The group, numbering over forty on its way out of the foothills, was coming together as a team. We had come through some close calls, but there were no deaths. We were ambushed by two boys with rifles in a canyon, and the fear and relief of making it through seems to have slapped everyone out of the stupor we'd been traveling in. I couldn't have been more satisfied with everyone.

Of course, Ben was only adding to my satisfaction. We have joined the many couples on this road. There have been many people who have found their traveling partners. Amanda and Kit are the closest, hand in hand as we walk the interstate. Kit treats her like a child, always protecting her, but Amanda only blissfully smiles. It angers me, but Ben only tickles me and tells me I'm jealous. Someone has stepped in for me in Amanda's life, and I should be happy, not mad. I'm working on it.

It was early in our "day" of traveling when we saw the lights. Devon, a boy we found just outside the California border, had told us that Denver was a huge military installation. He had been there before with his father, who was a Colonel with the Air Force. He ran up to me from the back of our grouping and told us that it was the Western Base, the big one. We moved toward it. I sent five more of us up to the scouting group, to report to Kit. I had Bridget act as a runner,relaying information back and forth.

We stopped about two kilometers from the Base, where there were enough trees and boulders to shield us. Bridget came back from another run to the scouting group as we were setting up camp.

"Kit's made it to the fencing," she breathed. "She says it looks deserted, though she said to tell you there would be no way to know for sure unless we actually go in."

I handed Bridget a pack full of dried foods. "Take this down to her. Stay there, and tell her I'll send replacements if she needs them."

She grabbed the pack and started down for Kit and the scouting group.

"It's gonna be another war, I can feel it," I said to Ben.

"Not necessarily," he said. "We could hit the place and find only freezers, you know. We haven't come across that many people here. Not like in California."

"True, but we're gonna have to act like the place is full of Reds." We settled in for sleep before our watch, but we just stayed near each other in silence, awake. I doubt anyone slept that night.

When Nigel came up to me to tell me it was time for second watch, I thought I had a plan formed. I went with Nigel down to the scouting group. Ben was asleep, and I didn't wake him. I knew it was the last sleep to be had for awhile.

After whistling three short notes to let the Scouts know we were coming, Nigel and I were settled next to Kit and the others. They looked exhausted. I was irritated that they hadn't sent for replacements yet, but I was proud just the same. There seemed to be no fighting our determination, at least.

"Have you seen anything?" I whispered to Kit.

"Nothing," she answered, softly, "No movement."

"Everyone back to camp, then," I whispered, and we all moved in a slow crouch back up the hill.

When we were all safely back, I told the scout group to get some rest, and I took up the second watch with Ben, who was awake and panicked to find me gone. I was a little rough in telling him I needed to think, and to leave me alone, but he seemed to understand. He moved a few meters away from me to watch the night.

The problem was, there was no telling how many people were inside the Base, if there were any at all. We could go storming inside, only to be mowed down immediately, with no hope for retreat. Part of me wanted to skirt the Base, keep traveling west. Maybe south. There were many possibilities.

But the reason we had come here was simple. Protection. If we controlled the Base, we would be safe. Period. It was the largest Base except for the one in Washington D.C. according to Devon. We would have access to a variety of heavy artillery and weapons, and we would never run out of ammunition. We wouldn't lose any more people to battles with others who had more protection than we did. Normally, I would decide our group's plans alone, or confer with a few chosen members. But this time, I felt a group vote was in order.

As soon as everyone was awake and fed, I called everyone close. I wished for a house, for a little more protection, but it couldn't be helped.

"We need to talk, all of us," I said, as loudly as I dared.

There were some nodding heads, some murmurs of agreement, but nothing more. I pushed on.

"We had originally planned to investigate this base, to see if we could claim it, but I think we need to discuss these plans again before going ahead."

All eyes were on me. No one spoke.

"It seems we have three options. We can try the Base, go with our original plan. Or we can go around it. The weather is good south of here, as well as even more north."

I paused. "Or we can split up. No one should have take risks they don't feel are necessary or wise. If the group decides to go into the Base, and anyone wants to leave for somewhere else,no one will be stopped. You are all free to make your own decision."

I stopped speaking and sat down where I was. I smiled at the irony. Everyone with the group up to this point had been told they had to make a decision, to join the group or leave. The wrong decision would get them shot. Now I was giving them freedom to leave. I hoped that this time letting someone leave would not get any of the members still with the group killed. It was a chance I had to take, I felt. I couldn't drive these people to their own deaths if they did not want to be with us. I couldn't die with that on my conscience.

Most of the group had then formed smaller groups of two or three people. They were all talking in hushed tones, and some were arguing. A few had gone off by themselves. I noticed Nigel sitting alone on a rock a few meters from me. I needed his input.

I sat next to him. Neither of us said a word for a few minutes. "I think what you're doing is wrong," he said, finally.

"Why?" I asked him. "What do you mean?"

"Giving them the choice." He said "them" not "us." He was with me, then. I waited for him to finish.

He paused. "They are with you now because you lead. They follow. It suits them. If you give them a choice now, they'll fall apart. Billy would never," he stopped suddenly.

"I'm not Billy," I said, strength in my voice. "And I will give these people a choice." I stood and walked away.

When I turned, I saw that most of the group had wandered over to stand with Ben. They were standing silently, facing me. I slowly walked over, and Ben put his arms around me. I felt someone's hand lightly on my arm, another's on my wrist. They were with me. Now the choice was mine.

"We will go to the Base as soon as we're organized," I said.

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