Day of Reckoning (Dawn of Rebellion Series Book 2)

by Michelle Lynn

  “I had to. He had tried to kill us,” I say honestly. “They attacked us and they got what they deserved.”

  “Good,” she says. “I hear that you’ve talked to your mother a few times. What emotions does she evoke?”

  “I understand her,” I say. “I am like her.” When I don’t say more she nods and looks at her papers.

  “You say you understand her. Does that mean that you would do the same thing to protect the rebels?”

  “It does,” I respond.

  “Good. Command has told me that you will make the perfect rebel soldier. Do you agree?” I give her a wide smile as my response and she takes more notes. She asks me only a few more questions before releasing me.

  Chapter 47: Gabby

  I’m pretty sure I aced the trials. By tonight I will finally be a soldier. I hope Dawn did well but the rebels might be better served if she failed. No matter how far apart we’ve grown, I love my sister; I really do. But this is bigger than the two of us. That’s the reason I can’t hate my mother. Because I’m not so sure I would make a different choice than she did. I finally have a reason to live. That’s what everyone that comes here is searching for. Americans and British alike, we all want to fight for something we believe in.

  I believe in freedom; freedom from slavery and laboratory experiments; freedom from poverty and hunger. The rebels want to better the lives of the people that deserve it. There are going to be a lot of people dead by the end of this but there are always casualties in war. Jonathan tells us that we need to accept that fact in order to achieve our goals.

  We’ve been getting an influx of British rebels lately. The compound has become kind of crowded and these rebels are different than the ones that have been here for years. They are not soldiers. They are loud and grotty. They have trouble following orders and most of the time their assigned duties are not done. Jonathan is at his wits end with these people. Even Miranda, who was once one of them, is losing it. I don’t know how we’re supposed to accomplish our mission in Texas if half the soldiers don’t do as they’re told. The worst of it is that they don’t even have to go through the test because they are already considered rebel soldiers. Thankfully, I don’t consider myself a British rebel even though I am from London. I am a colonial rebel.

  I am in a lot of pain as I walk slowly to the cafeteria. It’s not always easy finding a seat in here these days but I spot Jeremy and Drew saving an empty table. Every step makes me wince. Lucas really did a number on me. I am almost to the table when a girl runs into me, knocking me over. I bite my lip to keep from crying out as I hit the floor. I look around but the girl is gone. Damn British rebels. Jeremy and Drew run over and help me to my feet.

  “Thanks,” I say through the pain. Drew looks about as bad as I feel. His left eye is swollen shut and a large bruise peeks up over the collar of his shirt. By the time they lead me back to the table, Dawn and Lee are there.

  “So,” Lee starts, “how’d everybody do?”

  “I guess we’ll find out soon,” Drew says as he points to the front of the room where Jonathan Clarke is standing behind a microphone.

  “We don’t get to eat first?” I say. “I’m really peckish.” The words die on my lips as I watch as two soldiers walk in carrying stacks of uniforms. They set them down behind Jonathan and stand at his sides.

  “Hello soldiers,” he says. Every man and woman in uniform stands and salutes. Jonathan smiles before giving them permission to sit. “Hello everyone else.” His voice is sweet yet authoritative. “Today is a great day,” he continues. “We welcome new soldiers into our ranks. It is always a pleasure to watch you all train and gain the skills that are needed. Now that the trials are over, I can tell you the truths of them. Part one, the shooting range, is supposed to show us how well you can shoot a gun, yes, but that is not all. We wanted to see your concentration and also your preparation. You cannot pass that section without a lot of practice. Practice proves one's dedication and drive.

  Part two was the hand to hand combat. Did anyone really think we expected you to beat Lucas Dillon, the best fighter in this compound? We did not. We expected you to get the stuffing beaten out of you. But, we also expected you to keep going. We wanted to see your resilience. In the coming months, there will be times when you are at a disadvantage. How are you going to react? Are you going to run? Or are you going to fight? As rebels, we fight to the very last. We wanted to see you fight through the pain.

  The last part was a bit more straightforward. The Psych evaluation is about mental stability. Will you be able to do the things that may need to be done? We wanted to see courage and loyalty. Many of you showed us everything we were looking for. You are an impressive group.” He looks to the man beside him. “Officer Clifton will now read the names of those who passed. You will then come and retrieve your uniform and your orders.” Jonathan steps back and Officer Clifton steps to the microphone.

  “Grant Harding,” he says. The man that walks forward is much older than me. He is handed a uniform and an envelope before sitting back down. “Tess Smith,” he continues. Everyone that steps up is badly bruised. There are a few more names before the officer calls, “Dawn Nolan.” There is a look of surprise on her face. Frankly, I am surprised too. I didn’t think she could do it. She hobbles forward and by the time she sits back down, five more names have been called. Drew and I were the last two tests so it takes a little while to get to us. When I finally hear “Gabriela Nolan” I almost jump out of my chair. I take my uniform and envelope with pride. Drew is called after me. By the time we are back at the table, everyone has gone to get in line for food.

  I’m so excited that I forget all about my hunger and I go straight to the dorm. I am not alone in here because some of the British rebels have been placed in our room, but right now I couldn’t care less. I throw the envelope on my bed and immediately put on my uniform. It fits perfectly, almost as if it was made for me, or I was made for it. I run my hands down my sides to flatten out the creases. The uniform is navy blue with brass buttons. I tie my hair into a ponytail and place the hat on my head before running to the lav to look in the mirror. As soon as I see myself, I stand up straighter and raise my hand in salute. This is me now. This is Gabby Nolan, rebel soldier.

  Chapter 48: Dawn

  My uniform is uncomfortable and itchy. It’s baggy in some places and then it’s tight across the shoulders. Today is my first day as a soldier. I don’t know what I’ll be doing yet because I haven’t had the nerve to open my envelope. Drew and Gabby were so excited and yakking on about nothing this morning and I couldn’t stand it. I escaped to the lav and haven’t gone back. When I look in the mirror, I see a stranger. My hair is tied up neatly under my hat and I still have bruises on my face. I look like I’ve already been in battle. I try a salute but I look so silly that I start to laugh.

  “What’s so funny soldier?” someone barks behind me. I turn and am relieved it’s only Jeremy.

  “What are you doing in here?” I say. “This is the girl’s lav.”

  “No one else is in here, don’t worry about it. You’re looking mighty spiffy,” he remarks.

  “Thanks,” I groan.

  “It’ll be fine Dawn,” he assures me. “Just go about your duties normally. What’d you get assigned to?”

  “I don’t know,” I admit. “I haven’t looked.”

  “Really?” He raises his eyebrow before taking the envelope that had been poking out of my pocket.

  “Jeremy!” I start to protest but then I just sigh and let him have it. “Fine, it’s better if you look at it.” He opens the envelope and unfolds the paper. I tap my hands on the sink as he’s reading, unable to contain my nervous energy. “Well?” I ask.

  His brow furrows in confusion. “This can’t be right,” he says to himself.

  “What can’t be right?” I demand. He looks up at me with worry etched into his face.

  “You’ve been assigned to the patrols,” he says quietly.

  “What
does that mean?” I ask.

  “The patrols go far out from the compound looking for Americans to bring back but also looking for any trouble. It’s dangerous and sometimes they are gone for days," he pauses before continuing quietly, “Lee tried to get assigned to a patrol but he was told that they only take soldiers with years’ worth of experience.” I swallow hard as I try to keep my breathing steady. Why would they assign a small girl who’s never won a fight in her life to a patrol? I start pacing back and forth across the tile floor. Jeremy looks lost.

  “Shite, I don’t understand this,” I say. “What can we do?”

  “Assignments are usually final,” he says. “They’re not just handed out randomly. There is a process. A committee makes preliminary assignments and then high command approves or changes them. This had to have come from them.” He grabs me by the shoulders so I stop moving. “You’re going to be fine.” I know he’s just saying it to make me feel better but I appreciate it. I tell myself that I will not cry. I need to be tough if I am going to survive. Jeremy must not be buying my tough girl act because he pulls me in to a hug.

  “What the hell?” Gabby yells as she walks in. I pull away from Jeremy and face her.

  “We were just talking Gabs,” I say.

  “That’s not what it looked like,” she snaps.

  “I was just helping her prepare for her assignment,” Jeremy explains. “Gabby, she is being sent out on patrol.”

  “Good,” she yells, “then I won’t have to see your face every day.” With that, she stomps out of the room.

  I grip the sink and lean over it, ready to hurl. I splash cold water on my face. My own sister is happy that I am being sent to do a dangerous job. My own sister doesn’t care. My chest heaves as I fail to stop the sobs from escaping me this time. Jeremy stays silent until I pull myself together. I wipe the tears from my face and straighten my cap.

  “It’s time to go,” I say, reaching for the door. “I have to be at the car park in ten minutes so I’ll see you later.”

  “Okay, good luck,” he says. I turn back when I open the door.

  “Hey Jeremy,” I say, “thanks.”

  Chapter 49: Dawn

  I am the last one to arrive at the garage and I am the only person who is new to this squad. I start to say something but my nerves get the better of me and I shut my mouth. There are ten soldiers standing around a truck. I look at each face, hoping to see someone I know. I don’t recognize anyone until I reach the very last person and he smiles at me. It’s Lucas, the guy who beat the shite out of me during my trials. I give him a tight smile and then turn to listen to the woman who has started to speak.

  “Hello soldiers,” she says. “We have an addition to our team today.” She walks towards me and speaks lowly, “Dawn Nolan, I don’t know why you’ve been assigned to our patrol but I don’t trust you, not yet.” She turns to everyone else. “And patrol is all about trust. Am I right?” Shouts of agreement ring in my ears as she turns to me once again. “I am Officer Mills. Soldier Nolan, I’ve got my eye on you.” She walks back to the front of the group. “Our mission for the next few days is an important one. We are going north.” She doesn’t give us more explanation than that and everyone else seems to accept it so I don’t ask as we all accept our firearms from her and pile into the truck.

  The truck lurches forward and before I know it we are outside. I pull aside the canvas flap at the back to look around. It’s only been months since I’ve seen the sky but it feels like it’s been years. The sun is out in full force today and only a few puffs of clouds block the brilliant blue. The land out here is as empty as I remembered. The trees are naked and sit in harsh contrast to the open space around them and the hills loom large. The road we are on is broken. It must have been paved and smooth once, but now the concrete is cracked and twisted, allowing the wild landscape to overrun it. The truck lurches and bumps, jostling my still sore body.

  We reach the river in good time and leave the truck hidden. The river is wide and the dark water has been kicked up by the wind.

  “What are we waiting for?” I ask Officer Mills.

  “Our ride,” she responds. I start to ask her what she means but her face tells me to stop. She turns to the rest of the group, “who has the flag?”

  “I do, sir.” A soldier hurries forward and plants a small blue flag on the bank.

  “That you soldier King.” She focuses her attention on the trees behind us. “Let’s pitch the tents back in those woods.” We do as she commands.

  I’ve never set up a tent before and don’t even know where to start. “Rubbish!” I yell in frustration as Officer Mills walks up behind me.

  “I don’t know why they would ever think to assign you to my patrol. You’re way too green for this.” She shakes her head as she takes the poles from me. The words hurt but I know she’s right. The camp is set up quickly. I mostly just watch.

  “Rookie!” Soldier King yells. “I think you’d be of better use looking for firewood. We all pull our own weight around here.” I follow King and two other guys in search of timber. As soon as we are out of sight of the camp, the three men stop and circle me.

  “So,” King begins, “some of us were wondering how you got this gig.”

  “What gig?” I ask, confused.

  “How’d you get assigned to a patrol?” King asks harshly. “There’s a waiting list, you know.” Warning bells are going off in my head but there is nothing I can do to escape this situation.

  “I don’t know,” I say quietly, staring at my feet.

  “Oh, come on,” one of the other men says. “What’d you do? Did you beg mommy?” All three of them laugh. I look away, unable to hide my embarrassment. So that’s what they all think? That my mom pulled some strings. If these guys knew me at all, they would know how much I don’t want to be on a patrol. I don’t want the danger or the adventure. This should have been Gabby’s job. When I fail to respond, they only laugh harder.

  “Or maybe,” King starts, “maybe she’s a present from Jonathan? Honestly, he could have gotten us a prettier one.” Tears pour down my face as the men grab at me from every direction. I try to get away but King wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me to him. I slam my fists into his chest repeatedly but his grip never loosens and his smile never wavers.

  “King!” Officer Mill’s voice stops them in their tracks. “What the hell do you think you’re doing? Is that how you treat a fellow soldier?” King smirks at her but the smile fades from his face as Lucas appears.

  “No sir,” King finally answers. The soldiers around me scatter until I am left alone with Officer Mills and Lucas.

  “You okay?” Lucas asks.

  “I’m fine,” I mumble as I hurry past them. I need to find some space. I need to be alone.

  I avoid the camp as I leave the tree cover and soak in the quiet. I take a seat by the river. A silver light reflects off the water as the full moon overhead illuminates the darkness. Occasionally, a jumping fish startles me. I barely notice Officer Mills sitting beside me.

  “What are you doing soldier?” she asks softly.

  “Nothing, sir,” I respond as I pick at the grassy bank. A cold wind blows through and I pull my jacket tighter around myself.

  “My name is Grace,” Officer Mills blurts.

  “Okay.”

  “I just thought you should know.”

  “Why?” I ask, finally looking at her.

  “I don’t really know.” She laughs softly. “I’m sorry they treated you so horribly. I wish I could say I was surprised.”

  “They don’t seem to have much respect for you,” I state the obvious.

  “No,” she agrees quietly. “It’s the woman thing.”

  “But Miranda is one of the rebel leaders and people respect her.”

  “Your mom…”

  “Don’t call her that,” I interrupt.

  “Miranda,” she continues, “is not seen as the real leader. She doesn’t interact much with the troops and
many see her as Jonathan’s lackey.”

  “Sexist pigs,” I say under my breath.

  “That’s why Lucas is my second in command. He scares them into following my orders.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me.” I show her the most painful bruise from my trials.

  “He’s a good guy though,” she says. “I just hope he can keep everyone in line if we have to stay here a few days.”

  “Can I ask what we’re waiting for?”

  “A boat,” she explains. “A smuggler to be exact. They’re the only ones that travel this part of the river this time of year. The flag is a signal to them that we’re here and we can pay.” She sighs.

  “Where exactly are we going?”

  “There’s an American village in the North,” she whispers. “We are delivering a message.”

  “I didn’t think there were any American villages.” I suddenly feel daft for knowing next to nothing about the colonies.

  “Just the one. It serves as the connection point between the Texan smugglers and the Chinese timber trade in Canada.”

  “When I first came here,” I say, “I thought the colonies were a desolate, empty country.”

  “It used to be.” She stands. “Come on; let’s go see if those boys left us any food.

  Chapter 50: Gabby

  I salute as officers walk by my post, trying to hide my annoyance. I should not be here, guarding the door to command. I should be outside on patrol like my sister. I don’t understand how she got a job like that. Lee told me that they wouldn’t even take him. I am so sick of little miss perfect Dawn. She is out exploring while I am stuck here. Every morning I am at my post outside of command. Every afternoon I am training.

  I’m not speaking to Jeremy. He took Dawn’s side. That’s not supposed to happen. Drew just walks around and mopes, all worried that something will happen to Dawn and Lee is jealous of her for getting assigned to a patrol. Does everything have to be about her? I am relieved of my post at lunch time but I don't want to eat. I head straight for the training room.