The sky was just beginning to brighten, and on Farm 18, African and Asian slaves were already managing the vineyard early.
Qing Chen roughly estimated that there were at least over seven hundred slaves.
He weaved through the grapevine trellises, the twisting vines hanging down just enough to serve as his cover.
Some African and Asian slaves noticed a sound, but when they turned around, they saw nothing and just assumed it was their imagination.
While tending to the grapevines, the slaves conversed: "I heard, that noise this morning was someone battling with the fleet from Storm City. Could it be the rebels have arrived?"
"Hush," a slave whispered: "Do you have a death wish, daring to talk about rebels? What if the chip behind your ear hears you?"
"Haven't you heard the townsfolk say the chip is only for tracking and doesn't have eavesdropping capabilities," an African said nonchalantly: "I heard the rebels advocate for the liberation of slaves..."
