Buck couldn't believe what he was hearing. He looked to Jai and Holly, and it seemed they were in just as much disbelief. "They come every week." Cane continued on with Samraa standing behind him. "They take everything we have, leaving nothing for my people. We starve while they eat like kings." Cane tried to stand but fell forwards, clutching his stomach. Samraa caught him before he hit the floor. "Careful Cane." She whispered. He stepped back and took his seat again and spoke, "I'm just a tired old man trying to help those around me. I'm no fighter anymore." Samraa looked at him with sad eyes. "Don't say that Cane. We're all fighters now." Cane just looked at the ground and nodded slowly. Buck looked back to Jai and Holly and nodded towards the tent door. The trio stood and excused themselves, stepping out into the cool night air. Buck looked up at the stars. They were shining brightly tonight and it was absolutely beautiful. It was a nice moment of reprieve from all the fighting, pain, and anger. "This is bullshit." He heard Holly say. He looked back down at the young woman. Her green hair was frazzled and her face was dirty. She held her shoulder where her arm was cleaved off. There was anger in her eyes, with a hint of courage. "We should help them." She said. "I'm with her." Jai agreed, standing next to her. Buck studied the pair for a moment. They were so young, their lives already filled with so much pain and suffering. They may have even just endured the beginning of the end of the world. Yet here they were. Thrown into an unknown landscape with people they didn't even know, ready to sacrifice everything for them. It filled Buck with hope. It made him think that maybe, just maybe, the world wouldn't end. That people like Jai and Holly still exist in this world. He studied them a second longer, and nodded his head with a smile. "I'm with you." He said.
Buck turned to enter the tent again, only to see Samraa stepping out in front of him. Buck was spooked, almost falling backwards. He caught himself and heard Jai and Holly chuckling. He smiled and welcomed the warm moment. He glanced over at the pair to see Holly grab Jai's hand, "let's go for a walk." She said as she winked at Buck. He felt the heat rise in his cheeks. He turned to see Samraa smiling at him. He had to look ever so slightly upwards to meet her gaze. She stepped out further, looking past Buck and up towards the stars. "It's a beautiful night." She said. Buck looked back up to the sky. "It really is." He replied. Samraa spoke without looking down. "I heard what you all said. You agreed to help us." She looked back down. "This isn't your fight, Buck. You don't owe us anything." Buck met her eyes with his own. "You took us in. You didn't know if we were good people or bad people. You and Cane took us in without a second thought. You fed us and gave us shelter. We can help you. We will help you." He saw a tear running down her face, but she quickly wiped it away, centering herself. "Thank you." She whispered. The two stood there a moment, staring at the stars. It was moments like this that Buck truly missed. Minutes passed, both standing in silence, watching the stars. "The girl with green hair. Holly." Samraa spoke up. Buck raised a brow. "What about her?" He questioned. Samraa replied, "She is terrified. The terror eats at her soul." She looked down at Buck, "I wish to help her get stronger. To teach her to subdue the terror, and replace it with courage and bravery." Buck stood straighter. "She is brave. She's one of the bravest people I've ever met. That young man, Jai? He's alive because of her, and her alone. She lost an arm because of her courage, and she has more than I could ever hope to have." Samraa replied, speaking with determination, "She does. I see it. But it is shadowed by the terror she carries with her. The fear of failure and loss. I can help her, as you are helping us." Buck thought in silence for a moment. She was right. The young woman has lost so much, her parents, her friends, her arm, of course she's scared. He slowly nodded his head. "Thank you." He said quietly. He cared for Holly and wanted to see her flourish and live a good life. Samraa may be able to push her in the right direction. "Buck, thank you again for offering your help." Samraa interrupted his thoughts, grabbing his hand as she said it. Their eyes met. "It's been so long since somebody actually cared." She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. "Goodnight Buck." She said, letting go of his hand. And with that she was gone, sinking away into the darkness of the night. Buck was in shock. He looked down at his hand and smiled. He stayed out looking at the stars for a while longer, then returned to his bed he was provided with, falling asleep with a grin on his face.
The next morning Buck was awoken by what sounded like swords clashing together. The sound filled him with panic. He shot out of his bed and ripped the tent flap open wearing nothing but his boxers. Sunlight smacked him like a truck and he brought his hands up to shield his eyes. His vision adjusted and he surveyed the scene. In front of his tent was Jai and Holly holding curved swords, with Samraa sparring with one of the other warriors of the settlement. A few people were also walking past at that moment. Everyone stopped and turned, staring at him for a second. Buck then saw the man that had held him at gunpoint. "Friend!" He exclaimed. Then Jai lost it. He fell to the ground rolling and laughing. Holly followed suit but was able to stay upright. Laughter erupted from the few walking past as well. Samraa walked through the crowd wearing a wide smile. "I'm not sure that's the best outfit to train in." She said, giving him the elevator treatment. Buck was frozen with embarrassment, and slowly backed into the tent. He threw a shirt and some pants on and made his way outside.
There were a few giggles still here and there, but Buck was already over it. In a world that may be ending, he welcomed the happy moment. "Training?" He asked as he approached. Samraa threw him a dull sword and he caught it, the blade facing downwards. "Training." She said, still smiling. Buck turned the sword around and gripped it. He had never used one before. Samraa approached quickly and took a swing at him. "Woah!" He yelled in surprise, bringing up his weapon to block. A second later and he realized he had been disarmed, with Samraa's blade at his throat, his own in the sand to his left. Her smile widened as she withdrew the weapon. "Much room for improvement." She said gleefully. She pointed the sword at Jai next. "Care for a rematch?" She asked. The look of cheer was wiped from his face and was replaced with alarm as Samraa approached with incredible speed, disarming the young man in an instant. He fell backwards on his butt with the point of her sword in his face. "I wasn't ready!" Jai said, trying to save face. Samraa just smirked and turned towards Holly, raising her weapon. "I have one arm." She said, backing away. "It matters not." Samraa replied, stepping closer. Holly raised her sword, shaking slightly. Like a bolt of lightning Samraa was on her, knocking her to the ground. "Again." She said. Holly stood up with an irritated look, readying herself. She swung at Samraa, but she dodged and danced around landing a blow on Holly's back, knocking her forwards onto her stomach. She slammed her fist into the sand and grabbed her weapon again, standing and facing Samraa. "You're scared." She said, slowly moving around Holly. Holly swung again but was parried with ease. "Your fear betrays you." Holly ran at her swinging wildly. Samraa simply stepped to the side, putting a foot out and tripping her. Holly hit the ground hard, tumbling and coming to a stop beneath Buck. Samraa approached with a hand out. "I can help you. Let me help you." Holly stared at the hand a moment, then nodded her head, grabbing it.
"Ah I see you wasted no time in training." A voice came from behind the group. Everyone turned to see Cane standing there. He had a smile on his face, but with a hint of sadness. "No time like the present!" Jai said, still brushing the sand off of himself. "Indeed." Cane replied. He looked at Buck, "I was told you decided to stay, and help with our crisis. I wish to speak with you on this matter." Buck nodded and turned back to the sparring group looking at Samraa and Holly, "Go easy on her." He said. Samraa smiled, "Not a chance." Buck then turned and followed Cane through the settlement.
"I believe I have a way you could help us. And not just you, but the EDF itself." Cane said. Buck was surprised. "I'm not even sure the EDF is still functioning. And with no way of contacting command, or anyone for that matter, how do you expect they can help us?" The pair approached the entry to Canes tent and he stopped and smiled. "Because they left behind some, how you say, toys, nearby." Buck raised a brow and entered the tent behind Cane. In the middle of the space was a wooden table with a map draped over it. "I have sent many of our warriors on scouting missions to map our surrounding area. I believe they found something worth investigating." Cane pointed at a red circle on the map. "From what they said it looks like an abandoned EDF base." Buck looked at the map with concern. "Abandoned? Or wiped out?." Cane looked up. "More than likely the latter my friend. I'm sorry. The land is scarred from battle. It looks as if both sides took immense losses." Buck caught the worried look on Canes face. "What is it?" He asked. "The base is abandoned by humans and aliens. But… It is crawling with monsters." He said. Buck took a step back and thought for a moment. He was by no means a professional soldier, and neither was Holly and Jai. It seemed Samraa could handle herself, but a sword could only go so far against giant insects that could snap a person in half with a single bite. But the base more than likely had weapons and supplies. Maybe even a working radio. If he could send a signal out that there were still fighters in the world, maybe he could help rally what's left of the EDF. What's left of everyone. And help these people from under the boot of a warlord in the process. "We will need weapons." Buck said, staring at the map. Cane let out a heavy sigh, "Another unfortunate situation we find ourselves in." He said as he walked over to his bed, reaching underneath it, speaking as he did so, "most of our weapons were taken from us. Most." He pulled his hand out revealing an old shotgun. "A buffalo series." Buck said, as Cane handed it to him. "The G3 to be exact." Cane said. Buck held the weapon in his hands and studied it. It was old, but these weapons were always reliable. Cane walked over to a nightstand and pulled out a box of shells, handing them to Buck as well. "If you choose to help us with this, talk to my people. Some of them have weapons hidden away, and some may even be willing to come with you." Buck looked at his new friend. "I will do this for you. When do we leave?" Cane sat down and replied, "Rest for now my friend. In a few days we will head out." Buck nodded and turned towards the entrance, pride and a sense of purpose rising inside of him. He would help these people. Even if he dies trying.