Take Aim

by Charles Case

  “But my well is full, and once we start transferring power it will be over-full,” Corbin argued.

  “Feel deep down,” Leela prodded. “There is always a tiny portion of your power that is being used and refilled all the time. It is where your new toughness and durability come from. Those things take constant power, even if it is a small portion.”

  Corbin focused and once again began inspecting every nook and cranny of his well. After a good five minutes, he found what she was talking about. There in the base of the well was a continual draw of power that fed into his physical attributes, and in that draw was the smallest of spaces.

  “I found it.”

  “Good. That space will be the key to getting this whole thing started. Once the power transfer begins, finding a space won’t be all that hard. Seena, begin when you are ready, but go slowly. We don't want to over-fill Corbin. That being said, this is going to hurt, but you’re going to have to deal with it.”

  Seena inhaled, then slowly blew it out and squeezed Corbin's hands. “Are you ready?”

  Corbin nodded, then realized she couldn't see him with their eyes closed. “I’m ready.”

  Immediately, there was an unfamiliar pressure deep in his chest. It wasn't enough that it was particularly uncomfortable, but it was persistent. Corbin focused on that tiny empty space and willed it toward Seena.

  At first, nothing happened and Corbin was sure he was doing something wrong. Just as he was about to stop and change tactics, Seena's power rushed into him. Corbin sucked in a breath at the sudden, shocking ache in his chest. He kept the channel open, feeling his well stretch uncomfortably as her power flowed into him at an increasing rate.

  Gritting his teeth, Corbin began to breathe meditatively, focusing on anything other than the pain. He lost track of time, his world becoming nothing but endurance and steady breaths.

  “I’m out of power.” Seena’s words brought Corbin back to the present and the aching throb in his chest.

  It was all he could do to expand his lungs without feeling a burning from his core.

  Leela put a paw on his knee. “Hold onto the pain, and you will feel it lessen as time goes on.”

  Corbin tried to focus on anything else, but the ache was overwhelming. However, with each breath the ache lessened. Soon, his head throbbed but the pressure in his well had come down to merely uncomfortable.

  “I think it’s settling,” Corbin whispered, trying to keep the volume down for the sake of his head. “The pain’s subsided, and now it’s just uncomfortable.”

  Leela obliged him and spoke softly. “Now it’s time to give the power back. Feel the difference in your powers as they begin to mix in your well. Note how much Seena gave you, and prepare to feed that much plus a little more back to her. Seena, it’s now your turn to give him the space in your empty well. Be prepared for the pain, but try not to panic.”

  “Ready.” Seena’s voice was determined, and her grip firm.

  Corbin began to push the power back through their connection. At first, it felt as if he was pressing the power up against an impenetrable wall, but just like with him she soon got hold of the odd feeling of giving up the space, and he felt the power flow out of his well. He kept the pressure low, but constant. Her well swallowed up the energy greedily, then when he thought he had fed about the same amount she had into him he felt the flow slow down.

  Seena sucked in a breath and gripped his hands tightly. He kept up the pressure, feeding what he felt like was ten percent more than he had taken.

  “Is that enough?” Corbin asked, concern shading his tone.

  “Keep it coming. I can take more.”

  He pushed a little more, guessing that he had fed a total of fifteen percent more, then slowed once again.

  “More,” she grunted, her teeth clenched. “I can take it.”

  “Just a little more, Corbin. She is coming to her breaking point.” Leela was concerned, but her voice firm.

  He fed another five percent then felt Leela’s paw touch his knee, and he cut off the transfer.

  “Breathe, and let your well expand to accommodate the power,” Leela instructed.

  Corbin inspected his well while Seena’s breathing became even, although a little ragged. He had given her back the same amount of power, and a little more, but he noticed the odd flavor of what was left in his well. He realized that their powers had mixed slightly, much like you could never separate two liquids that have been poured into the same pitcher. It was an odd sensation, making him more aware of his powers than he had been since he first obtained Leela. He felt as if a part of Seena had imbued itself in his soul.

  He smiled, reveling in how their connection was growing with the process of gaining in power.

  After a few minutes, Seena gave the all-clear and the whole process started over.

  Over the next couple of hours, they traded more and more power back and forth, growing their wells exponentially as they went. Eventually, they had to stop to meditate and fill the newly expanded spaces with fresh power before starting again.

  Eventually, Leela called a stop. “You two have been at it for hours. I think it’s time to take a break. Plus, I believe you have done enough work to take on a new power. Once that happens, the process will speed up even more.”

  Corbin opened his eyes to see the smiling face of Seena looking at him. “You ready for your new power?”

  “I’ve been ready my entire life.” Seena grinned even more. “I don't suppose you know where some good deposits are?”

  Corbin laughed. “As a matter of fact, my old job had me finding all kinds of deposits around here.”

  “What are the odds?” Seena laughed, climbing to her feet, and pulling Corbin up along with her. “Come on, lover. We have some work to do.”

  16

  Corbin and Seena stood in the dojo vision, then he blinked and found himself sitting cross-legged on the floor of the OVAL. The dim lighting was easy on the eyes and bathed Seena in a golden hue that he found to be perfect for her.

  A second later Seena came out of the vision, blinking rapidly and looking around the small living space. “That is really disorienting.”

  “You get used to it, eventually.” Corbin stood and helped Seena to her feet. “It’s getting late. We should get a move on if we don't want to be caught out in the dark.”

  “Your tablet is flashing.” Seena pointed to his forearm.

  Checking the tablet, Corbin read the message quickly before relaying the info to Seena. “Looks like a small change in plan.” He stepped out of the OVAL and turned for the dropship’s cockpit. “Glen has the rock cleared for the bunker. I say we fly this boat in and head out from there.”

  “Oh, it’s big enough to fit a dropship through?” Seena followed him up the ladder and into the small cockpit, taking the copilot’s seat.

  Corbin laughed. “The doorway is large enough to fit two of these things in side by side. It’s the largest indoor space in the VRC.”

  “Not quite, but pretty close,” Leela interjected.

  “Good to know, Leela,” Corbin said, an eyebrow raising at the thought. “Glen also mentioned that he’s heading back to escort the dropship from the rebellion here. They’re planning to move the base out here.”

  “So, we have a few hours to ourselves?” Seena smiled, reaching over and squeezing Corbin’s arm.

  He winked at her, before activating the startup sequence. “I’m sure we can find something to fill the time.”

  Taking off and angling around the cliff face, Corbin scanned the mountain that rose behind it. He had been concerned that the blast marks from the fighter’s laser batteries would stand out, and potentially draw in Lieu troopers, but the dark stone of the mountain concealed anything the fighter had done. He couldn't spot the opening at all, and eventually had to refer to the data on his arm tablet to find it.

  Rising to get a better view, Corbin put the dropship into hover mode, leaned toward the windscreen, and began scanning the mounta
inside.

  “There it is.” Seena pointed to a slightly darker section.

  “Got it.” Corbin settled back into his seat and tilted the controls forward. “Good eye, Miss Lieu.”

  “Eyes like a hawk over here,” she laughed.

  Corbin glanced at the tattoo on her chest through the unzipped jumpsuit. “More like eyes like a falcon.”

  She looked down, trying to get a look at the tattoo. “I suppose you’re right. I wonder if that’s part of my power set? Like how you are good at morphing into whoever the situation calls for.”

  She cocked her head, listening to Gert as she spoke in her head. Then laughed. “Gert says, ‘Yes, our passive abilities are linked to our animal of choice.’ Good to know.”

  Corbin brought the dropship down and to the left, lining up with the now-obvious opening. The light from the walls of the bunker made the hole appear golden against the dark rock of the mountain. Corbin saw that Glen had cleared quite a bit of rock from the area, revealing some of the blast-darkened walls to either side of the double doors.

  Corbin brought the dropship in slowly, prepared for any sudden up- or downdrafts against the mountain.

  “We’ll need to figure out how to give remote access to the dropships,” Seena observed, glancing at the suns low on the western horizon. “Once night falls, those lights will be like a beacon out on the plains. You could see them for miles. Maybe even all the way to Settlement One if it’s high enough up the mountainside.”

  “I think we’ll be good on them spotting it from the city. Settlement One is well over a hundred miles away, but I would bet that air traffic around the city could spot it. Either way, you’re right. We need to get that worked out.”

  “That’s not a problem. Gert and I can work the controls remotely. There is a telepathic element built into most of the hardware my people made. I can change up the system to accept a digital code that we can give to the rebellion.” Leela sounded a little smug, but Corbin took it in a jovial way. He was starting to see elements of her personality coming out the more she regained her memories. Leela was proud of what her people had accomplished, and he had to agree. Her people were amazing.

  “Leela says she can get us a code. For now, she and Gert can control it remotely.” Corbin slowed the dropship, taking his time, not wanting to screw up their first time through.

  The cabin was quiet as they slowly passed through the enormous doors. Now that they were there, he decided they really could fly two dropships through at once. The sheer size of the opening was awe-inspiring, but the room beyond made Seena's jaw drop.

  “How the hell could this even be built?” she marveled, trying to take in the entire space at once, and failing. “We could fit two of the original colony ships in here with room to spare. Lieu tower wouldn't touch the ceiling, and it’s the tallest building in the system.”

  “It was a combination of superior materials along with engineers and supers working together.” Corbin spun the dropship around so they were facing the open doors, revealing the purple and orange of the early sunset, like a giant painting hung against the soft glow of the walls.

  “We should get a move on.” Seena nodded to the beautiful sky outside. “I don't really want to get caught out in the dark in the wilds.” She flashed him a smile. “Even if we have powers to protect ourselves.”

  “Agreed.” Corbin shut down the dropship and lowered the back ramp with the flip of a switch. “Come on, let’s take the express.”

  “The OVAL?” She unbuckled and followed him into the cargo bay.

  “Better.” He jumped down the ten feet to the bay’s floor and turning, held out his arms for her to jump into. “Me.”

  She smiled, and taking his cue, jumped off the platform, turning in the air so he caught her in his arms. “Oh, my hero,” she mocked, then kissed him deeply.

  After a quick reference of his surveyor notes, Corbin found an area close by with an exceptionally large amount of metal deposits. He loaded up his pockets with a few tools from the OVAL to make gathering metal samples easier, and once again picked Seena up in his arms.

  “Ready?” Corbin asked, looking down at her. He smiled at her as she brushed some hair from her face with one hand and gripped the front of his jumpsuit with the other. “God, you’re beautiful.”

  She smiled, her face turning a little red. “You’re not so bad yourself, big fella.” Her jaw clenched and she gave him a serious look. “Now, off we go, my chariot. I have a date with a lump of metal.”

  “Right you are, Lady Lieu. Hang on tight.” She smacked his chest at the lady comment but held the front of his jumpsuit with an iron grip.

  Corbin focused a larger than normal amount of power into his body, bolstering his strength and agility. The last thing he wanted was to drop Seena or break a leg while coming down with the extra weight. Then, squeezing her tight to his chest, he channeled even more power, reversing his gravity in a forward angle. Releasing the planet’s ability to keep him grounded, they shot into the air.

  Seena tensed but soon began to laugh as the wind whipped past them. Corbin was able to add small amounts of power as they fell, keeping them airborne and traveling at a good clip. It was the closest he had come to flying yet, and he couldn't keep from breaking into a grin.

  “This is amazing!” Seena shouted over the wind. “Why don't we travel this way all the time?”

  “You never asked,” Corbin shouted back, laughing along with her joy.

  The sky was a motley of orange and purple as it bounced off the thin clouds. It was like soaring through a master painter’s dream world. The ground blurred several hundred feet below them as they fell toward the horizon.

  Corbin spotted the area he had surveyed only a few weeks ago coming up fast. He applied a reverse pull on his body, holding Seena tight as they slowed and he arrested her forward momentum with his arms. He slowly backed off the forward push but kept them in the air. Soon, they slowed to a stop, but his constant feed of power to his ability let them hover. He slowly decreased the flow and they sank to the rocky plain below.

  Corbin's feet lightly touched the sandy soil and he cut the flow entirely. Weight suddenly returned, and Corbin flexed his legs to keep from falling over.

  “I hope you enjoyed your flight, ma’am. Please exit the vehicle and collect your bags,” Corbin laughed, setting Seena on her feet as she laughed at his lame joke.

  She pulled on her jumpsuit where it had bunched up during the trip and shaded her eyes to the setting suns. “Man, I forgot how hot it was out here. We’ve been spoiled by all the AC lately.” She unzipped the jumpsuit to her waist and shimmied out of the sleeves before tying them around her waist, leaving her in a white tank top and the jumpsuit for pants.

  Corbin followed suit. Used to the heat more than Seena, he was still not immune to its oppression.

  Seena put her hands on her hips and looked around. Only a few rocks here and there and the occasional chaparral bush broke up the ground. “So, what are we looking for? I’ve never actually seen metals in the wild in person before. I always had your neatly marked photos with cleaned-off samples.”

  Corbin laughed, pointing at her feet. “Well, you’re standing on one for a start.”

  Seena jumped as if goosed and backed up several paces. Her foot had slid back and revealed a dust-covered, mirror-like metal deposit underneath. “Holy shit! How can you tell where they are?”

  Corbin squatted so he could see across the ground better. “If you look, the deposits will be pushed up slightly higher than the level ground. We never figured out why, but I always assumed it had to do with the metal staying cooler than the ground around it. Then again, that wasn't my department.”

  Corbin walked around and wiped the loose sand and dirt from the surface of several mounds of metal, until the immediate area looked like there were huge gems of all colors scattered across the ground as the sunset reflected off the silvery surfaces.

  “How do we know which ones to choose?” Seena aske
d, squatting over a patch of metal and running a finger over its smooth surface.

  Corbin frowned. “I never thought about that. The two times I did it I just went for the first one I came across. Well sort of. I guess I didn't think about why I chose the metal I did, I just… did.”

  Seena cocked her head, listening for a few seconds, then nodded. “Interesting. Gert said that there will be a draw that directs me. The essence in the metal will resonate with my natural abilities somehow.”

  “She’s right,” Leela interjected. “The same thing happened to you, you just didn't notice. The souls of my kin know when someone close by can use their power to its fullest, and will be drawn to them just as you will be drawn to the metal.”

  Corbin glanced over at Seena and noted that Gert was talking to her, presumably saying something similar.

  “The soul? The metals have souls?” Seena seemed confused. “Why are the souls of your kin in the metals?”

  “Gert is telling her how my people bonded with their suits when they died.” Leela relayed. “I’m actually surprised she hadn’t told Seena yet.”

  “I don't want to disturb the dead.” Seena’s eyes went wide. “What if they don't want me to use them?”

  “Would you rather they stay dead?” Corbin reached out a hand and took hers in it. “At least this way they get a chance to avenge their deaths through us. Don't think of it as stealing from the dead, but rather a way for them to fight on after sacrificing everything.”

  That seemed to mollify her a bit, but he saw her biting her lip while she worked it out in her mind.

  “Are you good with this, Gert?” she asked, staring at the closest mound of metal. “Because if not, I don't think I can do this.”

  “I am beyond good with this.” Gert’s voice echoed in Corbin's head through Seena's touch. “This is our last chance to avenge ourselves. If anything, we are using you, not the other way around.”

  Seena gave a sharp nod. “Okay. Let’s do this. Where do we start?”