It didn’t take Declan long to descend the rope and get to the underside of the transport pod. He immediately started searching for Annie Cooper. As he looked, he procured a waterskin and a twelve-inch machete from the stockpile of tools and supplies. No one questioned him as he was on the council. Finally, he spotted Annie Cooper heading to the upstream side of the position where most of the people used to get drinking water. He knelt down and filled his waterskin close to her.
“We need to go somewhere,” he said quietly as he didn’t want anyone else to hear.
“Why would I go anywhere with you?” Annie responded angrily and louder than Declan found comfortable.
“Keep it down,” he said through clenched teeth. “Someone has requested our presence.”
“Who would that be?” she asked quieter but
