"Any ideas on what we do if things go south?" James whispered once they stopped in the middle of the street, waiting for the other group to get closer.

"You think they will attack?" Elaine tilted her head. "Where did your ever-present optimism go?"

James huffed. "I'm a realist, princess. I just think we should have a plan. Like Isaac likes to say, better safe than sorry."

Isaac raised an eyebrow. Getting quoted by James was the last thing he expected today. Well, almost the last thing. The Colonel showing up in the middle of the night instead of waiting until morning was also slightly unexpected.

"They won't attack unless we give them a reason to," Tyler stated suddenly. "Williams isn't stupid. We haven't done anything to him or his group. I say this is just a recruitment pitch."

"Agreed," Isaac muttered. "For a city this big, the word sure spreads fast."

"That it does, lad," Tyler said. "Makes me wonder if they know it is you who took out that Quarantine. If so, that means they were tracking us… Maybe if I…"

"Sounds like you have a plan, T," James pointed out quietly.

Tyler hummed. "Maybe… Let me do the talking for now. And if things do go south, run for cover. Other than that, we're counting on you, Isaac."

The corner of Isaac's lips tugged upward. "No promises, but… I got you."

"That's all I wanted to hear."

Silence settled over the group as they kept their eyes forward, watching the approaching party for any sudden moves. Better safe than sorry, indeed. Though, Isaac couldn't shake the feeling that there were more people hidden nearby. Surrounding your potential enemy was a basic tactic, after all.

And this guy is an ex-military, he mused, his gaze glued to the Colonel. He most likely already thought through every possible outcome of this meeting… The question is, would he actually attack us just because we went off on our own? That would be stupid. Especially since he's the one who pretty much kicked us out in the first place.

He had to fight the urge to transform and take to the skies. As much as he wanted to participate in this meeting, having him in the air would make all of this easier. Well, maybe not all. In the end, his high level and Pioneer status meant a lot. It gave his group an edge that the Colonel had to match with more people and firepower.

Power always ruled the world. It had worn different faces throughout history, but that didn't mean anything had changed. The strong dictated the order of the world, while the rest just tried to survive in it.

This situation was no different.

"Joe!" Tyler called out, stepping forward when the other group was only a dozen feet away. "To what do we owe the pleasure? After our last little meeting, we assumed you wanted nothing to do with us. What changed?"

The Colonel crossed his arms. "I made a mistake," he admitted. "Allowed my pride to get the better of me."

"Oh?" Tyler arched an eyebrow. "Why the sudden change of heart? If you think we'll buy some bullshit about seeing the light, you're sorely mistaken. Mate, you didn't even offer us a place in your camp back then. Your message was clear."

Williams nodded. "And that was a mistake. I already admitted that. But really, Thomson? Do we really have to play this game?"

"Game? What game? I ain't playing no games."

The Colonel rubbed his brow. "You know very well why I'm here. You four somehow neutralized the Double-layered Quarantine Site. You've proved your point."

"Prove?" Tyler chuckled. "We weren't trying to prove anything. Besides… why do you even think it was us? You told us yourself. There are three other groups in the city. Could've been them."

Williams sighed. "Unlike what you may think, I'm not stupid."

"Could have fooled me," James muttered, just loud enough for the Colonel to hear.

Isaac bit back a grin while Elaine wasn't doing much better next to him. He caught her choking on a laugh. Good old James, they could always count on him to say something dumb and amusing at the same time.

Williams, though, probably disagreed. His narrowed eyes scanned all of them. "Right." He cleared his throat. "As I said, I'm not stupid. It's no coincidence that you four suddenly appear in the city, with a Pioneer no less, and then a few hours later, the largest Quarantine falls."

Tyler shrugged. "Still could have been the work of a different group."

"Really now?" Williams drawled. "Just because we don't see eye to eye, doesn't mean I haven't spoken to the others. Nobody even came close to Midtown and Downtown today. And then there's the very interesting story I heard about UC Davis. Ring any bells?"

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Maybe," Tyler said, still not giving in.

"Listen, Thomson, I understand I didn't leave the best first impression. But this?" Williams gestured between the two groups. "This is getting us nowhere. I'm not here to fight, and you know that. So let's drop the act and get to business."

Tyler looked left and right, then nodded. "Very well. What do you want from us?"

"Join us," the Colonel stated firmly. "I have nothing against you four working in a team, but I can't have you running randomly across the city. It's a waste of precious time and resources. We need coordination. Otherwise, we'll keep sending people to areas you've already cleared. I think you can see the problem, yes?"

Tyler clicked his tongue. "Aye, I do. I would have wanted the same from any newcomers to Galt before we cleared it."

Williams smiled. "Exactly. We have only one day left to finish the task. Unity has never been more important than it is now. So, just as I've swallowed my pride, I ask you to do the same and join us. We already have a place ready for you. And if you need anything, like weapons or new clothes, they will be provided."

"We also have warm food!" Linda, standing behind the Colonel, suddenly chimed in. "Some really good chefs are making it."

James clapped his hands. "I'm sold! Throw in a few beers, and my sword is yours."

Idiot, Issac rolled his eyes, fighting back a smile.

Tyler, however, completely ignored that exchange. "And what if we refuse?" he asked.

"Then nothing," Williams said simply. "You have my word. As I said, I didn't come here to fight. We're all survivors. Killing each other won't help anyone."

Tyler snorted. "On that, we can agree…" He looked over his shoulder. "Lads? Lass? What do you think?"

One by one, Isaac, James, and Elaine gave him a nod. Tyler chuckled. "There you have it." He turned back to the Colonel. "We will come to your camp first thing in the morning. We can work out a plan then."

Williams inclined his head. "That's all I wanted to hear. I will see you tomorrow. Rest well."

"Likewise," Tyler said.

With that, the other group turned to leave. Yet, before they could take more than a couple steps, Isaac cleared his throat.

"Colonel!" he shouted, getting the older man to turn to him. "Just so we are on the same page. We will work with you, not for you. Is that clear?"

Williams held his gaze for a moment before a small smile tugged at his lips. Then, he looked away and started walking again.

"Crystal, Pioneer."

Just like that, Isaac and his team watched in silence as the larger group disappeared into the night. Only after the last flashlight beam faded from view did someone speak up.

"Well, that was fun." James grinned. "Let's do it again one day."

"I would rather not," Elaine muttered. "We might not be this lucky next time."

"Then we just gotta get stronger, princess," James said as they all headed back into their camp. "Sooner or later, guns won't matter. Hell, I'm pretty sure my armory skill can shrug off most bullets already. Well, maybe not a .50 cal…"

Tyler chuckled, clapping the younger man on the back. "Care to test that, big man? I'm almost sure Williams would do about anything we tell him to."

Isaac frowned. "That's a stretch. He still has the number advantage and can probably finish the task without our help. I think now that we've shown what we're capable of, he's just worried we might join another group. At least that's the feeling I got from all this."

"Probably," Tyler agreed. "Not that it really matters now, not after the warning you gave him. Good one, by the way. A bit too dramatic for my liking, but still."

"Right…" Isaac drawled, rolling his eyes. "If I'm dramatic, I don't know what you and James are then."

Tyler grinned. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Of course you don't… Whatever, I'm going back to sleep. Wake me up when it's my turn to take watch."

"Finally here," Linda announced as they reached the Colonel's camp.

For some reason, she'd been waiting for them at their small camp the moment morning arrived. Tyler had tried to tell her there was no need for her to act as a guide, but his protests fell on deaf ears. In her words, if the Colonel tasked her with a job, she would complete it to perfection.

Isaac and Elaine shared a look at that and rolled their eyes. Still, there was no fighting against their guide, and so here they were, back at the massive camp.

"Straight to Joe, lass, or do you have anything else planned for us?" Tyler asked.

Linda beamed. "A quick tour of the camp, a warm breakfast, and possibly an upgrade for some of your weapons," she stated, her gaze settling on the shovel in Tyler's grasp. "After that, I will show you where your tent is located. The Colonel should join us by then."

James whistled. "Damn, I feel like a VIP already… Lead the way then, my lady."

Linda nodded and resumed walking. Isaac exchanged a look with the others and followed. It looked like Williams really wanted to get on their good side. The reason was obvious, but was it deserved? Well, that remained to be seen.

Before long, they reached a tent surrounded by aromas so rich and addictive that they had to hold back James from rushing ahead of them. Thankfully, Linda just laughed it off and took them inside to receive the best meal Isaac had eaten in weeks or even months.

The chefs there were definitely masters of their craft. Elaine quietly speculated that they had worked in Michelin-starred restaurants before the Breakout, and they all agreed. Not that any of them had ever eaten in places like those, but still…

Gotta say though, for someone so worried about resources, Williams sure isn't skimping on us, Isaac mused as Linda led them to another part of the camp. Unlike in Galt, the people here barely spared them a glance, treating them like just another group of survivors.

Wonder how long that's gonna last…

"Miss," Tyler spoke up suddenly. "Where exactly are we going now?"

"To our armory," Linda answered. "There should be something there for all of you. And if nothing suits your taste, I'm sure our smiths will be able to figure something out."

Isaac's eyebrows shot up. He opened his mouth to ask more, but James beat him to it.

"Wait, smiths? You mean actual blacksmiths? Like with hot forges and everything? That's cool."

Linda shook her head. "Not exactly, sir. No forges or any proper tools, unfortunately. I call them smiths because that's their Origin. Origin of Smithing, to be precise."

"I'm a little lost now," Elaine joined the conversation. "If they have no tools or anything else that a normal smith needs, then how can they help us?"

Linda smiled wide.

"You will see."

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