Chapter four, are you excited yet?

Strangely enough, I can't think of any notifications or anything to alert you about. (That's a first!)

I guess we'll just transition to the catchphrase, then. :)

Read on!

Chapter Four – Wu

"How is their status?" Williams asks, straightening his jumpsuit as he speaks. The delegates have met for an assessment of the tributes' adjustment to the rebel base, and I'm hungry for information about Lloyd.

"All seem to be doing well – or, getting by." Johnson says, and I notice his hunched look and wary eyes. Thrace notices it too.

"How so, Johnson?"

"Well, um… The All-Element boy is doing all right in training, but he's certainly nothing special." That's expected, but I can feel Garmadon stiffen slightly next to me. "The Fire boy, on the other hand, is doing exceptionally well, much better than those in his Army Barracks, especially in shooting and target practice. The Earth boy is doing very well in Tactical, too. Both the Ice and Lightning boys have adjusted to their new surroundings, and they're churning out revolutionary designs and technology." A few of the delegates nod enthusiastically. "And the Darkness girl… We're still trying to figure out her powers. Having no one else with her gifts… It can be difficult. Perhaps she was expecting some people here to have similar powers."

"So why are you anxious, my friend? This report seems to be a good one."

Johnson audibly gulps and shuffles through his notes. "The All-Element boy is not very gifted when it comes to weaponry or other Army-based activities. The Fire boy has made enemies in his group, and I fear they may plan something adverse down the line. The desire to improve in rank is very strong, you see." Thrace simply nods, but doesn't look too distressed. "Already the Earth boy has gained a small following, though, so that's good news. Even in completely alien environments he is establishing his leadership. The Ice and Lightning boys are doing well, but the Darkness girl is afraid and alone. We need to show her that others like her have gifts."

"So you're saying we should start the element program." A woman who sits next to Johnson speaks. "We need the support of the Darkness girl, and we're losing her. Can't we put her in a squad?"

A different woman speaks this time, rubbing her forehead as she responds. "Too risky. Too dangerous. Have we done a sweep and seen if there are any other citizens with magic?"

"That's the problem. We don't know how to detect it. If we can find what gives her the gift then we can check… But until then, dead end."

Williams' eyes dart over to Thrace and Liam looks surprisingly skeptical. The rebel leader reveals nothing to explain their glances. Yet another secret...

"So what are our options?" Eli asks, glancing up and down the length of the table. "We could start up the element program, figure out as best we can their triggers. Or we could put the Darkness girl in a squad. Reduce her isolation. Are we in fear of losing her?"

"Not quite. But training with those she knows would reduce what we're worried about." Johnson says, shrugging.

"Then again, if we mess up with the triggers…"

"Not a good plan." Scourge says shortly.

"So Thrace, what can we do? We can't speed ahead the element program, can we? But we can't help with the girl." I see both sides of the problem, and don't know which to go with. The best option would be finding another magic user for Ming to train with, but there are none.

"Well," I begin, looking down, "Aren't there spellbooks somewhere? I mean, they exist, sure, the traders can affirm that. And if there was ever a place magical artifacts would be held, it would be here or Borg Tower. Do you have any magical tomes or anything the girl could train with? And perhaps a squad she could work with that could protect her on the field, learn her magic and how to use it to her advantage? There's a Magic guild now, and it needs members."

"Wait, wait. We could send in some Infantry soldiers, at least Doubles, and they could work and maneuver with her. Also be her bodyguards, and they would be able to hold their own in a fight. She would strengthen them, and they would protect her. This could work." A man says from down the table, and I catch a flash of his grin.

"Agreed." Williams says, and I look up sharply.

"It will be arranged. We'll take soldiers from other squads, too, so that the group is well-rounded. What do you say – sniper, infantry, and spy?" The delegates chuckle at the special operations squad reference, and I find myself smiling.

"That sound excellent. I'll send a message to their squad leaders right away. Dismissed." Thrace replies, and he walks to the wall port and begins construction his message. Garmadon catches my eye and nods to the exit, and I follow him out the door and to the Lobby, where news is blaring on the projector wall.

"The patchless rebellion has reached a wild frenzy, leading to questions about the true power President Borg has over the actions in the Complex. However, he addressed the issue in a recent newscast." The screen image flips to a video of Borg appearing stern and cold behind a podium, his eyes flashing with a dangerous light.

"Many citizens have been wondering about the unfortunate incident of the rebellion happening in the Complex lately. Although I've already affirmed this, you are in no danger. The new batches of Nindroids have been specifically programmed to locate and neutralize any threats to your safety."

Someone scoffs to my right and I see Eli standing next to me, holding a glass of water in his hand. "Yeah, right. We've studied that tech – programmed to scan for patches, and if they aren't there, boom." He does a one-handed explosion gesture.

"That's pretty extreme." Garmadon says, eyes fixated on the screen, which shows grainy footage of yet another bonfire. "The civilians are getting very anxious, ready for change. How long will Thrace wait? Lots will be slaughtered."

"Hopefully they'll be prepared. We have weapons and intel streaming into their group like a waterfall. They'll know soon." His expression is hopeful but his tone is flat.

"Although there are estimates, we can confirm that over half of the population have rebelled against President Borg, and those numbers are climbing. Let me remind you, citizens: Borg has done nothing wrong or acted against you in any ways. He has sheltered you, educated you. These men and women have forgotten that, and this is how they repay the President's kindness."

"Kindness? Here's kindness for you, the Hunger Games." Eli scowls, and then turns away and storms over to the lifts, shoulders hunched. For a moment I consider following him, because I've never seem even-tempered Eli in this state before, but Garmadon lightly touches my arm.

"Don't. Let him calm down." He advises, and I turn to face the screen again.

"Citizens are advised to follow the Stop-Fade-Depart method when confronted with any rebels. First, Stop what you are doing. Second, Fade into the nearby surroundings – whether that be walking away, finding a sufficient hiding place, or otherwise removing yourself from the rebel's proximity. Lastly, Depart, and report the rebel to a Nindroid or a trusted Borg Enterprises official." A few pictures flash, showing people following the Stop-Fade-Depart method. The rebel in the situation is not shown.

"So what do you think of it?" A Tactical man next to me asks, then extends a hand. "Sorry, sir, for not introducing myself. I'm Henrik, and was just wondering what you thought of the current events. You both being Command and all." He flashes me a nervous smile, which I return.

"Sure… I mean, I'm no expert. Obviously, the patchless are slowly getting out of Borg's control, and they might have free reign of the Complex soon. I don't know if Thrace will strike then, or when he will strike actually. Or what a strike like this could even look like."

"But they have a plan?" Henrik asks, eyes alight.

"Yes."

"Wow. Wow, thanks. Thanks a lot!" He says, then walks off with barely concealed excitement.

"You'd think we're celebrities." Garmadon says as Henrik meets a group of friends and starts talking quickly, smiling giddily.

"If only. Celebrities are paid." I say, even though we'd have no use for money here.

"We could buy the tributes positions and spare them the trouble." Garmadon hooks his thumbs in his pockets and looks on at the news again, and we're quiet for a while.

After having a bite of actually-not-so-terrible hamburger, my brother and I ascend to floor thirty-eight and sit in our second meeting, which is an assessment of the soldiers joining Ming's special Magic squad. They all seem to be very nice, polite, and exceptional soldiers. I expect they'll work well together. The next meeting, directly afterwards, is totally focused on the new designs from the Ice and Lightning boys. I'm not a Mechanic's man, but I can still be very impressed by their creations. Zane has invented new ways to train soldiers when facing Nindroids, programmed with more daring attacks, more flexible patterns. He has also made plans for more efficient planes, tanks, and other war machines, including a small burrowing device that plants itself conveniently below enemy outposts before detonating. Jay has created many prototypes for soldier training devices, a new water filtration system, and a microscopic tracking device that could be implanted on the new Nindroids without detection. The Mechanic's team practically glows as they report their new findings, and Thrace seems satisfied.

The third and final meeting is the most important one, though, an invasion practice using all of the generals and advisors for a simulated battle using all of Borg's knows weapons. Thrace and the generals and a few of the main wartime delegates all have seats at the holographic table, with headsets to give orders to their troops. I see a man whose placard reads 'Pilot General' and am reminded of Quill and Louis. All wear heavy, determined expressions on their faces as they bark out commands and lean forward, occasionally twisting the display to view from a new angle, or selecting certain soldiers to lead the others into a certain storm. The whole process is very exciting, like watching a particularly difficult trade, and although there is a reasonable loss of life at the end, everyone seems satisfied when the last red light on the hologram is disposed of.

"Still, we have to work out the forcefield…" A younger delegate says at the end, and the generals fix him with a glare so intense he cowers back and ducks his head in apology. And there we are; I'm back to confusion again.

"What did you think of that?" Garmadon asks, and I can tell he is encouraged by the display of the leaders' ability.

"Very impressive. I wasn't expecting some of their moves. For guys our age, they can be unpredictable."

"Are you calling me predictable?" He chuckles, and I shrug and head for the nearest lift. We've missed dinner, but I'm not very hungry as it is.

"See you tomorrow, then." My brother says as he enters his room, and I wave and close the door to mine, checking the wall port one last time for any messages or last-minute meetings. Satisfied, I lie down on my bed and watch the Complex news feed until lights-out.

The rebel act is coming together, and I feel like I have a stronger grasp on the plans of Thrace, but a forcefield now? The Arena forcefield was pierced, how can this one be any different? Maybe there are more of them, like layers…

I fall asleep with the holographic battle buzzing around my mind, and I briefly recall my battle in code with Thrace and the rebel hackers. Who could have guessed that now I'd be joining them?

What do you think? Does the plot thicken?

Speaking of what do you think, pop down to that 'review' thing and type in a short bit about the chapter! Or the story in general, since there's not that much to read yet. Tell me your thoughts! I forgot how to read minds yesterday so I can't just pluck them out of your genius brains, sorry. We'll have to do it the conventional way.

All joking aside, really do tell me what you think! Even spelling errors, I couldn't care less. I'd love to hear from you!

Wow, another short author's note. I guess that's all for today, dear reader. Until next time!