Eve and Rae hopped out of the APC and walked alongside it as they followed the two war fighters who were remaining cautious and nervous. They had agreed to bring Adam to War but promised nothing about a meeting. Though this was to be expected, random goons wandering around War's territory hardly have the capacity to guarantee him an audience. Still, being brought to base camp was the first victory, all he could hope now was that War was reasonable.
The trip took about two hours, if Adam could have just driven it would have been a short drive but since he was being led by people walking it was slow. He could have, of course, let them into the APC and have them direct him from there, but that was dangerous. He was safe inside the APC, it also gave him quite a powerful tool to negotiate with, if they were allowed inside the cockpit he could just be shot in the back of the head without being able to stop them. It was far too dangerous.
Eventually they arrived at what looked to be a massive stage theater. Or, at least what used to be one.
Once the beautiful carved marble staircase and pillars stood tall as a scene of opulence for the city's most wealthy patrons to enjoy a show at night. However now it looked like a scene from a warzone. Sandbags, mounted guns, minefields, guards, snipers, and so much more dotted the area. Even if Pestilence had more numbers and was winning the fight if he were to come here this would clearly not fall easily if they attacked head on, which was probably why Pestilence was chipping away at War's strength.
As Adam already knew all of the war fighters looked like former raiders, though unlike raiders they looked to be far more cleaned up and more uniform. They all stared as Adam's APC rolled up but unlike all the encounters he had with them up until now they did not try to immediately accost him, instead they seemed intent on maintaining guard. This at least spoke wonders about their level of discipline compared to the others.
As Adam hopped out of the APC alongside his companions he carefully locked up the exterior of the APC and took the ignition key with him, once more setting Rae on guard just in case someone tried something.
The two war fighters who led Adam"s group here were looking around sheepishly, unsure what to do themselves. Adam walked over to them and was about to ask them if he could head inside; however he was pre-empted by some figures emerging from the reinforced doors of the former theater.
"Greetings, Adam. We are pleased to see you here." A measured and calm voice spoke out from the crowd. Adam looked over and saw 5 men, all wearing red robes that were the same shade of red as the fire on War's symbol. The robes themselves were not too dissimilar to the robes that Pestilence wore, but these looked far more for decoration and less practical. The robes also had a pointed hat attached to the robes that made them look a foot taller.
"Um… who are you?" Adam asked, confused.
"We are the warshippers." The man said gently with a warm smile. "Followers of War's teachings, and the guides who help direct those who wish to follow under War's banner."
"Uh… okay…" Adam said, not even sure what to say to this. He did not expect mild mannered religious folks to be at War's camp but here they were.
"We have been expecting you, just as War has said." The four in the back all bow lightly and then turn around while the one speaking remains looking at Adam. "Come, War is waiting for you. Follow me if you would please." He said before he too turned around to head inside.
Adam shot a look to the rest of his companions but everyone else seemed as confused as he was. The only minor exception was Deccanus who, rather than looking confused, looked annoyed.
Regardless Adam had no choice but to follow them inside. However, something they had said confused him. War was expecting him? He only came up with this plan a few days ago, and told no one, well no one that would have spilled the secret other than Mr. Cantelli.
It was possible that Mr. Cantelli had spread the news like he had feared he might, but for that news to reach War so fast, when he only learned about the plan last night, was beyond expectation. But Adam legitimately couldn't think of another explanation. Unless War was psychic or something.
Other than Rae the group followed behind the robed figures as they began their slow walk through the building, now completely converted. However what Adam was seeing inside was completely outside his expectations. A whole town.
Of course Adam already knew that these war fighters were former raiders and even raiders, as evidenced by Hell, could live in somewhat normal towns. However in Hell there were no doctors, there were no normal people, there was still this edge of underlying mistrust. It felt like he had walked into the wrong part of Chicago and was being watched by numerous unsavory people. Which, in a way, was exactly what it was.
However this was nothing like that. Inside it felt like a more normal settlement, a doctor was going around healing several warfighters who had been injured and were now laying on bedrolls laid out on the ground, clearly out of a proper medical room for him to work in. There were kids playing, two kids even kicking a ball around. There was a woman nursing her baby and a man who looked to be praying quietly to himself. It was not at all what Adam expected to find here. However there was something he noticed as he looked closer. This was less like a town and more like a refugee camp.
Compared to a town like Naper or Midway, or hell, even the Church of Salvation, there did not seem to be organized spaces for living or working or healing the sick. It was more like a bunch of people hiding out here, together, trying to survive. There did not seem to be anyone starving nor anyone suffering needlessly, but it really was not set up like a town. Instead the way they were living it was like they did not plan to stay long.
A ball the children were kicking back and forth ended up kicked too hard and lightly bumped into Adam's leg. Adam stopped and looked down at it and then at the kids, who just stared back at him, slightly nervous. Adam let off a quiet laugh and then smiled as he gently kicked the ball back to the two of them, with far more accuracy then he would have expected. He never even played soccer but with skills like that he could have gone pro. He could feel it. Once more his clone body coming in handy.
As Adam turned back to continue to follow the warshippers he noticed that the man who he was speaking to earlier was staring at him with a warm, knowing smile. As soon as Adam looked back at him he turned back around and continued to lead the way.
Eventually the group arrived at the theater stage itself after heading through two large doors. Inside was a long runway where play-goers would find their seats, however instead of seats there were shelves full of weapons. All kinds from laser rifles to miniguns. However what lay before them on the stage was the only thing Adam found to be expecting this entire trip. War.