Conversation with elder Rynok.

The years of rabbits-mutants living in The Warren had a significant impact on both the tribe itself and the surrounding area.

However, life is never constant.

Changes are happening gradually.

It may seem to some that stability has been finally achieved.

However, this is a false impression.

Constant change is the basic pattern of reality.

And the term “change” does not at all imply unambiguous positivity and beneficence...

Reality is too contradictory and unpredictable.

It would be naive to hope that calm and peace will be finally ensured through one action.

An unforgivable naivety that could put many lives at risk.

Roughly similar disturbing thoughts arose in the head of elder Rynok at the moment.

Elder was sitting in his room, which is located deep underground in the safest sector of The Warren.

The gaze of the elder's light gray eyes, watery due to long reading, was fixed on the burnt and dirty pages of one ancient book.

On the cover of the book were visible half-erased symbols: “Guide to Missouri State Attractions.”

Soon Rynok put the book down on the large wooden table and sighed tiredly.

His hands, covered with short grayish fur, massaged the temples of his head.

Then the commanding voice of Rynok shouted the words to someone outside the door: "Bring Zephyr to me! This is an urgent matter! Tell him that no excuses are acceptable!"

Half an hour later, a slender white-haired rabbit-mutant entered the elder’s room. He is wearing a slightly soiled leather jacket, doublet and trousers. Attached to the fabric of his clothing are many strange mechanisms (some of which emit a faint glow).

His black eyes express impatience and annoyance.

He had probably just been distracted from something important.

He hurriedly says: "Elder, with all due respect to you, I have to protest! Am I being distracted at that very moment? when I was almost close to deciphering that complex ancient text in the electronic machine of the southern tunnel!"

Palm of elder gesture towards one of the chairs (the elder himself sits on a similar chair).

Rynok adamantly says in response: “Now you sit down. And you will listen to me."

Zephyr, quietly grumbling, sits down in the chair opposite Rynok.

Elder does not pay attention to his interlocutor’s dissatisfaction and begins to say: “The Warren... Our new home... When you, together with a group of other scouts, found this place about three years ago, it was an event that changed the fate of our tribe. Safe home. There are many reserves of ancient useful things. Our tribe got the opportunity to explore the remains of ancient technologies. We have ceased to be nomads... We have achieved a lot over the years, Zephyr... However..."

Zephyr can’t stand it and interrupts the speech of the elder: “We can achieve even more! In ancient times this place... This place was magnificent! I diligently searched for any information in books and I succeeded! It was a huge city! It was called St. Louis. Hundreds of thousands of inhabitants lived here! Ancient artifacts are probably hidden in the ruins on the surface and in the underground rooms! We just need to increase the number of scout search groups! Deep within this extensive network of underground tunnels there are many exemplars of ancient technology! We just need to concentrate on studying and not be distracted by unimportant issues...”

Palm of Rynok slams loudly on the surface of the table.

The voice of elder exudes cold irritation: “I am elder. I am responsible for the life of our tribe. I make the decisions. Not you. You should remember this, Zephyr..."

Zephyr is **** to bow respectfully and, trying to suppress his offense, say: “Please forgive me, elder Rynok...”

Elder continues his speech: “Our tribe has ceased to be nomads. But many other tribes of rabbits still remain nomads. We allow groups from other tribes to visit Warren. We trade with them. We learn from them useful information about the surrounding area. Yes... We are more technologically advanced, we now have more food and water... But this does not mean that we do not have problems..."

Zephyr grumbles: "The only problem is that I'm being distracted from researching ancient technologies..."

Rynok continues saying: “If you weren’t so arrogant and careless, then you would already know about the important events that happened in the neighboring lands. For example: the eastern tribes of rabbits-nomads report that a new dangerous and well-armed **** has emerged this year... They call themselves the “Ortleynian Empire”. They took over Crater City. And, obviously, they won’t stop there... Their ruler is smart and dangerous: he was able to come to an agreement with some tribes of rabbits-nomads. Now they work for him as mercenaries and scouts. Those tribes that did not want to cooperate were **** to migrate further to the west..."

Zephyr shrugs and says, “Crater City is a long way from us... And I had no sentiments towards the rulers of this city. They were selfish and cruel guys. Everything that happened to them is their problem, not ours. Why are you even bothered by such questions?”

Rynok says sarcastically, “Because I'm not an idiot. Unlike you."

Zephyr flinched at the insult.

Elder says: “Crater City was our trading partner. They bought food and water from us. We bought from them useful materials, ammunition and mechanisms found in the ruins. Now that has changed. We are faced with the need to establish new trade ties. Besides…"

Awkward pause.

“Besides, we need to prepare for war...”

The elder's voice was dull and gloomy.

Zephyr says, stunned, “What?!” War?! But why?!"

Rynok says wearily: “If the Ortleynian Empire continues to expand westward. And if we fail to come to an agreement with them... In this case, we need to be ready to defend ourselves... Therefore, we now cannot invest too many resources in improving hydroponic farms, in clearing blocked underground tunnels to create new housing, and similar things... We need to train troops defense, stock up on more weapons and ammunition. And one more thing: we need more fighters... Now our tribe numbers about a thousand people. How many of them will be combat-ready? At best, about six hundred persons..."

Zephyr finally says in a trembling voice: “Elder... Are you sure that...”

Rynok rudely interrupts his words: “Yes, damn it, I'm sure! We have problems! And we can’t just enjoy life and enjoy food and purified water while sitting in our homes! Because if we are careless, then enemies will come for us and take away our food, our water and our lives! And the problems are not limited to the eastern direction! Alarming rumors are also coming from the north and northeast: there is some kind of war there. Squads of **** traders from Babili are fighting some winged creatures-mutants. Sermons of some fanatics calling themselves “The Steel Alliance” are spreading across the northern settlements of the wasteland. This is the essence of reality, Zephyr! We have many potential problems. And our tribe needs to respond to potential threats in advance!”

Rynok coughs.

Then he says: “Tomorrow you will gather a group of experienced scouts. You are responsible for the organization of the group and the results of its work. This group will go to the western areas of the city. These ruins are poorly explored. Your group must find things that will be useful for defense. We need weapons. Lots of weapons. Gathering useful information and reconnaissance are additional tasks. Now you can go."

Zephyr gets up from his chair, bows and leaves the room.

It is obvious that his dreams of a peaceful life and a calm scientific study of ancient technologies that make everyday work easier are not yet destined to come true...

Zephyr's mind begins to think about who might be a suitable scout team leader and who would be useful as rank-and-file performers.

Years of experience suggest that Zephyr will need to bring someone of extraordinary ability to this dangerous task...