Jim stood there, with tears in his eyes, unsure whether or not to believe his eyes.  It had been maybe a week or so since he had seen Veronica, but it certainly felt like so much longer.  Before he even realized it, every fiber of his being forced himself into Veronica’s arms.  The warm embrace was more satisfying than he could have imagined.  Her familiar aroma took over his entire being.  For one brief moment, there was no fortress.  There was no Machete Max.  There was no need for escape.  Only peace.  That sensation didn’t last very long when reality was very rudely ripped back into place when a guard could be heard yelling from somewhere in the center of the fortress.  Veronica’s reaction to this caused Jim emotional pain as Veronica twitched in learned horror.  A defensive pose that Jim was all too familiar with.  Jim wanted nothing more than to ask her what she’s been through, but he knew that doing so would only force her to relive whatever she’d been through.  He would wait until she was ready to talk.  For now, a hug was the only thing he could offer.  They all looked worn down, almost broken.

“So, what’s the plan Jim?” Connor asked, clearly done being where he was.

“Escape.  A few days from now.  Most likely under the cover of night.” Jim said, hoping it would lift their spirits.

“Do you have any solid plans yet?” Lydia asked.

“Sort of.  I have help on the outside.  A man I trust.  There are a few different ways we can do this, but none will be easy.  I have a few days before he will return.  That’ll give me enough time to study the layout of this place and choose the best point of exit.  What I need to know from you, is if there’s anyone in here that is trustworthy.” Jim asked, knowing time was limited.

“How do you mean, trustworthy?” Connor asked, confused.

“Someone that can give me information without asking too many questions as to why.” Jim specified.

“They don’t generally allow us to talk here too much, we mostly get tossed into the underground mines.  They can’t watch all of us all of the time, so there are conversations between all of us ‘volunteer prisoners.” Veronica informed, fighting the urge to hang her head. ‘More talk equals less work!’ Veronica said, mockingly.

Jim’s heart felt like it had been stabbed hearing the misery in Veronica’s voice.

“Wait, mines?” Jim asked, a spark of curiosity, and a possible idea suddenly appearing in his mind. “What kind of mines?”

“Mostly coal and iron.  There is the occasional odd gem here and there, or so I’ve been told.” Lydia spoke.

“Yeah, this fortress is one of five.  It’s part of some kind of network that supplies some kind of largeLarge city.  It’s where the rich folk live.  A rebuilt society.  Most aren’t even aware of the nuclear fallout that decimated our own society.  This life is all anyone knows about.” Connor informed, turning his attention nervously behind him.

“What’s wrong, Connor?” Jim asked, concerned.

“I hear chatter from behind the door, the guards are talking.  We might be about to be sent back to the barracks.”

This was less than ideal, but Jim knew this conversation wouldn’t last forever. 

“I need something from all of you.” Jim said, his tone serious.  “I need each one of you to find someone in here you think you can trust to answer questions.  I need to talk to this person, or people personally.  Our escape will very much depend on it.  I have my own task to accomplish.  I don’t think I can keep up the current guise too long before Machete Max will figure out I completely lied about everything.  If he does, I’ll be right here with you, instead of outside these walls with you.”

There was a knock on the door.  His crew gave a little flinch.  Jim grabbed the bread from the nightstand and broke it into smaller chunks. 

“Eat this, I refuse to eat it without you.” Jim insisted, popping his own piece in his mouth.

They all ate their own piece.

“We’re gonna get out of here very soon as long as we work together.  I’m either gonna get us out of here, or die trying.” Jim announced quietly, giving Veronica one last big hug.  “I’m gonna get us out of here.” Jim whispered directly to Veronica.  Her eyes looking up at him with fear and love.

“I trust you,you” she said quietly.

“I’ll never break that trust.” Jim replied, giving her a quick peck on the lips.  Jim stepped back.

“Come in.” Jim shouted.

The door behind them opened and none other than Machete Max walked in like he owned the place.  Father Edward followed closely behind him in his gliding fashion.  Behind him, two other guards.

“Any luck on the interrogation?” Machete Max asked, getting right to the point.

His crew looked at him, unsure what to think. Confused by what they had just heard.  Jim made sure to signal them that it was part of his act.

“Some, although, I will require more time with them tomorrow.  They’re still hiding something, and I will make it my personal mission to obtain this information.” Jim said, looking at each of them while scratching his jawline.

“We have nothing more to tell you.” Connor said, acting defiantly.

Jim smiled, knowing that both Connor and Machete Max would interpret this smile differently.

“We shall see.” Jim spoke, confidently.

“Take them back to their respective barracks.” Machete Max commanded. 

The guards, one by one, took them out of the room.  It truly pained Jim to watch his crew walk away, but knew that he had to maintain his composure.

“They’ll talk, They just need some more convincing, and I know just how to convince them.” Jim said, desperately hoping the Machete Max wouldn’t take matters into his own hands.

“I would like to offer you an invitation.” Machete Max announced. “I would like you to accompany me in my own cabin tonight, for Dinner.  I may have something interesting to offer you.”

Jim wasn’t exactly sure what to think about the offer at first, but he knew he had to keep up the act if he was going to be successful.

“Of course I’ll join you tonight, I would very much be interested in picking your own brain.  I have a few questions of my own, standard stuff, formalities, really.  Just to be able to give your encampment the green light to continue operations.” Jim spoke professionally, bluffing at every turn.

“I do believe that will be a productive conversation.  I shall send my guards around to collect you when the time comes.  In the meantimemean time, the encampment is at your disposal.  I am more than confident that you will find everything satisfactory.  Our volunteers have adequate sleeping arrangements, clean sheets, and daily food and water, provided they continue to be of service toward the greater cause.” Machete Max spoke confidently.

“What does the greater cause mean to you, Major Burnside?” Jim asked, secretly hoping for more details that he could use in his own fabrication.

Machete Max almost reflexively snapped to professional attention and began to chant a mantra.

“The greater cause is our singleness of purpose.  A singleness of purpose is to supply the greater good with a common goal, a perfect future.  A perfect future in which the established hierarchy stands true and resolute. A resolution focused on the greater cause.”

Jim held composure, but stood there with a mental sense of disbelief and awe.  The sheer charisma behind the man was obvious.  This wasn’t just some learned phrase being regurgitated for the thousandth time.  This was a mission statement that Machete Max believed with every fiber of his being.  It absolutely sounded cult-like to Jim, but he couldn’t help but stand there impressed with the sheer veracity with which he spoke.  Jim had to respond quickly.

“That was truly beautiful, good sir.”

Machete Max, who stood there straight-faced and almost stoic, had the smallest of smiles creep in when he heard the praise.

“As you were, Major.” Jim said, trying to sound the part.

Machete Max relaxed his demeanor and looked at Jim again.

“I shall see you in my quarters tonight, until then, I bid you adieu.” Machete Max said, before turning to walk out of the room.

The guards followed Machete Max from the room but Father Edward stayed behind.  Father Edward glanced over at the bible on the nightstand.  

“Reading the bible, are you?” Father Edward asked, a pleasantly impressed look on his face.

“I sort of skimmed it.” Jim replied.

Father Edward walked over to the nightstand and picked up the bible.  He began flipping through the pages before flipping to the index that Jim had focused mostly on.

“Glad to hear it.  It’s good to know that some people are still intrigued by a higher power.  Sadly, there is a problem here though.” Father Edward sounded almost disappointed.  Jim looked at him very curiously.  “This must be from Major Burnside.  He isn’t a catholic, so he wouldn’t know any better, it’s not his fault.”

“What isn’t his fault?” Jim asked, now extremely curious.

Father Edward reached into his back pocket and brought out another bible, it didn’t look very different, but it did look slightly larger.

“Take this one for reading instead.” Father Edward said, handing the book to Jim.

“What’s the difference, a bible’s a bible right?” Jim asked, now confused.  He took the bible from his hand.

“The book that you had is a protestant bible.  There’s nothing wrong with that, but this one is a Catholic bible.  Check the index.” Father Edward instructed.

Jim opened the Catholic bible and checked the index.  To his surprise, there were more names listed under the Old Testament.  Jim looked back up at the priest.

“I don’t understand, why are there more names here?”

“That’s a much longer explanation than we have time for, but, long story short, for myself and others as Catholics.  This is a more complete version.  There were disagreements about certain books long before you or I ever walked this earth.  But, Catholics felt that all of it was important to have access to.  It could also be…” Father Edward paused and opened it to a particular book. “You only find these books in this bible. ‘Maccabees I and II.’ I think you’ll find this text interesting.  It tells of an oppressed people who decide to fight back and rebel.”

Jim looked up at him, unsure of what he just heard.  Had this priest really just mentioned rebellion?  Jim studied his face, and Jim could almost swear that Father Edward was looking at him in a particular way.  

“A rebellion, you say?” Jim asked, desperately hoping for Father Edward to show any more sign of what he was really trying to say.

“Yes, it turns out that history has a lot to teach us about ourselves and the trials and tribulations we go through, especially for the sake of freedom.  Oppressed peoples eventually have had enough, and decide it’s time to fight back.” Father Edward spoke candidly.

Jim couldn’t fight the feeling that this priest before him wanted desperately to say something that he couldn’t.  The surface explanation was obvious, but Jim knew he had to be certain.  Jim reached out and closed the door. Now, with privacy reigning free, Jim asked him.

“Is there something you’re trying to tell me father?”

Father Edward looked at him, then at the door.  Father Edward took a couple steps forward and leaned close to Jim.

“I can’t talk very freely, I’m afraid.” Father Edward said, whispering in Jim’s ear.  “Major Burnside, ‘Machete Max’, is a cold hearted man, a murderer.  Conditions here aren’t just below par, quality standards are almost non-existent for these prisoners, and make no mistake, they are prisoners.”

Jim looked into his eyes to find truth, and that’s all he found.

“I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors about how he got his name.  They’re partially true from what I've heard.  He killed a man with that machete of his for challenging the way he was running this operation.  The man called him out in front of everyone, prisoners, guards, everyone.  They had a duel right in the center of this encampment.  I hear the fight was going well for the other guy until Machete Max cheated and kicked dirt into the man’s face.  Blinded, the man received a fairly deep slashing wound to the chest.  The man lay on the ground, no movement, bleeding out.  The guards hauled him outside to the cold mud and through him in a very shallow grave.  Machete Max gave a big speech to the entire encampment as to the lesson of the day, we both know what that was.  The next day, there was a bloody trail leading from the grave into the woods.  Some superstitious prisoners claimed he came back to life and walked away as though nothing happened.  I personally think some starving wild animal snatched the man’s dead body and dragged him away.  But, no one really knows.   A search party was sent out by Machete Max just in case the rumors were true.  All they found was a random wolf with bloodied lips.  So they killed it and brought it back for its meat.  Machete Max ate very well that night.  The man is a killer, a power hungry killer who would just as soon kill everyone in here as he would brush his teeth in the morning.  I’m afraid I can say no more, but to ask you to read that particular book tonight.  It may inspire you.”  Father Edward spoke quietly, backing away from Jim.  “Anyway, I hope you can get a real view of what this encampment really looks like, and I hope your conversation with Major Burnside is productive.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your night.”

With that closing statement, Father Edward, very quickly, left the room and left Jim all alone by himself.

Jim didn’t even know what to think about that encounter.  He didn’t know just how much Father Edward had guessed as far as Jim’s real identity or purpose, and he couldn’t know for sure. The way Jim saw it, there were two options.  Father Edward also believed him to be the clandestine inspector he made himself out to be, and was actually trying to make positive change around here, or Father Edward saw right through his illusion, and was simply a man pleading for Jim to help rid the encampment of Machete Max.  Either way, It was noble of him.  But Jim couldn’t begin to fathom taking the guy out, ‘liberating’ the camp.  Surely, even if Max was taken out of commission, wouldn’t another Machete Max pop up in his place?

Jim couldn’t think very well anymore, his brain had just about reached its maximum information ability.  He needed a nap.  Jim stretched out on the bed and it surprisingly wasn’t very uncomfortable.