It means the queen is having a bad day, said Jacin.

Thorne nodded. Some of it could be her own paranoia, but even when Iko and I were trying to get into Artemisia there were rumors of some sectors blockading their own tunnels to keep supplies out of the city, or looting their factories for weapons, that sort of thing. And that was before your trial. Of course, we dont know if the people believe youre really dead, but Im not sure it matters at this point. If youre alive, then youre one hell of a revolutionary. If youre dead, then youre one hell of a martyr.

It sort of matters to me, Cinder said, watching the ticker scroll by.

Eighty-seven sectors had been ready to fight for herfor themselves. From what shed seen, each sector housed at least a thousand civilians, and sometimes many times that. That should be more than enough to overwhelm the capital and overthrow Levana

Except all those people were trapped.

Dont faint, said Thorne.

She looked at him. What?

You look stressed out.

Glowering, Cinder started to pace. Can we do something about these barricades? The people cant come to our aid if theyre confined to their own sectors.

Oh, sweetheart, said Thorne, we are so far ahead of you. Cress?

Cress pulled up the holograph of Luna theyd spent a lot of time studying aboard the Rampionall the domes and subway tunnels laid out on the moons rocky, cratered surface. She had been tagging the barricaded sectors as they were listed on Levanas broadcast. It was still only a fraction of all the sectors on Luna, but then, it was possible there were plenty more sectors in uprising that Levana didnt know about yet.

Levana was focusing on those sectors closest to Artemisia, which made sense. No wonder she was nervousthe revolution had already crept up to her doorstep.

Cress adjusted the holograph, zooming in on Artemisia, then the palace.

The barricade controls are a part of the main security network that operates out of the palaces security center, said Cress. I could hack them remotely, but not without raising alarms. At least, not with the amount of time I have to do it. So

We thought wed break in, said Thorne. He had claimed one of the lounge chairs and kicked up his feet.

Of course you did, said Cinder.

We got into New Beijing Palace, we can get into this one. From there, Cress undoes the barricades on the outer sectors and schedules the security barriers around the central dome to open at the end of the coronation. He filled an expensive-looking goblet with a blue drink from the chairs dispenser and took a big gulp. Its the best way to coordinate a surprise attack and make sure everyone is entering Artemisia at the same time, even if we have no way of communicating with one another.

Cress pulled back the holographs focus, highlighting the eight maglev tunnels that were the only passages in and out of the cityexcepting the spaceship ports.

Cinder massaged her wrist. Its too risky to send you in. Id rather Cress remove the barricades remotely, even if it does raise alarms.

That makes two of us, said Thorne, but thats not the only reason we need to get into the palace. We also need access to the queens broadcast room if we want to do anything with that video of yours. Levana disabled all outside access to the system after your last stunt, so if we want to project it over the whole system, we have to do it from inside.

Cinder inhaled sharply. Is the video is it worth it?

Oh! Iko clapped her hands to her face. Its horrifying!

Thorne grinned. Its a jackpot.

Ill load it on the projector, said Cress, turning toward the holograph node.

Please, no, said Iko, we dont need to see it that big again.

Cinder tapped her foot. How are you proposing we get into the palace? I can glamour all four of us as coronation guests if we wanted to sneak in

Cool those engines, jet plane, said Thorne. You already have a job. While Cress and I are clearing the passages into the city, you, Iko, and Jacin are going to be stationed in these three sectorshe indicated them on the holograph, three of the domes adjacent to Artemisia Centralor at least in the tunnels underneath them, welcoming all those rebels youve stirred up and organizing what last-minute battle plan we can. In approximately nine hours, with any luck, this city is going to be under siege by a whole lot of angry Lunars. Theyre going to need someone to lead them.

Thats you, Iko clarified.

But I thought this dome was cordoned off? How are we supposed to get out to those sectors if were stuck in here?

There are storage units not far from here, said Jacin, where some of the families keep recreational vehicles, including terrain speeders.

Terrain speeders?

Vehicles made for going outside the domes. They can adjust to the unmodified gravity and atmospheric conditions and handle difficult terrain. Dunes. Craters. Rich people use them for sport. Theyre not as fast as ships, but we can bypass the shuttles and cut a direct route to the nearest sectors, anywhere that has external dock access. Levana wont care about a couple nobles out for a joyride.