It was a new day, the weather was still cold. The bubble was covered in snow from the roofs to the streets. Sage sat up and looked out the window and got a flash of something outside of the bubble. He shook it off and walked to his closet grabbing Sorren's old winter coat. Upon touching it's thick fabric he got another flashback. He was at the edge of the bubble talking with someone. A face he didn't recognize. It was a girl, but she was blurry to a point he couldn't quite see her features. She kicked at the snow looking to the abandoned world. "Are you sure you want to go through with this? I mean what if there really is something out there? Everyone here needs you." her breaths visible in the winter air. "Maybe you're right, but what if I find something that could be salvation for Exiles and maybe even for humans. Surely there's something besides this cage." Sorren's voice was determined, he didn't want to lose this opportunity. She nodded and waved. "Fine but I'm not gonna watch, and I can't send anyone out there to get you. So don't get yourself lost." her tone changed, she was upset. Sorren jumped down and as his boots left prints in the snow he faded back to reality. His breathing quickened as he held the coat. He sighed and looked back outside. "What the hell is going on? I'm getting these memories more frequently." he muttered to himself. He couldn't worry about this now, he had to meet up with Quin.
Sage threw the heavy coat over himself. It was similar in length to the duster but with a gray material that felt like fur lining the inside. The boots had the same material on the inside but were built to last on the outside. Even if these were his clothes it felt odd that they fit so perfectly. Sage saw his reflection in the window and pocketed his hands. He really did look just like Sorren. He was Sorren. He left his apartment and began his way to their meetup spot. They had picked this small cafe on the other side of Sector 5. EWM officers were still looking for Sage, and any other offenders. Lucky for him, he was Mr. Joshua Topaz. Quin stays one step ahead of his competition. Sage stepped into the cafe scanning the people within. It was a surprising mix of humans and Exiles. Quin waved, catching Sage's attention. He walked over feeling eyes on him. Sage sat down across from him seeing his dumb smile. "Hey Kade, doing alright?" he asked, choosing his words carefully. "Yeah, just been trying to keep up with rent. How about you Josh?" Quin's eyes were locked onto Sage's to avoid the prying eyes. The eyes that were on Sage began to go away and they were able to start their real conversation. They waited a minute, listening to the chatter of others over the soft music.
"Alright so what are you thinking?" Sage asked looking for a waiter. "Not sure, any ideas on what might trigger Kai enough to draw him out of his defenses?" Sage laughed at this. "Come on, me just being around him pisses him off. But to be safe I could mention I know what he's planning. That would certainly set him off." Quin nodded. "How do you know he won't just send EWM or even Forsaken to kill you?" he asked, raising a brow. Sage rubbed his neck. "We don't, but no matter how we approach this he'll have that ability. He has two armies at his disposal, not mentioning the normal citizens." Quin sighed, pressing his fingers into his temple. "Damn, you aren't wrong. Are you sure you want to put your life on the line for this?" Sage stared off to think about it before answering with confidence. "I'm sure, if I don't then things could actually pan out worse. This is a good cause to die for if it were to come to it." Quin looked down at the table but did smile. "You know, Sorren said the same thing to me. Guess it stuck with me cause you were a human." Sage sank in his seat. "Even if I'm supposed to be different from him, it seems like I still fit his mold." Quin looked up and chuckled. "That's because we're still the same person, we just develop differently with the changes. But you have too many people that know you to forget who you are. I think even the Council knows that much. Anyways we're getting off topic." Sage nodded and looked for the eyes that were watching him. A waitress caught him off guard when she greeted the two Exiles.
Her smile was gentle but her eyes were sharp and full of judgement. She wasn't just a waitress, likely undercover for Kai. He had eyes everywhere, he was waiting for the duo to slip up. One wrong move and it would be checkmate. Quin greeted her in return. "Hello, can we have a couple orange sodas?" he asked. "Of course, would you like anything else?" she replied. "Um, I don't think so, you want anything Josh?" Quin looked over to Sage. "Oh, uh I'll just have a couple of the chocolate chunk cookies." She nodded and left their table. "We're in for the long haul now. I blame you if this goes wrong." he joked with a light laugh. "And I blame you, after all I'm just a follower to your plans." The laugh was shared. Odds are, this would be his last laugh till the after party; if they make it that far. Sage looked towards the kitchen. "Are you worried? I mean, we're up against about half of Tranquility. We're just two guys." his mood tanked. Quin shook his head. "Yes but more no. You're Sage but you are Sorren. Remember this: you were, and probably still are the only one who can stop the Council. You're the one sitting across from them, and the pieces are being set." he explained while making a few gestures. Sage smirked. "I'm glad you're being optimistic, but I'm nowhere near ready to take on the Council." "Maybe not now, and maybe not for a long time. But the time will come and you'll see the opening." he spoke reassuringly. Sage nodded and sat up, he did feel better about moving forward. Even if it was just a little.
The waitress came back within a few minutes. She set their drinks down and put the plate of cookies in front of Sage. "Just let me know if you two need anything else." The two nodded and she walked to another table. "Mind if I have one?" Quin asked, looking at the plate. "Yes, why in hell would I share with the likes of you?" Sage said messing with him before handing him one of the pastries. Quin just chuckled and took a bite out of it. Sage started on his soda taking a couple of swigs. The rest of their time spent at the cafe was peaceful and full of laughs.
The next morning Sage woke up all the same. After getting dressed he went out to the elevator to see Quin. The door slid open revealing that unforgettable smile. "Mornin' Sorren, we're using your place by the way." he said, shooting some finger guns at Sage. "Oh, sure, yeah let's go." Sage said turning around looking back at his friend. Upon entering the apartment Sage raised a brow leaning against the door. "So what do you want to discuss?" Quin took a seat in a chair looking out the window. "Sorren I completely forgot about this. First I have to ask, have you kept up with the news recently?" Sage pushed off the door and walked toward Quin. "I don't thi-" he paused and looked down at his smiling face. "What are you getting at exactly?" Quin stood up and pressed his finger on the glass pointing to the Plaza in their Sector. "In four days Kai will be giving a speech explaining why he's increased security. At the minimum we have to stop that speech otherwise our faces and likely the rest of the Shadows will be on the chopping block." his tone had changed, Sage could tell he was beginning to worry. "Well, what if we use it as our opportunity of attack?" Quin scoffed and turned to Sage. "Come on, we both know he'd see that coming from a mile away." Sage followed up confidently. "Exactly, that's what we want. Something obvious, something to start a revolution between the people! Get people on our side, create more breathing room for us." Quin saw the fire in his eyes and frowned, shaking his head. "No, no no no no. Sorren we're called the Shadows for a reason, we aren't an active revolution. We don't risk the lives of anyone or even mess with anyone." Sage glared at Quin. "Maybe that's the problem! People and Exiles alike want this, they just need a push. Quin I know you see that we're running out of options. We can't stay at each other's throats like this." Sage pleaded, he needed Quin's help.
The two shared a look, a long one in silence. Quin looked away and placed his hands in the pockets of his sweats. "Where is this coming from? Yesterday you wanted to stay on the DL and now you want the entire bubble to know!" he frowned feeling torn. Sage sat on his desk and looked out over their world. "Quin, eventually shadows have to come to the light. So what if we stop Kai, there will just be another leader for them to submit to." Quin nodded knowing it was the truth but was he ready to go against Blair. He had to trust the process, he was promised that it would work out. Sage looked to his friend. "Are you with me Quin?" his voice filled with adrenaline and fear behind it.
Quin looked to the floor running a hand through his hair. "Fine...I'm with you Sorren, I'm with you till the end. So don't lead us astray alright?" They shared another look knowing it was just the two of them to do this. Sage nodded and Quin spoke up again. "So how are we gonna do this? We know he'll be expecting us and he already has the entire EWM roaming the bubble." Sage rubbed his stubbled chin. "And we need to give a speech of our own before he incriminates us to the point of lies. If he gets to that point we're too late, he'll have most of the crowd with him." he walked to his desk and sat down. "Mind if I give you solo work?" Quin shook his head. "Not at all, Quin is reporting for duty." his smile returned. "If you can try and get the layout and any other details of this event. And make sure you check in, don't be afraid to call me for help. I'll work on our speech." Before Quin left Sage gave him two parting words. "Be safe." Quin nodded and looked down before leaving. Moral was fluctuating, they were racing the clock and against all odds. Sage took a deep breath looking at the ceiling. "Send a message, to both people and Exiles. Exiles shouldn't hesitate, the majority will take their chances. People need to understand their being oppressed and should have the right to roam freely. I have a feeling adding in a little about helping Exiles could help as well." he expressed to himself. He left the palace of his mind and began writing.
Four days Later
Sage was sitting at his desk going over the speech one more time. There was a knock at the door making him turn his head. "Left it unlocked!" he shouted before turning back to the paper. Quin stepped in closing the door behind him. "Is that really safe? What if I was some kind of assassin?" he asked half joking. "Then they wouldn't have knocked." he said looking back with a smart ass look. "Haha, hope you're ready. We got three hours." Sage sighed and leaned back into the chair. "Don't remind me, I feel sick to my stomach. So much is counting on this to work." Quin could sense his stress and placed two files on his desk. "How about we use the last bit of time to trade and fully flesh out this plan?" he said offering but was already starting. Sage smirked and opened the first file. "Sure let's see what you found." The two traded and began reviewing everything.
After a short time Quin looked up and nodded his head. "Never saw you as the speech type, but I was sorely mistaken." he looked at Sage gleaming. "What's the verdict boss? Did I do alright?" he questioned still trying to put a smile on Sage's face. "Can't complain, especially since you were able to nab a copy of the stage layout. How'd you get your hands on this?" Sage's interest had peeked. Quin returned the speech to the desk. "I've got lots of contacts, just so happened to know a guy who was mapping this out for the guards." Sage closed the file and stood up. "You have human contacts? Seems like that could bite you in the ass." Shaking his head he explained further. "Not all humans hate us. Besides, you know I cover my tracks. Humans and Exiles alike enjoy gossip, some even want to see this bubble pop." Sage began looking out the window. The Plaza now bustling with people all surrounding the stage where Kai would be. "People want change, we're about to bring it to them. Should we go over the plan one more time?" Quin smiled and gestured his thumb up in the air.
The map had been enlarged on the bulletin board. The two stood in front of it. "We're going to be using the crowd as your cover while I take out the snipers on the roof. Once I radio you you can make your way onto the stage, I'm sure you can manage the one guard by Kai's side. The others around the perimeter still see you as Mr. Topaz so they won't bother you. I'll be on the roof as recon watching it play out. That clear enough for you?" Sage nodded. "Crystal, I'll be armed and have an audience. Kai will have no choice but to play nice to not dirty his reputation, but I'm ready for the worst." The two looked at each other and gave one another a fist bump. Quin smirked and walked out the door. "Let's start a damn revolution!" he yelled, not caring who heard. Sage psyched himself up nodding a few times and following his friend straightening his duster. "Hell yeah!" They stepped into the elevator and began their way to the Plaza.