Lucas spent his ti reviewing the guidelines for the third phase. The details were thorough, and with each word he read, his understanding deepened.
The day passed, and they all slept as they usually did. Lucas frowned at the arrangent—there was nothing more than sheets on the ground.
Everyone seed quite accustod to it, even Lucas had been fine with it 15 years ago, but the next 15 years had made him accustod to luxuries.
He lay down on one of the sheets, and by morning, everyone had risen early. The night shifts had been allotted a few days prior, and although things weren't advanced, at least they were systematic.
After everyone cleaned up in the morning, the eting was the first item on the agenda.
Lucas sat in the middle, with John beside him and the rest scattered around. The big Duke and Spiky were also present. A small rat perched on Ella's shoulder, munching furiously on a piece of at.
Once Lucas was sure everyone had gathered, he began.
"Good morning, everyone. Today's eting will lay the foundation for how we move forward. Without wasting any ti, let's begin."
He smiled and looked around the group before nodding at John, who pulled out a slab with engraved words.
"Today's eting is about the territory and how we'll complete the third phase in the one-year ti limit we've been given."
"Oh, right. The phase," Haley remarked.
Many shared her reaction. Lucas had a feeling most had forgotten about it since a month had passed without ntion.
"But before we dive into the main topic," Lucas said, pausing briefly, "I want to ask you all a simple question. What do you think we're doing here?"
Silence filled the camp for a few monts until Ella, looking puzzled, finally spoke. "Isn't it survival?"
"Yes, survival seems to be one of our main goals," Lucas replied. "But what about sothing more important than survival?"
He glanced around, and as expected, no one had an answer beyond survival.
That was understandable, if Lucas weren't here, they would have not thought about it.
He continued, "What do you think about going back to our ho one day? Do you not consider that a possibility?"
Gasps and murmurs erupted from the group.
"Do you know sothing, Lucas?" John asked, clearly surprised. Even he hadn't expected Lucas to open the eting with such a bombshell.
"No, Uncle John. I don't know anything about returning to Earth or even if it still exists." He said, and without giving anyone ti to react, he pressed on, "But that doesn't an our goal shouldn't be to go back. We've spent this whole year accepting this as reality, whether it is or isn't. But shouldn't we have always been focused on returning ho? Isn't that right?"
Lucas took a mont to breathe, feeling the emotions swirling through the camp. So were intense, others more subdued. It helped him pivot the discussion to make it relevant for everyone.
"You're right," John said. "I've been keeping an eye on how we might get back to our planet. But with everything happening, all the responsibilities, it's been hard to focus fully on that. Don't you think we should ensure our survival first, Lucas?"
"I agree, Uncle John, but we can't wait for things to be perfect—they never will be. This place assigns us missions, whether short- or long-term. The latest one is to establish a territory that can bring us so stability. But why don't we set our own goals? Goals that aren't dictated by these screens or this world?"
"A goal to return ho, to live our normal lives again—to work and care for our families in peace."
Lucas began analyzing everyone's emotions again. He wanted to gauge their reactions.
He kept feeling until he sensed emotions that weren't expected during such a conversation.
"Or," Lucas continued, "it's possible that so of us might not want to return. Take as an example. If I create a teleportation portal to my family's territory and live with them here, I have no need to return. I don't miss the old tis, the technology, the gas, or the peace. What I have here is special to ."
He smiled warmly.
Everyone exchanged glances—so frowned, so looked confused, and others seed content.
"I didn't bring this up to spark argunts or make anyone feel depressed. That's not my goal. I want us all on the sa page. Don't worry about survival—we'll make that a norm here soon enough. Think beyond that."
Silence followed, even John seed unsure of what to say.
Lucas continued feeling out the emotions in the camp.
"If…" Bill hesitated before continuing, "if you're serious about teleporting to other territories, I don't think I want to go back either."
"You don't want to go back, Bill?" Haley asked, surprised.
"Why would I? On Earth, I was just a kid from the streets, but here? I have a purpose. I'm useful. Why would I want to give that up?"
"But that doesn't an we shouldn't go back…" Haley muttered.
"I don't want to go back either," Sandra said, surprising Haley.
"Why???"
"Haley, we don't have anything to go back to. It's fine here," Sandra replied, making eye contact. For once, she was saying more than just a few words. Lucas could tell it was because her sister was involved.
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At the thought of having nothing to return to, Haley suddenly shuddered, her face turning pale. She glanced at her sister, and Sandra squeezed her hand in comfort.
Lucas looked over at Sarah, who seed uncertain as well.
"You see? For so, going back is the main goal, but for others, staying here seems better. We don't have to change our thinking to align with everyone else's. If you want to go back to Earth, then beco strong enough that no one can stop you. If you want to stay, beco strong so that you can do more than just survival here. Strive for your own goals," Lucas said, sensing the emotions.
He noticed that many were starting to feel motivated.
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