The warehouse was like a lot of others in Tiran. Put up quickly to meet production demands during the Osirian War, then abandoned when the empire exported Core Chip refinement to create jobs back home. Now, half the industrial district was a labyrinth of unattended storehouses and empty refining facilities falling into disrepair. It made a great hiding spot for Brionac's headquarters, but it was also a gathering place for more local revolutionaries.

Nal had told Walraig she was going on patrol, but the truth was she was here to talk to them. If two Ardainian senators were able to find them out here, then it wouldn't take the army too long to sniff out these kids. She wasn't a communalist herself, but any enemy of the empire was a friend of hers. She didn't want to see them getting hurt on account of Walraig's stupidity.

She entered the warehouse uncloaked, to let the revolutionaries know she wasn't a threat. They'd spoken before, on occasion. This group in particular seemed like they knew what they were doing, so she decided to warn them first. The People's Liberation Army. The latest in a long line of movements that had been giving Mor Ardain hell for the past few centuries. It'd be a shame to see that fire stamped out.

They'd built a series of makeshift structures weaving throughout the nearby warehouses, connecting them all together into a single compound. They'd probably prefer the word commune, though, because most of it was just that. A community. The PLA kept the place safe, but most of those who lived here were just trying to get away from the empire.

As she entered, hands raised above her head, she got a lot of wary glances. A dozen people reached for their weapons, eyes following her every move, but she kept calm as she approached the center of the compound. So long as she didn't make any trouble, they wouldn't either. The benefits of her position, to some degree. She'd been fighting the empire longer than any of them had been alive.

Unfortunately, those benefits didn't extend beyond the door to their headquarters. As she reached the wall dividing it from the commune, two guards moved to block her path. She could have gone in cloaked, saved herself the trouble, but her objective here was to talk. So she decided to try talking.

"Heya," she said, giving them her best smile. "How's it goin'?"

The guards simultaneously frowned. Not in the mood for pleasantries, apparently.

"You're not getting in," one said. He was older, probably had more seniority.

"I promise I'll behave myself."

"If you want to visit the commune, that's your business, but we're not letting a member of Brionac inside."

"Says who?"

"The leader, that's who."

"I'm just here to talk, alright?" Nal pulled down the front of her poncho, revealing her Core Crystal. "I'm the Shattered Blade, I eat Ardainians for breakfast. That mean anything to ya'?"

"You're still with Brionac. I can't step aside for anyone, even for someone like you."

"What's the Shattered Blade doing with Brionac anyway?" the other guard asked. "I thought you were supposed to help people."

"I keep tryin' to tell y'all that's what we're here to do."

"Brionac only looks out for themselves."

"We ain't perfect, sure. But we're the only ones who can actually go up against the Empress without gettin' slaughtered." She sighed, stopping herself from getting into an argument. "Not the point. Listen, if I can't come inside, can ya' at least tell Rosa I'm here to see her? I've got something important to tell her."

The guards looked at each other. Then the older one motioned toward the door, and the younger one headed inside. Nal sat there, waiting while he delivered the message. She tried to make small talk, but her companion didn't seem interested. Every time she came here, it was like talking to a wall. For all her faults, at least Corinne knew how to hold a damn conversation. Eventually, after several silent, torturous minutes, the messenger returned and waved Nal inside.

"Follow me," he said, leading her inside the compound proper. For a group of people who despised the military, it seemed pretty militarized. Uniforms were standardized to look military at a glance, and there were squads of soldiers running drills in the courtyard nearby, all separated into rank and file. Hundreds of them, in fact. It was a wonder they hadn't made more progress, considering how many soldiers they had.

"In here," the man said, motioning to the door of a large tent. Nal tipped her hat to the man as she stepped inside.

"Howdy!" she announced as she entered. The tent's occupant met her with a much less enthusiastic response.

"Nal."

The woman glanced up from her desk to glare at Nal. Her name was Rosa the Spartan, leader of the PLA. She was old, and the age had begun to set in her gills and around her eyes. But she still had that look in her eyes that told Nal she was a fierce fighter. The two had shared an uneasy peace ever since Brionac moved into the neighborhood.

"I gotta say, Rosa, I'm a little hurt. Why'd ya' tell yer boys to stonewall me like that?"

"It wasn't a slight on you," Rosa said. "We're keeping Brionac at arm's length. You should know my stance on why."

"I know, I know." Nal put her hands up. "I just figured I might get an exception, considerin' how we're such good friends and all."

That actually got a laugh out of the woman. Nal hadn't been expecting that, but she'd take what she could get.

"And here I was figuring Brionac had sucked all the humor out of you."

"Ha ha," Nal said. "Seriously, though, I am sorry to barge in like this. I know ya' like yer space. Wouldn't have come if it wasn't important."

"It's no great trouble. But I'd prefer you not wear an Ardainian military uniform next time. There's no need to put everyone on edge."

"Y'all should try it sometime. It really screws with their heads, tryin' to pick out who's friendly in the sea of uniforms."

"Unfortunately, I fear it would have the same effect on my men." Rosa sighed. "What brings you here today, Nal? Finally reconsidered my offer?"

"Nope!" Nal beamed. Rosa had made no secret of wanting Nal to join the PLA. She was a symbol to a lot of people. Stories of her killing her Driver and rebelling against the military had fueled a generation of revolutionaries. Not that any of them were true, really. She'd eaten her Driver because he'd requested it. He'd wanted someone to continue the fight against Uraya after his death. And even after being hounded by her own military for a century, she still felt a little loyalty to the uniform itself, if not the people in charge. It was what had drawn her to Brionac in the first place.

"Then why are you here? Does Walraig want something?"

"Nah. I'm pretty sure he's still adamantly pretendin' y'all don't exist. I'm here because a pair of senators managed to track us down."

Rosa frowned, and immediately her demeanor changed. Before, she'd been mostly aloof, paying more mind to a notebook on her desk. Now, her full attention was on Nal.

"Clarify," she said.

"They don't know yer here, as far as I know. They only approached us to talk. No idea how that's gonna play out, but I'm guessin' it won't be pretty. I figured ya' needed to know, considerin' things are probably about to get dicey."

"Two Ardainian senators approached you wanting to talk? What, did they want to negotiate a surrender?"

"Ours or theirs?"

"Get serious, please."

"Fine." Nal crossed her arms. "Neither. I'm guessin' they want to join forces."

"They…" Rosa paused. "They wanted to recruit Brionac?"

"Seemed that way. I ducked out before the talkin' started."

"Do you think Walraig will go for it?"

"I highly doubt it, considerin'. Be pretty stupid to join up with the empire at this point."

"Good, good." Rosa nodded to herself. "And you're sure you weren't followed?" She glanced through the open tent flap.

"Who do you take me for? Of course I wasn't followed, I was invisible the whole trip. If anyone gives y'all up, ya' can be sure it won't be me. We may not exactly get along, but I ain't about to sell out comrades to get in the good books of two jackoffs like that."

"You're not who I'm concerned about. There's plenty of people in Brionac who hate us as much as they hate the empire."

"Oh, come on. They ain't that bad."

"The Duthrish are one of those 'uncivilized races' your boss likes to go on about. I wouldn't put it past one of his men to sell us out just for that."

"Well, then I guess yer paranoia's paid off. Info about the PLA's whereabouts is top-secret. Only me and the other officers know."

"And we can trust them all?" Rosa asked.

"I'd trust Corinne with my life. Walraig…" She thought about it. The man was more dedicated than anyone, but he was also a virulent racist. Rosa might've had a point. Still, his hatred of the empire generally seemed stronger than his hatred of everyone else. "I'm sure he'd rather you stay in the fight than not. And Akatsuki and Arrodh both follow Walraig's lead. Ya' don't got nothin' to worry about from us."

"I very much hope so. Thank you for bringing this to our attention." She stood up and headed out of the tent, motioning for Nal to follow. "If the military does come for us, can we count on Brionac's assistance, or are we on our own?"

"If anyone comes for y'all, just gimme a holler. I'll bring as many boys as I can wrangle up."

"I suppose I should be grateful. Though I can't help but wonder why you care what happens to us, if you're so unwilling to join the cause."

"I've seen a lotta people get hurt just tryin' to do what's right. I may not understand yer way of life, but I'll sure as hell help you defend it. I think just about everybody deserves that much."

"I never took you for an idealist."

"Yeah, neither did I. Funny how that worked out, ain't it?"

Rosa was about to reply, but she stopped as one of the guards ran up to her.

"Ma'am!" he shouted. "We've got more intruders from Brionac! They're looking for her!"

He pointed a finger at Nal.

"I see," Rosa said, her expression hardening. "I guess you didn't do such a good job of keeping our location secret after all."

"I've got no idea what this is," Nal said. "I swear. Let me talk to 'em, I'll see what they want."

"If this is some kind of ploy, I will see you dead within the hour. Do you understand?"

"It ain't—"

"Do you understand?"

Rosa and Nal stared at each other for a moment.

"Yeah," Nal said. "I understand."

"Then let's see what they want."

As they headed for the door, Nal couldn't help but dread the worst. Had Brionac followed her here? Could they even follow her here? She really hoped not. Rosa was just starting to warm up to her. She ran outside, ready to give a mouthful to whatever idiot had decided to barge in here. She wasn't expecting to see Corinne on the other side, surrounded by armed guards.

"Nal!" the woman exclaimed. The guards stepped aside as Rosa approached, and Corinne ran to meet them. "I thought I'd find you here."

"What are you doin' bringin' them here?" Nal asked, looking at the two squadrons of troops Corinne had brought with her. They seemed to have an uneasy standoff with the PLA. "This place is supposed to be need-to-know."

"I didn't have a choice. Walraig's joined up with those senators."

That information should've been harder to hear than it was, bust mostly Nal was just annoyed that she'd been made a liar. As much as she'd convinced herself otherwise, this was something she had expected from Walraig, deep down. The betrayal wasn't surprising in the least.

"Is he comin' here, then?"

"One of the conditions for the alliance was wiping out the People's Liberation Movement. I figure we've got about twenty minutes before they show up in full force."

"You assured me this wouldn't happen," Rosa said, glaring at Nal.

"Sorry." Nal shrugged. "Guess I've got a little too much faith in people for my own good."

"Faith in the wrong people, more like." Rosa turned around and singled out one of the guards. "Sound the alarm! The commune's been compromised. We're evacuating as soon as possible."

The guard saluted, running off further inside the compound.

"What about them?" another guard asked, motioning at the Brionac soldiers Corinne had brought.

"They're with me," Corinne said. "We're just here to get Nal, then we'll be out of your hair. I'm sorry it came to this."

"You could join us," Rosa offered. "We need more capable fighters, and clearly you've had enough of Walraig's way of doing things."

"It's a tempting offer, but we already decided to head for Gormott. The Empress is planning an invasion, and someone needs to warn them."

"Stay," Rosa said, looking directly at Nal this time. And part of her wanted to. The PLA had their hearts in the right place, but they didn't have the manpower or the supplies to see the fight through. Unless they all joined forces, none of them had any hope of winning freedom.

But Nal wasn't really here to help Duthract win its freedom. Truth be told, she wasn't really here to fight Mor Ardain at all. She still considered herself a soldier. Even after the century they'd spent hunting her, she never managed to shake that sense of loyalty. And in the absence of an empress or a flag to pledge that loyalty to, she'd settled for the next best thing. She found other outcasts and she followed their lead. And at the end of the day, Corrine had found her first.

"Corrine's right," she said. "Gormott needs to know what's comin'. I wish I could help, but…"

"I see." Rosa nodded, her expression hardening. "Forge the chain, comrade."

"Always," Corrine said.

It was a bleak goodbye, all things considered. The PLA, like every other communalist revolutionary movement throughout history, had suffered numerous defeats. Defeat was basically all they knew. And they liked to view those defeats as links in a chain, each one rising out of the previous. To Rosa, it was a signal of hope. Her interpretation went something like, "out of defeat, we will forge a chain to victory". But Nal wasn't nearly so optimistic.

To her it just seemed like defeat was all they had left. Just fighting and dying for the chance to spit in the empire's eye. That wasn't how Nal wanted to go.

"Let's move," she said, heading out of the commune. Corrine and her men were right behind her, two dozen soldiers against the world. Right back to square one. Just when she'd found a group she could feel proud of running with, too.

As they left the commune behind, however, Nal could see Brionac's remaining forces approaching from the other side of the district. Gathering to wipe out the PLA at the behest of their new masters in the imperial senate.

Fuck 'em.

"I hope Rosa can get them out in time," Corrine said.

"Why not stay to help, then?" Nal asked.

"Better to hedge our bets. If the PLA dies here, we're going to be the last true anti-imperial resistance in Alrest. And I'm not going to let the senate have their way. The revolution isn't dying today."

"It will if Walraig has anything to say about it," one of the men said. He motioned at the incoming forces. A handful of Titans crawling their way through the gaps in between the buildings. "Unless we're planning on fighting that, we need an exit strategy. And fast."

"Head for the cliff," Corrine said. "I stashed some transports there about a year ago."

"Doesn't that mean Walraig knows they're there too?"

"We'll just have to be quicker, then." She whistled, getting everyone's attention, and motioned toward the cliff. "Move out! Double time!"

Nal took one last look back at the PLA commune. They were evacuating, but it was still going to be a heavy blow. And Walraig wasn't going to let Corrine leave easily either. Chances were, the revolution was going to die here no matter what they did.

"You go," she said, striding toward the Brionac forces. "I'll catch up."

"Are you crazy?" Corrine asked. "You want to fight Brionac's entire ground division by yourself?"

"Someone needs to buy time. For you and for them." She motioned back at the commune. "Seeing as how I'm the one who brought Brionac here, it might as well be me. I owe Rosa that much. Come pick me up when you've got the transport."

"Alright." Corrine gave her a salute. Clearly, she didn't agree with the plan. But neither of them had time to argue, so instead she just took off, leading her troops in a mad dash for freedom.

One of Brionac's Titans broke off from the others and started to chase them. Because of course it did. Walraig wasn't the kind of person to just let them walk away. So Nal would have to make him.

As she strode forward, she drew her guns and unleashed a blast of ether. Even at this range, she still hit home, striking the Titan's pilot in the head and pasting him against a nearby wall. The Titan reared back, throwing soldiers into the air like ragdolls. Would've been easy targets, but she wasn't here to kill anyone. Mostly. She just wanted their attention.

And now she had it. Instead of following Corrine's group or going for the commune, the Titans circled around to surround her.

"Nal!" Walraig called out from his perch. Standing atop one of their stolen Archelons, watching the battlefield like this was some kind of spectator sport. As the Titan's guns trained on her, she activated her ether, stepping to the side a few steps. She could see Akatsuki prowling behind the front line of Titans and the flash of Arrodh's scope on a nearby rooftop. Watching for any sign of her true position.

"I'm disappointed," he said. "I knew Corrine wouldn't like my decision, but I was hoping we could resolve things peacefully. It's a shame you've decided to take the path of violence."

"Ya' joined the enemy," she said. "There's nothin' left to talk about."

As she walked, she manifested more illusions. From where Brionac was, it looked like a dozen copies of here were slowly pacing around the street. But it was really one solid sheet of ice that she was slowly expanding. Once it was large enough, she'd have them effectively surrounded.

But Walraig already knew that. Which was why the Titans at the edges of their formation were fanning out, taking different routes to the commune. At the end of the day, she was mostly good at distractions. She wasn't a heavy-hitting threat.

At least, that's the role she usually played. But it wasn't the only thing she could do. And she was going to make Walraig regret underestimating her.

First, the knots of ether that generated her illusions broke free, rushing toward the line of Titans. They held their ground, knowing these were just illusions. Which made for a nasty surprise when the ether inside them detonated, tearing through everyone nearby. Titans panicked, throwing the entire front line into disarray.

Unfortunately, Walraig ducked back before she could get a shot off, but there were others she could still hit. Two shots at Arrodh to keep him busy, then one for every Titan pilot she could still see. It gave away her position to anyone paying enough attention, but she moved quick to prevent them from acting on it.

Two blasts of light tore past her head as Akatsuki leapt for where she was hiding, and she shot back, striking him once in the chest and twice in the legs. He collapsed next to her, and she planted her gun against his core. Before she could blow it to pieces, though, a bullet caught her in the chest. Just to the left of her core.

Must've been Arrodh. No one else could've guessed where her core was that accurately. She lurched to the side, trying to bring her gun back to Akatsuki's core, but he was already moving again. With a roar, he threw a dozen crescents of light at her, cutting through the places he thought she was.

As she scrambled to keep clear of the incoming fire, she drew her excess ether back in, turning it into large spikes of ice that she shot up at any Titan still moving. Soldiers were starting to get back on their feet again, so she ducked into the crowd, moving through it to keep ahead of Akatsuki and keep Arrodh from blasting her head off.

A few of them realized what was going on, but none of them were fast enough to keep up with her. And she put a bullet through anyone with the presence of mind to point a gun at the invisible mass tearing through their ranks before it became a problem anyway.

She leapt onto the back of the Archelon as it tried to pry itself off one of her spikes, hoping to find Walraig. But he wasn't there. Instead he was down below, ready with a grenade. Even if he couldn't see her, he could judge her approach by the chaos she left in her wake. Just as she leapt onto the Titan's back, he tossed the grenade, and she barely had time to put up a shield before the blast struck.

It threw her into a nearby wall, knocking the wind out of her, but that wasn't the problem. The blast scatted her ether to the wind, leaving her exposed. She half expected Arrodh to put a bullet through her right then and there, but Walraig approached her instead, drawing his sidearm and aiming it at her core.

"You're really going to die defending those savages?" he asked. "You're going to choose them over your brothers and sisters?"

"Get bent," she spat back. "Ya' sold us out. Ya' don't get to lecture me about brotherhood. At least the PLA looks after its own."

"I have the weight of an empire on my shoulders, Nal. I can't afford to be principled if it means my soldiers are going to starve. We can't let the cause end in this backwater."

"Brionac ain't a movement. At this point, yer just mercenaries with guidelines. The only person here with any goddamn balls was Corrine, and ya' ran her out."

"She'll come around," he said. "Once I have the chance to explain things. Which is why I'd rather not kill you. She's fond of you for some reason."

"Funny, I was gonna say the same thing," Nal said. She gathered her ether up and created an illusion just above her skin, making it look like she wasn't moving. Then she threw herself to the side and sprang up. Walraig could tell something was happening, but he couldn't tell exactly what, so he just fired blindly. He struck her in the leg, but she did one better and placed her gun against his forehead.

"You really want to do this?" he asked. "Arrodh definitely has you by now. The second you pull that trigger, you're a dead woman. Why don't you put your hands up so we can settle this like adults? We could still use a woman of your talents, despite everything."

"I am real tired of bein' tossed aside by the people I put my trust in," she said. "First the empire, and now Brionac? Sorry. I'm not gonna let that happen a third time."

As she spoke, she could hear the whir of the transport on the wind. Non-Titan transportation usually made the worst racket imaginable, but at least it meant Corrine had their exit strategy. Now she just had to wait.

"But Corrine might get angry if I kill her ex," she said. "That one should really be up to her. So I'll make ya' a deal. Ya' go back into the hole ya' crawled out of, ya' take yer fuckin' senate money, and ya' play fetch like the dog ya' are. And ya' leave the rest of us in peace to do the actual work."

"Senator Roderich won't be happy about this," Walraig said.

"Like I give a fuck what Senator shit-for-brains thinks. Yer a big boy, ya' should be able to clean up yer own mess. But if ya' ever even think about following us? I'm puttin' a bullet through yer fuckin' skull, no matter what Corrine says. Because I am tired of bein' played for a fool by assholes who think they're better than me. Ya' understand?"

"Perfectly," he spat.

She had half a mind to put a bullet in him anyway, just because. The asshole certainly deserved it. But she could hear the transport approaching from behind, now, and she didn't want Arrodh trying to take her out while she climbed aboard, so she stepped back.

"You're making a mistake," Walraig said.

"Damn right I am," she shot back. "I'm lettin' ya' live. So why don't ya' shut up and be grateful I ain't changed my mind?"

Walraig looked like he wanted to say something in response, but she didn't give him the chance. The transport sputtered into view, barely staying in the air but chugging along nonetheless. One of the soldiers lowered a rope from the back, and Nal took that as her cue. She jumped and caught the rope, climbing up into the belly of the transport as fast as she could. She half expected Arrodh to shoot the rope out, but for whatever reason, he didn't, and she got aboard without a hitch.

"You alright?" Corrine asked.

"Yeah," she muttered, slumping into a nearby seat. "Let's just get outta here."

Everyone seemed to agree with that sentiment, and the transport headed out of the city as fast as possible. They passed the PLA commune as they did, and it looked like they'd managed to evacuate in time. So at least there was a silver lining for this whole mess.

As they headed out over the Cloud Sea, Nal couldn't shake the empty feeling in her stomach. She'd lived on Duthract for more than a century, and it stung to leave it behind. But it stung more that she'd been betrayed again. Thrown to the wolves by people she'd thought were looking out for her.

Even so, she still wanted to believe in something. If she couldn't believe in the people, then she might try believing in the cause instead. And everyone here still wanted to fight the good fight, so she'd stick around. For as long as any of them were still alive, she'd help them add more defeats onto that great big chain. And maybe someday, they'd finally have one of those victories she'd heard so much about.


Tiran had changed a lot since she'd left. Before, it had been an industrial wasteland. A twisted heap of crumbling infrastructure, overworked factories, and abandoned buildings. All the suffering it took to sustain Alrest's largest empire compressed into one city on one Titan. Working and living conditions for the Duthrish hadn't mattered in the slightest so long as Mor Ardain got their Core Chips on time.

But now, as the newly christened capital of the Concordant Republic of Duthract, Tiran was finally a fully functioning city. Not that the air was any cleaner. The factories looked like they were running as hot as ever. But there weren't hundreds of homeless workers lining the streets or riots threatening to break out on every block. And the buildings weren't threatening to fall apart around their inhabitants either. With the locals in charge, they'd taken the husk of an extractive machine that Mor Ardain had left behind and turned it into an industrial powerhouse.

And, though it was hard to judge, Nal thought the people looked a little more at ease. There was still a military presence, but it wasn't the empire anymore. It was the PLA, proudly displaying their flag in every window and their emblem on every forearm. It had taken decades of work, centuries of struggle, but they'd finally gotten around to the liberation part of People's Liberation Army. From where they sat, it probably felt like the first real victory since Uraya's defeat during the Second Duthrish War. Or maybe even since the destruction of the Saihate Commune.

But it didn't feel like a victory to Nal. They'd been fighting for freedom the whole time, and she hadn't envisioned freedom accompanied by so many armed guards. If the day ever came that the Duthrish could put down their arms without fear of the other nations stripping them of everything they'd gained, then Nal might consider this a victory. But until then, it was at least a step in the right direction.

Or that was the hope, anyway. She was about to see whether that hope was founded in reality or not.

"Don't embarrass me," she muttered, glancing at Qadar as they stood in front of the concord.

"I will not have been the one to embarrass us," Qadar replied.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know full well what it means." Qadar stared at Nal, expressionless but nonetheless clearly enjoying herself. She'd followed Nal here despite the fact that she hadn't told anyone at the Gardens where she was going. Or that she was going anywhere at all. This was supposed to be a personal visit, to put to rest some of the anxieties that had cropped up after their run-in with Saur. The second Qadar caught up with her, however, it became a semi-official political visit.

She intended to let Qadar do all the politicking.

"So how're we gonna play this?" she asked, motioning up at the soldiers guarding the entrance. "Any chance they just let us in?"

"You will have concealed me from view," Qadar said. "But they will not have obstructed you."

"You mean they're just gonna let me in? I've never had that kinda luck with them in the past."

"So long as you are alone, yes."

"So what are you here for, then? Come all this way to give me a pep talk?"

"You worry about you," Qadar said. "I will worry about me. Just conceal me."

"Fair enough." Nal shrugged and snapped her fingers, spreading ether out across Qadar's body. A large crowd passed them, workers crossing in front of the concord as their shift ended, and she activated it. It'd keep Qadar concealed so long as no one got too close. With that done, she started up the steps.

The concord was the highest governing body in the country, erected on top of the ruins of the old governor's office. And, consequently, it seemed accompanied by the tightest security. A full battalion or more seemed to patrol the grounds, and they kept a constant watch. Even for her, it would've been a fun challenge to break in. One she had kinda been looking forward to, in fact. But as always, Qadar was right. She just walked up, and the guards stepped aside without a word.

"Y'all expectin' me?" she asked.

"You're the Shattered Blade," one of the soldiers said. "We've got standing orders to let you through. Straight from the Secretary General."

"Oh." Nal straightened up a little. "Nice to finally get some respect. Keep up the good work, boys."

She stepped forward and threw the doors open, lingering in front just long enough to give Qadar time to slip through before heading inside herself. Qadar ran ahead, ducking into a nearby empty room and quickly disappearing from sight. Nal could track her by the ether shroud if she wanted to, but she had more pressing concerns.

It took her a minute to find Rosa's office. She figured the head of the People's Liberation Movement would've had their room on the top floor. The most prominent office in the city, looking out over the whole enterprise. Instead, she'd tucked herself away in a corner on the ground floor. Which was just like her.

As she approached, however, she could hear another voice coming from within. One particularly annoying pissant she'd hoped to never run into again. No such luck, apparently. Hopefully she'd be able to get through this without it coming back to bite everyone else in the ass, because Qadar apparently had better things to do, so she didn't have anyone to bail her out if she said or did something stupid.

"It's real simple," Saur said. "The Coalition's coming for this place sooner or later. The only chance we've got is if we stick together. You know it, I know it, there's no point in denying it."

"Don't pretend you're here to look out for us," Rosa said. "You need fodder to throw at the Coalition, and you've run out of mercenaries and bigots."

"Sure, but that doesn't mean I'm wrong."

"No." Rosa sighed. "It doesn't. That's precisely the problem. Working with you makes me sick to my stomach as is, so I'd prefer you at least be honest with me."

"Listen, if you're concerned about working with your old friend Walraig, then don't be. He's a bit player. A distraction, all things considered. If he's still alive by the time we finish with the Coaliton, no one's going to care if you kill him yourself."

"That wasn't my concern," Rosa said. "Though it is an annoyance. My concern is your government."

"Funny you should say that," Nal said, stepping into the room. She'd heard enough to know this wasn't going anywhere good. "I've been thinkin' the same thing."

The two of them stared at her, Rosa sitting at a rather spartan wooden desk, and Saur sat opposite her in a small chair. Rosa seemed mildly shocked at her sudden entrance, but Saur didn't even bat an eyelash. The asshole had probably anticipated this would happen, somehow.

"Nal," he noted. "Glad you could join us. You know Secretary General Luxien?"

"We've met," Rosa said. "How have you been, Nal?"

"Doin' well," she said, sitting next to Saur. "All things considered. So yer runnin' Duthract these days, huh?"

"Not how I would put it, but yes. The People's Liberation Movement has finally freed Duthract from imperial rule."

"Forgin' that chain must've finally paid off, then."

"I don't think we're done forging quite yet," Rosa said.

"Yeah, that's sorta why I'm here. Y'see, I've been wonderin' whether y'all are gonna keep fightin', or finally have somethin' resemblin' peace. So which is it gonna be, Rosa?"

"That depends."

"On what?" Nal asked.

"A great many things. One of which is why you're so curious in the first place. What have you been up to since you left Duthract, Nal?"

"Ah." Nal knew where this was going. Saur had probably already told her, but she'd want to hear it herself. She appreciated honesty above almost everything else. "Got a new gig at the Gardens these days. I take it you already know who we are?"

"I do." Rosa propped her elbows up on the desk and brought her hands up in front of the lower half of her face. Probably trying to hide the change of emotions on her face, but Nal could see the edges of her gills pull down in a scowl.

"This is perfect timing," Saur said. "We were just talking about your Coalition friends. They're planning to invade Leftheria, right? Is that supposed to be what you're living for these days, Nal?"

"That's real cute," Nal said. "Ya' think ya' can paint me as the bad guy here? The big evil imperialist come to pillage and conquer? Don't make me laugh, kid. Yer an agent of Spessia, the world's premier two-bit, upstart empire. And for the record, we're plannin' on stoppin' the Coalition in Leftheria, not helpin' 'em."

"If we attacked the Coalition tomorrow, who would the Gardens side with, then?"

"Not Spessia, I can tell ya' that much. Not after all the shit y'all pulled."

"Even if it meant fighting Duthract?" Saur asked.

Nal looked from Saur to Rosa, but she didn't betray any emotion. She clearly wasn't happy about her relationship with Spessia. Hopefully that meant she hadn't gone completely crazy yet.

"I honestly don't know," she admitted. "I imagine we'd do our best to keep things from gettin' to that point."

"They're getting there whether you want them to or not," Saur said.

"Yeah? Well, sendin' mercenaries to attack us in broad daylight and cuttin' deals with the Praetorians probably isn't helpin' that very much."

"The Gardens are a Coalition member state," Rosa said. "And despite appearances to the contrary, the Coalition isn't going to leave us to our own devices forever. We're all smart enough to see that, right?"

"I'd like to maintain some optimism," Nal said. She didn't trust the Coalition not to invade, in all honesty, but she was trying this whole "trust" thing again, so she had to have faith. "And is that how you really see us, Rosa?"

"You're part of the Coalition." She shrugged. "And ultimately, the Coalition is our enemy. How else am I supposed to see that?"

"The Gardens are tryin' to change things for the better," Nal insisted. "Sure, the Coalition's got plenty of problems, but right now, startin' a fight about it'll just get more people killed for nothin'."

"They're imperialists," Rosa said. "Capitalists. They don't understand how to do anything but conquer and consume. And when they run out of resources in the lands they've already enclosed, they will seek more. It's in their nature. They're already doing it in Leftheria."

"And they also gave you a heap of concessions at the summit."

"I'm aware. It's those concessions that led to this meeting, in fact. Saur came by with proof of the Coalition's plans for Leftheria. Proof that all their talk at the summit was hollow. And as loathe as I am to work with Spessia, they're at least honest with me. Their motivation for removing the Coalition from power is self-evident. And as disgusting as that self-interest is, at least it's predictable."

"I take offense to that," Saur said. "I'm not sloppy enough to be predictable."

"I knew ya'd be here," Nal said. "I'd call that predictable."

"You figured that because I wanted you to."

"And why's that, exactly? I'm still havin' a hard time puttin' that one together."

"Because I think you know that underdogs like us have to look out for one another. And you know the Gardens aren't going to last much longer. Duthract could use a Blade with your skills, and I'd prefer to be dealing with one less monstrously powerful Flesh Eater when we run up against the Coalition."

"Figures," Nal sighed. "Of course it'd be somethin' that petty."

"Petty? War with the Coalition is inevitable. I'm just doing a simple threat assessment. And you are undoubtedly a threat."

"People keep sayin' that. Feels like everyone's been talkin' about a war for a while now, but no one seems to ever talk about why. Almost like no one even knows why."

"If we don't strike first, the Coalition will," Saur said. "It's as simple as that."

"I'll bet ya' anythin' they're thinkin' the same thing."

"Of course they are," Rosa said. "It's how they operate. They don't know any other frame of mind."

"And apparently, neither does the PLM."

"We have an obligation to defend ourselves. I can't just roll over and let the Coalition undo all the progress we've made. I refuse to let every sacrifice it took to get here have been for nothing."

"Listen," Nal sighed. "I know ya've been through it pretty hard. So have we. But at some point, the violence has to stop. We can't keep fightin' pointless battles."

"Defending our homes is not pointless."

"Never said it was. But invadin' the Coalition? Because this asshole says so?" She jerked her thumb at Saur. "That'd be pretty fuckin' pointless. Sounds to me like ya've been at this fight for so long ya've forgotten how to do anythin' else."

"I don't want to hear that from you," Rosa spat. "What would you know about our fight? Every chance you had to help, you turned tail and ran instead. I thought maybe you'd change your mind once you saw what we've accomplished, but it appears I was mistaken. You're still a coward at heart."

Well.

That hurt to hear, but… Rosa wasn't necessarily wrong.

"Yer right," Nal said. "I am a coward. I've been runnin' from the fight for longer than ya've been alive. I've seen way too many good people lose their lives for nothin' tryin' to fight Mor Ardain or Indol or whatever asshole was in charge that week. And I've gotten really, really tired of it. I am tired of seein' good people die when they're just tryin' to do the right thing. And I've been completely unable to do anythin' about it. I've been afraid. But you know who isn't afraid? Nia. And Mikhail. And Zeke. The people at the Gardens ain't afraid of nothin'. Everyone there has been through hell and back, and unlike me, they've actually got somethin' to show for it."

"Your friends certainly have had quite the adventure," Rosa admitted. "But I don't see what that has to do with anything."

"It's everything," Nal insisted. "Y'see, when I first joined up, I thought they were idiots. Complete whackos tryin' to build a country without borders or hierarchies, without militaries and guilds and empires and everythin' else that's put the world through the wringer. But they did it. Just like Duthract, they made a place where people don't have to live by the old rules. And they've fought to defend it from everyone else who'd like to tear them down, including this asshole in particular." She jabbed an accusatory finger at Saur. "But the reason they did all that was to make somewhere that people didn't have to fight at all."

"I don't have that luxury," Rosa said. "So long as the Coalition exists, we will never have that luxury."

"That ain't a luxury, Rosa, it's a damn necessity. Or else what's the damn point of any of this?"

"You think I don't know that? Of course I know that. But none of the other nations seem to. I doubt any of them can even conceive of it. They're all perfectly happy to tear each other to pieces for scraps, and I can't afford to let that violence back into Duthract."

"Ya' attack the Coalition, and that's exactly what'll happen."

"You're exaggerating," Saur said. "We stand a good chance if we all work together. Which is why—"

"Shut up," Nal snapped. "This ain't none of yer business."

Saur put his hands up and stepped back, letting them talk.

"What choice do I have?" Rosa asked. "The Coalition will come here either way. There is nothing else I can do to protect my people."

"Even if it's gonna get them killed?"

"Even if…" Rosa sighed. "Even if that happens, we'll just have to press on. Another link in the chain."

"I'm real tired of that chain too," Nal said. "I'm real tired of losin'. Aren't ya' tired, Rosa?"

"If sacrifice is necessary to ensure the community can succeed, then I will make every sacrifice required."

"That's not what I asked, Rosa."

There was a pause. Like she didn't want to say the words out loud.

"Yes," she finally admitted. "I am very tired. But I do not see another way forward."

"Well I do," Nal said. "Join us."

"No. I cannot and will not join forces with the Coalition."

"Who said anythin' about the Coalition? Fuck the Coalition. I'm talkin' about us. The Gardens. We're already plannin' to defend Leftheria from the Coalition's advance, why not Duthract too? We'll come runnin' in a flash if anythin' happens, but only if ya' can keep the peace."

"It's a noble offer, Nal, but what can you realistically do against the Coalition?"

"More than he can, that's for damn sure." She motioned at Saur. "Ya' join up with him, and then what? What happens even if you do manage to beat the Coalition? I'll tell ya' what happens, he turns around and does the same thing to Duthract. He will drop you the moment he doesn't need you because Spessia is no different from every other empire that's set foot here."

"And you're going to do better?" Rosa asked. She squared up and stared Nal dead in the face. "You? The woman who only knows how to run away?"

"I am done runnin'," Nal said. She met Rosa's gaze with every ounce of determination she had. "And I am done losin'. I think it's about time we have that victory, don't you?"

They stared at each other for several long seconds, and slowly, the corners of Rosa's mouth twitched up into a smile.

"Yeah," she said. "I do."

"Wait, what?" Saur asked, sitting up and staring at Rosa. "Are you kidding me? You're joining the Gardens?"

"I have to do what's best for my people, Saur. And Nal's right. An alliance with Spessia is a stay of execution, at best."

"We are the best chance you have, lady."

"Maybe so. But when it comes down to it?" Rose returned his stare with her characteristic ice-gold glare. "I simply don't trust you. You're a nation run by capitalists. It's not in your nature to leave us be. But the Gardens? They seem to have the right of it. Communalists need to look out for each other."

"We ain' communalist as such," Nal said, shrugging. "But close enough, I guess."

"You can't be fucking serious," Saur muttered. He patted himself down until he drew out a pack of cigarettes and fumbled to light one up. His hands were practically shaking. "This is the absolute dumbest shit I've ever heard. Y'know, maybe Niranira was right about you idiots after all."

"Put that thing out," Rosa said. "And you've got your answer, Saur. Duthract will not be joining your alliance. You're welcome to leave now."

"Won't even let me light a fucking smoke." Saur flicked the cigarette at Rosa with a huff. "Figures. You're making a colossal mistake, you hear me? Colossal."

"You heard her," Nal said, drawing her pistol. "Leave."

"I can take a fucking hint," Saur spat. "Salutations to you both. Solidarity and forge the chain and all that other crap. See if I care how long you idiots last. But don't come crying to me when the Coalition tear your little mistake of a social order to the ground."

Saur flung open the door to the office and tried to leave, but he ran straight into some invisible force. A large presence of ether looming in the doorway. Nal glanced outside to see several bodies lining the hall. Qadar's work, probably. She dropped the illusion and let the woman's presence speak for itself.

"Fuck me," Saur muttered, stepping back. Qadar followed him, closing the door behind her. "This can't be happening."

"I have disabled your assassins," Qadar said. "Secretary General Luxien will have been safe from your plotting."

"Assassins?" Rosa asked. "Nal? What's going on?"

"I see," Nal said. "That's why you tagged along, is it? To keep Rosa safe?"

"Among other things." Qadar looked past Saur at Rosa. "This man made secret deals with more militant elements of the PLA. A contingency, should you turn down his offer. You would have been killed, and a more expansionist leader would have taken power."

"Who is she?" Rosa asked.

"The Oracle of Judicium," Saur said. "Fuck me running, this is not how I pictured this day going."

"She's telling the truth?"

"What do you think she got the title for? Of course she's telling the truth. Do I look like the kind of idiot who would have hinged this whole plan on having a heart-to-heart chat with Rosa the Spartan? Get real."

"I see." Rosa's expression hardened again. "Thank you for your service, the both of you. I'll make sure to properly deal with this miscreant."

"Unfortunately, I will have need of him," Qadar said. "The other reason that brought me here. I will be taking him with me."

"I need to know who else is plotting against me," Rosa said.

"A list of names." Qadar passed Rosa a slip of paper. "You will have wanted to independently confirm them, but there is no more information Saur has to offer you."

"Yeah, that makes sense," Nal said. "I'd take her at her word, Rosa. She's not usually wrong about this kinda stuff."

"Well, it is somewhat disorienting," Rosa said. "But if you trust her, then I suppose that's good enough for me. I can trust he'll meet proper punishment?"

"It will not be enjoyable," Qadar said. "Though he will not have survived either way, thanks to his failure here."

"Yeah," Saur sighed. "Yeah. Fuck me. Navaris said this might happen, and… Fuck me. Of course this all went south. The Oracle must've done something."

"I took no actions to influence this outcome," Qadar said. "Whatever occurred here, it was of their own volition."

"You really tagged along just for his sorry ass?" Nal asked. "I could have used some backup in here."

"You would not have needed it." Qadar grabbed Saur by the collar and dragged him out of the room. "You two will have had ample time to catch up by the time I return."

And just like that, she left, closing the door behind her.

"You have some interesting new friends," Rosa said.

"They're a real pain to work with sometimes," Nal said. "Like now, for instance. But they're good people."

"Indeed." Rosa reached into her desk and pulled out a pair of drinking glasses. A moment later, she set down a bottle of wine. Probably from her secret stash, the one indulgence she'd allowed herself over the years. "How about a toast, then?"

"Sure," Nal said. Rosa nodded and poured them each a glass.

"To good people," she said, clinking their glasses together.

"To good people," Nal replied. As she downed the drink, she couldn't help but feel a rush. The Gardens and Duthract, the two places she called home, coming together to look out for each other. Finally, after far too many decades, it felt like they had a real win.