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NEUTRALIZE.
That word.
It seemed North and Caitlyn had two different interpretations of it.
When the Council had asked about their plans to complete their objectives, North hesitated to answer.
And so, Caitlyn proposed using the pipe system her mother installed in the Lanes to clear out Silco's allies from areas he once claimed as his own, which would allow them an easier time in dismantling Shimmer.
That pipe system was what was keeping the undercity's air breathable.
It prevented the leak of a severely dangerous, even deadly gas known as The Grey.
North didn't like Caitlyn's idea all that much, as it would risk the possibility of the gas spreading to areas it didn't need to and harming innocents.
They discussed it before attending the meeting, and they couldn't seem to come to an agreement.
However, she didn't get much of a chance to protest the idea.
She intended to let Caitlyn propose it and discuss matters further, but as soon as the words left her mouth, the Council pushed for it.
And to be completely honest, North didn't know what else to do.
She knew they would ask for an alternative if she refused, and she had none in mind despite desperately wishing that weren't the case.
Her people were telling her, "Use it." There wasn't much time to sit around debating, so she clung to the hope that things wouldn't get to an extreme point.
Perhaps that hope was ignorant, naive even.
After all, she had lived her life breathing clean air without a problem. She was completely unaware of what it felt like to have The Grey fill your senses.
But just don't overuse it, just enough to get them to leave and it should be fine, she told herself.
With their agreement, Caitlyn accessed the pipe system and disrupted the function of the pipes near Silco's most recent hideouts, using North and Vi's knowledge.
One last time, North asked for the promise that the gas's only use would be to clear the streets, and Caitlyn assured her.
It not only made her uncomfortable, but she could see that it left Vi with a sense of unease as well. Everything about what she was doing did. It was clear through her face. And yet, she kept silent.
