Chapter 21

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"I like it. But it's risky."

"Thomas we need to do this. It's the best option."

He nods, "I know....you guys are our major players in this war, a lot of people look to you guys, Shadow you especially!"

"Which is why, you stand by, prepare."

"For what?"

"The riots. If can't convince everyone, we'll throw it into chaos."

"Whoa hang on, you're thinking about starting a revolution here?" Atlas asks,

"If it comes to that. We need a back up plan, this could be it. We'll get the ball rolling, hope for the best."

"If it doesn't work, we move out of the way let the ball crush em." Ashe says,

"Exactly. Ashe will be the face, I'm too...passionate about my anger towards the Agency." Shadow says,

Thomas runs his hands through his hair. "Alright. But we be smart about this, you keep me posted, we don't let up."

"He's right. We can't wait for the citizens to decide, the Agency won't. If they aren't with us we either make riots or graves."

Toni shakes her head, "Jeez Neo."

She shrugs, "Sorry, but you know it's true."

"Everything is loaded up?"

"Yes sir." Shadow says,

Thomas nods, "Alright, if it goes to plan I'll run our forces here."

"We'll get in, shut down their systems and make sure they can't run."

"Sir? I'd like to enlist the help of Tinker and Turner as well."

"Those boys were two of the guys that you sent to me?"

Toni nods, "Yes sir. I think they could help us a lot. Tinker is a great mechanic, and Turner is pretty skilled as well."

"Alright, inform them. You leave as soon as you're ready."

"Copy that sir."

They walk out, Atlas leaves the group to tell Tinker and Turner that it was approved for them.

He walks out of the building and to a tall one, not far off. Tinker and Turner smile softly at each other as they talk.

George spots Atlas and draws Turner's attention. Their smiles fade as they walk over.

"You're coming with us."

"Yessss!" Turner hisses,

"Good I'm ready to get Harvey back."

"You and me both brother."

"What about May?"

Atlas shakes his head, "Shadow's got dibs."

"Heh. I'll watch that."

Atlas smirks, "Come, they should be ready to head out by the time we get back."

"Cool. Which building we hitting? Skylight tower or Fox News tower?"

"Fox. Shadow will hack it and throw up the fire walls, Neo will upload the video."

"Great."

Atlas turns and looks at them. "Guys, Thomas was on board. We are acting fast and hard. Tips is staying."

"Got it."

"Noted."

"Let's get Harvey back."

The three walk to the garages and jump in the back of a large van. Ashe and Turner sit up front, everyone else in the back.

They take a long underground tunnel that leads to a sewer under neath the poor district.

"Thomas wouldn't want me telling you guys this. But you need to know." Shadow says,

She takes a breath as they all look at her, "He went for the arrival yes, but do any of you know what the arrival is?"

They stay silent and shake their heads. "The arrival is a few groups to the north. Thomas convinced them to help us. If this doesn't work. Thomas is going to raid the state, if people join they join, but he's ready to take down the Agency, I honestly feel the same."

"Same here. If they won't leave us alone, then we need to do what we have to." Atlas says,

"Sounds good to me. Gah I hate these pricks." Neo says,

They come to a garage within the state and pull out. They make their way towards the middle class district. They find an old building with long abandoned studios.

They hurry and set every thing up. Neo opens her computer and almost immediately finds a review.

"Yep! They released a video to the public yesterday. Hmmmm....called us monsters, power hungry monsters. Told them we have powers. That we think we should be above others."

Atlas frowns at her, "May told me you guys just wanted too much freedom."

Ashe let's out a laugh, "Not totally wrong."

"We just want to get away. Be able to live our own lives." Shadow says,

"Hey, um...was theirs pre recorded?" Toni asks,

"Their video?"

Toni nods.

"Uh hold up....looks like it, why?" Neo asks

"What if we did live? It would show that we are willing to risk more to tell the truth. It's more believe able."

Shadow hums. "Will they be able to track us?"

"Uh, not with the Radar Silencer that Shadow brought. We can hook it up now." Turner says,

"Ashe? You're the one doing it, want to go off script?"

Ashe bites her cheek, "This is a lot of pressure."

"Either way, we are behind you. It'll work both ways." Toni says,

Ashe nods, "Let's do it. Let me get dressed."

She gets dressed in a black shirt with long sleeves and a hole for her thumbs. She wears black pants and boots and a black fabric mask to make it appear as if shadows hide her face.

(this is what she looks like more or less) https://pin.it/4xULkeN

She walks into the room again. Shadow and Neo have set up the camera.

"Ready?" Shadow asks,

"Yep, turn it on."

"We'll take over every monitor in the state. Going live in three, two, one."

Ashe finishes walking into view and looks at the camera.

"Okay....um...this is going to be, a lot, to take in."

"I assume all of you have seen the video released by the Agency. That's what we called them. They released their names as The SunGard Agency, or SGA. We are the Syndicate. SGA has mad us out to be monsters, people possessing powers that want to rule over you. This is a lie. In fact all of us don't even have powers, while it is true that most do. The SGA is the enemy, they hid from everyone very well, in fact....."

Ashe stops and looks at Shadow who nods, Ashe takes a breath.

"We knew nothing about them, which is the reason we simply called them The Agency. They hod well from us. But we have found ways into their system. We have uncovered so many truths. What we want, is to be left alone. Be able to live our way, how did they react? Terrorists, thieves, liars, murderers, kill them all. They committed the murders, so you would hate us. What we want, is freedom. We want to be treated as equals. It shouldn't have to cost, anything!" Ashe says throwing her hand out,

"We have been ignored, hunted, hated. Those of you who understand this, please, we beg you to believe us! The SGA are the ones that want to rule, they want to bring everyone under their control! It's easy to say look at what they are doing to the poor district. The middle class. You guys are either doing okay for yourself, not great, but not terrible. Or, you're consistantly looking for the scraps in the gutters, willing to eat anything. The SGA is stealing the money, likely raising armies. They want a mechanical world under their rule. Anyone who disobeys is punished. We want a world where....you're allowed to have your own thoughts. We will not be the defenseless prey anymore to these sadistic hunters! We are going to stand, we are going to take what should be! Rightfully! Ours! Not just the Syndicates! All of us! We deserve freedom! We deserve to be all, equally treated! Like we are all good enough to stand together! We all bleed red! If you're with us, we will fight with you until the end. If you're with us, you are our brothers and sisters and we will be your shields and your weapons, your armor! For everyone of us they knock down, six more will rise to lift that one back up! We are the Syndicate! We want the freedom we have always been starved of!"

They all smile at her, Neo taps the keyboard and stands. "Now that! Was one heck of a introduction!"

"Way to go Ashe." Tinker says,

Sha shakes her hands, "That was freaking intense, ugh my heart is pounding."

"It was very well said." Toni says,

"Now we wait to see how they react." Shadow says,