It took almost five minutes before Linda returned and gestured for them to step inside. Tyler entered first, with the rest of them following close behind.

The tent was a bit like the leader's quarters back in Galt—simple and functional. A desk, a few chairs, and a camp bed in the corner. There were some other items lying around, but Isaac didn't pay much attention to them.

No, his gaze focused on the owner of the room—a tall and broad-shouldered elderly man with a head full of gray hair. Yet, despite his obvious age, he carried himself like all those years on his back were just a fancy number. Though, the casual sweats he wore looked quite strange on him.

"Welcome to my humble abode," the man said, spreading his arms in greeting. "Joe Williams at your service. I'm pleased to hear that there are survivors in other parts of the zone."

Tyler stepped forward, inclining his head. "The pleasure is ours, Colonel. I'm Tyler Thomson, and this is James, Isaac, and Elaine," he introduced, gesturing to each of them.

Williams smiled. "Please, no need for formalities. Just Joe is enough. I retired from the army long before the Breakout began. And now that title means even less. I'm just an old-timer trying to survive and help others do the same."

"Looks like you're doing a fine job, then, Joe," Tyler praised. "Back in Galt, it took three of us just to keep things running, and we've like a tenth of the people you have here."

"Ah, but I'm not doing this alone." The Colonel chuckled, taking a seat on one of the chairs. "Aside from Linda, I have plenty of others who are helping me keep things in order. Not that two days are really enough to organize a group this large. But we're trying. That's all that matters."

"Know exactly what you mean…" Tyler muttered.

"But enough about that," Williams waved a hand. "Have a seat. I would like to hear how a group outside of the city is fairing." His gaze went to Isaac and James. "I also heard one of you is a Pioneer."

"You heard right, sir." Isaac nodded, sitting down next to Elaine.

The Colonel hummed. "And how old are you, son?"

"Nineteen."

"Impressive…" The man nodded. "This young, and you've already done something thousands of others failed at. I honestly didn't expect to meet one of you before the barriers fell. I'm glad I did. Would you humor an old man with the story of what happened in those trials?"

Isaac shrugged. "Maybe… We will see."

"Fair enough," Williams said, turning to Tyler. "Now, as I was saying—how's the situation in Galt?"

Just like that, the two leaders launched into discussion. Or rather, Tyler did most of the talking while the Colonel listened to the general overview of the situation in their hometown.

Isaac tried to study Williams' facial expression when certain things—like the schools—were mentioned, but the man was as unyielding as steel. He barely even blinked during the entire conversation.

Damn… No idea if that's impressive or scary.

The only silver lining was watching James struggle to sit still. Isaac counted at least ten separate instances when the man wanted to cut in and say something. Yet, somehow, Tyler always sensed that and shot him a sharp look that got him to calm down for about a minute.

Then, the cycle repeated. Again and again.

At least Elaine looked as bored as Isaac felt. Really, at this point, he would have even agreed to retell some events from the last two days. Yet, anytime his name was mentioned, Tyler took it upon himself to explain everything. If he got something wrong or omitted some stuff, the Colonel would never know.

Thankfully, after over fifteen minutes—yes, he counted—the subject of their trip to Sacramento finally came up.

"So you came here because of the mist." A faint grimace crossed Williams' face. "I'm afraid it is worse than anything you have ever dealt with before, even you, Pioneer."

Isaac raised an eyebrow at being singled out. It was a bold statement, considering the old man didn't even know what had really happened inside the trial. Still, he would give him the benefit of the doubt. Besides, this was exactly why he came here. To find something stronger to fight.

"We have already found a couple of Quarantine Sites around Sacramento," the Colonel continued. "Some still stand, others do not… The fog, however, that's a different kind of beast. A Double-layered Quarantine, the Interface calls it. Sounds simple when you first hear it, yet it's anything but."

"Can it be destroyed?" Tyler asked, his expression unreadable. "That's really all that matters."

Williams chuckled. "Oh, it can, if you can get to its core layer, that is."

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"Oh come on, old man," James grumbled, crossing his arms. "Just hit us with it. You're military, ain't you? So stop beating around the bush."

The look Tyler shot the younger man could melt steel but was still shrugged off. Isaac couldn't even fault James for speaking up. He was getting bored, too, by the overly long explanations. Straight to the business was his way of doing things.

"Very well…" Williams shook his head. "The core is a layer we've never reached. We aren't even sure where in Midtown or Downtown it is. Our best guess is the Capitol Museum. As for the outer layer? It's crawling with Wretched, all level three or higher. The deeper you go, the worse it gets. That includes the appearance of mutants."

That got Isaac's attention. "Mutants?"

The Colonel nodded. "Twisted creatures with six legs, or beasts twice my height and stronger than any powerlifter. We have killed a couple, but never without losses. God knows what is waiting in the inner layer."

The tattoo on Isaac's arm shivered as his blood stirred. He silenced it for now. He needed more information.

"And the corruption?"

"Not that bad, at least in the beginning," Williams explained. "But just like the Wretched, it gets stronger the deeper you go… And son, don't even think about it. Let us plan accordingly. There is still much of the city left to clear out. The Quarantine can wait."

Isaac raised his hands. "I didn't say anything."

"You didn't need to." Williams smiled wryly. "I can see it all in your eyes. It's obvious if you know what to look for. And you are like an open book to me. You're hungry for a challenge, for something that will push you to your limits."

James snorted. "He got you there, boss."

"Whatever." Isaac crossed his arms. "I'm not suicidal."

"Never said you were," the Colonel replied. "I'm just saying you should be careful not to let those inner voices control you. Plenty of people, soldiers or not, have lost their lives by giving in to their lesser instincts. Don't become one of them."

Silence followed as Isaac and Williams locked eyes, neither backing down. It wasn't until Tyler—who had to notice the rising tension—spoke up that their contest was broken. Within seconds, the conversation returned to the subject of Sacramento and the survivor camps scattered across it.

Isaac, however, just sat in silence, barely paying attention to the words flying around him. Then, a nudge at his side forced him to turn to Elaine.

"You okay?" she whispered.

He sighed. "Yeah."

The look on her face told him she obviously didn't believe him, but at least she was smart enough not to push the issue. He had no idea what he would say if she did. After all, Williams wasn't completely wrong in his observations. Isaac just disliked how the man put it all out on the forum.

Besides… he mused as his tattoo shivered again. I didn't come here to listen to orders from someone who thinks they know me.

"Sooo… that was certainly an eye-opening conversation," Tyler commented once they left the Colonel's tent and headed toward the edge of camp. "What do you all think?"

When nobody said anything, the man frowned. "Come on," he prodded. "Not even you, James?"

James shrugged. "No idea what you want me to say, T. The old man seems pretty all right, if a bit slow. Other than that? I don't know. We got what we wanted, didn't we?"

"Dear god," Tyler mumbled, rubbing his brow. "Lass? What about you? Maybe you will be the voice of reason here."

"Shouldn't that be you, sir?" Elaine arched an eyebrow. "I'm just glad the Colonel agreed to help me find my aunt and cousin."

"Isaac?"

What is this? School? He thought, sparing the older man a glance. "I don't think Williams really wants our help. Or, at the very least, mine."

"Finally," Tyler muttered, looking up at the sky for a second. "You're correct. I got the same feeling from him. And honestly? I can't even blame him. We, and especially you, lad, are a wild element that he quite frankly doesn't need. They're doing fine without us, so why take the risk?"

"Then why even entertain us?" James asked, frowning. "Why offer to help the princess here find her family?"

"Equivalent exchange. We give him intel, and he gives us some in return," Tyler explained. "As for the help? As you said, the Colonel is an all-right bloke. He just doesn't want us messing with the chain of command in his group."

"Isn't that just jumping to conclusions?" Elaine asked.

Tyler shook his head. "Potential damage control, if anything. Linda most likely told him what Isaac could do, and you all saw how people reacted to that. Also, remember how he spoke about those other groups around here? They sound problematic enough. So why add an unpredictable element to his own camp?"

Isaac hummed as the bigger picture became a bit clearer inside his head. "Think it would have helped if I shared the details of the Pioneer Trial?"

"Maybe." Tyler shrugged. "Though, I doubt it. Williams most likely had a plan for us before we even stepped into his tent. And people like him? Once they make up their mind, there is no changing it. There's a reason why he didn't offer us a place in the camp."

"Right, that," James perked up. "So what's the plan now, T?"

"We stick around. Bring our car somewhere close, set up a small camp, and then we will see what's next," the oldest among them explained. "I definitely want to talk with some people around here. Get some unbiased opinions and learn more about those other groups. And you, lass." He turned to Elaine. "You remember your aunt's address, right?"

The woman nodded.

Tyler snapped his fingers. "Then that's another thing to check. Can't rely solely on the Colonel after all. Finally, we have the new Quarantine Site. Can't ignore it, no matter what Williams wants."

James snorted. "Like Isaac would ever do that, right?"

The corner of Isaac's lips tugged up. "Maybe, maybe not."

"You will get your chance, lad." Tyler chuckled. "First, let's find a good place for a camp. Then, you can fly out and see what the Interface really has to say about that place. Afterward, we can decide what to do next. How does that sound?"

"Pretty good, T," James said, and Elaine nodded in agreement.

"No objections from me either," Isaac added.

Tyler grinned. "And that's what I like to hear. We can worry about cooperating with Williams later."

And so, just like that, they left the massive camp behind. In the end, it was better to have a tiny team of trusted individuals than an entire city's worth of people they didn't even know.

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