Camisado

By S. C. Wines

Seventeen-year-old Ember Anthem follows an unshakable feeling in her heart and takes her future into her own hands. In what appears to be a fortuitous twist of luck, Ember gets honored with an opportunity to rise to the highest level of society by serving in the prestigious Adiran Military. Once in Basic Training, Ember begins, slowly but surely, learning lie after lie. After meeting Santiago, son of the founder of an underground rebellion, she learns the harsh truth about the misleading tyranny she lives under. Determined to bring basic rights back to her home town, she realizes she must do the right thing the wrong way. Motivated by equal parts justice and anger, Ember must let the government believe they have her in the palms of their hands while secretly making huge strides for underground rebellion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543429886

S. C. Wines

S. C. Wines lives with her parents and her rescue dog in Kansas. Like a lot of young adults, she grew up struggling with depression and anxiety. But she always found an escape in the written word. Whether it was reading or writing, she always felt most comfortable inside a book. As she got older, she was discouraged from writing and told that she needed to find “a real career” to focus on. She elected to go to college and major in Political Science, but soon she realized that she had slowly fallen back into a deep depression. She started writing again and felt happier. She took elements from her classes and worked them into her stories to discuss her opinions. She found she had a talent for translating political/social themes into thought provoking fiction. The winter of her junior year she left school to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a writer.

Book preview

Copyright © 2017 by S. C. Wines.

ISBN:   Softcover   978-1-5434-2969-5

             eBook         978-1-5434-2988-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 06/09/2017

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Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

1

Ember walked across the base wearing her physical training uniform. She wore the same dark blue shorts from Basic and the new gray t-shirt with Special Forces written across the chest in thick black letters. Special Force Unit 480 was set to use the obstacles course for team-building. Ember was actually excited. Running the course wasn’t her favorite part of Basic, but it also wasn’t her least favorite. She liked the idea of getting to know her team, getting to be a part of the 480 family. She was excited about being useful. She walked up to the course on the cool early spring morning and noticed two figures gathered at the bleachers by the observation deck.

Hey Anthem, Taran gave her a nod as he laid himself down on one of the metal seats.

Hey, where’s Medina? she asked, looking around. She was only the third one to arrive, but still expected to see Santi.

He’s talking to his daddy, Hurley chuckled, from the row above Taran.

Really? Ember sat down on the bottom row, What does he want?

Who knows, but he did not seem happy. Hurley spun sideways in his spot. He followed Taran’s lead and laid down, placing his hands behind his head as a pillow.

Have fun this weekend, Anthem? McNamara asked as she strutted toward the bleachers.

Depends on what you’re insinuating? Ember gave a petty smile.

Oh yeah! Hurley sat up as if he suddenly remembered his intent to comment on the philanthropy gala. How was the Empire Hotel?

Slippery floors, Ember muttered without even turning toward him.

All I want to know is, why do you get the special treatment? McNamara asked sitting down awkwardly close to Ember.

Yeah, why aren’t I getting wined and dined by the CS? Hurley asked Is it because I’m not tall and blonde?

No it’s because you’re ugly and annoying Hurley, Taran muttered without opening his eyes, I wouldn’t invite you to your own funeral. McNamara and Ember snickered.

Words hurt sometimes, Taran. Hurley pretended to pout.

Where is CS Medina? Garza asked as she approached the bleachers.

Talking to Senator Medina, Ember explained as she readjusted her bun.

I smell a task force, McNamara sang with a smile and rubbed her hands together.

Finally. All this GP training has really slowed our work to a crawl, Hurley grumbled.

Santi and his farther came around the corner to the front of the bleachers Attention! Hurley shouted, the team all snapped upright and to attention.

As you were… Santi gave a distracted salute and waved at them to sit down. We are canceling course time for today, and all other scheduled activities are considered tentative further notice. Right now, we’re relocating to the conference room in the armory.

The team stood and followed the Medinas to the armory. Ember noticed McNamara and Hurley exchanging a fist bump as they walked. Ember felt her hands begin to shake as her mind turned to static. She asked herself yet again, what kind of mess did she get herself into? She should have known this was coming. Whenever she felt comfortable and happy with her life it suddenly changed into some sort of mess.

SFU 480 strolled to the armory without any significant sense of urgency. It seemed almost as if the Medinas were prolonging their arrival at the conference room. For a moment Ember thought it was because they were hoping for something to come up that kept them from actually attending the briefing. Then she considered the possibility that there was danger at the briefing itself. All her energy went toward regulating her breathing. Her heart was beating so hard and fast she could swear that Santi could hear it from the other side of the group.

They entered the armory and went down the hall, took the first left, then entered the conference room. Inside stood a Captain, who didn’t seem as uneasy about the meeting as the Medinas. He was another standard issue Adiran: medium everything with pleasing features. He smiled a little at Senator Medina when he entered. The rest of the unit filed in and stood at attention near the entrance.

Captain Caverley, Santi nodded stiffly, Special Forces Unit four-eighty as requested, sir.

Thank you, CS. Caverley nodded back, You may all take a seat.

SFU 480 spread out around the table taking seats. Ember, Garza and Santi sat on one side, Taran, Hurley, and McNamara on the other. Caverley and Senator Medina sat at the ends of the table with extreme seriousness.

The information that we are about to share with you today has a level three non-disclosure attached, Senator Medina began. I hope I don’t have to remind you that that means none of this is to be spoken after this meeting is adjourned, unless your CS commands it. Am I understood?

Yes, Sir, SFU 480 all responded

There have been findings of a new treasonous organization operating separately from the Mutiny Coalition, Caverley wasted no time getting to the point. We don’t know much, but we know there are a lot of them. They have been operating for a number of years and have an impressive following.

Ember understood why Santi and his father were arguing earlier. Adira had indeed found out about Sparta, and it was Ember’s fault. Over half of the members in that room were Spartan, Ember thought for a moment that the meeting was an assassination attempt.

Senate is working on locating their base of operations, Caverley continued with his gentle tone. He spoke to them as if he were breaking very delicate news to them. When they do, Special Forces unit four hundred eighty and another unit will be called upon to take care of the leadership.

Ember saw the muscles in Santi’s face twitch. He was trying to keep a stern determined look, but his face wanted to show his deep concern.

For the time being you should consider yourselves on-call. At any moment you may be called to action, so be prepared and stay close to the base. Caverley stood. Everyone was alarmed by his abrupt finish. I wish I could tell you more, however, we don’t know much. Thank you for your time. He nodded and left the room. Senator Medina did the same, patting his son on his shoulder as he passed.

A secret underground rebellion? McNamara asked in disbelief. Then she snorted a little. When are these dumb kids going to learn that Adira has their best interests at heart? She shook her head.

Ember looked to Santi, who was staring at his hands which were folded neatly on the table.

Don’t get me wrong, Anthem, McNamara continued, I get that they want to make sure that Senate takes care of Evergreen, but, come on, she laughed. These things take time. Legislation. Change doesn’t just sprout over night.

Maybe. But hope does, Ember mumbled, only half realizing she had said that out loud. And realization… the seed of change can be planted in just a few minutes.

Hurley and McNamara shared a confused glance.

Anthem, I know its hard for you to make villains out of the people who are trying to help you, Santi muttered without changing his posture. But someone can have their heart in the right place and still do more to harm than good.

The Spartans in the room felt his guilt dripping from that sentence. Santi was obviously afraid of what was going to happen. Ember thought about the probable course of events. If Adira found the mine, they would easily be able to find every member in the rebellion. Santi would be publicly hung for treason. His memory would surely become a martyr for the cause, but he deserved much more than that. If Adira found out about Ember’s membership, she probably wouldn’t get to enjoy the same luxury. She would be killed quietly, however the news would report that she escaped. After an elaborate man-hunt, yielding no results, she would be forgotten about and never mentioned in history books. Ember shook her head, trying to stop the narrative.

That evening Ember was left to her thoughts for the first time in months. She had been so busy and so concerned with Sparta and getting placed in Special Forces that she completely forgot to worry about her family and her friends back home. She was hit with a wave a guilt that pulled her under to a thick depression that felt like a bigger, badder version of what she had felt before.

She wondered if her parents had been following her progress. She wondered if they were proud. She hoped that she hadn’t caused too much heartbreak. Her mother must have been overcome by worry when she heard that Ember was assigned to Special Forces. Ember could see her father reassuring her mother, telling her about the brave strong woman they raised. She smiled a little as she thought of Finch reading about her on his lunch break at the mill. She was comforted by the notion of her brother being proud of her for everything she had done in New York, both in the military and with Sparta.

Then as if a veil was lifted Ember remembered that she was out of Basic, she was allowed to write her family. She couldn’t believe she had forgotten. She shook of the guilt of forgetting about her family one last time and sat down at her desk.

Dear Anthems,

I’m not very sure where to begin, so I’ll start with the obvious. I miss you all so much. When I first got here, I couldn’t sleep because of how quiet my room was compared to back home. I still wake up in the middle of the night and expect to hear Finch snoring. It’s weird being on my own, but don’t worry, I think it suits me. I finally feel like I have a purpose, as if what I am doing is making a difference, even if we’re just going through drills for the time being.

I hope everything back home is okay. I don’t expect a huge difference from when I left, but I at least hope that my action did more good than bad. I hope I can get the opportunity to come home sooner rather than later, if nothing else than to set my mind at ease. You know how I worry. I hope what I am doing here is the right thing. I feel like it is, but that remains to be seen.

I can assure you that you don’t need to worry about me. My Special Forces unit has practically become my new family, they are caring and dedicated and would do anything for one-another, and I love the feeling of being a part of something like this. It makes me hopeful that the right thing will work itself out in the end.

I suppose I have so much to say that I can’t decide what I should write about. I’ll leave this letter where it sits and send it to you so you all know I am safe and happy (but still worried as usual) I love you all so much, take care of yourselves.

Private Ember Anthem

SFU 480

New York Militia Base

Ember stood up and folded the letter. She knew if she dwelled on it she would never find a satisfactory letter to send to her family. They would be more concerned if she had no complaints. They knew Ember well enough to know that she would find something to make her unhappy.

After addressing the envelope, Ember grabbed a hoodie and went out to the post box across the base. She took her time coming back to the barracks, enjoying the base for the first time. Ember found a newspaper in the trash can by the armory. Out of habit she took it out and opened it up as she walked back to her room. She read about a North Star Resident who found remains of an ancient American battle on his farm land as she walked up the stairs of the barracks. She absentmindedly exited the stairs and walked down her hall. She opened the door to her room, closed it behind her and sat on her bed as she unzipped her hoodie. She had just kicked off her boots when there was a quick, almost panicked knock at her door. She put the paper down, tilted her head and walked to the door, wondering what Santi could possibly want.

She opened the door, but before she could deliver a witty greeting Santi pushed her into her room and shut the door behind him. Santi? She gasped

I just did something terrible. He panted pulling a thick manila file out from under his jacket.

What is that? Ember gasped taking the folder. She looked at the label Icarus? She read

Icarus didn’t listen to his father and got himself killed. Santi panted, catching his breath, my dad probably named it… It’s Adira’s file on Sparta.

Kind of on the nose. Ember couldn’t help but smirk a little as she opened the file. Why did you take this?

Because I’ve lost all sense of good, Santi grumbled to himself taking off his jacket and placing it on Ember’s desk chair.

Okay, but why this? Ember chose to ignore the comment.

So we know exactly what they know, Santi sat down in the chair, we could even modify it before I return it.

Ember’s eyes got wide. Is this the original?

Yes… he furrowed his brow, unsure how that wasn’t clear.

Ember rolled her eyes, Santiago Medina, your heart is bigger than your brain. She groaned. This Icarus thing is priority one, they are working day and night on this. You just took the entire record. They are going to know it’s gone!

I did a feed block, they won’t know who took it. Santi tried to reassure her.

Where do you think they are going to look for it? Ember asked crossing her arms, Maybe the room of the Private that coincidentally tripped into Senator Brandywine the same night he was bugged.

Santi stared for a moment as he realized the full weight of what was happening. This is why I don’t do bad things. He said exasperatedly as if he had given up all together.

Well, Ember sighed lucky for you, I do bad things all the time… she handed him the file then turned to her bed. She pushed off the blanket and lifted up the mattress. Santi leaned over so he could watch what she was doing. She pulled up the sheet and inspected the plastic blue cover. Knife she asked holding her hand out to Santi. On the desk

Santi took the pocket knife that was sitting on the corner of her desk, knife he placed it in her hand. She held the mattress up with her forearm as she flipped out the blade. She then very gently cut a long, clean slit along the seam of the cover. She pulled the cover up and used her fingers to separate the layer of springs from the padding underneath.

Ember held the knife out to Santi, Icarus, she instructed.

He took the knife, Where did you learn this? Santi asked, handing her the file.

I’m inventive, Ember shrugged sliding the file into the mattress. I needed a place to hide my money, she continued, as she pulled the cover back down over the mattress. Have you ever wondered how a starving Dweller from Evergreen managed to pay for the aptitude test? She smiled as she pulled the sheet back over the mattress and lowered it back into place.

Did you pick pocket it? Santi guessed with a smirk.

No, Ember smiled as she made up her bed again. I sold my kills to the local store. I skimmed a bit of the earnings for myself and hid it inside my mattress.

Skimming, pinching, Santi half mocked. Anthem you’re a hooligan.

I can also pick a lock and jimmy a window open, Ember bragged sitting down on her bed.

Santi laughed, Why?

Mostly to see if I could… Ember had never put much thought into it, I just like to pick pockets to watch their face when I hand their things back to them. She sat there and smiled, thinking about all the times Verena went to take something from her pocket only to realize Ember had taken it. Santi sat across the room, smiling as he watched her smile.

Ember… Santi nearly whispered.

Yes? Ember responded gently.

Suddenly there was three raps on her door. They both jumped and Santi’s eyes got wide. Damn. He muttered standing up. There was another knock at the door, this time slightly louder.

Take off your shirt! Ember commanded in a whisper. Santi looked at her with confusion, Trust me. She untucked her shirt and began undoing the buttons.

Santi’s face changed from confusion to apprehension as he began to understand where Ember was going with this plan. A third louder knock on her door boomed through the room. Private Anthem, this is Policing and Control! Open up!

One minute, she called to them as she glared at Santi. He sighed and untucked his shirt. Ember undid her hair and ran her hand through it quickly to mess it up, then hastily buttoned two miss-matching buttons on her shirt. She pulled the door open a crack and peeked her head out. There was a Private and a Corporal standing outside her door Sorry, I was… sleeping she said, intentionally sounding as if she were lying.

Private Anthem, can you let us in? The Corporal commanded more than asked.

Um… Ember peaked into her room and had to keep herself from smiling at Santi’s dedication. He had his shirt thrown onto the bookshelf and had his pants around his thighs, ready to pull up as soon as the Corporal forced his way in.

Let us in. the Corporal placed his hand on the door and pushed it open. His jaw dropped as he saw Santi, pulling up the pants of his working grays. I… he stuttered. I am sorry sir, but, uh, I have orders to bring both of you in for questioning and search both of your rooms.

Are we being charged with anything? Santi asked with the same commanding tone he always had, regardless of the fact that he was buttoning his pants.

No sir, just questioning. The Corporal nervously looked around, not wanting to make eye contact with either of them.

Okay then, Santi nodded as he took his shirt from the bookshelf.

Two days earlier, Ember opened her door and there stood Santi leaning against the doorway with that sly smirk on his face. He was wearing an expertly tailored all black tuxedo and his hair was slicked back. One look at Ember and his jaw nearly dropped. Wow, he breathed.

Too much? Ember asked looking down at her dress nervously. It was dark blue, floor length, and far more elegant than Ember was used to. The top was strapless and covered in sequins and the bottom was some light billowy fabric Ember had never seen before. I’m not sure about the sequins, she gently pulled on the top. She always felt so awkward in dresses and other feminine clothing. She was sure that her boyish broad shoulders and sheer height made her look like a sideshow. She was ragingly uncomfortable in anything more dressy than her servers uniform. The fear of the mission mixed with her concerns about her appearance washed over her and made her numb. She preferred to be numb. It was easier to operate that way.

No, he smiled, its perfect. He stared into her eyes for a moment, and they both relaxed, right as he started to get lost, he jumped a little. I got you something. He stuck his hand in his coat pocket and brought out a black box. He handed it to her with a sly grin.

Ember tilted her head and opened it. Inside was a silver necklace with a single pearl charm, and two pearl earrings. Santi, she gasped. She had never seen anything like them in person.

I’ll help you put it on, he took the box back and walked into her room. He took out the necklace and placed the box on her desk. Ember stood with her back facing him. He gently placed it around her neck and leaned close to her ear. This is a microphone. He whispered. His breath sent shivers down her spine. And the earrings are receivers, they’ll be connected to Garza once were at the hotel, he whispered again before pulling away. He slid his finger from the back of Ember’s neck to her shoulder and slowly turned her around. You’re going to do great, trust me, he smiled again and Ember couldn’t help but feel at ease. Out of everyone in the world, she trusted Santi the most. Ironically, the idea of trusting Santiago Medina made her very uneasy. Ember quickly put on the earrings and turned back to him.

Perfect, he held out his hand with a crooked grin. Ember smiled back and placed her hand in his.

They were shuttled to the Empire Hotel in the city. Thousands of people were gathered around the entrance. They were all there just to gawk at the celebrities of the nation. The crowd gave her a flashback to the car driving up to the train platform back in Evergreen. That felt so long ago, but it had only been five weeks. Less than two months ago, Ember was still running to Striker’s house after school. Now she was in a three hundred dollar dress and headed to a gala to rub elbows with the elite of Adira.

Santi pressed his receivers into place behind his ears. He glanced at his reflection in the tinted window to make sure the small black receivers were hidden by his long curly hair. Do you remember the signal? He asked plainly. Ember jumped a little. She was lost in the static of her thoughts and almost forgot where she was.

Yes, Ember nodded, trying hard to not look worried. Santi looked over to her and frowned a little. What? She asked, running through everything that could be wrong inside her head.

Don’t look so concerned. Santi shook his head.

I’m not concerned, this is my face, Ember protested, feeling a sudden panic about her appearance.

Sure, Kiddo, Santi chuckled.

I just have a very serious brow line, Ember tried to fight him but the car stopped in front of the entrance to the hotel.

Cameras were flashing, people where chattering, and Ember’s heart was beating so fast she couldn’t even feel it anymore. A guard opened the door and Santi climbed out. The crowd began to scream. He fixed his