Three days later the boys returned with a fully loaded Patriot wagon. They couldn't have come a moment too soon. One more day of Gene's disapproving looks and Rachel's attempts at heart to heart talks and she was going to lose it.
As they rode up Charlie, Gene and Rachel went out to meet them.
"What do we got?" Charlie asked.
"Well," Miles said as he took the tarp off the wagon. "We've got boxes of uniforms, some toiletries, and other random supplies and then this little box here."
Miles pulled the box to the edge of the wagon and opened it up. Inside were little glass vials and on each were a black skull and cross bones.
Bass picked one up and looked at the label. "How cute."
"So what do we do with it?" Charlie asked.
"We destroy it." Gene stated.
"Or…" Charlie trailed off looking up at Miles. He knew what she was thinking because he was thinking the same thing. He took a quick look at Bass and knew he was thinking the same thing. Almost like the choreographed it they both nodded to Charlie signaling her to continue.
"We use it."
"What?!" Gene yelled.
"It's a good idea Charlie," Bass agreed, cutting Gene off. "We dose all of them. We exterminate all those cockroaches."
Charlie nodded in agreement.
"I can't believe what I'm hearing." Gene exclaimed. "You're talking about mass murder. I can understand it coming from him," Gene said pointing at Bass. "But not you. How can you even consider killing all those men?"
Miles could see Charlie flinch ever so slightly. He'd had just about enough of this crap.
"Gene, that's enough." Miles warned.
"An you," Gene turned to Miles. "All Rachel can say is that you've changed, well you do this and you prove that you haven't changed one bit, and you are dragging Charlie down with you."
Miles didn't want to admit that his words got to him. He looked over at Charlie, this was one hell of a life he was giving his daughter. Most fathers this day in age were teaching their children to hunt and farm, he was teaching her how to kill and destroy armies.
Bass could see Miles regret and indecision in his eyes. He knew is former best friend so well. If he could save Charlie from any hurt he would do it. But now wasn't the time to be soft. Maybe it would never be the time, at least not for them. He turned to Gene. "What if they decide to dose Rachel or Charlie or Conner? Or worse yet, capture Charlie and send her to one of those re-education camps. How would you feel then, knowing we had a weapon that could have stopped them and didn't have the stones to us it?"
"I don't like it." Gene grumbled.
"I don't care old man." Bass bit back.
"There are only five of us, how much can we really do?" Charlie asked. "We can pick at them, do a little damage but there are more soldiers coming all the time. But we all know that's not going to do any good. We have to hit them and hit them hard so they don't get back up."
Miles couldn't argue with her, not when she used his own words and tactics to make a point.
"Charlie has a point brother. We don't have an army to hit them head on, and until we do we have to use all the tools at our disposal. Unless you have a better idea."
Both Charlie's and Miles eyebrows rose at that statement. They shot each other a look, and mutually decided to keep quiet, for now.
"The majority of those men are good men. They have no idea what's going on. They are just following orders, and you're talking about killing them all." Gene said, not willing to let it go.
Miles had just about enough of Gene. "Whether you want to admit it or not Gene, we are at war. This is what war looks like."
"And what about the townspeople? What if they get infected to? Have you thought about that?"
"Collateral damage," Bass said.
Charlie wasn't as comfortable with righting the townspeople off as Bass was, but she knew that was a risk. "Grandpa this is our best option. If there was another way you have to know I'd be all for it."
"Would you Charlie? I'm not so sure."
Charlie stiffened her spine and squared her shoulders. She felt like she'd been physically slapped. She was done trying to justify herself to Gene.
"Dad that's enough." Rachel bit back at him. "You have no right to talk to Charlie like that."
"These Patriots are cautious fuckers." Miles mused, trying to get the conversation back on point. "They wouldn't release something like this without protecting their asses."
"Your right Miles," Rachel noted. "They must have an antidote or vaccine on hand."
Charlie nodded, picking up on Miles train of thought. "If we get our hands on that antidote, they won't be able cure themselves, and we'll be able to help any townspeople that accidently get infected."
Bass shot a look at Gene, "You spent a lot of time with them gramps, you know where they'd keep something like that?"
Gene thought for a moment and slowly nodded. "I think so yes."
"Great so Bass and I will go in, plant the virus, get the antidote and get out."
"Like hell," Both Rachel and Charlie said at the same time. Miles started to speak but Charlie cut him off. "You two can't do this alone and you know it. You two plant the virus, the rest of us will get the antidote."
"I hate to rain on your parade here, but do you two geniuses have a plan on how to get in?" Conner asked, speaking for the first time.
"He has a point Miles." Rachel said. "They've got the town sealed up tighter than a drum."
Miles thought for a minute than a crooked smile crossed his face. Charlie leaned in and whispered in her mother's ear. "He's got a plan."
"We are going to ride right in." Miles said as he pointed to the boxes in the wagon. "These look like they can fit about two people a piece. We hide in there, and one of us will drive us right on in wearing one of these uniforms."
"Good plan, but who is going to do the driving?" Bass asked. "I'm dead, and the three of you," he said pointing to Miles, Charlie and Rachel, "will be recognized and detained on sight."
"Yeah but he won't." Miles said as he pointed to Conner.
"Great, I leave my nice cushy home in Mexico to become a chauffeur for crazy people." Conner grumbled.
"You're still talking about mass murder." Gene said, trying one last time to talk them out of it.
"Yes grandpa we are, let's get going."
They all changed into Patriot uniforms and got into their hiding spots. Rachel was with Miles, and Bass with Charlie. Rachel gave Bass a look of warning. He raised his hands, "Don't worry Rachel I'll be a perfect gentlemen."
Charlie had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep herself from snorting. Yeah right, he'd be a perfect gentlemen, since when?
The plan was simple. Bass and Miles would deliver the virus while Rachel, Charlie and Conner got the antidote.
"Are you going to be okay Charlie?" Bass asked. "I know you aren't a fan of tight spaces."
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
The got settled into their crates and got on their way. It was indeed a cramped space, but that wasn't what was bothering Charlie. It was being this close to Bass. Her back was nestled tightly against his chest, his hand rested on her hip. Charlie tried to control her breathing, and her body's reaction to having him so damn close.
"What happened the other night, will never happen again."
"Uh huh." Bass breathed into her hear.
Charlie pushed back against him. "I mean it Bass, never again."
Bass stayed quiet, but kept his hand on her hip, slowly rubbing circles with his thumb. Charlie sighed in frustration.
"What's really bothering you Charlie?"
"Before you said when we get an army…" Charlie trialed off.
Bass knew she would pick up on that. "Yeah, well you and I both know we're going to need one."
"And of course you you're going to be the one to lead this army, right?"
"Maybe, maybe not."
Charlie was more than a little surprised by his statement. "If not you, than who?"
Bass leaned in even closer and tightened his grip on her hip, he gently kissed her neck, then whispered in her ear. "You Charlie."
Before she could respond or get over her shock, Conner called out from the front the wagon, letting them know they were approaching the gate.