Is this destiny?

The next day, early afternoon…

They approached the first smaller base and Sarah and Aiden got two palm-sized drones out of their backpacks and one device which allows them remote control via Eve-lens. Here, in the forest, they don't have internet access, so they can't rely on Eve to navigate drones. Drones themselves can execute some simple actions, but they need someone to tell them which way to go.

Sarah and Aiden controlled one drone each, to go and scout the base. Their main goal is to confirm the number of people present and if they have any weapons. Based on that they can devise a plan.

Master Hollow, Bo, Souta, and Wing were watching in disbelief as the small toy-like things (aka drones) silently went up in the air and disappeared.

"It's camouflage…", Haru explained in a whisper. "They have cameras and Sarah and Aiden can see what they see. Think of them as motorized scouting units."

Master Hollow snorted. He was not happy that Haru disobeyed his order to stay away from Nala during the night, but he was also curious... "How can they see what those things can?"

"They have lenses in their eyes."

About five minutes later, Sarah informed others: "Three men, each has a gun. There are no animals present."

Aiden looked at Master Hollow. "Do you want them to get experience? Or should we take them out?"

"Can they watch this one?", Master Hollow asked.

Aiden gave a small nod before instructing to Haru and Nala: "One is behind the house. The two of you take that one. Sarah and I will take down the other two which are inside."

Haru and Nala left their backpacks and moved to the left swiftly, making a wide circle around the camp clearing, careful not to be noticed, with a goal to reach the other side of the dwelling.

Once they assumed positions, it was all done in a flash, and within a minute three tied up men were leaning against the house.

Master Hollow was pointing out some important details to Bo, Souta, and Wing while Sarah, Aiden, Haru, and Nala inspected the camp.

"There are no animals here, only cages and ropes and some tools. It seems that they are using this as storage.", Haru summarized for everyone.

Next, they went to check for the tire tracks and any traps in the surrounding area, leaving Sarah, Master Hollow, and Kitty in the camp.

"You did this many times.", Master Hollow said.

"Excuse me?", Sarah asked.

"This mission. Your seamless teamwork tells me you did this many times.", he clarified.

Sarah didn't deny it. "Life in our family is not boring. But we don't attack if we are not provoked first."

"They provoked you by killing her mother?", Master Hollow said while pointing at Kitty who was staring at three tied up men and letting out low growls. She knows that they are enemies.

"No one gets to bully us or our family members. Kitty is family.", Sarah responded.

"The way they treat animals for their gain is making me sick. When we found Kitty, she was trapped under her mother who was shot. And there were two other animals. They were shot and left in the locked cages and we presume that it's because they could not be sold. I still don't understand why they didn't release those animals into the wild."

"Maybe they were afraid that animals will come to get their revenge.", Master Hollow guessed.

Sarah looked at Kitty and her eyes turned gentle. "That only proves how they are smart and have feelings just how humans do. Maybe more. And they don't deserve to be caged, separated from their family, and sold like things."

Master Hollow watched Sarah who was packing drones in the backpack and he could not hold back his curiosity. "You said that you have more than fifty kids. Are all of them trained fighters like Haru and Nala?"

Sarah smiled. "Most of them. Some specialize in guns, knives, electronics, or first aid."

"Fifty skilled fighters…", he mused. "That is a small army."

Sarah's smile widened. She didn't want to say that her army is more than ten times that. And if she counts forces of the White foundation which are under Aiden's command, that number will triple.

"We teach them the skills they are interested in. Each of them is free to leave as soon as they finish their education and prove that they are self-sufficient."

Master Hollow chuckled. "Free to leave? You are reluctant to let leopard leave."

"That does not mean that I will stop her if she chooses to separate from us. She is like family, and I will miss her. It's normal to feel sadness.", Sarah explained as calmly as she could while her gaze didn't leave Kitty.

Master Hollow didn't find a fault in this logic. In a way, it explained how he felt when Haru left. And when Bo, Souta, and Wing leave it will be much harder to bear… the loneliness. He reminded himself to stay present. He has more questions for Sarah. "What will you do if kids don't want to leave?"

"We are giving them a home and they are welcome to stay as long as they wish. If they leave and return after some time, their room will wait for them. We are a family no matter what path they choose."

"Why are you doing this?"

Sarah didn't understand the question. "What?"

"Taking in kids, providing for them.", Master Hollow explained.

Sarah thought for some time before responding: "Because I can. Because they remind me what it means to be human. Aiden was in a coma for three months and those kids prevented me from drifting into madness. Without them, I would destroy everything… me included."

Master Hollow wanted to ask something else, but he stopped when he saw that the others returned.

"There is one hole that needs to be covered up, and we can leave.", Aiden said as he hoped next to Sarah.

He touched her chin and lifted her head to observe her expression. "Did something happen?", he asked with concern obvious in his voice.

Sarah smiled and shook her head. "Let's burry that hole and then we can rest before going to the next destination."

"What are we going to do with these guys?", Haru asked while gesturing to three men who are tied up next to the house.

Sarah glanced at Aiden, indicating that he should answer. Aiden didn't know what to do. Letting them go does not seem right but killing them is not right either. "Let's discuss that after we deal with the hole. Everyone can give ideas..."

…

After voting, they agreed to lock poachers in cages and to leave them like that. If someone rescues them, it's their luck, but if not, they will get to experience what their victims (the animals) went through.

About two hours later, they reached the second base where they found five armed people.

In this attack, Bo, Souta, and Wing joined as well.

They caught poachers by surprise, and everything went smoothly.

In this base, they found two not fully grown bears and a number of smaller animals. They let them all free after confirming that they are mature enough to survive on their own. Aiden was happy about this. He feared that if they find any animals that are too young to be released, Sarah will decide to adopt them.

After keeping five poachers locked in cages, our group of eight (plus a leopard) continued their journey.

About one hour away from the main base of the poachers, they decided to stop for the night.

They were near a lake which is a great spot for camping, and the fatigue was getting to them.

Sarah was happy to see that Kitty is sleeping on a nearby tree while they were setting up the tents.

"Why don't you have those gadgets to watch the surrounding?", Bo asked Aiden who was digging a hole for the campfire.

Aiden understood that Bo is asking about the drones. "The battery will last about three hours. We are saving them to scout enemy bases, anything more than that will deplete the battery."

Haru, Souta, and Wing got busy making fishing rods. They plan to catch fish for dinner.

Aiden told them that he can make a fish stew or if they catch plenty of fish, then he can roast it. This got everyone excited and Bo also made a fishing rod for himself.

Sarah and Nala were digging next to the lake, where the soil is wet, and they were happy to find worms that can be used as a lure for the fish (aka their dinner).

Master Hollow watched youngsters set up the camp and make preparations for dinner with a lingering smile on his face.

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