Next Plans

After the encounter with the Downpours, Edward suggested we head back.

The moon drifted across the sky, and orange skies began showing themselves.

It was better if we didn't risk getting caught out sleepless.

***

The walk back home felt even longer than before. We had to walk from the outpost to where we began following the Downpour soldiers.

When we reached back home, sun rays already gave the trees and grass its golden touch. Civilians were out doing their morning routines.

Defender was outside putting a bandage over a little kid's cut on the knee. She didn't even notice we disappeared the night before.

Our first stop was Specter. We needed to give them everything we gathered so they could plan our next move.

We found Specter sitting outside their front door. They stood so still it was easy to confuse Specter for a shadow, or maybe even a statue modeled after them.

Edward took out the map I drew on from his bag. "Good morning, Specter. You won't believe the night we had! There was exploration, action, blood, Downpour, Wildmen that were burning to death!" Edward tried to hype what happened the best he could.

Specter looked up at Edward's hand. They raised their skeletal metal arm and grabbed the map.

I obviously couldn't tell what exactly their reaction was. But my guess is they realized how serious both sides were about winning.

"Downpour and burning Wildmen?" Specter mimicked a curious voice.

"Yeah, a team of ten Downpour soldiers marched up to a Wildmen outpost. They burned it down, not letting anyone escape. Me and Edward caught them by surprise. Cleaned the dirt off our region."

"Outpost?"

Edward took out a pen and took the map off Specter's hand. He drew something on the map.

After Edward was done, he showed what he did to us. "If I am estimating this right. A Downpour outpost is located around the little fork that divides our river with Riptide Runoff. And, one of their bases, hopefully a stronghold, is near Bear's Den."

Riptide Runoff and Bear's Den? Interesting locations for control points.

Specter read my mind. "They want to take a solid grip on the entire water supply around here. Smart move."

Edward let out a loud yawn. It was our cue to get some rest.

I waved goodbye to Edward and Specter, then walked home.

During my walk, I thought of the damage Downpour could do if they got ahold of the region. This was one of the most contested pieces of territory for anyone because of the space there is. After word got out that we got flushed out of our stronghold, factions sure heard of it.

But they won't get far. The DRT isn't dead yet.

I walked inside and slipped into my bed. I didn't stay awake from much longer.

***

Gentle knocking woke me up. Someone wanted my attention.

I couldn't tell who it was outside. Specter and Warmonger would bash through my door. Edward would make a beat and maybe a song to along with it.

"Who is it?" I called out half asleep.

At first, I thought I said nothing. I was about to ask again and then a soft motherly voice replied.

"Finch, sorry for waking you up. But can we talk about something?" Defender tried to speak loud enough for me to hear but not loud enough for other people to hear.

"Sure, I guess. Come in."

She stumbled inside. In her hand, she held the last replica of the map we got from Honey Badger.

"This. I'm afraid. These are the first and third strongest factions fighting right on our region. Are we even brave enough to push them off?" Defender's concerned voice was smoothing to me.

"You're one of the top DRT members. Not a volunteer. Don't worry about getting assigned to go out there alone with one other person. Leave those tasks to the rest. If you die, the moral of the community will drop." I tried my best to sound reassuring.

Defender didn't look any better. She studied the map more. Looking around the conflict zones, her eyes connected with Savage marks pointing down towards the river.

"Look at this," Defender pointed the arrows to me, "more are coming to claim this region."

"Okay. Here's a plan. First, we silently fight this war with both parties. Then, we lead Wildmen into a conflict with the Savages."

I had a stupid plan, a lot could go wrong.

At any moment, that plan could turn for the worst. If any of the two sides find out we're still around, they will start scouting to find us. If they haven't already.

"Maybe I want to grow up. I love my place here, but out there it sounds so much more exciting. But I can't handle seeing someone else suffer." Defender confessed.

She spoke like my daughter. I couldn't stop my arms from wrapping around her like a caring parent.

"You know, my daughter spoke just like you. She always said she wanted to grow up, didn't enjoy seeing anything we caught die. She was too young, too innocent, too weak. Only I survived." I felt my eyes getting watery.

"The past is the past, Finch. You know she would want to see her dad help bring back humanity." Defender spoke in a different reassuring voice.

This one was wildly different. I didn't just feel better, but also stronger.

"You're right. Listen, I want to see you be on the same page as us. Tomorrow ask Edward to take you with him on a scouting trip. I'll go explain my plan to Specter."

We both said goodbye and went our own ways.

Specter was still sitting outside their home. Just close enough to hear Edward tapping away on some shields.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, but I'm here to discuss a plan for taking out both Wildmen and Downpour at the same time."

Specter noticed the hint of excitement in my voice.

"Alright, we send scouts all over the river. They'll jot down outposts and bases down on maps. Then we can send small raiding parties to do the dirty work for both sides. Causing them to grow more aggressive towards one another."

"If they catch one of us, they'll figure out who it was, keep that in mind." Specter still sounded interested.

"True. Anyway, if we do that. They'll waste more resources. At some point one of them will give up and the other would be crowned the victor. But that's just a mask, they'll just be the unlucky ones we must kill."

Specter didn't reply.

"Well?" I tried to break the silence.

"Could work. We don't have many options left."

Specter gave me the go-ahead. This was my plan, and I was going to be the one leading it.