Chapter 34 : Rescue Plan

At the building top floor. Kate stood with her hands braced against the edge of a map spread across the makeshift table, her jaw clenched as she studied it. Morrison and Daniels stood nearby, their expressions equally grim, while Chris leaned back against the wall, arms crossed, his eyes scanning the room.

Daniels, ever impatient, broke the silence. "We're wasting time here. The longer we wait, the more likely those bastards start sniffing around inside the station. We need to act. Now."

Kate lifted her gaze to him, her voice calm but firm. "We don't need to just act, Daniels. We need to act smart. If we rush this, we could get everyone inside killed."

Daniels scoffed and gestured to the map. "We have the high ground. Let me get up there, take out a few of them. A couple of well-placed shots, and they'll scatter like rats."

Kate shook her head immediately. "And what happens when they figure out where the shots are coming from? They'll swarm the building, and the noise will bring every walker in a five-mile radius. We'll be surrounded in minutes."

Daniels waved him off dismissively. "I'll keep it quiet. Silenced rifle, clean shots."

Chris spoke up, his voice calm but pointed. "Or they might dig in, call for reinforcements, and we'll be dealing with a full-blown siege. It's too risky."

Morrison, seated on a battered chair, leaned forward, his brow furrowed. "And if you miss? Or they see you before you take your shot? They'll overrun the building, and we'll be stuck fighting them off from the inside while walkers close in on all sides. No. That plan's too risky."

Kate exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We need a way to divide their attention. Something that'll give us a chance to act without drawing the whole damn horde down on us."

Chris unfolded a smaller map of the station's surroundings, pointing to the east side. "This route here. It's covered enough that we can sneak around without being seen. If we circle back and get to the basement window behind the station, we can warn the people inside."

Kate's brow furrowed. "The basement window?"

Morrison nodded, his face lighting up with recognition. "He's right. There's a small window back there, hidden by that big oak tree. It's barely noticeable unless you're looking for it. Problem is, only a kid like Lucas could fit through it."

Daniels snorted. "Great. So now we're putting our survival in the hands of a ten-year-old?"

Morrison shot him a glare. "We don't have many options, Daniels. And besides, Marcus's emergency protocol should already have most of the station's people in the basement by now. If we can warn them through the window, they can barricade every entrance and hold out until we deal with the ruffians."

Kate's ears perked up. "Marcus's emergency protocol?"

Morrison nodded. "He's got a plan for situations like this. If things go south, everyone goes to the basement. Only a handful of fighters stay on the surface to hold the line. The basement's fortified, stocked with supplies—it can hold out for days if needed."

Daniels scratched his chin. "Alright, so say we get the message to them. Then what? We still have to deal with the ruffians outside."

Kate leaned over the map, pointing to the parking lot near the station. "I can hot-wire one of the abandoned cars. Use it to create a diversion—draw the gang's attention and lure some walkers their way."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "That's a hell of a risk."

Kate shrugged. "So is every plan we've come up with. At least this gives us a chance to split their forces."

Daniels chimed in. "And while you're playing decoy, I'll take the high ground. Pick off as many of them as I can. If I keep it quiet—silenced rifle—they won't know where the shots are coming from."

Morrison frowned. "And what if they figure it out?"

Daniels smirked. "Then I'll improvise. You know I'm good at that."

Kate glanced between the group, her mind racing. "Alright. Here's how it'll go: Chris and Morrison, you'll take the east side route and sneak to the basement window. Get a message inside—tell them to lock down and hold out. Daniels, you take the high ground and pick them off when the distraction starts. I'll hot-wire the car and lead the gang away."

Chris's jaw tightened. "And if something goes wrong?"

Kate's gaze was steely. "Then we adapt. We're not letting these bastards win."

The group spent the next hour hashing out the finer details of the plan, going over each step until everyone knew their role. The weight of the situation bore down on them, but there was no time for second-guessing.

As they prepared to move out, Chris stopped Kate near the door. "You sure about this? Going out there alone to create a distraction?"

Kate met his gaze, her expression unwavering. "I don't have a choice. If we don't pull their attention, they'll be all over you and Chris the second you move. I'll be fine."

Morrison nodded reluctantly. "Just… don't take any unnecessary risks, alright? We need you."

Kate smirked faintly. "I'll do my best."

Chris caught up to her as they stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against their faces. "Hey," he said quietly, "You sure you can do this?"

Kate glanced at him, her expression softening. "Yeah. Ryan taught me back when he was fixing up dad's old truck. Said it might come in handy one day." She smirked faintly. "Guess he wasn't wrong."

Chris shifted, scanning the shadows for any movement. "Ryan sounds like he knew his stuff."

Kate's smile faltered, her tone growing softer. "He did. Always had a knack for this kind of thing. I used to just hang around, handing him tools while he worked. One day, he got tired of me sitting there doing nothing and decided to teach me how to hotwire."

"And how'd that go?" Chris asked, trying to keep her talking as the tension thickened.

Kate chuckled under her breath. "First time, I shorted the wires, and the whole thing nearly caught fire. He laughed his ass off. But after a couple of tries, I got the hang of it. Managed to get that truck running a few times before we left."

Chris nodded approvingly. "Sounds like he was a good teacher."

"He was," Kate said quietly, her voice tinged with a sadness she quickly pushed aside. 

Chris gripping his rifle tightly. "You know what to do?"

Kate gave him a quick nod, her face set in determination. "I'll lead them as far as I can. You get to that basement window and make sure everyone's ready."

"Don't do anything stupid," Chris said, his tone unusually serious.

Kate grinned faintly. "No promises."