They gathered back at their previous camp, quiet, thoughtful contemplation settled over them.

Exiting vehicles, they gathered and stood between them.

"Well, what do we do?" Anisha asked.

"I've been trying to work out a solution for that," Zoe replied, standing with everyone looking at her. She ran a hand through her hair. "We can't treat them as a mindless animal, I just can't bring myself to do that. I feel I would be no better than the Bloodless Pact if I did. I want to move Craig, for the good of everyone, but I can't force someone to do something."

As she caught her breath, she felt Boo put a hand on her shoulder. Glancing at her, she saw the look of trust and acceptance, also mirrored on Tyson's face next to her. Looking back at the others, Ellis nodded at her.

"You are a strong leader Zoe. Try not to doubt your choices."

"I'm trying not to," she promised, relieved that her team agreed with her. "Now we have to go back to Brisbane and convince them to leave Craig alone."

~

The trek back was too quick for Zoe, knowing she would be leading the argument for leaving Craig alone.

Rolling to a stop outside the small outpost, they were greeted and assured that the city's leaders would be there shortly.

Sitting and standing in the cool shaded room, they didn't have to wait long before several people arrived.

"Your relocation of Craig?" Jade asked, the leader who was responsible for farming in the area Craig hunted in. "Can't find him?"

Zoe shook her head. "No, we found him, but we have a problem. We can't move Craig."

"Too big for ya truck?" Keith asked. "He's a biggun, for sure."

"No, Craig is a shifter. As such, forcing another human to do something against their will is something I can't do."

"Why haven't they shifted back when we've approached?" another asked.

Sighing, Zoe swore she could feel her hair going white. "Tyson got a smattering of thoughts, unlike an animal, but similar to the thoughts of a feral."

Someone sucked in air past their teeth in a hiss.

"I get that you don't get along with feral people because they don't respect your rules, but for us, as representatives of the Community, we cannot and will not force Craig to move. Doing so will make us no better than slavers or the Bloodless Pact. What has Craig done anyway? Taken a few sheep?"

"And a pair of cows," Jade replied.

"Has Craig actively threatened anyone?" Zoe said before anyone else could.

"No, but-"

"Then leave the crocodile alone," Zoe said, standing, putting her hands on the table and leaning forward. "Move your herds away from the area. Craig will either move away in search of food or will fall prey to something bigger than him. Treat him as if we had never found him."

Taking a deep breath, she felt Tyson projecting to her, trying to assure her that she had gotten through to them.

"I'm sorry," she said in a lowered voice. "I didn't realise how strongly I felt about the issue until now, I suppose."

"No," Keith said, stepping forward. "You have nothing to apologize for. We requested help, not knowing all the details. Now we know."

"But, the herds," Jade said.

"We'll move them," Keith replied. "Zoe's right. We'd do anything to protect ours and we should consider Craig ours. We helped take in those from the Jumino, many who coudn't talk to us, Craig's no different."

The others with Keith nodded as Jade sighed in defeat. "Yeah, ya right," she admitted. "We can find more herds out there."

"I'll get a long range surveillance drone sent down," Zoe said, immediately sending the request. "I'll have it map out areas and send the info back, so as soon as it finds any wild herds, you can get them."

"Thank you," Jade said. "If you'll excuse me, got herds to tend to." Without waiting, the woman left, a few trailing her out.

"Sorry for Jade, she's rough," Keith stated as he approached Zoe. "She's just protective of her animals.

"It's okay," Zoe sighed. "In saying to not impose your will on Craig, I'm imposing my will on your city."

"Sometimes a leader hasta make the hard calls. You do it well."

"I've been told," Zoe replied, rubbing at the back of her neck where she could feel the tension. "For now, we have to continue on. It's been interesting."

Keith chuckled. "Yeah, things are more lively around here now. Safe travels."

~

Everyone, hungry after the meeting, ate a late lunch before heading their separate ways. Henrietta and Ellis loaded the truck with fruits while crates of bananas were strapped to the roof of Maddison's truck. She had claimed it and was not overly willing to let others drive if she was capable.

Henrietta and Ellis waved as they set off first, returning north where they were both required.

Zoe's group drove west, inland and away from where the teams had explored previously. The roads had been mapped by teams with drones while Atlas had been present in Brisbane last time, which meant they knew where to camp for the night.

A small city named Toowoomba came into view, their stop for the night. Brisbane traded with the smaller city, sharing produce and goods between them during leaner times. Toowoomba were happy to join the growing network of allies of the Community, immediately seeing the benefit of even having working tech on their side.

A small solar and wind power farm had been set up in and around the city, the small network powering everything needed for the area. The group were greeted warmly, given a meal and shown to lodgings.

Zoe scanned the report Nix had compiled, added a few things from herself, signed it off in both their names and sent it off. Laying back on her thin bed, she reached into her small pack and pulled out a holo projector. The image of the white whale sprung to life as she placed it on the ground near her head.

"Such a beautiful creature," Anisha said from her seat as she read a book.

"Makes you wonder what others are out there," Maddison chimed in from her own bed.

The image changed as Zoe started going through the pictures Maddison had taken. Some were flat images, while others were taken from several angles and were overlaid, giving them a 3D image.

"That's cool, didn't know you could do that with my pictures," Maddison said, standing from her bed and walking over. She raised a hand up to them, her fingertips passing through the fur of a koala. "They look quite real."

Zoe smiled warmly and patted Maddison's leg. "If you use drones to take pictures for you, I can build full images," she said, turning the image so that Maddison could see where it stopped. "I'm sure Mini and the other kids would like them."

"Will do," Maddison replied, heading back to her bed. "Put the whale back on please."

Switching the images, the whale started swimming above their heads as they drifted off to sleep to the occasional sound of a book page being turned.

~

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

"I think being near you has helped teach me something new," Tyson muttered into Boo's hair.

"Hmm?" She replied sleepily.

"I think I can suppress my Talent a little."

Boo stretched and yawned, the morning light starting to brighten their room. "You still wake up too early," she grumbled. "But that's good to hear. Maybe someday you can come live with me in the Community centre."

"Are you asking me to move in with you?"

She propped herself up on her elbow and gave him a deadpan stare. "You are so clueless for someone who can read minds."

"I don't read yours," he replied, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a hug and kiss.

"Yes, I want you with me more often," she replied, hugging and kissing back. "For now though, we need to get up and continue on. We have a hostile organization to look in on."

~

"We're going to stay in Woodville," Zoe stated. "The road we'll be following is the one our teams traveled before, so we don't need to stop, other than to greet people and check in on them. We can probably pick up some wine and grapes along the way. Anyone else want to do anything along the way?" After waiting for everyone to shake their heads, she nodded. "Let's head off then."

~

The day passed easily, Maddison driving to each stop along the way. They traded a pair of crates of bananas and some extra phones for a large case of wine and a couple of crates of grapes.

As the afternoon waned, the truck slowed to a stop in front of the church in Woodville, the residents coming out to greet the travellers.

Zoe exited, intending to just wave or shake hands with Evelynn, but being drawn into a warm hug. Her nose filled with warm, floral scents and she relaxed a little as she hugged the taller woman back.

"I'll have none of that formal stuff here," Evelynn said warmly as she released Zoe and captured Maddison in a hug. "You brought me seeds and plants and the promise of more. You are as much family to me as my own kin."

As Anisha and Boo exited the truck, before Zoe could introduce them properly, they were swept into hugs as well. Evelynn, while embracing Boo, reached past and ruffled Tyson's hair.

Greetings were had all around as the group spread out, Zoe introducing Anisha and Boo to everyone. Taking bunches of grapes and bananas, along with a bottle of wine, Zoe added them to the pair of tables that came out for food.

The warm evening air blew gently through the trees and along the road as the mingling groups ate and talked, laughed and danced, the warm summer air keeping them invigorated and awake longer than normal.

The group slept in the church while Anisha kept watch from the steeple, unable to sleep like the others.

Part way into the night she watched as a pair of hairy, ragged looking people slunk through Evelynn's gardens, taking and eating a few things. Watching, Anisha saw Evelynn come out of the house and approach the two, who perked up and approached like eager animals. She smiled warmly at them and patted their heads before handing over some of the leftover bread from earlier. The two huffed in happiness as they wandered off, eating the bread.

Evelynn stood like a parent watching them leave before turning her smile towards Anisha, beckoning her with a wave.

Drawing herself into the deeper shadows, Anisha jumped, the space around her shifting, a dull 'thump' of displaced air heralding her arrival.

"They must seem odd to you," Evelynn said to Anisha as she turned towards where the pair had gone.

"Not really," Anisha replied as she took a spot next to her. "Where I'm from in India, there is fierce competition for any and all resources, especially food. I have seen their kind before, people who have regressed to their base instincts to survive. What is odd to me is how you and they react."

"How I care for them and they respect the boundaries?" Evelynn replied, amusement in her tone. "They know what the punishment is for overstepping. I am not against ending a life and have done so before. However, my garden produces enough for many more than our town holds, so it makes sense for us to share."

"You are a generous soul. Vishnu preserve you."

Evelynn favoured Anisha with a warm, motherly smile. "Mother moon guide you," she replied, patting her on the shoulder. "You are safe here, try to relax."

Anisha gently squeezed Evelynn's hand. "I am a night person. I find the day too demanding for my tastes."

Evelynn laughed lightly. "Then I will return to my own bed. I wish you well on your travels."

"Thank you," Anisha replied as Evelynn returned inside. Stepping into the garden, she gently plucked a few green beans before jumping back to her perch in the steeple.

~

Zoe stretched, accidentally brushing against Anisha, who grumbled and rolled over.

Standing and dressing in warm weather clothing, Zoe checked the weather data, grumbling as the system told her low 40's celsius.

"What're you grumbling about?" Anisha grumbled at Zoe.

"It's going to be hot today."

"That's fine, the air con works in the truck." Standing, Anisha brushed off her clothing.

Gathering their small packs, they left the building together. Greeting the locals, they joined them for a relaxed breakfast of fruits and nuts. They left promising Evelynn they would drop by again when they could, or at least send more plants when they could.

"I'm sure I will see some of you again," she smiled warmly, embracing them a final time as they climbed into the truck. "Mark has the communications equipment and has already linked up with Brisbane. We may have to build something to house the tourists."

As the truck started its travel for the day, Anisha curled up in her bunk, the others chatting happily about inconsequential topics in the cool interior.

~

"We're coming up on the Warnervale airport," Maddison said loudly, rousing Zoe from her mindscape.

Zoe had felt the remote links connect as she opened her eyes, blinking in the bright light.

"All good?" Maddison asked, taking her eyes off the road for a moment to look at her.

"Yeah, no alerts, was just getting lost in the code. I need to do some work on the mainframe, won't take long."

Maddison nodded and turned back to the road as the airport tower came into view. The extra satellite dishes and solar panels that had been installed gleamed in the morning sunlight. Zoe sent a quick message ahead and as they arrived, Joey came out of the building, waving welcome.

~

"Thank you again," Joey said happily as Ken clung to him, arms wrapped around his neck.

"I'm just glad that we all work well together," Zoe replied, hugging Keira before scratching Ken's head. "I'm glad that you like it here. If you ever feel unsafe, head north to Woodville and Brisbane."

"Having a welcome place to stay and shelter is appreciated, and knowing there are other places to stay is great. Thank you. Safe travels."

"Thanks," Zoe replied, climbing back into the truck.

The layover had been brief, barely long enough for Zoe to do what she needed to before they continued on, wanting to get to Asquith before the nightfall.

~

~ Get those imaging sats again, ~ Zoe asked Nix as she worked on another satellite, bringing it into her network. The list lit up with orbital positions, several tagged as having imaging capabilities. ~ Take over that one and that one, ~ she requested as she started working on another.

~ Affirmative, ~ Nix replied, immediately starting to take over the traffic tracking satellites while Zoe brought more weather tracking ones into the network.

As she worked, she became aware of an extra signal that she couldn't find the source of. Small bits of incomplete data bunched up, not making any sense to Zoe before the transmission ended. Letting Nix work, she did what she could with the data, which was basically nothing. It was just strings of numbers and no decipher patterns seemed to change anything.

~ Nix, drop the sats, analyze that signal. ~

She felt the AI shift its attention to the signal, rapidly coming to the same results she had while she watched.

~ Insufficient data. Unable to triangulate origin. Data incomplete, unable to extrapolate meaning behind data. Findings inconclusive. ~

Zoe mentally sighed. ~ Thank you Nix, back to the satellites please. ~

~

Tyson called ahead, letting the remaining residents of Asquith know they were almost there.

Lerma greeted them as they parked near the fountain where Zoe had once stood, relatively fresh and inexperienced, pouring her heart out to convince people like her to join her.

"How's everything been going here?" Zoe asked that evening as the group sat around several tables, eating with the bulk of the remaining residents. "No Bloodles Pact troubles?"

Lerma shook her head. "Not at all. Tweet has done scouting flights, but the Pact have pulled back to the Campbelltown area. There's a new base there too, but not as big as their old one. Otherwise, not a peep from them."

"And how is the town faring? Enough food, kept in contact with us up north?"

"Yes to both. The crop growth here supported most of what we needed before the relocation, so it easily over supports us. Brisbane has traded with us, taking our excess and giving us fabrics and tools. Regardless of the trouble that followed you, we are all in a better position now than we were before."

Zoe felt relief wash through her. "I am truly sorry at the loss of life though."

Lerma patted her hand. "Then we were right to listen to you."

The conversation eased off into simpler topics before Maddison declared that she wished to pay her respects.

The graveyard outside the town wall was simple. Planks of wood had been shaped and chiseled with names before being planted at the gravesite.

A cairn of stones that had come from the wall was easily spotted and drew Zoe and the twins like a magnet, Boo following behind them while Anisha walked slowly behind, reading all the names.

"She was special," Maddison murmured, kneeling and gently touching the closest stone.

"I've been told," Boo said quietly as Zoe glanced at her. "I think I would have liked to meet Yasmin."

Tyson stood in silence, nodding once to Boo's statement, his hand holding on to hers.

"It was our request to Zoe that triggered these events," Maddison stated bluntly. "He still holds her death on our shoulders."

"No, it was their fault," Zoe replied. "Without my input, they likely would have done something like that anyway, and people will always die in war. All we can hope to do is make the world better with their sacrifice."

"And you have," Boo added. "With your help, you brought about change that may not have been possible, or at least, would have been slower. And, without all of your actions, we wouldn't be here, holding hands, remembering the fallen."

Tyson squeezed her hand tightly before wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. "Thank you," he whispered, turning and pulling Boo with him as they joined Anisha in their slow wandering.