You agree. After all, an unexpected secret ally will help your settlement survive.

You say: "I accept your offer and undertake to maintain the secrecy of our cooperation."

Gregory smiles and approaches you, saying: "Extend your right hand, please. This is necessary to... certify the deal."

You are **** to do so.

The old man brings some miniature metal object to your wrist.

A brief prick and a burning pain for a split second.

"A simple precaution. I would be incompetent if I relied on words alone when concluding deals. Now we have a guarantee against violations. If you want to betray us, your **** will be inevitable." - because of his smile, you feel uneasy.

Then you and Gregory return to the stretcher on which the wounded Ben lies.

The human old man takes out several large syringes filled with a crimson liquid and also some kind of ointment from his pants pockets. Within an hour, he treats Ben's wounds with these medications.

"I'll monitor his condition. He'll regain consciousness in a couple of days," Gregory says in response to your questioning look.

Then Gregory takes out a bracelet-shaped electronic device with a miniature display and says something into the speaker.

These are some code phrases, the meaning of which is unclear to you.

"I informed my colleagues that the deal has been concluded and that they can begin the procedure for eliminating the threat to your settlement. You can go, Dar. Your subordinates need a leader. In a couple of days, the threat will be eliminated," the old man's words sound confident.

You go to the elevator.

Soon you return to your office.

During this and the next day, there are scattered attacks by enemy troops.

There is another bombing.

But there are fewer bombs than in previous times.

On the third day, Tina comes to you and reports: "Our scout groups reported something important. It's hard to believe, but for some reason, the enemy troops are retreating. Maybe this is a feint and they want to lure our warriors into a trap? "

"Stay cautious. Use mobile small groups of scouts-windriders. Scout the area. If there is the slightest sign of danger - retreat back to the protection of the walls." - you answer her.

As a result, your scout groups find many dead bodies at the place where the camp of the enemy army was supposedly located.

Many dead bodies of windriders...

During the next conversation with Gregory the Scribe, you tell him about the report of the scouts.

The old man's answer is: "Our guys did their job well. Several secret **** leaders of these savages. As a result, the warriors of each tribe are thinking about betraying the other tribe. Former allies are seized by a thirst for blood ****. The result is mass ****, the collapse of a fragile inter-tribal alliance and the elimination of a threat to your settlement. You can be satisfied, Dar."

Gregory and a couple of his colleagues continue to work secretly inside the bunker.

Ben is gradually recovering from his severe injuries.

Indeed, the threat to the settlement of The Green Oasis has been eliminated.

But the price was high.

A lot of persons died.

The tribes of windriders were greatly weakened. They are unlikely to be able to restore the damage anytime soon.

You involuntarily thought about the words of the female-shaman Ashandra regarding your person.

What did she call you?

The Traitor of the Faith of the Ancestors, who was once called Dar Vanlu.

You really brought a lot of trouble to the tribes of windriders.

But now you do not live in a tribe.

You are the mayor of The Green Oasis.

And your settlement has a powerful secret ally.

A mysterious **** that calls itself the "United States of America".

And also: you recently learned that this **** is sometimes called the "Enclave".