The man with one eye sat in Ghost's wicker chair. He smiled. "My name is Makoto," he said.Ghost glanced behind, ready to run again. "How did you get here so fast?""I've been here ever since you left."Ghost pulled the door closed. "You have to leave. If I'm seen with an Empire man in my house.

""I hate Goda and his Empire as much as you do," said the man, standing.Ghost crossed his arms. "What do you want?"The man stepped closer. His black hair was streaked with gray and tied in a tight ponytail. From his long, angular face, the single eye shone like a beacon. "I want the same thing as you: to see the Empire burn."Ghost laughed. "Impossible!" But the thought of the Empire going up in flames piqued his interest enough to keep him listening.

The man shook his head. "Nothing is impossible."He held out his hand. In his palm was a small black flower.