Renewal retreated to her private chambers, her mind heavy with the tumultuous thoughts of factional interactions at the poker game. She was glad that the Yakumunakuq took her up on her offer to show, and even more delighted when they did not reveal it was she who had invited them. Still, she needed space to think, to reflect on the deep divisions within her family. Her body longed for rest, but her mind was restless, consumed by the seemingly insurmountable challenges that lay before her. She was also deeply concerned with Inch; after what she saw between the young, handsome man and her brother-in-law, she feared for the friendship that was developing between her son and the young man from NC.

An insistent chime echoed through her room, a holo-chat request from an encrypted channel. Renewal hesitated, considering her options before accepting the call. The holographic figure that flickered to life before her was veiled and distorted, her features masked in shadow. Renewal steeled herself for what was to come.

"I have a message for you, Renewal Xacious," the woman said, her voice low and gravelly, carrying an implied threat. "We have one of your scout squads; Captain Henry Ghim-Tab and his crew have been captured by my associates. We want five hundred thousand credits for their safe return."

Renewal was confused, but she refused to let it show. "Who are you? And why call me?" she demanded, her voice steady and strong.

"Just call me Rebel," the woman replied, with a hint of humor. "I'm calling you because yours is the only direct line we have, and we have that thanks to your Captain."

"Why would he give it to you?"

"We have... ways," the woman said, another hint of humor seeping into her voice, throwing Renewal off. What was funny about this, she thought.

"What do you want?" Renewal asked, her mind racing as she tried to comprehend the situation.

"... five hundred thousand credits?" Rebel replied. "We need funding and support to keep pushing back against your fascism. In exchange, we will release your captain and his crew unharmed."

As they spoke, Renewal began to recognize something familiar in Rebel's words. She heard the same frustration with the status quo, the same desire to create a better world. It was a sentiment that Renewal shared, even if she had never articulated it before.

Rebel spoke of the injustice she had seen in her lifetime, the poverty and suffering that she had witnessed. She spoke of the corruption of the government and the oppression of the people. She spoke of the need for change, for a new world where everyone was treated with dignity and respect.

Renewal listened, her heart stirring. She had never met anyone like Rebel before. She was passionate and articulate, and she spoke with such conviction that Renewal couldn't help but be drawn to her.

"I understand your frustration," Renewal said cautiously, "but violence is not the answer. We must find a way to work together, to bring about change through peaceful means."

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Rebel scoffed. "Peaceful means have failed. Your family's power is built on the backs of the oppressed. We must take a stand, or nothing will ever change."

"Perhaps we can find common ground," Renewal suggested, her voice sincere. "If we pool our resources and knowledge, we may be able to create a better future for all without resorting to violence."

Rebel hesitated, and for a moment, Renewal could see the doubt flickering behind her eyes. "You truly believe that, don't you?" she asked, her voice tinged with anger. "The head of your house Vasily, had my parent executed when I was nine. He - and the rest of the little empires on this Earth-forsaken planet, only understand the language of brutality."

Renewal met Rebel's gaze firmly. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said. "But we have a responsibility to those who come after us, to leave them a better world than the one we inherited. We cannot do that by repeating the mistakes of the past."

Rebel was silent for a moment, her eyes downcast. When she finally spoke, her voice was quieter, more subdued. "You remind me of someone I once knew," she admitted, a hint of sadness creeping into her tone. "Someone who believed in the power of hope and unity."

"Your mother?" Renewal asked, a sudden intuition guiding her.

Rebel's eyes widened, and she nodded slowly. "Yes, my mother; you may have heard of her: Ai Cui. She believed in a better future, just as you do."

The revelation sent a shockwave through Renewal. She had never expected to find common ground with the woman, and yet here they were, united by their shared connection to Ai Cui and their desire for change.

"I remember your mother," Renewal said, her voice filled with nostalgia. "I met her briefly when I was visiting the Ghim Palace one summer when I was a child. She had the run of the palace; Vasily was taken with her. I saw her in passing a few times. But one day, I became lost on the grounds, near the fighting pits where monstrous men were beating the hell out of each other," she paused, looking at the distorted image of the woman.

Rebel hesitated for a moment, then nodded, indicating that Renewal should continue.

"I was scared out of my mind, but Ai found me. She took my hand, guiding me back to my family. In that hour-long walk, she talked about many things, things I couldn't really understand at the time. Freedom. Democracy. People."

Rebel was silent. Renewal didn't know how to read the woman.

"Anyway, I never saw her again, but I was devastated when I heard the news about her execution. I never thought Vasily would do that. Your mother made me realize that the system we live in? The Moieties that Vasily Ghim and those like him built? They aren't the right way."

Rebel was clearly torn between her desire for change and her distrust of Renewal's family. Finally, she nodded, her resolve evident in the set of her jaw.

"Very well," she agreed, her voice firm. "I'll be in touch."

Renewal nodded solemnly, "What about the Captain?" Henry Ghim-Tab was a childhood friend, traded to the Ghim clan as a part of a dowry exchange when Renewal and her husband, Requiem, married.

"Don't worry, Princess," Rebel said, her audible smirk finding its way back into her voice again. "We're taking good care of him. He's a decent dude."

With a final nod, Rebel terminated the holo-chat, her figure dissolving into nothingness.

Renewal sat in silence for a long time, her mind racing. She had made an unexpected connection with Rebel, and her keen architect's mind was already working to build a bridge between them. She knew she would have to tread carefully. Any alliance between herself and Rebel's group could easily be discovered and exploited by their enemies. But she had to try.