She Bleeds for Us: The Galactic Consortium 3

Chapter 29

Gabriel's home had become the center of the resistance. If anyone doubted that Grandma was the ideological head of this protest movement, the government itself had named the Blind Witch as a person of interest in the unrest. Grandma was a wanted woman.

Which only raised her standing among the protestors. "We will never give her up," Uncle Issa declared. Many of the men echoed the sentiment, even though she was not their mother.

Now the men gathered in the yard in front of her house for a war council. A couple had snuck in from other ghettos to be at this council, but it was hard for adults to find ways through the police lines and checkpoints throughout the city.

That was why they were using the kids as messengers. The few remaining ways in and out were more suited to children anyway, wriggling through a drain pipe or climbing through one of the narrow windows in one of the houses that looked out beyond the ghetto proper.

And once outside, the police mostly ignored children. Like Devaki had said, those with power always underestimate those with none.

Only maybe they wouldn't be messengers anymore. Gabriel shot Favour a betrayed look as they gathered in the yard outside grandma's house. There were a dozen or more people waiting while Grandma, Uncle Issa, and the other men held their war council.

The kids were one of the topics of discussion. Favour had told her mother about being nearly captured by the policeman. Never mind they had gotten away. Her mother was furious. Grandma had looked at Favour and Gabriel, her lips a thin worried line. "I will talk to the council," she had said. "We don't want our children in danger."

Now Grandma came out with her council at her side. Uncle Issa was on her left and Alpha, Gabriel didn't think that was his real name, was on her right. He had snuck in from the city below. Issa knew him from the war and he represented a group of veterans he claimed were willing to rise up if the police tried to move against the protestors.

They sat beside her, but it was Grandma that did the talking. "We all know that there is only one answer to this crisis."

"Sarasvat," a voice muttered.

"The Consortium," another said.

"The names don't matter," Grandma said. "Sarasvat, Burundi, Barlay. What do the names mean? Nothing. But yes, we must have a new government. And the Consortium must see to these elections. If the people truly want Burundi." She spat out his name and the people in the courtyard glared or made angry noise. They did not want him in power any longer, that was clear. "Then they can elect him, no? But it must be transparent. We must see that the result is fair. As to our condition here, we don't need them to give us help. We can help ourselves. But a hand holds us back, holds us down."

She pointed her finger at the crowd, "We've seen this already in a few short weeks, have we not? What we can accomplish? The one came with what? A few seeds and some powder. Devices to clean the water. And look what we've done with that little."

Gabriel swelled with pride. Grandma was right. Already they had a patch of leaves growing in every open space. They had mycobactim growing in vats throughout the ghetto. They were eating as well, or better than they ever had.

"I don't need a handout," grandma said. "I want my son to have an honest job. My grandkids to have a good education. If the consortium can provide these things, just stand back and watch what we can do with them."

The crowd roared. It was a good speech.

When Grandma went on, it was more subdued. "But it won't happen today. Or tomorrow. We have planted the seeds. Now we must wait for the harvest."

She talked for a while about mundane things, rationing their food and setting guards to watch the police line. Finally, she came around to the one subject Gabriel was hoping she'd not broach at all.

"And the kids," she said finally. She gestured them forward. "You've shown great bravery. And done us a great service, delivering mycobactim and seeds to many other places around the city. But now is the time for waiting for you as well. We don't need to send so many messages. The adults can handle it."

"But grandma," Gabriel cried out. "We want to help."

"Then help here," Uncle Issa said. "Mother is right. It is wrong to put you in danger."

"We'll be careful," Gabriel protested. "Please."

Grandma reached out and ran her fingers through his hair. "Gabriel. No one will forget what you did. We have you to credit for making it this far. But I don't want you hurt, captured by the police. It would break my poor heart. Please, for my sake."

There wasn't any answer to that. Gabriel would never hurt his grandma. "Yes, Ma'am." A deep sadness settled on him and he felt like he wanted to cry.