C0NV3RG3 (Sequel to M3RG3)

Chapter 32

Arista

Thursday

"The Revolution began the first protests and riots after developing Tabloids and serums. They were very radical and refused anything the Scientists produced, including the synthesizers that saved most of our people." Noah swiped across his Tabloid and a collage of posters and slogans appeared. "These were some of the common posters and messages the Revolution used as propaganda. Serums and simulations were the two things they protested against."

I rolled my eyes at the irony. Protests were happening right now, and we were having a history lesson on how people protested about the same thing years ago.

My Tabloid buzzed on my lap. I switched it on, Oliver's message popping up on the screen.

Don't forget. Meet us at your room with Layla.

Layla. Right. I bit back a sigh. Even though I didn't like her that much, it didn't mean she was a bad person. She was for the Revolution, not against it.

"Common weapons they used were guns, knives and spears. They are- were known to wear complete black outfits, spraying colourful messages next to or on Republic buildings." Noah bit his lip. He had slipped up. A distorted video of a Revolutionary spray-painting the slogan, "No more serums" on the wall with neon green paint appeared on the displayer.

In the distance, the shouting of people grew increasingly wild, frantic and angry. The noise wasn't particularly loud, but Noah visibly flinched and swiped on his Tabloid. Instantly, the noise faded away, the buzzing air-con filling the silence.

"As I was saying, they would constantly host riots where they would invade certain areas of the city, mostly the headquarters." He swiped across his Tabloid and the images morphed to broken windows, splintered doors, and fragments of plastic and metal.

"Everywhere they went, they would leave a trail of destruction for the Republic to clean up. Although we never knew their specific goals, they were very adamant on slowing the Republic's progress. The Republic spent lots of money repairing the damage. Although it was never calculated, the Republic destroyed properties worth 30,000 Republican dollars."

Noah glanced at his Tabloid. "Your homework today is to research the mechanisms of the Revolution and how they strategize their riots. We will be discussing this next lesson." I shoved my Tabloid into my duffel bag. Two more lessons before the Revolution meeting.

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Me and Layla were silent as my shoes squeaked on the marble floor. Layla looked ahead, hands in her pockets, spectacles gleaming under the yellow lights.

Her instructions had been explicitly clear before we departed. Don't talk. Don't run. Act natural. Now, the silence surrounded us in a deafening shroud, the air suffocatingly loud.

After an excruciating period of time, Layla swiped her Tabloid against the sensor. It glowed green as the gates swung open. Then, we were out in the open, shoes scuffling on granite tiles, crunching on deadening leaves.

"When does the next locomotive arrive?" Layla asked. I switched on my Tabloid. It was 10:15.

"5 minutes," I stated, turning my Tabloid off.

There was no banter to keep the conversation going. I couldn't stare at my Tabloid either, since blatantly ignoring Layla would be rude. Instead, I found myself leaning against a metal pole, staring at the metal tracks and listening to the whisper of sycamore trees.

"I've thought about this for a while, and I admire your dedication to the Revolution. I will negotiate with them to give you a more honourable position." Maybe I was wrong about her. Maybe she did care behind her indifferent exterior.