Rebel: The Alliance Chronicles, #4

By SF Benson

Rebel is the electrifying conclusion to a series that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Seventeen-year-old Tru Shepherd is tasked with the daunting mission of uncovering the truth and taking a stand against oppressive leaders, a mission that will determine the future of thousands. Guided by Zared Aoki, a man determined to create a peaceful normalcy, Tru embarks on a thrilling journey of discovery and redemption. In this thrilling technothriller, readers will be captivated by the action, intrigue, and captivating characters as they follow along on Tru's mission.

If you enjoyed the suspense of Ready Player One and Ready Player Two, you'll be sure to love Rebel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Avanturine Press
• Release date: Jul 17, 2017
• ISBN: 9798223253143

SF Benson

SF Benson, a Michigan native, resides in Southern California with her husband, a human daughter, and a couple of miniature fur kids (two female short-haired guinea pigs). At one time, she wrangled a household which included three Samoyeds, saltwater fish, a hamster, and three guinea pigs. She’s an avid bookworm who appreciates a well-written book regardless of genre. SF prefers writing stories about strong, diverse protagonists set in dystopian, science fiction, or paranormal worlds. Connect with Author SF Benson: Be the first one to find out news about releases and giveaways! Email List https://bit.ly/3GnDYCk Facebook www.facebook.com/bensonsf Twitter @bensonshantella

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

There is a new day coming citizens, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not a tomorrow you want to face. It’s a future orchestrated by the illustrious, twisted leaders of our deeply divided country.

—from Tru Shepard’s Address to the American Republic

Tru

Everyone has secrets. None of us is immune. Some of them are benign, innocent whisperings, incapable of harm. And then there is the nasty, malignant type of secrets. The kind capable of destroying lives with no regards to who falls by the wayside. They are a lot like the one connected to the device in the palm of my hand.

I flip the SIM card reader over and stare at the chip inside. Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought a piece of archaic technology could be so dangerous. It’s not like people didn’t warn me. They did. Repeatedly. I chose not to listen to their advice. Sadly, numerous lives have been lost trying to hide the truth the outdated card contains.

One would think that old technology just shrivels and dies. No one the wiser for what mysteries it contains. Unfortunately, this mission has taught me that’s not the case. If someone still holds the device to decode it, any technology has worth. That’s the problem with this SIM card. It’s the reason why we’re on the run to begin with. The New Order mustn’t get this information, and militants looking to sell classified intelligence to the highest bidder shouldn’t have it either.

We’re in hiding now. Waiting to find the perfect way to expose the New Order’s secrets to the world.

My breath catches when I think of the good man who nearly lost his life because of the card. Thanks to the heartless actions of my sister-in-law, my sanity hangs by a frayed thread. Losing Zared would have pushed me over the edge.

It seems like an eternity has passed since our lives were flipped upside down. I thank God daily for Zared’s recovery. His prolonged downtime, weeks instead of days, was actually cathartic for me. I faced some of my own demons—being raped by Holden Pratt, the death of my clone, and grieving for my family. When Zared became lucid, I shared what happened to me at North Woods. He didn’t judge. Didn’t condemn. Instead, he told me he loved me over and over again.

Things continue to torment my mind, however. Like Asher’s moody friend Mark. The guy fills me with suspicion. Constantly lurking around corners as if he’s waiting for something to happen. I get the sincere feeling he doesn’t want Ko and Asher together since Mark manages to show up every time they have a moment alone.

To be honest, I’ve only seen the gloomy guy smile in Asher’s company. If you ask me, those two men are a little too close. They might be harboring their own secrets.

Frankly, I don’t care what Mark does. My only concern is for those I care about. Zared would tell me to leave it alone. Tell me I’m being nosy. I simply want to see Ko and Asher have a real chance together. They deserve it. But lately, it seems as if he’s pushing her away.

We’ve been at the safe house long enough to get on each other’s nerves. Spending countless hours in a small space will do that to people. It doesn’t matter if they’re friends, family, or foes.

The guys have been going out sporadically for supplies and to test the waters, so to speak. Taa knows where this place is, but she hasn’t made a move. I don’t know if it’s negligence or cunning calculation on her part. Either way, I know she’s out there, and it’s only a matter of time before her presence is felt.

Ko clears the breakfast dishes while I stare at a cup of coffee. Lately, it tastes like dirt. In fact, nothing tastes the way it should. If it stays down. I’m not stupid. I’ve done the math, and there’s a very good explanation for my altered taste buds. I lift my eyes and notice the plain plastic bag on the table.

Ko convinced Asher to let her go to the store to run an errand for me. She caught me coming out of the bathroom after I threw up for the third morning in a row. I thought I was sneaking off. That was two days ago. Although the contents of the bag will confirm my suspicion, I’m reluctant to use it. Some secrets, once revealed, change your life forever—derailing hopes, dreams, possibilities.

Tru, Ko calls out from her position in front of the sink. She rinses off a plate and places it in the rack. You should do it while the guys are gone.

I look up absently. I swear she’s as irritating as an old mother hen. Any idea how long they’ll be out?

I don’t know. Mark said something about getting more supplies. Asher wanted to get news about what’s going on at North Woods. She starts drying plates. Not hearing from Taa makes him nervous.

I understand Asher’s concern. Thinking of Taa calls to mind how we departed from North Woods as if it were yesterday…

Mark burst into the room with a gurney. On top of it sat a pair of scrubs.

Get these on Aoki, he instructed, and tossed the pale blue fabric at me. They hit me in the face. I gagged on the musty smell.

Asher, of all people, came in and helped me dress Zared. We secured him, still sound asleep, to the bed and wheeled him into the hall.

Things were going too calm for comfort. Kind of hard to believe we were actually going to roll Zared out the door. Where was the opposition? Surely, Taa wouldn’t let us simply walk out of the medical facility. I waited for alarms to sound and soldiers to rush us. Instead of a ricochet of bullets, the click of angry, high heels greeted us in the hall. Our adversary, dressed in customary sleek dress and lab coat, stood behind us.

My eyes met hers.

What the hell is going on here? Taa shouted. Miller, her pistol aimed in our direction, stood by her side.

Asher whirled around and pointed his weapon at Taa. He stood between her and Zared. The gurney came to a stop and hit Mark in the back. He readied his gun. The rustling of feet and weapons echoed around us. Five Riza guards blocked the exit. Ko and I exchanged a glance.

Take it! Ko passed her gun to me.

My first thought said, protect Zared. I climbed on top of the gurney and aimed the gun toward the soldiers. Ko would have to steer us out the building.

You’re supposed to be on your way to New Belle Isle, Taa pointed out.

Don’t worry, I said. I’m on my way, but my friends are going with me.

Zared needs medical attention, she snapped.

He’ll get it. My gaze wandered from the IV pole attached to the stretcher. He would need more medicine. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a nurse standing near the wall. Have the nurse give us more of Zared’s meds.

Taa asked, If I refuse?

Asher spoke up, Don’t be stupid, Taaliba. This is your son. Did you keep up communiqués with his father to see him die from neglect? Get the damn medicine!

The nurse’s gaze drifted from the exit over to Taa. Neither woman moved. Asher lifted his arm and cocked his weapon. He bellowed, Now! Do it, Taa directed the nurse without taking her eye off us.

We stood guard as the woman ran to a supply closet.

The soldiers edged closer from the opposite end of the hall. There was a slim chance we could make a run for the front door if we took a hostage with us. No one, other than family, would care if a staff member died. Taa was the most logical choice.

The nurse returned with a couple of IV bags and a small kit. She slipped a bottle of pills into Ko’s hand.

They’re pain pills. The woman folded Ko’s fingers over the container. He’s going to need them. Keep him on the IV fluids for another twenty-four, forty-eight hours max. Be sure to change his bandages. Everything you’ll need is in the kit. If his condition worsens, however, don’t hesitate to take him to a hospital.

Thank you. Ko tucked the supplies onto the gurney beside Zared.

I lifted my eyes to Taa’s. Maybe I could reason with the woman. Taking hostages wasn’t part of our plans, and I didn’t want to kill anyone. Not again.

Tell your goons to let us through, I pleaded. If anyone follows us, I don’t think Mark or Asher will have any problem shooting. I certainly won’t.

The soldiers came closer. My heart thudded. Would these people make me eat my words?

Sorry, Tru. I cannot promise you an easy exit. Let my son and the others go. You, however, must come with me.

I shook my head. Not happening, Taa. I’m leaving with my friends.

Asher exhaled loudly. Before anyone else could react, he squeezed the gun’s trigger and a bullet clipped Miller in the arm. She screamed as blood gushed from the wound. Miller stumbled backward and shot. It went wide and chipped the walls, thankfully missing us.

Rifles clacked. Another shot was fired.

My mind screamed protect Zared.

I dropped my body over his while Asher and Mark returned fire, taking down a few soldiers.

Movement nearby caught my attention. I lifted my head and saw Taa reach for Miller’s weapon. There was no time for me to react.

I wouldn’t do that if I were you, Ko warned. She held the gun I had earlier. Call off your soldiers.

Taa didn’t pick up the weapon. She remained silent. Ko walked up to Taa and grabbed her by the elbow. Ko placed the gun’s barrel in Taa’s side.

Ko ordered, Walk.

Slowly, the two women moved forward.

Let them through, you imbeciles, Taa barked.

The two uninjured soldiers stopped firing their weapons. Asher and Mark turned around confusion on their faces. I hopped off the gurney and started pushing it down the hall.

As we reached the end of the corridor, the men stepped to the side and let me push the gurney through the door. The soldiers tended to their fallen brethren. Before we cleared the building Taa called out, Truly, if anything happens to my son, you are dead.

My gaze raked over the woman I once trusted. If anything happens to him, I promise I’m taking you with me.

That was the last day any of us saw Taa. The lack of resistance outside the medical wing made me apprehensive. The lack of communication from Taa scares the shit out of me now. It’s easier to deal with a situation when you know what’s coming. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say all of us are waiting for hell to break loose.

Tru. Ko’s demanding voice interrupts my thoughts. Go take care of it. Now.

I huff, swipe the test kit off the table, and head to the bathroom.

Minutes later, I flop down on the sofa. I rub my forehead and stare out the window. For a brief moment, my mind drifts back to the night Holden assaulted me. The one nice thing Taa did for me was to provide emergency contraception. So, I don’t believe this is his baby. No. This baby may be the one good thing to happen in my life other than Zared.

My heart flip-flops right along with my stomach. All I can envision is everything negative about this situation. Will Zared still want me, or will he want me to do the smart thing, the right thing? What if he rejects me? Do I keep the baby?

The cushion dips beside me.

And? Ko asks.

I lift up the stick. See for yourself.

After a few seconds, she sighs. How are you doing? What do you think? I let the stick slide to the floor.

I should have insisted you get checked out at the hospital, Ko says.

No. I’m not doing doctors.

I’m still leery of any type of medical treatment. There could have been a North Woods doctor waiting to shoot me up with the vaccine—a hideous drug engineered to rob Creatives of their abilities and rendering them as useless as a toddler. I wouldn’t take the chance then, and I’m not certain about risking it now.

Tru, you are going to have to see a doctor, eventually. Ko’s authoritative tone isn’t needed.

It won’t— My limbs shake and my stomach lurches. A sudden wave of nausea rocks my core. I jump up and run to the hall bathroom. I’m still puking my guts out when footsteps rush up behind me.

Ko holds my hair back. Tru, what do you plan on doing about this?

I lift my head and sit back on my heels. It’s not just my decision, Ko. I need to talk to Zared.

As if the universe is pushing me to get this over and done with, Zared’s voice calls out my name.

It’s time to share a secret.

CHAPTER 2

Right now, beneath your very noses, scientists are creating clones through an undisclosed government program known as Operation Restore.

—from Tru Shepard’s Address to the American Republic

Tru

Sometimes life has a way of throwing a diversion at you when your problems seem insurmountable. Thinking about a baby is my deflection, and it shines a whole new light on this dangerous mission we’re on. This is no longer just about my safety. There’s an innocent life growing inside me, and he or she doesn’t deserve the world the New Order has birthed.

Maybe if the people around me had some distractions tossed their way, my life would have turned out differently. Instead of trying to run from their problems, they would have faced them and my family would be with me today when I need them the most.

I drop my head in my hands. Tears curve down my cheeks as memories of my mother surface. If I had not accessed the SIM card, she’d be with me now. But no, I had to push. I pushed so hard I shattered boundaries and put lives at risk. If I could have a do-over, I would have destroyed the card as soon as I discovered it. My heart aches. Learning the truth is a heavy cross to bear.

Stop thinking about the negative. Focus on the good things.

Too bad worrying is second nature for me. Instead of finding good memories, I start thinking about my imprisonment. Zared told me a month passed while I was locked away. I missed my favorite holiday, Halloween, and even Thanks—

Another wave of nausea, like hot lava, threatens to erupt. My head goes over the toilet bowl again.

Ko pats my back. I’ll keep Zared out of here for—

I reach out my hand. Ko drops a towel in it. I wipe my mouth and sit back. "No. Tell him to come in here. We need to talk before someone finds

—"

This? the masculine voice asks.

My heart stops. I look toward the hall. Zared stands with his shoulder against