...and so do you.

You awake the next morning to the pleasant sensation of your best friend sucking your cock. He must have been at it for a while because as soon as you make eye contact with him, you blow your load. This time, Will swallows it all with a smile. You start to move to return the favor, but surprisingly he stops you.

"I appreciate it, but I actually got myself off while I was blowing you. I'm pretty sure the others are up now, so we shouldn't take too long."

You nod with only slight disappointment before the two of you dress and head to breakfast. You chat with the others for a while, making small talk, then change into some new outfits that the group set aside for you yesterday. Before long, it's time to start the day's work. This time, however, Alex is the one you find reading off a list of chores.

"Alright so I've got four different groups that will go out today. I've already assigned the groups, so if y'all will listen up - "

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Alyssa has just come out of the command center and is visibly irritated.

"I'm leading. What have you been doing the last ten minutes?" Alex still isn't backing down.

"I already made assignments yesterday. We went over this. Will and Ben will continue the recon mission they didn't finish yesterday and search for any sign of Ryan. The rest of us will be clearing out the parts of the ship that are salvageable and then making a livable shelter. Those tents are fine for now, but we can't risk staying there too long since we've confirmed the wildlife is dangerous. Plus, we have no idea what the weather does here, and if there's a bad storm we'll need more than cloth to protect us."

Alex continues arguing, and you can tell that much of the rest of the group is unsure of who to follow. Apparently, losing Ryan has made some of the others, particularly Hannah and Jacqueline, question Alyssa's leadership. Mike and Vanessa seem to still be on Alyssa's side, but neither are very outspoken about it. You suspect Mike has deeper opinions, but is too non-confrontational to share them. Vanessa, on the other hand, is clearly trying to avoid coming across as too committed one way or another. If the balance of power shifted toward Alex any further, you're willing to bet she'd swing the other way.

Once again, it looks like the group is almost split evenly. Alyssa shoots you a glance as the argument continues for another minute. It's clear she wants you to weigh in, for obvious reasons. You and Will currently control the weapons stockpile, and if you show strong support for Alyssa here today it would pretty much settle the leadership debate, at least for the short term. You remember the promise you made to Alyssa the previous night, and know she expects your full support in exchange for her help. Whatever the cost, you made your choice as soon as you shared the truth with Alyssa.

"We don't have time for this petty bullshit. Daylight is burning and we've got way too much to do. Alyssa is in charge. Plain and simple. If you don't like it, tough. Right now she's the best leader we have."

Alex looks at you, incensed. "Well I think RYAN might disagr-"

Will is quick to respond with more conviction than you thought he'd have. "Don't you DARE fucking speak his name, Alex. Did you see him in his last moments? No. You were safe and sound here moving supplies and organizing rations. Ryan was out with us facing the actual danger. Somebody had to do it. Don't act for one second like you wouldn't have suggested somebody do the exact same thing if you had been in charge. And don't forget that Ryan volunteered for that position. He knew the risks. How dare you use his **** as a political bargaining chip because you can't handle having a woman in charge of you."

Will's words have left Alex absolutely stunned, and even Jacqueline and Hannah are now looking at him with disdain. Alex stands there shocked, opening and closing his mouth a few times before finally, begrudgingly, accepting his defeat. A wide smile spreads across Alyssa's face.

"Alright. Well now that that's settled, let's get to work. Will, Ben, it's clearly dangerous out there. I think we'll be alright here with just one gun. Unless you think it's a bad idea, you and Will should each take a pistol and a rifle. I don't want whatever took Ryan to leave with one of you, too."

You nod, and a few minutes later you and Will are preparing to leave, armed and provisioned for the rest of your sweep. You decide to leave the last rifle with Mike. You're pretty sure Alex isn't the murderous type, but it's better to be safe than sorry until things have cooled down with him. With everything finished, you and Will head west, toward the pool where you left Ryan only a day before.