The headquarters of the Ilu Nla Liberation Movement was buzzing with the latest news. Spies were coming and going, reporting back. Interim President Ojwang, General Jitujeusi and their Falangetas had gone to Ethiopia to take part in the African Union meeting. The aim was to integrate the country into the institution.

But what had put everyone on alert was the Circle of Sages' invasion of a military factory. Versions were mixed, no one knew what they had stolen. The military at the industrial complex hadn't passed on the information. The reason could be a reprisal from General Jitujeusi, famous for his violence in punishing his soldiers.

He was responsible for the nation's technological development. As well as being a brilliant scientist, he possessed the most brilliant minds in Africa. Men and women kidnapped or lured by false promises of work and freedom into high-level scientific research. Many of his projects were stolen from other scientists, but as long as he had the weapons in his hand, he would take credit for all of them.

It was in this climate that the rebels' HQ was visited by a strange duo. Over the makeshift barriers made of rebar and walls made of rusty beams and old vehicles, the guards pointed their guns. The new arrivals looked like two beggars, wearing threadbare blankets. They appeared to be refugees.

However, the guards had orders to investigate asylum seekers. When danger was found, they were ordered to remove them. One of the guards, the oldest, shouted:

"Who's coming?"

The two looked at each other. Their guns were pointed at them. The points of red light from the laser sights danced under their bodies.

"Who are you? I said identify yourselves!"

The blankets were thrown away. To the guards' surprise, the visit was not unwelcome, but expected by all. They sent for the camp leader.

A few minutes passed before Azekel arrived at the wall. He was short and out of shape. He wore a plaid beret to hide his baldness. Despite his dry skin, he had a laughing face. He removed his beret when he saw the pair on the other side of the wall. He grabbed hold of the railing and tried to jump.

"Akachi... my... my little grandson."

The young psychic took a step forward. He couldn't believe that he had finally found his grandfather again.

"Grandpa... Azekel⁈"

Zup, Azekel jumped off the wall. Before everyone knew it, he had embraced his grandson and suspended him in the air. Akachi's eyes bulged, his cheeks puffed out and he began to drool. He mumbled in a choked voice. The old man shook him like a rag doll. Azekel's eyes watered.

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"My little grandson! How wonderful, how you've grown. I've been worried all this time..."

"Grandpa... whew! You're squeezing me..."

"You're becoming just like your father. He'd be so proud of you..."

Akachi tried hard to keep breathing. Azekel rubbed his chubby cheeks against his grandson's face. The two of them were crying like crib children. The others smiled at the scene. Fadala scratched his forehead, undecided.

⸎

On top of a tower crane that served as an observation point and freight elevator between the buildings. Azekel, Akachi and Fadala welcomed the cooling breeze. It was no later than ten in the morning. The day had only just begun and there was plenty to talk about.

The leader of the rebels spoke about the region they were in. Behind them, there was the wall that separated Ilu Nla from the slums that were three kilometers away. The movement's headquarters were in an area of unfinished housing estates.

The buildings had been used by Ojwang to embezzle money, corrupt construction entrepreneurs and public officials. They only contributed to deceiving the population and generating real estate speculation with an unprecedented housing crisis. The price of rent had risen sharply as a result of the lack of housing.

Electricity was produced by photovoltaic solar panels. Part of the energy was stored in a generator. The water came from an old well dug by the contractor who had won the tender.

In the course of the conversation, Fadala realized that most of the people in the camp were elderly, children and mutilated. People incapacitated for combat.

"Where are the young men, Mr. Azekel?"

"On a mission to gather information and supplies. Some need to plant false information to throw off the authorities. Other groups are on sabotage missions. We need to stay active and show our comrades that we have a chance of winning."

The Ilê Apanyan agent shook his head. He was disbelieving when he saw the current situation of the men and women of Ilu Nla. He realized that he had created too many expectations. If they had to protect themselves from an invasion, they would die with no chance of defense.

Akachi seemed to be the most excited about the situation. He walked along the top of the crane under the watchful eye of his grandfather. He had identified dormitories, snack bars, stores and a weapons cache. On the fourth floor of a building, a group was doing shooting exercises. The guns fired dry, without ammunition. They were saving bullets.

Azekel sat down on the floor and exhaled the air from his lungs. He had a lot to ask, but one doubt was hanging over his head.

"You should be in threes. Where's Nyatui?"

Akachi lowered his head and remained silent. He put a hand on his grandfather's shoulder and the old man responded. But it was Fadala who confirmed it with words:

"We infiltrated the tournament in the Grand Arena. Things didn't go according to plan. We came between the Circle of Sages and General Luena. Nyatui stayed behind, fought the general and... ended up dying. It wasn't possible to confirm her death."

"May Fante Obataiye receive you in his abode, may your spirit honor our ancestors."

Akachi smoothed his hair. He didn't know how to deal with death very well. He had lost his master, Yasini, and now Nyatui, who had trained Yasini. He felt that he was also his pupil. To ease his sadness, he decided to talk about the living.

"Where are the other masters of suspicion? I haven't seen Spin Bomb for a long time."

"That's funny. Ever since she got here, she hasn't stopped talking about you. Is she your girlfriend or something?"

Akachi turned as white as paper. The old man shook his grandson by the shoulders. Then the two of them embraced, teary-eyed.

"Spin Bomb is training with Feruzi. She said she'd like to help. Mashal continues to contribute to our organization. Come with me, we need to meet some people and have something to eat. You're safe for now, but you need to prepare for what's to come."