Chapter 26: Hunted

The morning sun rose over Crocari, casting its warm light across the bustling city streets. But for Edith, Zain, and the rest of the team, there was no warmth in the dawn's embrace. As they gathered in the safehouse, the atmosphere was tense, the weight of their situation pressing down on them like a suffocating blanket.

It started with a simple notification on their phones, a news report flashing across the screen. Edith's heart sank as she read the headline: "Government Agents Exposed – Wanted for Treason." Her hands shook as she tapped on the article, revealing a series of images – images of her and her team, their faces plastered on wanted posters, their names broadcast to the world.

"They've gone public," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "They've branded us as traitors."

Zain's jaw tightened as he read through the article, the words dripping with venomous lies. The government had spun their narrative, painting them as rebels, terrorists even, who had attacked without cause or provocation. The government's news report depicted the agents as dangerous rebels, a threat to the stability and security of Crocari. The broadcast painted a grim picture of the team, emphasizing their alleged crimes and portraying them as enemies of the state.

Images of the agents flashed across the screen, their faces accompanied by bold red text labeling them as "WANTED" and "DANGEROUS." The report highlighted their supposed attacks on government facilities and personnel, framing their actions as unprovoked aggression.

The news report sought to rally public support behind the government's efforts to apprehend the agents, portraying them as villains to be feared and reviled. It aimed to instill a sense of fear and mistrust among the citizens, urging them to report any sightings or information regarding the fugitives.

"We need to get out of here," he said, his tone urgent. "We can't stay in one place any longer."

But as they made their preparations to leave, another notification flashed on their screens – a live broadcast, the presidential seal emblazoned on the screen.

"We need to see this," Edith said, her voice steely with determination. "We need to know what they're saying about us."

They gathered around a small television, their eyes glued to the screen as the president stepped up to the podium, his expression grave.

"My fellow Crocarians," he began, his voice echoing through the room. "Today, our nation faces a grave threat. A group of dangerous individuals, masquerading as agents of the law, have betrayed their country and attacked our government."

The words hit Edith like a physical blow, each one a dagger to her heart. She watched in silence as the president painted them as villains, as enemies of the state.

"We will not rest until these rebels are brought to justice," the president declared, his voice ringing with authority. "We will hunt them down, wherever they may hide, and we will show them that no one is above the law."

As the broadcast ended, the room fell into stunned silence. They had known that the government would come after them, but to see themselves portrayed as criminals, as enemies of the very people they had sworn to protect, it was a bitter pill to swallow. "We can't let this deter us," Zain said, his voice firm. "We have a mission, and we need to see it through to the end."

Edith rolled her eyes, “You can’t be serious. See it through to the end? My parents now think I’m public enemy #1, and the rest of my family isn’t much different. We’re exposed and vulnerable and the government is going to try and kick us while we’re down.” Zain –frustration growing– pulls Edith over to the side and whispers, “I am thinking the same thing, but the only thing we have right now is each other and we need our team to stick together.” Edith pushes him off of her and gets in his face, “Don’t they deserve to know what we honestly think?”

“Sure, but maybe not when we have a whole country after our heads.” He said grinding his teeth. She rolled her eyes, and grabbed his arm leading them back to the group. She stood in front of them, “I was out of line, I’m sorry.”

The group looked at the two confused, since when did Edith say sorry? The group exchanged puzzled glances, uncertain how to respond to Edith's unexpected apology. Kasey, always one to speak his mind, couldn't help but voice the question that hung in the air.

"Since when do you apologize?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Edith shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny, frustration bubbling to the surface, "Since I realized that we're all in this together," she replied, her voice tinged with more sass than usual. "We can't afford to let our differences tear us apart, not now."

Zain nodded in agreement, sensing the tension in the air. "She's right," he said, stepping forward to stand beside Edith. "We need to stick together, now more than ever."

The rest of the team exchanged uncertain glances, still unsure of what had prompted this sudden change in Edith's demeanor. But as they looked from Edith to Zain and back again, they saw a determination in their eyes, a shared resolve to face whatever challenges lay ahead as a united front.

Finally, Montana broke the silence with a wry grin. "Well, I never thought I'd see the day when I’d hear Zain say Edith was right?" he quipped, his tone lightening the mood. Zain rolled his eyes, "Don't get used to it," he replied.

Kasey chimed in next, his expression serious. "Alright, jokes aside, we need to figure out our next move," he said, his voice cutting through the lighthearted atmosphere. "We can't stay here forever, and we need to let our leaders know that we're alive and kicking."

Markus nodded in agreement. "We'll need to find a way to reach out to them discreetly, without alerting the government to our whereabouts," he added, his brow furrowed in thought. Cian leaned forward, his gaze intense. "And we'll need fuel to get us where we need to go," he interjected, his mind already racing with potential plans.

Edith took charge, her voice firm and determined. "We'll split up into teams. One group will work on establishing communication with our leaders, while the other secures the fuel we need," she declared, her eyes meeting each member of the team in turn. "We can't afford to waste any time." As they gathered around a makeshift table in the safe house, each member of the team brought forth their ideas and suggestions, laying out a detailed plan to execute their next moves.

Edith, ever the strategist, outlined the importance of establishing secure communication channels with their leaders. She proposed using encrypted messages and codes to ensure their messages remained undetected by government surveillance. With her background in law and intelligence, Edith meticulously mapped out the steps needed to reach out to their allies without risking exposure.

Zain, drawing on his experience in covert operations, focused on securing the necessary resources for their mission. He suggested scouting nearby locations for fuel supplies and devising a plan to acquire them without drawing attention. Zain's keen tactical mind offered valuable insight into the logistics of their operation, ensuring they had the means to carry out their plan effectively.

Meanwhile, Markus and Kasey collaborated on developing contingency plans and backup strategies in case their initial efforts were compromised. Drawing on their training and expertise, they anticipated potential obstacles and devised solutions to overcome them. Their meticulous planning and attention to detail provided the team with a sense of security and preparedness as they faced uncertain challenges ahead.

Cian and Montana offered practical insights and technical expertise, suggesting ways to maximize their resources and minimize their risk exposure. They improvised makeshift communication devices and identified vulnerable points in the government's security protocols. With this they were ready to take the government on and reclaim their freedom. 

K.M Strunk