Spellcrafter-Delta

  “Senator, she has been here a year and has done better than many of our senior military officials and the most seasoned Wizards. This year she’s done even more, and if you can believe it, even more with Christopher Spellcrafter by her side,” Quinn rebuked.

  “The previous headmaster administration, was not acceptable and lead to the deaths of multiple students and teachers. Because we allowed Chaos to be among the Wizards, he became a menace and left Brood, Atalanta, and the other students to die,” he sat, pleased with himself and his argument. “Let’s not have a repeat of that. It was an embarrassment.”

  “He did what he felt he--” Quinn began to tense up slightly, obviously feeling some irritation or discomfort.

  “He jettisoned them into space!” one cried. “An attempt on their lives! Are you so dense that you can’t see what is occurring around you? Or have you blinded yourself to what they’re capable of. You’re an idiot, Quinn.”

  Penny took a deep breath and took Chris’s hand into her own. She was mustering up the courage to speak. She closed her eyes, let out a soft staggered breath, and then spoke up for herself. The room silenced itself. Quinn also stopped talking, unsurprised by her wanting to speak on this.

  “That has nothing to do with this,” Penny managed. “I... just want to make up for what I had done. I know what I did, but back then I didn’t know. I was confused and the only person I had was my father. I had no mother to turn to, and I had my sister, but at the time I thought she was crazy.”

  “Your sister, Victoria?” Quinn turned his head to her, attempting to both confirm and help her.

  “Yes,” Penny looked down for a moment. “I wish I had listened to her sooner, but regardless I am here.”

  “Is your sister in league with you? She came here with you,” a senator in the front had also begun to grill Penny.

  “What? No…”

  “Why is she not here to support you then?” he pressed on.

  “My sister is dead!” Penny cried out hysterically. The room silenced, the senator sat down, feeling small. “She died fighting for your Alliance in a war against our people, and friends and father just to do what was right. We didn’t have to do any of this,” she spat, looking directly at the man who spoke out. “And I won’t stand by as you shit all over her memories and what she meant to me.”

  Chris squeezed her hand to relax her. “Breathe,” he whispered. Penny nodded in agreement and lowered her head, hiding behind her hair. She was trying to calm down, but they were pushing her buttons. He didn’t need to feel it. He could tell just by how she was squeezing his hand.

  Quinn pressed on with this. “You see? It’s not fair to Penny. It’s not fair to Victoria’s memory. It’s not fair to Christopher, that their--” he stuttered a moment to formulate what he would say before going on. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “Their flawed philosophical views about of the future of the Alliance are not going to allow us to get the sixty percent majority votes we need; to allow them to stay partners and do some good. It would not only allow us to get another partner team out there in the fight, but Sorcerers will see one of their own fighting and ask themselves, why did she go over there? So, I think it was not only wrong, but I think it’s not fair to them that this is stunting their partnership.”

  “Stunting? We’re protecting this boy from a threat. A threat to all of us!”

  “Your narrow-minded view is going to get us all killed,” Quinn threw his hand up in frustration and walked back to Chris and Penny. He appeared to be calming his nerves so he would not say anything rash. He had to be calm and work this through without being too aggressive. They needed these votes.

  Before Quinn had begun to speak again many of the present members began to argue; some even yelling at each other at the top of their lungs. Quinn was the senator selected to lead this debate, and he could no longer get control of them. They did not care what he had to say, and they only stuck to their own views. Penny lowered her head and let out a heavy sigh as she watched.

  “We must allow her to be his partner. What is done is done. She has done well so far,” one on the right argued.

  “I will not have our soldiers or our generals fighting alongside that filthy woman!” another on the left sneered. “She has corrupted the mind of that boy!”

  “You are absurd.”

  “Her even being allowed to run through the partner competition was absurd!” the voices in the room were starting to grow louder.

  Chris bit his tongue and balled up his hand. He would give anything to start yelling back now. They continued to insult her on the left. He could not stand what they were saying about her. Penny was an extraordinary person to him and to many other people. It was nearly impossible to not start yelling.

  Chris was debating what to do, but it seemed that he would not need to. The headmaster whispered something to Alleyne, who merely took his fingers and plugged his ears with them. Headmaster Brood stood, his face showing clear displeasure. Chris figured he was about to do something big, and so Chris decided to cover Penny’s ears with his own hands. She looked back at him confused.

  “Enough!” The Headmaster’s voice boomed. The entire building shook, lights flickered and items fell over. Many of the senators leapt to their feet in terror. There was a certain aura he gave off as he said this; it was even enough to terrify Chris a little, even if he was helping them. The lights went out completely for a few seconds before coming back on. “This foolishness has gone on long enough! I’ve sat through this entire session and you haven’t given either of them a chance to talk, and you have entirely disrespected Quinn, despite the fact that he presides over all of you.” Brood began to scan the room slowly, his red eyes moving slowly from person to person, “Now you deal with me.”

  “A-and what do you think Brood,” the previous senator had replaced himself in his chair and readjusted his eyewear with a shaky hand.

  “I think they should be partners, of course. Do you object then?”

  “Well...Sir, the trivial matter is that there is still a traitor on the loose and we can’t just--”

  “We’re looking for Hunter. Calm yourself,” he held his hand up. “You may have more power than me in a government setting, but I know what I am talking about. Pennelopie is not the traitor, nor would she ever do such a thing.”

  “He’s right,” Chris put in. “I know you can trust her. She wants to get Hunter for what he did to me, and it’s an honor working with her. And well...she honestly does make me happy, she even taught me to fight for the most part.”

  “Brood? What is this boy's skill level?” he questioned.

  “When he first came here he could not defeat Hunter. Upon receiving her help, he learned faster than the other students. I should also add in the fact that they had the fastest time so far in the partner competition. They beat my time.”

  “I’d say we bring it to a vote,” Quinn offered. “Unless you would all like to hear more from Christopher and Pennelopie.”

  “Before we vote,” a young woman with a turquoise dress had soon up to speak. “I’d like to know who they would serve under?”

  “Well, there are many generals,” Quinn assured. “And not many would be willing to have Pennelopie under their command. Which is exactly why--”

  “I’ve seen them fight. I’ve seen them fly. I want ‘em,” General Nick interjected. “I won’t take no for an answer if this gets passed.”

  “Her serving under our top general would allow you to monitor her closely, while also keeping her and her partner in a place where they can do more good than most,” Quinn quickly jumped on this opportunity and rode it. He had regained his footing in this debate and was ready to drive the point home. “So, let’s take a vote.”

  Every senator in the room reached forward and picked up a tablet like device. As they entered in their votes; Penny became rather nervous. She took Chris’s hand again and squeezed it for comfort, he squeezed hers back. No matter what happened, he would remain h
er partner. He was determined to stay by her side. Penny would always be Chris’s partner.

  “Are all of the votes in?” Senator Quinn looked around the room. He gave it a few more moments before staring at the results on his own tablet in disbelief. He made a face before quickly taking it over to the Headmaster. He took it into his hands, read over the results and made his way toward Chris and Penny. His expression was very well hidden, and so Chris did not know what to expect. He could sense Penny’s uneasiness.

  “Well you two,” he started. “Here you go.” Brood gave Penny the results and patted Chris’s shoulder.

  Penny reluctantly brought it up with a trembling hand. Her eyes began to sparkle, and smile formed rapidly on her face. She began to bounce up and down with joy and clap her hands. Chris held out his hand. Penny immediately gave him the results and continued to bounce up and down. The results were six-hundred for them and four-hundred against them. There was also a list of senators, and who they voted for, and as he scrolled through it he saw that they had indeed convinced the majority. Quite a few of the senators who were previously against it had voted for them.

  Penny leapt at him and threw her arms around his neck, hugging him as tight as she could. Chris instinctively hugged her back. She let him go and smiled at him. Her eyes were vibrant and he could tell how happy she was. Penny just could not stop smiling and all he could sense from her was complete and utter joy.

  Chris could see senator Quinn behind Penny. He was sitting in a chair and dabbing his forehead while drinking water. Quinn looked exhausted. General Nick had gone over to check on him and talk, and Alleyne was just laughing at how burnt out he was. Chris was going to thank him whenever he got the chance. Quinn noticed Chris looking in his direction and gave him a thumbs up. Chris began to laugh at him as Quinn hunched over again.

  “What?” Penny smiled and began to laugh as well.

  “Look at Quinn,” Chris pointed at him, still laughing.

  “Everyone is laughing at me,” Quinn threw up his arms as he threw his head back and released an exhausted and chuckle. “I expected better from the two kids I helped.”

  “Thank you,” Penny smiled and made her way over to him. Joy was extremely apparent in her voice. “I want to thank all of you.”

  “Well it was wrong, so I had your back. Brood is an old friend, so when he told me about you I was on it.”

  “You did awesome,” Chris clapped to encourage him. He merely groaned in reply.

  “My throat is going to be scratched up,” Quinn chuckled. “I better get the conversation out of me now. You two are going to do the Alliance proud. I just know it.”

  Chapter 20

  A Spark

  The sound of wheels rolling on asphalt broke the silence. The vehicle was creeping along the airfield. Slowly but surely. The sound of grunts and groans could also be heard. The plane stopped for a moment before beginning to move yet again. It could only move at a snail's pace.

  “We should be celebrating that you won,” Ian’s voice sounded strained as he pushed. “Instead, we’re being punished.”

  “Stop whining and push,” Megan grumbled. “You’re taking oxygen away from your muscles. That’s why we’re moving so slow…”

  “I forgot we were going to get punished for taking the plane,” Chris began to let up a little, exhausted.

  “Keep pushing before I hit you,” Ian grunted, wiping the sweat with his right arm before replacing it on the metal.

  “I am, I am,” Chris continued to push with them, speaking through gritted teeth.

  “It could be worse,” Penny panted between words.

  “We’re going to have to fix the plane and then go and help at the village. We have to help there for a week,” Megan huffed. “Can’t get much worse.”

  “Wait a minute,” Ian stopped pushing for a moment and thought. “Wait! Wait a minute! Why are we being punished for something they did?”

  “If you don’t get over here and push…” Megan began through gritted teeth. Ian rushed over and continued to push.

  “This mechanic is mean…” Chris whined.

  “I’m sorry, guys,” Penny apologized quietly.

  “We don’t mind,” Chris smiled at her. Penny smiled back.

  “We?” Ian looked at Chris. “I mind a lot!” he pushed harder. “I thought we were closer! It didn’t take this long to walk over to the plane!”

  “We weren’t pushing the plane before,” Megan reminded him. “Just push. You’re the main one moving it.”

  “He wouldn’t even notice if we--” Chris began.

  “Don’t even think about it!” Ian protested. “I’m not pushing this alone. You’re suffering with me!”

  “Are the wheel brakes on?” Penny stopped pushing and leaned against the plane with her arm. “Chris, are you absolutely sure you took them off…”

  “I think so?” Chris hesitated as he said this. “Give me a boost.”

  Ian cupped his hands and allowed Chris to fit his foot in. Once Chris was ready he tossed Chris upwards. Chris landed on the left wing and pulled his feet up the rest of the way. He then popped the hatch and crawled into the plane to check.

  “It was on,” Chris reported, popping his head over the side. They were all sitting down beside the plane looking up at him and groaning.

  “Sorry,” he rubbed the back of his neck. “Oops--”

  “Chris!” they all cried in unison.

  “Get down here so I can kill you,” Ian waved his fist in the air and forced himself back to his feet.

  Chris hopped down and took up his side again, “Let’s try pushing again.”

  “Alright,” Penny agreed.

  “Yup,” Megan replied. The plane moved at the exact same pace. Perhaps it was moving faster, but it was not noticeable to them. It seemed as if the brakes made little to no difference; either that or they were just tired.

  By now their muscles were aching and they were longing for water. Beads of sweat littered their faces. Megan was worried they would get sick if they continued to sweat in the cool weather, but she knew as well as everyone else that they had to continue on. It was taking an extremely long time to reach their destination.

  One of the pilots felt bad for them and so he brought them all water bottles and towels. They thanked him and continued to push the plane through the airfield to the last garage in the far back. This was the building that Chris and Penny had snuck into and taken the fighter plane. There was no one inside and the only light was a hologram schematic of the aircraft. Once they had stopped pushing, Chris moved over to it so he could inspect it. Below the holographic image, there was text that read: ‘The Spark.’

  Ian made his way over to the right side of the garage and flicked the switch; the lights flicked on row by row to reveal multiple tools and parts. There were wrenches, hammers, and other tools littered about the room. A machine that appeared to lift heavy objects was in the center of the room. There were schematics of different planes and designs tapped to the right wall.

  The mechanic had also had a workbench beside the table where Chris had found the hologram. Above the workbench was a note board with multiple pinned reminders and deadlines. In the center of the board, Chris noticed a lone picture. It was of a young man kneeling down with a small boy sitting on his knee. The young man had a small beard and dark green eyes. The boy seemed completely disinterested in the picture and was more focused on the cookie he held to his chest, and so it was hard to tell his facial features. They were both wearing button up shirts and it appeared to be a picture shot professionally.

  “What’s that?” Penny came over to his side and examined the picture.

  “Probably his son,” Chris raised his shoulders. “That’s just a guess. I just couldn’t help but notice it.”

  “Hmm,” Penny walked back over to the Spark and stared at the plane. She ran her hand over its armor and felt the bullet holes. She loves to fly, doesn’t she? Chris smiled to himself. Penny turned back to him suddenly and s
poke. “Do you think we can fix it?”

  “We have to, but I think we can,” he nodded his head. “It’s just going to be hard, because I don’t know how.”

  “I don’t either,” she admitted. “But I really want to fix it. I want to fly it again. It felt right.”

  “I’m sure we can repair it quickly,” Megan fanned herself. “If only the mechanic wasn’t late.”

  “He probably got tired of waiting. I would too,” Ian leaned against the plane. “This plane is pretty messed up.”

  “We’ll get it fixed,” Penny retorted. “I want to.”

  The garage doors opened abruptly as a pair of legs were revealed. An old man in black mechanic boots and a navy-blue mechanic outfit. He had a straight face that only dropped as he saw the four friends. He had a stubble beard and completely grey combed hair.

  “Right…” the old man sighed as he walked passed them without a word. He took a swig of his coffee before placing it on the table beside his workbench and beginning to write some things down. Megan tried to speak, but the old man hushed her by holding up a finger. He finished writing and put the paper aside, then he moved over to a green file cabinet and pulled out a schematic of some sort.

  “Coffee in the afternoon?” Megan questioned politely.

  “Well young lady,” he said, addressing her without so much as turning. “This is going to take me a while now, ain’ it?”

  “Yes sir, sorry sir,” Megan apologized instantly. “I wasn’t thinking.”

  “No, you were not,” he agreed as he unfolded the schematics and spread it across the workbench. “Let’s see the damage…”