“We hit the jackpot Araali" I said as I opened the trapdoor that was hiding behind the forest foliage. We found it by pure sheer luck after a fellow escapee tripped over a tree root and fell into some nearby bushes. I went to check on him and found him lying on a metal hatch planted in the dirt.

“I'll go down first." I climbed down the ladder and realized just how dark it was when I felt my feet hit solid ground again.

“Cole" Araali shouted at me and threw down a flashlight.

“Thanks" I caught it and performed a quick sweep of the area. I was surprised to find dozens of computers and electrical equipment lining the walls.

“It's clear, come on down" I radioed the others and started looking for a power switch. I backed into the wall and heard a click when I made contact. There was a loud noise and everything suddenly came to life. The lights and computers powered on slowly until the room I stood in was bright as day.

“What is this place?"

“Maybe it's one of those post-war hideouts the slaves used during their escapes." I heard someone say after all of them were with me.

“That doesn't explain why all this tech's down here" another added.

 “I don't care why it's here; I just want to know if this facility is secure, we can use it as our FOB…spread out in teams of two and search the area, Araali you're with me." I ordered as I headed down one of the many hallways with Araali close behind.

“Yes sir" was their reply as they broke off in pairs and spread throughout the bunker.

*******

“It's a pretty safe bet that this isn't a slave hideout." I announced.

We were all gathered in what looked to be a control center with hundreds of sophisticated computers and terminals lining each step in a large half circle. A number of monitors covered the walls and a large circular podium, the central computer, sat in the middle of the room with me and Araali staring at it in confusion.

“This technology is too advanced to have been around during the beast wars, and there's enough guns and ammo in the armory to supply a small army." He was just as confused as I was.

“But there hasn't been any form of human resistance for the last two hundred years and the beast kin control the surface so it would be pointless to put a military installation underground…unless" I closed my eyes in thought.

“Unless what?"

“…Is it possible that they were fighting each other?" He did not reply immediately and as the realization sunk in.

“It would make sense, but why were they in conflict between themselves?"

“Probably the same reasons we had back when we were free, money, power, greed, etc." Guess their more like us then I thought.

“We could use this to our advantage." I looked at him skeptically.

“Think about it, if they were at war with themselves than they would probably have made maps of the cities and the routes they could take to avoid the enemy."

“…Araali…that genius, if they had any chance against a force that large then they would have to adapt and rely on tactics."

I turned my attention to the center console and began searching for any files containing anything useful. I found the desired folder and displayed its contents across the largest monitor on the wall. Cities, forests, strongholds, supply lines, everything we need to know about the enemy was displayed for all of us to see.

“Well that's convenient"

I stood in there in awe. This information would let us plan our attacks, hijack supplies, and eventually push the beast kin to the breaking point. The guns and technology in this bunker could supply us with the power and knowledge we need to wage a full-scale war on the beast kin.

“Jake, Kiley, see what else you can find on these computers; Bryan, take Phil and make sure the weapons in the armory are ready to use."

“Yes sir."

I left the nerve center and made my way to the quarters to get some much needed sleep.

*******

“How's our status?" I asked Billy as we entered the control room with people at every computer searching through hundreds of files. His grey eyes scanning through the clipboard he held in his hands.

“We have over six hundred men ready to fight and enough supplies to arm every one of them."

“Where are they now?"

“Araali took them to the training room a little over an hour ago."

“Excellent…tell Araali to get everyone ready, we move out in ten."

“Yes sir." I watched him run out of the door before turning to the monitor showing the slave camp we had in our sights.

 This operation will be the starting point of the revolution and will be our declaration of war against the beast kin. We have been preparing our attack for the last 2 weeks and the men are on edge. They know that, once we do this, there is no going back.

“The men are ready Cole." Araali walked up to me and stood by my side. “Are you alright?" He asked with concern.

“…I'm fine…I just don't like how quickly we have to attack," I sighed out. The men haven't had the proper training and most of them have never even held a gun. What pained me most was the possibility of losing everyone.

“My friend" Araali placed his hand on my shoulder, “These men are counting on you to lead them"

“I know that but-“

“They know and have accepted the fact that they could all die during the fight, but they are willing to lay down their lives for the cause because it is their dream as well." I looked up to see him wearing a reassuring smile.

“…Am I even fit to lead?"

“You are more than qualified, you are the one that led to our escape, the men and I have faith in you. You just need to have faith in yourself."

I thought on his words and he was right, I need to believe in my ability to lead or this revolt would end before it even began.

“…Thank you Araali…get the men and meet me by the armory, were gonna perform one last check before me move out."

“Yes sir" he saluted and left to gather our soldiers. My smile faded as I turned to the monitor one last time.

'Get ready beasts…were coming for you' I thought as I exited the control room and made my way to the armory.