Imani poked at her bloodied bandage, then sneered. 

“Pretty sure it won’t hurt as much if you don’t touch it,” JJ said. 

Imani chuckled. “I’m just bored.” 

She had a point. Asaka and Dearil had departed soon after Braiden to oversee supply movement for the hastened operation, leaving JJ alone with Imani in the infirmary. They sat on neighboring beds, but didn’t speak for at least half an hour. Sounds of rushing footsteps and raised voices broke through the door, but JJ and Imani listened to the others’ advice and rested. 

But while Imani felt bored, a far worse emotion was settling over JJ. 

“You alright?” Imani asked. 

JJ must’ve made a face, or a posture, exposing his dread. “It’s a lot. All of this.” 

“You knew what Serene stands for.” 

“But I didn’t expect to turn Yoularnon into another Lendria.” 

Imani opened her mouth, then she closed it. She inspected her feet, life draining from her eyes. “Progress requires sacrifice. Collateral damage is necessary to create a brighter future.” 

JJ’s stomach coiled. “I wish it didn’t have to come to that.” 

“It might not,” Imani said with a smile. “We’ve helped groups without destroying whole cities before. Lendria’s the most extreme example. If all goes well, then today only the police department gets hit, then tomorrow is Wilkins’ headquarters.” 

JJ nodded. “Right, tomorrow. Then what’ll you do?” 

“Hm?” 

“You’re not going to stay here forever. Will you leave once the job’s finished?” 

Imani placed a finger to her lip, pondering. It could be a fool’s hope, but it was technically possible to take Serene down after the Wielders left. Sure, that would mean he was complicit in the destruction of several Yoularnon buildings, but the police didn’t do much to help the city against Serene and Wilkins’ did use more land than necessary for livestock farms. So it wasn’t like they were entirely innocent. 

And if JJ could bring Serene down, even afterwards, he’d probably still be regarded as a hero. But that would only work if Imani, Asaka, and Dearil left shortly after tomorrow. 

“Not immediately,” Imani said. “Serene’s still pretty small, ya know? We’re going to have to take care of them, especially after tomorrow’s op. When it all goes down, we'll hold them up, so they don’t buckle under everything.” 

“Makes sense,” JJ said, his hopes scattering into the wind. “The police and Peace Keepers would have to do something, after all that destruction.” 

Imani nodded. “But not as quick as you’d think. We probably won’t kill Jessica Wilkins tomorrow, but our attack will ensure the Peace Keepers stay with her, for protection.” 

So that was the name of Wilkins’ CEO. JJ hadn’t even known who his ‘enemy’ was. 

“But when we destroy the headquarters, the Republic would have to send more Peace Keepers after us,” JJ said. 

“Not always,” Imani said. “Depends on how busy the Peace Keepers are, or claim to be. Even if we get more on our tail, that’s all the more reason to stick around. We’ll make sure Serene’s self-sufficient before we go. And to spruce up your training, too.” 

“Me?” 

Imani chuckled. “Boy, I saw you fighting. You might’ve had some training, but not enough to be their shield. Nuh-uh. It’ll take maybe another two or three weeks to train everyone here what we know. You? It might take us two or three months to make sure you’re in good-enough shape to protect them.” 

JJ’s face reddened. His very presence would keep them here longer? 

“But we don’t mind,” Imani said, patting his knee and smiling. “We’ll need to find another group to help, anyway, and I don’t like changing course every month. It’ll be nice to settle down for a bit. So don’t think you’re putting us out none, got it?” 

JJ managed a nod. Silence settled over them again. Looked like Serene terrorists were heading to the police station. And here he was, being comforted by a terrorist, in a way that only made him feel worse. 

“Thank you,” JJ said, voice hollow. “I look forward to learning more.” 

How far would he take this? How deep would he have to go in order to bring down Serene? He’d thought it would be a quick endeavor, but these other Wielders were willing to spend more than a quarter of the year here, all to train someone they’d just met. Was their conviction, as awful as they were, greater than his? 

JJ’s stomach dropped. Yes, it was. JJ couldn’t afford to spend months of his life around these terrorists, complicit to all their crimes. If he left, the other Wielders wouldn’t stay for nearly as long. He could take everything he knew to the police and Peace Keepers and maybe – hopefully – they would use that information and do something about Serene. 

It was strange. A knot in JJ’s chest began to loosen. He felt free. 

Imani smiled. “So do I. I get the feeling we’re going to be good friends.” 

JJ nodded, faking a smile. Now, all he had to do was find a way to escape unnoticed. Which might be stupid and impossible, but in hindsight, was the best idea he’d had all day.