Reboot

Now that I was safe in Cotton Grove with my friends, we sat around a table to discuss. There was a lot to talk about.

“We can’t just run away now,” I said. “Veneta. The people there- they didn’t sign up for this. It’s a prison for crying out loud. They’re just normal folks.” I pounded the table with my fist.

“Don’t worry Robert, we’ll fix it.” Rourke volunteered to help out. “I like this town, Veneta. It’s well ventilated. Plus I lost my watch back there. Have to go back to find it.” He made me smile. I nodded to him to thank him. My eyes were wet. I shook it off. We were all sitting around the same table, looking at the same crayon map in Cotton Grove. But now Colby was with us. If he had had any doubts before, he was now solidly in our camp.

“Nice drawing,” I said lightly, sniffling. For some reason I didn’t fathom, Dutch cracked up at that and William frowned.

“How do you want to do it?” Asked Colby.

“Well they won’t be expecting another attack, so I think I’ll get my guys together and go back in.”

“But it will be different this time won’t it? More casualties?” Colby said.

“I’m afraid so. This time we have to round them up and send them back to Mooney. It has to be a clear message.”

Everyone stared at the map. We didn’t want to hurt anyone.

“I think I have a better idea,” said Colby. Everyone looked up at him.

“I could work it from within. I know a couple of people who will help me. What if we just take Millikan out. I mean shut him out. I’d be the next in line, I could then just shut the place down, no? Take over?”

We all nodded.

“I could send a message to Mooney saying that Millikan had shown gross incompetence in losing you to only three men. I don’t think that would be contested. Then hopefully, I’d stay in charge, Veneta would go back to the way it was and…”

“Voilà”… finished Dutch.

“Well there you go,” I said. “Ok, I think that’s the way to go. Rourke will back you up. Send your message quickly though, so that Millikan doesn’t beat you to it. Anyone have a better idea?”

Silence.