Unplugged: The Beautiful World (#3, Unplugged Trilogy)

Chapter Forty Six

Matthew

A network of screens spreads out before me, glowing in the dark room. Elite scientists lean forward intently, studying the images received by their strategically-placed Security Cameras. I watch them with baited breath, as does Fake Enna beside me. The side of my face, sticky with dried blood, stings from the cut I'd received this morning. I still don't know what I did to deserve it.
"Come on," Fake Enna mutters under her breath, staring intently at the fuzzy image of the rebel hideout's entrance. She whirls on me for the nth time.
"You're sure that's where the rebels are hiding?"
"Positive." I hold my hands in the air innocently.
It's a lie.
I know it's a lie, because when I'd gotten the chance to speak with Enna, she'd been in my apartment at the Depot. But if I hadn't had that conversation with her, I would be telling the truth. And Fake Enna would have completely surprised the rebel army, gaining a significant advantage.
"It's 8:55," Fake Enna says anxiously, studying the watch on her left wrist. She sneers and lets her ruby sleeve fall to cover up the glowing clock face. "Perhaps you were wrong in your assumption, Elliot. Enna might have decided to turn herself in after all." The thought causes me distress for a moment, but then I fervently remind myself that Enna's smart. Probably smarter than anyone gives her credit for. She's not in the process of turning herself in; she's in the process of staging a surprise attack against the Hidden Allies.
"Why the hell isn't anything happening?" A door behind me slams open and Jeremy Perkins storms right up to the screens. I can feel his warm breath against my neck and I try not to flinch. I fail. He grips my upper arm and whirls me around to face him. "And what are you doing here?"
I glare at him and Fake Enna flocks to my defense, cool and calm as ever. Though things have been considerably awkward between us since the kiss, her political skills haven't suffered the least bit.
"Elliot demanded to watch the proceedings and I saw nothing wrong with his request. After all, if he's to provide a connection to the people of New York he must be knowledgeable of present affairs." Jeremy growls and lets go of me. He starts to pace the length of the surveillance room and I vaguely see Fake Enna cast an irritated glance at his turned back. Maybe she hates the guy as much as I do.
"It's 9:00," one of the scientists exclaims in a drawling accent. What is it called, British? I can't remember. "Do you wish to make the announcement, Ms. Price?"
"Yes, yes, I'll do it," Fake Enna snaps. She picks up a microphone and pulls it towards her lips. I can feel my face growing warm as the blood starts to race through my body.
"I speak to the leader of your rebellion," she starts in a clear voice. My eyes scan over her defined jaw and balanced features; how can two people look so similar but act so differently? "Turn yourself in now to avoid a painful, horrifying death. If you approach the nearest Security Camera, some of my guards will come to collect you peacefully. You have thirty seconds to act." Everyone keeps their eyes focused on the entrance of the rebel hideout, and I force myself to do so as well despite what I know about Enna's true whereabouts. The seconds tick down, and my breathing grows more unsteady.
Fifteen, fourteen...
Ten, nine, eight...
And then a movement draws my eyes to a screen near the bottom that shows the street just out front of the Pillar's entrance. It's Enna. I gasp and suddenly all of the other pairs of eyes flicker down to my screen.
"How is this possible?" Jeremy roars, slamming his fists down onto the table. She can't be turning herself in. She can't be! But I ignore him, staring at her face. Dirty, sunken, defiant... Precious. I find myself hoping beyond hope that this isn't the last time I'll see it. Through a camera.
"Are you turning yourself in? Do you pledge the allegiance of your comrades to the State?" Fake Enna's hands tremble in excitement and I stare at the screen in total horror, frozen by fear.
"Yes." She mutters, lifting her chin high.
"No, Enna! No!" I scream into the microphone, the words forcing themselves from my lips. On the screen, Enna's eyes widen in surprise. Suddenly, a hard force slams into the back of my skull. Darkness swarms up to take away my consciousness, but not before I hear Enna growl, "Only after I defeat every last one of your soldiers."
"It's a rouse!" Jeremy roars. There are clicking sounds as the screens are shut off one by one. "Unleash the Hidden Allies!"