Keep Your Friends Close

by ND Roberts

  Gabriel stared at the ceiling after lights out, waiting for sleep to come.

  You okay? Alexis asked.

  Gabriel turned onto his side. The exercise today. It was too easy.

  That was probably because Trey took two tries to get through the jump, Alexis soothed, her voice small and tired. Get some rest. You can bet we’ll have an early start.

  “An early start” turned out to be an eerily accurate prediction.

  Alexis was awoken by explosions outside the barracks after what felt like thirty seconds’ sleep.

  The barracks door burst open and a group of SIs rushed in, wearing hoods with cut-out eyeholes to conceal their identities.

  The twins were out of their bunks and on their feet in half a breath, backed up by K’aia and Trey.

  Sibil and Gorrak moved to widen the defense line, joining the team as the SIs attacked.

  The SIs yelled to intimidate the recruits, jabbing them with the arc rods they carried.

  The recruits reacted in various ways. Some were bewildered by the attack and went down easily, while others shook off the electricity coursing through their bodies and fought back.

  “Coming through,” K’aia called as she barged at the SIs.

  Alexis and Gabriel acted simultaneously, pincering two of the staff instructors as K’aia charged the others head-on. The first two went down easily, taken out by the impact of K’aia’s heedless tackle and their subsequent introduction to the wall.

  Three more came through the door with their batons drawn, the electric nodes at the tips spitting sparks into the darkness.

  K’aia chuckled darkly as the SIs advanced on her. “Guys, look at their cute little batons.”

  Sibil giggled. “K’aia, it’s not nice to mock others for their shortcomings.”

  Alexis lit the dorm with an energy ball, creating another to flick at the SIs. It took out their batons, leaving them open for Gabriel and K’aia while she secured the unconscious two.

  Trey jumped in when another hooded figure rushed in. He knocked the SI flying with a swift, strong punch to their chest, then dashed after the instructor and kicked them in the head to be certain they stayed down. “Take that.”

  He trussed the unconscious staff instructor with a bedsheet and dragged them over to sit against the wall with the other five officers. “What now?”

  Without warning, the dorm’s shutters dropped. The recruits immediately began trying to escape as the room was flooded with opaque purple gas from the air vents.

  “Damn gas again!” Alexis cried. She clamped her sleeve over her mouth, gesturing for the other recruits do the same.

  There was no way to protect themselves. Even the twins were affected by whatever chemical the SIs was dosing them with.

  The NPC recruits began dropping to the floor as the gas took effect.

  Trey was next, slumping as his knees forgot how to be solid and his head suddenly doubled in weight.

  K’aia cursed as her legs gave way. She staggered another three steps and went down with a crash, plowing through the rec table as she fell.

  Alexis met Gabriel’s gaze as the gas overwhelmed them both. She slid to the floor, unable to help but notice how pretty the noxious cloud was as her eyes closed.

  8

  Alexis woke and found herself unable to move. Her eyes and limbs were heavy, but her nanocytes were rapidly clearing whatever drug they’d all been gassed with.

  Hesitant to peek at her surroundings and give away that she had regained consciousness, Alexis tested her other senses.

  Gabriel’s heartbeat was easy to pick out. Gabriel, you awake?

  His reply was slurred, his mind almost-but-not-quite free of the drug.

  Alexis sent calming energy through their mental link, and also to K’aia and Trey, who were still fully under, then continued her tentative sensory exploration of the area while she waited for her brother to wake up.

  There were more heartbeats, sluggish and even. The other recruits from their unit. She heard muffled movement in the distance—doors closing and muted conversation.

  That told Alexis they were in an occupied building. She could smell antiseptic, meaning it was most likely the medical facility. Alexis couldn’t read any minds in the immediate area, but that didn’t mean there weren’t any guards outside the door or cameras watching them.

  Gabriel had almost broken through the drugged sleep.

  She cracked one eyelid a fraction, confirming that the only occupants in the sterile room were her team and the other recruits from their unit. She couldn’t see a camera anywhere in her line of sight, so she opened her eyes a tiny bit wider to get a better look.

  Gabriel stirred, drawing her attention.

  You’re awake! Alexis couldn’t keep the relief out of her inner voice.

  Gabriel’s first thought on regaining consciousness was for his sister. Alexis, are you okay? Where are we?

  I’m good. We’re in the medical facility, I think, Alexis replied. We need to get out of here. Trey is going to totally freak out if he wakes up to this.

  Gabriel murmured his agreement. Do you think K’aia will be okay?

  Alexis considered. Yes. She’s got Mom’s and Dad's training to rely on. We’ve done so much abduction training since the mall world, I know we’re fine. I’m just concerned about Trey. Even with all his hardships with his family, he’s lived a pretty sheltered life.

  Trey was still out cold for the moment. K’aia was just beginning to stir, murmuring groggily as her drug-induced dream faded.

  Gabriel tried unsuccessfully to get up to soothe K’aia, finding he had the same issues with mobility Alexis had discovered upon waking. I’m tied down. Give me a few minutes.

  Alexis gritted her teeth, then dislocated her thumb and pulled her hand out of the metal cuff chaining her to the bed. Race you.

  Gabriel looked over when Alexis hissed softly. He didn’t feel much like causing himself unnecessary injuries. Instead, he grasped the chains of his restraints with both hands and snapped them with a sharp twist and a tug.

  Showoff, Alexis teased, hopping down from the bed to look for something to cut Trey free. Get K’aia loose since she’s almost awake. I’ve got Trey.

  Gabriel grabbed a laser scalpel from the counter and started cutting through the synthetic straps binding K’aia to the bars on the sides of her bed.

  K’aia's eyes fluttered open while he was leaning over to cut the final strap. “What happened?”

  Gabriel put a finger to his lips. Looks like we were more of a handful than they were prepared to deal with, so they gassed us. We’ve been taken to the medical facility.

  K’aia inched her aching body forward until all four of her feet were hanging off the side of the bed. Can I get a hand?

  Yeah, here. Gabriel assisted K’aia in getting off her side and onto her feet again. You good? He smiled when she gave him a nod to confirm. I’m going to help Alexis get the other recruits loose. Keep watch while we get everyone up.

  Got you. K’aia shook the fatigue from her body and shuffled over to guard the door while Gabriel and Alexis freed the rest of their unit.

  Alexis pondered the logistics of getting twenty bodies through an occupied building without being seen by the medical personnel or any guards.

  Gabriel wiggled his eyebrows. What would Mom do?

  Alexis cast a doubtful glance at her brother. Mom wouldn’t get caught in the first place, and if she did, she would just tear the place down.

  Gorrak glowered at the door, rubbing his head to try to shift the dull throb left behind by the gas. “We gonna get out of here, then?” He shrugged at the look Alexis and Sibil gave him. “What? You can’t think it’s a good idea to stick around after the SIs attacked us like that.”

  Gabriel furrowed his brow. “We weren’t attacked. It was an exercise, which we failed.”

  Trey’s lip curled. “What are you saying? That we were supposed to let them drag us out of there?”

  Gabriel lifted a shoul
der. “Maybe? This is a sticking point for us all in some way. We have to be able to make it through if we’re captured by the enemy.”

  K’aia shuddered. “They were quick enough to incapacitate us with the gas when we fought back. I’d call that a fail.”

  Alexis frowned as she undid the restraints on the last recruit. “You think it was supposed to be interrogation training and we messed up?”

  “I don’t care what it was,” Gorrak cut in, heading for the door. “It was bad enough luck in the first place when we were forced to choose between this and hard labor.”

  The majority of the group agreed with Gorrak.

  K’aia blocked Gorrak’s way. “You can’t go out there. We need to find a way out without being seen.”

  The twins turned to look at Trey.

  Trey didn’t like the attention one bit. “Why do I get the feeling you’re about to say something I’m not going to like?”

  Alexis shrugged. Your game, your call.

  Stay or leave? Gabriel asked.

  Trey was torn. Let me think. He frowned, wondering if this was how Mahi’ had ended up fleeing to Devon. It’s impossible to decide without knowing what we were supposed to do in the first place.

  I know, but that’s how the game works, Alexis replied. If you don’t decide on an action, it will decide for you.

  “Indecision is still a decision,” Gabriel advised. “What’s it going to be?”

  K’aia turned her head from the door as the recruits began putting in their two credits’ worth. “If we’re going, it had better be now. It looks like visiting hours just started.” She indicated the small viewing window she’d been watching from. “Our favorite Short-brained Ignoramus and his dumbass squad just turned up at the staff desk. They don’t look too happy.”

  Trey growled low in his throat. “Then we stay and face the consequences, but we teach them a lesson. Alexis is right; we have to stand up to them, or they’re going to keep making our lives miserable. I’m done taking…shit from bullies.”

  K’aia chuckled at Trey’s slight hesitation. “That sounded like your first real curse word.”

  Trey’s lip curled. “It was, and it felt good. Everyone, find a weapon. Whatever you can use to defend yourselves.”

  Most of the recruits set to work dismantling the frame of one of the smaller beds.

  Gorrak snorted at their efforts, climbing onto the counter to get to the almost-too-conveniently-placed air vent. “People like that don’t learn. They find a way to come back harder, and they crush you. We’ve got a chance to escape, and I’m going to take it.”

  Sibil threw a chart at him. “Then you're as deluded as the SIs are brutal. How far do you think you’re gonna get before they drag your dumb ass back here and stick your head on a pole to display as an example to every recruit on the base?”

  Gorrak hesitated with his hands on the vent cover. “I hate you when you’re right.”

  “All the time, then?” Sibil teased. “We’ll find a way out of here if you’re so set on it. For now, do something to help solve our problem instead of being part of it.”

  Gorrak sighed. “Fiiine. Everyone get out of my way.” He turned and took a running jump off the end of the counter, cannonballing into the bed as the recruits scattered to clear the area.

  The bed’s frame, intended for holding patients human-sized or smaller, gave under Gorrak’s weight.

  K’aia and Sibil helped him to his feet as the recruits moved in to finish the job of tearing the frame apart at the welds.

  A moment or two later, most of the recruits held a bar of some length.

  K’aia cursed under her breath when the door handle turned. “Come and get us.”

  The door swung open, revealing an apoplectic General Kispin. The general strode into the ward with the SIs at his back, his jowls shaking from side to side in his rage. “Stand down immediately,” the general bellowed, spraying the air with saliva. “Or be charged with mutiny.”

  Fully half the group obeyed instantly in fear.

  Trey aimed his section of the bedpost at the beaten and bruised SIs, leaning forward as he spoke through clenched teeth. “Mutiny? They attacked us.” He threw his weapon at the general’s feet in disgust. “It’s not our fault your staff is too incompetent to carry out your orders. If you’re going to punish us for doing exactly what you’re training us for, then just get it over with, so we can get back to preparing for the war. Sir.”

  The recruits winced as one.

  I didn’t mean for you to speak back to the general, Alexis contested. Now we’ll have to do the whole scenario again, and that gas sucked.

  I don’t care. He’s not getting away with this. Trey refused to drop his eyes. He tilted his chin to meet the general’s gaze, making it clear that he wasn’t cowed by being in a precarious position.

  The general looked for a moment like he was going to run Trey through with his horn on the spot. He whipped his head around when one of the SIs let a snicker escape. “What are you laughing at?” he demanded. “You’re in no less disgrace than the recruits.

  The SI on the firing line held up his hands and stepped back before he was introduced to the pointy end of the general’s facial appendage. “Sir, this unit has been trouble since they got here.”

  Alexis rolled her eyes. “You’ve been abusing your positions and we haven’t been putting up with it, you mean,” she corrected, her tone dripping with snark. “I come from a military family, and not one person I know would eat before everyone under their command had eaten their fill.”

  The general frowned. “This is news. However, consequences are consequences.” He indicated Trey and the others with a finger. “You are assigned to punishment detail until further notice. Then we will speak.”

  The SI who had spoken made a sound of disbelief.

  The general whirled to face the SI and laid him out with a single punch. He flexed his fingers and turned his attention to the rest of his junior officers. “Get him up from there. Damn idiot is making a mess of the place.”

  The SIs hurried to obey, picking up their unconscious teammate from the floor. They waited for the general’s permission to leave.

  The general stared at them in disgust. “The rank of Staff Instructor is a privilege, not an excuse to benefit at the expense of others. You are all hereby relieved.”

  “But, sir!” one of the former SIs appealed. “Where will we go?”

  The general glared at the group of eight. “What do I care? You have forgotten what we are fighting for, so you’re done here. If you want to redeem yourselves, I suggest you volunteer for the front lines so you can at least die with honor.”

  9

  Cool, sweet air swept in periodically through a gap in the seam of the catering tent. The unpredictable, all-too-brief reprieves from the thick heat coming from the huge pans somehow made it even worse to be stuck in the tent.

  Especially when the rest of the recruits were enjoying the relative freedom of being in the outdoor training areas.

  “This is beyond immoral,” Gorrak protested. “The officers eat like kings while we are given slop that an animal would refuse.”

  “The affront is being made to prepare their meals for the last two weeks,” Alexis argued.

  Gabriel nodded and pointed his peeler at Alexis. “Yeah.”

  Sibil glanced at the catering officer to make sure he wasn’t looking and spat in the pot of water in the center of their circle of chairs. “Hope they choke on it.”

  Trey tossed the root vegetable he’d finished peeling into the pot and flexed his aching fingers before reaching for another from the bucket beside his chair. “I mean, it could have been ditch duty until full dark. Again.”

  Everyone groaned at the thought of that mind-numbing task.

  Gorrak sat back and folded his arms. “Yeah, well, I’m waiting for it to come around again. I think I might have found a way off this base the last time we were out there digging. All we need is a distraction.”

&n
bsp; K’aia shook her head at the stubborn Shrillexian. “You don’t quit, do you? None of us is getting off the base. Accept it already, and you’ll be less crabby.”

  Sibil punched Gorrak’s arm fondly. “Yeah, look on the bright side for a change.”

  Gorrak brushed her off, leaning in to talk in a near-whisper while the catering officer’s attention was on the preparation of the main course. “I’m out of here tonight while the guards change shifts. I mean it, Sibil. I’m leaving whether anyone comes with me or not.”

  K’aia glanced at Alexis. He seems pretty determined to leave. What if we’re supposed to help him?

  Alexis looked down and frowned at the pile of peels at her feet. I can’t see Eve constructing the game that way.

  Trey half-listened to the girls, more interested in Gorrak's passionate argument for escaping the base.

  The Shrillexian waved his peeler around, not caring if the catering officer noticed. “We’ve never been shown the enemy or told anything except that they are there. How do we know they even exist? This is a prison, plain as the nose on General Kissbutt's face.”

  Gabriel dismissed the statement. “That’s not logical. If this is a prison, why incur the expense and risk of training us?” He held up a hand to forestall Gorrak’s rebuttal. “I’m not saying you’re wrong to be suspicious, I’m saying you should look elsewhere.”

  “You don’t like having an unknown enemy,” Trey guessed.

  Gabriel had come to his conclusion. He pointed at Trey and nodded. “Got it in one. I think it’s time to call our parents.”

  “Later,” Alexis agreed. “We’ll send a message through Eve.”

  “Quiet down over there,” the catering officer ordered, scowling at them.

  Barracks

  Alexis felt a much-missed tingle in her mind. The sensation revitalized her tired body. She sat up. “I’ve had a reply from Eve.”

  She opened the message and read the single line. “It’s a text. Mom will be available to talk to us in five minutes.”

  Gabriel shifted his position to get a better view of the clock on the holoscreen above the door. “I was hoping it would be Mom who answered. Dad would likely tell us to follow the rules. Mom will guide us as to what’s right.”