CHAPTER 7
Rebel walked Vizio back to Sindi.
"Here is your man back," Rebel stated. "One tough cookie. By the way, what does R.I.T stand for?"
"Relo In Transit," Sindi said as if it was almost second nature.
"Good boy," Rebel said as she patted Vizio's head and he attempted to slap her hand away.
"Okay!" Rebel yelled. "In about 10 minutes we will come together and discuss the plan. Just give me a few minutes to talk to Stash and we will be on our way."
Rebel came back to the group and stood on a small boulder leaning against the alcove wall. Everyone stood in a crowd surrounding her careful to keep 10 feet apart from each other. She was amazed at how the 10 feet bubble was second nature to them.
"Today, I am not going to pretend I am good at making speeches or being inspirational. Today, I will speak with my actions and a plan to free Tunnel W. To free all of you. You are free to choose to come or stay. There will be no judgment or penalty either way," Rebel said.
"I agree to that. Can we all agree to that?" Stash called out. Relos around nodded in agreement.
"I have gathered information from the Swabbies and the rest of your group, and with this new knowledge and Stash and my leadership, we will be victorious today," Rebel stated. Rebel scanned the crowd and they were hanging on her every word. "We are going to storm the Center. I have the map," Rebel rolled down her sleeve and revealed a map written in black, permanent marker across her arm. "We have working knowledge of the Center, and we can overtake it."
"They have guns, and tasers," someone mumbled. "We only have sticks and boards."
"And determination, heart and a desire to be free," Rebel said. "What do you have to lose?"
"Yes, what do we have to lose?" Stash called out. Nobody spoke.
"Fear?" Rebel asked. "Fear is good, it will motivate us. It motivates us everyday. My army of Rebels are fueled on fear. Fear that things will keep heading down this path."
"Your army?" Stash asked.
"Yes, I have an army of Rebels, and I hope that if you will join the cause when you get out. It is your choice. I am not a dictator. If you enjoy a life a freedom after this, that will be payment enough to me, but I would love for any and all of you to join my army of Rebels," Rebel said.
Rebel stepped off the boulder and walked up to each Relo. She reached out her hand to each of them. Each Relo accepted her hand. She shook their hand, and shook looking them in the eyes. She leaned in and whispered something to each one. Everyone stayed silent. Sindi and Vizio stood as they watched Rebel walk around the room shaking hands.
"She has an army?" Sindi asked.
"I am not sure I believe it," Vizio asked.
"What did she ask you to do?" Sindi asked.
"Better if you don't know," Vizio said.
"Rebels . . . rebels . . . rebels," some Relos started chanting. Others joined in until it was a thunderous chant that filled the alcove. Rebel stepped back up onto the boulder and raised her hand.
"Great team spirit, however, let's not let the Center know we are coming to crash their party. Stash has all the information and will let you all know what to do from here," Rebel said. "I will catch you all later."
With that statement Rebel went over to Stash shook his hand, and walked over to Vizio.
"Showtime Swabby, let's go," Rebel said.
"He is not going anywhere without me," Sindi said.
"You sit tight," Rebel said. "Knit me a sweater or make me a friendship bracelet or something while you are waiting." Vizio looked at Sindi and back to Rebel.
"I will be back. Don't worry Sindi," Vizio said. "Watch your back."
"I intend to," Sindi stated. "Watch yours."
"Yup," Vizio said. He started to outstretch his hand and walk toward Sindi and Rebel stopped him.
"Don't need a shocker before the big show," Rebel said. "Ten feet remember."
Rebel and Vizio went out of the alcove and into the tunnel.
"Who we bringing?" Vizio said. "I thought we were bringing a Relo?"
"We are," Rebel stated and looked around confused. She heard water running to her left. Then footsteps walked toward them.
"Just taking a piss . . . I mean a wiz," Mack said as he walked toward them. "Excitement on a full bladder not a good thing."
"Vizio, Mack, Mack, Vizio," Rebel said. "You good on the plan?"
"Yeah, I am a bit rusty on the . . ." Mack started.
"Need to know basis," Rebel said as she nodded her head toward Vizio. "You each know what you need to know. You are a team in there. Four minutes got it?"
"Got it," Mack said.
They walked down the tunnel away from where Mack had urinated. They walked far enough so that it was pitch black and they could not hear those in the alcove. Rebel directed Mack where to stand and instructed Vizio to start walking a wide circle around Mack.
"How long I have to do this?" Vizio asked.
"Til I say," Rebel stated.
"Stop running your mouth Swabby," Mack said. "Have some respect."
"Nothing better happen to Sindi," Vizio said.
"I told you nothing would and I have protect you two," Rebel said.
"Yeah, but now you are not there and who knows what those Relos will do to her," Vizio said.
"Rebels now not Relos, and they are loyal to me," Rebel said.
"Don't be too sure," Vizio said.
"Shut it," Mack said as he looked at Vizio. "Keep walking circles Swabby!"
"Vizio," Rebel corrected.
"Sorry Vizio," Mack corrected.
"The world would be better if we saw people for who they are not what they are," Rebel said. "What ya' think about that Mack?"
"Sounds good to me Rebel," Mack said.
"Okay Vizio, start spelling R.I.T," Rebel said. Vizio fumbled his way around in the darkness.
"Here take my night vision glasses," Rebel said as she handed him the goggles. Vizio walked a path of R then I and then T. "I think you need to make it bigger." Rebel said. "Then after the last letter walk back in a straight line. Vizio made the letters bigger.
"We all clear on the plan?" Rebel asked again.
"Yeah, I got it," Mack said. "They better not hit me! I am a wimp for that."
"What were you in here for anyway," Vizio yelled from a few letters down the tunnel.
"Umm," Mack started.
"Arson," Rebel yelled down to Vizio.
"Oh, there is a lot of that going around," Vizio said. "There was another guy in here for that."
"Oh who Crisper?" Mack called down to Vizio who was done with the three letters and walking back in a straight line to start back with R. "Crisper was a killer. I only burned buildings and stuff."
Vizio's remark let Rebel know that Crisper did have a heart to heart with Vizio.
"Vizio, when you someone shows up, throw the glasses against the wall to your right," Rebel said.
"Yeah, yeah," Vizio answered.
"Vizio you better make sure they don't punch me," Mack said. "I bruise easy, and that'll piss me off."
"Not my concern, Mack," Vizio answered.
"Tell him Rebel," Mack said. "Rebel, tell him he has to protect me." His statement was followed by silence.
"Rebel?" Vizio asked.
"Looks like she is gone," Mack said.
"Sounds like it," Vizio said. Vizio made his fourth or fifth pass at the letters when a bright light shown all around that blinded Mack and Vizio. Vizio threw off his glass, covered his eyes with his left hand and put is hand up in the air. "I am an officer. An officer!"
Two figures in head to toe black suits came out to the tunnels and grabbed Vizio and Mack. They pulled them back into the walls and the tunnel walls closed behind them.
Tunnel W Page 7