Page 100 of Ember Rising

Marcus is briefing ILF people about his time on Island Three. I don’t know what to do with myself now that I’ve cleaned up and gotten a little sleep and food. It feels strange not to be checking my back and choking on the air.

“Not what you were expecting?” Marta approaches me with a sly smile.

“I didn’t know what to expect. But it definitely wasn’t this.”

“We planted seeds about the ILF being formed by a group of ex-military men. And I do have quite a few of those here, but no one would guess I’m the boss.”

“Did you start out in Idaho?”

Her eyes gleam with mischief. “No, darling. Another red herring.”

“Doesn’t it attract attention that you have so many people coming and going from the store?”

“We don’t. There are tunnels leading to lots of different exits. I chose this location because it had some existing underground infrastructure.”

They have training planned for us. And more briefings. The ILF really loves its briefings. But I don’t have the patience for it.

“I appreciate everything you’ve done for us,” I say. “But I haven’t seen or spoken to my sister in seven years.”

Marta nods. “You’re eager to reach her.”

“Eager is putting it mildly. I’m about to jump out of my skin knowing she’s so close and I’m just hanging out here.”

“We know very little about your sister. Do you think she’ll be willing to work for us?”

I knit my brows together, trying to think of the best way to answer that question. “My even asking her to depends on what you want her to do and for how long. I came here to get her out of that hellhole, not put her in even more danger.”

Marta nods. “I had two sisters. I lost them both to the virus. I think I’d feel the same way you do. But if we don’t find a way to rid this planet of Soren Whitman and his lackeys, he’ll amass such power that it will be nearly impossible to stop him.”

I look out at the trees, remembering the time our parents took me and Mae to see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City when we were kids. Our world was beautiful and happy, with the safety to wonder and learn.

Very few children survived the virus, which is one of the reasons there may not be enough people left to even make a better future for. The children born after it, including the ones on Blue Arrow Island, will never know beauty and wonder if no one is brave enough to risk everything to topple the regime.

“I want to leave New America in ashes, with no possibility of rebuilding,” I say. “And I know my sister will feel the same way. But I need to know more than I currently do before I fully align myself with you.”

“Ask me anything, and I’ll be as frank as I can.”

I can’t help bursting into a huge smile. “Sorry. When we were kids, Mae and I had a running joke about being frank. It involved a mustache. I haven’t heard anyone talk about being frank in forever.”

Marta’s laugh is like melted dark chocolate—rich, smooth, and velvety. “Glad to bring back a fond memory.”

“What does the ILF plan to do if and when the regime is overthrown?”

“First, we’ll organize and stabilize. We don’t want a single person to die in the chaos and upheaval. Figuring out supply chains and making sure people have food, water, and medical care comes first. We’ll arrest and humanely imprison New America’s law enforcement officers. Then we’ll hold an election and elect a council large enough to be representative of as many voices as possible.”

I arch a brow. “Even people who thrived in New America?”

Marta holds my gaze. “Even them. If they weren’t part of New America’s leadership, they get a chance to be part of a democracy again.”

Even though I don’t like it, that’s the right answer. She’s passing my test so far, but I’m still skeptical.

“Plans can go awry. Do you have contingencies?”

“We’re working on it. Truthfully, we’re very careful about who knows this, but our organization is losing ground and resources. If things don’t change, I don’t see us defeating New America.”

That takes me aback. Are my friends and I putting our lives on the line for a losing cause?

“My point is that we wouldn’t ask for Mae’s help if we didn’t very much need it. All our energy is going to keeping the cause alive right now. We have a twenty-person committee with fair representation of men, women, Black, Brown, queer, young, and old people. They will vote on every major decision the ILF makes when we get rid of Whitman.”