A/N - Firstly, thanks to everyone who has reviewed, favourited or followed you're awesome! I hope this chapter is ok, I promise there's more exciting stuff ahead. This was my first real 'blaaahhh' nanowrimo chapter where I didn't feel like writing, but we got it cranked out so here we are! R&R flames welcome!

Deliverance

Part One - Marked

Chapter Three - Chicago Falls

The meeting begins as the last eager looking assistant clambers into the room, taking their seat behind their leader. All and all there sat twelve guests at the giant mahogany boardroom table, they all appeared to know the others in some regard, I could sense the tension between some and the companionship between others and it made me nervous for the outcome.

Johanna speaks to me in hushed tones. "There's been more incidents." I give her an alarmed look and motion for her to continue. Why had no one told me this? "Here's the files, take a look through it." She says calmly, sliding two blue folders over the table to me.

I open the folder and I feel like I'm going to be sick. The black mark has resurfaced. It wasn't another explosion, of that, I am relieved, but it's beginning to look like the preparations for war, of that, I am scared. There are pictures of an area I recognise very well, a place where I spent days - Dauntless compound. I feel a lump in my throat as I think of the first time I had ever seen Tris there, the pictures before me show all of the training areas torched. The targets are destroyed, the punching bags and mats are incinerated, you would have never known they were there.

In the middle of all the pictures is the same gruesome sign - a large black ring, the mark of whoever was responsible for this. There are notes that accompany the pictures, the scrawl is hard to decipher, but I can make out most of it and it makes the hairs rise on my neck. 'Missing: unknown amount - Firearms, unknown amount - blades, unkown amount - ammunition...' the list goes on and I feel my stomach dropping, I know there isn't need to read the rest of the list. Everything. Whoever this was, was now in control of enough weapons to mobilize an army.

I can't keep looking at this folder so I close the blue front on it and try to erase the images from my mind. I move to the next folder to find more pictures, this is an area I'm a little less familiar with but I recognise it all the same - Erudite. The black mark mars the clean surfaces of a lab and the torn apart shelves of a library. I look for a list like the last folder, whoever wrote this list has a more legible hand than the last and it's much easier to read. 'Missing: 3 Vials of high grade Fear Serum, 1 vial of Bureau confiscated Death Serum, 5 Vials of Memory Serum...' The list goes on, covering some of nearly all the different serums currently in possession of our labs.

I slipped the following page out from behind the photographs, another list - as if the serums and the weapons weren't enough, it looked like there was records gone too. I'd have to ask Caleb what exactly all the numbers and names meant on this list, but I was certain they were probably all pertaining to the serums that had been stolen from the labs. I seriously felt sick, what a great time to come into a leadership role - as the city is slowly falling apart. I closed the folder and processed the information, there was just so much to take in, why hadn't anyone told me what was going on? I had spent the last few days trying to run after a five year old when I could have been figuring out who we were going to war with!

The group silenced as Johanna stood. "As some of you may have heard by now, Chicago found itself the victim of a brutal attack this past week. Our intelligence department has been investigating it and observing the city closely. This meeting today is to discuss the options and the information we have found and the precautions that need to be implemented for the safety of the people." Johanna cast me a glance at the words 'intelligence department' and I knew then why I was promoted. Collection.

I was unsure about these other leaders, but some of them reminded me of the dangerous likes of Jeanine, I made mental notes of who they were and decided it would be good to discuss this with Johanna later. Very few of these people looked trustworthy, and I found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, expecting them to jump at us at any moment. I wasn't entirely sure what Johanna was hoping to get out of this meeting, as far as I was concerned, it was unlikely we were to get any amount of cooperation from this people. Add the fact that we are in leagues with the Bureau and I'm not entirely sure it's not one of them attacking us.

A woman with blond hair in a black suit spoke then. Her appearance was rough looking, and the suit she wore looked unnatural on her, like she had to go out and get it just for this meeting. "And why is Chicago our concern? I chose not to live in your city for a reason. The bureau still has their filthy little hands all over this place, you can practically smell it in the air! Our priorities are for our people and our people alone. As far as we're concerned you're irrational for thinking you can re-build this city. Every other experiment in the surrounding area collapsed in choas and death, what makes you think you can salvage this one?"

Other Fringe leaders nodded in agreement with her and I took special note of who they were and how they reacted exactly. This woman had pull, most of the table seemed to be in agreement with her, I would take special note of her actions through this meeting. The man that had entered with the blonde woman was clearly her biggest supporter, undoubtedly they were in charge of their sector. He was a large, burly man, and the suit he wore stretched at his shoulders as if they were too wide for it. He was strong and he wore his scars like medals of war, most of the other leaders were afraid to look directly at him I realised.

"We warned you before and we'll warn you now. Leave the city. The Bureau will corrupt you and control you once more, it's only a matter of time. Karen is right, you aren't our concern, don't expect us to come helping if you end up in battle." Karen. She didn't look like a Karen, but I didn't dwell on that very long, at least I knew the name of one person at the table. He spoke in a threatening tone, as if they city itself was going to be under his attack. This was a power duo, they would have to be watched. Though their words definitely didn't escape my attention, I was fairly certain his words weren't a threat but a rather annoyed man repeating a warning for the umpteenth time.

Another man spoke now, a short round man that wore an over the top purple suit and a thick gold chain around his neck as if he was some kind of mafia man. He seemed slimy to me, but he sat alone, easier to sway a single person than a duo. "There must be some real reason you called this meeting. My area has been compliant and in relations with this city from the time it began to re-establish itself. Forgive me, but are you trying to insinuate that some of our people may have been behind that attack?" murmurs sprang up all around the room and people began to look to Johanna for answers.

Johanna spoke now, her voice calm and assuring, a brilliant leader if there ever was one.

"Forgive me Barry, I merely meant it should be considered that this group of people or this person may reach out into the Fringe for followers, it may be wise to consider that we are a united force against a single enemy."

"You're in leagues with the Bureau, how are we supposed to trust you or anything you have to say? For all we know this is some Bureau plot to get us all to join the experiment." a brunette woman spat from the end of the table I sat on.

Johanna is faltering slightly and I know she's trying to consider everything but the time isn't granting it. If she doesn't make a move soon she'll lose them all.

"We know the Bureau isn't anyone's favourite - believe me, they are the last people I'd ever want to come into... agreement with." I say now, choosing my words carefully. "This meeting isn't about the Bureau, this meeting is about the attacks on innocent people."

"You're that kid that attacked the Bureau!" Another man I didn't recognise exclaimed, as if it was the only thing he had been thinking about since he entered the room. Eyes are upon him as he jumps up pointing at me.

"Yes." I respond, levelling him with a serious look. "And I understand what qualms you have with the idea of siding anywhere near the Bureau. We're looking into the explosion that happened next to our parliament offices in broad daylight." The group seems interested now, but I'm not sure if it's with the exclamation of Barry or what I'm saying.

"Anyone who attacks the Bureau is good in my books." A coloured man at the end of the table says, nodding in my direction. "Continue boy, let's hear it."

"The most concerning matters on hand are still under investigation, the intelligence department is, I imagine, working at maximum capacity to find out those answers. My experience in intelligence has told me a few things about these incidents. We need to consider the fact that this city came to a state of resolution without the help of the Bureau. Believe me, I made sure of it." There was silence in the room, I hadn't accumulated this many spectators since my days training Dauntless initiates.

"The fact of the matter is that these incidents occurred after the influx of people coming and going from the city began. Predominantly these people are from the Fringe, this is a statistic proven by our immigration sector. I'm not blaming anyone for what has happened, the events have been tragic, and there are a lot of people dead or in our medical facilities receiving treatment in repercussion to these actions." I let that sink in, and I watch the expressions change around the table and try to remember how they change.

"So you think the people of the Fringe are responsible for this?" Barry demands, looking angered.

"I think sir, that we need to consider a freeze on immigration."

"You already granted us open pass to your city. This cuts off a lot of people from a lot of services, you can't just do that!" someone shouts, but I didn't catch who. There is conversation at the table and Johanna comes to my side.

"Do you truly believe that this is the answer?" I nod.

"Johanna, until we figure out who's behind this, we could just be letting more of them in." The man who sits next to me is listening in and he speaks now.

"More of them?" he asks. I nod.

"Well it's clear it's a group behind it." I reason, and a few people nearby stop chatting to listen in on my conversation with the man I don't know.

"Son-"

"Four." I correct him.

"Like the number?" He responds, confused.

"Exactly." He gives me a look and continues from where he was.

"There is hardly any evidence released, are you saying you know it's a group?" I think for a moment. Am I sure? The Dauntless compound is full of cameras, it would have taken more than one person to disable all of them and collect all of the items they did. It wasn't like they were stored in boxes, they hung on display, easy to grab in case of emergency, sure some of them were in crates, but the majority of the weapons were distributed through various rooms and would need to be collected before they could have been taken and transported.

I imagine most people would think those things were locked up, kept in lockers and crates under heavily guarded surveillance. That wasn't the case, we used them on a daily basis, they were open to the taking for any Dauntless who wanted to train, and initiate that wanted extra practise, hell, any Dauntless born child that wanted to hone their skills. When the faction system was in place it was smart, it kept the protectors sharp, the weapons in top condition, always being used and cared for. Now I can't believe how stupid we were.

"Yes." I answer, Johanna looks a little shocked. "Yes, I'm completely sure, there's no way it couldn't have been."

"So you're seriously considering implementing an immigration freeze?" I look to Johanna, and she's silently, looking at me as if trying to decide to trust me or not. Half the table has turned to stare at this man's exclamation and I'm waiting as the rest of them are to hear what her verdict is. She turns and faces the table, surveying the people in front of her, finally landing on the man who made the exclamation.

"Yes. If we can contain the people we have a better chance of narrowing down who is responsible for this. We need to know that you will stand by our decision and hold your people for a period of time -" She's cut off by the furious cries of nearly all the people at the table. I had been trying to decide if I should hold on to the information or let it be known, the information from the files. I've made my decision.

"Someone is out there with enough weapons to mobilize an army." I say quietly, but those near me hear and turn to face me, their eyes panicked at my words.

"What?" The man beside me demands. I clear my throat and speak again, louder this time.

"Someone is out there with enough weapons to mobilize an army." I can't help but let out a small nervous laugh as the severity of it finally, completely sinks in. "Someone is out there... with an army." I look to them now, and they sit silently. I take in the faces around the table and to my dismay it would appear that we're either in leagues with a bunch of really good liars or none of these people are in leagues with whoever is doing this. "For the safety of Chicago's people, for the safety of your people," I put the emphasis on where it would get them - their people. "the best thing you can do for the people is implement this immigration freeze."

There wasn't much debate or arguing past that. There was a heavy silence that hung above us all, the severity of the situation. No longer was their an electric air of smart-ass comments and loose attitudes towards this meeting, it was heavy and suffocating. I thought about Claire, then as we sat there, her big eyes and brown hair staring up at me from that corner as we choked on the air we breathed. I had to shake my head to get the image out. I stood then. "I need a moment, and I suggest you all take a moment to think on this as well."

I head out into the hall again, the bright sunlight patches that gleam across the marble floors are a welcome refreshment from the confines of that room. "Tobias, Tobias!" I hear Johanna shout, her heels clacking behind me, a notice of her presence before she even said a word. I turn and face her, as she rushes across the hallway towards where I now stand gazing out on the city. "What do you know?" She asks me urgently, looking over her shoulder to see if anyone had followed us out.

"Johanna, they took everything." I start and she immediately responds.

"No, we have more weapons, more serums, that wasn't everything."

"Johanna, do you know how many weapons Dauntless had? They held the whole city's cache, firearms, blades, grenades you name it, it was there. It armed an army once, and it appears it has armed yet another." I explain, running my hand across my cropped hair. "They wrecked our training facility, we can't even train a new army! It will take weeks to get that equipment replaced, we might not have the time. We are open for the taking." I look out on the city, the people milling about on the street below, carrying on with their daily lives, no idea what could happen to them. Silence sits between us for a minute, and she looks out to watch the same things I am: our city.

"And you're sure it's a group?" she finally asks.

"Positive, those weapons would have had to have been collected, packed up and then taken, not to mention the cameras disabled and then the training areas lit on fire. There's no way one person could have done all of that and not got caught. The same applies with the Erudite compound, their labs and experiment areas would, I imagine, be monitored closely. It took some serious planning and a lot of people to pull this off."

"Tobias, they may have stopped complaining in there, but that hardly says they're going to agree with us."

"What happens if they don't?" I ask her, turning to look at her.

"Then we'll have done all we can, if we get the majority we then take it to the Bureau and another meeting will take place. We'll present our rationale, if all goes well they'll agree. A treaty will then be drawn up and the parties in agreement will sign declaring, most likely, that their people will not be allowed within the city confines for a period of time." She explained. I didn't know how this would all work, I hadn't been her assistant through any big decisions like this.

"And what about the ones that don't sign?" She shrugs and looks out the window again.

"Who knows Tobias, that will be up to the Bureau." That was a souring thought, I pictured in my mind Karen and her strongman at battle with us, it wouldn't be pretty. What would the Bureau do? Would the agreement collapse? Could it collapse? Did they even care? I mean they basically left us for years to do whatever it was that we did be it slaughter one and other or destroy the factions, they let us go to war with ourselves. Who's to say they wouldn't let it happen again?

We turned as we heard the door open and Karen and her strongman, along with their assistant, a scrawny guy with taped up glasses appeared. They were yelling back at someone in the boardroom. "Oh, be damned if you see me siding with anyone! As far as I'm concerned this city can rot! There isn't a soul in this city that hasn't been corrupted by the Bureau!" They headed towards the elevator and never even looked back. I felt my hopes beginning to fade, that was one set we wouldn't have on our side.

We headed back for the boardroom, and just as Johanna reached for the door, it flew open, smacking her in the face and sending her stumbling backwards. I easily steadied her and turned on the person who caused the problem and felt my stomach drop. It wasn't one person but multiple. "I'm not going to war with anyone, Chicago is on it's own." Barry shouted, waving his hands dramatically.

They walked past and as I counted them, I realised there was only two people left, sitting at the table. We entered the room to see the coloured man who thought 'anyone who attacked the Bureau was good' and then the man who proclaimed that I was in on the attack. Something told me it was going to be difficult to convince these men to come to the Bureau. The coloured man stood and introduced himself. "My name is Kevin, now tell me a little more about these attacks." I feel like the time is wasted now, but I progress and begin to explain the details.

"There have been three attacks to date. Each one has -" The door slams open, and the lady from the front reception is breathing heavily, her shoes in her hands.

"The school is on fire!" She shouts, and we start to run.

The driver was sitting outside for us to finish the meeting, but the meeting was over now and we piled into the car all screaming at the man. I'm not sure which of us he heard, but he stomped on the gas and we jerked around, none of us with seat belts on.

We could see the flames as the school came into view. You could smell the smoke in the air again and I was glad I wasn't experiencing it like I was last time. We tumbled out of the car and were met by Zeke and his team. "They're out, everyone is out and accounted for!" He shouted over the sounds of chaos to us. I felt relief wash over me, at least one thing was going right today.

I was reassured of his statement when I was attacked by a small mess of brown hair shrieking at the top of her lungs. A teacher ran towards us as I picked her up and she fell silent. It was like deja vu, I could smell the smoke in the air and her little arms were wrapped tight around my neck.

"I am so sorry, she wouldn't stay lined up with the kids, I turned around and she was gone." The woman spoke quickly, clearly embarrassed by the situation.

"It's fine." I respond and pull Claire out from my body to look at her.

"You need to go with your teacher so you can go home Claire."

"I don't want to." She said stubbornly. "I want to go home with you."

"You can't come home with me, I'm working."

"Then why are you here?"

"Because this is what I'm working on."

"Burning the school down?"

"No, trying to figure out who did it."

"Are you a police officer?"

"No." I respond, setting her down.

"Then why are you investigating?"

"Because I need to."

"Why?"

"Claire, I just need you to go with your teacher. I can't take you with me." Her eyes get teary and I feel the guilt slamming down on me again.

"Because you don't want me with you?" She blubbers, tears falling freely now.

"No, of course that's not why. Look, sometimes we have to do things that we don't like doing, like right now, you have to go with your teacher." I stand and I walk away, before I make a bad decision or say something even more stupid than I already have. The teacher takes her hand and leads her away and I don't dare to look back as the sound of her sobs gets further and further from me.

Johanna eyes me, as I stare in the opposite direction of the fire. At first it was to avoid looking at Claire, but then I saw it. The black mark. What the hell did they need from a school? Were they in it for the sheer terror now? I didn't understand how they were planning their attacks, the political offices, the Dauntless and Erudite compounds, they all made sense, but a school? Who would risk the lives of all these children? What the hell was even at the school that they couldn't get from the regular library?

My head was swarming with what-ifs and how's and why's by the time the emergency team was beginning to get the flames under control. What the hell was going on?