JJ waited for over an hour in the infirmary, resting and plotting ways to escape, before cheers sounded from outside. 

“It’s about time,” Imani said, hopping from her bed. “Let’s see their triumphant return.” 

They left the infirmary and looked down from the edge of the walkway, standing alongside many others. In the center of the large room amassed a loud and energetic crowd. People wearing all black were in the middle, embracing those who welcomed their return. A group of people wearing dirtied clothing – and some having orange prison jumpsuits – celebrated alongside those in black. Even Braiden stood there, though not euphoric like those around him. He was nodding as a man in black spoke into his ear. 

Braiden raised his hands and eventually the room silenced. Metal creaked as those on the platforms leaned forward to listen. 

“A moment of silence,” Braiden called, “for Ashton, Emory, Ezra, Leo, Gen, Zeke, Ivy, and Jaden. They have left us to enter the ether. And the police took Dan, Charlie, Colin, River, and Evie into custody.” 

The crowd grew somber, their heads collectively lowering. Sniffling sounded from the walkway above. 

“But enough mourning,” Braiden continued, raising his head and hands. “Let’s celebrate the many victories they’ve given us. They’ve liberated old and new friends, growing our numbers. They torched police records, erasing us from their database. And they stole the police’s own heavy arsenal.” At this, Braiden scooped up two large black bags and hoisted them in the air. “There’s plenty more than this! And with the weapons we acquired, taking down Wilkins’ headquarters tomorrow is assured!” 

The crowd cheered. JJ put on a fake smile. Imani’s expression didn’t change. 

“Come on,” she said. “Cheering means it’s meeting-time.” 

Minutes later, JJ sat in the conference room near the end of the long table next to Imani. Asaka and Dearil were there already, talking to one another and smiling at those who entered. Braiden walked in surrounded by people carrying the black bags. In all, six were left in the corner. Those who brought them in remained until Nadja stormed in. 

“Braiden,” she said, face stern. “May we have a word? Alone?” 

Braiden paused, then dismissed the group. JJ made to leave, but Imani grabbed his wrist. 

“We attend every meeting,” Imani whispered. “Even the private ones. Wielder privilege, you know?” 

A fact Nadja didn’t seem to like. Or maybe she was altogether ornery at the situation, with her arms crossed and nostril twitching. 

“What are you thinking?” she said when the small group left. 

“That in a day, we have made greater strides than the years we spent on our own,” Braiden said, smiling. “Nadja, we’re winning this war!” 

“What are we winning? Those riots you started are getting a lot of people hurt and arrested, Braiden. Not Wilkin’s higher-ups or people in our way. And now, with that stunt at the police station, we’re going to be their top priority!” 

“We already were. For weeks now! See how far they got? Those Peace Keepers aren’t doing anything but surrounding Jessica Wilkins. And it was only because of those riots that the police op was such a success.” 

“I wouldn’t consider eight of our members dying and five more arrested for eleven people a success.” 

“We brought back twelve, Nadja.” 

“And one of them is on Aidan’s crew. Not ours!” 

“Respectfully, Nadja,” Asaka said, “those six bags are filled not with regular firearms. They’re Gift-infused weapons. These are weapons the Talam Guard regularly use. Even the police only wield them in the most dire situations.” 

The Talam Guard, Talam’s other major defensive force. Peace Keepers were the elite of the elite, but a couple hundred Wielders wasn’t enough to defend the entire continent. So whenever a mass of soldiers were required, the Talam Guard were deployed. 

“Those alone were worth the effort of the raid,” Dearil said. “And will increase the odds of our success tomorrow.” 

“Is it really worth the friends we’ve lost?” Nadja asked. 

“Listen,” Braiden said, grabbing her shoulder and smiling. “We knew there’d be sacrifices. Everyone understood the risks. And because of them, we’re so much closer to taking down Wilkins’. Imagine, all those animals that can roam freely instead of being stuffed in cages. Remember why we started this in the first place!”

Nadja frowned, her eyes narrowing so much they looked to only be slits.

“We’re so close, much closer than we’ve ever been to realizing our dream,” Braiden continued. “Don’t you understand, Nadja? We’re doing the Titans’ work right now.” 

Nadja removed Braiden’s hand. “The Titans don’t tell us to put innocent people in the crossfire. Civilians were at the station when we attacked!” 

“There’s no time they wouldn’t be there. And it’s a little too late to complain about it now, Nadja.” 

“You’d have heard it earlier if I’d been consulted before the operation began.” 

“A regrettable happenstance, Nadja,” Asaka said. 

“But time was of the essence,” Dearil said. 

“As it is now.” 

“The wheels have begun turning.” 

“If we kill their momentum, we destroy our best chance of attaining victory.” 

“And in the process weaken us.” 

“They know what they’re talking about, Nadja,” Braiden said. “They helped Rise become what they are. Rise!” 

Nadja turned away, though JJ saw deep sorrow in her fully opened eyes. “I need a minute.” 

Her footsteps clacked as she left. JJ squirmed in the following awkwardness. 

“She’ll come ‘round,” Braiden said. “She always does.” 

“Then let us proceed with the meeting,” Asaka said. “First and foremost, we must plan around these errant Wielders. They were at the station, after all.” 

“It seems likely they will interfere with tomorrow’s assault,” Dearil said. 

“Do you think it’ll be possible to recruit them?” Braiden asked. 

“No,” JJ found himself saying. “My friend paid them to bring me back.” 

“They’re members of Nourishing Fields?” Braiden asked. 

“No,” Asaka said. “They’re a new, interim guild passing through.” 

“But they have a job they feel compelled to complete,” Dearil said. 

“So kill them,” Braiden said. “If they won’t come to the winning side, leave them with the others who get in our way.” 

JJ made sure the wristband was still recording, pretending he was checking the time. Once he got out of there, he’d bring his recording to the police. Surely, with all this information, they’d have to act. 

So he’d get as much data as possible, then escape after the meeting... somehow.