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Authors: Sabine Priestley
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is changing.”
“The empire is dead,” a voice called out.
A few shouts of “Hael!” erupted.
Merek waved them quiet. “I also don’t have to tell you things here on Mitah are getting critical.”
From the back of the room, someone shouted, “Fracking Sandarians.” This garnered a slew of reprimands, and from what Ty could tell, a mumbled apology by the offender. There were Mitans here after all. Unfortunately, the sentiment was a common one.
Merek spoke loud but un-rushed. “We have to remember not all Sandarians are our enemy. Look at Father Arlo here. Only those who seek to repress all things Curzan are our enemies.”
“Only those with all the power, you mean,” Connor hollered, and it garnered plenty of support.
“That’s right,” Ty spoke up. “And it’s time for a change.”
The crowd erupted again.
“And how do you suppose we do that?” someone called out.
Silence fell as they collectively waited for a reply. “One at a time,” Ty said with determination.
Another eruption of voices and cheers.
Merek shot him a warning glance.“Ty, you’re not helping.”
“Ty’s right,” an older teen said. “We should deal with them one at a time, just like they do us. Jafferies won’t be the last, you know.”
That set the crowd off again.
“Oy!” Merek hollered. “Settle down. This is going to take time. We have to be smart, not rash.”
They quieted to hear him out.
“You know we have people in government, plodding their way up.” Merek let that sink in.
Heads nodded and people commented to each other.
Merek continued. “The Curzan underground across our planet is growing steadily every day. Trust us. The new mandate from the GTO decrees no more subjugation of non-psi beings.”
Ty wanted to laugh. The GTO meant nothing here.
“Who cares?” said old Craggin near the front, echoing Ty’s own thoughts. “Many of us aren’t ‘non-psi beings.’ Never have been. And we ain’t been nothin’ but subjugated.” He emphasized the last word and got a round of applause.
“I know, I know.” Merek paced on the stage. “But as you know, no one outside of Mitah is aware of that. Now listen. We’ve been working on something. Something that could change everything, but let’s face it. The GTO has its hands full right now. No one is going to care, not yet. But they will eventually. And when we find what we’re looking for, we’ll be ready for that day. It is coming.”
“And what is this…thing?” Craggin eyed him suspiciously.
“Yeah, what are you talking about?” It was Connor who asked, and he was giving Ty a questioning look.
“I’m not at liberty to say.” Merek looked uncomfortable. “But trust me, it will change everything. In the meantime, keep your ears open and your heads down because it’s starting to look like the chancellor is getting inside information. No one knows how they found Jafferies or the others before him. We need to stick together. Anyone hears anything, let me know.”
Ty fought to keep quiet. They were making progress with the texts, it was true, but Merek was putting too much faith into how much impact they would have. So what if they got their proof? Who were they going to take it to? No. The time for talk and texts was over. As soon as Merek wrapped up, Ty left out the side door. He needed to be alone. Needed to get his affairs in order. He didn’t know if he would come through his encounter with Jara alive or not. And he didn’t care as long as Jara was dead.
* * * *
Merek watched Ty make his escape from the church. Once the rest of the crowd dispersed, he sat on the edge of the stage with Bella and Father Arlo. “Our people are getting restless.”
“And why not?” Arlo rubbed his temples. “Another killing. I fear that everything we’ve worked for is unraveling. The emperor is no more, but Chancellor Mortog is ever your executioner. Your people have the right to be restless.”
Arlo Morton had taken over the church in
“The empire is dead,” a voice called out.
A few shouts of “Hael!” erupted.
Merek waved them quiet. “I also don’t have to tell you things here on Mitah are getting critical.”
From the back of the room, someone shouted, “Fracking Sandarians.” This garnered a slew of reprimands, and from what Ty could tell, a mumbled apology by the offender. There were Mitans here after all. Unfortunately, the sentiment was a common one.
Merek spoke loud but un-rushed. “We have to remember not all Sandarians are our enemy. Look at Father Arlo here. Only those who seek to repress all things Curzan are our enemies.”
“Only those with all the power, you mean,” Connor hollered, and it garnered plenty of support.
“That’s right,” Ty spoke up. “And it’s time for a change.”
The crowd erupted again.
“And how do you suppose we do that?” someone called out.
Silence fell as they collectively waited for a reply. “One at a time,” Ty said with determination.
Another eruption of voices and cheers.
Merek shot him a warning glance.“Ty, you’re not helping.”
“Ty’s right,” an older teen said. “We should deal with them one at a time, just like they do us. Jafferies won’t be the last, you know.”
That set the crowd off again.
“Oy!” Merek hollered. “Settle down. This is going to take time. We have to be smart, not rash.”
They quieted to hear him out.
“You know we have people in government, plodding their way up.” Merek let that sink in.
Heads nodded and people commented to each other.
Merek continued. “The Curzan underground across our planet is growing steadily every day. Trust us. The new mandate from the GTO decrees no more subjugation of non-psi beings.”
Ty wanted to laugh. The GTO meant nothing here.
“Who cares?” said old Craggin near the front, echoing Ty’s own thoughts. “Many of us aren’t ‘non-psi beings.’ Never have been. And we ain’t been nothin’ but subjugated.” He emphasized the last word and got a round of applause.
“I know, I know.” Merek paced on the stage. “But as you know, no one outside of Mitah is aware of that. Now listen. We’ve been working on something. Something that could change everything, but let’s face it. The GTO has its hands full right now. No one is going to care, not yet. But they will eventually. And when we find what we’re looking for, we’ll be ready for that day. It is coming.”
“And what is this…thing?” Craggin eyed him suspiciously.
“Yeah, what are you talking about?” It was Connor who asked, and he was giving Ty a questioning look.
“I’m not at liberty to say.” Merek looked uncomfortable. “But trust me, it will change everything. In the meantime, keep your ears open and your heads down because it’s starting to look like the chancellor is getting inside information. No one knows how they found Jafferies or the others before him. We need to stick together. Anyone hears anything, let me know.”
Ty fought to keep quiet. They were making progress with the texts, it was true, but Merek was putting too much faith into how much impact they would have. So what if they got their proof? Who were they going to take it to? No. The time for talk and texts was over. As soon as Merek wrapped up, Ty left out the side door. He needed to be alone. Needed to get his affairs in order. He didn’t know if he would come through his encounter with Jara alive or not. And he didn’t care as long as Jara was dead.
* * * *
Merek watched Ty make his escape from the church. Once the rest of the crowd dispersed, he sat on the edge of the stage with Bella and Father Arlo. “Our people are getting restless.”
“And why not?” Arlo rubbed his temples. “Another killing. I fear that everything we’ve worked for is unraveling. The emperor is no more, but Chancellor Mortog is ever your executioner. Your people have the right to be restless.”
Arlo Morton had taken over the church in
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