Cyclone arrived providing food, water, and additional supplies. Tessa saw the gesture as an offering of goodwill, and she gratefully accepted the donation because they needed supplies. They only had enough to last a few days if they rationed.
Tessa knew Cyclone was aware of their H.I.V.E attack; there was no way he could have missed those choppers on approach. Since four helicopters flew in and only two flew back out, he also knew Tessa won and she gained two H.I.V.E choppers in the aftermath. That meant new equipment and tech, which was valuable to Evos living off the grid.
With the goodwill and pleasantries out the way, Cyclone got down the heart of his visit, “You mentioned H.I.V.E intel yesterday?”
Tessa gathered her crew, and they sat down with Cyclone’s gang members in a cozy little boardroom behind terminal security. Cyclone brought with him a blind woman and a few thugs. Tessa began to explain what she learned, “We have stumbled upon a H.I.V.E scheme called Project Genesis. An arc designed to transport humans off this rock. My friends and I stole copies of their plans and planted a virus in its place. We plan to build our own arc right here based on the H.I.V.E designs and technology. Only we plan on saving all of humanity and not just the human elite.”
Cyclone seemed both intrigued, “So we turn the tables and leave the humans here to rot? I like it!”
“You miss interpret my definition of humanity. I’m taking everyone, both humans and Evos, on my arc.” Tessa clarified her intent.
Now Cyclone was confused, “Why? H.I.V.E has tortured, experimented, and exterminated our kind.”
Tessa interrupted his tirade, “H.I.V.E has done these terrible things to Evos. Not humans. There are humans in the world just struggling to survive. H.I.V.E offers them food and medicine. All the things they need to survive. They have little choice in this world. They need H.I.V.E to survive. I will not allow them to be abandoned by us and H.I.V.E. An arc should represent a wide diversity of what Earth genetics has to offer.”
“We’re not helping humans.” Cyclone leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest in defiance.
Tessa copied his body language, “Then you can remain here on Earth to die.”
“So, it’s like that. I bring food and water, and you leave us here to die. Your own kind?”
“I was human first, and so were you. It’s easy to forget where we came from. Evos need to abandon this unnecessary hate that all humans are evil. I won’t take hate to the stars with us. This genetic disparity needs to stay behind. Leave it as a relic of our past. Something we learn from. We need to move forward toward healing.”
Cyclone attempted to press his dominance, “You need us to survive here.”
“No, we do not.” Tessa cut him short.
Cyclone scoffed at her, “You can’t protect everyone.”
Tessa shrugged him off, “We did just fine yesterday all by ourselves. I didn’t need any help while you hid in your bunkers and safe houses, hoping H.I.V.E. would neutralize your problem. Don’t pretend to be the good guy here when you have an ulterior motive. If you cared about this group so much, why did you remain hidden while they attacked us? You’re playing a dangerous game. One that I have no intention of playing.”
Cyclone slammed his hands on the table and stood in anger. His voice turned to shouting, “Why would I stick my neck out for strangers?”
Tessa remained calm in her seat, “Why would you not help one of your kind? See you are spinning my mission as a failure to help my own kind who aren’t on board with human equality. The problem with that is, I recognize this is about power. My power threatens you. There is no need to fear me. I have no intention of abusing my power to become a dictator. I want to use my power to right some of the wrongs in this world. You can be on the side of progress, or you can keep to your old ways, but either way, that choice is up to you and has nothing to do with me.”
The blind woman next to him pulled on Cyclone’s sleeve, and he sat back down. The woman whispered into his ear, and Cyclone took a moment to construct an answer. “Natalie thinks we would be foolish not to agree to join this venture. She is my wife, and I trust her judgment.” He seemed aggravated but agreed to tow the line to appease his wife.
“We are happy to have you onboard.” Tessa wasn’t sure if that was a good thing having him on board or not. “Your knowledge of Chicago is valuable, and we offer you a seat and a vote on our council. But be warned that just because you have a vote on the council, it does not mean you have a guaranteed seat on the arc. I won’t even guarantee myself a seat. That will be for the people to decide.”
Cyclone paused for a moment of thought, “I accept, and hope we can work together.”
Tessa and Cyclone rose from their seats and walked to the center of the room. Meeting to shake hands, “As long as we are at peace with one another, everything should be fine.”
Cyclone seemed ready to get to work, “First order of business?”
Tessa looked to her council of friends for suggestions. Arica spoke first, “We need to scavenge for supplies.”
“We know of good places, but some are near rival gang territory,” Cyclone warned.
Tessa found the prospect optimistic, “We hope to contact the other gangs
