The Workermonkey

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Day 25 

# posted by Supreme Monkey Overlord @ 1/29/2012 11:54:00 AM

approaching the compound has become increasingly dangerous as the light grows dim. the haze of nightfall was upon us and the madness would soon begin. the ever present moaning begins the nightly transformation from light annoyance to thunderous crescendo. the engineer to my left checks his side as if he's expecting something, just a light touch to make sure what is safe? not much use for a wallet out here, what is he hiding?

with the factory's recent expansion of a new entrance, along came some guard towers to protect it. the 3 story turrets covered each side of the entrance like lighthouses. electricity has become increasingly more reliable around the complex. what was once only a few hours of juice a day is now an expected right for most people here. the spot lights from the towers were a reminder that power went to the factory first. they circled the ground around the edges of the fence on alert for any larger zombies or perhaps just one mischievous lerker to shoot at.

as we approach the outer gate, the spot lights hit the truck and guide us in. the light shines brightly even in the evening haze. the gate clicks as we come to a stop. the grinding of gears announces the gate is about to open. we pull through the first fence into a holding area and my companion turns off the engine. guards in chain-mail suits come out from the base of the towers with what looks like electrified harpoons. this is new.

the two guards do a quick lap around the truck looking for anything that might be stuck to the truck or hanging on underneath. this reminds me of crossing the Mexican boarder before the event. i glance over at my driver who's calm as can be, he must be used to this. i'm quietly panicking next to him at the thought of what might happen next. an air horn sounds and the guards retreat to the towers. the guy starts the truck again and the next gate starts to open.

We pull into what looks like an empty garage with two doors. the driver again turns off the engine and this time opens the door and jumps out. i follow suit and walk around to his side of the truck. he's already half way to the door on the left by the time i reach him. when he gets to the door he pauses for a second. a buzzer sounds and then he grabs the door knob and passes through. some one must be watching us of he's waiting for the door to be unlocked. did we pick the right door?

before i pass through i hear the far door open and the sound of voices entering the garage. they must be unloading the truck. is the factory trying to separate it's runners from the rest of the factory? why the division of labor?

the door leads to a hallway about 30 yards long leading to another door. the hall way is dimly lit and almost sound proof. i can't tell anything about this place from where we are. the far door isn't locked and the guy opens the door with ease. this time it just leads out into the compound, i'm out of the factory. that's it?!? the guy doesn't stop to chat and just continues on his way back to his quarters. guess i don't get to keep anything from my little adventure.

a little confused about what to do next, i head back to the bar o see what Jesse and Lou are up to. i'm going ot have to report what i saw today, something is up with the factory.

2 comments

As Matt turns around to leave, his new friend shouts "Hey man, you gotta go out this way, they close the exits 15 minutes before nightfall". He leads you down a hall that takes you to the office building where people are bunking. "Come by the factory in the morning, I'll give a tour - we could always use another engineer in the shop".

By  NoBrainRequired, at Sunday, January 29, 2012 7:15:00 PM  

Matt follows him into the office building and up the stairs to the cafeteria. Jesse is there eating with his new friend (the recently widowed Kelly that he met last week). Lou is there also, playing his acoustic guitar for a small crowd of children.

Jacob (the engineer) continues to talk Matts ear off. He was a project manager here at the plant before the great cataclysm. As you sit to eat, he grows more and more animated - excited to tell some one new about the project he was in charge of. The factory primarily produced robotic for industrial purposes - for instance, most of the robotic assemblages in the toyota plant were made and maintained by US Robotics. However, the most recent enteprise was a military project, the XOS (http://youtu.be/pQYCQgh_37A). This was Jacob's baby. He insists you come down to the factory in the morning to check it out.

Intrigued, Matt promises to take him up on the offer. Jacob also says he will help Matt find a Captive Bolt Pistol next time they go out scavenging (this is the item we discussed prior that is used in slaughterhouses - euphimistically refered to as a 'stunner' even though it blows out your brain stem).

Matt and Jesse head up to their room on the 4th floor - an old office about 13X15. They share the room with Mike and Ramirez, but there is no sight of them that night. Most of your gear is piled in the corners, making the room very cramped. The neighboring offices, supply closets and print rooms ect have all been converted into makeshift habitats for the refugees.

The night is generally quiet. The occasional gunshot can be heard from the outside, but the noise is so muted where you are, you have no problem sleeping through it. You have only sleeping bags and pillows, so its not the best nights sleep. You see that other refugees have hauled up mattresses, TV's, and other amenities to their rooms.

About 15 minutes before sunrise, a ding is gently broadcasted across the buildings PA system - a headsup that morning is here and the plant will be powered down to save fuel. Still no sign of Mike. There is a knock and without invitation Lou lets himself in. "Get up you lazy bastards!" He says with a laugh. "We've got a busy day today... I'm going to do a whole 80's big hair theme for my set today".

Activity picks up in the hallway. People are heading down to the cafe for a warm meal, coffee and to sign up for the daily assignments that need completion. Lou suggests you head down to the locker rooms and take a shower (Jesse and Matt smell terrible having not showered in quite a while). "Its going to be hard for you to get laid if you smell like a zombie" Lou jokes.

Down in the cafe, Jacob is sitting with some of the other engineers, when he sees Matt, he stands up and waves him over. One of the engineers says "Hey, its the comic book guy" and they ask, with interest, if you brought back anything good from the store you looted the day before. The conversation quickly turns to a DC vs Marvel debate before one of the soldiers comes over with a list for them. Its the daily "loot list" where they will go, what they are looking for ect. As the list gets passed around, notes are added by each of the engineers.

By  NoBrainRequired, at Thursday, February 02, 2012 8:12:00 AM  

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