When Bys rolls in with her truck, Sable is just finishing up and holstering her new pistol. She dashes across the lot and greets her with a cheerful hug.

"Bys! You made it!"

She hugs back, black fingernails and hair and the spike-laden coat she loves so much still in place. Tough-looking cargo pants and a thick black hoodie too.

"Sable! Welcome to the end of the world. I hope somebody's in charge here..."

She looks around doubtfully. The big parking lot seems to be getting more crowded as things get more and more glitchy and people gravitate towards the bustling activity.

"There's not much time, I need to know what to go fetch and I need some volunteers in case someone doesn't want it to move."

"Yep, come with me."

She leads Bys inside to where the manager is coordinating things. "My friend is here, sir. Don't think I got your name, actually. This is Bettrys. Bys, meet the boss."

"Welcome to Fort Bass! Have you got a weapon?"

"I have a knife. I do not, actually, know how to shoot very well. Not since I was a kid."

"Now is a good time to fix that."

"No no, first, the truck engine is still running - for now. I'm sure you have half a dozen people doing runs-" A nod. "One more can't hurt. Where to?"

"We've half cleared out the home depot across the 5, they're forting themselves up too - I think. It's messy. But there's a lumberyard a bit further away I don't think anybody here has gone to yet, sevenish miles down in Spanaway, if you want to take a big wad of cash and Lisa's shopping list..."

She frowns, but nods. "Sounds like a plan. I'm not sure how much longer the truck will run, but it's probably worth the risk. I can hoof it back, worst case."

She nods. "Sounds like a good plan. Want me along to sweet-talk people at the destination, or am I more useful here?"

"Y'all know each other, so I want to say you stick together, but up to you."

"I want you along," Bys says. "High hopes for Fort Bass here."

"I would hope so!"

And then he gives Bys a badge and has Lisa hand over a list and a big wad of bills.

"Shiny. Let's roll."

She notes the approximate location for navigation, checks the truck over, and hops into the passenger seat, grinning at Bys.

As soon as they pull out, she looks over at Bys, her expression shifting subtly, just a bit more serenity in the grin, a little less manic pixie.

"It really is good to see you, Bys," Maya says, her smooth serenity audible in her tone of voice.

"...Whatever happens, better with friends. That's humanity's strength, you know. Spears in a line."

She cuts right across the highway lane markers. Goes well under the speed limit - there's stopped cars and walking people on the road.

"Damned right," Maya says with a firm nod. "It's good to have someone safe to switch around. Plus, there's no one we'd rather at our side while society crumbles."

"Mm.

I want to strategize... But it won't tell us anything. It sucks. Is this gonna be Final Fantasy? Warframe? The Wandering Inn? Ugh."

"We've gotten a little out of it so far," Hailey says, her slightly chirpier tone slipping in. "Classes can be evolved with perk points, cross-class powers can be awarded for exceptional achievements, guns will still work, monsters are confirmed as you saw, some classes have cosmetic adjustments, and Teddy got it to admit that people will be offered different classes based on experience and aptitudes."

She hums thoughtfully. "The distinction it made between monsters and critters suggests that there's some difference between the two. Maybe critters aren't universally hostile, or maybe they're sentient or sapient, or maybe something else."

She huffs. "But you're right. It's being very tight with info. I wish we knew more. And we wouldn't say no to some warframes, no matter what kind of game it is," she finishes with a rueful chuckle.

"I don't-"

Bys swerves to avoid a man who ran out in front of the truck, waving his arms.

"Fuck!"

"What the fuck."

She looks out at the guy, catching her breath a bit. "Wanna investigate the obvious sidequest hook?", she asks Bys quietly.

One hand slips to the window crank, the other rests on her holster, ready to draw quickly.

"No, maybe on the way back. We got no time for that shit. Yell at him to get to the Bass at most!"

She takes a deep breath, then hits the gas again. The engine makes a slightly pained sound as it revs up.

She rolls down the window and calls out at him as they drive on, "try to head to the Bass Pro Shop off the five, or we'll check on you on the way back!"

Then she rolls the window back up.

Bys is trying to stay calm, but obviously not doing great at it. Deeeeep breaths. Look at the road.

"Hey, you did the right thing, and we've got this. No matter what happens, we'll face it together and handle it. You're doing great," warm certainty fills her words.

"Yeah. It's just- I'm trying not to process that this is real yet."

Oops, here's the turn off the 5 she needs to take.

"Understandable. Let's get off the highway and find this place. There'll be plenty of time to reel once we're back."

She helps with navigation, making sure they get to the lumber yard smoothly, and looks around.

It's just off a main road. Looks like it's a building supply store. There's a car wreck in the parking lot and signs that people have been here for supplies already. Empty pallets and debris. There's a man with a pistol standing out front. He waves as they climb down out of the truck.

"Hey folks! I just want to let you know, we're not accepting cash right now! Not at very good rates at least!"

Well, that makes plenty of sense. Easy as breathing, the perspective slips in and a warm grin slides onto her face as she hops out. "Absolutely understandable. Given the whole 'complete societal infrastructure collapse' thing going on out there, I'd be surprised if you were. Let's talk about what you are accepting, then."

"Guns, food, ammo, guns, pills, bottled water..."

She giggles delightedly. "We're fortifying a hunting shop, so you're in luck. Boss'll probably be willing to trade." Then her grin turns a bit sharper.

"Let's haggle."

She grabs the list and rattles things off in order of priority, figuring out what he's still got on hand. "Name a starting price, friend."

"We deal mostly in bulk material, not so much the fasteners and such. Doesn't seem like we've got a lot of time left for round trips, friend. And loading all that will take a few, too. The Bass Pro Shop?"

"That's the one. I figure you help us load, ride with us out there, and collect trade on site. Guns, ammo, or other supplies will be easier for you to carry back here even if the truck gives out."