Chapter 2: We Must Know

Two days had passed since the group arrived to their new home in the forest.  The transition started out rough, but it had quickly improved as everyone started to become accustomed to the normal tasks that needed to be performed in order to survive.  The group was huddled together around a fire outside the cave as Laura did her best to cook a can of beans over the fire.

"We have to ration what we have for as long as possible.  This is going to be a drawn out conflict...I can tell." Toshi stated.

"Agreed." Midnight remarked.

"Well...I have been cooking this for at least twenty minutes now.  Let's see if it is any good."  Laura suggested as she carefully pulled the can away to let it cool before she served their meal.

As they waited, Lu used his good arm to pass out the plates and silverware they took to the group.  After a few minutes, Laura took the can and dumped a small portion onto each plate, trying to give everyone as even of an amount as possible.  Once she was finished, everyone took their plate and began to eat.

"Tastes fine to me Laura."  Rose stated between bites.

Laura smiled as the rest of the group also nodded their heads in approval.

"I am thinking about heading to the city in a short while."  Midnight suddenly stated.

"Why?"  Lu asked curiously.

"I want to get an idea of what we are up against.  The more we know about our enemy, the better chance we will have to survive.  It would be a brief incursion to the outskirts of the city.  After a little recon, I make my leave and return here to explain my findings."  Midnight recommended.

"I am coming with you though.  No point in just one going along for this trip."  Tanza answered.

"Very well.  A little help always goes a long way."  Midnight replied.

"Take my camera though.  The batteries should still be good, despite how much we used it on our trip."  Rose suggested.

"Thanks, it will certainly be useful for any long-term analysis that we may have to do.”  Midnight stated.

"Just be careful...the enemy has probably set up their positions all over the city by now.  Stay there no longer than a few minutes.  There is no reason for you to get caught this early in the war." Toshi remarked.

"Will do."  Tanza answered as she went to the cave to grab the camera.

Midnight followed Tanza to gather a couple of weapons that would be used to defend themselves if the were caught.  Midnight started to rummage through the few crates of ammo that they had.  After finding the camera, Tanza joined Midnight.  Midnight strapped an assault rifle to his back while Tanza took hold of a pistol.  The two then took a couple clips of ammunition and placed them into their pockets.  Once finished, the two began to walk out of the cave and start heading towards the truck that was hidden deep within some trees.  Toshi, Rose, Laura and Lu were waiting outside the cave.

"You two be careful out there." Toshi stated.

Midnight nodded before he and Tanza walked away from the rest of the group.  They then walked through a few trees to reach the truck and stepped inside.  Midnight started the engine and began to drive through an opening.  He took it slow as he made a sharp turn around the trees to get the truck back on the main trail.  As they passed the group, they all waved goodbye before the truck vanished from sight.

Within twenty minutes, Midnight and Laura found themselves near the city limits.  Knowing this, Midnight steered off the main road and slowed his pace.  Tanza began to look for a nice place to hide.

"There."  Tanza announced as she pointed towards a massive pile of rubble that appeared to be used as a makeshift wall around the city.

After a few minutes, the truck came to a stop and the two stepped out of the truck, but Midnight left it running for a quick escape.

"How creative...using the rubble from their own attack as a makeshift barrier to prevent entry to the city."  Midnight remarked.

"There must be a lot of them if they managed to get this set up in only a couple of days." Tanza followed.

Midnight nodded as he began to search the wall for any openings that they could peek through.  It took him a while, but he eventually came upon a small gap in between some metal and concrete.  He motioned for Tanza to approach as he watched a large group of soldiers march down the road with a pair of tanks bringing up the rear.  The soldiers were dressed in gray fatigues and the tanks were painted silver and appeared to mirror the designs of the M1A1 Abrams, except that they seemed to have slightly larger main cannons.

"Looks like they are still setting up positions around the city.  It appears that they are trying to ensure that there are no surprise attacks on any side.  Whoever is in charge is rather wise in military tactics."  Tanza stated.

"Take some pictures while you can.  This would give us at least some idea of what he have to worry about.  I doubt this is all they have to offer, but it is a start."  Midnight answered.

Tanza quickly pulled out the camera and began to take several photographs.  After a few shots, Tanza noticed a marking on the tank.

"An emblem..."  Tanza whispered as she took a picture of the emblem, which was in the shape of a fiery fox with a lighting bolt piercing through its body.

She took a couple more pictures before saying, "I think that is all we need."

"Excellent.  Let's get out of here."  Midnight ordered before running back to the truck.

The two jumped inside and Midnight started to drive away, leaving themselves undetected.  The two began to discuss the strange emblem, trying to figure out who could possibly be leading the attack as they made their way home.