Rebels

by Jill Williamson

  “What happened to him?”

  “OD’d. Can’t be sure, but his bunkmate who brought him in thinks he was trying to end it. Took a whole vial of heroin at once. That’s not smart.”

  Oh, Omar, you fool. “What about the bruises and cuts?”

  “Someone beat him up pretty badly. But he did worse to himself with the PV.”

  Indeed. “He’s comatose?”

  “Yes. He should recover once the substance clears his system, though.”

  Relief flooded through Mason. “How long will that take?”

  “Most overdose comas last between two and four weeks, but sometimes longer. Recovery is usually gradual. The patients become more aware over time and will wake for longer periods. His coma scale score was an eight, so that’s not terrible. Since he OD’d, and likely on purpose, I’ll probably keep him sedated for four weeks, then see if he’ll wake on his own. I like to detox juicers. Force them to get clean. What he does after that is up to him. Now take him down there for me, will you? And hurry back.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Mason and the aide moved Omar’s bed down to the third floor and made sure the bed was plugged in. When the aide left, Mason prayed for his brother, that this was a good thing, that being here would keep him away from the stims and that his body would heal and when he woke up, all the cravings would be gone.

  When lunchtime came and Cadell told him to go eat, Mason went to the diner and told his mother the news.

  “He tried to kill himself and you think it’s a good thing?” she asked.

  “Just that when he wakes up, it’ll be completely out of his system. He’ll have a new start,” Mason said. “He wanted to beat it, but I saw the cravings in his eyes. He would have done anything to get more. It was scary.”

  “My poor boy. We all have a time in our life where our curiosity is stronger than our common sense. But I’ve never seen anyone take it as far as Omar has.”

  “He’s not as lost as you think, Mother,” Mason said. “He intended to help Shaylinn however he could. If we ever get out of here, I think he’ll turn out fine.”

  “Lonn’s plan is almost ready. If we could get just one person to the other side, he could take the truth to the people.”

  “Yes, but, Mother, their plan is reckless. I’m working on Omar’s balloon idea. I’ve been taking three bed sheets instead of two when I visit the car wash. It’s not the ideal fabric, but it should work with the waterproof spray I saw at the G.I.N. If you guys would help me gather bed sheets, I could have the balloon ready in another three or four weeks. There’s no need to risk any lives.”

  Mother sighed and took hold of Mason’s hand. “Lonn doesn’t believe your balloon will lift a man. I’ve tried to tell him not to underestimate how clever you are, but his mind is set. He’s going to do this. We must pray that it will succeed.”

  “And if it doesn’t?”

  “Then we pray that no one will be hurt.”

  “Mother, my idea risks no one.” But Lonn arrived before he could say anything else.

  “Mason worked in the MC today,” Mother told Lonn.

  “Really? How?”

  Mason relayed the morning’s events and how Kam Cadell had called Gabon Gacy and gotten permission for him to stay.

  “This is excellent,” Lonn said. “You have access to meds there. You could test them.”

  “I thought about that, but it’s only for today,” Mason said. “I don’t think I could manage to do any tests there with us so busy, and I have no way to steal the supplies, either.”

  Lonn grabbed Mason’s shoulder. “You’ve got to try, boy. You’ve got to! This chance might not come again.”

  When Mason returned to the MC, Cadell had a surprise for him.

  “You’ve been reassigned,” he said. “You’re my assistant now.”

  “What? No more feedlot? How?” It was too good to be true.

  “It was purely selfish, I promise you,” Cadell said. “I’ve been asking for another assistant medic here for ages, but medics don’t tend to be prematurely liberated, so . . . I’m sure the liberator was simply tired of hearing me whine. But I couldn’t let someone with your skills and bedside manner be wasted on cows.”

  “Thank you,” Mason said. “I greatly appreciate what you’ve done.” For sure he could find a way to conduct tests now that this was his permanent task.

  “I wasn’t able to move your residence, unfortunately. I’ll keep trying, though. Striker bunkhouses are filled with disease. If you’re to work with me, I need you healthy.”

  Mason hadn’t minded tasking on the feedlot. True, the smell was horrible, but he’d been getting used to it. But this news took off the pressure of trying to steal meds and a blood meter this very afternoon. He now had time to conduct his investigation. And being here would allow him to check up on Omar as well.

  This felt like a new beginning. He and Lonn could look for a cure for the thin plague. And if they found one, it would change everything.

  CHAPTER

  17

  The day the task director learned that Jemma was pregnant, things started to happen quickly. She met with Tyra to discuss wardrobe, a makeover, and to schedule initial ColorCast interviews with Luella Flynn. Jemma demanded that she and Alawa be moved into their own suite, and Matron Dhlorah gave them a tour of the rooms. Jemma and Alawa chose the Citrus Blossom room on the seventh floor, as the colors were bright and cheery and it was completely empty, so they didn’t have to share it with anyone.

  The first actual ColorCast appearance for Jemma was that very afternoon. Tyra took her to a hairdresser in the morning, then Matron and Ewan escorted her to the ColorCast Studio lot and into a sound stage. There was a small theater with maybe fifty seats. Only the first two rows were filled.

  Matron took Jemma to a dressing room where a red ball gown hung on the wall, with a V waist and a full skirt that poofed out and swept the floor.

  Jemma tried to hate it, but it made her feel like Cinderella in red.

  Once she was dressed and a woman had painted her face with makeup, Matron led Jemma back out to the stage. There were two little white couches in the center, angled so that they faced each other. Lights from the ceiling were pointed down at the couches, making them glow in comparison to everything else.

  “Jemma, lovely!” Byran Kester, a director, walked out on the stage and greeted them. Two kisses for Matron and two more for Jemma, who felt strange to greet this man like they were friends when he had betrayed her the last time they’d met.

  Byran was a short man with dark hair and a scruffy face. As per the current mimic trends, he wore a loose purple shirt with several thick silver chains around his neck.

  “I hope you plan to film an honest interview today, Mr. Kester,” Jemma said.

  Byran chuckled. “Now, where’s the pleasure in that?”

  Jemma glared at him, and his expression sobered.

  “In all seriousness, this will be a very simple interview. Your words are on the teleprompter. Just read what’s there. Try not to adlib. We’ll do it once and then maybe run a few places where I think we need a little something extra.”

  Jemma knew all about the something extras they used here. The last time she had acted for him, they’d edited the footage to make it seem like she was being held hostage. Then they’d used it to blackmail Levi.

  Well, they didn’t have Levi this time, so she doubted they could do anything too terrible.

  “So I just need to read the teleprompter. That’s it?”

  “Mostly. Luella will come out first. She’ll introduce you both. You’ll come in on the right, Mr. Renzor will enter on the left. I’d like you to take hands when you reach the center of the stage, right in front of the two couches. Take hands and smile. Act like you like him. This is to show the people that the rebels aren’t what they claim to be, so you need to look thrilled to be here. Think you can do that?”

  “Yes,” Jemma said, knowing she would truly have to become an actress to p
ull this off.

  “Once the applause dies down, you’ll sit together on the couch on the left, on Mr. Renzor’s side. Luella will sit on the other couch. Then just follow her lead and read the prompter. If Mr. Renzor touches you, don’t move away. Look like you want to be here.”

  Jemma fought back a sigh. “I understand.”

  “Great,” Byran said. “We’ll get started soon.”

  “Ready in five!” a man yelled from the back. A cameraman.

  “Well, there you go.” Byran walked to the end of the stage and jumped down.

  Matron led Jemma over to the side of the stage, similar to where Naomi had stood a few months ago and when she’d been introduced as the Safe Lands queen.

  A burst of spicy perfume clouded around Jemma. “Hay-o, femmys!”

  Luella Flynn walked up the three steps to the side stage. She was wearing a very tight black skirt that ended just below her knees and a fluffy purple top that made it look like she had climbed inside a gigantic rose. Her hair was silver tinsel and must have been some kind of wig.

  Luella kissed them both on the cheeks and looked Jemma up and down. “My, don’t you look gorgeous! Lawten chose that dress, you know. He has a thing for red. I wouldn’t be surprised if you gain some mimics over that outfit.”

  “We’re on in sixty!” the cameraman said.

  “I’ll see you up there, femmy!” And Luella trotted past Jemma on spiky platform heels.

  Jemma felt nervous. She didn’t want to be on TV. She wished she were in the basements with the others, taking care of Shaylinn. She said a quick prayer for her sister, wondering how she was coping with her morning sickness and being alone with Levi and all those kids. She hoped Levi was being sweet to her little sister.

  Levi.

  “In five, four, three, two . . .”

  Luella Flynn was standing in the center of the stage, touching her ear with one finger. She released it and beamed at the center camera. “I’m right here, Finley. And I’m simply juicing to introduce you all to our brand-new Safe Lands Queen. But she’s not alone today. She brings with her a very special guest, our own task director general. Please welcome Ms. Jemma Levi and Task Director General, Lawten Renzor!”

  Music burst out from overhead speakers. The crowd clapped. Matron nudged Jemma and her feet started to move. She walked across the stage toward the couch. On the other end of the stage, the task director walked toward her. They met in front of the couches, and Jemma let him take her hand. He held up their joined hands, faced the crowd, and waved. Jemma waved too. The applause increased.

  He lowered their hands, Luella gave them both cheek kisses, and they sat down, Jemma and the task director on one couch, him still holding her hand, and Luella on the other.

  “Jemma, darling. Tell us, how far along are you?” Luella asked.

  “The medic said I was eight weeks along,” Jemma said.

  “Tell us what this means for you,” Luella said.

  “I’m very excited,” Jemma said.

  “And isn’t it true that this is a miracle baby? Conceived in the natural way?”

  “Yes.” Jemma looked into the camera and said, “You’re going to be a father, Levi!”

  “Indeed,” the task director said. “Levi served as the best kind of donor. He’s an example to all of us. But the child belongs to the Safe Lands. The baby is ours.” Lawten put his arm over Jemma’s shoulders and squeezed.

  Jemma gritted her teeth.

  “Jemma, why did you return to the harem?” Luella asked. “Weren’t you in hiding?”

  Why did she return? Because Mia had stunned her. She suddenly remembered the teleprompter and read the words there. “I felt it would be a good gesture to the people to show my support of the Safe Lands government. I was a rebel, but I am no longer.”

  “I’m very glad to hear that, Jemma,” Luella said. “Rebellion tears our nation apart where we should be trying to work together.”

  The interview went on. Lawten explained that this pregnancy meant good things for the future of the Safe Lands, which to Jemma meant they intended to steal her child. Luella gushed over Jemma’s dress, and just as Jemma started to get comfortable, Luella said good-bye.

  “Clear,” the cameraman said.

  “Oh, well done, Jemma,” Luella said. “She’s going to do fine, Lawten. Much better than the others.”

  “She’s humble,” Lawten said.

  “The audience loves humble,” Luella said. “Especially after that Mia. Oosh.”

  Kruse walked up to the stage from the audience, looking short the way he stood below them. “Mr. Renzor, you have an urgent tap.”

  “Excuse me for a moment, ladies,” Lawten said, and he left the stage, leaving Jemma alone with Luella Flynn.

  “So, this wasn’t really live, was it?” Jemma asked.

  “Not this time, femmy, no.”

  “So when will it air?”

  “Byran? When will this air, trig?” Luella yelled.

  Byran’s voice came from the back of the room. “On tomorrow’s morning show. Then we’ll run it again throughout the day.”

  “Tomorrow morning you can watch,” Luella said, then raised her voice again. “Are we done?”

  “I’m taking a look at the footage,” Byran said. “Just hold tight for another couple minutes.”

  “Hold tight, hold tight,” Luella muttered to herself. “So, Jemma. You must know the identity of the Owl, no?”

  “Who?” Jemma had said it too quickly, though.

  Luella grinned, knowingly. “His little broadcast interrupted this month’s liberation ceremony.”

  “I didn’t see it.”

  “Oh, well, you missed something spectacular, then.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “The Owl had footage of two outsiders being liberated. It was incredible.”

  Jemma’s eyes widened. “Which outsiders? What is liberation, anyway?”

  “No one knows,” Luella said. “Lawten keeps it from me. But that footage was more information that I’ve ever gotten with Alb. And it was footage of the two outsiders who share the same donors as your lifer. Surely you know who I mean. They were liberated for crimes against the Safe Lands? One was the medic who tasked in the SC.”

  “Mason and Omar,” Jemma said. “They’re Levi’s brothers.”

  “Yes, well, the Owl intrigues me. I’d love to do an interview with him. Think you could put in a good word for me?”

  “I don’t really know who the Owl is,” Jemma said. “I’m not sure that it’s one person.” That much was true. Omar had been liberated, so someone else had to have put on the costume and done that recording.

  “Of course,” Luella said. “That’s truly brilliant. A flock of owls. Oh, I love that.”

  “Luella, femme,” Byran called, “I’m going to need you for a few more shots. But Jemma, you’re free to go.”

  Jemma stood, anxious to be away from Luella Flynn and all of her questions. “Good-bye.”

  “Yes, indeed, bye-o, femmy. I’ll be seeing you soon enough, I’m sure.”

  Jemma tottered across the stage on the heels that had started to pinch her feet terribly. Matron was waiting.

  The next morning, Matron escorted Jemma and Alawa to the main sitting room to watch the broadcast. The massive wall of picture windows had already been converted into a Wyndo screen, which, combined with turning off all the lights, made the sitting area dark. The Finley and Flynn show was on, muted, though Jemma recognized it as yesterday’s program, which always aired before the current day’s show.

  The other harem women were already seated, though with the ladies from Jack’s Peak set free, there were only four others: Jennifer, Mia, and two Safe Lands women Jemma had not yet met.

  “Why do we have to watch this?” Mia asked. “I wanted to sleep in this morning. This pregnancy has me exhausted.”

  “Because this is a historic occasion,” Matron said, “and because the task director demanded it.”

  “He demanded we all watch Finley a
nd Flynn’s morning ColorCast?” Mia asked.

  “Yes,” Matron said. “I think it will be the best way to show you what’s possible to achieve with your position here.”

  “Cryptic,” Mia murmured to Jennifer, her mother.

  “It’s starting.” Matron tottered on her high-heeled shoes to her chair and sat. “Wyndo: Volume: Twenty.”

  The opening music and montage began, showing candid clips of Finley Gray and Luella Flynn on various interviews or with Safe Lands celebrities. When it ended, the screen flashed to Finley Gray sitting behind his desk.

  “Good morning, Safe Lands nationals. We have an incredible morning planned for you. Bick from the To Dye For Salon is here to give my hair a new style. I’ve got to say, I can’t wait to see what he does. It’s time for a new look. We’re also going to hear from Big Is Beautiful star Melana Georjan. I just love her show. Look, I’m even wearing my Big is Beautiful T-shirt.” He opened his jacket, revealing a white shirt with two fancy letter Bs on it. “Decked, isn’t it? But first we’re going to go live to the ColorCast Studio, where Luella is waiting to introduce you all to a very special guest. Luella? You there, femme?”

  The image on the screen switched to Luella, who was standing on the stage in the ColorCast Studio in front of the white couches. “I’m right here, Finley. And I’m simply juicing to introduce you all to the brand-new Safe Lands Queen. But she’s not alone today. She brings with her a very special guest, our own task director general. Please welcome Ms. Jemma Levi and Task Director General, Lawten Renzor!”

  “What?” Mia shot Jemma a glare.

  Applause and whistling came from the speakers as the camera angle changed to show a packed auditorium, way larger than the amount of seats that really existed in the ColorCast theater. The crowd was clapping and cheering, some on their feet as in the distance on the stage, the task director general and Jemma walked out.

  “That’s so weird,” Jemma said. “There were only a few people there. How’d they make it look like so many?”