“I suggest we all rest,” Asaka said, standing at the head of the table. 

“Tomorrow is rather important, after all,” Dearil said. 

Braiden nodded, looking over the map they’d made. A hologram projector sat at the table’s center, displaying a detailed, three-dimensional image of Wilkins’ headquarters. They’d spent the better part of an hour discussing how to move bombs and fighters to key locations. They had just agreed on the operation’s start: tomorrow, one in the afternoon. 

“That sounds good,” Braiden said. “I’ll direct everyone for the rest of the day. You’ve done enough. Thank you for your work.” 

And with that, they were free. Asaka and Dearil went to their bedroom, which apparently they shared by themselves. Even Imani had her own room next to theirs. 

“Sorry, but we weren’t expecting another Wielder when we made the rooms,” Imani told him as they stood to the side. “And I ain’t sharing mine. You’ll have to sleep with everyone else, until we can make another bedroom.” 

“That’s fine,” JJ said, watching as people rushed along the walkways, talking quickly and carrying weapons. “It’ll give me a better chance to learn about my new home.” 

Imani smiled. “I like that attitude. See you at dinner.” 

And that was that. After stressing for hours how he might escape without getting noticed, he was simply alone. No other Wielder to keep an eye on him, no Braiden to excitedly share his ideals, no common member who paid him any mind. 

Well, that last bit wasn’t true. Even in a hurry, the terrorists gave him a respectful nod and plenty of space. Civilians did the same on the street, whenever they noticed his priest-in-training smocks. It was uncanny how similar terrorists were to normal people. 

Putting his hands in his pockets, JJ went to the ladder, descended to the ground floor, then meandered toward the exit. With the press of a screen, the exit opened and JJ simply... left. The dim hallway was empty, silence his only ally when the doors closed. 

It can’t be this easy. Glancing behind him, JJ sped-walked away. 

“Going for a stroll?” a voice called as he crossed an intersecting corridor. 

Nadja leaned against the adjacent wall, a patch clinging to her inner forearm. JJ had seen those before on degenerates in Howin: THC patches, which made people high and useless. 

Heart hammering in his throat, JJ folded his arms. “I thought Serene didn’t approve of drugs.” 

Nadja rolled her eyes. “They’re not spiked spores or powdered leaf. It won’t hurt me to dull the headache that fucker gives me.” 

“It’s messing with your mind the day before a huge operation.” 

“Oh, yes. Because I’ve been so integral to Serene’s decisions lately.” 

“I imagine that’s a somewhat recent development.” 

“And I’ll give you three guesses when it all changed.” 

“It’s strange. Even with the bombings, Serene’s different than I expected. Much more... blood-thirsty.” 

“You defecting?” 

“Like you said, I’m going for a stroll. It’s a much healthier way to clear the head.” 

“Judgy. No wonder those three welcomed you with open arms.” 

“They don’t seem very judgmental to me.” 

“Imani’s fine. But those other two, always staring. I can tell. They think we’re beneath them. But Braiden? Oh, according to him, they’re great! They’re the saviors themselves, blessed by Titans. Did you hear? They made Rise what they are!” 

“It may have come up.” 

Nadja scoffed. “When Braiden and I made Serene, we had one goal: tear down Wilkins’ and hold them accountable for their crimes to Talam’s animals and countryside. We would change the nation through education and peaceful protests.” 

“What changed?” 

“Four years.” Nadja’s eyes were dull, likely from more than the THC. “Four long years of getting laughed out of assemblies, shoved away from supply routes, and Wilkins-owned companies’ production expanding over two hundred and fifty percent. Braiden was tired of it. 

“But we were gaining members. We were spreading our message. The government labeled us terrorists, but people who used half a brain cell saw that we never did any terrorizing. We actually had a lot of sympathy from common folks, something most cells can’t say.” 

“That’s been lost.” 

“It’s what happens when you blow up cars and hurt people. Sure, some people say what we’re doing is justified, but we’ve lost the majority of our support. Even still, I’d hoped we could turn it around. Then Braiden attacks the police head-on! And the people who are in favor of that are not the ones I want supporting us.” 

JJ held in a gulp. This conversation was turning out better than he could have hoped for. Now all he had to do was keep hidden from where Braiden got that idea. 

“What’s the point?” Nadja breathed. “We’re not killing Wilkins’ higher-ups. We’ve murdered innocent people. And tomorrow’s attack will only increase the body count.” She made a hollow laugh, staring at her shaking hands. “What’s the point of these patches, anyway?” 

“I think you know what you need to do,” JJ said. 

“Oh, do I?” 

“Think about it. What’s causing you all this stress?” 

“If I could get rid of those Wielders, I would! But most of our original members and all the new recruits we’ve gotten lately are entirely on-board with this. I’m practically alone.” 

“Not entirely.” 

Her dulled eyes narrowed. “You are defecting.” 

JJ took a breath. Would this gamble pay off? “I can’t defect if I’ve been a double-agent this whole time.” 

“You what?” 

“Serene’s destroying my city. I came to stop that.” 

Nadja actually laughed. “Fat lot of good that did.” 

“I know,” JJ said, which cut her laughter short. “I’m going to get help from people who can do better.” 

“And you’re telling me all this? I could go to Braiden right now and he’d send the other Wielders after you.” 

“Do it.” 

Nadja scowled. “Don’t tempt me.” 

“You can help me, Nadja.” 

“And why would I help you take down what helped build?” 

“Is this Serene?” 

Nadja opened her mouth to retort, then seemed to understand JJ’s meaning. She looked away, face red. “No,” she said, her voice breaking. 

“Then help me.” JJ stepped forward. “Please. If I bring everything I’ve learned to the right people, we could take care of this problem before more innocent people die. You can help me do that.” 

“By condemning all of my friends.” 

“You mean the people who’ve essentially shunned you?” 

Nadja growled, ripping the patch from her arm. “This is not a good time to be high. I can’t make a proper decision like this.” 

“Whatever you decide, I’m going to get help. You can either make things easier for me, or get caught in the crossfire. The latter makes you complicit in the death of more innocents.” 

Nadja’s breathing hastened, then she shook her head. Her hands balled into fists. “Fine. What do you want me to do?” 

JJ smiled, his heart soaring. High she may be, but he actually convinced her to become an ally! He almost couldn’t believe it worked. 

“Don’t worry,” JJ said. “It’s a small, simple thing, which won’t get you in trouble.”