Cleveland was a slap in the face. A real, true, slap. For one, there was no government propaganda to be seen. Instead, the buildings, sidewalks, and even streets were covered in anti government graffiti.

"How in gods name do they get away with this?" Ice asked, turning in a slow circle, grinning.

"I really don't know." Hurri said. "This city is a freak of nature. Even in Cali there isn't this much open rebellion."

"Doesn't matter." Lily said. "We need to find a safe house."
" Yeah, Hurri, what was your genius plan to find Skittles and her gang? "
"I didn't have one." Hurri said. " But I doubt we'll need a plan anyway. Skittles has always been a bit headstrong. She'll show herself eventually. "
"Or now." Ice said, nodding to a pair of hooded teens, approaching our group. They flipped their hoods back as they neared, and the one in front held out a hand. "Meerkat, at your service." She said.
" Hurri, Ice, Cite, and Lily. " Burro said, taking her hand. "And may I ask, how the bellied you know where we would be?"
" I can tell you when we're not on the streets. Even here, there's always a chance of something making it's way to the Ampo. " Burro nodded, as the second of the pair stepped up.
"Arc." He said, with a half smile.
" Our newest acquisition. " Kayla said as she turned from us, leading our group down a pair of side streets. "Used to work inside the National Electronic Defence Department."
" Damn. " Lily said. "How the hell did you get him out of there?"
" We didn't. " Kayla said, and Arc picked it up from there.I
"I cut myself a way out, gave myself a higher rank, used it to get off base. Went to the first people I could think of, the cell that I had been trying to crack for more than two years."
" Us. "Kayla said unnecessarily.
" So that's why your lot has been so active recently. " Ice said.
Kayla nodded. "We have an early warning system, on the off chance that the army decided to take a shot at us."
" Not just for that, though. " Arc said, almost giddy.
"Tell them." Kay! a said, after he shot a glance at her.
"Canada is going to war." Arc said.
Ice laughed, as did Lily, while I rolled my eyes. Everyone knew Canada had barely held on to it's borders after Alaska joined with it. There was no way they could open a full scale war front, not yet. Hell, it was referring on the brink of economic collapse not two years ago. And yet, Burro took him seriously.
"How do you know?" She asked.
" Skittles made contact with some of their brass, wanted to coordinate some supply raid. "Kayla said. "Was basically told that if she wanted to do some real damage, she should run information to them. Troop movements, artillery locations, prison camps, munitions depots."
" Shit. " Lily yelled, almost giggling now. "I mean, hell, we need to get this out. No one else knows that this is about to go down. We can run into from nearly anywhere in the US."
Kayla shook her head. "We did tell one person. Sky."
That out a damper on the mood real fast. "Dammit." Ice said, but shook her head. " We still need to mobilize. If for nothing else than to avenge our fallen. "
"Glad you agree." Kayla said, leading us to the door of a run down motel. " Because we went the message out yesterday. Now get in here. I'm not the only one who wants to know what you four have been up to. "