Free Steel Scars by Victoria Aveyard Page A

his reason grates on me more than anything else. It’s hard to hate him in a time like this, when I remember who he used to be. And then of course, I remember the rest. What he did to us, to ourfamily. To my mother and sister, who were not so horrible as we were, who could not survive in the monster he made.
    I wish he wasn’t my father. I’ve wished it so many times.
    â€œHow goes Shieldwall?” I murmur to keep my thoughts at bay.
    â€œAhead of schedule.” Not a hint of pride, just sober fact. “But transit could be an issue, once we set in on removal.”
    Supposedly the second stage of my operation. The removal and transport of assets deemed useful to the Scarlet Guard. Not just Reds who would pledge to the cause but ones who can fire a gun, drive a transport, read, fight.
    â€œI shouldn’t know—,” I begin, but he cuts me off. I get the feeling he doesn’t have anyone to talk to, if Baldy is any indication. Now that I’m gone .
    â€œCommand gave me three boats. Three . They think three boats can help get an entire island populated and working.”
    Somewhere in my brain, a bell rings. And on the floor, the stoneskin raises his rocky arms, victorious. Skin healers tend to the oblivion girl, fixing up her broken jaw and crushed shoulders with quick touches. Crance will be happy .
    â€œDoes Command ever mention pilots?” I wonder aloud.
    The Colonel turns, one eyebrow raised. “Pilots? For what?”
    â€œI think my man inside Corvium can get us something better than boats, or at least, a way to steal something better than boats.”
    Another man would smile, but the Colonel simply nods.
    â€œDo it.”
    Â Â Â Â  THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE HAS BEEN DECODED
    Â Â Â Â  CONFIDENTIAL, COMMAND CLEARANCE REQUIRED
    Â Â Â Â  Operative: Colonel REDACTED.
    Â Â Â Â  Designation: RAM.
    Â Â Â Â  Origin: Rocasta, NRT.
    Â Â Â Â  Destination: COMMAND at REDACTED
    Â Â Â Â  -Contact made with LAMB. Her team still online, no losses.
    Â Â Â Â  -Assessment: CORVIUM worth an operation team. Suggest MERCY. Suggest a rush. LAMB will hand off and return to RED WEB.
    Â Â Â Â  -LAMB passing intelligence vital to SHIELDWALL and removal/transit.
    Â Â Â Â  -Returning to post.
    Â Â Â Â  RISE, RED AS THE DAWN.
    Â Â Â Â  THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE HAS BEEN DECODED
    Â Â Â Â  CONFIDENTIAL, SENIOR CLEARANCE REQUIRED
    Â Â Â Â  Operative: General REDACTED. Designation: DRUMMER.
    Â Â Â Â  Origin: COMMAND at REDACTED.
    Â Â Â Â  Destination: RAM at REDACTED, LAMB at Corvium, NRT.
    Â Â Â Â  -CORVIUM suggestion under advisement.
    Â Â Â Â  -Captain Farley will return to RED WEB in two days.
    Â Â Â Â  -COMMAND split on punishment as is.
    Â Â Â Â  -Awaiting intelligence.
    Â Â Â Â  RISE, RED AS THE DAWN.
    Â Â Â Â  THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE HAS BEEN DECODED
    Â Â Â Â  CONFIDENTIAL, SENIOR CLEARANCE REQUIRED
    Â Â Â Â  Operative: Captain REDACTED.
    Â Â Â Â  Designation: LAMB.
    Â Â Â Â  Origin: Corvium, NRT.
    Â Â Â Â  Destination: RAM at REDACTED, COMMAND at REDACTED.
    Â Â Â Â  -Request a week.
    Â Â Â Â  RISE, RED AS THE DAWN.
    Â Â Â Â  —You’re a special kind of stupid, kid. —RAM—
    Â Â Â Â  THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE HAS BEEN DECODED
    Â Â Â Â  CONFIDENTIAL, SENIOR CLEARANCE REQUIRED
    Â Â Â Â  Operative: General REDACTED.
    Â Â Â Â  Designation: DRUMMER.
    Â Â Â Â  Origin: COMMAND at REDACTED.
    Â Â Â Â  Destination: RAM at REDACTED, LAMB at Corvium, NRT.
    Â Â Â Â  -Five days. No more negotiation.
    Â Â Â Â  RISE, RED AS THE DAWN.
    Somehow the farmhouse has begun to feel like a home.
    Even with the collapsed roof, the tents wicked with humidity, and the silence of the woods. It’s the longest I’ve