Part 32: Can they change
They were driving on the road for a few hours now, "You two doing okay," Tommy said looking at Johnny and Ellie who were sitting next to him. The firefly soldier was sitting next to the window.
"Okay for now," Ellie said before looking at Johnny who was looking ahead with a serious look on his face, "Johnny,".
"Oh sorry, whats up," he said.
"You must be feeling un easy," Tommy said while keeping his eyes on the road.
"Sorry but what did the fireflies do to the both of you," the man said.
"They almost got both of them killed," Tommy said looking serious.
"Well were not them, some of them left to join other groups," the man said.
"Did some of them come from the group in Salt Lake City," Ellie said and Johnny held his hand near his pistol. Just in case the man reacted angrily.
"Yes a friend of mine told me what happened, only a few of them joined us and the leader isn't happy with them," the man said which made Johnny and Ellie look at each other.
"Did he say why," Johnny said.
"No, but my friend told me they were close to finding a cure," the man said, "How did your group manage to make one, did you know people from Salt Lake City?" He asked.
Before any of them could respond Johnnys radio off, "Hey is anyone there," Mike said from the radio and Johnny picked it up.
"Were here, were not far off from the meeting point," Johnny said.
"Alright, we ran into a few infected but were all clear for now," Mike said.
"Okay will be there soon," Johnny said before turning off his radio. A few minutes later they stopped in front of two trucks, Johnny and Mike were reunited while the others set up camp.
"Hey Ellie did you bring any photos of Elsie," Rachel said holding a photo of Steven walking next to Sam.
"Yeah," Ellie said before taking out a photo of the two of them on a horse. Johnny was standing next to them and Tommy had taken the picture.
"You gonna teach her how to ride them someday," Tommy said.
"I don't know she was really nervous when we got her on," Ellie said.
"She seemed calm when I flew her up," Johnny said when Mike patted him on the shoulder.
"Hey I need to check my weapons, you think you can help with that," he said while looking over at the firefly.
"Yeah sure," Johnny said knowing what he meant. The two of them then stood behind a truck and Mike opened a weapon case just in case someone came by.
"Has he tried to bring you over to their side since the meeting," Mike said.
"No hes been quiet, found out earlier that a few people from Salt Lake City are with them," Johnny said.
"Damnit," Mike said, "What do we do," he said.
"We keep going, apparently the new person in charge isn't happy with them, lets just hope it's for the right reasons," Johnny said.
"Well just so you know both the former scars and WLF have no interest in joining them," Mike said.
"Thanks for that, now I can congratulate you in person," Johnny said.
"Thanks, were you feeling nervous before your wedding," Mike said smiling nervously.
'Yeah but at the end I was really happy," Johnny said smiling at the memory of that day.
"Hows Elsie," Mike said.
"Happy, but she was a little sad that me and Ellie had to come along," Johnny said looking down.
"You know, I sometimes forget thar your younger then me," Mike said, "But even I know that you cant keep this fight going forever," he said.
"I know, sometimes Im more okay with being at home with my family, but I know theres stuff to be done," he said.
"Well let other people help you, a lot of people are able to help and fight thanks to what you and the others from Jackson have done for them," Mike said.
"Maybe I should become a teacher," Johnny said smiling a little.
"Why not?" Mike asked making him look confused, "You've already taught all of your team the fighting skills you've learned," he said.
"That is true," Johnny said, "We should head back to the camp, were heading out early tomorrow," he said as the two of them started heading back to camp.
"Still could be something to think about when I get older," Johnny thought still thinking about what Mike said as they reached the camp.
The next day Johnnys truck was leading everyone else as they headed to the firefly base, "They're definitely set up enough," Tommy said as they reached a small town with guard towers.
"What do you want us to do Johnny," Mike said from the radio.
"Keep an eye out, do not give up your weapons," he said looking serious as two men stepped forward.
"Hey your back, did you bring in some new recruits," the first soldier said.
"I brought help, I need to speak with Burns right away," the man with them said making the man look confused.
"We don't want any trouble," Tommy said looking at the second soldier.
"Alright ill let him know your on the way," the first soldier said as he let the trucks through. As they went through town Johnny spotted soldiers and people dressed in regular clothes.
"Some of them must have come from other groups," Ellie said.
"They're probably just looking for somewhere to belong," Tommy said before they reached a large open area. Another soldier pointed them to an area to park.
They all got off the truck with Darren helping Mikes men take down the cure, "Were going to get this to the medical station," Darren said looking at Johnny.
"Alright, Mike do you mind looking out for him," he said and Mike nodded.
"Alright lets get this out," Mike said looking at his men.
"Got it," a former scar said as they picked up a box.
The firefly with them told a soldier to show them to their medical area. As they headed to the one in charge they passed by a recruiting station. They were handing out uniforms and pistols.
"We only give the big guns to recruits when their in a big fight," the man said.
"Well pistols are still dangerous," Ellie said looking serious.
"Well we keep an eye on people that we run into," he said before they reached a large tent.
"Im telling you we need to attack from here," a familiar male voice said making Johnny look surprised.
"No way," Tommy said.
"And I said its to dangerous," another male voice said. The soldier opened the door revealing two men standing in front of a table. The first was the second man who spoke. He had short hair and looked strong.
Next to him in a fresh uniform was, "Owen," Johnny said looking angry.
The two men looked up and Owen looked surprised before taking out his pistol. Johnny sent it flying out of his hand before taking out victory. Pointing it at the one who had nearly killed Mike who had become a friend.
"Wait its you," the short haired man said.
"You know how many peoples hes killed," Owen said pointing angrily at Johnny.
"Don't forget I know what your group almost did," the man said, "Leave, go check on Mel and see if she needs supplies," he said.
"But," Owen said.
"NOW," the man yelled making Johnny look a little surprised.
Owen walked out and gave Johnny an annoyed look, "Sorry about him, keep in mind hes only working as a scout now," the man said.
"Im Jacob burns," he said.
"Sir Im," the man who brought them said before he was interrupted.
"Go rest, im sure your friends are worried about you," Jacob said telling the man to leave and he did.
"So you know about Salt Lake City," Ellie said stepping forward.
"Yes and how would you know about it," Jacob said looking serious before Ellie revealed her bite mark scar, "Your her," he said before looking at Johnny.
"Your Johnny Grayson right," he said.
"Yeah," Johnny said before pulling up his sleeves.
"Im sorry about what happened to the two of you, trust me I make sure all the people from there are lower rank," Jacob said looking angry as he sat down.
"How can we have a future when the young are gone," he said.
"I have a daughter now, I wouldn't have had her if Joel and Johnny hadn't saved me," Ellie said.
"Trust me if I was there I would have tried to stop Marlene," Jacob said, "I have a kid of my own," he said.
"Sounds like you knew her," Tommy said.
"Yeah, did you know her," Jacob said.
"I was one for a while before I left and later met my wife," Tommy said.
"Thats good to hear, you two are standing close, am I right to assume hes your daughters father," he said looking at Ellie and then Johnny.
"Yes and hes also my husband," Ellie said looking determined as Johnny put his sword away.
"Well at least you found some sort of happiness in the world," he said.
"How did you get all these people," Johnny said.
"A lot of them are members from other groups, we left more behind to look after San Francisco," Jacob said, "Owen and Mels son are there,".
"Why weren't you with Marlene," Tommy said.
"We saw things different ways, I took people who wanted to leave and we looked for a place to live," Jacob said, "Eventually we had enough to take back a city," he said.
"We heard theres more people from Salt Lake City here," Johnny said.
"Trust me they know not to mess with you or me, they have a problem with you're here I'll deal with them," Jacob said.
"Theres something else, we didn't come here to join the fireflies," Tommy said.
"We go around helping people, your man told us what happened and we've come to help you," Johnny said looking serious.
The man sighed before speaking, "Well we could use all the help we can get, alright will talk more later, you should check on your men, Ill have someone come get you for food later," he said.
"Thanks," Johnny said.
"Wait, is Mel in the medical area," Ellie said.
"Yes, why," Jacob said.
"Johnny, Mike," Ellie said.
"No," Johnny said before the two of them ran off to the medical area with Jacob and Tommy following.
When they got close to the medical tent they could hear angry voices, "How are you alive," Owen said.
"Guess Im lucky," Mike said before Johnny ran in and found the two of them pointing guns at each other.
"Both of you stand down," Jacob said.
"I don't take orders from you," Mike said.
"I don't work with traitors," Owen said.
"Will you both stop it," Mel said stepping forward, "Wait Ellie," she said noticing her.
"Hi Mel," Ellie said.
"Mike, its only for this mission and I will be keeping an eye on him," Johnny said with his fist at his side.
"Alright," Mike said putting his pistol away.
"Owen put your gun down or Im sending you home," Jacob said stepping forward.
"No Im not leaving Mel," Owen said.
"I chose to come here," Mel said looking serious.
Owen put his gun away, "Ill talk to you later," he said looking at Mel before walking out.
"Abbys not going to be happy when she hears about this," Mike said.
"Oh so you two are together," Mel said.
"Yeah, its good to see your okay Mel, did you have the baby," Mike said.
"Yes a boy, hes at home with a friend of mine," Mel said.
"Things not okay with you and Owen," Ellie said.
"Hes been distant and wouldn't really tell me what happened in the battle," Mel said, "But enough about me, did you have your baby," she said.
"Yes, a little girl named Elsie," Ellie said smiling.
Much later in the day after walking around and Johnny telling everyone Jacob could be trusted. They mostly checked their weapons and Mike told Johnny to teach his people his fighting moves.
A soldier overheard them and brought them to a fighting ring. "Its good practice," he had told them and after a few minutes a strong looking soldier challenged Johnny. He later knocked him down after a few minutes. A few other soldiers tried and failed. Then Ellie stood up and offered to fight.
She easily took down her opponent and then kissed Johnny in front of everyone. "He taught me that," she had said after pulling away.
When it was time for food they all went to a tent with tables. They were given plates of food by the shef before sitting down, "Mind if I join you," Jacob said looking at Johnny who was sitting with Ellie and Tommy.
"No go ahead," Johnny said. But as he sat down Johnny noticed some of the fireflies looking at them.
"I know why you don't want to join, I overheard some of your people talking about your past," Jacob said.
"Were doing just fine without you," Tommy said before eating.
"Yeah and they speak a lot about the man that can fly," Jacob said.
"If your asking how Im able to you can forget about it," Johnny said before taking a drink, "Im not letting anyone else go through that," he said before showing the scars on his head.
"I know, but someday the world needs to be united, theres conflict in Europe too," Jacob said.
"You talked with people from there," Ellie said looking surprised.
"Yeah, some people tried to escape from the fighting a while back," he said.
"You want to unite them all under the fireflies," Tommy said.
"They need something to look for hope," Jacob said.
"You wont change my mind, in the end my people along with the others ive met stood together because we believed what was right,".
"I even took in a former bandit group because they thought they had no other choice," he said
"Now they work with us and have become our friends," Ellie said.
"Sounds like they changed, but do you two think the fireflies cant change," Jacob said.
Ellie looked at Johnny who was looking down. Then they heard the sound of an explosion and looked in the direction of the sound.
"Lets go," Jacob said and they all got up. They all got outside and saw another explosion.
"That's the fuel depot," one of the soldiers said.
Then they heard the sound of a jeep heading towards them. There were two men standing in the back holding assault rifles and two more in the front. Johnny jumped in front of it and sent it flying into the air. He then sent it crashing into the two people that had fallen out. The two left started to crawl out when Johnny pointed his pistol at the first one.
"What are you," he said looking nervous.
"What are you doing here," Johnny said when Jacob stood next to him.
"Did your leader send you?" He asked.
"You all aren't suppose to be this strong," the man said. Johnny then noticed he was wearing a military vest.
Then they heard the sound of gun fire near the edge of town. "Someone tie these two up," Jacob said before he and Johnny headed to the sound of gun fire. They found Owen siting on the ground looking shocked.
Steven and Mike were holding their rifles after taking down infected, "Here get up," Mike said getting Owen on his feet.
"Thanks," Owen said.
"What happened here," Jacob said.
"There were still some infected left, we found Owen when he was heading to the fuel depot," Steven said.
"A friend of mine was helping guard it today," Owen said.
"Will talk more later, head to my tent ill meet you there," Jacob said looking at Johnny who nodded. An hour later as it was sunset Johnny, Tommy and Ellie were waiting in Jacobs tent when he arrived.
"Were they trying to take us out," Tommy said.
"No, they were trying to make sure we couldn't run, not that we would since all of our vehicles are full," Jacob said before taking a seat, "Luckily the two people who were guarding the fuel depot were only injured," he said.
"They also wanted to take out as many as they could, they're still surprised by you," he said looking at Johnny.
"So what now," Tommy said.
"We attack tomorrow, or else they're going to come looking for those guys," Jacob said.
"Alright, lets rest up first and then go," Johnny said looking at Ellie who nodded.
"Lets get it done," Tommy said.