Ch 8

"Well, shit. Hey Boxer, do you have any ideas on how to do this better? Every time I run through it, I get stuck at hallway bravo leading out to courtyard omega. The guards will get there just as I get in sight of the garage."

"Why don't we just start in the garage again?" he asked.

"We need someone to override the gate commands to allow us exit and I can't drive 2 cars at once. We haven't invented good enough computers for robotic controls yet."

"We could get a third person to do it for us or we could only take one vehicle."

"We can't trust they won't tell The Boss where we've gone. Besides what would we do if one of the vehicles breaks or gets stuck out there. We don't know much about the geography outside of The Compound. Hey do you think you could tow the Off Roader behind the Truck since that is what it was built for?"

"Now you're thinking. That's the best plan yet. Are you happy with how this will work now?"

"Well happier. This means we'll both be able to move at the same time but now I won't have back up if I get pinned. That's what makes it fun, right?"

"Exactly, Now let's run through this again. We start where?"

"Well you'll start after lunch and head off to the garage to start getting the Off Roader ready just like normal; pack it with the gear necessary for a 3 day test. You know the drill; survivalist stuff, med kits, food, water, etc.. Now they'll also pack up the Truck as well so that if the Off Roader breaks or gets stuck they can pull it out. Just add in some tow chains and move the tow bar for the 4x4 out and into the open like you want to service it. Once that is done step out for your break and find me I'll be near gate control. Then you head back and wait fifteen minutes. Make sure the garage is clear, use chloroform if needed, and hook the 2 vehicles together then make the drive to the gates for testing. If everything goes right the path should be clear for just long enough to not be seen. Mean while I'll be making my way up to gate control to forcibly open the gates and retrieve wrist communicators. The only questionable thing I see now is how do we retrieve weapons and escape because only guards are allowed weapons and that's only if they are on patrol."

"Maybe you could get on the patrol roster?"

"Right, because an engineer who isn't supposed to be working till the test day 2 days from now is able to get on the guard's patrol roster for tomorrow even though it's been up for the past month and I'm not cleared for it."

"What about all those mandatory years in the military?"

"Even though we spend time in the military doesn't mean they want us working that job even if anyone can do it." Now that isn't to say it's easy because it is. It's just a reflection of The Community we live in. Here everyone goes into the military. We all work together to create the most fair and best Community possible.

"Where do the guards patrol? Maybe one comes close to the gate control?"

"Well patrols increase in density as one gets closer to important areas such as gate control so if I manage to knock one out. Maybe just maybe I can hide him in a storage closet just around the corner before the next patrol should be able to see him. Then I could act like a guard; take up the route, get close to the control room, break in, knock all of them out, open the gates and have just enough time to hop in the 4x4 as you drive out and down to the pier. Then we are 75% of the way free."

"Yeah, free from this hell hole, and free to do what we want when we want."

"Who ever thought this Community was a good idea really didn't think about the freedoms you lose by actually living here."

"What's weirder is that they would teach us about freedom and other communities and how they live and not expect someone to try and escape."

"Maybe they do and see it as a training exercise for the security forces and how well they plan it all out", I reply. "But if that were true and they truly believe knowledge is the key to success, wouldn't the past escapes and successes or failures be in our curriculum?"

"One would think so, maybe the other plots were stopped so quickly they failed before they were started, or maybe we truly are that foolish to be the first to try it."

"Only time will tell. Until then we can be sure to be as prepared as possible."

With that we left for our homes to sleep away the night. The next day came too quickly as soon as I drifted off to sleep I woke up. My first thought was 'Well that went to quickly' followed closely by 'what the hell is with all this smoke and will someone please turn off the alarm'. As my mind caught up to what was happening I realized that my house was on fire. "SHIT! I gotta go find Boxer", I say while falling out of bed.

~~~~~~

"Your first thought when waking up to find your house on fire is to go find your friend?" Twilight asks.

"Well yeah, I thought that this was in response to our planning somehow", I reply.

"You don't have your priorities straight at all."

"I'll take that into advisement but back to the story…"

~~~~~~

Rushing downstairs was harder with smoke everywhere. When I reached outside I noticed this fire wasn't just my house like I initially thought. It was covering most of The Compound. "What happened here?" I ask mostly to myself. Rushing down Foxtrot Freeway to Boxer's place I see a couple of gryphons and minotaurs that weren't so lucky as me. With burns on most of their chest or back and some that were still on fire. Amidst all the chaos I find Boxer's house. Luckily it hasn't been touched by the fire yet nor has any of this area. The fire seems to be advancing in every direction while the fire squad arrives to put it out. I rapidly knock on the door as I try to figure out what's going on. When Boxer opens the door it's obvious he has no idea what's going on.

"Why the hell are you knocking on my door at 5AM?" He immediately asks as I finally realize none of us should be up.

"Dude, I woke up to my house filled with smoke and the fire alarm going. I think this has something to do with us."

"What are you talking about?" Immediately a house across the street blows up, presumably a gas line explosion. "SHIT! We need to go. NOW!"

"Right you go to garage and I'll reach gate control."

"What?!!? Are you crazy? The Boss obviously found out and you still want to do this?" He asks incredulously.

"Dude, this is the perfect cover. To just leave amidst the chaos of the workers not sure of what's happening. All we have to do is reach a few key gas valves and set off explosions on the path out of here. Besides now the test will be delayed while they 'investigate' this event."

"Bro, you're crazy, but this could work."

We make our way towards the center of The Compound. I slowly start thinking that maybe The Company isn't behind this. Labs are on fire, glass is everywhere, Company buildings are half destroyed. "Well this makes things easier. I'll head off towards gate control and get some weapons, something tells me they won't mind."

"Meet you there, try and grab a few grenades as well, we might want those." He heads off to get the vehicles hooked up and packed as quickly as possible.

Running for the gate controls was easy enough since it seemed everyone was rushing around trying to get something under control. I opened the door ready for a fight and noticed no one covering the gate controls and immediately thought 'This is too easy'. I sat down at the chair and started the process for opening up the gate. It's a long and arduous process using valves and levers at the right time but I eventually got it open. I then rig it so it won't be able to be closed without serious help. I head off for the armory to retrieve some weapons and ammo along with some grenades.

The armory was luckily enough empty so grabbing the gear was simple but that's where my luck started slipping the ceiling collapsed covering one of the ways out and the other way just happened to have someone walk by and notice me trying to escape carrying way too much for just a patrol. They reach in and grab a gun of their own and tell me "Stop right there. Put the guns down and leave here quickly."

I immediately turn to face them. Saying I was surprised to see the Hive queen there would have been an understatement. No this queen isn't Chrysalis. Like bees, princesses are born to be successors for the hive and if you steal the princess and a couple worker drones you can make a new hive wherever you want. "Queen Shadow, What are you doing here?"

"Well I was trying to get to see The Command and find out what was going on, so imagine my surprise when an engineer is gathering arms. Are you trying to escape?"

"Queen, you should know better than to ask stupid questions. But no I'm not, I was told to get arms for the guards while they try to get whatever is happening under control", I reply hoping she buys it.

"Well then, let me help you. How many guns do you need?"

"Not much just a few more, They told me to bring the guns over to the front gate. They prolly don't want anyone escaping."

"Have you forgotten your language classes already? Or has 'Prolly' become a word since I was last in class?"

"I am truly sorry for my slip-up there. I have gotten sloppy since I left schooling but I have yet to forget it. To answer your question, no it has not become a word yet. Do you think you can carry these few guns for me? My pack is full and you have your magic."

"Certainly, lead the way."

"Please Queen Shadow, you should lead since, after all, you are a leader here."

"Correct you are. Now please, follow me." She says as she turns away and heads out carrying another 3 guns and a case of ammo for them.

Walking to the gate drew some unnecessary attention since The queen hardly ever helps a lowly worker like me. Once the gate came into view The queen became more agitated. She noted that the gate was up and immediately turned and asked "What is the gate doing up?"

"I don't know. The guards told me to meet them here. Maybe you should go see what's going on in there."

"You should stay here to guard the gate to keep anyone from leaving. I'll be just a minute."

After she turned to leave I raised my gun and before I could fire the control room blew up sending glass raining down on The Queen and me. The blast knocked the queen and me air borne and flying away from the explosion. I hit the ground pretty hard. The queen faired much worse since she was closer and was immediately knocked unconscious by the blast. When I opened my eyes what I saw made me start to panic. The gate was closing! "Shit! That blast must have destroyed the valves and pipes and released the pressure. Where the hell is Boxer?"