No one moved as the words settled over them, echoing through their heads. Someone was to leave the vault. Nobody left the vault! It had been drilled in their heads since birth that the world outside was desolate, violent, and unsurvivable. Certainly there were those who were curious, who fancied the idea of seeing the world beyond the safety of their walls, but to actually go? It was unheard of.

War. War never changes. The Romans waged war to gather slaves and wealth. Spain built an empire from its lust for gold and territory. Hitler shaped a battered Germany into an economic superpower.

But war never changes. 

Albert considered this, giving a sigh. He was probably right; the rats might return for them if they were prone, and taking turns standing guard and sleeping would mean double the time wasted when they could be traveling in the cover of darkness. If they wanted to sleep, they would have to do so in the morning.