Chapter 25: Planting the Seed

The Alliance was at a critical juncture that demanded unyielding focus. Casey was a game-changing advantage with the revelation that they now had someone capable of moving between the two worlds unnoticed. 

Chloe and Barron's deaths, though tragic, had turned out to be nothing more than a terrible accident. There had been no sign their cover was blown, no indication they'd been involved with the Alliance, no trace of their clandestine operations. That was a stroke of luck—a fragile one—but luck nonetheless.

The loss of Chloe and Barron had been a blow—a cruel setback—but it had not shattered them. In fact, it had catalysed the Alliance’s momentum. What Casey had accomplished in a matter of months after such a devastating loss was nothing short of extraordinary. What had once been a carefully crafted plan, a strategy built over years of quiet work, had now been thrust into an entirely new realm of possibility. The disruption had been profound—but it had also brought an unexpected brilliance, a surge of innovation, and an urgency that could not be denied.

The Alliance leadership—those at the very heart of this insurrection—now felt the full weight of Casey’s contributions. It had given them something they had been lacking: confidence. Confidence to push forward, to strike harder and faster than they had ever imagined. The rebellion was no longer just a possibility. It was imminent. And they were ready.

Now, it was time to strike.

Every moment that passed was another breath closer to the rebellion's ignition. The upcoming Alliance meeting would be the defining moment when everything would come together. The plan would be laid bare, each member of the Alliance given their role with absolute clarity and finality. There could be no second-guessing, no delays. There could be no hesitation. They had to move with ruthless precision.

The stakes were higher than ever before. The infrastructure they needed to preserve—critical systems like the chemical manufacturing plant, the feeder tunnels, water membranes, wells, and the climate-controlled communities—was not negotiable. These were the lifelines of their world. They had to be safeguarded, untouched until after the rebellion had unfolded. Only then, when the old regime lay in ruins, could the true work begin dismantling the systems of control and restoring free will and equality. But that was a task for later. Now, the immediate focus had to be the strike itself—surgical, calculated, unforgiving.

Five key targets. The President’s Cabinet. The Calberras Leadership. The CMP Manager. The Ministry of Defence. The Technology Hub. Each was a fortress, and each would be breached by the Alliance’s finest. Teams had already been assembled—dedicated, skilled, trusted. They had spent years preparing for this moment, honing their abilities, ensuring that they would take control without question when the time came. They would infiltrate, disable, and overpower.

Every detail, every role, every action was now set in stone. There was no turning back. The date was locked in.

Casey's concern was the Taskforce, so she orchestrated for the members to be physically present at Lysoid Stool Festival which was scheduled for the day of the uprising. Casey knew that if she could get them to listen, if she could guide them through the transition smoothly, they could be persuaded to stand down peacefully without bloodshed. She had to make them see that the inevitable was coming and that fighting it was not the answer.

It wasn't easy to convince them to meet at the festival, and she made it seem like the festival was a high-profile event, and its symbolism was powerful. She said, "It would show both the communities and the Calberras leadership how committed the Taskforce is to building trust, unity, and collaboration. It would be a message to all that they were working for the people alongside the people."

It took more persuasion than Casey had hoped, but in the end, they agreed to meet at Tristan’s cabin at the start of the festival. The relief she felt was quickly overshadowed by a rising tide of nerves. Was this the right move? The Taskforce was, to a degree, unpredictable; their loyalty lay with their parents, and she couldn’t afford a single misstep.

Casey arranged for Martin to accompany her to ease her anxieties and make the meeting feel more grounded. When requesting that he attend, she explained to the Taskforce that Martin would begin to assist her in the communities, a gesture that would strengthen their collective efforts. Nobody seemed to care, and she hoped they didn't mention it to Harold.

In reality, the uprising was of minimal risk for Casey. The real work was done by the teams attacking the five key targets. She would only raise it with the Taskforce members if she heard from Ruth they'd been successful; if she weren't notified, she would pretend she had gathered for the festival’s public relations exercise.

If unsuccessful, the Taskforce members would unlikely hear about any discontent until they heard from their parents or Harold, as the Stool Community Leaders were given the same instruction as Casey. Do not act unless you hear directly from Ruth of success.