(Recommended listening: Breaking the Code, from the "Wanted" Original Soundtrack by Danny Elfman)
Vela and Fala approached the Drone's main encampment. Enemies were littered left and right, and the two made sure to stay out of any illuminating light. A large skeletal metal structure, the jammer according to Barry, was erected near the northern corner of the camp. The Drones patrolled the premises professionally, making sure to check all areas of importance, without error.
These Drones aren't like the ones from a year ago… these Drones are trained. Vela found her attention drawn to a unique marking on the Drones' right arms. It looked like a red Drone handprint, as if they'd dipped their left hand in paint, and marked their right by grabbing it. I probably didn't notice it before because of the poor lighting… what does it mean?
"We need to do this now," Fala whispered to Vela as she checked her watch. They had three minutes to destroy the jammer and start the trip back to the caves.
"This isn't going to work," Vela shook her head. "They're too good. If we destroy the jammer, they'll notice before we have a chance to decently arm ourselves. Stealth is the priority in this mission, so we'll have to destroy it remotely."
"What did you have in mind?"
Vela reached into her boot and pulled out a play-dough like substance, and rolled it around in her left hand. With her right, she pulled an arrow from her quiver. She then mashed the two together and held it up proudly.
"C4," Vela responded. "I always keep a little on me… just in case." With a quick aim and shot, the C4 and arrow embedded themselves underneath the main dish at the top of the Jammer tower. She made a silent prayer for the arrow to be able to support the weight of the C4, then guided Fala away from the camp.
At the mine, Juno and Lupus hurriedly collected the ore required for their weapons. Ralph was an obvious miner by trade. He took Barry's list, and within seconds had identified all the material they'd need. At thirty seconds to spare, by Juno's watch, he, Lupus and Ralph were on their way out of the caves.
The other Tribals had gone ahead of them, led by Amos and Nae to the Tribal's underground network. With their safe return, it would take a load off the team's minds. They wouldn't have to worry about what they were shooting, since everything that moved was now hostile.
Upon exiting the main entrance, Juno noticed what must have been Vela's distraction: two Drone guards crushed by a rather large tree branch. Always the subtle one, isn't she? They didn't have time to stop and hide the bodies. They needed to move now if they wanted to stay on schedule.
"I'm guessing you have a plan," Ralph spoke as he struggled to keep up with the Geminis.
"Destroy the Jammer, make a few guns, then let them do all the talking," Juno summarized. His mind was multi-tasking; he'd responded about their plan automatically, but his thoughts were on Barry. "Ralph, do you think Barry has anything to do with this?"
"Barry is the scum under every Tribal's foot," Ralph responded without missing a beat. "No one ever lets him forget it, either. He betrayed us, and anyone who decides to trust that sniveling worm is a damn fool." Ralph stopped talking for a moment to catch his breath and keep pace. "That said… no, I don't think he does. Jeff's given him a second chance, and I trust his judgement. And Barry's changed since before he went missing, too. Still sarcastic… but I can tell he still shoulders his guilt. He'll just never admit it."
"Not even a little involved?" Juno repeated to be sure.
"I'll admit… Barry can do things with technology that would make your head spin. If he was careful enough, he could pull something like this off. But then again, so could you guys."
"Point taken."
At the underground's entrance, Vela and Fala arrived a few seconds prior to Lupus, Juno and Ralph.
"Got the goods?" Vela inquired. Noticing Ralph, she gave him a quick nod of acknowledgement, which he returned promptly.
"The goods have been got." Juno replied. "How were things on your end?" He knew the answer before he'd even asked. Their radios were still out of commission, so something must have come up.
"Security was too tight," Fala explained. "We'll blow it later, when we're ready to strike."
"Guess it's better than nothing," Juno resigned. "Let's get this stuff to Barry, quick. I'll feel a lot better with a gun in my hand." Lupus barked in agreement.