Chapter 2, Part 14

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The sun had barely crested the horizon when Salvage Station 23 stirred to life. The air was thick with anticipation as the group gathered in the common area, each member acutely aware that this was their last day of preparation before the high-stakes mission to St. Mercy Hospital.

Olivia stood at the center, her face a mask of determination. "Alright, everyone. We've got a lot to do today. Let's start with a final gear check."

The group spread out, laying their equipment on every available surface. The clatter of metal and rustle of fabric filled the air as they meticulously inspected each item.

Max hefted his spear, testing its weight. "LED's secure and functioning," he reported, flicking the light on and off.

Eli and Zoe huddled over their newly created LED devices, running last-minute diagnostics. "Flashlights are good to go," Zoe called out. "Battery life is holding steady at six hours."

"Excellent," Olivia nodded. "David, how are we on medical supplies?"

David grimaced as he sorted through their meager first aid kit. "It's not great. We've got some basic bandages and antiseptic, but that's about it. We're really counting on this raid to replenish our stocks."

Rosie approached, wiping grease from her hands. "The bus is fully fueled now. I managed to siphon enough to fill the tank and have a small reserve."

"Good work," Olivia said, relief evident in her voice. "Aiden, how's our food situation?"

Aiden emerged from their makeshift pantry, his expression grim. "Even worse than we thought. We're down to our last few cans. If we ration carefully, we might stretch it to two days, but that's pushing it."

A tense silence fell over the group as the reality of their situation sank in. The success of tomorrow's mission wasn't just crucial - it was now a matter of survival.

Mia broke the silence, her voice quiet but determined. "We should practice with the LED devices. Make sure everyone knows how to use them effectively against the Jacks."

Olivia nodded. "Good idea. Eli, Zoe, can you set up a demonstration?"

As the two tech experts began setting up, Liam approached Olivia, his limp less pronounced but still visible. "What about me? How can I help tomorrow?"

Olivia placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You'll be our eyes and ears in the bus, Liam. We need someone to keep watch and be ready to start the engine at a moment's notice. It's a crucial job."

Liam's chest puffed up with pride, but Aiden frowned, concern etched on his face. Before he could protest, Max chimed in.

"Hey, kid, why don't you help me check the weapons? We need to make sure everything's sharp and ready to go."

As the group dispersed to their various tasks, David pulled Olivia aside. "We need to talk about worst-case scenarios," he murmured. "If things go south at the hospital, we need a backup plan."

Olivia nodded gravely. "You're right. Let's gather everyone for a strategy session after lunch. We'll go over the plan again and discuss contingencies."

The morning passed in a flurry of activity. Eli and Zoe conducted their LED demonstration, showing everyone how to use the devices effectively. Max and Liam inspected and sharpened weapons, while Aiden and Rosie double-checked the bus's mechanics.

As the sun reached its zenith, Olivia called everyone together. They gathered around a crudely drawn map of the hospital, spread out on their dining table.

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