<span style="color: #FFFF40">Zeke had been out checking on their rations and tending to a couple of men and women who were having malfunctions with their replacements. As she approached the door of her office, she felt...off. Which meant that Death was probably in there. She hadn't seen him in months; having both been busy, and him not wanting to be noticed around the leader of the rebellion...well, it made meetings hard. She steeled herself and opened the door. "Lord Death," she greeted, closing the door behind herself.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">When Zeke entered, she would find Death leaning back on her makeshift desk. He nodded curtly. Death had left that night for a long ride, not long after he left the warehouse; a pattern he had established for months. Immortal horses were much faster than their mortal counterparts. Unless one of the Horsemen chose to pursue him, which he found thoroughly unlikely, it would be hours before any tails would catch up with him. "It's been a long time."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"So it has. I see you haven't lost your penchant for waiting in my office without warning," she said, brow cocked. "To what do I owe this surprise?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death shrugged. "In my experience, few dare to drop in on their commanders unannounced. Best you never seem as if you are anxious to attend to someone. In any case, I am here to discuss your sorry state of affairs and the latest...idiocy. I take it you were not behind that?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She growled and bared her teeth. "Not even remotely." She refrained from punching something...barely. "I just...idiots! I can't even believe that they would do something like that. It wasn't just stupid, it was practically suicidal! Argh!"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"I assumed as much. Lives were lost, and I am certain you feel the losses keenly, despite the stupidity. Be thankful my brothers and sister now think you are only a tad smarter than a snail. Your people are suffering from malnutrition?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Isn't everyone?" she said, going and sitting in her chair. "We're feeling it heavily, though, yes." She ran her fingers along her ribcage. She could count most of her ribs at this point.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"I've arranged for some food to be put aside. I can make no promises to your weakest, but the strongest of you will make it. What are your plans for your next strike?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"We're planning to go after a warehouse or two. It's a simple plan, and I really don't know how well it'll work, but I don't see any other option." She rubbed her forehead. "I know I'm not the cleverest person out there, but it's the best I can do."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00"> "Go ahead with that. Small groups, as if it were another rash attack. Send a larger group after Famine's marauders. Only send your most trusted, and do not tell the smaller groups. They may be captured before your mission is complete."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She nodded, making a note. "Good idea. Maybe I should lead the attack on Prince Starvation's minions myself," she said thoughtfully, tapping her lip with the stub of her pencil.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"It would be a show of solidarity. It might increase your numbers. Speaking of numbers, what are your rates of desertion?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Don't even <span style="font-style: italic">mention</span> those," she groaned, putting her head in her hands. "We've got people deserting left, right, and center, and hardly anyone's joining anymore. Ever since Miss Bitch slaughtered that group, people are terrified. I can't get them to join anymore."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"Your men are now under my protection. You have my complete guidance; your men surviving mortal wounds, your captured dying before interrogation. It's mostly a load of crap, but I'll do what I can, and you can play it as a miracle. The powers that be on your side."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She grinned. "That's---thank you. The threat of dying, being captured, eliminated? That will make numbers soar." She was already planning, in her mind, about how to tell people about this. How she would spin it into a sure sign of their victory, a sign that they were in the right.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"After your raid, give away what you can. Return any stolen children. If you overwhelm them, and catch them by surprise, you should get away with barely a scratch. Slaughter all but one, and send him back maimed to carry the message. Even if they contain it, servants talk. Word will spread of your retaliation, and yet you are STILL more merciful than they are," he continued.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She frowned. "You know we don't steal children, right?" Her voice was flat. "At least not that I'm aware of. We have child volunteers, but they're orphans and runaways." The rest of it, though, she could get behind. Especially the slaughter of Famine's servants. That was pleasing to her.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"Not you. Famine does. For slaves and...other uses." Death made a face as if he had a terrible taste stuck in his mouth.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">Zeke's lip curled. "That's awful." She shook her head. "Yeah, we'll free them and return them to their families. Woulda done that anyway."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death nodded. "Now on to my information for you...you'll be happy to hear that they have no idea of your location or your leadership."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, that's good, at least. I figured they didn't know about me, at least; no one's come after me."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"You've concealed yourself and your people well. They're looking hard, but not even Conquest's best spy has even heard a whisper. Beyond that, I'm unaware of any planned raids, though I'll let you know if I can. You may only get a moment's extra notice."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">A grim smile. "Even a second will help," she said, clenching her metal fist. "I wish we could take them out without the rest of the seals, but..." She exhaled. "The search for the rest of the Seven isn't going well, either. They're legends now, stories. Anyone who knew about them died, or was killed. All we have to go on is <span style="font-style: italic">fairy tales</span>. And I don't have the resources to send people off after things that might only be a wild goose chase."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">"Of course. I'll let you know when I have any information." As it happened, Death knew exactly where they were, or thereabout anyway. But that wasn't information he intended to share just yet.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"That would be helpful," she admitted. "Even just a vague direction, <span style="font-style: italic">something</span> concrete. I could justify moving us if I knew we were definitely going in the right direction."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death nodded. "Our meeting is at an end. I'll send word if I hear anything."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Good day, then," she said. Her mind was already on planning the attacks, figuring out ways to free children, and much more.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF00">Death disappeared from the office as silently and unnoticed as he had entered. He mounted his horse and made his way back to the palace.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">Once Death had left her office, Zeke poked her head out. "Lawrence?" she called.</span><br/><br/>"Yes, ma'am?" A young man came over to her. He was shorter than she, and of a wiry build. He hadn't been with them long, but he did know Cooper, and that was all Zeke cared about.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"When Cooper returns from her shift at the factory, send her here, please," she said. "I have some things I need to go over with her."</span><br/><br/>"Yes, ma'am!" he said, grinning.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She smiled indulgently. "Off you go, then."</span><br/><br/>He nodded and went off to keep watch for Cooper.<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She showed up some time around dusk, wiping soot and oil off on a rag and trying to make herself look like less of a grease monkey-- without much success. "Oh. Hello Lawrence," she greeted.</span><br/><br/>"The leader wants to see you," he said, smiling at her. He seemed unperturbed by her oily, greasy, sooty appearance. "Said she had some things she needed to go over with you."<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"Oh." She ran her hand through her hair and straightened her shirt. "Alright. I'll go at once. Nice to see you, Lo."</span><br/><br/>"You, too, Cooper." He headed off to go try and find something else to do.<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">Cooper marched straight to the leader's office, wondering what she could possibly be needed for so soon. She knocked on the door.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Enter!" she called, maps spread out on her 'desk'.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She stepped in, bowing a little as she did. "You asked to see me?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Indeed I did, Cooper," she said. "I have a new plan, and a promise I need to fulfil. I shouldn't need numbers---our new plan includes the warehouses as more of a distraction than anything," she continued.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">Her eyebrows rose slightly. "Oh? Do we indeed?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She nodded. "We'll be doing a raid on Famine's men as the main event."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She blinked. "Sounds risky. How does this involve me?" she asked, starting to grow a little concerned.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"It doesn't have to, not if you don't want it to," she said, tone gentle. "I'll be sending a couple of groups to raid the less-well guarded warehouses, and I'll be leading an attack on Famine's blasted mercenaries." Her eye grew cold as she said this. "We'll kill all but one; send him back to spread the word." A pleased grin. "And we've got Death's protection now; it'll be easier to do things. Not as much fear of dying."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She smiled faintly. "It is good to know that one of the horsemen is an ally. Perhaps we have a chance, with one of the four on our side. I will do what is needed to help, but I wonder exactly-- what is it you want me to do? Do you need more information on the warehouses?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Actually," she said, leaning on the desk, hands braced, "what I need from you is thought. I have noticed a pattern, if you will. We'll be doing well for some time, and then one of our plans, something I think will put us well ahead, will fall through. Is it sabotage, is is misfortune? I don't know." She exhaled and met Cooper's eyes. "Have you noticed that?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She nodded, a look of dismay crossing her face. "I have noticed that, madame. Perhaps there is a spy in our midst?" Her heart beat fast, and a thrill went through her. Nothing showed on her face, and she felt a sick joy at being the one to have this conversation with their... venerable leader.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Perhaps," she said, sighing and sitting down heavily. "I can't stand it. I swear, we'd be ten times further ahead than we are. It's getting people <span style="font-style: italic">killed</span>, and it's my fault."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She touched Zeke's hand sympathetically. "It's not your fault. Even if it is a spy, you'd have no way of knowing who it is. That's just something you have to factor in when you make your plans."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"So, what?" she asked, pulling her hand away. "I'm supposed to factor in that my plans will go wrong---how? In what way? How catastrophically?" She shook her head. "There's no way to know. I'd never get anything done, and then the resistance would fall. The only thing I can do is try to find the spy."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"Indeed," Cooper agreed, "But how?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She took a breath, preparing to say, then stopped. "No. I'm sorry, Cooper, but I can't tell you how I plan to find out. It's not that I don't trust you, but I can't be sure that no one else is listening."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"That is wise," she said, looking sheepish for even suggesting that she might impart that information. In truth, she was embarrassed that she'd made the miscalculation of thinking her leader would be dumb enough to fall for it. "Best of luck to you, then. I hope you find the dirty rat!" she said with feeling. Within, she was giddy. She had given a hint, that no doubt would go unnoticed. She was very dirty.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Ah huh." That, she noted with a hint of suspicion. If Cooper had noticed the same pattern as she, and felt strongly enough about finding the spy, why hadn't she brought her suspicions forward without prompting from Zeke? It was a small thing, but it niggled at the back of her mind.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She rose and went over to the other side of the desk, offering a hand. "I'm glad you confided in me. But-- is there any way I can help you find this spy?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She shook her head and rose without assistance. "No. I appreciate the offer, but as the leader this is <span style="font-style: italic">my</span> responsibility. The only thing I ask is that if you see anything overly suspicious, please tell me."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"I will," she promised. A frown crossed her face. "Is it possible that the Horsemen have some supernatural way off spying? Or perhaps they have cameras we cannot detect? I suggest you have the guys do a sweep for cameras."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">Zeke frowned. "I doubt that highly. If they had cameras here, we would be dead already, and I would be tortured for my role in the resistance."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She looked at her leader evenly. "What if it were only one of the Horsemen?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She folded her arms. "Besides Death, they're all eager to bring us down. I've no doubt that he's keeping tabs on us---I would, in his position---but the others would have slaughtered us already."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">Cooper rose a brow. "But surely even Death has his own agenda?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Of course," she said, perhaps a little more sharply than she needed to. "But if he <span style="font-style: italic">does</span> have cameras hidden about, it'll do me no good to get rid of them. I need his support, Cooper, maybe more than you realize, and I cannot afford to piss him off."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">Elation built in her again, but no smile touched her lips. "Indeed not, indeed not. But then you must recognize that maybe sometimes he will foil our plans, too."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She growled a little. "Yes, I <span style="font-style: italic">do</span> understand that," the words 'I'm not an idiot' hung in the air, "but surely not this much." She flexed her fingers, getting her temper under control. "You know what? Fine. YOU think it's so bloody important to find out if there are cameras, YOU do the sweep." She poked Cooper in the chest. "And then you report to me on anything you find, even if you find nothing." She smiled, with an edge of nastiness. "To put your mind at ease."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She realized she was on dangerous ground and nodded. "I will, madame. I'm sorry. I was only trying to be helpful," she said a little pathetically, innocent tones coming through.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"I'm sure you were," she said, voice cold, "but you are treading dangerously close to impudence and insubordination. I may be kinder than their Highnesses, I may be more merciful, but I am <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> a pushover." She bent down, eye narrow. "Don't forget that."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She didn't whimper, but the expression on her face amounted to as much. She almost looked like she was going to cry. "I know... I'm sorry... I was too frank..."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Damn right you were," she said, straightening up. "Get out of my office, Cooper. Now."</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She exhaled nervously and turned to leave. Once outside, it sounded like she broke into tears. So she wanted it to sound. In truth, she was shaking with rage. This was why she felt the rebellion was misguided. This was why she placed her faith in Death... and not the rebel leader. Death did not pretend any kindness to her, and Death was infinitely more intelligent. She shook her head, composing herself, and walked home.</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">Zeke was unmoved. Tears wouldn't bring them food, tears wouldn't bring back the dead. She was young, and foolish, and so too had Zeke been, once. It had nearly gotten her killed. Yes, most of her nastiness was simply Zeke being herself, but some of it was her trying to get Cooper accustomed to the world. She wouldn't be coddled or let off because of innocent eyes; the world was too harsh for that.</span><br/><br/>~<br/><br/>"Estella?" her father called as she opened the door. "Is that you?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"Yes," she called back, walking in and sitting down beside him. She looked miserable.</span><br/><br/>He frowned and put a hand on her back. "What's the matter, sweetheart? Did something happen at the factory?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"No." She put her head in her hands, sighing. "I think... I upset the leader..." she said.</span><br/><br/>He rubbed her back gently. "How so?'<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"Well... She asked me into her office. She had wanted to talk about the latest missions-- and an issue we've been running into. <br/>That our plans are being sabotaged. So I said it could be a spy... I threw out a few suggestions, and we got into how Death may be watching over our proceedings, and it might be him who is interfering... and I think she thought I was calling her stupid-- not in so many words, of course, but in implication... I wasn't trying to do that. I was just... just trying to get down to the root of the problem, like she asked me to," she finished miserably.</span><br/><br/>"Oh, sweetheart," he said softly, drawing her into an embrace. He rocked her gently. "I think you're in the right, here," he assured her quietly. "The leader was too harsh on you. If she asked you for your opinion, she should thank you for it, not berate you for offering it."<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She sniffed sadly. "No... I think I was just being too frank..."</span><br/><br/>"No," he said firmly. "The leader asked for your honest opinion, and you gave it. She was nasty."<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"Don't say that!" she said, giving him a slightly horrified look.</span><br/><br/>"It's the truth, Stella," he said, voice firm.<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">"If you say so..." she replied quietly.</span><br/><br/>"I do." He let her go and stood up. "I'm going out. Food's in the kitchen." What little of it there was.<br/><br/><span style="color: #80BFFF">She nodded and got up to go eat. "See you later, Father."</span><br/><br/>He nodded and headed to headquarters.<br/><br/>When he arrived, he marched to Zeke's office and knocked on the door.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Who is it?" she called. She needed to ready herself for the raid, and she was going over the people she'd be sending and where.</span><br/><br/>"Bernard Cooper," he replied, waiting outside the door.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">Bernard? What was he doing here? She frowned. "Come in, I suppose."</span><br/><br/>He stepped in, closing the door behind him.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Can I help you?" she asked, arching a brow.</span><br/><br/>"I think you were too hard on Estella," he said frankly, arms held neatly behind his back. "I know that some of what she said may seem obvious to you, but to her it might have seemed like useful insight-- and you<span style="font-style: italic">did</span>ask her for her opinion."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She narrowed her eyes. "I asked for her opinion, yes. She is still subordinate to me, Bernard. A person I would trust with my life, and the lives of the people I protect, but a subordinate still. I won't tolerate veiled insults from anyone, not even her."</span><br/><br/>"She wasn't insulting you," he said tiredly, rubbing his face. He looked at her, frowning. "I'm just worried that you're alienating your subordinates, as you call them... us. I'm worried more about you than I am about her hurt feelings. She'll bounce back as she always does-- but why do you have to be so harsh?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Because the world is---" She paused, and laughed a little. "Wait a minute. You think I was being harsh with her?"</span><br/><br/>He didn't seem as amused. "Unnecessarily so, yes."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She laughed again. "Oh, Bernard," she said, sounding highly amused. "That wasn't harsh. That was fairly normal. I'm <span style="font-style: italic">gentle</span> with her, moreso than perhaps I ought to be."</span><br/><br/>He sighed. "There wasn't really any reason to reprimand her. Had there been reason, I would agree."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">She grinned, and there again was the hint of nastiness. "Oh, I didn't reprimand her. I reminded her that I am still her boss, and I even told her that I think she should follow through on one of her ideas. There was no reprimanding of any kind. I appreciated her input."</span><br/><br/>He was unfazed. "I'm not convinced."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"That's fine; think whatever you like. The fact still remains that all she got was a reminder to watch her tone," she said easily.</span><br/><br/>"Fine." He shook his head. "Fine. But she has done a lot for you, you know."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"I'm well aware of that," she said, inclining her head. "Much of what I've done would not have been accomplished without her." She paused. "Would you remind her of that for me?"</span><br/><br/>He smiled slightly. "Yes, I will do that."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FFFF40">"Thank you." Her attention turned back to the list she was staring at; it was clear they were done.</span><br/><br/>He turned and left, closing the door behind him quietly. He hastened to get home and go to bed-- there was much to do in the morning.