The Sowing

“Unfortunately,” Slade continues, “it appears that late last night there was a terrorist attack on the Pleasure Emporiums.” She sighs. “As you know, the Emporiums play a vital role in curbing the baser instincts inherent in human nature, providing

a safe and secure outlet for our citizens to embrace their natural tendencies without interference from the rabble who possess no self-control.”

All I can see are the faces of the kids in those tanks at Harmony House. But I just nod and take deep breaths until my muscles relax.

Renquist lumbers over and hands Slade a small packet before returning to his post by the door.

She holds up the packet. “This was found in the wreckage of Harmony House.”

Tearing open the packet, she pours something into her open palm. Her fist uncurls, revealing a charred silver disc—one of the concussion charges that didn’t detonate during my attack on the Emporiums.

She waves the disc for all to see. “Forensics will be reconstructing this specimen, and then checking the markings and serial numbers against our arsenal inventory.” Her face radiates pure hatred. “It’s only a matter of time before it leads us to the terrorists.”

I never break eye contact.

Slade stops directly in front of me and her eyes narrow. “This isn’t the first of such terrorist attacks. Several weeks ago, someone set a fire at one of the plants supplying power to the Fringelands’ generators, and a month before that, a precinct office was fire-bombed. In each instance, a lit torch in the shape of a T was set ablaze at the scene of the crime.”

I suppress a satisfied smile. Looks like they’ve been taking note of my messages.

Good.

My eyes hold against Slade’s. “How tragic… Sir.”

She glares at me. “Yes. Quite tragic, Spark.”

Dahlia clears her throat. “Permission to speak freely, Sir?”

“Permission granted, Private.”

“What can our unit do to help apprehend these criminals?”

Slade smirks. “Spoken like a true leader, Private.”

“Yes, Sir!” Dahlia puffs out her chest.

“It seems last night’s terrorist act was part of a coordinated effort,” Slade announces. “At the same time the Emporiums were being hit, a team of insurrectionists overran a medical research facility in Asclepius Valley, murdered the officers on duty, and commandeered the station in their first open action of sedition. Even as we speak, there’s a small group of Imposers who were delivering supplies who are now trapped and engaged in a firefight with the traitors. But communications have been lost.”

Asclepius Valley? Why would the rebels hit a community of peaceful researchers and their families sequestered on the borders of the Parish… unless they were looking for something?

“This base is the closest to the station,” Slade continues. “Unfortunately, the bulk of your personnel have been deployed to investigate and deal with an emerging threat on Infiernos.”

Slade can vague it up as much as she wants. “Emerging threat” is code for the Fleshers. Whatever those things were that I encountered while training for the Trials, they’re still out there. And growing stronger.

“With time being of the essence, that leaves only Flame Squad to conduct the raid on Asclepius Valley, with a handful of fighter pilots to provide air support.” Slade turns her head. “Styles! Renquist! I want these grunts prepped and boarded for the war zone, stat.”

Around me, there are hushed murmurs, glances cast around the room. This is it. After all our training and Sims, we’re going into real combat.

Slade’s eyes sweep the room. “I assure you, the Trials were nothing compared to what you are about to face.” She turns her back on us. “Get them loaded for immediate departure.”

“You heard the Sarge,” Styles growls. “Asses in motion!”

The next thing I know, we’re hustling to gather our gear and scrambling up the ramp that leads into the belly of the Vulture craft.

As much as I’ve been longing to escape this hole and get hands-on into the struggle between the Establishment and the freedom fighters, I never thought it would be under these conditions.

How am I going to face off with rebels, and not murder them while also not giving myself away?

THREE

The Vulture craft swoops down into the canyon of Asclepius Valley, jostling us with its bumpy landing.

My old nemesis Captain Valerian, her lean body already clad in a form-fitting gray envirosuit, bustles through the cockpit door. For a split second, I flash back to that time in the alley with Digory when we watched from the sewer grates as she unleashed a Canid on that poor kid. I can still hear those screams.

Everyone snaps to attention, but Valerian barely acknowledges us, as if we’re specks of dust to be flicked away.

She points to the overhead compartments. “Listen up, Flame Squad. Your mission is multifold. Fight your way past the traitors until you get into the research facility. Once inside, dispose of any opposition and retake the labs until reinforcements arrive. Do not touch a thing. It is vital that the insurrectionists not smuggle any of the research out of the valley.