Agent 11
    I woke up suddenly to a ferocious clang jolted me awake. Lucy was standing over me with two pots, bashing them together like cymbals. "It's time for the meeting." I sat up to see that she was right. I had slept late, dooming myself to being woken up in the most insensitive way humanly possible. I quickly got dressed, after 'gently' ushering Lucy out the door. In less than five minutes, I was sprinting downstairs, grabbing the first thing I saw that was edible, a doughnut in a plastic bag marked 'Lucy's only. No peasants allowed', and racing for the meeting hall. At least I had that glazed treat to somewhat fill my stomach. I stopped running just outside the heavy Golden doors, opening them, and walked inside with all the dignity I could muster. My assigned comfy chair was empty, but the usually vacant ottoman was occupied by both of the nervous newcomers. Sam had forced Michael to help her support Ash and Ryan, which meant a kind smile whenever they looked at him. Sam was better at it, since Michael was too calm to smile most of the time. Lucy was sitting ridgid, eyes fixed on my stolen food. I sat down, and Blake met my eyes and spoke. "So, you two, Ash and Ryan, want to join Allegiance after a near death experience involving Counterattack." Ryan nodded, and Ash shyly copied him. Blake's eyes took on a mischievous twinkle. "Well, I see no reason not to allow any entry, especially since a most trusted member of our top group has escorted you into our base, and explained the story to me. I want you to know how grateful I am to you both." Ash looked up suddenly. "That's all?" Ryan asked. Blake smiled, looking over at me like we were sharing a joke. "Did you want to have to do something else?" Ryan flushed and smiled. "Now we're part of Allegiance?" I nodded. "I'd suggest you go to the interrogation area and tell them anything you know about Counterattack. See if you can help. Just tell them it's a friendly visit so they don't grill you for information." Both got up to go where I was pointing. I smiled at Blake, and opened my mouth to say something else, when a scout ran in, with a heaving chest. "Blake, sir. A small group of Counterattack soldiers are approaching from the west side."

   The happiness shattered as panic grew inside me. If Counterattack was coming, even a small group, we'd need to protect the town! And that might just be the scouts... I turned to Blake. "Those might just be a scouting party. There might be more! We can't hand out weapons and form a defensive strategy in the time it takes to march over here!" Blake's face was a look of dread and pure fear, until he relaxed slightly, like a weight off his shoulder. "11, it's okay. If any more we're coming, we would have heard. I have an idea. This town isn't the only Allegiance base, but it's all we, the individuals, have, and that's why Counterattack wants to destroy it. They think we can't protect everything at once. But we don't need to expend our forces, and risk lives defending it. For anyone to cross on the west, they'd need to slip through the Twin Cliffs. We can form a small group and meet them halfway. Let's work smarter, not harder." I feel less hopeless, knowing at least someone has a plan. That was why Allegiance had chosen Blake as leader in the first place. He'd pick the A-Team, the most trained, and we could all go. Ryan, near the door,  looked over, suddenly not shy, or at least having put it aside for this situation. "Can we go? It would be the best way to prove ourselves." I could tell no one thought that was a good idea, least of all me. "You both aren't prepared. Stay here, and once we get back, I'll start training you." The last part I said with a kinder smile, because I didn't want to seem unfair. With absolutely no time to waste, the rest of us went to prepare. Weapons were grabbed, from bows to daggers. I picked my own personal monogrammed sword. Even with fear in the air, and a certain stress of a time limit, no one could deny the excitement. It's been so long since we fought in battle. Even though the last time any of us prepared for this was months ago, a look exchanged tells us the entire game plan.  Before exiting, I took a long look at our city, taking in everything we have to lose. We couldn't fail this place. "Agent-11, you coming?" Sam's sweet, sarcastic teasing brought me back to the present. I ignored the fear in my stomach, and rushed off to join my team. It would be only a day's journey with the Counterattack troops moving too. In all the rush, we had forgotten the overnight supplies. We traveled at a quick walking speed, trying not to tire out but cover a good amount of ground at the same time.

   Inevitably, the sun started to set, and we found a small area under a group of trees to set up 'camp' in. I waited as night transformed the sky. The stars shone like tiny flashlights. I watched, unable to fall asleep as the moon crept higher into the sky. Suddenly, I heard movement in our campsite. I looked up to see Blake standing up. He walked over, carefully avoiding our sleeping friends. "Can't sleep?" How could I, knowing somewhere out there, Counterattack was closing in like hungry sharks? I shook my head, then realized that action might be hard to see in the lack of light. "How'd you know?" He laughed faintly. "Your baby kitten snores." I sighed. "Of course. Everyone knows I snore. I'll never be able to fake being asleep." My voice trailed away. I couldn't think of anything to say.

   "Hey 11, do you want me to help out?" I smiled. Sometimes I'd have trouble falling asleep. Then, I was allowed to wake up Blake, who would gently hum and play with my hair until I fell asleep. I appreciated what he did more than I can express. At first, I was afraid to wake him up because I thought it would irritate him. Blake figured this out and told me he honestly preferred falling asleep to my 'cat' snores than a full night of sleep. And now, I'd need the rest for tomorrow. I nodded, and this time he saw it in the pale moonlight. I lay down, hearing gentle but familiar humming, and quickly fell asleep.