Update: After scouting the area for another hour or so, we declared it safe. We found parts for the bus and added them as we found them. While searching up north in the airfield, we saw a few zombies running by, not disturbed by us. We ran into a warehouse and watched. I thought I saw a survivor (bandit) in the flight control building, so Dr. Stallardi and I wrapped around into the larger warehouse to the east. We watched for a few minutes, and I finally spotted two dead survivors in the stair case across the way. We crawled over to it and examined their bodies. A job well done! We somehow survived a bandit attack without doing anything. We decided to head north again to search for our last tire, when the bandits struck. 4 or 5 shots later, Dr. Stallardi valliantly gave his life in order to protect me and our quest for the bus. I don't know how many of them there were, but god dammit, I'm going to log back on and avenge the good Doctor. Wish me luck.