while the two humans made it to the entrance to the plaza and entered.

Back with Frank, he watch how Brad opened a control panel to lift the security grill, allowing access to the Entrance Plaza, they both make their way in to find the man, Brad saw him inside a grilled closed bookstore and called him to talk, Frank was five meters away from them since Brad wanted to talk with the man alone. So far Brad tried to convince him to get out to be taken to the safe room but the man didn’t want to go, he was very stubborn, the man returned inside the store leaving Brad alone, from the conversation Frank could hear that his name was Dr. Barnaby.

Brad was walking away from the store. “Well, what happened?” Frank asked, capturing Brad’s attention. “You can’t just arrest him?”

Brad was very bothered with the situation. “He turned down my offer to protect him… ” he explains. “Said he isn’t going anywhere until I can guarantee a secure route out of here.”

Frank could not believe how stubborn the old man could be in a situation like this. Did he really think he can survive alone or is the age making him think like that? Frank thought.

“Jessie has a direct line to the HQ.” Brad continued speaking. “The first thing we need to do is call for backup.” he finished explaining and left for the security room.

Frank was now standing alone, he explore the Entrance Plaza and finds a group of zombies surrounding a clothing store, after knocking some zombies with his sledgehammer, when he entered he heard streaming for help coming from the storage room of the store, he knock some boxes that were making a wall, he find a chubby guy that was trapped for two days by the boxes but he was oblivious about the zombie invasion.

After explaining the situation to the man Frank receive a call from Otis informing him about a guy who was a reporter like him at Central Plaza, after the call and escorting the chubby guy at Al Fresca Plaza, he receive another call informing him that there are two young man trapped in the woman’s clothing store at the plaza where he was, when he arrive he wasn’t receive with opened arms, instead one of the guys attacked Frank calling him crazy, Frank calm the man by hitting him a couple of times and making him understand that he doesn’t want to kill them but to take them to a safe place, both men agrees and followed Frank.

At the safe place, Brad came out from the air duct and made his way to the janitor’s room to meet Jessie. What he didn’t expect when entering was to see the pony totally awake while Otis showed him the articles in the magazine about electronic devices like if he seems to understand it, a thing that he did.

After a second Jessie looked at Brad. “So what’s the news?” she said.

“Dr. Barnaby wouldn’t come out from the store after we could guarantee him protection.” Brad answered, then he pointed to the pegasus and said. “What’s the matter with Otis trying to teach it how to read.”

Offended Featherweight replied. “I know how to read! What I don’t know is how to use the things that you have in this world.” he finished making Brad double take what just happened.

“Uhh… Uhh… Augh” were the smart word that Brad used to describe his surprise.

Jessie with a smirk turned towards Brad and said. “His name is Featherweight, he is a pegasus from a place called Ponyville and he is from another world.” she finished while walking to her partner and patted his shoulder.

Brad was looking between Featherweight and Jessie, moments later he rubs his sides. “God, this day can’t go any weirder than it already is.” he said, trying to calm himself.

Back to Frank, he and the survivors were now at the Central Plaza going to the second floor so Frank could see who was the other reporter in the area. When he enters in the restaurant called Colombian Roastmasters, Frank found the reporter, he was young, spiky hair with bear on the chin, thin body, wearing a blue shirt with an orange vest on top, brown shirt, black shoes and he had three different cameras, one in his back with the tripod, another hanging from his neck and the last one hanging from his hip on the left side.

Frank thought he was another survivor that needs help, but instead he was acting like a prick, a very armed prick. His name was Kent and was claiming to be a ‘professional photographer’ and calling Frank a novice, Frank tried to cease the tension and make his way out but Kent stop him and offers Frank an opportunity to shine by taking photos of him performing poses between the zombies.

After some shots and insults later Kent was looking at Frank's work, he was satisfied then he showed his own shots to Frank one by one but when he showed his most violent picture Frank pushed him aside.

Felting insulted, Kent explained his next idea to Frank. “OK. Here’s the deal, Frankie… You gotta go out there an’ take even better pictures than the ones I just showed ya.” he said in a challenging manner. “Ya think you can handle that? Huh?”

Frank thought for a moment. “Yeah.” he replied unmotivated while gesturing his thumb up, he didn’t like the idea but if he is to stop this crazy competition he has to do it.

With that Kent slowly made his way out. Later Frank guide the rest of the survivors to the entrance of the warehouse, Frank looked that the before empty room was now filled with zombies, he then heard a buzzing sound going towards him rating just in time to avoid the sting of a wasp, the insect tried to stung Frank again only for him to knock it out on the floor letting him time to stomp the wasp three time, but what he didn’t expect was that the zombies that were in the room started to convulse at the same time after killing the insect so later they fall to the ground and their heads exploded one after another, leaving pools of blood on the floor.

“What in the hell is goin’ on around here?” Frank said, not knowing what just happened, seconds later it clicked in his head, removing his shoe from the death wasp he understood that the insect was somehow connected with the zombie outbreak, but with no more details he decided to take the survivors to the safe place and get more information out of the DHS agents.

After going to the elevator to the air duct Frank and the others made it to the safe place, the survivors walked to the storage room to rest while he made his way towards Jessie and Brad who were discussing the problem about the doctor’s demands. “The old coot’s not dumb.” Brad said. “He wants us to call for help first. We got a line out or what?”

Jessie proceeds to make a call to her department which results in the call failing. “The signal’s being blocked… I can’t even contact HQ on the emergency line.”

“So, if we want to get our hands on Dr. Barnaby, We’re gonna have to secure a way out of here ourselves.” Brad said bother with the situation. “Alright. We’ve gotta deal with the situation we’ve been handed. The boneheads back at HQ might be working on something, too…” he finished with little hope in his tone while making his way to the room with the A/C.

Before Brad could go out of the room Frank spoke. “There’s a helicopter coming.” he said while resting his back against the lockers and turning his head to Brad. “Three days from now… at noon. It’s my ride.”

“Is your ride reliable?” Brad asked, looking at Frank.

“Absolutely. That’s how I plan on gettin’ outta here.” Frank replied.

Now with a new opportunity Brad talks. “Alright, then. I’ll see to it that DHS picks up the charter fee. Can we take Dr. Barnaby as well?” he asked with hope.

“Sure… As long as you tell me what’s going on” Frank replied knowing that they have to cooperate to save that man’s life.

Both were upsted by Frank’s conditions, specialty Jessie but with no more options they have to accept. “OK.” answered Brad a bit angry. “I’ll tell you what you want to know… later.” he clarified. “We have more pressing business right now.” Brad said while turning to Jessie, she nods understanding that she has to help Frank with his story but not telling him all the details. Then he continues, looking at Frank “If we have to wait for three days we’ll need supplies”- he began to count with his hand what they will need. -”Water, blankets and the like. We’ll get Dr. Barnaby here tomorrow morning.” he said, indicating Jessie the plan. “I want you to keep an eye on the monitors” he finished and went out of the room to the air duct to continue with his mission.