Hazardous Mission – Redux (open- please PM with characters)

[Nibbles_n_Tits]

In a bloody coup, a coalition of the country’s top military leaders have over-thrown the civilian government of the east African country of Eslodia.

(This second attempt will correct the mistakes I made the first time I tried this story.)

The military forces massacred the President and his family as they tried to flee the Presidential Palace. The coalition’s supporters have executed popular politicians and their families, and dragging respected citizens from their homes, have made them disappear. Meanwhile, the population of the country’s cities lives in terror, never knowing who the militia will strike next. The newly formed military government has blacked out communications, silenced the media, and suppressed civil liberties. International embassies take measures to protect themselves against the growing violence, they send home all non-essential personnel, and request all visiting nationals leave the country immediately.

In the poverty-stricken rural areas, the effect of the coup was quick in coming as the violence spread outside the city walls. Army soldiers seek out the loyalists who have gone into hiding with the remaining pockets of resistance and they vent their wrath on those even suspected of sympathy for the old regime. Isolated from the control of their new government, these local militias create their own fiefdoms; raiding nearby communities for supplies and labor.

So far, the isolated mission settlement of Tartu has been relatively untouched by the violence of the civil war. A thin trickle of refugees hoping to escape Eslodia over the mountains to the east is the only effect the outpost has witnessed. The small hospital and its dedicated staff continue to care for the natives, as well the refugees who are begiing to arrive with greater frequency. The missionaries devote their time to counseling and comforting to those who have suffered. Even the young international aid workers, who came to teach and learn, now find themselves pressed into duties that are far more grim than they ever expected.

Tartu may be experiencing the final calm before the great storm arrives and it is up to the staff to decide whether they will join the refugees and attempt the dangerous flight across the mountains or remain in Tartu to continue their work.

OOC: There is room for anyone who wants to be anything in this thread. Any type of character could be a refugee, a native or a foreigner trying to get home. There can be clergy men/women, priests, nuns, and novices. How about some soldiers, like evil militia, democratic loyalists, political opportunists, mercenaries, or special operatives? Young aid workers, could be idealists, escapists, bored socialites. The hospital could use another doctor, a nurse or two and some locals. Lots of locals.

Please PM with me with characters first. Since in-character conflict and military violence is likely, it is important that a balance of power be maintained so the thread remains fun for everyone involved. Thank you.

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Name: Dr. Claire Arden
Age : 27
Appearance: The sun has lightened her long brown hair, just as it has tanned her fair skin and graced her nose with a faint spray of freckles. Her eyes are a clear steady gray that seem to miss little. The soft curves of her 5’6” frame hide a wiry strength that she has only recently developed.
History : Three weeks after Claire arrived at Tartu to assist Dr. Grant, Grant returned to the US with a broken leg, leaving Claire in charge of the mission hospital. Three weeks after Claire took over the hospital, the military brutally toppled the elected government of Eslodia.

Raised in a large Irish family, surrounded by police officers, firefighters, teachers, priests and nuns, Claire decided early that she wanted to dedicate her life to helping others. She even briefly considered becoming a nun, until the Sisters pointed out how ill suited she was to follow the vows of Chastity and Obedience. Instead, she chose medicine and as soon as she was able, she volunteered to serve wherever her skills were needed. The international aid society sent her to Tartu and for the past 6 weeks, Claire has been doing everything she can to keep the mission operating efficiently.

 

[Nibbles_n_Tits]

Claire Arden

Claire parked the old, dust-covered truck next to the small, single-story hospital and looked at her watch before getting out.

“Ah crap...” She missed dinner again; it was served hours ago. It was well past dark, she didn't need to check her watch to know she missed the meal, she just didn't know where the time went… She smiles remembering some old adage about babies arriving in their own darn time. As she got out of the truck, she crossed her fingers in the hopes someone left her something to nibble on.

There was no one in the kitchen, but the percolator was happily bubbling away, filling the room with the smell of strong coffee. She washed her hands and threw some water on her face before sitting down at the long table. The percolator would be done soon, and someone would be coming back for the coffee. That was a sure bet.

She grabbed a banana and waited to see who she was joining for their coffee.

 

[impish_pixie]

Alice Rose

OOC-
Name : Alice Rose Brayton
Age : 20
Appearance: Typical blonde-haired beauty with cornflower blue eyes and patrician features. Her long straight hair is usually worn in a knot at the back of her neck. She has a tall, long-legged, slender figure that is always clad in the most expensive travelwear. (5'9, 115lbs 34c/24/33)

History: Alice Rose was on trek through Africa with a group of rich and idle friends when her appendix nearly burst. She was laid up in Tartu for 2 weeks and her friends went on without her. That was 4 months ago. She had ample time and many opportunities to leave the country before the revolution, but she kept putting it off. It felt good to help people, she did not want to go back to London and become another bored socialite… again. She was teaching at the day school when the violence started, since then she spends more time at the hospital trying to assist the over-taxed staff.

 

[TheAntiRebel]

OOC: Awesome thread idea!

Name: Mike "Stinger" Starr
Age: 29
Occupation: Independent Military Contractor (AKA mercenary)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 220 pounds, 10% body fat
Hair: Spike blond hair
Eyes: Blue
Apperance: Stinger has the look of a renegade. He has broad shoulders that sit atop a muscular body that comes from regular fitness through his line of work. His spiked blond hair is a proverbial kick in the balls to those Army bastards who made him shave his head his first day of basic. He is well endowed with a full eight inches. He usually wears a white t-shirt with some light khaki pants, and a brown leather jacket. He usually has a shoulder holster that carries his trusty .45 handgun. On his back is a backpack which contains all his gear. He is usually seen carrying a M16 assault rifle, or a MSG-90 sniper rifle, depending on the mission. He wears expensive Oakley sunglasses and a Tag Hauer watch.
Bio: Starr is a former member of the US Army's Delta Force. Giving up on listening to orders, Starr went into business for himself. He works for the side with the bigger paycheck. The list of war's he's worked reads like a highlight reel from CNN; Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Côte d'Ivoire, Haiti and Lebannon.

----

Stinger ran through the thick forest limping, his leg was bleeding horribly, and he was sure there was shrapnel in it. He sat down in some thick brush and drew the bare bones medical kit from his backpack. He opened it and swore, "Fuck." This kind of injury couldn't be fixed by an ace bandage and some neosporin. He dug further in his backpack and drew out a US Military recon map of the area, 'borrowed' from his friends still working for Uncle Sam.

According to the map, there was some kind of religious hospital, only a click away from his current position. Well, I'll be fine if they don't ask questions, he grinned. He struggled to his feet and stuffed his .45 handgun into his backpack, along with his shitty medical kit and the map. He then started his trek towards the hospital

----

He limped into the hospital. "Is there a doctor in this joint?" he asked, annoyed by the pain of his leg.

 

[Nibbles_n_Tits]

Claire

Claire hears the activity in the infirmary, starting with the squeal of the door and ending with the question - "Is there a doctor in this joint?" She pops the remainder of the banana in her mouth and is on her feet heading into the next room, without waiting to hear if someone else answered him.

“Yes.”, she answered as she pushed open the door between the infirmary and the kitchen. She does not ask what is wrong, the significant amount of blood on his torn pants and bare leg make that clear.

“Is that your only injury?” She tone is warm but efficient, and she looks at him as she leads him to a nearby exam table, she takes hold of his arm to make sure he is steady as he climbs up. She notes his color isn’t too off and his eyes are focusing. She takes the weight of his leg and straightens him out on the examination table. Before she removes the bandage he applied, she puts tourniquet around his thigh.

“I’m Dr. Arden, welcome to Tartu.”

 

[TheAntiRebel]

Mike smiled when the doctor walked in. She was decent looking. There is some perks in this business, he thought with a smile. When she led him to an exam table, he takes the opportunity to sneak a peak at her rear end. He grins has she helps him get on the exam table.

She then props up Stinger's leg and starts working on it. “I'm Dr. Aiden. Welcome to Tartu,” she said.

Stinger smiles, “Great to be here... so, am I going to die yet, doc?” he said, smiling.

 

[Nibbles_n_Tits]

Claire Arden

“Well *yet* is a little vague.” She tightens the tourniquet as she loosens the bandage and by the time the bandage is off the blood has stopped flowing. Cleaning away the fresh and dried blood, she exposes the wound, and raises an eyebrow.

“Back home in Houston, this type of injury would require a lot of additional paperwork, including a SIR - Special Injury Report. Now, will you tell me what happened?” She asks as she probes the wound and pulls out two small chunks of twisted metal. She looks at the metal bits then at him, before she tosses the bits into a small container at the side of the table.

“If trouble is coming closer to us, or if you’re leading it here, I need to know.” She checks the wound once more before she starts to clean it again then sew it closed.

 

[TheAntiRebel]

“Now, will you tell me what happened?” she asked. Mike threw his head back and grunted.

“If trouble is getting closer, or you’re leading it here, I have the need to know,” she said.

Mike smiles, “Well, chics always love a good battle story I suppose,” he said jokingly, then clears his throat. “The loyalist hired me to take out some general. One of the big shots in the militia. Found myself a nice perch above their camp... had him right in my sights... then some of his little buggers spotted me. Started a fire fight. I was on my way out when one of them... a kid, couldn't of been 14 or 15... tossed a grenade. I managed to hit the deck, but my leg still got some,” he explained, putting his playful manner aside while he told the story.

 

[Nibbles_n_Tits]

Claire Arden

She released the tourniquet, and watched the wound closely before applying a clean bandage. She fishes in a cabinet, and then pours some water into a clean cup. Holding it out - two pills and the cup of water.

“Swallow. Antibiotics.”

“First, allow me to congratulate you on not being dead. Well done, and very praise worthy. Now, let me ask, how long before they figure out where you are, or simply follow you here?”

 

[Eiselmann]

OOC
Name: Lt Devon Pyror
Age: 25
Occupation: Army Officer 22nd Regiment, British Army (SAS)
Height: 5'10
Weight: 167 Lbs
Hair: Black
Eyes: Grey

IC
Devon looked along the road it was the route into Tartu and so far as he could tell no militia activity had reached this place he was sure of that the militia weren't known for their quiet advances...when they showed up the whole area would know about it ...he took another second his ears straining for a noise out of place...nothing.

In a flash he was across the road and had disappeared into the deep forest cutting his way towards the small hospital.

Three days earlier he had snatched the British Resident and his young family from under the noses of the Militia and gotten them to a military copter...it was there that he had been advised of his secondary target in usual last minute on the skin of your teeth Whitehall bullshit....some rather influencial gentlemen wanted his daughter safe in London so, here he was now two miles away from his secondary target ...she better be worth it.

He made his way into the forest at a steady pace moving silently no human noted his passing

 

[impish_pixie]

Alice Rose Brayton

Alice Rose was in the kitchen, preparing coffee for Dr. Arden’s return when she heard a cry; it was coming from the children’s ward and Alice Rose knew exactly who it was.

The poor boy, Alice Rose thought. He arrived at the hospital in the company if a small group of refugees, who quite literally found him in a roadside gutter, a deep trench meant to carry heavy run off from the mountains. They found him beneath a crush of bullet riddled bodies, just another example of the cruelties running rampant in the country since the war began.

He has not spoken a word. He stares silently into nothing when he is awake and wordlessly screams during the night. She can only imagine the terrors the make up his nightmares and hope she never knows the reality. Awake, he allows no one near him, but sometimes, at night, if she holds his hand and murmurs soft words, he falls back into a dreamless sleep.

So, for the third night in a row, Alice Rose doze restlessly in the uncomfortable chair next to the boy’s little metal cot.

 

[Donalddeutsch]

Doctor Malcolm

Malcolm MacDonald
32
Doctor

Appearance: Malcolm is tall, tanned and muscular. He has a ready smile, and is one to help whomever is in need.

History: Malcolm's from the US and came to Tartu before the nation was taken over, and now finds himself unable to leave. He originally came with Doctors without borders to help out at the mission, and had stayed behind when they tried to get everyone out, because he had a patient that needed him. He is stuck here now, and is trying to help out as much as he can.

Malcolm looked in on the patients, wondering what he was going to do when things got really bad.

 

[Eiselmann]

Devon Pryor

Devon had reached the other end of the forest...there was a large clearing ahead of him it was easy to see the hospital buildings and the small township that had built itself up from a village since the hospital had been built. There were a couple of vehicles parked within the hospital compound and some movement along the buildings...a dog barked and it was joined by a second but after a few moments the barking stopped.

Devon lifted the night vision goggles up closed his eyes and counted to 20 when he opened then most of the light blurring was gone. He waited a few more moments...just to be sure then moved quickly across the open land in due order.

He reached the hospital entrance several minutes later ..several lights were on in the building..in shadow he turned and looked back into the village and listened again to the sounds of life ...nothing was out of place nothing had noted his passing , assured of that the SAS officer rose and walked into the hospital his main weapon in a craddle once he found this girl he could call in for evac and get them both out of this shithole country...it was that easy...but then Devon also knew it was never THAT easy ...not when you needed a member of the Regiment to do the job, it meant someone was expecting a shit-storm to hit.

 

[TheAntiRebel]

She released the tourniquet, and watched the wound closely before applying a clean bandage. She fishes in a cabinet, and then pours some water into a clean cup. Holding it out - two pills and the cup of water.

“Swallow. Antibiotics.”

“First, allow me to congratulate you on not being dead. Well done, and very praise worthy. Now, let me ask, how long before they figure out where you are, or simply follow you here?”

Mike took the pills and swollowed. "I wouldn't worry about them. One of my grenades in their fuel dump made a big mess...." he said, trailing off.

"I'll probably be doing some job for the militia in a week, its just the nature of the business," Stinger explained. He eyed the doctor and smiled.

"Speaking of nature, got any food around here? I missed dinner," Mike said with a smile.

 

[Otto26]

The truck bottomed out on another massive pothole, painfully jarring everyone inside. 'I should be numb by now,' Joseph Kibuku thought, 'but I'm not.' The trucks and the bus were actually a bright point in Joseph's life, which he considered a good indicator of just how poorly he was faring. He had been ordered by the council of generals to take a company of men, not even his own company, to the Tartu mission and establish control of the surrounding area. With his company he would have been happy to take the job, to escape the bloodshed of the council if nothing else, but this collection of military incompetents he had been saddled with was worse than bad.

It had all started as well as could be hoped for. The civilian government was hopelessly and shamelessly corrupt. After the last round of elections and the blatant vote rigging it had been obvious that change could only be effected by force. The council of generals had promised a swift seizure of control, fair trials, and a return to democracy. Joseph had his doubts, but he had seen no other way. Now his fears seemed to be coming true. Fair trials had been replaced by summary executions and the generals had not even managed a complete seizure of the functions of government. But whatever his doubts, he knew that worse could come. If they failed to assert control... civil war. He would not, whatever the price, allow that to occur.

"The mission, Captain," his driver pointed down the dusty road.

The two trucks and the former school bus pulled right into the center of the compound and came to a halt in a cacophony of clashing gears and squealing brakes. Joseph would have prefered to make a stealthy approach on foot, but this bunch of half-wits would get lost the moment they left the road, so speed was the only hope they had of catching any government employees hiding in the mission. He hopped down from the truck and was incensed by what he saw. Most of his men were asleep and those that were awake were looking about like curious cows!

"I'll shoot any man who isn't in formation in thirty seconds!" he bellowed and began walking along the line of vehicles, pounding his fist against the rusty sheet metal sides.

OOC: A convoy of 'bad guy' characters. Feel free to use them (less Joseph) as you like. PM me or Nibbles_n_Tits if you have any questions.

 

[Eiselmann]

Devon Pryor

The young lady at the hospital reception( or more correctly what passed for a reception it was really a counter and not much else) jumped has Devon walked in, he was dressed in green jungle fatigues had camo on his face in black and green irregular stripes and his gloved hands held his Heckler & Koch G41

"Terribly sorry to scare you" his home county voice coming in loud and clear the young lady relaxed a little bit but still seemed ready to bolt..."You see I'm looking for someone"...he gave the lady the name and she called for a young man in the other room who also gave him a wary look...the boy and it was a boy listened to the request and was off he knew where she was , the little one had screamed some minutes earlier she would be there.

"Miss, miss" he said quietly so as not to wake up any children " a soldier want to see you, Angela thinks he is English soldier"

Devon wanted for Alice Rose Brayton ...something...he turned his head away and looked out as a bus and a couple of trucks showed up...hello shit-storm

 

[wrytersyren]

NAME: Angela Kelly
AGE: 24
APPEARANCE: Flaming red hair that curls down over her shoulders. Piercing emerald-green eyes, set in a slim oval face with high cheekbones, small chin and rosebud lips. Lily-white fair delicate porcelain skin. Slim petite build, ample curves in all the right places, about 5'4 in height.

OCCUPATION: Novice (has yet to take her vows)

HISTORY:Angela, or "Angel" as she was known to her friends and family, because of her kind and gentle ways, was born to save lives, at least that was what her father had said. Born the daughter of a foreign diplomat and a UN aid worker, Angela's life had been filled with a myriad of far-off places and strange cultures. Even as a girl she had a gift in caring for others making their plight her own, so it came as no shock to anyone who knew her when she decided to dedicate her live to helping others. Her choosing to become a "bride of christ" was something else all together, that even Angela herself was still trying to figure out.

She had been in Tartu for more than a year, teaching the children and assisting where she could at the small building they called a hospital. When word that the government had been overthrown and fighting had broken out, she took it in stride. Her father had insisted she return home, fearing he would lose her as he had her mother, but she couldn't leave. Although she should have been frightened for her safety, the only fear she felt was for the people here at Tartu. She had seen war before, seen the high price paid by innocent bystanders. This little village was now her home, the people in it her family, and she would do anything to protect them even if it meant giving her life.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IC:
Angela jumped as the solider entered, his imposing frame seemed to take up all the space in the small room. Her hand slid beneath the counter, her fingers seeking the cold metal barrel of the shotgun.

"Terribly sorry to scare you" he said his voice filled with an unmistakably British accent "You see I'm looking for someone..."

He's British, she thought to herself, as he spoke Angela allowed herself to relax somewhat, though not completely. Her eyes widened as he asked for Alice Rose. The young woman had come to them several months ago, and Angela had thought her a spoiled pampered princess. But she had quickly changed her opinion, the girl had actually made quite the impression on her. She wasn't at all hesitant to lend a helping hand where she could. In fact she had been a blessing to the mission, and both she and Angela had become fast friends. In fact all the women at Tartu, the doctor, the nun, the teacher and the socialite, had formed a bond of sisterhood despite being from such different worlds What could this army clad man possibly want with Alice?, Angela thought to herself.
Rising from her seat behind the counter she called for one of the older children. When Kosi appeared, she noted the anxious look he sent the soldiers way, and smiled reassuringly at him beckoning him closer. She whispered for him to fetch Alice in his native tongue. As he ran off she turned nervously to the man before her, wiping her now sweaty palms in the folds of her simple gray cotton skirt.

"May I ask, what business you have with Alice ?" she asked softly in her own well-travelled accent that no longer bore any particular nationality.

Just as he was about to answer the loud roar of several large trucks in the courtyard, caught her attention. Rushing to the doorway Angela's heart skipped a beat as she watched the convoy of soldiers step out of their trucks.

 

[Eiselmann]

"Get down " Devon said his eyes looking at the scene before him, militia, idiots with guns never a good combination because even idiots could get lucky.

He looked briefly at the young lady any other tme he would have done a bit more than look ,she was a beauty "You can ask why I want to see Miss Brayton doesn't mean I'll tell you"

Devon looked back at the group if they had half a brain amongst them they would fan out and secure the compound next ...and then into the hospital itself , if they found him here there would be a fire fight it didn't scare him he'd been up against better troops then these but he didn't want it in the mddle of a hospital and certainly not until he had secured his objective.

He waited half a moment "Is there another way in and out of this building that doesn't involve windows?"

 

[Nibbles_n_Tits]

Claire Arden

"I'll probably be doing some job for the militia in a week, it’s just the nature of the business," Stinger explained. He eyed the doctor and smiled.

“You won’t be much good for business for a few days; you need to take it easy on that leg to give the sutures time to set. Too much activity and you’ll rip yourself open again, then you could bleed to death“

"Speaking of nature, got any food around here? I missed dinner," Mike said with a smile.

She smiles, just a tiny bit. Its not bright smile but it is genuine and unforced. “I missed it too but I suspect we both can wait without fading away. Breakfast will be in a few hours, I’ll see if I can find something to hold you until then but more than food you need fluids. After you eat, I’ll get you into a real bed for the night and give you something for the pain.”

“And you’ll be all set.”

Claire hears the clashing gears and squealing brakes of large vehicles and winces, "I'm afraid your food will have to wait. It sounds like we have unexpected visitors."

She stands and quickly looks for one of the assistants, but it is late and they are all asleep or busy in one of the wards. "I'll get someone to bring you something but I have to go see what is going on."

She walks halfway to the door before turning back to say, "My office is in the back if... well, there it is." She points to a small wooden door at the other end of the infirmary before leaving.

She moves quickly down the short steps and sees a uniformed man talking to Angela... uniform, yes, but not the kind she was expecting. Still, she immediately feels protecive of the little novice.

"I'm Dr. Arden. May I help you?" She glances between the soldier and the noise outside...

 

[TheAntiRebel]

Mike saw some kind of commotion outside in the 'lobby area'. He frowned and stood up off the table. The doctor walked out of his view, and Mike sneaked over to the window and looked out. He saw truckfuls of Militia men and swore to himself.

 

[Eiselmann]

Devon looked at the Doctor as she came in

"Well Doctor Arden you can help me but I'm sure I may be more help to you ..you have some guests " he looked back out at the crowd outside and that was what they were a milling crowd trying to form lines in a bad parody of a real company drill "....they haven't gotten around to securing the compound yet so we have time to get out if therre is another exit ...all I need is Miss Payton first and then I'm gone you can join me if you wish"

 

[Nibbles_n_Tits]

Claire Arden

Devon looked at the Doctor as she came in

"Well Doctor Arden you can help me but I'm sure but I may be more help to you ..you have some guests " he looked back out at the crowd outside and that was what they were a milling crowd trying to form lines in a bad parody of a real company drill "....they haven't gotten around to securing the compound yet so we have time to get out if therre is another exit ...all I need is Miss Payton first and then I'm gone you can join me if you wish"

Claire frowns, "She is upstairs in the children's ward, I believe." she answers the soldier then turns to Angela, "Could you show him the way, please Angela? Alone he might frighten some of the patients but if they see he is with you, they will know he is safe."

 

[wrytersyren]

At his harsh reprimand Angela, quickly backed away from the doorway.

"You can ask why I want to see Miss Brayton, doesn't mean I'll tell you" he said quite curtly. Angela merely blinked at him, somewhat taken aback by his rudeness. "Is there another way in and out of this building that doesn't involve windows?" he asked after surveying the scene outside.

Angela nodded, "Through there." she said as she turned to the rear door, just as Claire approached them.

Angela turned her eyes back to the group of militia the stood only a few feet from them in the courtyard, the scene all too familiar in her mind. She stood quietly as Claire and the soldier conversed.

 

[Eiselmann]

Devon nodded ,the sooner he got out of here the better "I take it you're not leaving then " he asked the doctor" if you change your mind change it quickly" he looked at this Angela person and waited to be lead now all he had to do was find Miss Brayton..get out of this building and on to the otherside of the clearing without being seen how hard could that be.

 

[Karisa2U]

Name: Karisa Joy Wilson

Age: 26

Appearance: Long Strawberry/Blond hair that comes down to the middle of her back, Blue/Green eyes, Very fair skin, few sprinkles sprinkled across her nose. 5'3 125 pds, 34-C. No tatoos, Ears pierced and a belly ring that nobody except for her doctor has seen.

History: Karisa grew up in a pastor's home, therefor, she lived a very sheltered life. She's only dated one man in her life and was saving herself for her wedding night. Her senior year of college, he left Karisa, for her bestfriend. She graduated from the small bible college in FL, and immediately took a teaching position at a mission in the village of Tartu. The humiliation back at home, drove her to hide out here, in this god-forsaken place.

Karisa immediately fell in love with the children of Tartu. The women and men were a different story however. It took a few years for her to fully gain their trust and in most cases love. Most of the single men of the village learned very quickly with Karisa, appearances are very deceiving. Even though she's tiny, Karisa can take care of herself. All four of her brothers serve in the US military, and she grew up around guns. Before she left for Tartu, her oldest brother pulled her aside and gave her a Bersa Thunder .380 perfect hand gun for a lady. No one knows that Karisa has a gun, under her mattress. She's not in favor of violence, but will use it to protect herself or someone she loves.

Karisa wasn't the only teacher of this small village. Alot of people at first glance, would mistake Angela and Karisa as sisters. Even though they were not, Karisa considered Angela her best friend.

IC: Karisa stepped out of the building that housed the teachers and aid workers of their small mission. Many of the workers had fled the country weeks ago. However, Karisa knew that God wanted her to remain, help out as much as possible. She loved these children like they were her own. As she walked closer to the hospital, where she knew she would find Angela, she saw a couple of trucks pull up. She knew instantly this was the trouble they had been praying would stay away from their small village. " Lord she prayed, please protect us, protect the kids " As she ran behind a large tree, hoping they hadn't seen her.