Play Your Cards

We Were Nowhere Near the Grand Cayon

They group sits in an old RV as they drive through the dry lands of wherever they are. The sun peeks over the dry grassy lands as they give down the paved road. Most lay asleep as the rest are awake.

Ace lays her head on 10k's shoulder as he stares out the window.

He looks over as Addy calls him to help her with an old radio. He puts his palm under Aces head and gently lays her on the couch without waking her.

The sound of a winding sound startled her and wakes her up.

She watches as 10k sticks something through the roof of the RV.

"Northern light. Northern light. Do you copy?" Addy asks

There's no response. Not even static.

Ace climbs off of the couch and walks over to Addy. Ace takes one of the wires and peels back the rubber covering the copper wires. She attaches it to another one.

"Now try." Ace says as she rubs the sleepiness from her eyes

"Northern light. This is Delta-X-ray. Do you copy?" Addy asks

He doesn't answer but there is static this time

"When's the last time you talked to that guy anyway?" Murphy asks Ace. "Probably isn't even alive anymore." Murphy says as he rolls over on the top bunk.

"Aren't you a ray of sunshine this morning?" Vasquez says grumpily as he wakes up himself.

"Well excuse me, princess. That's what happened when you haven't had a decent cup of coffee in half a decade." Murphy says as he rolls his eyes and turns away

"Let me try," Ace says quietly.

"Citizen z. This is your old pal. Ace. Do you copy?" Ace asks as she twists the knobs

She keeps trying.

"Citizen z I know you're out there. You got to be. Do you read me?" Ace asks twisting the knobs once more.

"Ace. Ace, I hear you. I copy you. It's me, Citizen Z."

Ace lets out a happy laugh. Addy does too.

"Man, it's great to hear your voice." Citizen Z says

"It's so good to hear your voice. Can't believe your still alive." Ace says running a relieved hand through her hair.

"How's the package?" Citizen z asks

"He hates being called that! The name is Murphy! The Murphy! Thanks to you, blabbermouth!" Murphy shouts from the top bunk.

"Yeah, I'm sorry about that. I...I didn't mean to sic the whole world on you." Citizen z apologizes

"Yeah, right." Murphy mumbles

"Oh yeah. Excuse me? We're gonna need those coordinates." Warren calls back to them

"Right. Hey CZ. We need you to transmit the GPS coordinates again. Last time the transmission was breaking up. We didn't get them all. Repeat. Re-transmit GPS coordinates. Over."

"Yeah, roger that." Citizen z says "I'll send them as soon as I can find them. The place is kind-of a mess. Zombie issues."

"Copy you." Ace says that with an 'agreed' tone in her voice

"Listen. There's a massive z storm headed your way. I strongly suggest that you turn south. Possibly as fas at Mexico's before you can outflank this horde. It's miles wide, and it's moving fast." Citizen Z warns

"No, no, no. We got to go West. Not south. West." Warren says as she turns her head to look at Ace

"South is no good for us. South is no good. How's west looking?" Ace asks