The crowd was absolutely silent.  They had to be because no one but his crew knew anything about it.  That very thought just gave Jim a very scary realization he could only hope wouldn’t come true.

“As I said before, I am  a reasonable man,  and there is only one group of people who would most likely be responsible for recent events.” Machete Max said, focusing his attention to the rear of the prisoners, looking at someone that Jim couldn’t see. “Bring the new prisoners forward.” Machete Max waved his blade toward himself.

Jim could only watch in stunned horror as Connor, Lydia, and Veronica stepped into view.  They were being pushed forward toward Machete Max alongside the other prisoners.  They were made to stand in the front.  Guards on either side of the three of them with guns trained on them.

“You three…” Machete Max began.  “There weren’t any problems at this encampment until you three came along.  What do you know of the symbol that appeared just outside these camp walls?” 

Jim’s crew was silent.

“Was it one of you that somehow snuck out in the middle of the night in the most recent storm?”

The three remained silent.

“I then ask you one final question, what is the symbol and it’s purpose? Is it meant to incite some sort of rebellion? Because I promise you, the last time I was rebelled against, It didn’t work out so well for that individual.”

Again, there was no answer to any of the questions.  Machete Max sighed deeply, shaking his head.

“You wish to remain silent.  That is disappointing.  Things could have worked out quite well for the person with information. However, since you either don’t have the information I want, or refuse to give up said information, you leave me with no choice.” Machete Max said, coldly turning his attention back to the crowd.  “I am a man of my word, without his word, a man is nothing.  There are consequences for insubordination, and every single one of you is just as guilty as the three prisoners standing before me.  If I did nothing, you would all think me weak, no? You would all think that insubordination isn’t a big deal because there would be no severe punishment.  I promise you all, that couldn’t be further from the truth, I am a man of my word.”

Machete Max turned his attention back to Jim’s crew.  He lifted his blade and pointed it at the three of them, slowly moving his blade left to right, staring at each of them as he did so. Machete Max stopped and fixed his blade on one of them.  From Jim’s angle he couldn’t see who it was.  Jim strained to figure it out.  He hadn’t realized how tight his grip was on both the scope and the edge of the trench.

“You!” Machete Max yelled.  “Bring that prisoner up to me.”

Jim could only watch as one of the guards approached one of them.  Connor was brought out of the group.  The girls tried their best to be non-reactive, but Jim could see tears forcefully falling from their eyes.  No, this can’t be happening! Jim thought to himself with a sudden realization of what was about to happen.  Some captain he was.  His poor decision making is now going to cause the death of one of his crew?  Jim could only watch with boiling blood and ever-shaking nerves as Connor was being led up to the parapet with Machete Max.

Jim’s mind ran wild with any last minute possibilities of rescue.  His dream from last night with Veronica taking over.  ‘You’re stuck, you need to get to me.’  Connor had made his way over to the rail where Machete Max was.  Connor was instructed to face the crowd.

“These are the consequences for insubordination!” Machete Max yelled, then he pushed Connor to the edge of the rail, forcing him to lean forward.  The guards pulled his collar down to better expose his neck.

Jim, at that very moment, remembered the rest of what Veronica said in his dream.  ‘You need help from someone who you haven’t thought of yet.  He took a hard look at Machete Max, and the idea suddenly dawned on him.  He knew what he had to do.  Jim turned to Sam.

“You remember you said it would take something insane right?” Jim, shaking with nerves.  Sam looked at him very confusingly. “Meet me at that fence down there in two days, no more, no less.  I know what I have to do.  For now, run!”  Sam looked at him wild-eyed, searching for what Jim could possibly mean.

Machete Max had his Blade raised.  The girls below were now in hysterics, but still standing firm.  It was now or never for Jim.  He stood up in the trench and stepped out in full view of the fortress, the sun beating down intensely on him.

“Hey!” Jim screamed at the top of his lungs, as loudly as he possibly could.

Machete Max, who had been mid swing toward Connor’s neck stopped suddenly, and jerked his head toward Jim with a look of shock, and disbelief.  Sam was absolutely flabbergasted and horrified.

“Now’s the time to run Sam, two days, that fence.  Get out of here.” Jim said under his breath.

Sam needed no further cue.  He very quickly scrambled to crawl his way out of the trench and lay prone as he snaked his way through the brush and out of sight.

“If you wanna know about that symbol, you’d better start right here with me!” Jim shouted again, as loudly as he could.

Machete Max’s eyes narrowed and he shoved Connor to the ground beside him without looking.  His focus was completely and solely on Jim.  Jim glances down at the girls who were also looking in his direction, confused, unsure if they could believe their eyes and ears.  Jim began walking down the hill and stopped about halfway down.  Machete Max made his way to the edge of the fortress wall.

“Who the hell are you?” Machete Max yelled down at him

“I’m the guy who drew that symbol, and if you want to know more, you’re gonna let me come in and have a sit down with you.  We have business to discuss.” Jim shouted back

“Oh, we’re going to talk, but that isn’t quite how things work around here.  Guards!” Machete Max shouted.

From around the front of the fortress came three guards all with guns.  Jim stretched out his hands to show that he wasn’t armed.  The guards swarmed him, and, very roughly, started guiding him toward the front of the fortress.  Jim kept his focus on Machete Max as he followed Jim along the edge of the wall from above.  Jim rounded the corner and was brought in front of the very large front doors.  With two guards roughly handling his arms, the third guard began to open the doors.  Jim was hauled inside, now a prisoner himself.