Chapter 37 : Preparing for the Attack

After some discussion, the group reached an agreement. The ruffians were too dangerous to leave unchecked. A surprise attack, launched before dawn, was their best chance to eliminate the threat for good.

Marcus laid out the plan. "We'll strike before sunrise, while they're still groggy. Daniels, Morrison, Amelia, Chris, Henry, and I will handle the assault. The rest of you will stay here, locked down. Kate," he said, turning to her, "you'll be in charge while we're gone."

Kate blinked in surprise. "Me?"

Marcus nodded. "You've proven yourself more than capable. If something goes wrong, I trust you to keep everyone safe."

Kate hesitated, glancing at the faces around her. Chris gave her a small nod of encouragement, and Morrison offered a rare smile. She straightened her shoulders, giving a firm nod in return. "All right. I'll make sure the station's secure."

Marcus turned back to the group. "We'll leave at first light. That gives us a few hours to prepare. Rest if you can. And remember—this is for all of us. Check your weapons, pack supplies, and get ready. This is for all of us. We finish this, or we don't come back."

The room grew still after Marcus's declaration. A heavy silence enveloped everyone as they processed the plan. The dim light from the lanterns flickered on their tired faces, highlighting the dirt, sweat, and dried blood that told the story of their earlier battle. Kate's stomach churned at Marcus's words—"We finish this, or we don't come back."

Marcus called the assault team into his office for one last briefing. Kate followed, taking her place near the back of the room. Marcus's eyes swept over his team—Daniels, Morrison, Amelia, Chris and Henry—before settling on Kate.

"This isn't going to be easy," Marcus began, his voice steady. "We're walking into the unknown, but we've faced worse before. The element of surprise is on our side. If we're careful and efficient, we can end this before sunrise."

He turned to Kate, his expression softening slightly. "I don't need to tell you how important it is to hold things down here. The station's survival depends on you."

Kate nodded firmly, though her stomach churned with anxiety. "I'll keep everyone safe. You focus on finishing the job."

Marcus gave her a brief but meaningful nod before addressing the group again. "We leave in two hours. Get some rest if you can."

Kate remained rooted in place as the others began to file out, murmuring among themselves about preparations. She stared at the map, tracing the crude lines with her fingers, her thoughts a chaotic mess of what-ifs.

Chris lingered, watching her quietly before speaking. "You okay?"

Kate exhaled a shaky breath. "Yeah. Just... processing."

Chris smirked lightly, leaning on the edge of the table. "You'll do fine," he said, his voice low. "Marcus wouldn't have picked you if he didn't think you could handle it."

Kate sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's not about whether I can handle it. It's about whether I make the right decisions. If something goes wrong…"

Chris placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "If something goes wrong, it won't be because of you. We're all doing the best we can here. That's all anyone can ask."

She looked at him, gratitude flickering in her eyes. "Thanks, Chris."

He gave her shoulder a squeeze before stepping back. "Get some rest. You're going to need it."

Kate nodded, though she doubted sleep would come easily tonight.

In the hours that followed, the station was a flurry of quiet activity. Daniels was stationed near the main entrance, meticulously cleaning his rifle and double-checking his ammunition. Amelia moved between the makeshift medical area and the weapon racks, ensuring everyone had what they needed for the mission. Henry, the team's quieter but steadfast member, sharpened a hunting knife with methodical precision.

Kate roamed the station, ensuring every detail was accounted for. She checked the barricades at the windows, tightened loose planks on the doors, and reassured the more vulnerable survivors that everything was under control. Lucas trailed her at times, his wide eyes filled with curiosity and worry.

"You're really in charge while they're gone?" Lucas asked as Kate knelt by the main door, reinforcing the hinges with a screwdriver.

"That's the plan," Kate replied, glancing at him with a faint smile. "Think I can handle it?"

Lucas nodded enthusiastically. "You're the strongest person I know, Kate. If anyone can do it, it's you."

Her chest tightened at his words, a mix of pride and pressure settling in her heart. "Thanks, kid. That means a lot."

He hesitated before speaking again. "Do you think Marcus and the others will come back?"

Kate's hands stilled for a moment before she forced a confident tone. "They will. Marcus knows what he's doing, and they've got each other's backs. They'll be okay."

Lucas seemed to take some comfort in her words, though the worry in his eyes remained. "Okay. I'll help Mia keep the kitchen clean while you're in charge."

Kate grinned. "Sounds like a plan. Make sure she doesn't boss you around too much, though."

Lucas giggled and ran off, leaving Kate with a small but much-needed boost of determination.

The minutes leading up to their departure were laced with a tense calm. Kate sat outside the station, leaning against the wall as the cool night air wrapped around her. The distant sounds of crickets and the occasional groan of a walker in the woods served as a stark reminder of the world they lived in.

Chris found her there, his rifle slung over his shoulder. He lowered himself onto the ground beside her, letting out a long breath. "You're quiet."

"Just thinking," Kate replied, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "This feels... different. Like something's going to change after tonight."

Chris tilted his head, studying her. "Change isn't always a bad thing."

She glanced at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You're a lot more optimistic than you let on, you know that?"

He chuckled. "Don't spread that around. I've got a reputation to maintain."

Kate laughed softly, the sound easing some of the tension in her chest. For a moment, they sat in companionable silence, the weight of their responsibilities shared but unspoken.

Finally, Chris stood, brushing the dirt off his pants. "I should get ready. Don't want Marcus yelling at me for being late."

Kate smirked. "Yeah, you wouldn't want that."

As he walked away, she called after him. "Be careful out there."

Chris turned back, his smile reassuring. "You too."

As the assault team prepared to leave, Kate watched from the station's entrance, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Marcus gave her one last look before leading the group into the darkness. She stood there for a long time, listening to the sounds of their footsteps fading into the distance.

When she finally turned back to the station, she felt the weight of her new role settle fully on her shoulders. The station was quiet, the remaining survivors looking to her for guidance.

She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. This was her fight now, too.