"I know you're not. You never would. If I know anything, Malia, it's that." He kissed her back, his arm wrapping tight around her as she leaned into him. He nodded in response, and spent a long moment there before she took his hand and tugged him along. He followed readily, though he did pause to retrieve another set of pain pills from his belt. He swallowed them dry, and by the time they came before the council the pain in his hand was fading to a much more manageable ache.<br/><br/>He nodded and stepped forward, though not too far ahead of her. His hand linked with hers as he stood, a united pair, like Striders and Runner would have to be. And what they created together would be the future. "Councilors, I'm glad to know that my actions have proven that I am worth your while. You must realize that thing was not the only one of its kind--when this fight begins in earnest there will be dozens, if not hundreds. Their foot soldiers alone number in the thousands, but they rely mostly on hand-to-hand combat and melee weapons. A small force, say a dozen or so fighters, with long-range weapons could hold off ten times their number, with the right positioning, planning, and training.<br/><br/>"To that end, I would like to formally request volunteers. At least ten, if possible, but as many as will fight are welcome. Not just among the Land Runners, either--any townsperson, anyone who doesn't know how to fight but can and will. Vagabonds, merchants, absolutely anyone you and your connections can find. Send all willing souls to Central." He reached down into his pocket and pulled out a map, which he set on the table in front of Michael. "I marked Central's location on this map, as well as a handful of nearby settlements. Malia and I are going to head back there today. If everything's gone to plan and my people could convince yours to trust them, then we should already have some Runners hiding out there from the Vanguard's false Striders."<br/><br/>He looked at each councilor, then back to Malia, then back to them. "If there's nothing else, we'd better head out. It's three days to Central with aided transit, closer to five days on foot, and that's assuming we don't run into trouble on the way."