Trellis

4

After the briefing, I go home. Naturally, the first thing I do after a slice of bread doused in tea is to get in touch with Wendlis Blair. An enemy of my enemy...

She, of course, has a Facebook account. She's been travelling all around the world in the past few years. But her feed from last year is blank. I guess that's when she started.

I do some digging. She's living in the northernmost reaches of the country. 

Sometimes I thank whatever gods that might be listening that the Internet is free. And that I know how to remain invisible on it. But still, I'm not going to risk communicating over the Net. They're already tracking my activity.

Luckily, I still have a month before the mission begins and the four children get whatever powers the scientists have perfected this year. Plenty of time to get my message through.

Breaking out the few pieces of paper I have, I start sharpening my pencil. 

My first letter to her, written in code:

To Wendlis Blair: 

They, and that's to say, the Arcadian government, is tracking you down. You've been leaking sensitive information to their enemies, and they want you arrested or dead for it. 

This is a friendly letter from your ally in that field. I've been digging up dirt on as many officials as possible, and I've caused at least three major scandals. 

Now, the team that they'll be sending after you are four children: Kertel Cresswell, Dreis Hallett, Rima Yvet, and Intiga Ley. They'll be armed with the best weapons Arcadian scientists can offer, and I have been forced to go with them, as babysitter/useful tool/hostage. You see, they found out about my work. If I don't go, I'll be arrested immediately. I am getting into touch with you, to get back at them in the best way.

Let me know your course of action in your reply. I can help little, but they don't know that they have a spy in their ranks.

I'll try to communicate again if possible.

Cheers,

Rheon Kasseida

Her reply was swift. It was a week after I had mailed my letter from the address of an abandoned house. I intercepted the mailman before he could reach his destination. Hopefully, he didn't look too carefully at me.

Kasseida:

I know. It was a matter of time before they found out what I was doing. But thanks for the warning, anyway.

There is only one way to stop them from getting to me. Lead them in the wrong direction, and, if you can't, exterminate everyone on the team.

Oh, great. Either I kill children or end up in jail.

I promise, I will make sure you are safe after all this. I am an expert at faking deaths, and you only need to find me in my humble abode in the north. You only know where it is because I let you. 

If you accept, stop writing to me and just do whatever you have to do. This is getting a tad bit risky.

Good luck,

Wendlis Blair

Would I be able to stomach murder, for my own liberty?

Yes, then more firmly, Yes. I would do anything to remain free, albeit hungry and poor.

There's two weeks of waiting left. I can spend all this time getting ready. 

Being more prepared, more discreet. Appearing more friendly.

It was time to create a mask.