Jonathan was the one who started to share our plan of going to the museum to search for any firearms that were still available in the storage with Captain Quentin, and the rest of the survivor group. As expected, Captain Quentin agreed with the plan, and so he asked us on how we were going to get there.
Aside from saying that we were planning to travel to the nearest station to the museum, we still did not have any further detailed plan in going there. As a response, he pointed us the map of the whole elevated train railway that was shown on one of the train car's walls.
Captain Quentin told us that in order to get to the museum, there were a total of three other stations that we had to pass through before we could finally arrive at the station closest to the museum, and the overall distance that we had to travel was roughly 2.5 miles. He also told us that earlier on the same week, he heard from few other senior officers that they finished delivering few obsolete firearms to a history and technology museum in Chicago.
That museum happened to be the same one that we were after. The problem was, the senior officers did not say any further about where the weapons would be stored at. Nevertheless, the information gave us a boost in our spirits as that would mean that we had higher odds in obtaining working firearms.
When Virgil heard that we were planning on going to the museum, he requested that he joined us. At first, we had our doubts if we really had to bring a civilian with us. However, he explained to us that he might be able to establish some means of communication. It was right after Virgil mentioned the word 'communication', that Captain Quentin began to get interested about it.
Virgil explained to us that since the museum was a historical and technological one, they must have a display for a wireless communication technology, specifically Morse code wireless telegraphy. He said that sooner or later we would have to establish a line of communication, and since there was no electricity at all, we had to refer to wireless communication.
Virgil also stated that he could try to make a Morse code wireless telegraphy communication machine, provided that he could find the transmitter and receiver somewhere. After he finished speaking, he pleaded to us again to take him with us. For me, I found his reasons to be very logical, although I still had one question that was still remained unanswered – the power source, and therefore I asked him about it.
"In that case, how do you plan on powering the machine with?" I asked Virgil.
"Honestly, I still do not know yet." he said, with a doubtful expression, "Although, I think that static electricity may do the trick, and I believe that the rest of the needed materials could be found around here, at this station."
"Then, it is your job to find them." Captain Quentin responded, "Let those three grab whatever firearms they can and that machine. You stay here, to find those materials. Break the train cars' electrical compartment open if you have to."
"I guess you needed something to cut or unscrew too, right?" Ryan said while handing his folding knife to Virgil, who responded him with a nod.
Since Virgil wanted to make a Morse code machine powered with an electrostatic source, I assumed that he would make some sort of a simple electric circuit beforehand. Therefore, I could almost guarantee that he would most likely have to break open one of the train cars' electrical component, at the very least to take the cables.
When Virgil finally agreed to stay at the station, Kyle also approached us and handed us her backpack, saying that we would need it as we definitely could not carry all of the necessary items by our own hands.
"Thanks." Jonathan said to her, "We will also try if we can find any bow and some arrows in the museum."
"Yes, please. Thank you." Kyle responded.
When the whole discussion was already finished, I turned the whole group's attention to the map again. I stated that it would roughly take us close to an hour of journey on foot from the station to the one closest to the museum.
Once we arrived there, if we were to continue on foot again to the museum, it would take us around fifteen minutes of journey. Therefore, the estimated time range of travelling time was around an hour and fifteen minutes of walking, provided that we did not take any stop at one of the stations that we were going to pass through.
I also suggested the group who were going to stay at the station that should any threat seemed to be approaching them, they were to hide inside the train cars until the threat subsided. All of them agreed with me, and Captain Quentin stated that he would not open fire unless it was a situation of life and death.
When Captain Quentin finished talking, Della mentioned that she saw a couple of food snacks and beverages vending machines earlier on the other side of the third floor platform's corner when she arrived here together with Kyle and Virgil, and therefore she decided to try to break it open for our food supplies. Captain Quentin immediately decided that he would assist her, and shortly thereafter, Kyle said that she would help Virgil in searching and obtaining the necessary materials.
When the whole group already decided every objective that we tasked ourselves with, Ryan handed one full water bottle to Captain Quentin for their water supply. The three of us readied our minds again as we were to start our journey to the history and technology museum. Just like before, I looked at my watch again to see the current time. It showed 00.40 p.m., and I realized that it was already in the afternoon.
As we took our first step on the railroad, I somehow felt like there was another burden put behind my back. Perhaps it was due to the fact that there were more people that I had to make sure safe, as compared to before. Nevertheless, I continued proceeding ahead with Jonathan and Ryan.