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38: The Review

“ThisCouncilwillpresidein today’s review for the United Factions of America. Representation is as follows…”

My hands were sweating, and I could feel my heart wanting to break through my chest. Edith kept telling me repeatedly that I had nothing to worry about, but this seemed like something pretty freaking big to worry about. In Telvia, something like this meant you were in huge trouble, and reeducation was a given as far as repercussions were concerned.

It was early in the morning, but they had allowed me a quick breakfast before having to face my fate at the review. Edith escorted me to headquarters, gave me a quick wink and two thumbs up before shoving me into the tent. And now, here I was, facing what I assumed was my judge and jury.

“Gary Fisher, First in Command, representing the North. Archer McClintok, First in Command, representing the East. Sasha De’vor, President of the Free People, representing the West and South.”

Gary and Archer were nothing but holograms, glistening with a white and pale blue light. My guess? Traveling to the southwest to take part in a trial for theFree Peoplewasn’t their top priority. We were all seated at the round table with the exceptions of Gary and Archer, who were depicted as standing on either side of Sasha. Sergeant Major Giza was there too, sitting at the opposite end of me, but to my left.

Sasha cleared her throat delicately, her silvery hair braided and twisted into an elegant bun on top of her head. As she stood, the fingers of both her hands rested on the table as though to steady her.

“Miss Mara de la Puente, First Daughter of Telvia and child of the usurper, you stand here in review for your conduct three days prior. You were ordered to remain on the premises of the rebellion camp, but broke command and joined your comrades on a reconnaissance mission to an unknown Telvian processing facility. How do you plead?”

Little beads of sweat took shape on my brow. My lip quivered—only a moment—before I declared. “Guilty.”

“Then you accept full responsibility for your actions?”

I desperately tried to retain control of my breath as I nodded. I was scared, no doubt about it. I didn’t know what was going to come of this, but the least I could do was accept whatever they threw at me as bravely as I could. Chelsea took a hit for me. Wes was still recovering in the camp hospital. The least I could do was be a big girl about this and take my lickings. I just hoped whatever they did to me didn’t hurt too bad.

“Please speak your responses.”

I blinked, looking at the hologram that spoke to me. “I…I’m guilty, sir. I disobeyed a direct order, and I asked Chelsea to help me sneak onto the mission.”

They remained quiet for only a moment before Giza piped up. “Council, I would be interested in knowing why Miss de la Puente disobeyed orders.” Sasha looked at him before giving one slow nod. He turned to face me with kind, empathic eyes. “Miss de la Puente, why did you go on the mission?”

I stayed silent for a moment, weighing out my response. I wanted to be honest, but I also wasn’t sure if these people would understand my motivations for going. All I could do in the end was share where my head was at. Looking up, I rolled my shoulders back, trying my best to stand tall as I shared the inner workings of my mind.

“I don’t know if you’ll get why I went, but…but I went because I had to know.” I paused for a few seconds, trying to gather my thoughts before continuing. “I’ve grown up my whole life in Telvia. I only know the story Raúl and the Telvian Council feed to the people. But since being here, my world has turned upside down. I’m learning that you all aren’t what he says you are. I mean, I didn’t even know therewasa faction to the North and East. As far as us Telvians know, there’s nothing beyond our walls—just desert. Desert and the remnants of what was the rest of the United States when it all fell during the Great Drought.

“Raúl tells us there’s not enough for everyone…that we’ve got to protect what’s ours.” I listened to myself trying to explain a lifetime of lies that, now as I said them out loud, I could see never made sense to begin with. But that was the problem, wasn’t it? That was the problem with Telvia. The reasons and logic were all half-baked, but you couldn’t say that. You couldn’t say that it didn’t make sense. You couldn’t ask why.

Why wasn’t there enough?

Why does everyone have to be divided?

Why were we allus versus them?

Why did it have to be this way?

Why couldn’t we try something different?

Why?

There were nowhys. Because answering why meant admitting that the narrative you needed to keep everyone in check, to keep everyone in the dark, was wrong. Keeping people in the dark meant keeping control. And that’s what it was all about in the end—control. My dad got a taste of power and decided he liked it too much to let it go.

It was all slipping into place—the puzzle pieces falling in, creating a picture I wasn’t too sure I wanted to look at. But I had to. Because eventually, we all need to grow up.

I grimaced at the thought. My hand drew to my chest and wrapped around my little heart. I pressed on. “I’m learning that my dad is wrong. That Raúl’s way of running the country is wrong, and that things need to change. But you have to understand that Raúl is still my dad. And I…I guess I just thought that if I went on the mission, I would see something that would help me finally give up whatever hope I’ve been hanging on to.” I looked at each one of them, but they gave away nothing. Each expression shared nothing but stoic, pensive thoughts. Anxiety was a snake coiled too tight inside me as I watched their scrutinizing gazes.

The silence was finally broken, this time by Sasha. “I understand your need for proof, child, and I understand the difficult position you are in. To have to choose between your family and a rebellion you’ve been groomed to see as the enemy is not a simple place to be in. That doesnot, however, excuse your actions.”

I nodded. She was right, and I wasn’t going to try to get out of whatever punishment I was going to be assigned. I deserved it. I was going to take whatever it was, and I was going to do my best to like it…for Chelsea. “I understand. And I accept full responsibility for my actions.”

Sasha nodded. “Good. The Council will deliberate on the consequences of your choices.”

“President De’vor,” one hologram spoke. I thought it might be the Eastern guy, but I really couldn’t tell who was who. “Miss de la Puente broke command with the aid of several others. This should also be addressed—”