“Sir, you were looking for…what again?”

  “My house.”

  “That meaning?”

  “A…RV,” Mr. Holdover said.

  “A recreation vehicle?” the sales woman said. Her brow rose on her wrinkled forehead. “Can you be a little more specific?”

  “It was white.”

  “And?”

  “It had…a missing fuel line.” He said, with a sigh, “And slash marks…a whole lot of them.”

  He was at a vehicle impound lot on a hot and muggy morning. The small waiting room was smelly and empty, yet hot, making his jacket itch. The outside had hundreds of different vehicles parked near an old fence on a dirt lot. The middle aged sales woman ran her fingers through her unkempt black hair, her makeup filled face beginning to run due to the heat.

  “Yeesh,” she said, “You get attacked by homeless or something?”

  He tensed, “Something like that—lady, can you gimme my damn vehicle already?”

  She held her chin up, her nostrils flaring, “Well excuuuuuuse me!” she typed on her keyboard. A fly landed on her arm, which didn’t seem to bother her. Mr. Holdover made a face, looking away and outside, ‘First things first, the house. After that, Kufi will probably want his clothes back so I should look for those after I get something to eat—’

  “Sir, that vehicle doesn’t exist.”

  “Great,” Mr. Holdover said, “I’ll pick it up outside and—no, no, NO, wait a damn minute!!” he exclaimed, slamming the counter and making the bug on her arm fly away, “What the hell you mean my house’s gone?!”

  “I wouldn’t call that a ‘house’ sir.”

  “Quit bullshitting and tell me where you’re hiding it!”

  “Ugh,” she rubbed her drenched forehead, “Sir, we don’t hide anything here. It’s all in the lot outside.”

  “We?” Mr. Holdover said. He peeked over the counter, “I only see one of you here.”

  “What I’m saying,” the woman groaned, “is if it’s not here it was probably impounded out of state.”

  “WHAT?!” Mr. Holdover boomed, “How am I supposed to find it then?!”

  “Do you have the license plate?”

  “That…” Mr. Holdover said recalling to when he threw it in the garbage, “stolen…by homeless.”

  “Figures,” The woman shrugged. She flipped her sign to ‘on break’ and started to the back. “Well lock the door on your way out, I’m taking a nap.” She yawned, “I suggest calling around.”

  Grumbling, Mr. Holdover stormed out, locking the bottom lock behind him and slamming the door

  …

  All of the Groundhogs were gathered in Prime Hill—including Skinner, much to Xole’s surprise when he came in early the next morning.

  “Sorry I’m late!” he said, “I was up late dealing with an issue. Did I miss anything?”

  “Not at all,” Abbas said, “Now stand here, the meeting is about to begin.”

  With a nod, Xole took a post near the front with Trix, Spit-take, and Snap at his sides, and Salamander, Patchwork, and Skinner a little behind them with Abbas on the couch before them. The large man flicked the monitor on and all the screens came to life with the rest of the Underground Network, including a new screen on the bottom left occupied by a scrawny fair-skinned man with short bleached hair and thick rimmed black glasses wearing a pink Hawaiian shirt. Their glares all fixed on Haven. Abbas raised his chin, “Good morning everyone. I do hope you enjoyed today’s headlines.”

  Phoenix didn’t even crack a grin, “I think we all reacted to this with anything but enjoyment, Abbas.” He whipped a newspaper in front of the screen:

  The Rainy times:

  Riots in the east only mean doom for the west! What we can learn from the fall of the top precinct in the nation.

  “Ha!” Salamander laughed, “Would ya look at dat! We made it to da big time!”

  “Yes,” Phoenix agreed, “You’ve become the national headline...”

  Haven cheered.

  “Can you all not read a room?!” the red headed witch in Salem snapped, “You’ve single-handedly compromised the entire Network! You all ruined everything!”

  “That’s enough, Morrowyn,” Eldritch said to her. She looked back at the camera, “But she is correct. You’ve gone too far with this stunt, Haven.”

  Phoenix flipped through the paper. “The article then goes on to talk about doubling down on national regulations for homeless, including increasing the Blue Collared police budget—again. And don’t think this will blow over. What you’ve done is set a precedent, Abbas. You’ve driven nearly all law enforcement out of Empire city and because of that, given the government a reason to declare war on us.”

  “We’re already at war, Phoenix.”

  The man’s face fell to his hand.

  “Would you rather we leave the corrupt police alone then, Phoenix?” Trix asked.

  “I’d rather you have a suitable replacement rather than leave the city lawless, Trix. Did any of you remember about the civilians that live there?!”

  “Hey,” Xole said, “You guys read our report right? We saved those people! Didn’t you read what was happening? They were being captured for their Inner-Gi, we had to do something!”

  “So they let you become a Groundhog, huh?” Isaac Yao said, “Didn’t think y’all was that desperate.”

  Spit-Take smirked, “Well our desperate pick is the reason we not only took out the leader of the precinct, but his Talent’s grown a lot since the last time we spoke.” He patted the older boy’s shoulder, ‘This guy stopped a police van all on his own and took out a helicopter!”

  “I saw that online,” Eldritch said, “Very peculiar.”

  “The helicopter was you?!” Chris gawked. “Kid, you could’ve gotten people killed!”

  “I blame Coldwater,” Isaac said, “And the witch.”

  The man in the cowboy hat shook his head.

  “You’re not listening.” Trix said, “Typical of you to ignore the good and look for our faults!”

  “We read the report,” Phoenix said, “We know what was being done to Empire City’s homeless but you guys messed up. These matters must be handled with the upmost care and strategy. We’ve talked about this!”

  Salamander spat, “Yeah, sure.”

  “Like you deciding to do this while you’re still under a code delta at the moment, Abbas,” Phoenix continued, “So, do you want to tell me why you put an even bigger target on your heads for the government?”

  “We actually expected them to show, which they never did,” the large man replied to ECAZ, “In fact we have reason to believe they won’t be a problem going forward.”

  All of the city leaders shared looks of both confusion and concern.

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  “We’ve greatly bolstered our forces since last night,” he continued, “our strength then pales to what we are now. One of our newest recruits for example, Xole, is nothing to sneeze at either as his Talent is grows stronger by the day with over a hundred others standing behind him.”

  Ray looked down at some papers, “You’re debrief also stated that the extraction went off without a ‘hitch’.”

  “Yes,” Abbas said.

  “What are you leaving out?”

  The large man gave a small nod to Snap, who went up and presented a device to the group. Everyone peered at it, someone in a black mask whispered to Phoenix who looked back at the camera, “Is that a police GPS?”

  “Yep,” Salamander said, “Ya gonna get mad at us about dis too?”

  “It isn’t being back traced,” Trix said, “But I’m sure they’ll find a reason.”

  “On the contrary,” Eldritch said, “I’m quite pleased with your results in training the spiritual child. If only your brother was as responsive to reason.”

  “He would’ve been if you hadn’t gotten him hooked on enhancers in the first place!” Trix shot back.

  “Keep blaming mother for everything!” Morrowyn snapped, “It must be so easy for you isn’t it, Trixie?”

  “You’re just pathetic, Morrowyn!” Trix pointed at her. “You wouldn’t last a day on the streets so of course Eldritch coddled you!”

  Skinner looked back and forth between the women, dazed. “I like my sister.”

  “Enough of this,” Phoenix said, “Haven, Salem, there is a level of maturity that must be maintained in these meetings, especially in the presence of a new member so I’ll only say this one last time, no more outbursts.”

  The three eyed each other, saying nothing. The man looked back to Abbas, “Now I’m assuming you were going to share the contents of the GPS with us, Abbas?”

  “Of course,” he replied, motioning for Snap to slide it into the monitor so it showed on another screen, “Now I’ve already taken the liberty of going over the information beforehand and made a few interesting discoveries.”

  The screen changed from black to blue, white text lining the top to the bottom, leading into multiple pages. Snap began typing, “Gimme a moment…” he said, scrolling down the first page and making a few tabs. He highlighted half the text and right clicked, bringing up another page. “Here! Subjects of Cell Blocks ‘C’ and ‘D’, 9/19/2020, are to be withheld from scheduled transport to prioritize ‘specially’ compromised individual.”

  “That was yesterday’s date.” Chris said.

  “And judging by the way it read,” Ray said, “They knew Skinner was Talented. Did they know what his Talent was?”

  “That’s what we assumed originally,” Abbas said, “however upon closer study, it seems that it’s not which Talent you possess, but that you’re Talented.”

  “It says…” Snap’s eyes darted further down the screen, widening to a back and forth exchange, “The compromised subject is to be prioritized for immediate…Gi extraction?”

  The room fell to a deathly silence, making Xole anxious.

  ‘Extraction?’ he thought, but kept his mouth closed.

  The masked people behind Phoenix exchanged glances. Phoenix leaned forward, “Gi extraction? Anything more?”

  “It doesn’t say,” Snap replied, “it just shows the month’s record of all the other transported homeless part of this extraction thing.”

  “I’m afraid this is the extent of my knowledge as well,” Abbas said.

  The cities broke into a cluster of chattering, and discussion. Xole nudged the nearest person, “What does this all mean?”

  “I dunno,” Skinner replied, “I’m just agreeing till’ I can have more Strip-Lash.”

  “Skinner!” Trix hissed.

  The pale witch whispered to Eldritch, who turned back to the screen. “How did you procure such information, Haven?”

  “Just word on da street,” Salamander replied.

  “Then where are they being taken?” Chris asked. “Or are they even still alive?”

  “Not quite,” Snap said, typing even quicker, “It says here that they wanted to move Skinner a few hours southwest of here to…Neutral State!”

  The entire room exchanged alarmed glances. Xole shot his head around, more confused than before.

  “Neutral State is the landmass across the Potomac River from the Capitol District,” Abbas said.

  “In other words,” Phoenix continued, “The Heptagon.”

  The room was silent. Each of the city leaders shared the same dismayed look on their faces. Abbas rose to his feet.

  “I think it’s time we reconsider our passiveness in this matter.” He said. “Haven has always been ready to move on the government and is more than prepared as of now. I truly believe if we act immediately, our chances of obtaining it will be ensured.”

  “Abbas…” Phoenix began.

  “They won’t be expecting a sudden combined assault from all six cities,” he continued, “especially with our prior knowledge of the facility.” The large man looked at the other screens. “I’m sure even the rest of you know that.”

  Whispering broke from the screens as the rest of the leaders exchanged glances—except Phoenix, who folded his arms and dipped his head. Ray noticed, “Phoenix?”

  “I’m thinking.” He replied.

  “Look, guys,” Chris said, “we’re looking at around thirty-two thousand Collared employees—majority of which are Blue and above.”

  “Our only challenge will be with their Red Collard unit,” The large man said, “other than that, I see no immediate issue.”

  “I do,” Isaac spoke up, “Those Blues alone are government grade, a whole another level compared to the ones y’all’ve been playing with on the street. Not to mention it took just one Red to kick y’alls butt so bad they named a day after you!”

  The rest of Haven rolled their eyes.

  “Which is why,” Abbas continued, “we’ll use Operation ‘Spring’.”

  Everyone gasped.

  “That would be a full-on terrorist attack!” Chris said.

  Eldritch groaned, “As interested as I am, we only have one attempt at that. And to be honest I’d rather it be led by anyone but you.”

  Ray shook his head. “Abbas, you must consider—”

  “All I hear are excuses.” Xole said to everyone’s surprise. He stepped before the monitor, facing the rest of the Underground Network. “The last time I was up here I truly thought I’d never see you guys again, and if I took your advice, I wouldn’t’ve. But I took the risk. I stayed with these guys and trained, tried, and, failed. I didn’t care what happened to me, I care what happens to the people out there!” He gestured behind him, “These guys actually get it! Maybe instead of blaming them you should ask yourselves, what have you been doing?”

  The entire room was taken back. Silence…until…

  “Christ,” Morrowyn scoffed, “He sounds just as obnoxious as them!”

  “Indeed,” the other pale witch to the left spoke.

  “Entitled lil’ punk!” A guy yelled from Isaac’s screen.

  “Get a load of this one!” Someone from Ray’s screen laughed.

  Booing and jeering erupted from behind the city leaders, shadowy figures appearing from the backgrounds. Among them was a man in a black mask on Phoenix’s, who pointed.

  “I dunno who you think you are, kid, but you got a lot to learn about the world before you go calling us lazy!”

  Xole snorted, “Then prove me wrong.”

  “Enough,” Phoenix’s sharp tone cut the room to absolute silence. He looked back at the screen, “Abbas, I’ll consider your proposition. As a longtime friend I don’t wish to see harm come to you or your companions which is why we cannot mess this up. If we’re going to do this, then it is imperative we get this right. Understood?”

  Abbas seemed pleased, “How much time will you need?”

  “We can begin the preparations next meeting,” he replied, “Until then please don’t do anything crazy.”

  “Ya really going through with this, aren’t ya Phoenix?” Isaac said.

  “It’s a matter of timing, Isaac. With that I conclude. Meeting adjourned.”

  ‘Click’

  “Good job kid!” Salamander said, “Loved da way ya fired back at dem kiss ups!”

  “He held own his own pretty well,” Spit-Take added.

  “Thanks,” Xole chuckled, shaking his head. “But to be honest, I’d be lying if I wasn’t a little on edge about all this. I mean what is this ‘it’ thing anyways? Is it really worth all this trouble?”

  Everyone gaped at him.

  “Uh, guys…?”

  “The Master Database,” Abbas said. “That is our end goal.”

  The older boy looked confused.

  “It’s a list,” Patchwork explained, “of every single registered person—Talented or not—in the country, accounting for roughly ninety-nine percent of the population. Birth records, income, any sort of card, and of course Talent, all locked with M.I.R.S. Not that the public knows, of course.”

  “But it’s a double edged sword,” Trix said. She grinned, “Registered means the government themselves too.”

  Xole’s surprised face grew even more exaggerated. “Huh?”

  “Kid,” Spit-Take said, “This is like snatchin’ everyone’s social security, livin’ info, work history and forecast, health records, genetic bloodlines, purchases—legal or not—it’s all there. It’ll be the biggest information heist in history!”

  “So don’t worry,” Snap said, “We know what we’re doing. Oh boy, this ‘ll bring the government to its knees!”

  ‘T-this is nuts!’ Xole thought, ‘No wonder they want to go to the Heptagon so bad, it’s like an overnight takeover!’

  Abbas nodded. “Salamander, Trix, are the missiles in Zone 4 secure?”

  “Yes, Abbas,” Trix said, “But Holdover and his friend more than likely saw them. That could compromise our plans.”

  “Yeah,” Salamander said,” Who’s ta say dey won’t snitch?”

  “What?” Xole said.

  “I’m sure our current guest wouldn’t, as he still lives here.” Abbas spoke, “As for Mr. Holdover…” he sighed, “I can tell he holds a great animosity in his heart.”

  “Towards who?” Patchwork said, “You saw the look he gave you after he found out about the scrapbook. We can’t trust either of them.”

  “I’m aware of that now.”

  Spit-Take shook his head, “Guys, I don’t think—”

  “Nah, Spit,” Salamander said, “Patch’s right ‘bout dis one.”

  “Yeah,” Snap agreed, “‘specially the guy in the hat.”

  “Besides,” the doctor said to the Ski cap-less man, “how do we know one of them didn’t send those two Collars on you?”

  Now Spit-Take didn’t say anything.

  “It was all too suspicious,” Trix added, “From his friend holding us up at the bank to Holdover’s recent actions.”

  “Ha!” Salamander laughed, “Knew we couldn’t trust dat Collared fella!”

  “Wait, wait time out!” Xole waved his hands, “Mr. Holdover hates—and I mean really hates—authority. Why’re you acting like he’s suddenly on their side?”

  The room exchanged glances. Abbas looked at him, “He’s been manipulating you, young one. It pains me to reveal this, but your friend is an agent of the government.”

  His mind took off, ‘Yesfir, Yesfir, Yesfir, Yesfir—shut up!’

  “…” he started to quickly shake his head, “no, no—I mean c’mon guys! He gave us the information on the missing homeless—”

  “Which could very well be fabricated,” Abbas said.

  “Huh? No that’s ridiculous! I—I mean he…” his words drifted as he thought back to the last time he’d seen him, his back strutting toward the train station, blurring from his view.

  ‘He seemed almost…regretful.’ He thought, ‘Like he didn’t want me to see…’

  “Young one, you seem conflicted.”

  “…I was just wrong about him, that’s all.” He shook his head, “But I don’t think he’s a bad guy, and I definitely don’t think he’d try to stop us.”

  Patchwork was about to say something but Abbas held up his hand and spoke. “And if he does?”

  “Then…then we’ll just…remind him, I guess!”

  Everyone looked at him. Snap shrugged, “I get it. But I still don’t trust his friend in the hat still.”

  “Agreed!” Trix and Salamander said in unison, the rest of the room nodding in agreement. Skinner looked up.

  “So…no Strip-Lash then?”

  This time, everyone laughed.