CIII

They had never openly discussed it, or even furtively shared whispers after the sham meetings they pantomimed week after week for Kieran's surveillance team. Both Moros John and Master Luke had played their parts, openly quarreling at the old location, hosting meetings where nothing of value was accomplished. It was all a performance, but the continuous suffering of their people was very real.

The old resistance was dying. Their friends were dying—not just from violence, but from crushed hope. In the eyes of the Dome, Moros John and Master Luke were two great failures.

The title did not disturb either of them. Both clung to what really mattered: survival.

Not their survival, both of them could see the writing on the wall. They needed their people to live. They needed to give Leslie Suarez and her growing band of rebels a chance.

At least that's what they told themselves.

More people died, more disappeared.