The Threat Within

15

That night, Obi-Wan met up with Grath on the shuttle platform. He looked tired, but his eyes were clear. Obi-Wan sensed that the boy had found a new sense of direction.

“Some of the adults looked content as they made their way to work today,” Obi-Wan told him. “I think they enjoyed their time off.”

Grath nodded. “It can work without violence,” he said confidently. “People just need a little time to see how it could be.”

Obi-Wan was glad to see Grath back to his old self. He didn’t want to dampen his spirits by telling him about the conversation he’d overheard between Flip and the dark-haired girl. But he couldn’t keep that kind of information to himself, either.

“I overheard—”

Obi-Wan was cut short by the shuttle pulling up to the platform.

Nania was driving, and she greeted Obi-Wan with a smile. Obi-Wan was grateful as he took a comfortable seat. A ride inside Nania’s shuttle could be a nail-biter, but it was better than clinging to the outside of the craft.

When they arrived at the usual office building meeting place, Obi-Wan spotted Flip right away. He was standing in a corner next to the same dark-haired girl, scowling.

Grath walked right up to them. “Hi, Flip,” he said in a friendly voice.

Flip didn’t say anything, and his scowl deepened. It was clear that he was still angry about the reprimand he’d received earlier in the day.

The girl next to him was silent as well. Watching them, Obi-Wan suddenly realized that he’d seen the girl before, away from the Freelies. She’d been visiting her grandmother at the retiree complex the first night he’d been on the planet. But she seemed totally different now—there was no trace of the warm, affectionate young girl he’d enjoyed watching and listening to.

Grath stood in front of Flip for a moment, trying to get the boy to soften. When it was clear that he wouldn’t, the leader’s focus shifted to the meeting at hand. He stood up on one of the desks and called everyone’s attention.

“If we can show the laborers that there is more to life than productivity without hurting them, they will help us,” he said calmly.

“The laborers are too far gone,” the dark-haired girl replied hotly. “Fear is the only thing that will keep them from stopping us.”

Grath frowned. “That’s not true, Tray,” he said. “And you know it.”

It didn’t take long for the disagreement and anger from the earlier meeting to overtake the group. Everyone shouted to be heard. Antennae twitched and stabbed the air, punctuating shouts. Hands were balled into fists. The two groups began to separate—Grath and his followers on one side of the office and Flip and his on the other.

“We need to make ourselves known,” someone yelled. “The laborers have no idea that we’re pulling the pranks. They don’t even think we’re capable.”

“We’re not getting any credit,” a different voice called out.

“Or blame,” someone on the other side shouted.

The shouts were getting louder and louder. It was almost impossible to hear what was being said. Obi-Wan looked from one side of the room to the other, not sure what to do. He felt that some action was necessary, but he didn’t want to blow his cover.

Suddenly the lights outside the office blinked on. Voices echoed outside, and footsteps thundered up the stairs.

Grath looked up, alarmed. The kids were suddenly silent.

The Freelies had been discovered.