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“This is the CDC facility, go ahead.”

“Ah, excellent. My name is Thomas Baker, and I’m the replacement mayor of our little community here. I would like to welcome you to our little town.”

“Well, we appreciate the hospitality.” Webb asked.

“Just a miscommunication, I assure you. With whom am I speaking with?”

“This is Captain Marcus Webb. Commander of the Light Reapers/101st Airborne, U.S. Army.”

“Oh, my goodness, that is a mouthful.”

“Just giving you all of it. I believe in transparency.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more, Captain Webb. Let me cut to the chase, if I may. You are in possession of a facility that we truly believe is ours. We have planned for years for this exact situation. Those plans specifically included the facility you now occupy. Hopefully, you can see the situation for what it is.”

“Ok, so let me understand this. You want this facility because it is part of your “plans”, and you want us to just hand it over to you?”

“It seems that my oratory skills have not diminished. You understand completely.”

“Mr. Baker, I am afraid we cannot do that. We have important work going on here that could benefit us, your community, and the entire country.”

“Now, that sounds quite important, and I’m sure you believe that you are doing what’s right. Here is the reality of it; you are trespassing on our property and holding on to that site when you have no right to do so. You and your associates can walk out right now, and we will allow you safe passage to go wherever you wish.”

“That sure is kind of you, Mr. Baker, and it is a generous offer. I am afraid we will have to respectfully, decline.”

Thomas let out a heavy sigh, “Captain Webb, I was hoping you would see things with more clarity, so let me see if I make things clearer for you.” Webb could hear his voice change tone.

Thomas continued, “You were engaged because you have trespassed on OUR facility, on OUR town, and on OUR carefully laid out plans. You will vacate that facility and set up in another area.”

“We are not leaving and will take our chances with the infected with which you are leading right to our doorstep!”

“Captain Webb, you are in no position to refuse or to dictate how things will go. I hold all the cards here.”

“Frankly, you hold shit, Mr. Baker.”

“Is that so? How about we ask our new distinguished guest, Mr. Priest.”

Webb let go of the mic.

Shaw was enraged again, “That cock sucking mother fucker! I’m going to rip out his fucking heart!” Allison was trying to calm him down.

“Quiet it down, Shaw. We can’t let him know he has us,” Webb pleaded.

“Captain Webb? Cat got your tongue? I’ll take it by your silence that you were not expecting that.” Thomas’s voice came over the radio with a sly and condescending tone.

“It doesn’t change things, Mr. Baker.”

“Oh, it doesn’t? Hmm, well, I can tell you Mr. Priest has been a lovely guest.”

“How do I know that you have even have him? You could have picked up a name by hearing our communications.”

“Come now, Captain Webb, do you think I would play those types of games? Mr. Priest here is a big man, with a shaved head, longer type salt and pepper beard, although his beard is quite red at this moment. Come to think of it, his entire body is significantly red. My associate, Mr. Brody, has spent some quality time with Mr. Priest. He is extremely stubborn and a tough and rugged man. There is no doubt about that. Don’t worry though, we will break him. That is, unless you give us what we want. What is rightfully ours.”

Shaw was seething at this point and was nearly at berserker mode. Webb knew he had to think of something.

“Mr. Baker, it appears you hold more in your hand than we initially thought. We will need time to mull over your offer, especially if we are to plan where we go from here. Our survival is as important to us as yours is to you.”

“Of course, Captain Webb, we completely understand. A decision of this magnitude takes some consideration. However, what you will not do is stall for time and make this a difficult transition. Do you understand me, Captain Webb?”