Rebel (Legend, #4)(95)

Whether or not the city will let it all stay in place, though, is another question. I’m going to have to explain it all before the AIS.

“When are you going to let them know what you did?” June says after a while.

“They want to see us this afternoon, as soon as Eden and I are out of this hospital.” I clear my throat.

She nods. “If you need me to vouch for anything…”

I smile at her, then reach over to touch her hand. “I know,” I reply.

Her hand lingers, holding gently on to mine. “We can’t save the world,” she says softly.

“But we still try anyway,” I say. “One day at a time.”

Her hand squeezes tighter. I wonder if we’d ever had this kind of ease around each other, where we could show our love for one another without a dark cloud perpetually hanging over our heads. It’s a strange new feeling, this freedom.

“Eden’s internship at Batalla starts soon,” I say. “I’ll be headed your way.”

She smiles. “Are you ready?”

I don’t think so. Maybe I never will be. Still, my heartbeat quickens at the thought of being back in the same country with her, and I look away, suddenly nervous. “I’ve never belonged here,” I say instead. “Maybe the Republic has always been my home. It’s about time, yeah? It just took Eden giving me the nudge to do it.”

A glint of disappointment f lits across June’s expression, and I can only hope I know why.

I keep my hand around hers and pull her toward me. Then I kiss her, our lips barely touching, as tenderly as I can.

“My home is where you are,” I murmur.

Her expression softens, and she leans against me, her body warm. It feels, as always, right.

“Come home soon, then,” she whispers back.



* * *



When the AIS sends for us, they call for us both. Eden and me. We find ourselves standing in the center of a circle on the top floor of the AIS headquarters, surrounded by an arc of politicians and agency directors.

It’s not just the AIS we’re answering to. It’s the President and his council as well. The whole thing looks like a goddy trial.

Beside me, Eden is calm, his face steady and chin up. I look for signs of his usual anxieties—his hands wringing, his jaw tight, his back stiff. But he’s not doing any of that today.

President Ikari frowns at our calm state. He leans forward on his elevated dais and weaves his fingers together. His eyes fix on me. “Four days ago, the man known as Dominic Hann corrupted the Level system and led a riot that left Ross City on fire and in ruins. As I understand from what Director Min has told me, you and your brother acted on your own discretion to stop what he was doing. Is this all correct?”

Eden nods. “Yes, sir.”

“Yes, sir,” I echo him.

President Ikari frowns. “I’ve been informed, however, that instead of restoring the Level system to what it once was, you’ve altered other parts of the system to suit yourself. Have you done this, Mr. Daniel Altan Wing?”

“It was me, sir,” Eden speaks up first. “I implemented the new system when I deleted Dominic Hann’s hack.”

Everyone shifts in their chairs. A chorus of murmurs fills the chamber. I glance quickly to where Director Min is sitting. She nods quietly at us to continue. Whether or not she’ll stand up for us, I’m still not sure, but I return an imperceptible nod to her and look back at the President.

President Ikari sighs. “And why would you do such a thing?” he says.

Eden hesitates. In the silence, I take over.

“Because sometimes, sir, the only way to make your government listen is to force them to,” I say.

There’s another round of whispers and gasps. I’m reminded of the Republic’s Senate, of when June had once been so unhappy trying to maneuver through their ranks. It’s a special kind of hell, speaking frankly in a system that doesn’t reward honesty at all.

“With all due respect, President Ikari,” I go on, “I know what it’s like to live in a place where people have no choices. What happens in a world like that, when you’re unable to speak out against something you think is wrong?”

Ikari frowns at me. “Are you trying to compare Antarctica to the Republic of America, Mr. Wing?”

I hold my hands up. “I know how different the two are. But the Republic was founded on a system of fear. People allowed the first Elector to come to power because they were afraid of everything and everyone else. They turned in on themselves, closed their borders, and gave up their freedoms in exchange for security. And then, one day, we woke up realizing that we’d handed over so much that we’d given ourselves up too. I know what that feels like all too well. It’s part of the reason why we left the Republic to come here in the first place.”

I’m not sure if my words are sinking in with the council, but hearing what the Republic did wrong seems to make them sit up straighter. As if they know that their country is better. The President studies me for a moment, then nods at Eden. “You’re the top student of Ross City. Why don’t you tell us your thinking behind all this, and whether or not you align with your brother?”

I think of the way Eden always left early for university in the mornings—with that tense look on his face, bracing himself for another difficult day. But he doesn’t hesitate now. He just looks the President square in the eye and answers.