^Everything hurts.^
^Same here.^
^You think you’ve got pain? Try moving one of those anti-grav units, when the power’s off!^
They all laughed. Nemosini, Themis and Theia were yet to arrive, but the other Coss didn’t mind. It was one of the rare opportunities they had to sit together, and cesct about over common problems.
Theia had convened a meeting of all her Coss in Nelljin Plaza, hoping to strengthen her standing as leader, to build bridges and decide on their future. Aiella had done similar things in her reign, and as a result of which each of her Coss could and would die for her at a moment’s notice. There they sat, nine of the leaders of the most successful terrorist organization in Novan’s history, around a table in the middle of a gallery in one of the largest Plazas on Core. Children laughed and ran around them; the smell of food floated on the air, as hundreds of Novans sat and ate in the Plaza.
^Where are the lovebirds?^
Oenus smiled. ^I remember going to Nemosini’s joining. She seemed so happy, then.^
^We all were different people, before we became Coss,^ cast Iperian as he shifted in his seat. ^It’s hard to make it work with someone who first isn’t a Coss, who isn’t responsible for as much as we are, then secondly, with someone who isn’t even a warrior.^
^But you have,^ cast Oenus. ^Most of us have, and it works out better for the cell, having partners who can deal with both aspects of Cell operation and defense.^
^I know, I know,^ cast Iperian. ^I’m just casting, it’s not easy.^
^Nothing in life is. What do you think Theia will cast about?^
^Our next big plan, what else?^ Oebil leaned in. ^I think she’s ready for something big.^
^What should it be?^ asked Rolost.
^Theia cast to me she was thinking of another mass kidnaping,^ cast Oenus, mentally sharing the plans. ^Possibly any TELREC we can get our hands on. Then gassing them.^
^Gassing? That’s a very old way to die.^
Iperian nodded his head. ^Yes, and it would get some attention!^
^Certainly the attention of the TELREC,^ cast Iperian. ^They always push that much harder when one of their agents is killed.^
Nemosini and Themis approached the table.
^Well look, if it isn’t the two lovebirds!^
^Be null, Rolost,^ cast Themis, mentally shoving him.
They both sat. ^No, he was right,^ cast Nemosini. ^But we have . . . decided to move on.^
^Nemosini would like to try to make things right with her husband.^ Themis sighed, as he smiled at her. ^She feels it would be best not only for her family, but for the community in her cell, as well.^
Oenus smiled at her, nodding his approval.
^Well, we were discussing our next mission. Possibly kidnapping and death by gassing. Maybe, we should take the first born of every TELREC on Novan? Now that would be a statement.^
^No, there are some who are balking at our continued usage of children for slaughter. Isn’t that right, Nemosini?^
She looked down at the hard stares of her fellow Coss. ^Yes.^
^One might think you’ve lost your stomach for this,^ cast Iperian. ^We must hit them hard, twice as hard as they hit us!^
The other Coss nodded in agreement. Oenus turned to Themis.
^What do you think, Themis?^
Themis paused for a moment, crossing his legs in his chair.
^We are being perceived in an increasingly negative light by the very people we are trying to awaken. We integrated many members from Ksilte, and they represent mainstream Novans. Ellore tells us that we are perceived as another aspect of a degenerate Novan. Our continual distance from matters of religion, though it once helped to identify us with the people, is now driving a wedge between us and them. Should the TELREC fall, they could never see us rising to any sort of power in a new Novan.^
^What should we do, community service?^ cast Crius sarcastically. ^Maybe help apathets kick their habits, and terrorize fleshivals?^
^No,^ cast Themis, ^that would only contribute to order and stability for the TELREC. We need to somehow show Novans why they should abandon the cast-net, why they should engage again in intellectual pursuits, why they should explore the void. Ellore’s people bring much to us, and I think we should capitalize on their strengths. I know my family has grown weary of the killings, of the beheadings and torture. Sometimes I think my very soul is wounded from what we do.^
^I know it has driven a wedge between me and my daughter,^ cast Nemosini. ^Between me, and my whole family! We need to do something that will rally our communities behind us, give them hope for the future.^
They all sat there, thinking on distinctly un-military options.
^So you are thinking community service?^
^I believe, we should try to take out the broadcast satellites again,^ cast Crius.
^You know how difficult that is!^ cried Rolost. ^They are the most heavily armed defensive platforms in existence! How many have died trying to accomplish that impossible goal?^
^You’re coming at this from the wrong attitude,^ cast Crius. ^Suppose it was the only way to achieve victory, if it was the only option. How could we make it work?^
They all thought for a moment, going over options in their heads. Themis sensed something else, and expanded his awareness.
^Any of you notice anything different?^
^How so?^
^Take a moment,^ cast Themis carefully, ^to try to glean casts from those around us.^
They all focused on those seated around them. They looked to be ordinary Novans, some with children, women with men, the well dressed and the poor. While normally there would be a good deal of back and forth colvition chatter, the only thing that could be gleaned was that they all were watching incoming shows. They were communicating with no one. Oenus straightened, and began to fortify his mind.
^You’re right. Something’s wrong here. Where is Theia?^
^She cast to me that she would be late.^ Oenus started to rise, closing his mind, his face turning to stone, the tension spreading through the Coss. ^I hope she is alright.^
^I hope she hasn’t betrayed us,^ cast Iperian.
Crius flexed his muscles, scanning the area. ^This isn’t going to be easy.^
They all started to mentally prepare themselves for battle, and began to rise from their chairs. As they did, they noticed all eyes in the gallery were focused on them. All minds were focused on them. Though they could still move, they felt a pressure coming to bear on them, one that was impossible to resist. They grew sluggish, and as hard as they might try to make their muscles work, they couldn’t. Nemosini glanced at Themis, who shook his head, and gritted his teeth. A mind cast to them.
^Greetings Iganinagi Coss! We have waited a long time to meet all of you at once. Thank you for indulging us. You have caused us great pain, and now, we are going to return the favor.^
The people all around them stood, the children among them moving off, summoned by those out of sight. They slowly advanced on the Coss, intensifying their mental hold. The Coss could feel their minds being tightly constricted, until it was too hard for them even to breathe.
Chapter 10