We spent the first few days setting up communication. Fabian had massive resources, and whenever I mentioned price, he would only laugh it off. “I just hope we can get those damned invaders off our planet.” He seemed willing to provide whatever we asked for.

The small building that Fabian had secured just outside of the market had become overgrown with thornberries. The path leading up from the street to the door had been tilted and cracked by the roots that had spread out across the shallow layer of soil that had been manufactured during the terraforming process.

We left the vines that had grown across the front door so nobody would realize the abandoned building had new residents. The back of the little shack didn’t have as much growth covering it, but it was still obvious that someone had cut out a section to open the door. It would only be visible to someone peeking through the metal fence panels bordering the property, or from one of the windows in the monolithic five-story building that the Terrans erected to house their soldiers.

Inside, there were half a dozen holoscreens projecting different views of the city - The entrance to The Pit, the market gate, and even a few posts along the fields were already being observed by the Terrans. Fabian just found a way to collect the files and play them back, albeit on a thirty-second delay.

With everything else set, it was time to come up with a plan. We were going to take down the Terran tower - level it at night while their beds are full and it will make the biggest impact. We would need to find a way to gain access to the building, after which Fabian could provide a few rewired beetles to pilot and place explosives just into the right position to take it to the ground.

We knew I didn’t have a chance to get into the building. Fabian told me that my face was plastered all over the holoscreens in Boh’gren. He was convinced I would not be safe anywhere on Altura before long. He had the best shot of getting in, but didn’t want to destroy his reputation with the Empire now, with so much still to do.

I finally decided to come out of hiding and ask Baila and the others for help. I wouldn’t let them sway me from the plan, but I would give them the chance to join us. I waited outside Ara’s home, just out of view of the camera that i never noticed before. I had no idea how they could have gotten everything set up so quickly, and was kicking myself for all of the times I had been out in plain view for the Terrans to find me.

I watched the two approach, trying my best to keep a neutral face even though I wanted to hug them and to hit them at the same time. I could see from a distance the moment each of them first noticed the man standing in their yard, then when they recognized who that man was. Baila’s reaction gave me hope that she would be willing to help, but the disgust I saw in Torlyn’s expression let me know that he would not be so easily convinced.

“Divan, what are you-? Where have you-? Are you okay?” Baila’s relief made me realize that I had just disappeared, and what that usually meant here. “We checked with the Surgeon, but he hadn’t heard from you. Even got word to Stravus, but he didn’t seem too bothered…” She trailed off, clenched her jaw and crossed her arms in front of herself.

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“Looks okay to me,” Torlyn said as he shouldered past me, not even offering a glance in my direction. “Let’s go, Baila. I’ve got to get back to the fields before first light tomorrow. I only have three more days to meet mine and Ara’s quotas or they will take the property.” He turned on me then, pushing a finger into my chest. “And you are not welcome in my sister’s home.”

I stood on the path, jaw hanging open. Torlyn walked away, leaving Baila and I standing awkwardly. “Divan, he regrets hitting you.” She didn’t look in my eyes as she said it.

“Does he? I don’t think so. I think he would do it again, if he could.” I stared down at my feet for a moment, then took a breath and said, “I can’t just get tucked away for a rainy day. I need to do something. I am going to do something. I would like your help Both of you.”

We stared at one another for a moment, until finally her eyes softened. “I will do everything that I can to help.” The words hung in the air for a moment, then she said, “I will talk to Torlyn. He is sorry. You want the same thing.”

She looked tired, and I felt suddenly guilty about the extra work they had to do on my behalf. “Baila, look. I- I’m sorry. I know you are only here because of me. This whole mess is because I couldn’t keep myself safe.”

Baila laughed loudly, then said, “Oh, Divan. The world is so much bigger than you could ever realize. We are here because we should be here. I blame only the Terrans.”

We stood in silence for a long time, then finally I said, “I am working with a friend on a plan. I will reach out to you again, and we will try to make a stand here. I need to go now, but I will call you. Here.” I handed her two phones. “One for you, one for Torlyn. I want to get Ok’di on my side for this too, but I don’t know if he will go against the guard. Can you talk to him?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll try.”

We parted ways and I made my way back to the hideout. Fabian was still up, watching different near-live feeds of the city. I filled him in on my meeting with the others. “Do you think she can convince the others?” he asked after I had finished up.

“It’s hard to say. I think Baila will do everything she can. The others may not be ready to stop playing rebel and start actually rebelling.” I thought of the way Torlyn had looked at me, the hate that was in his eyes. “It has been so lonely, Fabian. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come.”

“Of course, man! You are my best mate! Besides, now I see a vastly underserved market. Maybe when we get these guys running scared, I will have you run a new branch of the store for me.”

I smiled at the thought, then told him, “No, I would never get used to those boots. I would spend all my time cleaning my lunch off the merchandise.” It was nice being able to talk to someone that truly knew me. It felt like I had lost every bit of my past, and to have my old friend by my side again soothed me.

I was afraid for the coming days, but it was in Baila’s hands now to get us the help we would need, and I trusted her.

I just hope I am putting my trust in the right place.