Everyone sat on the sofas that lined the walls of base control. Zack and Joe stood behind the large table, the map in front of them.
Shelia was in the back room; she didn't want any more information that the truth serum would reveal if her superiors injected her when and if she got back to her ship.
Zack looked around the room. "We have something to discuss before we vote on what we want to do. But first, we have some new information."
"There is a high possibility that this is a trap. Joe and I have scanned the map for a marking on it to figure out if it is or is not a trap. We found a marking, but we can't tell if it's a coincidence or if this is an actual map. So, I'm going to pass the map around with the marking in question. Then, each of you can decide if you want to take the chance or not," Zack explained.
Joe cut in, wanting to ease everyone that this was an issue we couldn't determine. "I compared the marking and the map. It looks like it might be a mark showing this is a trap, but Zack and I agree, we can't really tell."
Everyone got up one by one. Zack and Joe showed them the mark in question on the map and the list of marks that Shelia gave them.
They each individually compared the two. "When you are ready to vote, stick the appropriate colored straw in the can," Zack began. "The can isn't see-through, so it will be a fair vote. No one will leave the room until the vote is finished, so you know that the can wasn't tampered with."
Joe picked up the can, showing it was empty, then put the lid with the little hole at the top to be able to add their straws without seeing what was already in the can, then handed out a pair of straws, one red and one green, to each person, including Zack and himself.
Everyone examined the map, walked to the can, and discreetly inserted the chosen straw.
When everyone had voted, Joe picked up the can and dumped them on the table, then separated the small pile of red and green straws. Only one straw was red. Everyone else chose to take the chance and head to the sanctuary city in hopes that it wasn't a trap.
Zack looked around the room. "It looks like we're leaving the bunker," he said. "No one stays behind."
Zack walked over to a large box, pulling out four backpacks. They only had four because the bunker was built for just four people. Each one was filled with MREs, water bottles, and a few other items needed for their trip.
Joe looked at everyone. "Zack and I filled these ourselves; each one has the exact same thing in it. We couldn't bring extra clothes; we needed the space for food and water. Each of us will have a blaster, a machete, and, if you can carry it, a crossbow with bolts or a compound bow with arrows. If you shoot one of the bows, all arrows and bolts must be retrieved," he continued. "There is also a hunting knife for each of us. Each pack has two tightly rolled wool blankets at the bottom and an aluminum pot to boil water. Zack, Carrie, and I will have a loaded holstered weapon with extra magazines. Those will be for a last resort, so we don't waste the ammo. We won't have any more in the packs. We need that room for food."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
"When are we leaving?" Jamie asked, pulling Alice close to him.
"First thing in the morning, so get some sleep," Zack said. "We are locking the place down before we leave, so if we have to come back, we can."
***
Shelia watched as the eight humans prepared to leave the safety of the bunker. She wanted to see the map to make sure they weren't walking into a trap.
Zack whispered something to Tammy that she couldn't hear and then started walking toward her, leaving Tammy behind. She was wondering what was going to happen to her since they were leaving.
Zack motioned for Shelia to follow. She nodded, then followed him into the bedroom, where she sat down on the bed and waited for the verdict on what would happen to her.
Zack looked at her for a while before he spoke. "I want to ask you what you wanted to do. I know you have concerns about the truth serum that your people will most likely inject you with. It seems you don't even want to go back, but I'm not going to assume, so I want to ask you again, what do you want to do?"
She was a little taken aback. She didn't expect to be asked what she wanted. She didn't even know what she wanted.
She thought about it for a moment, then decided, unsure if they would allow it. "I think I should go with your group. I can help spot the markings."
Zack looked at her again, taking a long pause before he answered. "If you go with us, and other humans see you or even your people see that you're helping us, they will probably kill you," he warned. "I don't want them to kill you because you're with us, but I will allow you to take the chance if you are sure you want to, knowing the risks."
Shelia could tell he worried about her. This made her smile inside. "I will take the chance if your people allow me to take it," she said.
Zack looked at her for a long while. "Are you sure? knowing what could happen?" he asked, confirming her decision. He didn't want her to change her mind halfway there.
Shelia smiled. "Yes, I'm sure. I will take the chance even knowing what could happen to me."
"All right then, we're leaving first thing in the morning. I'll make sure everyone knows you're coming. I told Joe about the list of marks you gave me and the possibility that they are placed on our way; he's the only one who knows to watch for them. He will help look for the marks, too."