Ethan Caldwell didn't say anything further; he simply nodded and instructed Helen Lloyd, "Prepare the car. This route will take about seven hours, and there are many rather desolate stretches. We should bring backup water and food; I'm guessing there will be certain sections where we won't find anywhere to restock these things."
Helen Lloyd immediately pulled out her phone and opened the satellite map. Her fingers glided swiftly, zooming in on the final leg of the route, "The main road is still usable. The last two kilometers are dirt roads, and there is an old gas station, but I am not certain if it's still operational. I will fill up the spare jerry cans."
Julian Sterling stood nearby for a moment, not interjecting into their conversation. He seemed to be deeply immersed in his own thoughts, and only after a long while did he speak up, his voice dry, "I'll go grab my things for a bit."
