The survivors manage to reach the surface and survive the wreckage as the gather up their strength, coughing and spitting out water.
Billy: Mitchell, I think your idea worked.
Mitchell: Yeah, it did.
Walter: Oh, god, I think that's the last time I swim.
Blake: I hate the water.....I really fucking do.
Nathan crawls.
Kyle laughs.
Kyle: that was fun!
Sarah: What?
Kyle: Just saying....it was...
Blake looks around.
Blake: Everybody here?
Mitchell looks around, then at Nathan.
Mitchell: Zed?
Nathan nods. Mitchell sigh as Blake gives a saddened look at the loss of his uncle.
Blake: Uncle Zed...how am I going to tell Dad this?
Kyle touches Zed's shoulder.
Kyle: It's okay, kid....he didn't die for nothing...
Walter: Who's got a flare?
Mitchell: I do.
Mitchell pulls out a red flare gun and shoots it into the sky, signaling the Midtown Manhattan survivors
Mitchell: Our boys should see that and come get us...
Caleb: Beth....are you okay?
Beth: Yeah, it's just a flesh wound....I'll be okay....
Nathan: Kyle....
Kyle turns his head as Nathan uses finger gestures to signal Kyle to walk to him. Kyle does so as Nathan gives him a depressing look.
Kyle: You okay, Nathan?
Nathan: They....
Nathan sighs.
Nathan: They cornered us, man. Me and Zed. Those fucking bastards....I tried....I managed to detonate the C4.
Kyle puts his hand on Nathan's shoulder. Nathan weeps.
Kyle: At least he didn't die in vain...you did all you could.
Kyle turns around as Nathan gives a distraught look, before he experiences flashbacks for Zed's death. Nathan comes to as Billy is calling him.
Billy: Nathan? You all right, son?
Nathan nods.
Nathan: Yeah...yeah, I'm fine.
Mitchell: Truck's on the way to come get us..
Nathan: Okay....
Nathan looks down, panting in grief. In the forest, Shawn and Catherine are sitting by a campfire with Catherine continuing to talk into her radio.
Catherine: This is Ramirez to Prime Zeus Corps...does anyone read me? (static from her radio) Shit.....don't supposed you brought any guitars to sing campfire songs or a tent?
Shawn: Isn't that your job? You're the expert on this environment shit....I did bring scary stories....Like Big Foot...and Jason Voorhees....
Catherine: Boy, you weren't even in your daddy's nut sack when those movies came out...
Shawn laughs.
Shawn: That was a low blow....My Uncle and my Dad.....they always took me camping though...back when my mom.....my brother.....when we were all together....all alive...Dad would tell us his war stories....they were great....they were legendary....I guess, I thought I could fill in his shoes someday...my Uncle Colin...he was more of a hunter....he was a better hunter...than he was a better bar tender....he saved my life from a cougar....that clawed my back up...
Shawn presents a scared back to Catherine.
Catherine: Jesus....
Shawn: Yeah....my younger brother, James....he was the smart one....he was always building shit.....fucking half of the toys that I got up....just to build a toaster....or a rocket....
Catherine: Did you and James ever get along?
Shawn: Sometimes....when we were teenagers, we began to fight more....I would always tell James that his talents...were a waste of time....why don't you like soldiers? I mean, I heard about Regina....
Catherine sighs.
Catherine: Rick Barnes broke my girlfriend's neck...Days before she transferred to the Washington Facility. We got into an argument.....she was angry about the way Kronos was handling the world and wanted to resign. I asked her "where in this wasteland would we go"? She told me anywhere the sun points to. The last thing I said to her was she needs to get out of this stupid reality of wanting to live in out there in a dangerous world....fuck...I was so stupid.....
Shawn: I'm sorry....I'm sure she knows you didn't mean it.
Catherine: and now I'll never get the chance to tell her I'm sorry....what happened between you and Kyle?
Shawn: Why are we talking about Kyle?
Catherine: 1; you asked me about Regina so I figured it's fair to ask you about Kyle. 2; I don't believe a man like Kyle would murder your father in cold blood.....just doesn't seem right to me....you're his best friend, right?
Shawn: Yeah....I was....and I thought I knew him...
Catherine: So, what was it like? Growing up with him?
Before Shawn can answer, suddenly, a howl in the distance startles Shawn and Catherine as Shawn spots a small pack of coyotes, closing in and stalking Shawn and Catherine.
Shawn: Shit....coyotes...
Shawn grabs a long burning piece of wood as he and Catherine run with the torch in front of her. The two continue with the coyotes pursuing, but are forced to stop as more coyotes appear in front of the two. Shawn swings the torch at the coyotes as they back way snarling.
Shawn: Back!
Shawn yells.
Shawn: Back! Get back!
Catherine and Shawn look around to see they is surrounded.
Catherine: We're surrounded....
Shawn: Well, we're not going down without a fight! C'mon! C'mon, motherfuckers!
One of the coyotes' lunges at Shawn, but he whacks it with the stick while Catherine strays away, but she is confronted by more coyotes. Catherine pulls out her pistol and aims it the coyotes while another coyote lunges at Shawn, who turns around and spears the coyote through the abdomen. Shawn stumbles with the stick falling to the ground. Shawn stands up and pulls out his bayonet as he decapitates another attacking coyote. Shawn stabs another attacking coyote but ends up on his back. Shawn shoves the body off, but another lunge at Shawn, knocking him back on the ground. The coyote growls and violently gnaws at Shawn's throat. Shawn holds the attacking coyote by the throat.
Catherine: Shawn!
Catherine turns her head and prepares to shoot, but a coyote prepares to attack her from behind. Suddenly, the coyote is shot with an arrow to the head as the coyote attacking Shawn is also shot with an arrow. Shawn throws the coyote off and prepares to stab it, until he notices the arrow. Shawn turns around to notice James jump into the air and shoot another coyote. James uses his crossbow as a bat and batters two of them. Another coyote attacks James as he pulls out his knife and stabs it in the neck. James gets up and whacks two more coyotes. The coyotes flee as James pulls out his pistol and fires three round shots into the air. Catherine helps Shawn up as James turns around and puts his hand in front of his face. He squints due to the brightness of the campfire.
James: The campfire.....
Shawn: Excuse me?
James steps on the campfire flames as it douses.
Shawn: Whoa! Hey, what are you doing?!
James: Those coyotes saw your light.
James begins to walk away. Shawn looks at James with an annoyed look.
Shawn: Great.
James hears the whining of a surviving coyote. James walks up to it.
James sighs.
James: I'm sorry. I know it's your instinct but the thing is.....
James aims his crossbow and shoots the dying coyote.
James: I don't have a choice.
Shawn cleans himself off the coyote blood. Catherine walks up to James.
Catherine: Hey, look, I know you probably just wondering around here, but....uh....thanks. Really thank you....because if you hadn't come along, (laughs) we would've been killed.
James: you're welcome....you two should get out of here while you can.
James walks off, but Shawn follows him.
Shawn: Hey, wait! You got a place? A camp?
James: No... it's just me out here...
Shawn: Well, you look like you can survive.....
Catherine: Please, we can't stay out here any longer.
Suddenly, Mr. Jax decloaks, startling Catherine as she exclaims.
Shawn: What the-?
James: Jax! I told you to wait back at the cabin.....I have this under control...
Shawn: "Jax"?.....My little brother said he would name his robot Jax when he would build one...
Shawn walks up to James.
Shawn: James?
James removes his scarf and goggles from his face.
Shawn: James!
Shawn hugs James.
Shawn: Man! Dude, that was awesome back there! The way you jumped in and (whistles) Where did you learn that?!
James: It's called being a survivor out here....that's where I learned it...instead of being a soldier.
Shawn: Hold on...hold on....you're not still pissed at me, are you?
James: Should I be?
Shawn: Come on, man....it was four fucking years ago.
James: You fucking left us! Me....Mom...Uncle Colin....it was us two that had to take care of her and watch her die.....bury her.....it was just me and him at the funeral....
Shawn points at Colin's crossbow.
Shawn: Isn't that Uncle Colin's?
James stares down at the crossbow.
James: Yeah....yeah, it is...
Shawn: Well....where is he?
James, unable to answer, nods his head, before Shawn gives a sigh.
Shawn: Fuck.....so it is true...
James: Wait....you knew? why did ask me then?
Shawn: I had to hear it from my brother.....but why are you out here by yourself?
James: I got separated.
Shawn: From Kyle? He still alive?
James: I hope....
Suddenly, a flashing beaming light shines through the forest as fighters from Midtown Manhattan step out of the forest with their weapons and flashlights aimed at the three. James, Catherine and Shawn raise their hands and drop their weapons.
Catherine: Uh...hello....
James, Catherine and Shawn are brought to a convoy of trucks where Kyle, Nathan, Billy, Walter, Sarah, Mitchell, Caleb, Beth and Blake are seen waiting.
Mitchell: Anything useful?
Midtown Manhattan Scout Leader: No....but we found these three stragglers...
Nathan recognizes James and smiles.
Nathan: James?
James: Nathan?! Sarah?! Walter?!
Nathan: James!
Sarah: James! You're alive!
James runs and hugs Nathan, Sarah and Walter, before Kyle approaches James.
James: Kyle....
Kyle: James....it's good to see you made it.
Kyle offers a handshake, but James instead hugs Kyle.
Kyle: Okay...I missed you too, buddy..
After the hug, James looks at Billy and hugs him.
James: Billy?
Billy: It's good to see you're okay, son.
Nathan: Dude, what happened to you?
James: Was living in the woods.....in a cabin...had to kill someone...but I had help...
Suddenly, Mr. Jax decloaks.
Nathan: Ah....so you still have your little robot?
Walter: And it helped you survive?
James: "He" not "it".
Walter: Sorry...he helped you survive?
James: More or less....wait, where's Ashley?
Sarah: She's safe...back home in Midtown Manhattan.
James: Midtown Manhattan? You mean New York?
Walter: What's left of it....
Kyle: Yes....James, you have got to see this city. It's amazingly fortified....
James: Hey, what are you guys doing out here anyway?
Mitchell: We're just getting back from flooding the Skinwalker tunnels.
James: The Skinwalkers....no one ever takes them on and lives....
Blake: Not all of us made it.....
Kyle: We lost two others.....
James: I'm sorry about that....
Kyle: James. This is Blake and Mitchell...
James shakes Blake and Mitchell's hand.
Blake: This is the guy you said got separated? Thought he'd be taller.
Caleb: Just who are those two behind you?
James: Oh....found them in the woods.
The group looks at Catherine and Shawn as Nathan recognizes Catherine, before noticing the Zeus Corps logo on Shawn's shirt and pulling out his pistol, aiming it at Catherine and Shawn. Walter does the same.
Nathan: James, are you fucking blind?! These two are with Kronos!
Mitchell: What?!
Nathan: Walter, you search them...
Walter walks up to Catherine and Shawn are searches the two.
Caleb: How do you know that?
Nathan: One of them has got a Zeus Corps sticker on his shirt....
Catherine: You guys must be....the other eight survivors that attacked the Washington Facility.....
Catherine laughs nervously.
James: Nathan...wait...you can't...
Nathan: Why not?
Walter takes Shawn's bayonet and Catherine's pad.
Catherine: Please be careful with that. That's very important property.
Walter: Quiet!
Walter hands Nathan the pad.
Nathan: What the fuck is this? You were researching on what?
Catherine: My business.
Nathan cocks pistol.
Nathan: Bitch, you might answer and skip the sarcasm.
Shawn steps in front of Catherine.
Shawn: I prefer...you not do that..
Sarah: Nathan.....wait...
Nathan: You willing to take a bullet for her?
Shawn: Maybe....
Nathan: So, tell me, James....why can't I kill these two?
James: Because....
Kyle: He's his brother...
Kyle steps up as Shawn gives a look.
Shawn: Kyle....
Kyle: Shawn....
Nathan: What? You two know each other? (to James) And this is your brother?
Kyle: Yes.....
Mitchell: look, guys...we can't stay out here for too long...we can settle this back in the city.
Nathan: Mitchell, we can't bring them with us. They're Kronos.
Sarah: Nathan....they helped James.
Nathan: Sarah....
Kyle: She's right....they did help him....and they won't last...
Nathan: Don't tell me you believe them.
Kyle: I don't trust him....but I was in their shoes a two weeks ago at one point, right?....everyone deserves a second chance....
A moment.
Nathan: Fuck it....Billy....Walter...put guns to the back of their heads....they're coming with us..
James: Do you really think you need guns on em?
Nathan: We don't know them....
James: He's my brother, man.
Nathan: I don't care. I'm not taking chances.
Walter and Billy put pistols to the back of Shawn and Catherine's heads.
Walter: Start fucking walking.
Shawn and Catherine are escorted to the back of the truck and held at gunpoint by Billy and Walter as the convoy drives to Midtown Manhattan.
James: Holy shit.
The convoy stops in front of the casino as Mitchell is seen speaking with Daniel just as Kyle and Nathan walk in with Midtown Manhattan gunmen escorting Shawn and Catherine.
Shawn: All right! All right, man! Damn! Take it easy!
Kyle: Daniel.....
Daniel: Kyle....Nathan...what is this?
Nathan: We found a missing member of our group along with these two Kronos employees.
Daniel: Kronos?
Nathan: Yes, and we recently had a run-in with Kronos where most of our group has died.
Daniel walks up to Shawn and Catherine, before examining the two.
Daniel: Soldier....and Scientist?
Catherine: More like a Biologist.
Daniel turns to Nathan.
Daniel: you said you found them in the woods on your way here?
Nathan: Yeah....
Daniel: How come you didn't kill them?
Kyle: Because.....I know the soldier, sir.....he's also our missing member's brother.
Daniel: The rule in Midtown Manhattan, Kyle....is that we take in anyone, but Kronos....we're very cautious of....we've had encounters that have cost us dear.....
Nathan: Which is why I say we take no chances with these two...
Shawn: Uh....uh.....
Shawn walks to Daniel.
Shawn: Sir, Daniel? Is it?
Catherine: (quietly) Shawn!
Shawn: If I may-
Midtown Manhattan fighters pull out their pistols and aim them at Shawn, who steps back.
Shawn: Okay, okay....okay...I'll just sit back and be quiet...
Alexandria: Daniel!
Alexandria, Daniel's wife and the architect of Midtown Manhattan, walks in.
Alexandria: What's going on here?
Daniel: Our people have returned from flooding the Skinwalker tunnels.....they found Kronos employees on the way back to town....
Alexandria: Kronos?
Daniel: Yes...active Kronos employees.
Alexandria: Daniel, you know we take in anyone.
Daniel: Yes....but we don't know these two....
Daniel speaks to the survivors.
Daniel: Sorry. Everyone, this is my wife, Alexandria. She's our city recorder keeper and architect.
Alexandria: Maya told me we have some new survivors. My apologies for not having the time to come and meet you earlier.....it's a chore keeping a hold of our records. You never know; a few years later when we're old we get to tell our grandkids about the old times.....Daniel, I've never had the chance to interview a Kronos employee...
Daniel: Honey....
Alexandria: We could learn more about them.
Alexandria walks up to the survivors.
Alexandria: I'm sorry. I usually interview new guests and I'd like to interview the Kronos employees.....I've never had the chance to learn about them. So, who's the first?
A moment.
Kyle: I guess me.
Alexandria: You? You're a Kronos employee also?
Kyle: I was....
Alexandria: Okay then....you can follow me.
Alexandria leads Kyle to a separate room and gets a notebook, before both Kyle and Alexandria sit down.
Alexandria: Okay....so, Kyle Desipich, is it?
Kyle: Yes.
Alexandria: So, you were with Zeus Corps? Can you describe your time with them?
Kyle: Why is that important? Does that matter?
Alexandria: You have to understand, young man. This is a perspective interview. The people in Midtown Manhattan have to understand that if you were with Zeus Corps, the military who destroyed our world, that you're different from them.
Kyle: It was good. Made good friends. Made good money, but.....they were killing innocent civilians.....ignoring protocol.....once I got stuck with these guys I'm with now, I just...ended up killing my friends I trained with...fought with....I should've seen it earlier, but I saw what how they did.....they're the ones who needed to be killed....then again we're all killers....
Alexandria: I see; you were born before or after the world ended?
Kyle: I was born a few years before....I was just a kid.
Alexandria: And you survived? How? Did someone take care of you? Did you have any family? Do you have any family?
A moment.
Kyle: If it's the same to you, that's kind of a personal matter I just don't like bringing up.
Alexandria: I'm understand....so, next question; you say you know Shawn?
Kyle: Yes...he and I grew up together....were raised together....fought together...joined the goddamned Zeus Corps together.
Alexandria: Please excuse your language during my interview, young man.
Kyle: Sorry.
Alexandria: It's okay.....And the young man that found him is his younger brother.
Kyle: Yes....
Alexandria: How do you two know each other?
Kyle: Shawn and I....our families....we go back....We grew up together as kids.....I know his whole family.....
Alexandria: and how did you end up with these people you came with?
Kyle: Just a few weeks ago, I was on a recon run in the City of the Damned, but got separated from my unit....I got caught a came and brought to their town. Zeus Corps tracked us....and destroyed the town...a few of us made it.....but....one by one....the numbers grew short...the wasteland or Kronos killed them.....we lost another one a few days back.....Skinner bite.....I put her down...
Alexandria: Is the first you've had to put a person you've cared about down?
Kyle: As a matter of fact, it was.....I've only know her for a few days...but I did care.
Alexandria: We've had that came by....my last question; who are you?
Kyle: Sorry?
Alexandria: I mean who are you that keeps your mind sane. That keeps you going.....
Kyle: Faith...I grew up in an St. Jenna Orphanage ....grew up in a good Christian environment....it was the only positive influence I had at the time growing up....even in all the bad times, I've never damned God's name....Hell, I've used his name is vain several times and will in the future, but I never will damn him....I guess I'm still trying to figure out who I am after leaving Kronos....never thought I'd call myself "wastelander"...uh...no offense.
Alexandria: None taken...Interesting theory, young man....we have a church and we regularly hold service on Sundays.....if you'd like, I think you should attend.....I see something in you....leadership....confidence...but you question yourself; question if you're a good man...
Kyle: Have you ever been out there in the wasteland?
Alexandria: I have....
Kyle: If you've been out there for so long...seen the things that can't be unseen....done things you've wished you hadn't....killed people who have threatened you...killed people who don't mean to hurt you....you'd question whether you're a good person or not.
After Alexandria's interviews with everyone, Daniel is talking with Kyle, Nathan, Shawn and Catherine
Daniel: what were you out in the woods?
Catherine: We were gathering samples of radioactive fluids...we were attacked by one of the creatures....separated from our group.....Shawn's brother found us....saved us.
Daniel walks up to Shawn.
Daniel: and you, young man....you have a brother that's with Nathan's group, correct?
Shawn: Yes, sir and I also know Kyle.....
Daniel turns to Kyle.
Alexandria: Kyle....what do you have to say about this young man?
Kyle: Shawn and I served in the Zeus Corps together....our families were very acquainted....
Daniel: You were with Zeus Corps not to long ago, correct?
Kyle: Yeah.....
Catherine: Look....uh....Daniel? We-we can help with the wounded here....I noticed that you have an infirmary....I can tend to the wounded...I'm also a nurse.
A moment.
Daniel: Okay.....and what of the soldier?
Shawn: What about me?
Daniel: Young man, like I said you lack courage, but also ignorance.... ignorance is what gets you killed....you must learn to rid of that ignorance or die.....you must learn to survive in the wasteland....as a survivor....not a soldier....learn the ways of a survivor...
Nathan: You're talking about training him? Daniel, with all due respect, Kyle's earned our trust, but we don't know this guy. We give him a gun, a Zeus Corps Soldier at that, and he'll shoot all of us the second he gets.
Kyle: No, he won't....because I'll train him myself....
Daniel: You up for that, Kyle?
A moment.
Kyle: Yes.....
Daniel: Then this young man....is your responsibility....if he messes up, it'll be on you...
Kyle and Shawn make eye contact as Alexandria dismisses everyone in the room.
Nathan: Daniel....before we go, there's something you should know...your brother....he didn't make it...
Daniel gives a saddened look at the news and is shocked.
Daniel: Thank you....for telling me....you-you guys can go now....
Everyone in the room leaves as Daniel quietly sobs. Blake arrives and consoles his father. Meanwhile, Walter is getting patched up by Maya, Alexandria and Daniels' youngest daughter, with Cassandra holding Walter's hand to keep him at east. James is also in the room. Walter grunts in pain.
Walter: Goddamn it!
Maya: You know, you're lucky....the bullet almost hit your aorta....
Walter: Take's more than one bullet to the shoulder to put me down.
James laughs.
James: Walter here is one tough son of a bitch....he's a strong one at that.
Walter: Thanks, James....if only Jacob could be here to see me squalling....
Walter grunts.
Walter: Fuck! I'm going to need a drink after this...
James steps outside as Maya talks to Cassandra.
Maya: Cassandra, I can handle it from here.....
Cassandra: You sure?
Maya: Yeah...
Cassandra releases Walter's hand before she steps outside with James.
Cassandra: So, you're the one missing guy that this new group was talking about?
James: Yeah....
Cassandra: What's with the goggles?
James: Huh? Oh....These....uh....I'm a mechanic in some way....watch..
James pulls out Jax's remote control and presses the buttons', causing Mr. Jax to decloak, surprising Cassandra.
Cassandra: Oh! Hi! What is this?
James: "He" and his name is Mr. Jax. He follows me around wherever I go without being seen.
Cassandra: Nice....so you're a real smart guy, huh?
James: When I can, yeah....so what do you around here besides being the Presidents older daughter?
Cassandra: I help keep an eye on our food, ammo, weapon and supply stash....I also help my Daddy maintain peace when my brother isn't around....
James: Ah...so like a mini-sheriff....
Cassandra: When you put it like that
Cassandra laughs
Cassandra: was it bad?
James: Huh?
Cassandra: Out there....before you were separated?
James: It was bad...
Cassandra: Before or after?
James sighs.
James: Both....lost half our group....just lost someone else a few days back.
Cassandra looks up to the stars in the night sky.
Cassandra: It's beautiful, isn't it?
James: What?
Cassandra: The stars....you know, you sometimes forget that there's a lot of beauty left in a world of ruins....when I was kid, Blake, Maya and I...we would sneak onto the rooftop on the tallest building...just to count the stars....it was nice....
James and Cassandra have a moment, before Alexandria and Daniel suddenly appear and approaches the two.
Cassandra: Mom....Dad....hey...have you met James?
Daniel: Cassandra....we have some bad news....it's about your uncle Zed....
Cassandra nods her head. After the sad news, Alexandria, Daniel, Cassandra walks in and informs Maya of Zed's demise, causing her to cry as Walter walks up to James, before Daniel comforts Maya. Cassandra walks into the other room to cry to herself, before James walks in.
James: Hey....are you okay?
Cassandra: My Uncle was like a second Dad to me when my Dad wasn't around...he would always play with us....look after us....he taught me and brother how to shoot when we were kids...he-
Cassandra sobs.
James: I'm sorry.....my Dad...uh...I recently lost him too....my Uncle, Colin...he gave his life to save me....and my Dad....I-I saw him executed before my eyes...
Cassandra: My god....that's terrible...I'm sorry.
A while after, Kyle, Nathan, James, Walter, Sarah, Ashley, Shawn and Catherine are at a dinner table with Billy preparing a cooked meal.
Ashley: You guys were out there for some time....I figured you all might be hungry so I asked Daniel if he could take me and Cassandra out hunting....That Cassandra girl...she really knows how to shoot....took down this antelope...you should've seen her..
Billy sets plate of the cooked antelope meat in front of each of the survivors, before he sits down with the survivors.
Catherine: Thank you, Billy.....this looks great...
Nathan: It's not compared to good Kronos food?
Catherine: It's compared to other food....
Nathan: Oh, okay.....
Shawn: Look, Nathan, right?....it was just me and Catherine on our own out there...
Nathan: No other soldiers to back you up.
Catherine: None at all.
Nathan: bullshit...
Catherine: It's true.
Nathan: You expect us to believe that it's just you and soldier boy out there on your own collecting radioactive gooe out there? Gimme a fucking break.
Walter: Uh....this antelope is very good and you said you killed it, Ashley?
Ashley: Yep....
Ashley laughs.
Ashley: Uh....Daniel taught Cassandra and I how to skin an antelope too....It's very gross, but awesome at the same time.
Sarah: That sounds cool.
Nathan: You should be more careful when you're out there though. You never know who's watching you from a mile? Blood Hog? Butcher? Zeus Corps Soldier?
Billy clears throat.
Billy: Well, it's nice to see you all still alive.....
Nathan: Some of us at least...
Shawn: Well, these people are obviously led by the right guy.
Nathan: The fuck is that supposed to mean?
Shawn: Just saying; you're obviously doing a great job at leading this group....then again weren't there more of you?
Catherine: Yeah...I heard about you all, but wasn't there eight of you?
Kyle: There was...now, it's seven....
The survivors look down in silence as Catherine acknowledges Nora died.
Catherine: Oh.....
Nathan: My girlfriend....she was a good woman...
Catherine: I'm sorry.
Nathan: I don't need your sympathy...
Shawn: Hey, man....she's just trying to be nice...
Nathan: "Nice"?
Nathan scoffs.
Nathan: A Zeus Corps Soldier saying that his friend is....
Nathan uses his fingers with sarcasm.
Nathan: "Trying to be nice".
Sarah: Nathan....
Nathan: Sarah.
Nathan turns to Catherine.
Nathan: Anyways, I don't need your sympathy...
Nathan turns to Shawn.
Nathan: And you.... Let me tell you something; just because you're James' brother doesn't mean a goddamned thing to me....
James: Can we talk about something else, please?
Walter: Yeah....we can....so Sarah, I see that Blake guy has his eyes on you....could use a shoulder after what happened with his uncle.
Sarah: Uh...that's really random, Walter. Why?
Nathan: Well...the guy's in mourning of his uncle....he seems like a good guy with a clean record.
James: Who the hell's Blake? Oh....that Daniel's son? Good call, Walter.
Sarah: Uh....can we not talk about guys who have a crush on me? Look, Blake's a nice guy, but....I don't have time for guys like him...
Nathan: "Guys like him"? Who would you prefer a guy like?
Sarah: I just don't really want to date right now....plus, we're in an apocalypse.
Ashley: Oh, Cassandra's brother, Blake? He's cute.
Sarah: Then you can have him, Ashley.
Kyle: Yeah...if she was the right age....
Ashley: What?
Kyle: Nothing....
Shawn: Uh...is this appropriate dinner conversation?
Nathan: Hey, man...no one asked you for your two cents.
Shawn: I'm just saying....the girl doesn't want to talk about past boyfriends...leave it be...the past is the past.
James: I have to disagree with you on that, Shawn....
Shawn: What's that supposed to mean?
James: I'm just saying...leaving it be is apparently the problem....leaving is always the problem...
Shawn: It's not like you didn't leave either, man.
James: Shawn, I left with Mom and Uncle Colin, because I didn't want to have deal with quarantined bullshit....and Mom needed someone to look after her when she was sick....no one left you or Dad.
Shawn: No, but you stopped mailing me and Dad for a while....I haven't seen you in years, man....and the world as it is now, let's not ruin it.
James: This is awesome....how you try to be a big brother now and not be the asshole you were. Like, you're my older brother if Uncle Colin's not around....did you even know about Mom till Dad told you? What about Uncle Colin? Or Dad?
Shawn: I'm sorry I wasn't there when Uncle Colin, Mom and Dad died....I really am....but you gotta take responsibility for your own shit...which is what Uncle Colin told you too....you were irresponsible in the zone...I'm betting you were irresponsible out there too...always stealing shit to build those fucking gadgets and tech...always getting me in trouble.
Catherine: Well, Billy, I think you should cook like this more often...
Billy: Thank you, Catherine.
Nathan scoffs.
Nathan: what? like a wastelander?
Kyle: Okay, okay! I know I've only been with y'all for a few days, but let's just clear the fucking elephant in the goddamned room cause I'm getting annoyed! Shawn and Catherine are here because we found them! I don't a fuck how we found them, but they're staying! For a few goddamned days, months even, let's show some fucking hospitality until they get themselves together and leave!
Nathan: Fine....fuck it, fine....
Nathan turns to Shawn.
Nathan: But just so you know, soldier boy... the moment...the second you turn your backs on us or betray us.....I'll be the first to know....and you'll wish you had been back at Zeus Corps.
A moment of silence.
Catherine: Um.....any desert?