The two led the arrivals into the back of the truck. It was quite spacious and fit them comfortably. It could probably fit a dozen people, and so just over half a dozen was no worries.

  The green canvas-like material which covered the bed of the truck kept them relatively dry from overhead rainfall. John brought with him an electric lamp. As everyone climbed aboard and took a seat, he lit it and placed it in the center; hanging from the roof.

  John takes a seat at the head of the bed, closest to the crew cabin.

  The three from the bikes sat to his left. Crosby, Douglas and another man sat to his right.

  “Welcome, everyone.” John tells the group. “As I'm sure many of you have figured out, I am a friend of Crosby's and the leader of a resistance called the Arch Legion. You can call me John.”

  “Hey John. How's it going John.” A lot of them say. John yields the floor to them as he speaks. “Enough about me. Please, introduce yourselves.”

  “To you or to each other?” The biker in the middle asked.

  “Each other.” John replies.

  They all look at each other slightly confused as Crosby reminds John. “Boss. We all know each other already. Mount Viscera, remember?”

  “Oh. Of course.” John says, giving himself a facepalm. He looks to the bikers again as he speaks. “Right. My apologies. First day on the job. So, you three? What’re your names?”

  The middle one stands and introduces the three. “I'm Yukon, to my right is Lex, to my left is Chad.”

  The man wore a one-piece work suit extremely similar to what John used to wear when he was working at the fulfillment center.

  So did the other two. They were washed-out orange.

  John put his finger on his chin. “Good to finally meet you here. Crosby used to tell me funny stories.”

  John tries to lift their mood, but the three were all visibly down and tired. “So what movements have you all been able to be a part of?”

  “None.” Lex said as Yukon sat back down. “There was a man called Dodge who was getting a lot of momentum. He had thousands of people under his wing. We planned to seek him out, but then he was assassinated before we even got inducted. We've been running on scraps ever since.”

  “Shit. Dodge got taken out?” Crosby asked. John looked at him, seeing genuine shock on his face.

  Lex replied, leaning over. “Yep. No one even knew what happened. We only figured out he died after his cyber implants were discovered.”

  Lightning flashed as he finished that sentence. Just as the thunder followed, do did John. “What was his movement called?” John asked.

  “The Liberty Patriots.” Yukon replies. John nodded his head with a slight worry, and started moving his attention to the only one yet to be introduced. “I'll have some good work for you three if you're willing to join. We also have shelter.”

  As his head faced the man, so too did his eyes lock on.

  “What's your name?” The man stood up, his face and exposed arm cybernetic. He wore a brown denim jacket with a tall neon collar, and black cargo pants which he tucked into his boots.

  “Name's Donovan. Good to meet you John.”

  He extended his hand. John got up and leaned forward to grant a handshake, sitting back down as Donovan spoke.

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  “I’m sure Douglas told you what he does. I'm in a similar boat. I scout talent for the Anarchist Political Action Committee.”

  They all looked at him. John, the bikers, Douglas, Crosby. They all looked at him with a sudden distrust.

  “Political? Like, the government?”

  “Yes but actually no.” Donovan tries to explain. He picks up his volume as the winds begin to howl.

  “It is an incorporated entity on paper only. They have no political alignments. Their interests are solely to dismantle the system we all hate.”

  The skepticism of some of those present fades with his words, but John isn't quite yet convinced. In fact, he is noticing a problem.

  “Alright. So, you three have essentially had your movement ended right?” The three nod their heads, and so John looks to his right.

  “And you two represent the interests of what are essentially corporations?”

  “Well… that's an unfair characterization.” Donovan said. Douglas simply nodded before John spoke again, the winds subduing slightly.

  “Alright. So what exactly could an alliance with you two get us?”

  Douglas laughs at John question. “Let's cut to the chase then. The interests of my employers are to cooperate with an organization such as yours in order to target specific industries or opponents whom they see as a threat.”

  Crosby began to turn to Douglas who sat to his right. A deep look of suspicion on his face. “That did not sound like you.” Crosby tells him.

  Douglas removes his smile and looks as Crosby.

  “Do you want me to beat your ass instead?!” He yelled.

  John was quick to bring his hand to his hip holster, but Crosby laughed it off. “Oh. Nevermind. That's him.”

  Douglas shakes his head while John slowly lets go of the pistol. “Apologies for that.” Douglas said. “It's old habits. I try to be more professional on business matters.”

  John face grows serious. He holds a deeper tone to his voice as the winds calm to a soft blow.

  “Look. You can drop the professionalism. The world has enough business. If all you want to do is give us targets to take out, then give me a look at them and I'll consider it.” He moves his eyes on Donovan.

  “That applies to you too.”

  John held a commanding presence. His patience having worn thin over the wait, and broken by his expectations.

  Donovan was the first to comply. “Sounds like a deal.” He says, standing up to pull a plastic pamphlet out of his pockets. John stands too, closing distance to take it from them. Donovan has a comment as he does.

  “Y’know, it's handy they commission these archaic things. I don't suppose I can send you an email?”

  “Nope.” John replies, taking a similar pamphlet from Douglas. As he takes it, Douglas adds some spice to help convince him. “You'll be satisfied with some of the loot from these targets. Anything you find is yours to keep.”

  Donovan hops off into the rain with Douglas following suit. He looked to Crosby. “We'll keep in touch via Crosby. Let us know your decision once they've made, and we can provide technical assistance as well.”

  “Will do.” Crosby says as they both disappear into the darkness.

  That only left Yukon, Chad and Lex still sitting there. John took a seat next to Crosby as he spoke to them.

  “We'll be more than happy to take you all on board. Once we get back to base, I'm sure Crosby will be happy to give a tour.”

  “Hell yeah.” Crosby says, all who hold familiarity emanating camaraderie.

  John took the light of the roof and gave it to Yukon.

  “We'll help you get your bikes on board. You'll have to stay in the back as there's no space up front.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Yukon says, the rest standing up. Yukon takes the light and hops off the vehicle, followed by John, Chad, Lex and Crosby. They stay close in the howling night as they proceed to load the bikes on board. The three try to get comfy in the truck bed. John closes the rear latch. As the two get in the cabin and turn it on, John hands Crosby the pamphlet.

  “I'll get you to tell me all about these on the way back. I want to have come to a conclusion by the time we get there.”

  “You got it boss.” Crosby replies.