"All of our families' life depends on this..." The leader said gravely as they finished outlining the final plan.
The cave fell silent again, the weight of their situation pressing down on everyone present.
One of them, with a noticeably younger voice, broke the silence. "What will happen to our families once the mission ends?"
The others gave him a look before the leader replied. "The families' safety is only guaranteed if the job is done."
He paused, letting it sink in before adding. "And if we fail... You know what 'they' will do to our families."
Everyone nodded heavily, the unspoken threat hanging in the air.
After a few moments of silence, the leader reached into his coat and produced a dozen small vials filled with a pale green liquid. He distributed them to each person around the fire.
"Here's the weekly antidote. Let's drink it quickly."
The leader gulped it down in one quick succession.
