The Modified (The Biotics Trilogy, #1)

by Kunz, C. A.

  This session has been intense, and I’m totally exhausted by the time Dr. Patel announces the end of training. I go to leave the room and find my exit blocked by our instructor.

  “Ms. Grayson, are you okay? You seem a little distracted today?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I just had a hard time sleeping last night. I’ll do better tomorrow, promise.”

  “Good to hear, because you’re one of the best, and I need my best cadets always on their toes.”

  “Got it. I won’t let you down, Dr. Patel.”

  “Warm milk,” she says as I move past her to the door.

  “Warm milk?” I ask, turning to face her.

  “Yes, it always helps me sleep,” she replies with a smile.

  Warm milk? As if that will help me sleep, I think as I enter the mess hall for dinner. Looking at our table section, I realize I’m the last one to arrive again. Thankfully, everyone’s occupied with eating.

  “Is that steak?” I ask, sitting down and pressing the menu button on the table in front of me.

  “Yeah, and it’s delicious. I can’t remember the last time I ate steak and it was so tender. It’s literally melting in my mouth.” Caleb’s voice is full of pleasure and we all stare in surprise at the expression of pure joy on his face.

  “I thought there was a shortage of beef in the world,” I state confused.

  “I guess the Federation has its connections. And I’m glad too,” Caleb replies with a crazy grin.

  “I guess we’ve found Caleb’s Achilles heel…a good steak,” Joey chimes in.

  “Man, Caleb, what’s got into you? You’re like all happy and shit. Like a freakin’ bundle of joy,” Sam asks jokingly when the laughter dies down.

  “I don’t know what you mean. I’m always the life of the party, right, Kenley?” Caleb responds with a wickedly handsome smirk.

  Everyone’s attention turns to me. “Caleb was quite the rebel today during training. He got a little carried away and caused a ball to spin out of control, almost wiping out half the class. And he so got busted by Dr. Patel.”

  “So you got in trouble, huh, Caleb?” Joey quips. “And here I thought you’d be teacher's pet.”

  “Nope, that honor goes to your girl, Kenley.” Caleb stuffs another piece of steak into his mouth.

  Geoffrey sits with his mouth hanging open watching Caleb as if he has sprung horns suddenly. Sam shakes her head and dives into her steak. I look down the table at Landon and give him a quick smile, still embarrassed about my crazy dream. Wake up, Kenley. It was only a dream. Yeah…but it felt so real, the irritated voice in my head yells.

  “So now that we know Caleb has finally woken up and decided to be human. Kenley is Dr. Patel’s little lab rat, and Joey and I had a bitchin’ day, what about you, Geoffrey?” Sam asks, looking pointedly at him.

  “Oh um, me? Yes, well…I reviewed and revised some battle plans. It was all done digitally on a simulator. Mara and I worked together and-”

  “Mara, huh? Is that the hot little number with the glasses you were in a deep convo with at the dance last night?” Sam asks slyly.

  “Why yes, she’s very nice and we have the same IQ. And she didn’t mention she was hot at the dance, in fact we didn’t dance, so why would she have been hot? I mean the temperature is kept at a comfortable level in all the rooms,” Geoffrey rambles, completely missing the point of what Sam was trying to say.

  “Can someone explain to him, please?” Sam begs, rolling her eyes.

  “Geoffrey, Sam means that Mara’s hot, good-looking, nice to look at, Wake up and notice,” Joey says and nudges Geoffrey who turns bright red when he realizes what Sam meant.

  “I…err…guess. I hadn’t really paid much attention. She’s nice and super intelligent.”

  “Well damn, I give up.” Sam shoves a piece of steak in her mouth and chews vigorously.

  The rest of us dig into our food and I feel more relaxed than I have all day.

  “That was just what I needed. I’m so stuffed that I think I need a nap now,” Joey quips.

  “I heard you got quite a workout today,” I say to Joey as we exit the cafeteria.

  “Yeah, I was paired up with your boy, Landon. He’s one tough SOB.”

  “Hey, I was paired up with Johnston, and I can’t believe he’s in Strike. What a wuss. He refuses to hit a girl,” Sam’s disgusted voice chimes in.

  “So, I’m a tough SOB, huh? I’m flattered Joey, and you’re not too shabby yourself.” I jump a little when I hear Landon’s voice right behind me. I can feel his breath, he’s that close.

  “Thanks, Shaw. Of course, I wasn’t using my full potential,” Joey replies, pushing out his chest and grinning like a fool. “I didn’t want to hurt you too much.”

  “Of course you didn’t,” Landon says while slapping Joey on the back, and then moves to my left side. “If you don’t mind I’d like a word with Kenley. If that’s all right with you guys?”

  “Yeah, sure. Come on guys, let’s give them some alone time,” Joey says and then winks at me. He laughs as I send him a withering stare and then drapes his arms lazily around the shoulders of Geoffrey and Sam. “You too, Caleb. Keep up.”

  “Hey, I’m coming, wait up,” Caleb calls out from behind us.

  “Come on slow poke,” Joey says over his shoulder as he begins to walk away with Geoffrey and Sam.

  “Come back and say that to my face, Joey. I dare you,” Caleb jokes while quickening his pace to catch up to the laughing group ahead of him.

  “Caleb’s something else. He’s suddenly a man of many words, what the heck happened?” Landon asks while taking my hand and guiding me through the corridor opposite the one our group just disappeared down.

  “Yeah, I couldn’t believe how he was during our session, he’s always so quiet. And did you hear poor Geoffrey, I think Mara likes him, and he doesn’t have a clue.”

  “Do you?” Landon asks as he pulls me into a little alcove in the deserted hallway.

  “Do I what?”

  “Have a clue that I have strong feelings for you, or are you scared about what I said last night?” Landon pushes his hand through his hair, looking perplexed.

  “No, not scared, just confused. I mean, we’ve only known each other for a little while and you tell me…that.” I bite my lip nervously, not able to say the words I want to.

  “It isn’t a line, Kenley. From the first time I saw you in the crowded tram station, I knew I wanted to meet you. I felt this connection that made me want to push my way through the mass of bodies just to talk to you. I know you probably think I’m crazy or something. And I am crazy…for you.” Landon’s eyes meet mine and I realize I feel the same way. There is a connection between us. Is it love? Maybe, but I’m not sure. All I know is that I’m happy whenever Landon is around, and I don’t want to lose that feeling.

  I lean in and pull his head down so my lips meet his, and softly kiss him. His arms slide around my waist, pulling me close, and he nudges my mouth open and slips in his tongue. His mouth engulfs mine and my body begins tingling from head to toe.

  He gently pulls away and looks into my eyes. “Yes, I feel it too,” I say as I reach up to pull him to me again.

  “I think we need to find another spot. How about we go up to a special place on the seventh floor?” His voice is husky with emotion.

  “A special place, huh?”

  “Yeah, you’ll like it. Trust me. I’ve been meaning to take you there for a while now.”

  Landon takes my hand and we quickly make our way to a bank of elevators down another deserted hallway. We stand in front of the first elevator and it swishes open. We enter and the doors close behind us. Landon presses one of the many buttons and says, “Kenley,” after the electronic voice asks for a password.

  Seconds later the doors open up to a sight that is truly remarkable. Vibrant plants and full-size trees fill the area inside. The area is unbelievably huge and slightly humid. Gone is the air-conditioned feeling the others floors have. Smal
l colorful birds and giant butterflies share the air space. Landon takes my hand and we walk down one of the cobblestone paths lined with tropical looking plants and flowers of every color.

  “Oh, Landon, it’s beautiful. How do you think they recreated all of this?”

  “Look at that, it’s a toucan. It doesn’t even look real, but it just blinked.” Landon squeezes my hand as we both take in the lush scenery surrounding us. “I don’t know how they did this, but it’s incredible. Look, there are even bumblebees, they haven’t been on Earth for years.”

  I reach out to touch a giant plant leaf and watch as a monarch butterfly gracefully lands on my finger. We both instantly hold our breath not wanting to scare it away. After a few seconds it takes off and flies high up to the clear dome ceiling above.

  “I wonder why this place is such a secret. It’s so wonderful. Everyone should have a chance to see this,” Landon comments.

  “Maybe it’s an experiment or something.”

  “Well, if it is an experiment, it’s an unbelievable one. I’ve already seen several birds and insects that I know have been extinct for years,” he replies.

  “Shush, I hear voices,” I whisper, whipping my head around to face Landon. He points to a bush behind us and quietly pulls me to duck behind it as the voices grow louder. Through little holes in the shrubbery, I can see a pair of military boots and a pair of men’s dress shoes.

  “Is this it?” a familiar voice I recognize as General Barclay asks.

  “Yes sir, everything’s there in those files. It’s exactly what you asked for,” Dr. Wilhelm says.

  I see Landon's confused face when he hears Dr. Wilhelm's voice.

  “Very well, I’ll let my superiors know. Harvey, you’ve performed your job well, and you’ll be compensated justly.”

  “Thank you, General. I’m honored you asked for my help. It was my pleasure to aid the Federation.”

  “Yes, indeed. This experiment will be revolutionary. Not to mention the progress you’ve made with this place,” the general states while pointing to the green jungle surrounding us.

  “Yes, this has been quite the unique project. I do hope we’ll be able to utilize what we’ve learned from it one day.” Dr. Wilhelm beams at the compliment.

  “Yes, well, I have to go and notify my superiors of your excellent work here. This is a great place indeed.” The general shakes Dr. Wilhelm’s hand and then makes a hasty exit toward the elevator. Landon and I see the doctor bend down, pull a weed out of the grass, and then he too follows the general out.

  “What do you think that was all about?” I ask Landon, wondering why the two men had to meet in a place probably the majority didn’t know existed.

  “I don’t know, but I get this feeling we weren’t supposed to hear that.”

  A noise from my arm has me realizing that I forgot to take the casing off Galileo again. I quickly remove it and he instantly pops out.

  “Kenley, I wish you would not do that so often. If you want me not to talk, all you have to do is ask. Now, I have a message from your father. He wants you to report to his office ASAP.”

  “Sorry, Galileo,” I reply, but he’s already returned to the bangle.

  “I’ll walk with you to your dad’s office,” Landon says, grabbing my hand and leading me back to the elevators.

  “Do you think Galileo sounded miffed at me just then?” I ask as we wait for our ride down.

  “Yeah, he did seem a little put out, but he’s a computer. They don’t have feelings, remember?”

  “I know, but-” The elevator arrives and interrupts me. As we ride down in silence, I contemplate what just happened.

  Landon leaves me at the door to my dad’s office with a quick kiss, and tells me he’s going to wait in the mess hall.

  When I approach the door, it doesn’t open. “Hey, Dad, it’s me,” I announce, knocking on the door. I hear him say “sorry” and then it slides open. The first thing I notice is that his hair is messier than usual, like he’s been running his fingers through it all day. His face is void of a smile, and in its place is an intense frown. He’s sitting at his desk, studying something in front of him very intently. I shudder, thinking about what could be wrong.

  “Ah, Kenley, there you are,” he says, raising his head to look at me.

  “Dad, are you okay?” He stands up from his desk chair and comes around to give me a hug. “Please tell me what’s going on.” The butterflies in my stomach increase because he’s still hugging me and not answering me.

  “Kenley, I want to tell you something. It may all be in my head, but you have to listen, okay? Sit down,” he says as he releases me and guides me to a chair. “Now, where do I begin?” He runs his fingers through his hair before sitting in the chair opposite me. Leaning forward, he stares at me with his hands trembling a little. “Kenley, I need you to look at this map of the facility.” He presses a button on his watch and a screen projects up from his desk.

  “We’re here, and these items over here are escape pods, which are utilized in case of an emergency evacuation. You need to memorize where they’re located, because you might have to use them in the coming days.

  “What makes you think that?” I ask, nervous to hear his reply.

  “I know this may sound crazy, but I want you to promise me that you’ll use the pods if things change around here, okay? Don’t wait for me to tell you to leave. Go with your gut feeling if the time comes. Now promise,” he says, his voice suddenly demanding.

  “I promise, but-”

  “No more questions. It’s probably nothing. I’m most likely just overreacting. Now, run along, and I’ll see you later, okay?” He rises from his chair and pulls me up from mine. I’m feeling unsure of what to say next as he hugs me tight and lets me go, shooing me out of his office. Before I can turn around to say anything, he shuts the door behind me.

  “What the heck just happened?” I say out loud.

  Making my way to the mess hall, I begin going over the confusing conversation I just had with my dad, and try to make sense of it. A body blocks my way and I look up to find Landon, grinning at me. One glance at my face and his grin disappears, replaced by a look of uncertainty.

  “Kenley, what’s wrong?” He grabs my hand and pulls me in to an empty room, sensing we need privacy.

  “I just had the weirdest talk with my dad. He showed me a map of the Academy, and the location of the escape pods.”

  “Why?” Landon’s arms are around me and he’s looking intently into my eyes.

  “Your guess is as good as mine. He didn’t say outright, but he told me to memorize the locations. He said he had a feeling something isn’t right, whatever that means.”

  “I think we need to go and find these pods,” Landon says firmly.

  “I think you’re right. Just us though. If we bring the others with us it’ll draw more attention, and I don’t think that’s a good idea right now.”

  “You’re right. Listen, it’s probably your dad being cautious. But we should go take a look, just in case.” Landon gives me a quick kiss and we make our way down the many corridors to locate the pods.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The Takeover

  I open my eyes and instantly a feeling of grogginess hits me. I feel my head as I slouch up in bed. I’m finding it hard to focus, and it feels like I’ve slept for like twelve hours. I feel rested, but almost too much. Everything seems to be stagnant and very quiet. My ears pop from the pressure of the silence. There seems to be no activity outside my door, and I begin to feel like something’s wrong. Maybe it’s just my dad getting into my head with what he said yesterday.

  “Galileo, what’s going on? Why didn’t you wake me up?” I ask, but there’s no response. “Galileo?” I ask my bangle again with the same result. Tapping on it, I call out to him again. It just lies there on my wrist looking like a hard piece of cheap plastic. There’s no pulsing light or activity.

  “What the hell’s going on?” I murmur with confusion as I
stare at the bangle and then at the door.

  The ground is freezing cold as my feet touch down on it. That’s odd, why isn’t the floor heated like usual? I ask myself. I approach the door and put my hand on it, but it doesn’t open. There’s no chime, or light, or anything. I tap on my band again and look at the door. Strangely there are no emergency lights on either.

  I try knocking on the door, but there doesn’t seem to be anyone outside to hear me. I listen for any sign of movement, but there’s nothing, not even the light sound of shuffling around. “Am I dreaming this?” I ask myself out loud and pinch my arm. As I feel the sting of the pinch on my skin, I know I’m not dreaming.

  Nothing in my room works. I try to open the closet door with my bangle, but it doesn’t open. I have to pull on the handle and open it manually. I go into the shower and try to turn it on, but it just sputters out when I press on the manual touch pad just below the showerhead. This can’t be good. Maybe this is what my dad was warning me about.

  I start to feel claustrophobic inside the room, and my mind begins to reel with all the possible causes for what’s going on. My thoughts immediately take a turn for the worse as I wonder if everyone else is okay.

  A loud prolonged beep echoes in the room and is followed by the crackle of the speaker that’s just above the door.

  “Good afternoon, cadets,” a familiar male’s voice comes through. “This is General Roman Barclay speaking. Now, you’re probably all wondering why the electronics have been disabled in the facility, especially your personal AIs. The answer is simple, and will be explained in due time. So, if you would all please report to the mess hall, the Allied Federation has prepared a little presentation for you.” The speaker crackles off and my door slides open.

  I begin to hear people moving about in the halls and I decide to peek out to see if everyone is complying with the orders. Joey and the rest of the group are hurrying toward my room, but I don’t see Landon. Once I step outside, the door closes and locks behind me. “Dammit,” I curse under my breath as I kick the door.