'There's a Freegrid reporter called Audrey?'

'Community G has started an uprising?'

'Something like that really happened while we were locked up in here?' Leon was in a daze.

It was the feeling of going for a short nap in the afternoon only to wake up and discover that somehow, 100 years already passed.

Leon felt like he missed a whole lifetime locked inside the caravan.

Despite the fact that Talia summarized all the events that happened in their absence, they were easily able to get the whole gist of the situation.

Leon's first reaction was anger as his face darkened. 'Did something like that really happened to a 13-year-old girl?'

This time, he could not help it as his face twisted in rage.

The world being a bad place was something he already accepted, the Omnicore Federation being a tyrant was another thing he accepted, the Zmer gang was the Zmer gang, but despite the state of this world, family is still family.

Family is supposed to be the safe haven that a child runs back to when the tribulations of the world come hitting, both nuclear and extended.

Especially in a dystopian world like this, family is supposed to be the wings of protection that wraps around a child.

And to think not only was this girl, Emilia not protected by her extended family, but rather she was sexually abused for years not just by her perverted cousin but also by the uncle, a mature middle-aged man who's supposed to protect and take care of her.

The mere thought of it left rage bubbling inside him.

This time, he wasn't as angry at the Omnicore Federation or even the Zmer gang, 90% of his rage was directed at the extended family of this innocent girl, Emilia who were still living out their without facing justice.

And suddenly, Leon understood the emotions of the reporter when she put her life on the line to spread the truth.

'Justice for Emilia!' The thought echoed in his head.

He didn't just understand Audrey's emotions, he also understood her intent and end goal by printing and randomly sending out the pamphlets.

'She wants to deliver justice to the Zmer gang, but she can't do it alone and unable to establish contact with the Freegrid Collective supporting her, she had no choice but to instigate something like this by sacrificing her life to garner awareness'.

Leon was stunned. 'What a brave act'. He felt immense respect for this woman despite the fact that he never met her once.

He also understood the reason for Talia's actions.

Apparently, she also came to the same conclusions that he came to, this was the reason why she put on such a big show to rile up the populace of community G and kick-start the uprising.

Leon recovered fast as with a serious look on his face, he asked. "How is it?"

Despite his fragmented memories, he had a hunch that an uprising especially one against a gang was not something that would be resolved peacefully.

Talia understood Leon's question as soon as he asked it.

She shook her head. "It has not turned violent yet, they're still trying to control it but this won't last long".

"Crowds have already been formed in front of buildings that are publicly owned by the Zmer gang, they're asking for their family and friends to be released".

"For now, it's a peaceful riot but I don't know how long that'll last".

Leon nodded. "What's the plan?"

Daren, Rex, and Kain didn't say a word throughout as they were struggling to digest how much the situation changed within just a few hours while they were locked inside the caravan, but they understood how serious the situation was now.

Talia didn't answer immediately, instead, she swept another glance at the pistols and bullets in this caravan.

She grinned. "With these, it won't be just a toothless mob tomorrow, it'll be a mob that can actually deal damage to the Zmer gang".

"Tomorrow?" Leon quickly caught onto that.

Talia nodded calmly. "I've changed the plan, we're no longer going to wait 2 days before we attack," her eyes gleamed. "We're attacking tomorrow morning".

Though he already suspected it, Leon still took a deep breath when he heard that.

"Tomorrow, all of this will end". Talia added in a serious tone.

Leon's brain whirred as he stared at the female Geneform, then he probed. "Have you thought over everything carefully? What of the plan, do you have a concrete plan of attack?"

Talia looked at him. "Tonight, we'll finish all the preparations".

"Right now, the Zmer gang is clearly rattled by the storm that's sweeping through the community, so I don't think there's any need staying in the dark anymore. Afterall, I do believe Cell most likely already knows that I'm E Rank".

"This is why I've told Ghostwire to use all the drones without caring about being discovered to find the second warehouse of the Zmer gang by all means".

"Tonight, I also intend to infiltrate the hidden cell tower base again. I want to see if there's any response from the Freegrid Collective, and if I should be expecting any reinforcement".

"The uprising was unexpected, but any additional reinforcement in a clash of this scale is not redundant. It's needed".

"I'll also speak to Gary and Mary later". Talia's gray-green eyes gleamed. "They're the only Ascended that don't belong to the Zmer gang in the community".

"If they're able to join the cause tomorrow, it won't be just a mob with teeth, the mob will gain sharks among them".

"This is a rare opportunity that I didn't even dare dream of, but Audrey Ross gave this opportunity to us. To honor her memory, we can't afford to fail".

"We must win". Talia's ADE flared slightly. "We must stop Parasite, and we must eradicate the Zmer gang".

Leon nodded seriously. "What of us? What are we to do?"

"The three of you look clearly exhausted after all the work today and expending so much ADE, so I'll suggest rest and to prepare for tomorrow. We'll take care of everything in your absence".

"But before that, I have a task to entrust to the three of you".

Leon, Kain, and Rex immediately perked up.

Talia threw a glance at all the ammunition again. "I had Ghostwire compile a brochure describing the most able-bodied Synths and Geneforms in the community that are not part of the Zmer gang and are most likely to rebel".

"After properly equipping yourselves, I want you to secretly distribute these guns and ammunitions to them this night".

"Also pass on a message to them for me".

"Tell them," she paused in thought, then continued in a clear voice. "Tell them it's for the cause. Tell them it's tomorrow morning, 7:00am".

Talia turned to leave, but then she paused. "It's not dark yet, so don't move now. Wait till it's dark so the Zmer gang won't realize what we're planning, they have eyes everywhere".

"Yes boss". Leon nodded seriously.

With that, Talia finally left with Brick and silence returned to this caravan.

Leon took a deep breath as he looked around the caravan and all the work that they did today with a complicated look on his face.

'Is this a coincidence?'

'Did my spirit tell me that something like this would happen? Is that why I forced it upon ourselves to finish the job today?'

Then, he smirked. 'To think it's the Zmer gang that's funding the uprising, what a twist of fate'.

At that moment, Daren muttered. "The boss didn't tell me what to do".

"Then help us".

"Oh, okay".

…

The storm billowed.

Protests erupted around the community as the collective voice of the populace lashed out against the tyranny of the Zmer gang for the first time.

Against such a mob of people, the few buildings owned by the Zmer gang that were blocked off locked themselves inside. The thugs may be armed, but even then, they dared not face off against so many mundane people.

Afterall, they were not Ascended and did not have superhuman powers.

The situation in the community was tense like a volcano waiting to erupt, no one knew when the peaceful protest will turn into a violent one.

Time moved fast, and soon night arrived.

Night didn't abate the wave of rage and discontent though, instead, it fanned the flames and made it even worse.

Violence finally erupted as with makeshift weapons like bats and wooden poles, the rioting mob finally attacked a few wooden buildings, inns, and bars of the Zmer gang, setting them ablaze as the thugs were forced to run and retreat.

After that, some crowds remained, chanting for justice till the night while the others returned home but their anger was not still abated.

Instead, it shimmered.

Tomorrow morning, it would hit a crescendo.

While all of this happened, just as the bioluminescent fog of night came as the darkness descended, Talia walked into a restaurant.

[Gary and Mary's Restaurant]

Uncharacteristically, tonight, this restaurant was completely empty.

With the tense situation in the community, locals were not in a mood to eat at the restaurant. As for travelers and adventurers, they dared not leave their inns as soon as the violence started in the community.

And so when Talia walked in, she stuck out like a sore thumb immediately.

She was unfazed though as she quickly looked around. In one sweep of her eyes, she saw them- Gary and Mary. The couple sat behind the counter where customers were attended to, and both of them were looking at her.

Talia calmly approached them, dragged a wooden chair and sat on the customer side of the counter as she looked at the both of them.

Then, she stayed silent.

For like 2 minutes, she didn't say a single word as she just stared at the couple. This continued till the atmosphere became awkward.

In the end, the curly brown-haired man, Gary broke the silence as he cleared his throat.

He sighed. "I'm sorry but our fighting days are behind us".

He looked at his wife then back at the visitor who caused so much commotion a few hours ago at the open market.

"We don't know you but we know that you're doing the right thing, but still we can't help you in this aspect".

"We didn't come to this community to fight. We came here to be chefs, to cook and feed those who can't afford a normal meal".

"We made an oath to drop our weapons 5 years ago".

Talia silently looked at the couple.

Seeing that she had no intention of saying a word, Gary forced a smile. "During my fighting days, I was once a famous doctor too. So, in case of any injuries, you can tell them to come to our restaurant".

"This is the most that I can do".

Talia looked Mary in the eye but the beautiful Geneform averted her gaze.

She didn't push it. In the end, she simply said. "Thank you".

With that, Talia stood up and left the restaurant.

The couple stared at her with a complicated look in their eyes as she left.

…

Clink… clink… clink…

Subtle metallic sounds reverberated in a dilapidated dark blue tent as the middle-aged but clearly malnourished Geneform stood up in shock.

Lying in front of him in his tent were 10 pistols and hundreds of bullets!

He looked at the 4 men in front of him in shock, his lips quivered. "W-who are you?"

Leon was calm as he looked the middle-aged Geneform in the eye. "These are 10 pistols and 200 bullets".

"It's for the cause," he said in a solemn voice. "Spread it among your neighbors and friends who also want to fight for justice".

"Tomorrow morning, 7:00am, we move".

This middle-aged Geneform immediately became emotional as he slammed his right hand against his left chest zealously. "For the cause!"

'Why do I suddenly feel like a terrorist?' Leon thought randomly as he led his companions out of the man's tent.

This was the last target that they visited.

In the past hour, they've delivered over 100 pistols and over 2000 bullets to arm specific targets among the mob for the official uprising tomorrow.

All that has been happening since was just the prelude.

As Leon left, the HUD screen of the System lit up before him again.

DING!

~----~

[System Reminder: Trial Catalyst is synchronized!]

[Host can attempt promotion Trial anytime!]

~----~

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