CHAPTER 6
She heard people stirring back in the alcove.
“She's gone,” a man said.
“She's gone,” someone repeated.
“No, no, she is just a few feet up in the tunnels,” Mack called to them. “She is here. Rebel!” he yelled. Rebel walked back to the cove.
“I am here,” Rebel said. “What you thought it was a one-night-stand?” Laughter filled the alcove. “Pack-up the good dishes. We are leaving today.” With that the alcove erupted with cheers.
Stash pulled Rebel aside, “What is the plan, Rebel?”
“It isn't a great one, but it is one,” Rebel said. “When is the last time you guys had a loner that was taken by the Tunnel Rats?”
“It has been a long time. I told you that is not part of our culture,” Stash answered. “What are you thinking?”
“Can they track who the loner is?” Rebel asked.
“I have no idea,” Stash said.
"I'll ask Sindi," Rebel said. "Do you have a computer expert? A good hacker?"
"Yeah, umm Mack he is . . ." Stash looked around for him.
"He was on watch last night right?" Rebel said. "I know him. Okay I will talk to him. What about weapons?"
"You've seen them. Just a bunch of sticks and lumber, and now the couple knives we took off the Swabbies," Stash said.
"Okay that will have to do," Rebel said. "I am not going to say that there will be some casualties, but I hope to minimize our side's casualties and maximize theirs."
"As far as I am concerned we are mostly dead here," Stash said. "At least we will be moving toward something or trying to get out of here."
"My thoughts exactly," Rebel said. "Now who is someone on your crew who is the most convincingly intimidating?"
"Take your pick," Stash said.
"No, I need the best at it," Rebel said.
"Okay, that would be Crisper," Stash answered. "He used to burn his enemies alive."
"Trust him?" Rebel asked.
"I trust him," Stash answered.
"Great," Rebel answered. "Let me go around and gather some last minute information, and in a few hours it will get noisy around here."
"Let me know what I need to do," Stash said. Rebel put out her hand, and Stash looked at it and then reluctantly shook. "Not used to being able to get so close."
"Soon, soon," Rebel answered.
Rebel left Stash. She quietly and out of view of Vizio and Sindi pulled Crisper aside. Even during her conversation with him, she felt like he was deciding if he wanted to serve her well-done or medium-well. Rebel walked over to Sindi and pulled her into the tunnels away from the alcove to gather some more information to solidify her plan. She walked Sindi back over to Vizio. Vizio was standing against the wall, his eyes wide, and was scanning the Relos around him.
"We need your help," Rebel said to Vizio.
"I am not sure how I can help," Vizio said. "I am useless without you. That is all Sam wants from us. He had no problem sending us in here to our death."
"Yes, and I saved you from that death, so as I see it you owe me," Rebel said. "Not to mention you bucketed me."
"You got me zapped so I think we are even on that one," Vizio said.
"I will give you that," Rebel said. "But I need you to get us out of here. Will you go along with a plan to get us out?"
Sindi interrupted, "He took an oath! There is no way he or I are going to . . ."
"Shut . . . it," Vizio said to Sindi. "This is . . . I just can't . . . I don't have much of a choice," Vizio said.
"Sure you do," Sindi stated. "You can die knowing that you have stayed true to your oath."
"Can we talk somewhere else?" Vizio asked. Rebel nodded and they walked away from Sindi. "What do you want me to do?" Vizio asked.
"I need you to go with another Relo and I out to the tunnels," Rebel said.
"Then what?" Vizio said. He had irritation and anger in his voice.
"Then we wait. The Center will know it is you and another Relo standing there. If someone is paying attention they will know it is you, a Swabby, and a Relo standing there. My other thought is if you walk a pattern of letters, you can spell out something to them."
"Like what?" Vizio asked.
"What would one Swabby relay to the other Swabby?" Rebel asked. "Think."
"What am I trying to relay?" Vizio asked. "Rebel is trying to crash the Center!?"
"Easy there Swabby," Rebel said. "I don't need you to believe in the cause. I just need you to try to save your own butt right now."
"Okay, R.I.T," Vizio stated. "Relo In Transit. That is what we want them thinking right that we want to bring this Relo in?"
"Yes, exactly," Rebel answered. "Do you think that would work?"
"I would think it would?" Vizio stated. "I would recognize it if I was on the other side."
"I guess that will do," Rebel said. "So you and I go into the tunnel with a Relo and you will spell out R.I.T by walking the pattern. Then when the Retrievers come to get you, you let them take you and the Relo into the Center. In the Center you tell them you have only a few minutes and you have to talk to who is in command. You tell them that this Relo has information on the Rebel underground. You tell them that there is not only one Rebel but a small army of them out in the cities. This Relo can give them the information on it."
"Is this true?" Vizio asked.
Rebel continued, "You tell them that the Relo trusts you and you only, and in return for this information wants out of the tunnels."
"They will never make such a deal," Vizio said.
"I know that, but they will make such a deal with plans not to follow through," Rebel said.
"I am beginning to think most of them are not as honorable as I a rookie like me would hope," Vizio stated.
"Believe it," Rebel said.
"So, you understand so far the plan?" Rebel asked.
"Tunnels, R.I.T, information on the Rebel army, got it," Vizio said.
"The most important part," Rebel continued. "You tell them that you and this Relo cannot only give you this information but can also get you close enough to capture me. You tell them that you and the Relo need to be de-tracked and demand a tracker to take back to de-track Sindi. That way the three of you will have an advantage fighting. You tell them that you will re-activate your tracker when you have me."
"Okay," Vizio said. "But they probably won't let that Relo back, they will want to keep him if he has information."
"I am counting on their greed," Rebel said. "I am sure they will call Sam and he will let it happen. He wants me caught too badly."
"Okay, I got it. Who is this Relo?" Vizio asked.
"You'll find that out last minute? Got to keep my cards close to my chest ya' know?" Rebel stated. "One last thing."
"Yeah, no problem this seems completely easy so far," Vizio sarcastically stated.
"You have four minutes to convince them of this," Rebel stated. "At four minutes you will notice a bunch of Relos fanning out in search parties. You will see it on the screen. At that moment, you will have to be on your way back to the tunnel."
"But how?" Vizio asked.
"You will tell them that they are looking for you and the Relo, and if you don't get back, they will know you are missing," Rebel answered. "Four minutes from the time you step foot in the Center."
“That is not much time,” Vizio said.
"Four minutes. Repeat the plan to me, say it to me like you will say it to those in the Center," Rebel ordered. Vizio recited the orders.
"Good," Rebel said.
There was a long silence. Vizio looked down and over to Sindi and looked back at Rebel, and asked, "Do you want fries with that?"
"Yes, yes I would," Rebel answered.
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