Misconceptions

Chapter Three - Traps

 In the preparation for the coming trip, Ian and Hector spent a lot of time with Violet out in the nearby towns. Cormac kept an eye on the base, made sure things ran properly. He had things to go over in inventory, and when the three would return, he would make his runs out to the towns himself, further in. He was much more capable than the others of getting past the bloackades. He knew the area so much better than the others. He knew the buildings, and he knew how to get into people's heads. He was naturally charming and kind, and he had a way with everyone, even the converted ones. He never left during curfew the way that Violet and the others did, because his work was in the stores, gathering intel and news. 

The others gathered food and gear for the trip that would be upcoming in nearly three months. They needed to stockpile, in order to make that move. It would be several days of traveling, despite the closeness. Without a vehicle, Cormac had no real way of knowing exactly how long it would take, and everyone was in agreement that it was the best plan of action to stock up on the canned foods and water as much as possible, and to budget it all for the longest expected time. There was little to no time in between these trips out. They would spend hours in the night and daytime getting prepared for everything, double and triple checking all of their equipment and food. 

One week from the day of the intital news story, though, Cormac stopped everyone when he returned from his day out, keeping the three from leaving. 

"I found some interesting news today, come on. Briefing."

Everyone gathered at the table in the cot room, and Cormac rolled out a small, hand-drawn map onto the tabletop. "While I was rooting around for info today, I found someone who recognized what I was doing. His name was Kyle, and he gave me this map. We didn't talk for long, but you know how we always leave a phrase on a slip of paper at the facilities? He knew a few of them. We've finally found another group."

There was a long moment of silence as the four of them glanced at each. There was some shock that Cormac let settle, and he continued after awhile. 

"They gave us a map to meeting place that's really easy to get to. It's a warehouse in the closest town to here. They want us to meet them tonight, to trade information, I can imagine, and potentially even gear. I expect there will only be a few of them, like us, but this could mean a lot."

"You're sure it's not a trap?" Violet hedged, but it was clear she didn't want to believe it, even as she asked the question. No one wanted to believe that --- but, realistically, this was all almost too good to be true.

"Honestly? It could very well be. I'll level with you all," he said. "I don't know much of what to expect. But ... I think this could just as equally be real. And I don't want to run the risk of losing a chance to find more fighters, to extend out reach. We need all the help we can get if we want to start something big, and we'll have to take this sort of chance sometime." He turned his gaze to everyone in turn, trying to gauge their reactions, their opinions before they spoke. It was a lot to take in. It had been some time now since they'd met other people committed to this sort of thing, and ever more rare was it that they found a possible group. At least a year at this point. And the last time they did ...

The trap had been horrible, had taken the life of one of their members, and had left them scattered for months. 

But they had to do this. They were running out of options, with the year coming to a slow close, and the next election appearing on the horizon. It was now or never that they started in on all this. They wouldn't have a better opportunity than now. 

"We're going for it, right?" Hector said after awhile. "It's like you said, Cormac, we'll have to do this eventually. We can be more prepared this time. Bring weapons, pack light. We'll be alright."