by Matt Ward
He laughed. “I did tell you not to fight fair, didn’t I?”
“You did.” I chuckled despite the pain.
“Sorry, Raek. What I said about your family, it was wrong of me.” He sounded sincere. He was a hard guy to hate. “To be honest, I doubt they made it, but if they did, you’re no good to them now. You need training. You’re a cynetic, yes, and have certain powers and strengths, but you’ll be up against millions of cynetics.”
And I had no idea how to use my powers.
We walked on in a heavy silence after that, until Fitz stopped in a small clearing. “Let’s make camp.”
After assembling the tent, we popped nutrient shots and laid the micro pads. I was exhausted and ready to sleep when there was a crash. We looked at each other.
“What was that?”
Pointing, I held my finger to my lips. On the far edge of the clearing, a swarm of birds squawked as they took to the sky. “Whatever it was,” I said. “It came from over there.”
We snuck back into the forest, putting out our campfire and covering our tracks. Probably nothing, but we had to check.
We got closer and heard voices, men. Four or five of them.
“You think he came this way, Major?” one asked.
“Nah, Lieutenant, I don’t know that,” a southern voice drawled. “Only know my orders. And you know yours, Lieutenant. We’re to search the northwest perimeter of the woods for ‘em and report back.”
“Yes, sir,” the lieutenant responded. Hesitating, he added, “I was wondering, sir, what’s an animote section doing looking for an animote, sir?”
“Following orders!” the major snapped. “This wolf bastard killed his own sister and murdered his neighbor. What kind of person, animote or otherwise, does that, you think? He’s an outlaw, a villain, a murderer. Now, get your sorry asses up and spread out. I want a perimeter on our location and preliminary reports from each of you in a quarter-hour.”
“Sir, yes, sir!” their voices echoed.
We retreated, careful not to make a sound. Once we were out of range, I whispered, “What are they talking about? It’s a bunch of lies!” I wasn’t a monster...
“They’re soldiers, Raek. The GDR lied about what happened to turn animotes against you. They don’t know about me yet,” he added. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. We need to get out of here. They can’t know we’ve been here.”
A noise. “They’re coming, Fitz. We need to go, now!”
He finished one last sweep of the campsite, and we sprinted through grassier parts of the clearing to avoid leaving footprints. I swung the bag on my back. “Where to?”
He took a deep breath and looked back. “They don’t know we’re here, we need to keep it that way. They’re searching about three hundred square kilometers with checkpoints at logical positions. That’s how I’d do it,” he added, outlining the basic math.
Was he in the army at some point?
“They’ll have people stationed at nearby towns and cities looking for outsiders,” he said. “That means we’ll be roughing it for a while, son. Might take longer to reach Lhalas than I thought.”
“Shhh. I see ‘em. By that tree.” I pointed.
“Your eyes must be better than mine, can’t see a darn thing.”
Wait. How’d I do that? I concentrated on making the image larger. Nothing. Slowing my breathing, I tried again. It worked and the pair came into focus. “There’s two of ‘em. They’re looking around the camp. Wait, they’re pointing toward town. Crap! He has goggles. Get down.”
We hit the ground with a thud as they swung the goggles, searching the path to the town before hitting the treeline itself.
One of the soldiers reached down. “Shoot, he found something. He grabbed it and waved to his buddy. We’re screwed.” What did I miss? “He’s reaching to his mouth.” He was going to signal his team.
At the last minute, he opened his mouth and tossed something inside. Jeez. A giddy laugh escaped me. “It’s a berry,” I said at last. “He found a berry and ate it.”
“Let’s hope he doesn’t find more.”
Both soldiers snapped up. The berry guy tapped his helmet, stiffening. Without warning, the pair jogged back the way they’d come, packs swinging on their camouflaged backs.
“We should get a few hours of sleep,” Fitz said. “We might not have the chance for a while.”
To be safe, we hiked a kilometer west and into the woods a good way. There was a secluded grove, thick brush and trees lining its sides. We set our packs on the thin layer of pine straw. It felt great to sit.
After unrolling our mats, we fell asleep at once.
13
The Spider
I was in the middle of a strange dream with a cyborg, Calter Fury, and my invisible father when something in my subconscious pulled me awake. A spike of adrenaline shot through me.
Alert at once, I checked the clearing, listening to hundreds of wild critters welcoming me to their wonderful home.
Some instinct—I’m not sure what—told me to turn. I did, eyes shifting to infrared like the lenses had. I blinked twice. Nothing happened.
A small boy came into view, walking alone with a large walking stick, a small brown knife at his hip. He smelled strange, an odd mixture of woody moss and spicy curry, and seemed relaxed, immersed in the world around him.
A squirrel in the trees behind me startled the boy and his eyes flicked to me, expression equal parts interest and terror. He was young, no more than nine or ten, with light brown hair covering his arms and face. A dark ponytail protruded from his orange cap.
I blinked and this time, my vision returned to normal.
“Hey, what’s your name?” I asked. “Mine’s Ra—” I stopped myself. “Raj.”
“I’m Kelep.” A big smile plastered his carefree face. “Want to play swords?” He lifted his stick with a grin, in case I didn’t know what he meant.
I didn’t and was tired. “Want to sit with us?” What was this kid doing here?
He shrugged. “Sure, why not? We can spar later.”
I kicked Fitz. “Hey, man,” I said, careful not to use his name. “Look who I found. This is Kelep.”
Fitz cracked his eyes and noticed Kelep. Yawning, he said, “Nice to meet you, Kelep. My name’s Brol. Are you from around here? Live in town?”
Kelep nodded. “My father’s a trader. Brings goods and devices from the cities to towns and villages in the area. He wants me to take over the business when I’m older,” he added proudly, standing straighter. “He got back yesterday. Restocking for a big trip this weekend. Headed to the city, to Itany, I think. He proceeded to tell us all about it.
Fitz and I looked at each other as Kelep looked away. I could tell we were both thinking the same thing. The question was, would it work?
After chatting a while, hearing about school, the town, and what his father did for a living, I thought my plan could work. When the kid had to pee, Fitz and I stood to stretch.
“Think it’ll work?” I whispered.
“It is not that simple,” he said. “He could be a spy for the government, many traders are. In exchange for rumors and information, they’re granted special trading rights, something all traders want. That could—” His voice changed. “Hey, Kelep, find anything interesting? You were gone a while.”
“Just a funny looking spider.” Reaching into his pocket he pulled something out. “See.”
It was jet black with a glossy gleam, small, distinct red markings on its back. I froze. Shit. “Kelep, hold still. That’s a Northern Black Widow, they’re extremely dangerous. Don’t move.”
His eyes flared. “A what?”
“Shhh. Don’t talk, don’t even breathe.” I inched toward him, looking around as I did. Fitz caught my eye and handed me a stick, as if reading my mind.
By now I was less than a meter away, focused, not moving a muscle. A deep breath, another. I knew what I had to do, the question was, could I do it before the spider struck.
> Northern Black Widows were one of the most poisonous animals alive, its venom fifteen times deadlier than a rattlesnake. I’d never seen one in the wild, only nature docs. The boy wouldn’t stand a chance, even a two hundred kilogram man wouldn’t.
I’d only have one chance.
My muscles surged, tension building as my pupils dilated on the boy’s hand.
Lunging forward, I swung. Time slowed as I saw the arc of the stick before it happened. A last second correction and the branch blasted the spider’s torso, sending it flying into the woods.
Shocked relief slowly flooded Kelep’s and Fitz’s faces. Kelep blinked several times, quivering.
“Oooohhhhh, wwwooowwww!” he sputtered at last, “Ttthhaannnkk yyoouu, Raajj. II tthink you saved my life.”
“Are you okay, Kelep? Why are you talking like that?” Did it bite him? I grabbed his hand to check. “Why are you talking so slow, stuttering?”
“What, no!” He pulled back, his eyes wide. “It didn’t bite me. I’m fine.”
“What are you talking about, Raj?” Fitz big eyes were worried. “I heard him fine.” You did?
Wait, the stick, the swing, the slow down… was that my SmartCore? It had to be. Had my reaction time increased? Weird. I’d ask Fitz later. “So, you’re okay?”
“Yeah, thanks to you.” Kelep looked at his band with a start. Must have gotten a buzz or something. “Guys, I have to go! I’m supposed to be home by 17:00 for dinner.”
“It was nice meeting you, Kelep,” Fitz said. “We’ll be here a few days if you ever want to come and play again. Oh, and Kelep,” Fitz added. “Your dad will be super proud when he hears about the Black Widow and how brave you were. We’ll be here in case he doesn’t believe you.”
He thanked us and left. I turned to Fitz. He had a grin on his face.
“What was that about?” I asked.
“The boy’s father’s headed to Itany this weekend. You saved his boy’s life. If he has any sense of honor, he’ll want to return the favor. We’ll help him unload his wares and be on our way. I figure we have pretty good odds.”
Fitz was one sly cat. Why didn’t I think of that?
“Great thinking on the fly, Raj,” he added as an afterthought.
I don’t know why, but him saying that made me feel better than anything we’d done so far. Escaping the DNS, killing the cynetics, saving the boy… something about the way Fitz said it made him feel like the father I’d never had. Almost...
Mom never talked about my dad. He must have traveled a lot. Maybe only visited Mom when he was in town, maybe he had women everywhere he went. I didn’t know, and I didn’t care. He was dead to me.
Fitz yawned. “I’m going to grab some shuteye while the sun’s up. You should too, or try your SmartCore again. See what you find.” He rolled over and was out within seconds.
How could that guy do it? Wait, ‘that guy?’ Not three days ago, he was Professor Fitz, my Science History teacher. And now he was ‘that guy,’ a friend, and like a father to me. I choked up and closed my eyes.
Darkness.
14
Unleashed
Time stood still and I found myself back in the SmartCore, the control room. So many interfaces and moving parts… I walked to the corner and stepped on a silver pad. What’s this for?
A tingling shot through my feet and spread through me, sparks of electricity setting me on fire. My skin glowed, tiny points appearing every centimeter, every tenth of a centimeter, smaller still, until a mesh grid covered me. What was happening?
A bone-rattling chill. The next instant a searing hot pain. It ended.
The glowing dots faded and my body became just my body again. What the hell was that?
Opening my eyes, I was back in the forest. Around me, trees grew to the sun and birds sang. Fitz slept like an angel by the fire.
My eyes darted, frantic. I needed food. I needed meat. Now.
Grabbing my blaster, I set off, unable to think straight. An all-consuming hunger overpowered any semblance of rational thought.
My senses were hyper-alert. Something was happening inside me.
I caught the scent of deer and changed directions, heading southeast, deeper into the forest. Leaves crackled. He was two hundred meters away, grazing. In my wild state, I charged him. Once he realized what was happening, it was too late.
I sprang, claws slashing, as I landed on his powerful back and clamped its neck, ripping its throat with my fangs. There was never any question. My teeth tore into him, blood drenching my lips. I ate the venison raw. It was glorious, the drive overwhelming, and I gorged at least two kilos.
I sliced what I could of the remainder, slung the animal over my shoulder, and headed for camp. Passing a chilly stream, I rinsed my face and beard so Fitz wouldn’t think me a savage.
A fire was going as I rounded the bend. “So, that’s where you went,” he remarked. “Thought so, but you shouldn’t run off.”
“I was starving.” I didn’t plan on elaborating. “You want some or not?” He must be starving too.
We got a spit going and draped the meat over the fire. It was getting toasty, a perfect rare, when we heard the crunch of leaves.
Not again. We grabbed our knives.
Tapping my temple, thermals appeared. Two figures approached from the right, one large, the other small.
“Get behind that tree.” I pointed.
He rose, fading into the darkness.
Kelep and his father stepped into the clearing. Kelep’s father was a tall, muscular man with a strong jawline, thick black hair, and the dark eyes of someone who wasn’t to be trifled with. He wore jeans, thick leather boots, and a bright vest. A hunter?
“Perfect timing,” I said as they got closer. “We’ve got dinner on the fire, a fresh kill. Have you eaten?”
He shook his head. “You must be Raj.” He held out his hand. “I’m Abe, Kelep’s father. Wanted to thank you for what ya did for my son.”
Fitz emerged from the woods. “Had to take a leak, sorry. What’d I miss?”
“I was thanking Raj for protecting my son. He’s your boy?”
“It all happened so fast.” I shrugged. It wasn’t like I could tell him the truth. “Kelep reacted well. You’ve done good with the lad.”
Abe grinned from ear to ear as we squatted around the fire, slicing a couple of fine cuts and making small talk.
“I hear you’re going to Itany?” I said once Abe had finished.
“Heard right. Got me a big shipment and need to make sure it’s delivered on time.” His eyes narrowed. “One of my mates quit a month back, got working papers for the big city. Been looking for help since. Don’t know who he ratted on for an opportunity like that.” He shook his head. “Least it wasn’t me,” he added. “How’d one of ya like to do the run with me?”
“What about both of us?” Fitz asked. “We need to get to Itany, get my wife from the in-laws. Could use a lift and would be happy to help in exchange for a ride.”
“Free labor?” Abe laughed. “I’m a trader, I’ll take that any day.” He told us to meet him Saturday at sun up at a warehouse north of town. After finalizing plans, they excused themselves; Kelep had homework he’d forgotten to finish.
The next two days were nothing special. With plenty of meat and water nearby, we weren’t worried about anything other than getting ready. Somehow Fitz started telling stories about his childhood.
He’d grown up further west, but wouldn’t say where. From what I could gather, they’d been poor and he had a younger brother, but his mother died giving birth. When he realized what he’d been saying, he changed the subject.
The next morning we talked backup plans. What if something went wrong? Where would we meet? What if the DNS came? He grilled me for hours, and at the end, we were exhausted.
A brief walk and a hearty dinner, and we slept the rest of the day.
After packing our belongings and cleaning camp Saturday morning, we set off, both anxious to get t
here before encountering cops.
The reddish-brown barn came into view an hour later, an enormous big rig outside. It could have swallowed our place whole. People used to drive those things?
“Hey, Abe!” Fitz shouted when we reached the front. “We’re here.”
There was a rattle from inside the barn. “One sec!” he yelled.
He emerged a minute later with a thin silver wristband, spouting specs with a salesman’s ease and a greedy smile. “Only trader in the region with access to these babies. Rich buggers will eat ‘em up.” He had us load those up first, “In case we have any trouble with bandits.”
After thirty minutes of mindless lifting, a horn blared. I jumped, hand flying to my knife. What was that?
“Come on, boys!” Abe laughed. “It is time to get this show on the road.”
“You scared the crap out of me,” I told him once we’d piled into the front seat.
“She’s got a mighty fine horn, doesn’t she? Wakes other truckers the hell up.” He smiled. “That’s not all she does.” He tapped a small nondescript knob. “You might not hear it, but she’s a multi-frequency jammer for dealing with drones or vehicles taking too much interest in my truck. Throws their navigation for a loop. Two crashed not twenty meters away and never knew what hit ‘em.”
“By the way, where you coming from?” Fitz asked.
“Willows, ‘bout halfway between here and The Brooks.” He turned from the road. “The Brooks used to be a hopping place I hear, Big Apple they called it. City got crushed. Pa used to tell me stories. The Fall sounded terrible, madness. They teach ya bout that, boy?”
Did he think I was an idiot? “Yeah, they do. Not a lot, but some.”
“Gotta tell ya something.” His eyes were still off the road, which seemed like an awful idea. He wasn’t the smartest cookie. “I ain’t a huge lover of the GDR, but they did okay considering how bad things were. Imagine folks doing that genetics stuff, unnatural that is.”