[ They were in hostile territory, so of course Eliot's pattern of catnaps and just enough rest to be able to function well was back in full throttle. He had tried to adjust, it hadn't worked out. ]

Yeah?

[ And a low chuckle. Charles can thank Eliot's charitable nature for not rubbing it in. ]

[He probably deserves to have it rubbed in, calling at this hour of night, silly telepath.]

I was thinking about something today, well actually I was talking to someone and a thought came to me.

What do you remember of your world history and in particular this resistance movement against the Franco government?

[ Probably, but lucky telepath, the hitter was a wary insomniac. ]

Not enough to be helpful for us. But the Maquis are some of the best guerrilla fighters in their age. They're responsible for some notable sabotage, alright, they've made their place in history.

[ A moment later, it occurred to him to ask. ]

Why?

[Probably part of why they got along so well. That and the shared love of tea.]

I am wondering if this isn't a little bit of an object lesson for those of us who have joined forces and resisted COMPASS aboard the Charon.

We know COMPASS punished the Project Head for her inability to subdue the group, I find it difficult to believe they would let our contribution to the breakdown go without comment.

[ Eliot's brows rose although that translated poorly into text. ]

A lesson in what, how to get along in a military encampment? Sorry to tell you man, that ain't workin' out.

[ So far, Eliot felt right at home. ]

No, as a few of us have not set foot near that Mill.

I meant more about resistance and often the futility of it when faced with a greater power, even if that power is less than just.

Wondered where you went.

[ Eliot had noticed that Charles was missing, but he had been swept into military life and hadn't thought to organize things. He probably should've. ]

Not sure that's a good lesson here...

History has the rebels survivin'.

[He'd gone off to be Mr. Survival man. Had it not been for a box of matches and Jack with a wrench, Charles possibly would have starved and frozen.]

At high costs on both sides and in the end the rebels really do not impact the Nationalist hold over Spain for forty years.

[ Should have stayed at the mill and found out about the situation before darting off into the wilds. ]

That sums it up. Sounds like you know your history.

[ Why ask then? ]

[Sudden oppressive silence in his head had about driven Charles right around the bend. Running off into the wilds was the least reactive response he'd managed.]

Not exactly history for me. I was seven in nineteen thirty-nine.

Still I cannot help wondering if this is a subtle, not that COMPASS is known for subtle, message to us who resist. That despite our efforts, as good as they may be, COMPASS is still going to hold power over us indefinitely.

[ Eliot tried not to think on that. His momma wasn't even born back then. ]

You're thinkin' too much on this.

Like you said, COMPASS ain't subtle. They got a message, they'd come outright and say it.