"Given the rapid spread and the fact that it is transmitted through bodily fluids, I'm inclined to think one or both of two things is going on:
A. Annie's right with her biological warfare suggestion.
B. We're dealing with a disease with a long incubation period, and a significantly shorter latency period."

Doc gave a significant look to each of the others which was, again, lost on them. "Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking?. . .That some of us might already be infected? I mean, biological warfare is implausible for several reasons, including the possibility that the disease could spread back to the attacking country."

Doc turned to Delia and asked "Is there a conservatory in the house? I think the next thing to be done is to perform a Life Ritual on each member of the group in turn."

"Hold on. Nobody's casting any weird rituals on me. Last time I let that happen, I got turned into a kitten for 48 hours and I can still remember what mouse tastes like," Annie said, backing away from Doc. "What if someone tainted the blood supply at one of the local hospitals? Lots of people need blood every day, especially here on Dittotopia."

"I second that," Delia said. "No voodoo on me. There's a conservatory on the grounds, and you're welcome to use it if you wish, but I'll take my chances with the infection."

"Not a fan of having someone else trying their magic out on me." Neal said while tossing his hat in the air and catching it before it hit the table. "Besides, I'm a relatively cautious guy."

In truth, Darklings were less susceptible to the typical viruses and such that plagued humans. Neal wasn't sure, but he figured a zombie virus would likewise pose less of a threat. Still, he wasn't about to take any reckless chances.

"Does the article say anything more about where the original reports came from of the outbreak? If we knew where it started from, we could investigate. Or at least know where not to go."

"The original report seems to point to Monstropolis, with the secondary outbreak at a school," Delia replied. "What a place for a blood and saliva borne illness to show up. Kids lick everything and bite each other to start with, so they probably all brought it...home with them."

Delia looked up at Neal, then over at Bryan.

"That...might explain a few things," she said lowly.

Bryan paled at Delia's words and the memory of what they'd just seen in their capture attempt. Being infected was terrible for anyone, of course, but the thought of it happening to children...

The best distraction to that line of thinking was action. "Do we still want to split into teams and try to catch one? And see if Doc's ritual works? Or investigate the points of origin? That would be dangerous but might tell us how it started and if there's any way to reverse it."

He had so many questions. "How would we know if we were infected - without resorting to a ritual that makes us uneasy? Or maybe some people are immune somehow and studying that might lead to a vaccine or something."

And others he kept to himself for the moment: Was there a patient zero? How did it all get started? And how to inform and protect loved ones far away?

Doc was distracted for a moment by a mental image of Annie as a LaPerm. "I'm a Nox, not a wizard, I've never practiced magic in my life. Couldn't turn people into animals if I wanted to."

"On to the source. I find it very hard to believe that this outbreak is a deliberate attack. The basic ability to execute a plan like this requires intelligence and forethought. At the same time, a willingness to execute the plan requires myopic stupidity. Maybe there's one intelligent, but completely insane person doing the whole thing, but could one person accomplish this?"

Neal abruptly caught his fedora in mid-fall when Delia mentioned the school outbreak. "I think both an investigation and another capture attempt might be in order. Though I don't know how we would get to Monstropolis and back if things got hairy."

For the Darkling, it would be easy. Just shadow jump there and back, but for the regular humans... no, going out to investigate with a horde of zombies possibly hanging around would be a complete massacre.

"So I guess that leaves another capture attempt as our next course of action." Neal turned to Doc as she continued to muse about the cause of their problem. "Those meat-bags didn't seem too stupid when they cornered us in the tavern. I'm pretty sure they were talking to each other..."

"So, what are we doing, team capture and team theory?" Delia asked. "Who's up for hunting?"

Gamemaster's Note

Keep an eye on the Tavern Cavern--badge awards and explanations of the purpose of the badges will be posted in the Cavern sometime in the next 24 hours.

Austyn had dealt with zombies before. Mostly in video games in which she was actually capable of using a knife or gun without first receiving instructions on how to do so. Anyway. She knew they were bad news and was more relieved than anything when the party returned zombie-less. She could maybe sip her coffee in peace and pretend that everything was alright.

But, of course, she wouldn't have any such luck. The continued talk of hunting zombies and the zombie plague spreading and the long road to Monstropolis made her stomach flip-flop uncomfortably and the mental image painted by the Darkling (Veal? Neal? It had to be one of the two.) of smart zombies wasn't helping the nausea go away.

When Delia asked who was ready to go hunting, Austyn spoke up, "I propose we use a buddy system. I don't want to get lost."

"I like that idea. We can watch each other's back."

As unpleasant as the previous hunting attempt had turned out, Bryan knew it was an important part of solving their dilemma. "I'm up for hunting, Miss Delia, and would be glad to track again. But the zombies seem to have no qualms about being found, so I'm not sure how helpful that skill is right now."

He took out his cell phone. "There's something I should do first. Won't take but a minute."

He fired off a text message to his two children. Zombie bacteria infection. No, really. Cause unclear. Keep kids and pets inside. Will call when I can.

"I still think we should have a team to work on defense. This could mean fortifications, artillery logistics, escape plans or hideouts if the mansion is breached, whatever the group decides is needed and possible. There's no point in capturing a zombie if we don't have a secure place to take them. Aron's already volunteered and that's great, but this group should also include someone who knows the building, and someone who knows their way around long range weapons. Meanwhile, the people in the capture team might want to use these helmets. I couldn't find a decent gag." Doc took her helmet off at last.

"I'm out for building things," Delia replied. "But I'm pro-buddy system. Sounds like Bryan's up for going out again, and I am. I'm sort of presuming that Neal's implied he's coming...anyone else?"

Gamemaster's Note: Please take a few minutes to review the announcement in the Cavern Tavern.

"Aye, you presume correctly." Neal said as he stood up. "Considering it's getting late, there should be more shadows for me to use this go around."

Ah! His name was Neal. Austin mentally highfived herself for remembering the Darkling's name, and then hoped she blended into the background well enough that she wouldn't be asked to accompany the party in their endeavors to find another zombie.

She thought about what her mother would say if she knew that Austyn was out of the house. She'd probably have a heart attack and then throw a party. Actually, thought Austyn, it might be worth going just to see my mother's reaction...

As quickly as that idea came, so did the image of flesh-eating zombies attacking her and the cruel fate of never seeing her beloved cat-dog again. "While this sounds like so much fun," she said, "I think I'll stay here. Some one has to hold down the fort and make pizza rolls for the people returning."