"My oh my, are my eyes deceiving me? Is that really who I think that is?"

Nakoma's face ran cold and Maxson's face was frozen stiff. She turned around and saw, standing before her, was the one person she was not ready to see yet. Standing, looming over them was Jackson. Hakan and Makya saw this and were taken back of the sudden appearance. Jackson just stared at them, examining their uniforms instead of the civilian clothes he gave them. Maxson stood at attention and saluted Jackson.

"At ease soldier, I wanted to see if everything was alright. I did approve for you guys to stay here for you to feel safer than the tower, correct?"

"Yes and we really appreciate the kindness you have given us Jackson, we are all grateful."

Nakoma bows her head as the others follow her lead as well. Jackson smirks loving what he is seeing,

"Awww don't mentioned it, I hope you're hungry, because I reserved us a spot in the dining hall for us to eat and catch up. You, captain, what's your name?"

"Oh, sir, It's Orelo sir."

"Orelo! Strong name, I love it! Why don't you come and dine with us."

Nakoma looks back and forth wondering what is going on.

"Oh no sir I couldn't, I wouldn't want to be intruding in-"

"Nonsense, I was the one asking you to join. I hardly call that intruding. Come, come, the food I have planned is to die for. Waaaay better than the dried up kind you had while staying here. Nakoma and her friends all were hesitant but followed anyway. The rest of the group saw the four of them leaving as they were in awe seeing how they knew Jackson. Jackson leaded them to another dining facility on the other side of the base. As they entered the building, they spotted two tables connected together to make one big table. Standing to the side was one figure she never expected to see again. He wore a white tux with a bow tie. He had a plague doctors mask with a top hat. And the noticeable feature on him, was the massive burning scar marks on his hands. As if they were melted off. He stands there without moving a single inch. Only turning his head as he follows them sitting to the table.

Nakoma stared at him with so much anxiousness. The masked man only stares back. Staring...staring deep into Nakoma's soul with those black eyed rims of the lenses. They sat in their chairs and waited for Jackson to finally sit.

"Bring it out if it's ready." As he said to the masked man. He slowly bowed and walk to the other room next to them. They all sat patiently waiting for the man to return.

"Soooooooo... anything happened while you were gone? Did you finish what you said you were doing before."

Jackson looked to Nakoma and gave a small smile.

"I did actually. In fact, I have caught one of your perpetrators."

"You have...?"

"Indeed, he was really young, but he refused to talk. Sad really, how young these terrorists are willing to hire. It makes me sick."

Nakoma looks to her side and sees Jackson on edge. His hand barely raised as it hovers over his pistol. The food finally arrives and smelled delicious. It was all sea food and pastas, and the group ate away in pleasure after the dried up food they had been eating. Nakoma savors her food but looks to her side to see the masked man just hoovering over her. Making her feel very uneasy. He does not move or make the slightest sound, like a ghost. She then notices that the burn marks don't just end at his hands. Just barely she can see that his neck was also burned as well. The masked man shifts his head slightly and looks directly at Nakoma.

She is startled but tries to go back to eating. Something doesn't feel right here. Something is off.

"I really enjoy days like this you know. It gives a sense of peace and tranquility."

"It sure does sir." As Maxson said still hovering over his pistol.

"You know the old world was a little like this you know. Family gatherings at the dinner table, sharing stories. Telling how their days are so on and so forth. I realize how much that old world needs to be brought back to this day. Every day I always think to myself what can I do to make the lives of this city great. Lower prices on goods? Everyone is equally right no wrongs in everything? No, what the people need is discipline."

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"Discipline? I'm not sure I understand what you mean sir."

"Take a look at yourself, a captain in my work force. You are the defenders of this city, the great protectors of the weak and sick. Against an evil threat to civilized society. We're not the backwaters of this wasteland, no. But instead, we are fighters, to the end! That is the society I am trying to uphold. We're in this situation because of what our ancestors did. All for petty squabbles and look where that got us."

"Um Jackson. I'm still new but... what happened to the world then?"

He took a sip of his drink and leaned back into his chair. "Human greed."

"Human greed?"

"Yes, greed. The old world before was consumed by it. People wanted more and more on what they have. Thrown things away that was still of value. Threw food out even knowing how spar it is now. Worrying about what clothes instead what supplies to look for next. The old world was a mess. It even affected nations with the lowest resources ever until there was nothing left to support. With how the old world was I will be bringing the value of how the world should have been. The world was baptized of nuclear fire and radiation the whole world plummeted into chaos and despair. Generations have passed and yet... we are still living in the ruins of the old world. I say no, no to all this petty surviving. I want my city my California to thrive in the desert wasteland. For too long I have dealt with many liars, cheaters, backstabbing persons all my life. Besides, don't you want anyone to help save you, especially with that wound of his?" Nakoma was puzzled on what he said last. BOOM, she jumped out of her seat and turned around. Maxson was grabbing his arm as he slouches over the table. Behind him was the masked man with a pistol right against his head.

"Now now, think carefully what you're going to do next."

The three of them stood frozen in fear trying to figure how what happened.

"What is going on! Why are you doing this!"

"Oh you're really asking me what I'm doing? Let me introduce you to my friend here. Not only is he a good chef and musician but is also one of my top infiltration officers ever. It's how I was able to figure out that you betrayed me. Pity, I truly wanted you to see the world I had envisioned. I gave you luxuries only people dare to experience, and you spat in my face."

Maxson leans over struggling as the large bullet wound stings.

"Once everything is complete, you would have wished you hadn't betrayed me woman. I'll have this city under my control again and when I do, I'll probably think about visiting your place soon. Have an old family reunion. What do you say hmm?"

"You'll leave my family out of this!"

"Ooooh there's that rebellious spark again! Death is too good for you, for all of you. Let's see how you do well with breathing iron in your lungs."

The masked man places hand cuffs on all three of them. Soldiers burst into the room with their weapons pointed at them. Nakoma's heart was pounding at the situation she was in. She tried to think of a way to get out, but no idea was good enough to escape. They forced them to walk outside with their hands behind their head. Walking out into the yard she sees the group all staring at them wondering what they had done. Zuri looks at her with such disbelief. Then they split Nakoma's friends up as she went left to a vehicle while the others went right.

"No! Let me go! Don't let them do this! Jackson! Jackson please!" She yells as she is tossed into a van. She turns around to see him staring at her emotionlessly as the doors to the van shut in her face.

It's been a day and not one word has gotten to her and the whereabouts of her friends. She sits in a dark cell waiting for the inevitable of what will happen to her. A rat passes by as it ran by her feet. She was shivering the dark cold cell kept reminding her that she failed badly. Failed the one thing she wanted to protect. Now all that's left is a broken promise on keeping the people here safe. A door can be heard opening as someone walks through the hallway.

"They really did lock you up."

That voice, she recognized that voice. She looks up to see Zuri standing in front of her

"Zuri... Is that really you...?"

"Yeah, it's me... why... why would you do this?"

She looks up seeing Zuri's face with complete betrayal in her eyes. She was holding back tears trying not to yell at Nakoma.

"Tell me why you're working with the terrorist. Tell me!"

She looks away feeling guilty on keeping it a secret. She answers to her softly, "Will you even believe anything I say If I told you? "

She takes a deep breath and listens to what she has to say.

"Go on, we have all night. Tell me exactly who you are and why should I even think you are not evil."

"We are not the bad ones, Jackson is. Have you ever wondered why there were rebellious acts against Jackson? Because he's a tyrant, sure he looks calm and collected on the surface. But deep down he loves power. I have seen it with my own eyes."

"Bullshit."

Nakoma shakes her head, "It's the truth, he's making some kind of weapon out of gas. Something that cause great amount of pain and suffering. He even tested it out on a child, a freaking child for heaven's sake! And you really think that we're the evil ones. So you're okay with murdering an innocent child is that it?"

"What- no of course not I-"

"Oh and don't forget the public execution to another innocent kid as his face was melted onto a machine."

Nakoma's blood was boiling with furry. She stands up and walks towards the cell bar doors.

"If you really wanted to protect this city and the people you love. Then don't follow orders blindly. Think for yourself and what you are actually fighting for."

"Nakoma I-"

"I'm really sorry I didn't say anything Zuri, but it was for you and other's protection that I didn't want to reveal anything. I don't want others knowing for them to get hurt like how I am to god Knows where. I truly am sorry Zuri."

Zuri doesn't know what to say she is lost in thought and slowly backs away trying to process what she just learned. She turns her balk on Nakoma

"I'm sorry, I really am Nakoma..."

The next morning, she is pulled out by the guards as they drag her out to the street. On the side of the road were other people waiting in line about to board the trailer of a semitruck. Nakoma's fears were answered as they were putting them up and forcing them onto the trailer. Now she waits to see what in store for her.