[ There were still countless variables to account for and go over, making things even more dire than before because one false move would topple everything. They fought for their own sense of freedoms but also for the other communities as well. Coming together did pull things into their favors but they needed more than just the drive for it. They needed the numbers and the weapons to fight because there would be a lot of death. There would be so much death and Rick wished they had another way to make all this happen but Rick knew men like Negan and they never listened to reason. He saw men and women like the man all the time before the world ended and he wore the badge with pride.

He knew how they worked and he also knew how they fell. Bullies always failed in the end with their inflated egos and overreaching prides. ]

Ain't about convincing, it's about planning. We have to take the steps now and keep moving. We've got to know where we want to go and figure out how to get there.

[ Did he ever wish they still had Abe and Sasha; both were so good at the tactical approaches and where to take things forward.

Taking what Daryl held out, Rick looked down at it to study for a moment. Did it mean Dwight still had other plans in mind? ]

Don't think Eugene is fully on their side. He's just scared and doin' what he can to survive. Might be betrayed now but we can get him back. He's braver than he thinks he is. [ He didn't want to give up on anyone, especially with how precarious things were at the moment. ] If Dwight can get us numbers from the inside, cripple Negan that way, it might do somethin'.

[ He handed Daryl the piece back. ] You're alright with includin' him?

[ The talk of Carl pulled a deep sigh and then a wince from him. ] He's still alive. It was - really close this time. Thought I was gonna lose Carl and lost Michonne all at the same time. [ He let out another sigh, running his hands along his jeans. ] We have to get to the outposts. Might need you to run a team.