by Kunz, C. A.
“Geoffrey, are you okay?” I ask him as I kneel down by his side.
“Yeah…just got the wind…knocked out of me,” he replies.
“You need to get up. We have to make it to the wall and then you can rest, all right?” I say as I begin to help him stand. He throws his arm around my shoulder and I lead us toward the wall. Our barriers fuse together, creating one large one. Though our barrier feels stronger now, the constant barrage of bullets almost becomes too much to bear. I feel like I’m losing control when all of a sudden I feel a surge of energy course through it. It almost feels stronger somehow. I look ahead of me and see Landon focusing on us, his eyes and hands glowing. He must be helping us keep our barrier up.
When we reach the wall, I let Geoffrey down gently to rest behind it. As I plop down, my barrier fades away. I take a deep breath in, preparing myself for yet another onslaught when we try to take out those turrets. Looking over at Geoffrey, he seems to be recovering and is in the process of catching his breath.
“Are you okay, Geoffrey?” I hear Landon ask him over my shoulder.
Geoffrey nods. “So what’s our next plan of attack?”
“You sure you’re okay to continue right now?” I ask him with worry present in my voice.
“Yeah…I feel like a million bucks,” he jokes, and then laughs slightly while clutching his chest. “Just tell me what I have to do, and I’ll do it.”
“Can you muster a decoy?” Landon asks him.
In a matter of seconds Geoffrey’s “twin” was kneeling next to him. “I think so,” he laughs.
“Good, now when Geoffrey sends his decoy out there to distract the turrets, Kenley, you and I will throw barriers over them. And the ones that don’t disable themselves we’ll hit with barrage, okay?” Landon explains.
“Got it,” I reply and then I look over to Geoffrey, who gestures in agreement.
“Ready? Go!” Landon says forcefully.
I watch as Geoffrey’s decoy leaps over the wall and instantly we hear gunfire. Landon and I peer over and cast our barriers as planned. As their bullets bounce off our energy fields and pound back into them, three of the turrets go limp and begin to spark. We see that our barriers failed to reach the two farthest targets.
Landon and I both look at each other and then at the two remaining turrets that seem to be out of our power’s reach.
“Kenley, remember what we did with that medicine ball?”
“How could I forget?”
He grins. “Well, we’re going to do the same thing here. Give me your hands and we’ll combine our power into a stronger barrage attack, okay?”
“Got it,” I reply and Landon moves behind me, grabbing my hands. I can feel his strength as he presses up against my back. His muscles constrict as his arms and chest touch me. A tingle surges through my body as his power melds with mine. He’s so strong. We concentrate and the light around our hands intensifies and envelops both of us.
“On the count of three,” Landon whispers in my ear. “One…two…three!”
Two large electrified projectiles shoot from our hands, barreling through the air toward the turrets. They pierce through them, causing an explosion. When the smoke clears, a pile of twisted broken metal is all that’s left of them.
“Got ’em,” Geoffrey says triumphantly.
I look at Landon over my shoulder and smile as he lightly squeezes me in a hug.
“Can you do a scan of the area ahead, Geoffrey?” I ask, joining him on the ground behind the wall.
“Sure thing,” he answers as he stumbles to his feet and supports himself on the low wall. His eyes and hands start to glow. He slowly drops back down beside us and his eyes return to normal. His face is not reassuring at all.
“Well?” Landon asks impatiently.
Geoffrey turns to look at us and his expression fills me with concern. “What is it, Geoffrey?”
“Whatever it is, it’s through those doors. And it’s huge,” he replies.
I look over at Landon and his face reflects the concern I’m feeling right now. I push through my emotions and dig down deep to find the strength to continue. “I think we should keep moving. We have to, it’s not like we have a choice.” Both Landon and Geoffrey stand up and turn to face the door with me.
“All right, let’s do this,” Geoffrey declares.
Landon reaches his hand down to mine, I take it and he pulls me to my feet. “Whatever is behind that door, we can take it out,” Landon states forcefully.
I nod, and proceed to climb over the low wall, followed by Landon and Geoffrey.
Standing in front of the large metal door at the end of the hall I feel this sudden rush of dread, but then I push it aside. We all assume we have to touch the door like we had to with the walls before. We reach out our hands and place our palms on the door. A harsh electronic tone assaults our ears and the door slowly begins to slide open.
The room beyond is pitch black. There’s no light to speak of. I go to step inside and the floor suddenly illuminates row by row, tile by tile, almost in a wave pattern. Several low walls pop up around the area and a bright red barrier shimmers on in the very center of the room. The floor begins to open up within the barrier and a large machine looking thing rises up from the hole. It looks inactive. The big bold black lettering on the side of it reads: H.E.R.C.
“What the hell is it?” I ask out loud.
“A HERC…highly evolved robotic combatant. That’s a HERC!” Geoffrey exclaims. “My dad told me about those things. They’re supposed to be modeled after the tank-like vehicles the Bringers use in battle. He wasn’t supposed to tell me about this stuff, but he did anyway.”
“Whatever it is, we need to either take it out, or get by it to the exit over there,” Landon states, pointing to the open door just behind the HERC.
Just as he says those words, two red lights beam from the front of the HERC directly at us. The front begins to shift, followed by the rest of it, filling the room with the sound of twisting metal. A head forms, followed by a body and then eight legs sprout from its sides, slamming to the ground with great force. Standing before us is this giant spider-like robot. Its body is more rectangular-shaped, though.
A loud ear-piercing electronic shriek sounds from the large beast in front of us as it rears back, causing us to clasp our ears. It lowers itself close to the ground, almost like it’s getting ready to pounce. The barrier around it disappears and I notice the wall of energy moves to block our exit from the area.
“Looks like we’re going to have to fight this thing,” Landon calls out.
Suddenly the HERC leaps over at us. I stand there in shock, watching as this giant machine hurls toward me. At the last second I snap out of it and join Landon and Geoffrey as they jump out of the way. The HERC crashes into the ground, cracking the floor around it.
We spring to our feet. “Barrage!” Landon yells. We all focus and start hurling light projectiles toward the robot. Every hit pushes it back slightly, but ends up only stalling the machine instead of destroying it. The HERC shakes off the barrage and charges at us. I throw up a barrier and slide underneath it as Landon and Geoffrey roll out of the way. The HERC connects with my barrier and is flipped up into the air by the energy field. It lands on its back as it comes crashing down. It struggles to turn itself over, but eventually does. The HERC rears back, bucking its legs toward us like a horse does when it’s agitated. I notice a diamond shape on its stomach glowing bright red.
“Maybe we need to hit that,” I yell, pointing to the diamond.
“Let’s give it a shot,” Landon replies and Geoffrey nods.
We stand there waiting for the HERC to make its next move. I hear this shifting mechanical noise sounding from the HERC and notice its front two legs have formed themselves into an angled upright position, framing its head, and pointing straight at us. The tips of them begin to glow bright red.
“Everyone get behind a wall now!” I shout as I dive behind the closest one. I hear the impa
ct of whatever it fired at us on the wall I’m crouched behind. Damn, how are we going to take this thing out when it has that much firepower? I ask myself.
As an idea hits me I look over at Landon and then to Geoffrey. “Landon, Geoffrey! Produce your decoys, I’ve got a plan!” I yell as more projectiles crash into the wall I’m posted up against.
“Kenley, don’t do anything stupid. We don’t need you getting yourself hurt,” Landon yells worriedly.
“Yeah, Kenley, you don’t have to be a hero, all right?” Geoffrey calls out.
“Don’t worry guys. Just trust me, okay?”
“Okay,” they both cry out almost in unison.
“Wait for my signal,” I state as I wait for the HERC to fire at us again. The moment it does, I signal for Geoffrey and Landon to project their decoys. I cast a barrier over myself and then spin out from behind the wall. I see the HERC in the distance preparing for all of us running toward it. It seems confused as to whom to shoot at first as its focus darts back and forth between us. I can’t believe I’m doing this right now, holy crap! I yell to myself.
The left leg fires first and completely decimates Geoffrey’s decoy. Then it fires the next shot at me. I roll out of the way, but keep my barrier up. Landon’s decoy distracts it as it charges up again. I sprint toward the HERC and proceed to slide under it, but remove my barrier at the last moment so not to knock the HERC over. It stumbles back slightly while I’m underneath it, and I charge my barrage attach. I see out of the corner of my eye Landon’s decoy get destroyed by its next round of blasts. I have to do this now! I tell myself and release all the energy I’ve built up in my hands right into the red glowing diamond. The projectile pierces right through it, leaving a large hole in its metal abdomen. The red light flickers and fades away as the HERC slowly begins to crumble down onto its legs. I roll out from under it and instantly begin to hear the cheers from Landon and Geoffrey.
“You kicked that thing’s ass!” Geoffrey yells as he runs up to me, wrapping me in a hug.
Landon smiles really big as he comes in for a hug too. “You were amazing, Kenley,” he whispers in my ear and then kisses my forehead.
I can hardly express how I feel because I’m so overcome by emotion at what I just did, and by Landon’s kiss.
A loud melodic chime sounds throughout the room as the barrier blocking the exit fades away. Blue light arrows begin to illuminate on the floor, pointing toward the exit. We join hands, and make our way toward it. We did it. We passed our test together as a team, and it feels good.
Chapter Eleven
The Magnus Ball
Who knew I could accomplish so much? Yes, I had help from my implant, but I still passed. Me…Kenley Grayson. Would Dylan be proud?
“Earth to Kenley.” Joey’s voice interrupts my ponderings about what we all just went through. “Hey dork, wake up. Dr. Patel’s about to make an announcement,” Joey whispers in my ear. “So, were you thinking about a certain someone who’s been staring at you for the past five minutes?”
“No,” I say, looking down the table and catching Landon’s smirk. “I was thinking about the exam…and wondering what Dylan would think about all of this.”
Joey’s mischievous grin turns solemn. “Sorry, Kenley.” His blue eyes show his sadness.
“It’s okay.”
“All right, cadets,” Dr. Patel begins, “as of right now, and until after this evening, you are to act like you’re not in the military. Just forget for a moment that you’re soldiers. Treat tonight almost like shore leave, because we’re going to have a dance. A celebration, really.” Her smile encompasses the room. “Now off to your quarters to get ready. Oh, and just so you know, we may have a few surprises in store for you back in your rooms.”
“A dance? Really? Damn, I wonder what they’ll think of next.” Sam’s voice is filled with sarcasm.
“I think it’ll be fun,” I reply, and then see Geoffrey shake his head. Caleb looks completely bored, and Joey’s grinning as he sees Landon approaching our little group.
“So, is everyone looking forward to tonight?” Landon’s deep voice makes me weak in the knees.
“Kenley is. She loooves to dance,” Joey teases while draping his arm around my shoulder. Landon’s eyes narrow and his smile seems a little forced.
“I do love to dance. It’s not a crime, you know. Now let me go so I can get to my room…you know, like we were all directed to do.”
“Okay, let’s all follow orders everyone and go find out what surprises await us.” Joey winks at me and then takes off. We all stand there watching him leave.
“I still don’t feel up to par after the exam. I may sit this one out, guys,” Geoffrey moans, and then lets out a squeak as Sam grabs his arm, pulling him behind her out of the room. Caleb follows quietly after.
“So you love to dance, huh?” Landon’s smile is warm again, his eyes meeting mine.
“Yeah, kind of-“
I pause as he leans down pressing his lips to mine, so brief, as if in a blink of an eye. As he lifts his head, my eyes dart left and right to find thankfully the room is empty.
“Kenley, I don’t know why, but when I’m near you…I feel the need to touch you.”
My tongue seems to be stuck. “I’ve noticed.”
Landon’s infectious laugh fills the empty room, and I blush as he takes my arm to escort me out the door.
“Galileo, are you there?”
“Yes, Kenley…just silent. I am pondering the reaction your body has to Shaw, Landon.”
“Well-” A loud knock sounds at my door, delaying my answer.
“Enter,” Galileo announces and the door opens revealing two Ada androids carrying various bags and boxes.
“We are here to help you get ready, Grayson, Kenley.” They both say in unison.
“Ready? What’s all this?” I ask, watching the two as they proceed to place everything in their hands on the bed.
“Your clothes, shoes, and makeup for the Magnus Ball of course. This is all a special gift to you from the Allied Federation,” the androids reply again in sync.
“Wow, look at that dress. It’s beautiful!” I say gushing at the long delicate purple creation being hung up on a hanger outside my closet. It’s a very simple gown with thin straps. The material feels soft as it slides over my hand. The identical duo begins to pull out beautiful dainty underwear and a pair of shoes from the bags that match the dress perfectly.
“We are ready to begin, Grayson, Kenley. Please take a seat in the chair,” the androids say, standing beside the only chair in the room, waiting patiently.
“That is my cue to leave, I will be back later,” Galileo states and fades into my bangle.
“Okay, ladies, do your best.” I giggle as they both look perplexed by my statement. “Oh, I mean, you can start.”
“Done.” The duo’s monotone voices make me jump.
“Thank you,” I reply, hesitant to look in the full-length mirror. As if they can read my mind, each of them grab an arm and put me in front of the dreaded mirror. Standing there looking at my reflection, my mouth hangs open. Is that me? I ask myself. Blinking, I see the image doing the same. Wow, where’s the old Kenley?
“Kenley, are you okay? Your heart rate is high, and your body is trembling slightly.” Galileo’s image comes into view. “Kenley, you look very acceptable. Different may be a more appropriate word.”
“I know, Galileo. I feel like I’m a princess or something. You know, like Cinderella?”
“I do not know this Cinderella. Let me check my database. You two may leave,” I hear him say to the two Ada androids that are waiting to be dismissed. I barely notice them exit as I’m still fixated on my reflection.
“It’s a fairy tale, Galileo.”
“A fairy tale? Ah, okay now I have found it. But you are not a servant, your father is alive, and you have a mother not a stepmother.”
Hearing poor Galileo’s confusion brings my full attention back to him. “No, I don’t mean i
t literally, silly. I just feel so different. Like how she must’ve felt dressed up to go to the ball.”
“I will have to take your word for it, as I still cannot see the similarities.”
“It’s okay, Galileo.”
I take one last look at my reflection. My blonde hair is pulled up into a bun and is wrapped in a purple metal spiral that matches the color of my dress. My makeup is stunning and goes perfectly with my skin tone. Tiny purple stars outline the sides of my eyes and follow down to the middle of my cheeks. They shimmer when the light hits them. And finally, my dress—it fits like it was made specifically for me. The material hugs my curves and then plunges like a purple waterfall to the tops of my feet. My shoes have a small heel, making a soft tapping noise as I make my way across the room to sit back in the chair.
“Kenley, it is time for you to attend the festivities. You do not want to be late,” Galileo speaks loudly as if I’m deaf.
“No need to yell, I’m going. I just need a minute.”
“I never yell, you did not respond the first time I informed you.”
“Sorry, Galileo. I’m just a little preoccupied…nervous, really. What will people say when they see me? I mean, I look so different.”
“You look fine.” Another knock comes at the door. “Now, who is that?” he asks.
“It’s probably Joey,” I reply moving to open it.
“Hey Jo-” I stop, surprised to see Landon standing there looking so…unbelievably handsome in his black tux.
“Sorry, but it’s not Joey. Just me. Is he taking you to the dance?” His smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“No, I was kind of hoping-” I begin to say and then pause, gazing at him. He’s so gorgeous.
“May I?” Landon asks, returning my gaze.
“What?”
“Take you?” He reaches out for my hand as he asks.
“Yes,” I reply quickly.
“You look amazing, by the way.” Landon’s sexy smile makes my knees start to quiver. Good thing I’m wearing a long dress.
“You clean up pretty well yourself,” I reply, looking him up and down.