Redemption (16/26) by GeorgeHale Rating: R Feedback: Classification: Colonization/Mythology/MSR/William, post I.W.T.B. Canon. Spoilers: Left, right, & center. This is best served if you REALLY know your X-Files. Disclaimer: I wish I made this. This has been my catharsis, five years in the making. Maybe it can be one for you, too. Warning: Violence, Gratuitous employment of the 'Our little sailor' clause (swearing,) Fluff with two 'f's, Cheesy dialogue, Friendly Ghosts, Melodramatics, Plot devices, Fiji Mermen (no, not really,) Angst, Blasphemy, Dehydration via crying, Scientific Whammies, Plams, Lots & Lots & Lots of...Bees, Magical Growing Scully Cross Chain, Red Herrings. It's going to get strange and ugly before the end. ------------------------------------------------------------------ XVI ------------------------------------------------------------------ "There were many who went in huddled procession, They knew not whither; But, at any rate, success or calamity Would attend all in equality." - Stephen Crane, XVII ------------------------------------------------------------------ Treated and bandaged, Mulder rested as the others managed a climbing rig once Kryder chanced the rope to the surface. Kryder pulled the lighter party members up by himself and then had them aid him with the rest. It was still relatively early when Mulder emerged as the last of the group. They argued over what the next course of action should be while they gave their eyes time to adjust to the difference in light and the devastation that surrounded them. "We need to search the area and see if any other survivors made it out of the compound," Kryder insisted. "Oh no, they're going to be swarming this place again by tonight," Langly countered, peering through his fingers. "We should head north - the colder the better. This cold is the only thing these things hate." "Survival first, gentlemen," Skinner inserted himself, raising his hands before their argument intensified. "We're going to have to find some heavier gear and more water or we're not going to be able to do anything for anybody, let alone ourselves." "We have to head south," Mulder stated, joining them. "We don't have a choice." "Any eruption event that may have been powerful enough to drop this much ash should also be expected to drop the temperature in this area for the year if not several," Scully joined in. "What we're experiencing here...it could just be a temporary plateau before a deeper freeze." "Searching won't take very long," Kryder asserted. "Even if there are any survivors, Kevin, what help can we afford to give them?" Frohike frowned as he spoke, looking up into the younger man's eyes as he poked him in the chest. "We don't even have enough supplies for ourselves. Be realistic, man." Byers had been searching through his pack and located a map he spread out in front of him over a fallen tree. "If we use this location as a landmark, we can reckon dead south and chance the wilderness or make our way out to the Interstate." "We lose time heading back to where civilization was, but we won't find extra blankets in the woods," Skinner responded. "The truth is we're not going to get very far just by foot, especially during this time of year." "We're going to have to risk it," Mulder conceded, "at least for now. Let's head in the direction the town is...was, and go Langly was right when he said that we won't want to be here come nightfall." ------------------------------------------------------------------ MAIN STREET White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia February 22nd, 2013 3:24 p.m. The walk into town was disorienting and left them feeling vulnerable in the thick fog mix of melting snow and light ash. The absent sounds of anything beside their boots scuffing against the pavement and the soft howl of the wind only enhanced their sense of alienation. Silently, Skinner motioned at the vague outline of a building ahead and indicated that the others needed to be ready with their rifles and to move quietly. Scully positioned herself within grabbing distance of William's vest and motioned to Rachel that she should stay close. Other building outlines came into view as they moved closer through the eerie silence. William felt his heart thud hard in his chest and wondered how the others couldn't hear. Encouraging himself to stay calm, he jumped when he felt Scully tap his shoulder but shook his head silently once he realized she was wondering if he could sense anyone else nearby. She gave him an apologetic smile once she realized how much she had frightened him. Though the town was partially gone, Mulder found himself surprised by how many buildings remained intact given the obliteration the resort had suffered. White Sulphur Springs itself was not a large place, but he harbored a fool's hope they might find a store or two along the narrow street meant to cater to the wealthy tourists who had been the backbone of the town's economy. Skinner motioned at a small pharmacy and they ducked inside to take a break. Setting down their packs and resting, Skinner took the point on setting the strategy for their search. His voice was low when he spoke. "Okay people, let's set down priorities. First - safety. We search for an hour initially, radioing to Scully halfway." Skinner sought Scully's nod for her acceptance of the role and found it. "Langly, Byers, Frohike - See if you can find us some type of vehicle, large enough for nine. We'll need gas and any type of siphoning equipment you can rig. It needs to be covered or coverable." He paused, considering something for a moment. "Tell me at least one of you three is handy with a firearm." When none of them met his gaze, Skinner assumed the worst and rubbed his forehead in thought. "Okay, change of plans. Kryder, I want you to go with Frohike and Langly. Byers and I will scout the rest of the street. We'll need water, filters - think hosiery, netting, wrap, gauze, and extra layers. Ammunition, batteries, food, things like rope - useful but nothing we're short on the moment. Scully, Mulder - I want you both to stay here with the children and salvage anything you can from this location and the place across the street. Scully, I trust with your medical knowledge you'll know what's worth taking with us and what won't keep. Anything we may be able to use for barter down the road would be useful." Skinner looked around at his friends to see if anyone had any questions, but they were just nodding in silence. "We'll meet across the street in an hour. Keep alert and stay safe." Rachel pulled at Scully's hand but relented when Kryder flashed her back a smile. "Stay here. We'll be back soon." ------------------------------------------------------------------ Twenty minutes had passed since the group split up and Scully was busy scavenging prescription medicines to add to her medical kit while Mulder had William and Rachel help him organize water and other supplies they found in the front. His arm had still not healed. While thoroughly picked over, the store had still surrendered a respectable pile by the time the others began to radio in. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Leaving their other supplies at the drug store, they moved across the street to renew their search at what appeared to be a mix between a pawnshop and a bargain outlet. With an ulterior motive in mind, Mulder felt clever when he managed to unlock the wall safe hidden strategically behind a counter stocked with random items. Surveying the stashed valuables within the vault, his eyes lit up when he spied a small plastic container. Flipping it open with his thumb, he smiled to himself and knew in that moment it was just the thing he wanted. He slipped it in with the rest of his hoard when he heard his son coming from behind. "You grew up on a farm Will, ever shoot a firearm?" he asked. Will nodded, feeling apprehensive. "Yeah, a few times. Why?" "When was the last time?" "Last Fall," Will admitted sheepishly. Mulder maneuvered carefully and checked both the magazine and safety on a scoped .22 rifle he had found earlier as a demonstration before handing it to Will along with a sling and a container of BBs. "I don't like having to ask you to carry that, but you'll need it sooner or later. I hope that we get somewhere soon I can take some time and show you how to sight it in and use it." His expression was grim when he cleared his throat so Will would look up at him. "I know you know what I'm going to say next, but I'm going to say them anyway. Always treat it as if it's loaded, never point it at anything you don't intend to kill, and never put your finger on the trigger unless you mean to shoot. Never. Understand?" William nodded at Mulder solemnly, slipping the sling on the rifle before carefully positioning it over his shoulder. "Remember those rules. For now, if we get into a situation, you use it to pretend but only if you can't find someplace to hide. Scully will be angry, but tell her I gave it to you if she says anything." Will immediately frowned in response, clearly not in favor of invoking Scully's wrath. "I can tell you're a quick study already," Mulder chuckled. Quickly picking the rest of the safe clean of useful items, he stowed them in his bag and walked back with Will to the front of the store. Scully was gathering a bag of thermal underwear when she spotted the barrel of the rifle hanging above William's shoulder and paused. Her eyes immediately flew to Mulder's, her displeasure apparent in her pursed lips and flared nostrils. Mulder tilted his head, meeting her gaze straight on. A moment of silence passed before Scully began to open her mouth, but then she abruptly closed it. William felt awkward caught in the tense ceasefire. Tamping down her temper as she resolved to speak with Mulder about the weapon in private later, she tossed a bag of white thermal garments at each of them. Mulder's hit him square in the face before falling into his outstretched hand, but Will found himself reaching and squirming to catch the slippery plastic. "When in Rome," she quipped, pointing to the exposed sleeve of her own donned set. "Do as the Mormons?" Mulder supplied, grinning. Scully shook her head at him, closing her eyes. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Scully had just finished helping Mulder slip his coat jacket over his bandaged wound when they heard a vehicle approach outside and cut the engine. Well hidden, they lowered their weapons when Langly and the others got out of the large passenger van. The van had the logo of the resort on the side and Skinner came inside while the others began pulling items out of the back. "Nice ride," Mulder greeted him, looking over his shoulder at the white Chevy. "It'll have to do with as many as we have - we found it at the garage down the street. How'd you make out?" "Good," Scully said. "And we've got more across the street." "Come across any tubing?" "There's quite the variety - you might be able to find some in the back," Scully said, pointing toward the distant aisles. Frohike came into the store out of breath from helping gut the back seats from the vehicle. "Spray paint?" he asked. Scully smiled and pointed again, feeling a bit like a store directory as he left them. "Camoflage isn't really going to do us any good," Mulder commented. Frohike huffed as he found what he was looking for, quickly grabbing a few items from the shelves. "This has nothing to do with camouflage," he insisted, returning their way. Mulder watched him with raised brows, amused. "This is about being badass," Frohike asserted, chuckling, showing Mulder his haul of grey spray paint and assorted items before he continued outside. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Working as a team, they made quick but careful work of organizing the van to carry everyone and the supplies they scavenged from the town. Comfort wasn't even a remote consideration, but the vehicle would function as long as they could keep it fueled and on clear roads. Skinner wanted to try to find some scrap metal to protect parts of the outside, but decided the time and extra weight doing so would add was not worth it. "Yeah, she's not Matilda," Langly lamented, "but she's not half bad either." He mourned their lost VW van as he christened the dashboard of the stolen vehicle with a plastic Virgin Mary Frohike had found. Frohike had Will and Rachel laughing as they helped him spray paint the vehicle and Scully smiled at the rare scene, crossing her arms. It was a delightful sound she wished she could experience more often. "We're making it look mean," Frohike whispered to them as if they were conspirators. Kryder and Langly worked a tarp over supplies they had lashed to the roof and covered it with a mesh net they attached to the interior handholds. "Grade-A badass," Frohike declared, standing back to admire their handiwork while patting Will on the back. Will smiled up at him and then down at Joy, having forgotten the sheer pleasure laughter and silliness itself could bring. ------------------------------------------------------------------ The sky was already growing dark once they were ready to leave and the decision was obvious to shelter in the remains of the town until first light. Skinner and Byers had come across the entrance to a Cold-War era bunker that had been built beneath the destroyed town hall as they searched for supplies and led the group there. "No bodies?" Mulder queried as they descended the ladder into the manhole. "No," Skinner confirmed, lowering his voice behind him. "This was the first area the wrecking crew cleared." The wrecking crew had been the unit responsible for burning the bodies of the infected shortly after the attacks began. Mulder had suspected as much when there were no bodies scattered through town but grimaced at the dark thought anyway. Scully distributed the rest of her bag of thermals before Byers and Kryder decided they would cook. The others took the opportunity before it was completely dark for some well-needed shooting practice. Skinner offered to fill in for Byers so he could join the others.