Red ~ TWD (Daryl Dixon)

Sabotage

"We need a plan," Glenn stated for the 100th time.

I leaned back in the chair, putting my feet on the enormous mahogany desk Maggie stole from Gregory, one hand rubbing my temple, the other flipping through my notebook.  We'd been debating our next step for what felt like hours, and the ever-rising voices were making my head hurt.  We had so many issues our issues had issues.  Last time I checked the body count from last night had just reached 20, Henry was missing, we were dangerously low on ammo, The Saviors could attack at any moment, we'd lost most of our prisoners, and we were down to our last shelf of food.  Not exactly the stuff warm and fuzzies were made of. 

"We need food."  Rick.

"We need guns."  Deadpool.

"What good are guns without ammo?"  Apocalypse Barbie.

"What about the prisoners?"  Tara.

"We need to stay calm.  We've got the relay cars in position so we'll have a 10, maybe 15 minute heads-up if The Saviors come back."  Maggie's voice was steady, but her plan had about a million holes in it.  "Alex, did you find anything?"

I closed the notebook, tossing it on the desk.  "The prisoners will probably head for an abandoned bar a few miles from here.  It has basic provisions and a few weapons."

"Weapons?"  Deadpool perked up instantly.

"Don't get excited.  I'm talking a few handguns and maybe one box of ammunition to share between them."  Her excitement died a quick death.  "It's all about ammunition, for us and them.  We all know what has to happen."

Everyone exchanged uneasy glances, Apocalypse Barbie standing up and crossing her arms over her chest.  "Eugene."

"Bingo," I said. 

She scowled.  "She's right.  They've got our bullet maker, and you can damn well bet they've put him to work."

Carl put his hands on his hips.  "Do they have what they need to make more?"

"If they don't I know where they'd find it," she ground out.  I would not want to be Billy Ray when she got her hands on him. 

Enid burst into the room, breathing hard, eyes wild, a frantic Ezekiel trailing behind her.  I knew whatever she was about to say was going to make my headache worse. 

"What happened?" Maggie asked, grabbing the young woman's shoulders to steady her.

"Carol...Morgan..."  Daryl pushed off the wall, the mention of his best friend setting him on edge instantly.  "They're gone."

"Gone where?" Daryl growled, advancing on the girl.  Merle snagged his shirt, holding him back.

"To find Henry...and the...prisoners," she panted, eyeing my redneck cautiously.

Sighing I stood, massaging both temples in earnest now.  "That's it, for the next 48-hours everyone's decision-making privileges have been revoked." 

"We gotta move lil' sister," Merle drawled, struggling to restrain his brother.

Nodding I put my hands on the desk, thinking quickly.  We were going to have to separate.  It was the only way to get this done, but it was a risk.  A risk, unfortunately, we were going to have to take.

"Rick, Merle, go after Carol and Mr. Miyagi.  Apocalypse Barbie, Legolas, and I will deal with Billy Ray.  Glenn, Carl, Jesus, we need food."  I studied the trio intently.  "None of this means a damn thing if we starve to death in a few days, got it?"

"Got it," Jesus affirmed.

"We'll do what we can to repair the damage from last night," Maggie said, "Be careful out there."