ZERO (Complete)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

After a few days of much needed relaxation and rejuvenation, the Dark Circle crew gathered together to discuss their plans for the future. In light of new circumstances, Mr. Camouflage wanted to check in with everyone to see where they were at.

The small community in which they were staying wasn't an option when everyone was first deciding on their future. But now that this new option had presented itself and offered everyone a chance to live full and meaningful lives, some members of the group may have soften their stances on the whole revolution.

"How's everyone feeling?" Mr. Camo asked.

"I'm happy to help in any way I can," the Professor said. "Whatever the group decides.

"Cheryl?"

"Same. Whatever I can do to help, count me in."

"Allie, what about you?"

"I'm always down to fight, or do whatever the group decides."

"Dane?"

"I mean, it's nice here and all, and I'm sure we'd be fine if we stayed in this community, but I also don't want to live in oppression the rest of my life, constantly having to look over my shoulder, you know? Also, I want to say something else. They took something from us, remember that," Dane said, connecting eyes around the room. "That alone is worth fighting for if we ever want it back. Even if it is something small such as enjoying a croissant at your favourite bakery, to something big like seeing your child's smile. Each of us lost something that's important to us. I say we fight back. If not for us, then for our kids."

Mr. Camouflage went around the room and heard what each member had to say. Whether they were vocalizing their true feelings, everyone seemed to be saying the same thing.

"Okay, then," Mr. Camouflage said, "we're all in agreement. We'll stick with our original plan."

"Not to be negative or whatever," Lauren said, "but what is the plan exactly? I know it's to take down the government, but how exactly are the nine of us going to do that?"

"Our first step," Mr. Camouflage said, "is to form an agreement. We've done that. Our next step is to formulate a plan of attack, which we'll discuss now. We then need to recruit. Finally, we need to execute. Guys, this isn't going to be easy. We're not going to take over the government in a day.

"We'll start with intel," Mr. Camouflage continued. "We need to know who we are up against and where they are weak. That will inform our plan of attack."

"Okay, so how do you suggest we do that? We don't know anything about them?"

"That's not true," Mr. Camo said. "We know plenty. I have emails and IP addresses, I know how they operate, who they contact in which organizations."

"We can also involve the people," Cheryl said. "When I was in politics, I couldn't do a thing without fearing the public would march into my office and lynch me in the town square. Believe me, I had to make plenty of decisions that upset a lot of people and it's always easier when the support is on your side. In our case, we could blast out messages on social media."

"But wouldn't people be afraid to come forward and speak out against a government that murders its citizens, especially a government that listens and watches every move they make?" Mauricio asked, raising a valid point.

"Yeah, I agree," Lauren said. "The memory of the war is still so fresh, I think a lot of people are happy with the stability. Even though it's not perfect, people are ready to move on."

"Complacency is a breeding ground for evil. What I mean is that when people turn a blind eye and ignore a small current, that's when it grows into a leviathan. We can nip it in the bud."