New Eden: Live to Play, Play to Live

Their options regarding awakened people and who they could allow to join them were incredibly limited. If they brought someone they couldn't trust, it would be catastrophic.

They could not afford to have a loose cannon on their group or, even worse, a loose-lipped person.

A loose cannon would bring them unnecessary risk in battle, and loose lips would get people who should remain in the dark to light.

This wasn't a desirable outcome in either case.

"From my standpoint, I think the only people we can bring are already in this room. Maybe one or two more, but I'm not sure I want to bring them along…" Jack said, scratching his chin pensively.

"If you are referring to Gale, sorry, I mean Jonathan and Violette, then I would prefer not to bring them either. But I don't think we will have much of a choice," Alex said, looking at the chart.

Jack grimaced at the thought of putting kids in harm's way.

"Look, Jack," David said.

"I know your grandson is still very young, and I also know he is a bit mentally indisposed right now. I met him in New Eden and could tell he wasn't on top of his game. But I think this can help him.

"As for Violette, we all know her strength in New Eden. If even a fraction of that has started transpiring over here, she is a great asset to have with us."

Jack growled at David.

"They are children. Don't talk about them like pawns to be used. Asset my ass," he warned.

David raised his hands to calm him down.

"Hey, I don't like this any more than you do. But do you want to survive? Or would you prefer we go with the possibility of returning with half the people here? Be reasonable, old man."

Jack hated that David made sense. But there was no refuting his claim.

"I won't be the one asking her parents if she can come. You want her there; you deal with them," Jack stated, turning his head away from David.

Alex looked at them and shook his head.

'Like fire and ice…'

"I'll deal with Richard and Katherine. If I promise them to bring her back safely, then I'm certain they'll let her come," he said, thinking about who else to bring.

"How many people do we want present at a minimum?" Kary asked, glancing at the chart and doing mental calculations.

David pointed to the last column.

"Our best chances are at ten fighters. But a minimum of eight. With Jonathan and Violette, we would have seven."

Mr. Gu raised his hand, bringing their attention to him.

"My apologies, but I will not be joining this endeavour. I might be experienced in fighting creatures of the supernatural variety, but this is outside my realm of competence. I am no superhuman, after all."

David frowned at the words.

"There is no way you are a regular human. No one could enter and leave my hideout without getting detected, like you did."

Mr. Gu smiled at him.

"Merely concealment techniques and sensorial obfuscating. Old ninja tricks, no more. I didn't magically appear or disappear, if that is what you think."

David seemed to disagree, but couldn't force the man to come if he didn't feel powerful enough to join. It would only put a burden on them.

"Then we would be six. We would need a minimum of two more fighters to stay on the safe side and four more to be on our safest option. Do any of you know more awakened people that could help?"

Alex's mind went to a young mercenary, but he wasn't sure he could ask something like this of the man. He didn't know him after all.

'What if I approach this as a business deal?' he wondered.

This would be a thought for later, though. They had to come to a solid core right now.

"So let's recap, then. I, Alex, David, Jack, Violette, and Jonathan are there. Who else?" Kary asked.

"I can ask my wife to come. She's more than capable of taking care of herself. That would bring us to seven once more. If need be, I can get a team of armed mercenaries to come, just for cover."

David raised his hand and shook his head.

"That would be unwise. Alex knows this, but human weapons are ineffective against mutated beasts. The Goblins were weak, so it worked, but these aren't Goblins. Bullets will sting them, at most.

"I'm already uncertain about bringing you along, Jack," David commented.

"You take care of yourself, boy. I can take care of myself," Jack spat.

"Whatever…" David said, rolling his eyes.

"I might have one person available. But I'm not sure they can get here in time…" Kary pointed out.

"Where are they coming from?" Jack asked.

If there was something money could fix, then his wallet was wide open.

"He's from Illinois, but he's already closer than this. He should be up in New York State already. Somewhere around Syracuse. He was visiting Alex and me, so a part of the road is already done."

Alex cocked an eyebrow. This was the first he was hearing of this.

"Someone was visiting us? Who?" he asked, confused.

"Silent Light. He asked me if he could visit us since he would like to get to know the real us. I said yes. I was planning on telling you, but things got hectic, and it slipped my mind. Oopsy," Kary giggled.

Alex smacked his forehead. But if Silent Light was coming, what would it change?

"Is this person awakened?" Jack asked.

"If I believe what he tells me, then yes. And I doubt the kid would lie to me. He practically idolizes me, even if he would never admit it," Kary responded.

"Then I can make sure he gets here in time. If he stops at the airport, I can have an airplane to him in three hours. He would then be here in six or seven hours."

Kary giggled.

"I think there is a faster way if we can get a pass to break a few laws," she stated with a mischievous smile.

"Pray tell, Ms. Deveille," Jack asked, intrigued.