existed, just like these caverns. We just fix them up a bit and take them for ourselves.”
Great to know how much effect our mission had. “How do you just find abandoned bases? And wouldn’t one of the sectors have claimed them?”
“It’s the same with these caverns and the broken sector we set up our ambush in,” Ellis says. “Sorry about that, by the way. But they’re places that used to be occupied before people up and abandoned them for whatever reason. Probably from before the nuclear war. And sure, the military could try to occupy them—but they’re so far out of the way of the sectors themselves, it would be too much trouble to keep them. What Etiole wants to wear that stupid protective suit and go all the way to the middle of nowhere to guard a base that has no strategic value to the sector? It’s not worth it for them.”
It makes sense as she says it, but I’d never thought too deeply about all that before. Who cared how the rebels set up their bases? Where the buildings came from? My only job was to empty them out, and I only did that because the military told me to and I had nowhere to stay other than with them. Maybe it’s time I started asking more questions.
“I’ve been wondering this for a while,” I say, thinking back to the team, “but what were you guys doing at those old warehouses in Sector Eight? Why attack them? It doesn’t seem like a strategic place to strike. There’re rumors you stole something, maybe a weapon, but…”
Ellis looks at me evenly. The expression reminds me so much of Lai my skin crawls. “I think it’d be best,” she says slowly, “if we don’t discuss that just yet. But what we took wasn’t a weapon. It was information.”
“Information?”
She shakes her head. “It’s not important for now. When it becomes relevant, I’ll let you know.”
Her tone doesn’t really leave room for argument. Even though my curiosity is only stronger now, I need to switch topics before I make her suspicious. “Well, anyway, you guys really do have a great system set up here.”
“We have to if we’re going to take down the sectors.” Ellis’s nose wrinkles like she just smelled a pile of crap. “Nytes are stronger, but the sectors have more people, more resources, and more firmly established structural organization. We need to use everything we have in the most efficient way possible if we’re going to win.” Her eyes suddenly harden. For the first time since I came here, she looks like the rebel leader I met in that broken sector. Ruthless. Proud. Wild. “And we will win.”
I’m saved from having to reply when someone says, “I see the rumors are true.”
Ellis and I both turn to see a tall black guy with short, curly dark brown hair walking toward us. He looks like he could be nineteen or twenty, probably one of the oldest people here. He walks with a cane, his back slightly hunched, his mouth turned down at the corners in a mildly concerned frown.
The crazed fervor disappears from Ellis’s eyes as she smiles and waves to the new guy. “Gabriel! Glad to see you up and about again. How are you feeling?”
“Like a byc just plowed into me,” he says dryly. He stops in front of us and takes a second to catch his breath before straightening. His dark brown eyes look me up and down, lips pursed in thought. “You really came back, Erik?”
“I don’t remember anything,” I say reflexively, somehow filled with the need to defend myself even though this guy probably already knows that and he didn’t mention my memories or past whatsoever. But how’s he think I’m supposed to answer a question like that?
Well, at least now I can solve the mystery of the last rebel leader.
“I know,” he says. Obviously. “I’m just a little surprised.”
“Why’s that?”
He laughs. “You’ve always been skeptical of everything and everyone. I didn’t think you’d take a shot on us having told you the truth. At least not so quickly.”
“Yeah, well, the Council wasn’t exactly doing me any favors branding me a traitor. Figured I might as well take my chances here.”
He cracks a grin. “Well, glad you did. It’s good to have you back.”
“I mean, I haven’t really done anything but ask questions and be clueless, but thanks.”
He laughs again and I abruptly find myself wishing he would keep laughing. But then he says, “Sorry, I