The Syndicate gang members assisted Arica in mending any injured Evos and offered what food and water they had on them. Cyclone seemed apprehensive about providing too much aid. They had not reached a formal agreement, but he overlooked it as a one-time emergency. Tessa expected he would use supplies as leverage in negotiations and she would be prepared for that argument.
Cyclone offered Tessa a quick tour of the airport facility. He pointed out hangars and their original uses. He pointed out any military hangars, although prefaced that information with the likelihood of those facilities already being raided for weapons. He also pointed out repair bays and cargo hangars. Someone already looted the airport, but Tessa wouldn’t be looking for the same items as survivalists. She needed materials to build a new arc.
The Syndicate led the group toward the terminals and pointed out entrances and exits stressing the security issues that might plague the location. Tessa was confident they would make the location suitable, and security would be at the top of the list.
The group of refugees seemed to settle into the international terminal picking their gates and corners to occupy. Tessa thanked the Syndicate for their help and hoped they might work together.
Cyclone still wanted to learn about the H.I.V.E intel and pressed her for information before leaving them for the evening. Tessa promised she would divulge more the following day, but there were details to discuss among their group first.
After the Syndicate left for the evening, Tessa assigned a rotating watch. They couldn’t secure the whole airport yet, but they could secure the terminal and give the group some much-needed rest. Tessa settled in at an airport security station and tested the comms to make sure they worked. She wanted the ability to warn everyone quickly and efficiently if an attack happened in the middle of the night.
Tessa chose a spot to sit and leaned up against the wall. She needed a few minutes to reflect on the day before laying down to sleep. Finn came to join her while she enjoyed her rest and reflection; she didn’t mind the company.
He sat down beside her, “You know we can’t trust Cyclone, right?”
Tessa nodded, “I doubt we can trust any of these gangs. It doesn’t change the fact that we need them on board.”
“Just be careful,” Finn cautioned. “These people don’t operate on a moral code.”
“Any suggestions?” Tessa recognized this would be a delicate operation.
“Only tell them what they need to know. I wouldn’t share the details.” It was sound advice. Tessa could always rely on Finn to tell it to her straight. It was one quality she liked most about him.
“We need to negotiate food and water. Then we bolster security and start scavenging. The more hands, the better.” Tessa knew what they needed to do, but the how was the real question.
“You’re planning to recruit the other gang, aren’t you?” Finn wasn’t stupid; he realized what they were up against.
“We’re going to have to. The real trick is to get the gangs to call a truce.” Tessa hoped they would unite under her since she had the greatest power. Finn hoped too. This reason is why he suggested she mount an offensive against H.I.V.E. Evos would follow her regardless of their alliances with one another. They all had a common enemy. And Tessa was the strongest amongst them.
“Don’t build a dictatorship like Stonewell.” Finn cautioned.
“That’s the last thing I want to do. We need a system to govern the group. Tomorrow we organize so we can divide and conquer. If everyone has a job, then the group knows what to do. We can offer a seat to each gang leader.” Tessa wanted to be fair while also maintaining control.
“Don’t give them too much control.” Finn believed the gangs would make poor choices, and the group’s wellbeing would not be their priority. They would be after power. It’s what they were best known for.
“No, we can craft this government so that the status quo remains in our favor. This group gets more votes than the gangs, and I will be the tiebreaker.” Tessa had a plan to at least get them started.
“I like it,” Finn agreed with her. “I trust your judgment, Tessa.”
8
Finn kept watch while Tessa slept and when she woke in the morning, she relieved him of his watch allowing him time to rest. They made an excellent team, and she needed him rested and ready to organize this band of misfits. She took an early morning stroll down the concourse to observe the group. Most of the refugees still slept in their makeshift quarters. The previous day had taken its toll on everyone and most were still exhausted.
Tessa gathered a few souls who awoke early to coordinate some initial efforts in organizing search parties to discover what their surroundings offered. Soon the entire group would be awake, and they would all be hungry. Tessa assembled a quick team to forage for food. First, they searched the airport and if there came up empty-handed, then they would branch out to the outlying hangars.
Tessa figured most of the easily accessible spots like abandoned restaurants, and vending machines were already looted years ago, and she was right. The group focused on areas off the beaten path. Tessa used her strength to break into locked areas of the airport and they found a few break room locations with some canned goods and bottles of water. The employee areas also featured vending machines which they broke open and collected the contents. The chips and candy would be stale, but better than nothing. Soda might not be the best choice of hydration, but it was what they had.
The food search party returned about the
