Hours from the ordeal, night sets in as Rick, Michonne, Daryl, Tessa, Sasha, Abraham, Rosita, Morgan, Carol and, a few others are gathered in the main house listening to Tessa.
"His name is General Constantine and he rules over eighty plus soldiers in a place called New Fort Knox," starts Tessa in an eerie tone. When the outbreak happened, he and his company were apart of a disaster relief team assigned to deliver supplies across country to those needing it. But when things completely went to hell, he abandoned the mission and kept all the things he was in control of."
"So it's basically an army base? A refugee camp?" ask Abraham sitting in an arm chair near the window.
"If you want to call it that but it's far from it. The General isn't exactly leader of the year. His brutality is the reason many wish to leave. But others want him gone. Which is why he wants me dead though not so quickly.
"How did you wind up with him?" ask Morgan standing against his bow staff.
"A year ago a patrol found me and brought me back. I pulled my weight and he put me in charge of several duties. Overseeing the supply outpost was one. It's where I got the truck of supplies and it's one of two in the area."
"You said others want him dead which is why he wants to kill you. Were you one of them?" ask her cousin.
"Yes. Myself and two others lead a few in a plot to kill him. But a Judas in our group spoiled the plan and The General executed them immediately. Except Trevor and I who were spared for what he calls "The Most Dangerous Game."
"What's that? Like Gladiator or something," ask Tara with a freaked out expression of concern on her face.
"In his previous life, he found pleasure in hunting and still does but not for animals or Walkers. Hunting humans is his new challenge."
Everyone in the room is hooked on her story especially Daryl who sits with a discussed frown. The subject apparently doesn't register well with him knowing that Tessa would have gone along with this son of a bitch game.
"He selects prey by performance in the group," finish Tessa. "Usually strong opponents as they present him a challenge. He won't waist resources going after weaklings so they are executed on the spot unless he gives them the opportunity to redeem themselves through the hunt."
"Okay. That's stupid," snaps Rosita.
"Not to him. He says it's a way to keep the strong- strong while the weak is weeded out. (Beat) Selected "prey" are shackled and given little food and water for a week before released. A maximum of three Starter Hunters, usually those seeking to move up in ranks, are sent out first. They are given a time limit to end the hunt and claim their wager. If they fail, he enters the game. Then everyone becomes his prey."
"And if you refuse the game?" ask Carol.
"He'll just kill you. But on rare occasions you as prey can end the game by bringing him the Starter's heads. In return you claim whatever they wagered but you must select new prey for him to hunt. The majority just go through with it because it offers a chance of escape and that determination fuels the fire perfectly for him. He'll go the distance to find you."
"When he finds his "prey" and kills them what's next?" ask Sasha passively. "Does he… eat them?"
"No... You just stare at the world through glass eyes," says Tessa coldly. A sick, chilling silence fills the room as Rick softly closes his eyes in annoyance to this.
"Alright, that's enough," says Rick recovering. "So he's coming. I think it's obvious what we got to do. Go after this wacko and end this."
"WE" will do no such thing," snap Tessa. "I told you, this is a personal matter."
"He sent men that shot Daryl and tried to kill you. This is personal to me.
"Why do you continue to go through hell when you jus—"
"We've been through hell with people like him before."
"Who? The Saviors? Yeah, he knew about them. Negan was a playground bully compare to this guy but why he never went after him is beyond me."
"We can handle our own," assures Rick losing a bit of patience at Tessa's challenges.
"You're delusional."
"Yeah, well why don't you tell me just how "delusional"?"
"High powered rifles of all kinds? Hand grenades, mines, tanks, numbers. You got any of that?! You barely had food when I got here, Rick!"
"If he's got all that, sounds to me like you're the delusional one to try and handle this alone."
"I'm a lot more familiar with the situation than any of you," Tessa fires back.
" That's good because you're going to help us. You say he's on his way. Let 'em come. We'll round up any able numbers we have. Join forces with our allies if we must but we're not backing down nor are you turning yourself in. Matter of fact, you're not going anywhere without an escort for now on."
" I'm not going to just sit around and—"
"That's exactly what you do!" shouts Michonne. Her patience has reached it's end. "If I have to be hand cuffed to you, Tessa, you're not leaving my sight, again!"
Tessa is taken aback by Michonne's sudden temper flare and the women glare at each other. Daryl interrupts to bring it down a notch.
"No, 'Chonne," speaks Daryl calmly. They turn to him sitting on the window paine. "You've got enough responsibility. I'll watch her. With a busted leg what else have I got to do?"
Tessa glares at him with a hasty tone in her eyes.
"Daryl, she is my first responsibly and you need to recover."
"No worries. We'll be like two catfish in a skillet."
The matter comes to a close. Rick starts out of the room.
"There you have it," he says. "We get started tomorrow."
Everyone breaks off to their own business for the night. Still upset, Michonne looks to her young cousin. Tessa dare to challenge her gaze and reverts her eyes away. Michonne silently push pass as Tessa looks to dare Daryl who seems to be judging her from where he sits. Upset at Daryl, she gives him that same hasty glare before heading off upstairs. Daryl is unfazed.
In the cinderblock room of the arsenal, Daryl sits relaxed with his wounded leg propped up and watching Tessa do her assigned chore of cleaning the guns. He can tell by the way she is cleaning them that she is eating her feelings. Though not exactly rough, she cleans a piece somewhat harshly and sets it aside. Tessa could feel Daryl's eyes upon her judging or trying to figure her out. She can't stand to look up at him.
"You got something to say?" ask Tessa nonchalantly continuing her business.
"No. Do you?" says Daryl simply.
"Yeah. You really shouldn't have."
"Shouldn't have kept you alive?"
She stops her business to finally face him.
" I am as good as dead, and so is everyone else because of you. "
Daryl shrugs and relaxes in his chair seeming not to care for her claim.
"Well, we'll be dead together. You're not doing this alone- not no more. So you can just drop that 'Miss Independent' attitude."
"Then I guess I'll pick up your noble one. Ride your iron steed to rescue a damsel in distress.
"More like a distressed damsel."
Tessa squints her eyes in anger.
"You can be so full of it. It wasn't because I think I could do it alone it was—"
"I know why you did it, Tessa!" snaps Daryl. His patience finally burned out. "You want to stall the enemy. Give them what they want to throw them off our trail. You want to protect us! I get it... my brother did the same…. You feel you have nothing to offer us. You do."
Tessa listens to him in a bit of a calm yet frustrated manner.
To her, this is news to her and sort of deepens the real reason. He couldn't stop his brother so…
"Your intensions are good but stupid," he continues. "Everything Rick, 'Chonne and the others went through we did it together. So, show a little gratitude and shut up."
Daryl gets up and slightly limps to the door. Then he turns back to her.
"When I said you were family, I meant it."
He exits leaving Tessa with her thoughts.
Rick, Michonne, Daryl, Tessa, Carol and other community members gather at the Church for the biggest meeting they've had since deciding on the hoard of Walkers.
"Now everything is laid out so we do this tomorrow night," address Rick to his people.
There are a couple of new faces among them, one in particular, a male community member who has concerns about the plans to come. He stands behind a pew before Rick, Michonne, Tessa and Daryl at the alter.
"What are the options?" he ask firmly.
"There are two." Explains Tessa. "Take the base or take him by surprise."
"I opt for taking the base," says Carol.
" It will be difficult so stealth is a must," she continues. "It will have a lot more firepower and guards but if we gain control we could get Constantine to surrender."
"And what makes you think he'll do that?" ask the community member not convinced it'll be as she say.
" He has to," assures Rick. "About now he believes he's hunting only Tessa and not aware of plots like this."
"It will be him against his Army. He has a few loyalties but the others will see the shift in power and join in."
"That's the best case scenario now what the worst? You make this all sound like a walk in the park. Like they're just going to fall in line with you," challenged the member.
"I know the good ones from the bad."
"Doesn't matter. That's eighty plus trained soldiers and thirty of us."
"You don't have to go," snap Daryl calmly at the member.
"And neither do any of you," he snaps back but turns his gaze to Tessa. "I think you're out for revenge. We're doing this for you."
"You're doing this for food, medicine, firepower and two Army Vet doctors. One of which helped us," says Tessa firmly and wise. "I know you're afraid and nobodies judging you for it but if we don't take the fight to him he will find Alexandria and it will be just a whisper in the wind. If I could do it alone, I would... but I tried that- twice- and it didn't work. Now, no one's forcing anyone but if things go sour and we are even one able body short, it will be equivalent to doing it alone. It'll take as many possible if not all."
Nearly everyone silently exchange glances around the room. What she says is true but what would be the purpose of the community without the people? Then again, what would be the purpose if this General comes through and no one defends it? Is trying to fight better than not? These are just some of the many questions that race through the member's mind. Though many don't exactly know how so it would be like going to war without a sword. There are a few who has done this before against The Saviors but they are the few who survived. Rick steps forward.
"I know we're not all fighters," he starts. "Asking to put your life on the line is a hefty thing to do. So if anyone wants out just walk out but before you do be honest with yourself. If you believe you can be apart of this please do. If not, no hard feelings... you'll continue to be provided for… you won't be kicked out… It's the people that make this community whether you're out fighting for it or not. So... Anyone?"
All are silent for a moment until the doubtful man steps forward. He and boldly stare at Tessa before turning away. He walks down the aisle to the doors. Moments later, a few others follow silently until there are only a handful of people in the room.
"To be honest, the smaller our group the less likely we'll be detected," inhales Tessa. "Seems we have just enough to break into teams and penetrate the fort from all angles. Michonne and I can pair up. Rick, you and Daryl will—"
"No," interrupts Daryl. "Looks like we're evenly matched. No sense for the women to go 'bout it alone."
"You shouldn't be going at all with your leg," defend Tessa.
"I'll be fine."
Rick shoots a look in their direction and the two settle down. Afterwards, he speaks.
"Michonne and I will pair up. Sasha & Abraham, Carol & Morgan, Rosita & Spencer and Tessa you're with Daryl. The rest of you can pair off male and female but most likely you with be our second line of defense."
"We will lead them," said Rosita. "Stake out in the woods and when you need us just signal. We'll come."
"With a compound of that many we should combine a team as an over watch whilst the other two infiltrate," says Michonne.
"My background in military and Sasha's aim, I think we can handle that," says Abraham.
"Along with us," input Morgan referring to he and Carol.
"Alright that leaves Daryl, Tessa, Michonne and I to penetrate the fort," says Rick. "Tessa... Lay it out."
Tessa takes a piece of paper that is slipped in a Bible on one of the pews and begins to draw.
"Okay. We start here...," she say and begin to draw it out.