Chapter 50

Chapter 50

"So, you're telling me that all of this was planned and executed without mentioning it to me?" Robert asked.

Drew was sitting at the head of the kitchen table with his hands steepled as he listened to Robert's question. The information he had learned from the captives was the worst case scenario, but it was still a scenario that everyone at the table besides Robert had considered as a possibility. It didn't make him feel any better about the situation though. Being right only confirmed that he was correct in taking a cautious approach with the town's people. Explaining the situation and information to Robert went as well as he expected, which is to say, not well at all.

"That's correct." Drew said.

"Why wasn't I informed of this plan to kidnap people for information?" Robert followed up.

"You weren't informed because the very idea itself would go against your moral compass." Drew answered.

"I was left out so I wouldn't make a big stink about things, is that it?"

"Basically? Yes."

"Was this your decision, Drew?" Robert inquired with narrowed eyes.

"Yes, although ultimately the decision was unanimous, I was the one who made the final decision."

"I see. I'm not happy about this, and it could have been handled in a more diplomatic fashion, but this is your property, and people do look to you as a leader." Robert said in a lower tone than Drew expected.

"Look, I'll shoot straight with you, Robert. I like you. I respect you, I respect the things that you've tried to accomplish in your life for as long as I've known you, however, the perspective you see laying in front of you differs greatly than the reality the rest of us are living in. You're unable to believe or accept anything other than the very best humanity has to offer as reality. Your original idea of approaching the town with arms wide open was not only suicidal, but also endangered the lives of everyone living here, including my closest friends and family. However, now that we have confirmation of the facts, I did want to include you." Drew explained.

"Why? Why bring me in now, after you already okayed a plan that ended with two people killed?" Robert asked.

"First of all, those two being killed was not by my hands, and their blood isn't on your hands either. Secondly, they admitted to being a part of the forces that kidnapped and killed innocent people and pets for experience, so I have no sympathy for their deaths. As to why I'm bringing you in now, that's simple. We're going to try things your way."

"My way? Why the sudden change of heart, it's obviously not guilt over the deaths of those two men?"

"There is no change of heart. I, and every other person here firmly believe that your idea is folly." Drew answered with a shrug of his shoulders.

"But... why? I don't follow."

"You're going to be bait, a bit like a Trojan Horse."

"What?"

"No matter what we did, you would notice everyone here getting ready for a rescue mission, you'd see people getting ready, putting together supplies, weapons, and what limited armor we have, and you'd know something was up. There was no point trying to hide this from you. I knew, that the moment you learned what was going on, you'd be marching to town to try and solve things with words. We're going to encourage this course of action."

"Why? How am I going to be bait or a Trojan Horse? It's not like I can store people in the spatial inventory, nor would I do anything that would promote bloodshed. You should know this, Drew."

Drew chuckled.

"Yes, yes I do know that. That's why you won't be doing anything other than what you would normally do. You're going to head into town, ask to speak to the leadership, and then you're going to be captured and dragged off to either their prison where they're holding people, or to see the town council to be killed for experience. That's your role. Nothing else. The actions they take by capturing you, and taking you to either place will thrice-confirm the information we've gathered and with your level, you will be a big enough distraction to the bad guys for us to sneak in while the security patrol is busy with you."

"Oh."

"We will try to rescue you, but just so you're aware, there's still a very real possibility that you'll lose your life. That being said, would you still want to try to talk things out with those people?" Drew questioned.

"Yes, of course I would." Robert said resolutely.

Drew sighed internally. This was exactly how he had seen things play out in his head with the conversation. He had hoped, given the confirmation of the council's crimes that Robert would be more willing to take a cautious approach, but realistically Drew knew how this talk would go. He didn't want to put Robert's life on the line when so many other options were available, but Robert was going to blow their cover either way, so they might as well use that to their advantage.

"Unfortunately, that's what I figured you'd say. I really do wish you the best of luck, and truthfully I hope that those people are still human at their core, but my gut tells me that you're going to be in grave danger." Drew said grimly, as a couple of people around the table nodded their heads.

"I must follow my heart, and follow God, in all things within this life. He teaches that..." Robert started.

"Yes, I'm well aware of what the Bible says. But just like how you feel sympathy for people who are less fortunate, I feel sympathy for people who follow faith blindly. I'm not asking you to question your faith, and I'm not asking you to change it. I know there's nothing anyone can do to dissuade your course of action, but that doesn't mean that I don't feel sympathy for you. The only thing that I ask, is that you give the people here a few hours to prepare. If we can sneak in and rescue people without bloodshed or risk, I would prefer it to be done that way."

Robert nodded his head after giving it some thought. Drew knew that the man was likely weighing the option of heading there alone, and Drew knew that would totally fuck up the rescue plan, but when Drew mentioned the possibility of saving lives without violence, he could see the cogs whirling into place within Robert's head.

"Rescuing anyone without bloodshed would be preferable. I can give you a few hours to give you that chance." Robert said.

"Good, go ahead and plan to be at the town's barricades by dawn. Everyone needs to prepare, and sleep is still very important. I suggest you spend tonight praying and setting your affairs in order." Drew said.

Robert nodded his head, and then got up from the table and walked outside. Drew leaned back in his chair and sighed. He could really go for a beer right about now.

"You don't really think we're going to be able to sneak in and out without bloodshed do you, dear?" Amber asked.

Drew shook his head.

"No. No, I do not."

"People are going to die tomorrow..." Miranda almost whispered.

"Yes. All we can do is prepare the best that we can. All plans and strategies only survive until you make contact with the enemy." Drew said lowly.

"Moltke the Elder, German Field Marshal." Spock said as he nodded his head.

Everyone turned to Spock.

"I've been reading much of Earth's History in my spare time." He said in response to the looks he was getting.

"I didn't even know who said that..." Mark commented.

"I don't think any of us did, except Spock." Drew smiled.

"Is it not common practice to quote famous people?"

"It... has fallen out of style in our generation. Most people our age often quote movies, music, and pop culture references. Although specific sayings have a way of sticking with us throughout the generations, even if we don't know who said it." Drew replied.

"I see." Spock said.

"If we're expecting bloodshed, then what's the game plan dude?" Mark asked nervously.

"The birds will be overhead and observing all movements. Anyone with darkvision will be on search and rescue, myself included. I'll use some of my minions to check the abandoned buildings for people, but if they find anyone, they will pull back and alert me. Then one of the Rescue teams will go in, make contact, and get those people out. Other minions will be in charge of leading the already contacted people to safety, before returning to ferry more folks. After sunrise, anyone without darkvision will enter the town and do the same. Our priority is to save as many people as possible." Drew answered.

"What about Robert?" Miranda asked.

"I'll have a bird following nearby, and we will be staying close by while the situation is being monitored. If we need to swoop in and save him, we will, but not by putting ourselves at risk. If we run into any unexpected issues, like the council members all being close by, then we'll have to play it by ear."

"He really might die?" Miranda asked.

"Yeah. Don't get me wrong, we will save him if we can, and I'm not about to leave a major threat like the council or their lackeys at our backs, but we will just have to see how it plays out. Preferably the council members will be by themselves and without an ass-load of security. If that's the case, we will ambush them and take them out. However, if they have every combat member of their security forces with them..."

"We leave him to his fate." Beefcake finished the thought.

Drew nodded.

"Hopefully it won't come to that, prepare for the worst, and hope for the best sort of thing. He was warned, multiple times. It's his choice if he wishes to walk into a den of vipers. Even with the soulflames, we can't match twenty people in a open conflict. Most of my minions will either be scouting, searching homes, or ferrying people to safety. Several be around in case of emergencies, but not a ton." Drew said.

Mark rubbed his chin.

"What if we switched the plan around slightly?" Mark asked.

"How so?" Drew inquired.

"What if we put off saving the princesses until after we killed the bad guys?" Mark asked in a serious tone.

"...too many video games dude. So, you're suggesting we focus on Robert, the council, and their lackeys first. Take them out, and then rescue the people?"

"Yeah, pretty much dude."

"Huh. Yeah, that would work. The people being held aren't under any immediate threats right now, and they're not being tortured or anything as far as we know. It would free up almost all my minions to support us, which would make it much less risky to take down the council and security forces. We could further bolster our strength by bringing the folks here with us. The only downside is, the more of us there are, the less likely any actual strategy will work other than bum rushing them. I'm not a general, and these people aren't soldiers, I wouldn't be able to issue orders well, or fast enough to make any difference once the enemy sees us. We'd have to rely on everyone to do the best they can." Drew pondered aloud.

"I support this plan." Beefcake nodded.

Drew turned his head to consider the Demon.

"Why's that?" Drew asked.

"Less risk. Less risk overall, and less risk to the people at this table. However..." The Demon started.

"It would be more risky for the community members, and we'd be more likely to lose some." Drew finished the Demon's thought process.

Beefcake nodded once.

"Hmmm. My friends and family always come first, so if we can mitigate that risk then I'm willing to give it a shot. The loss of any life would be regrettable, but the loss of anyone at this table is unacceptable. Not that I'm suggesting using people as meat shields or anything, but I'd much rather one of them bite the dust, than any of us. I like this idea, does anyone have any alternatives, or anything to add?" Drew asked.

The following silence provided the answer to his question.

"Alright, then let's go with that plan. If we need to change anything, then we have several hours to think about it. We'll leave here at four in the morning." Drew said.

The meeting broke shortly after the conversation ended. People rushed off to get ready, to get supplies, to double-check their weapons, and to get what rest they could before the operation early in the morning began. It was going to be a busy night.