In Preparation For A Raid

Edward and I agreed to meet with Specter the following morning to discuss what we have written down.

While my pages were full of words; Edward's were full of pictures and drawings.

Detailing every single wall, gate, and tower that Stronghold had.

I was the first one in the armory.

Bright yellow lights buzzed like wasps above me. Soon I was trapped inside my thoughts.

"Good morning, Finch." Specter's mechanical voice felt strangely welcoming.

I sat upright in my chair and tossed the pages I wrote on down onto the table.

Specter calmly began reading. "You've already given this raid its own name? When was the last time I saw you this excited for a raid?"

"This is the first time, I'm sure at least. Do you think 'Battered Walls Raid' is good enough or should it be changed?"

"It's fine."

I sat in silence while Specter read through my notes.

This was the first time I got to have an actual look at what was under Specter's hood, in a room with light shining at it.

A gray screaming skull sat on the black mask they had on at all times. Where the skull's eyes were, holes were poked so they could see.

Finally, Edward marched into the room.

"Specter and Finch, I brought back some juicy drawings and ways we can go about combating these idiots." Edward was excited to present his sketches to us.

Specter took the drawings and connected the details between Edward's work and my notes.

It's incredible seeing what Edward can draw overnight, especially with so much detail put into those drawings.

"This gate-" Specter put down a page and pointed at the gate. "It looks beat up. One rush should be enough to send that thing flying inwards."

Edward narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment. "Yeah, good place to bust, but there's a problem. How will we rush with a battering-ram, when that is on a slope?"

I locked eyes with Edward and grinned at him. It was clear what we were both thinking. "A good explosion should be enough to do just the trick."

"Hmm. I guess that could work. Look at that gate. Looks withered already."

Specter put that page to the side and brought out another. It was one of the inside.

Edward pointed at the red circles that represent Savages. "If we follow MY explosive personality, the debris should be enough to take care of whoever stands behind this behemoth of a gate."

For the rest of the morning, all three of us bounced ideas back and forth.

***

We've decided on a plan. But to make it final, we needed more scouting. So Edward hired some scouts we had under our command to closely monitor any activity inside the Stronghold.

Meanwhile, I was going to talk to Defender and Warmonger about what we're going to need.

Even though I really wanted to check in with Defender, Warmonger was the first person Specter told me to visit.

It was early in the afternoon, meaning she should be reading reports in her office.

Stepping inside of the room always gave me a strong sense of vulnerability.

As if she could slaughter me if she wanted to. But I kept my cool.

I looked at the back of the room for her. "We've already decided on how we're going to do this. We just need you to give us the tools."

Warmonger's plain brown eyes suddenly lit up. "There's the true Finch's voice talking to me! You want to cause destruction on those rebels?"

That question, she asked me that every time I wanted a weapon from her. It still makes me scared about how two sentences have such a dark meaning behind them.

"Y-yes, that's the whole purpose of my visit."

"Good boy. Now, what do you need from me?"

Warmonger's full attention was on me. I could feel her stare scan my facial expressions. Every second that passed, that feeling got stronger.

"First, explosives. And I need a lot of those. Then, I want a four crates full of flame arrows. Get me a pair of twin-snake tongues and chains while you're at it."

My odd request surprised Warmonger. "Twin-snake tongues and chains?? Sounds to me like you're being more brutal than lawful. I might not get you those daggers, only four exist in the market I've built. Only thing I can promise are the chains."

"Good enough. If you can't get me those daggers, get me a Slaughter sword from the first generation."

"Picky Finchie, huh? Why not get the latest before the Calamity?"

"Just to remind myself who I was before I joined the DRT."

Warmonger and I exchanged looks one more time. And then she wrote my requests down and I was able to leave.

Now, I can talk to Defender.

She spent most of her free time taking care of everyone inside of the medical center. That's where I found her.

When I walked in, she was helping keep the minds of the children away from wondering what was happening to their parents.

Her playful gestures seemed too innocent. It's like she forgets what she does when she has to help us protect our people while they're retreating and goes into a more childish mindset.

I gently knocked on the wall. "Defender, I got orders from Specter."

Suddenly, her playfulness quickly faded. "I have to talk to him, keep playing while I talk. Have fun!"

Defender and I stepped into the next room. A strange silence settled between us.

I finally spoke. "This fight will be massive. You and I both know that. So, Defender. I ask for one favor. I want you to-"

"Help you fight."

We both spoke at the same time. Her smile became more sick and her eyes began tearing up.

"Wait, don't start crying."

"You're asking me to help you kill. You know how much I hate that. Even before that night, I refused to pick up my spear and use it to kill someone else. I only did it because you were weak."

Defender's voice started to crack.

"I'm reminding you of Warmonger, that's it, right?"

"You don't get it! If it was up to me, I would've never even joined the DRT. If it wasn't for Edward's sister bringing me up that one night, my story would have ended at the Calamity. I know it!"

I suddenly felt guilty. She reminded me of my daughter, when I went out hunting with her she cried because I killed an animal. "Woah, calm down! If there's something this world needs right now is supportive people like you. Don't wish for death."

Defender wiped her tears and took a deep breath. "What do you want me to do exactly?"

The giant weight of her crying was quickly swept away with her tears. "I'll change your position then. You won't be fighting. You'll be with Edward, bringing back the wounded. Sound good?"

Her face looked a bit brighter. "Thank you, Finch."

The preparations for the raid have already kicked off. There were only two ways of stopping this now, our defeat or our victory.