Not long afterward, at the Alliance's radio station in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The fellow in charge of receiving transmissions was chatting over the radio with the men stationed at the nearest Golden Road outposts.
Outpost guard: "Hey, buddy, how's life in the Smoky Mountains? Are those New York Council guys easy to deal with? Do you need reinforcements?"
Smoky Mountains guard: "Quit talking shit. Even if we needed reinforcements, there are only four of you. Who do you think you are, offering to back up more than a hundred of us with four men?"
Outpost guard: "Don't be so sure, buddy. For all you know, the four of us could be Rambo, the Terminator, bald-headed Jason Statham, or Dwayne Johnson!"
Smoky Mountains guard: "Hahahaha! Your bullshit gets more ridiculous by the day. Those actors don't even know they're supposed to be that strong. Muscles and a big frame won't necessarily help them beat real fighters, just like Captain Madison will never be a match for Boss Gavin or Captain Edward!"
Just as the Smoky Mountains guard said this, he suddenly received a request for radio contact from farther away-from the direction of home!
He immediately frowned and nervously licked his lips, then spoke to the outpost guard.
"Okay, buddy! If it's good news, remember to share it with me. And if it's bad news, let me know too. Don't leave the four of us waiting here like idiots!"
"No problem. Don't worry!"
After that brief exchange, the Smoky Mountains guard ended his conversation with the outpost and connected to the radio signal from Alliance headquarters.
A second later, ZT's exuberant, wildly excited voice came through the radio.
"Hey, this is ZT. Is that the Smoky Mountains advance team? Who am I speaking to?"
"Boss ZT, it's Barbos! I've