H Street Northwest

Downtown West

About twenty minutes later, we find ourselves in the middle of a large, overgrown street. Surrounding us on both sides are abandoned cars, some of which appear to have been intentionally placed to create a zig-zagging maze that anyone attempting an approach would have to navigate. Further ahead lies the Campus settlement, created by the military and former students of The George Washington University. This buffer zone of cars is likely to give the defenders time to prepare for an attack, if the message 'We See You' spray painted on the easily visible hood of a nearby taxi is any indication.

"You're right." Our guide Roxwell says after Sarah finishes the long story of our presence here in D.C. and our experiences in Manhattan. "That is quite the tale." Throughout our walk, he has been staying rather close to Kelly, as if assigning himself as her protector. The guardsman herself hasn't protested, in fact, I've noticed her quickly return to his side if he takes an unexpected turn or she starts to wander off.

"If you all weren't standing here, I probably wouldn't believe it." He continues with a chuckle. "But I know some people, including myself, who will be able to help you, or at least point you in the right direction."

"Good." My companion replies. "It seems like everyone else has been keeping us in the dark." She shoots a look at Faye, who doesn't notice, appearing distracted by another sign left by the Militia at the Campus.

"We Shoot On Sight." She reads aloud.

"Ah, don't worry about that." Roxwell waves off the warning. "If they see us, that means they see me. And I'm, let's say…'Well Liked' by the folks at the Campus. I've been helping the leader Henry with some jobs here and there, much like I assume your friend Dima is doing with Odessa."

At the end of the road is a makeshift barricade, consisting of construction scaffolding and a shipping container with 'Welcome to The Campus' painted on it. A lookout up above whistles when he sees us, and the container is lifted up by a crane. More Militia members appear behind it and approach us.

"Roxwell." One, a younger man toting a long double-barreled shotgun says. "Back so soon? Whose this?"

"A few new friends I made while fighting the Hyenas." He replies happily. "I also found some school books for the kids."

"Good. Come on in, Agents. It'll be good to see some new faces around."

"You guys have a school here?" I ask the guard curiously.

"Of course. This place is a school after all. We want to give the kids here as much of a normal life as we can, and Roxwell has been doing quite a surprisingly good job at that." Up ahead, the Agent in question is kneeling in front of a young girl, maybe five or six. He reaches into his Go-Bag and produces a stuffed toy dog, offering it to her. The girl accepts the toy excitedly, wrapping her arms around Roxwell's neck in a tight hug before running off to show a woman whom I assume is her mother. Roxwell pulls his bag back on and continues towards the school area.

"He has a soft spot for kids." The teenage guard says.

"That's ...actually pretty adorable." Kelly says as she passes us, still following Roxwell.

"You're practically a kid yourself, Kelly!" Sarah calls after her. She waves us off and keeps walking, then stopping to chat with a group of Militia members. Privately, Sarah's comment makes realize why Roxwell was walking so close to Kelly: She's the youngest out of all of us.

"The Campus is entirely self sustained." The guard continues as we walk further in, towards what looks like the leader's office. "We produce our own electricity with solar panels and wind turbines, collect rainwater, even grow our own crops." He points to each respective work station. The visible rooftops are covered with solar panels, with a few turbines in the taller spots. Large plastic drums are placed at the end of waterspouts, with one redirected to a large vegetable garden. A few gardeners walk carefully around the rows of plants, pulling out weeds and picking things that are ready. One tomato plant has flowers that are just opening, all of them surrounded by bees. Off to the side, one can see where they're coming from. A man sits behind a table surrounded by jars of honey, with a sign reading 'Jeff's Bees' over his head. Behind him are several hives buzzing with even more of the bright yellow insects.

"You even have a beekeeper?" Sarah asks with surprise.

"Roxwell rescued him from those Underground kooks last summer." Our guide replies with a nod. "Jeff's little bee colony has worked wonders on the garden. They make honey too, which we use to make medicine and food. He likes to give samples to the new arrivals, so I'd swing by when you get the time."

I take a glance at Sarah, always a candy lover, and can practically see her sweet tooth awakening. She shoots a sparkly-eyed grin at me as we continue.

The guard stops in front of a large conex container with the words 'Henry's Office' painted on it.

"Well, here we are. I don't know if there's anything that needs doing, but I'm sure it'll help Henry to know there are more of you Agents out there fighting the good fight." He turns to leave, but then stops.

"I'm Warren, by the way. See you around, ladies."

Entering the container, we find what resembles a Man Cave-slash-garage-slash-Bomb Shelter. Holiday lights strung up on the walls behind tall wooden shelves. Stacks of boxes containing all sorts of odds and ends. A workbench littered with tools and papers. All surrounding a lone bald man hunched over a map of D.C., with several areas highlighted different colors like Manny's. He looks up as we walk in, Faye taking the lead as usual.

"Agents. I'm Henry." He says with a level voice. "Welcome to The Campus." As he stands, I notice a cross on a simple chain around his neck.

"Faye Lau." She says officially, offering a hand to shake. "This is Jay, and Sarah. Part of my team from Manhattan." At the mention of my name, I rest my SAW against Henry's table and roll my shoulders. Jay simply waves and Henry accepts the handshake.

"Odessa said something about new Agents from New York." He says with a nod. "So I'd guess you met Roxwell?"

"That we did." I reply, stepping around Faye and leaning against Henry's table. "Does he chop off heads and give out toys often?"

The man lets a chuckle slip out. "It depends on who you are to him. Civilian, soldier, or fellow Agent? He's your new best friend. Shoot or cross him or one of his friends…..it'll be the last thing you do."

"I like him already." Jay says. I nod in agreement.

"He has a particular dislike towards the True Sons, as well as a few Rogue Agents who have been seen poking around. If you go to the Mall or any of the Dark Zones, I'd bring him along."

"Noted." Faye replies simply.

"Oh. And before I forget." Henry rummages through a nearby box for a moment, returning with a flare gun, holster and a bandolier of flares. "Here." He hands the items to Faye, who looks over them with a confused expression.

"For calling in support." Henry explains. "All the lead Agents here have them." He steps back to the map. "There are Militia patrols all over the place. If you're hitting a hard target or get in a jamb, just fire this, and help will come."

Faye's face changes to a look of worry.

"Won't that be putting civilians in danger?"

"Well armed, fully capable civilians." I quip. Faye looks at me, and her expression doesn't change.

"Trust me, Agent. The bad guys around here aren't like back in Manhattan." Henry's voice becomes low and serious. "They're hardened survivors, merciless killers. You with all your guns and fancy tech will just look like an overflowing coinpurse to them." He looks down at the flare gun, pushing it further into Faye's hands. "You need this. There aren't enough folks like you three in this world." We all exchange glances amongst ourselves. "This gun and our Militia will keep you alive."