Page 39

Ziva

The shadows of our rebellion stretch farther with each passing day. I run my fingers along the cool, slick metal of the encrypted communicator, its weight a constant, unshakable presence in my palm.

For a week now, we’ve been plotting in the shadows, our eyes constantly darting for watchful Authority drones or the ever-present gaze of Regent Colvin.

He’s been tightening his grip on the city, conducting unexpected searches of public spaces. It won’t be long until he begins invading people’s personal living spaces.

Myall’s voice echoes in my mind, soft but resolute. “Please be careful, Ziva. I can’t do this without you.”

I nod, though he’s not here to see it. I think of the data chip Marcus and Myall planted for Liora Chen to find.

Will she take the bait or turn us in?

I can’t help but imagine Liora’s face when she finds the truth—the permanent NeuroMods embedded into our necks, a leash tethered to our very biology.

Will she recoil in horror, turning away from the truth? Or will she, like the rest of us, feel the same spark of defiance, that raw, reckless urge to fight back against something bigger than ourselves?

Pausing, I press my forehead against the cool glass of the window. The lower district—a subsection of Sector 7—sprawls before me in the distance, a maze of despair and hidden hope. Somewhere out there, Liora is making her decision. And we’re all holding our breath.

Arden’s bright determination flashes through my mind. “We’re changing the world, Ziva,” she’d said, her eyes ablaze. “One recruit at a time.”

I close my eyes, willing myself to believe it. We’re walking a razor’s edge, and one misstep could mean the end of everything.

Slipping out of my unit before dawn, I make my way to the lower district. The medical clinic looms ahead, its stark walls standing out against the grimy streets. I find my planned hiding spot behind a stack of discarded wooden crates, the acrid smell of disinfectant hanging in the air.

“Come on, Liora,” I whisper, scanning the alley. My fingers twitch, longing for the familiar weight of a screwdriver. Anything to distract myself.

Minutes crawl by like hours, each one stretching longer than the last. My body is on edge, every nerve singing with the anticipation of what’s to come. I scan the alley, watching every shadow and flicker of movement, replaying our encrypted conversation in my head.

Was there something I missed? A slip of the tongue? An unintended signal to the wrong people? My stomach churns, a ball of acid and dread. What if she’s already reported us? Or worse, what if The Authority is already lying in wait?

The alley feels narrower now, the walls closing in, pressing against me as if the city itself is holding its breath.

A flicker of movement catches my eye. I tense, ready to bolt, but it’s just a stray cat slinking past. I exhale slowly, trying to calm my frayed nerves.

Get it together, Ziva. Calm the fuck down.

The stakes have never been higher. If Liora joins us, we gain a valuable ally in the medical field.

If she betrays us…

I push the thought away, focusing on the mouth of the alley.

That’s when I see her. Liora Chen, her salt-and-pepper hair pulled back in a tight bun. Her almond eyes flick from side to side, darting nervously as she approaches, each step tentative as if the world itself could crumble at her feet.

Alone, just as we’d arranged.

I hold my breath, watching as she passes my hiding spot. My muscles coil, ready to spring into action. But first, I need to be certain. I need to know she hasn’t led The Authority straight to us.

“Trust, but verify,” Myall’s voice echoes in my head. His concern for my safety warms me, even as I prepare to put myself in danger.

I count to ten, giving Liora time to reach our meeting point.

Liora’s eyes widen as I step out of the shadows.

Her breath catches, and her hand flies to her neck, trembling fingers pressing against her pulse as if to steady her heart.

It’s a raw, unguarded moment—fear written all over her face—and I can almost feel the thud of her heart from where I stand.

For a brief moment, I wonder if I made the wrong call, if we’re both in over our heads.

“You’re… you’re just a girl,” she whispers, her voice trembling.

Approaching slowly, I raise my hands to show I’m unarmed. “Age is irrelevant when you’re fighting for freedom,” I say, my tone carefully neutral. “Did you come alone, Liora?”

She nods, still staring at me with a mixture of fear and fascination. “Yes, I… I followed your instructions to the letter. No one knows I’m here.”

I scan her face, searching for any hint of deception. Heart pounding, I keep my expression calm. “Good. Now, tell me about the data chip. What did you learn?”

Liora glances around nervously before leaning in closer. “It’s absolutely horrible” she murmurs. “The Authority… they’re planning something big. Something permanent.”

“You’re right, Liora. The Authority is planning to introduce permanent NeuroMods, implanted directly into our necks.” My hand unconsciously rises to my own throat, fingertips grazing the spot where such a device would sit. “But there’s more you need to know.”

Liora’s eyes widen, her gaze flickering between fear and something deeper, a vulnerability that mirrors my own. Her hand trembles slightly where it rests at her side.

I press on, “there’s a rebellion forming. People who want to fight back, to reclaim our right to feel.” I pause, giving her space to absorb the weight of what I’m saying.

She doesn’t speak for a long moment, her gaze dropping to the ground, as if weighing her own thoughts against everything she’s ever known. The silence stretches between us, thick with the gravity of her decision.

Wiping my sweaty palms on my trousers, my fingers brush against the communicator device in my pocket.

“Only use it for an emergency, Ziva.” Myall had warned.

My heart pounds in my chest as I wait for her response. This moment could change everything—for better or worse. Finally, she looks up, her eyes clearer now, steely with determination.

“I’ve seen too much,” she says, voice steadier than before. “Too many lives broken by these infernal devices. You’re right. I’ve never been brave enough to do anything about it, but now I… I have no choice. Count me in.”

Relief washes over me, and I can’t help but return her smile. “You have no idea how glad I am to hear that,” I say, allowing some of my usual sarcasm to creep back into my tone. “There are others who’ll be thrilled to meet you. People who’ve been risking everything to build this rebellion.”

Glancing around the alley, I realize how exposed we are.

“Listen carefully,” I say, leaning in close. “There’s a small, blueish painted house in the old residential district. Third street past the broken neon sign. Be there in half an hour. And Liora?” I lock eyes with her. “Be careful. Trust no one until then.”

As I watch her nod and slip away towards the medical clinic, a mix of excitement and anxiety churns in my stomach. We’re one step closer to our goal, I can only hope we’re ready for whatever comes next.

* * *

I hurry back through the winding streets of the lower district, my pulse loud in my ears.

The city feels alive with quiet threats, its shadows stretching long as the sun begins to rise.

I can’t shake the feeling of being watched, of every passing face being a potential betrayer.

I know I’m just being paranoid, but my thoughts race faster than my feet.

As Elara’s house comes into view, something inside me shifts. The danger, the weight of the plan, it all takes a backseat for a moment. I inhale sharply, the air filling my lungs. I’ve made it this far. I’ve done what needed to be done.

I knock, and the door swings open almost immediately, revealing a chorus of anxious faces. Relief floods through me—though it’s quickly replaced by the sharp awareness that this was just the first step. But for now, in this moment, I let myself exhale.

“Ziva!” Myall’s voice breaks the tension, relief flooding his features. His green eyes search mine through the doorway, and I feel a flutter in my chest that has nothing to do with fear. “You’re okay.”

I step inside, and the others immediately gather around me.

“Of course I’m okay,” I say, injecting a lightness into my tone I don’t entirely feel. “You think I can’t handle a simple recruitment?”

Elara’s warm hand finds my shoulder. “We’ve all been on edge, dear. Times like these don’t leave room for complacency.”

I nod, my bravado faltering under her knowing gaze. “It went well. Liora’s in. She’ll meet us soon.”

The room collectively exhales and Arden pumps her fist. It’s Myall’s reaction that catches me off guard. He doesn’t rush toward me like the others. Instead, he moves slowly, deliberately, his gaze lingering on mine.

“I’m glad you’re safe.” His voice is a whisper, rough with relief, cutting through the chatter in the room.

Glancing up, I meet his eyes, and I see a vulnerability there, a flicker of something deep and unguarded.

It makes my breath catch in my chest, and my stomach tightens—this feeling, this connection between us, is like a secret we both keep, even if we can’t say it aloud.

His concern, his care for me, it’s a weight I hadn’t expected to feel so acutely.

I swallow the urge to reach for him and instead say, my voice steady, “We’re all in this together. One more ally means one step closer to bringing down The Authority.”

A sharp rap followed by two softer ones at the door silences the room.

My heart leaps into my throat as we exchange tense glances.

Elara moves towards the entrance, her weathered hand hovering over the handle.

She looks back at us, her eyes seeking confirmation.

I give a slight nod, and she opens the door.

The door creaks open, and there she is—Liora. Her expression is a mix of determination and uncertainty, as if stepping into the room means stepping into something she can’t turn back from.

Elara’s warm smile breaks the tension. “Come in, dear,” she says, ushering Liora inside with a gentle hand on her back. “We’ve been expecting you.”

As Liora steps into the room, I can feel the others’ eyes on her, assessing, wondering.

I clear my throat, suddenly aware of the weight of this moment. “Everyone,” I say, sounding steadier than I feel, “this is Liora Chen.”

I gesture to each person in turn. “Liora, meet Grandma Elara, our wise counsel and heart.” Elara’s eyes crinkle with kindness as she nods to Liora.

“This is Myall,” I continue, my voice catching slightly as his green eyes meet mine.

“Our strategist and…” I hesitate, struggling to define what he is to me, to us. “…and unwavering support.”

Arden shoots me a concerned look. “Marcus and Arden,” I finish quickly, indicating the last two. Arden seems to be bouncing with nervous energy as she grins at Liora, while Marcus offers a solemn nod.

Liora’s gaze scans the room, assessing each face. “I…” she begins, her voice trembling slightly. “I never thought I’d find others who felt the same way. Who were willing to fight.”

I step closer to her. “We’re more than willing,” I say, and I almost believe it. “We’re ready to burn the whole system to the ground.” As the words leave my mouth, I feel a strange rush of power.

Arden nearly vibrates with enthusiasm, her grin widening as she looks to Liora. “So, Liora, what’s it like working in the clinic? Any juicy Authority secrets you can share?”

I catch Myall’s eye, noting his slight frown at Arden’s over eagerness. He steps in, his calm voice a counterpoint to Arden’s exuberance. “Perhaps we should give Liora a moment to settle in. This is a lot to take in for her.”

Liora shakes her head, a determined set to her jaw.

“No, it’s alright. I’ve been holding this in for so long, I’m ready to talk.

” She takes a deep breath, and I can see the weight of secrets in her eyes.

“The things I’ve seen in the clinic… The ‘treatments’ they force on people who show even a hint of nonconformity… ”

My fists clench involuntarily as Liora speaks. The familiar rage bubbles up inside me, and I have to force myself to take slow, measured breaths. Myall notices, his hand ghosting over my arm in a gesture of comfort that sends a flutter through my stomach.

“You okay?” he mouths, concern etched in his eyes.

I nod, feeling his hand brush my lower back, and the warmth of his hand through my thin sweater.

“We need to move fast,” Arden interjects, her usually animated face creased with concern. “If The Authority is planning to implement those new NeuroMods, we don’t have much time.”

I nod, my mind already switching focus from Myall to the rebellion.

“You’re right.” I turn to the group. “Our next step is clear. We need to reach out to Jarek, Jorel, and Tariq.”

Marcus’s eyebrows shoot up. “All three? At once? That’s a big risk”

“We don’t have much choice,” I reply, meeting each of their gazes in turn. “We’re running out of time, and we need all the help we can get.”

Marcus gives in with a sigh and agrees, “Fine.”

I turn to Liora, our newest addition to the team, and ask, “Are you ready to have your NeuroMod deactivated?”