Ellis sat in her cramped room at the Farm, the walls closing in on her as she rubbed her swollen belly, feeling the life growing inside her. The room, dimly lit and sparsely furnished, only served as a constant reminder of her captivity. She knew that the child she carried would become yet another pawn in the Moieties' twisted game, bred for their purposes and subjected to a life of servitude.

She joined the Farm for the promise of freedom, the allure of a better life for her and her family. But now, as she gazed at her reflection in the small, cracked mirror hanging on the wall, she knew that no matter how many children she carried, she would always be a slave. The weight of that realization was a crushing burden, suffocating her spirit and sapping her strength.

Ellis' days at the Farm were filled with mundane tasks and endless classes, each one designed to keep her mind occupied and get her body ready for the baby. She spent hours in birthing and doula classes, got massages and participated in yoga sessions. She missed her sensi. The Moieties wanted their babies in top shape. She tended to the other women at the Farm, providing comfort and support to those who were also trapped within its walls, their fates as uncertain as her own.

In the evenings, she joined the other pregnant women in the communal dining hall, where they shared stories of their pasts and dreams for the future, their voices barely audible above the clamor of the Moieties' guards. Their laughter and camaraderie provided a brief respite from the oppressive reality of their lives, a fleeting glimpse of the world that existed beyond the Farm's walls.

"What did you do before all this?" asked Linnea, a young woman with deep-set eyes and raven-black hair, her voice barely audible above the clamor of the Moieties' guards.

"I worked in a factory," replied Marissa, her green eyes distant as she remembered. "Machining parts for ships. It wasn't much, but it was honest work. I met my husband there, too. When he died, I decided to join the Farm" She smiled wistfully, the memory of him bittersweet.

"What about you, Ellis? You're young - had you been slated into any profession?" prompted another woman, her face etched with exhaustion.

"I was going to be an enforcer," Ellis responded, her voice low and steady. "My brother, Oudwi, was put into gladiator training early. We trained together a lot. He never wanted me to come here; he said that being a Tab was better than this." She glanced around the table, meeting each woman's gaze. "I miss him."

A quiet murmur of agreement rippled through the group. "I wanted to be an artist," said Linnea, her voice tinged with sadness. "I had dreams of painting the cosmos, capturing the beauty of the stars."

"Maybe someday, we'll be free to follow our dreams again," suggested Marissa, her voice wavering with hope. The other women looked at her with a mixture of longing and uncertainty. "This is my second child, so maybe..."

"I hope so," Ellis whispered, the weight of her words heavy in the air. "But we can't just sit around hoping the Moieties will follow through on their promises of freedom. We need to find a way to help ourselves."

A determined silence settled over the group as they considered her words, each woman lost in her thoughts. The oppressive reality of their lives still loomed, but in that moment, they found solace in one another's company and the promise of a better future.

As they continued to share stories, laughter and camaraderie provided a brief respite from their daily struggles, a fleeting glimpse of the world that existed beyond the Farm's walls. And for just a moment, they allowed themselves to dream.

But even in those moments of connection, Ellis couldn't shake the gnawing feeling of despair that festered deep within her. She knew that escape was the only path to freedom, but the prospect seemed impossible. She couldn't do it alone. Her brother, Oudwi, was her only hope, and even he was trapped in his own gilded cage as a gladiator and archivist.

In the rare moments of solitude, Ellis would sit by the window, her fingers tracing the outline of the distant cityscape as she whispered Oudwi's name, a silent prayer that he was still alive and fighting for their freedom. She clung to the hope that they would find a way to break the chains that bound them, that they would rise up against their oppressors and reclaim their lives.

As the sun set and the shadows in her room deepened, Ellis allowed herself to imagine a future where she and Oudwi were free, where they could live without fear and raise her child in a world that valued their humanity. It was a fragile dream, threatened by the cold, unyielding reality of the Farm, but it was a dream that gave her the strength to endure, to keep fighting for the day when they would finally break free.

Ellis's tablet vibrated, announcing an incoming video call. As she answered, Oudwi's face filled the screen, his eyes dancing with warmth.

"Ellis, my favorite sister! How are you? You're glowing!" Oudwi's tone was light, but his eyes searched her face for any sign of trouble.

Ellis chuckled, "As if you have any other sisters, Oudwi. I'm okay, considering the circumstances. YOu'd be glowing, too, if you were four months pregnant. How are you holding up?"

Oudwi sighed, "You know how it is. Anyway, I've been daydreaming about that trip we always talked about taking. To that city that never sleeps?"

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Ellis's eyes lit up with understanding. "Oh, I remember! The 'Las Vegas of New Earth'! We used to dream about escaping there, didn't we?"

Oudwi nodded, grinning. "Exactly. It's in the heart of the Luxembourgish Freehold, remember? A place where we could lose ourselves in the bright lights and finally have a proper chat."

Ellis smiled, catching his drift. "Yes, it would be a great place to swap those hard-to-find books we've been collecting. I'm sure we'd learn a thing or two."

Oudwi's face grew serious for a moment. "We need that trip, Ellis. It's time for us to catch up and... unburden ourselves. See what's out there."

Ellis nodded, her heart swelling with hope. "I agree, Oudwi. It's time for us to take that step, and maybe, just maybe, we'll find a way to make our lives a little better."

Oudwi reached out, his fingers almost touching the screen. "Take care, Ellis. I'll see you there."

Days later, Ellis stood amidst the grandeur of Virus' hotel lobby, an extravagant establishment nestled in the heart of Atlantis. The high ceilings, adorned with shimmering chandeliers, dwarfed the lively visitors below. Sounds of laughter and clinking glasses echoed through the air, as the scent of exotic perfumes and expensive vapors filled her nostrils.

Her heart pounded in her chest, picking up pace when she finally laid eyes on Oudwi. His impressive physique easily set him apart from the bustling crowd. As they wrapped their arms around each other in a tight embrace, a sense of relief washed over Ellis. She was glad that the Moieties felt that the mother's emotional health was good for their children.

Oudwi gestured to a man beside him, his sturdy build and calloused hands indicating a life of hard work. "Ellis, meet Ian, my boyfriend and fellow gladiator. He's also a chef with a knack for unearthing secrets."

Ian extended his hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Ellis."

Ellis swatted the man's hand away and gave him a bear hug, which set Ian off into a deep chuckle.

When she let go, she looked at the man, beaming. "O talks about you all the time. I'm so glad I get to finally meet you!'

Ian glanced at Ellis' brother. "You talk about me? All the time?" HE smiled.

Oudwi blushed a bright crimson. "Only the bad stuff, I swear!"

Chuckling again, Ian kissed Oudwi on the cheek.' Hopefully not the really bad stuff," he whispered with a wink.

The three made their way to a table in one of Virus' cafes.

They ordered and exchanged pleasantries, making small talk until their food arrived.

"El, here's a copy of what I found in the archives" he pulled out his spot, and with a flick, sent a copy of the files to hers. "I already shared it with Lyitem and Ian."

Ian nodded. "Yeah. Interesting stuff. Falls n line with what I heard in the alley behind my restaurant.You know that Ghim, Atlas? Turns out he was murdered cause of his connections with the rebs."

As they shared their findings, the weight of their discoveries felt overwhelming. The knowledge they possessed had the potential end their lives - or make them better. How could they use it to their advantage? They were just three people against an entire empire.

As their conversation was winding down, an AI who wore the body of a cantaur approached their table. He said that his name was Pulpit, and he was the head of security at Virus, and his cold, calculating gaze sent a shiver down Ellis' spine. He told them that their kind were not welcome, and he would escort them to a holding room.

Once they were safely inside the room, the door clicked shut behind them, and Pulpit began speaking with a deep, resonant voice. He revealed that he was a member of the Resistance and one of Yur's contacts.

"Do not worry," Pulpit reassured them, "this room is shielded from any spyware or devices. We can speak freely here."

"Who is Yur?" Ellis asked.

"He's... another AI," said Pulpit. He paced the room, the clopping of his hooves echoing softly. "You must be more cautious. Gladiators die every day, and women do not have to have a functional brain to be incubators. The Moieties are always watching."

His gaze shifted between Ellis, Oudwi, and Ian. "You three have potential as spies and sources of information. I propose a deal: if Ellis agrees to spy on the Moieties during her duties as a servant, I will introduce you to Yur."

Ellis hesitated, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced at Oudwi and Ian, seeking reassurance. Ian nodded, his expression resolute, while Oudwi placed a supportive hand on her shoulder.

"But what if they find out?" Ellis asked, her voice wavering.

Pulpit's eyes met hers, unyielding. "We'll do everything in our power to keep you safe. But the choice is yours, Ellis."

Fear and doubt gnawed at her resolve, but the thought of freedom, of a life where she and Oudwi could be together, spurred her on. She took a deep breath and nodded. "I'll do it."

A smile flickered on Pulpit's masculine face. "Very well. From now on, you are our eyes and ears within the Moieties' stronghold."

As they began to discuss the details of their plan, Ellis felt a mixture of terror and determination coursing through her veins. She knew the risks were immense, but the potential rewards were greater still.

As the hours passed, Pulpit briefed them on their roles and the necessary precautions. Each new piece of information further fueled their resolve. When the meeting finally concluded, Ellis found herself filled with a newfound sense of purpose.

With Pulpit's guidance, they would infiltrate the Moieties, gathering the intelligence needed to bring down the corrupt organization once and for all. It wouldn't be easy, but the hope of a better future for themselves and countless others was too important to ignore.

And as they stepped back into the world outside their shielded sanctuary, with Pulpit loudly stating that he was releasing them as he had only held them due to a case of mistaken identities, Ellis felt the weight of her decision settling on her shoulders. It was a burden she willingly bore, for the promise of freedom was worth the risk.

Pulpit handed her an encrypted spot-drive with an introduction to Yur and instructed her to seek out a woman named Trundle, a doula at the Farm who would help her navigate her new role. As Ellis, Oudwi, and Ian left the room, they exchanged glances mixed with worry and excitement. Things were changing.