Player is Waiting... (Ultimate Clan Wars)

by Wells, JB

  Kieran pulled free from her grasp and opened the door to his room. He walked in and threw himself on the bed.

  “What happened?” Isabelle shouted, she threw the holomovie platform on Thomas’s bed and rushed to Kieran’s side.

  “You need to stay in here, Kieran. You will have to remain in your quarters until things have been sorted.”

  “Sorted, what happened, Seal?” Dexter called, he too rushed over to Kieran who was lying face down on his bed.

  “Kieran?” Seal asked calmly. “What happened?”

  Kieran sat up. Tears of angry confusion were slowly working their way to his eyes. He swallowed hard and looked up at her, “I told you, I told all of you. Richard pulled me into that little corridor. He started saying how he was going to make sure I left the Institute. He was going on about how much he hates me, how much everyone hates me and how much his dad wants me gone. He said that everyone gives me special treatment because I’m the freak.” He sighed and sat back, “He’s right though isn’t he, I am a freak!”

  “I told you, you’re not a freak,” Seal approached but kept a cautious distance. “You just have something that allows you to do the things you can.”

  “What does that mean?”

  Kieran’s friends had slowly closed in around both Kieran and Seal. They waited for her to answer, but she clammed up. “You need to speak to Alpha One.”

  “What happened, Kiwi?” Owen asked.

  “He pulled me over, started laying into me and then he said he was going to get his dad to kick me out.” He shrugged and slumped back on the bed. “What’s the point?”

  “Oh Kieran, you didn’t hit him because of that did you?” Seal looked worried.

  “No!” Kieran shouted, getting angrier. “I didn’t hit him! He said that General Walker wants me out as much as he does. That’s when he turned to leave, but the janitor’s cupboard wasn’t shut properly and he walked face first into it. Rich fell to the floor screaming and I tried to help him, honestly I did. He pushed me away and started screaming more.” Kieran hung his head down and studied his fingers that were tangling around each other. “No one believes me, I’ll be kicked out of here, so what does it matter.”

  “It’s okay, Ex will be here soon with the camera footage, and Richard Walker,” Seal said his name like it left a bitter taste in her mouth, “will be found out for the liar he is.”

  “So you believe me?”

  “Of course I do,” Seal sat on his bed but still kept a distance between them. “Richard Walker is just like his father, he will tread on anyone who gets in his way. Honestly, you wait; it’ll all be sorted out.”

  “Won’t Kieran be excluded because of this?” Isabelle leant in and asked Seal.

  “Don’t worry,” she gestured for them to sit, “it will all be fine. I had better go and find out what is happening. Stay in your quarters, I will be back with Ex soon, so be prepared.”

  The group nodded and Olivia Seal headed for the door.

  “So he just started on you?” Dexter shook his head.

  “I never liked him. He’s a bully and a cheat!” Isabelle hissed.

  “I agree,” Owen said looking at the door.

  “Me too,” Thomas whispered from behind his folder.

  “But what are the chances that Kiwi will get kicked out?” Dexter called. He too was angry as he walked to the table and dropped heavily on the chair. “If Kiwi goes because of him, then I’m leaving too!”

  Private Officer Seal had not long left the room when the door flung open. The cadets of Churchill Barracks sprung to their feet.

  “There’ll be no need for that, Cadets,” Ex said. “I’d like to speak to Kieran alone.”

  “No, it’s okay. If I’m going to be kicked out for something I didn’t do, then I want my friends to be here when you tell me.” Kieran stood tall and took a deep breath.

  “As you wish.” Ex paced the room, his tablet in his hands as his fingers moved back and forth across the screen. “I still don’t understand it,” he growled and ran his hands over his short hair.

  Olivia stayed by the door, she gave Kieran and Dexter a sympathetic smile but made no attempt to talk to them. With her commanding officer in the room, Olivia knew her place. Kieran was nervous and scared. He was still trying to understand how and why Richard would do such a nasty thing.

  The door opened again and Alpha One walked in, the cadets instantly jumped to attention. “At ease,” he said solemnly. “Right, fill me in on the status of the camera footage.”

  Ex looked up from his screen that was in his hands. “I can’t explain it Sir, the footage…the camera is down.”

  Alpha One shook his head. “I’m not surprised, I’ll have a chat with Cyberus later,” he sighed. “I have had General Walker on SafeNet and he has expressed his need for Cadet Kealey to be relieved from WIPI. But as some of you in this room know, I cannot let that happen.”

  Kieran had been holding his breath. He let out a large sigh of relief. “But Sir, I didn’t touch Richard…sorry Cadet Walker. He was the one who started on me.”

  Alpha One ignored Kieran’s outburst and spoke directly to Ex, “I have spoken to the cleaner who witnessed the beginning of the incident. He said that from the looks of things, Kieran was instigating the issue.”

  “No!” Kieran yelled, forgetting who he was with. He took a breath and hung his head, “That’s not what happened.” Kieran sank down and perched on his bed, defeated. “Let’s face it, no one believes me. His dad is one of the big guys in this place and everyone will believe what his golden boy says.”

  “Cadet!” Alpha One approached, his trusty leather coat still following behind as he moved. Kieran jumped to his feet to look at Alpha One as he spoke. “Be in my office in twenty minutes.”

  The room had brilliant white walls; it was the first room other than the barracks, where the walls weren’t made of glass. He scanned the room looking at the shelves, the pictures and trophies that sat upon them. At the far end stood an empty case, the glass shelves had a slight covering of dust from years of neglect. Kieran approached the case and read the silver plaque that sat at the top. Oblyx Trophy, Winners of the Intracell League.

  “That will one day be home to the Oblyx, the trophy that every Institute plays for in the Intracell League. The last time this Institute had the trophy in this case was nearly twenty years ago.” Alpha One made Kieran jump and he formed his rigid stature. “At ease,” Alpha One answered from behind. “That was the last person to hold the Oblyx in their hands. Since then it has rested with the Chinese Institute and the American’s too.”

  Kieran relaxed and looked at the picture. It was a very young Exeter Chain holding the amazingly shiny trophy in the air. Kieran returned his gaze to the front and waited for Alpha One to appear at his desk.

  “Do you know why you are here?” Alpha One asked. His voice carried around the room as he slowly made his way to his desk.

  “You asked me to be?”

  “Less of the attitude. No, do you know why you are here at the Institute?”

  “Because of the war.”

  Alpha One nodded and sat in his large white leather chair, his trusty coat hung on a hook behind him. “That’s right, you have the skills that the world needs right now.”

  “But I have more than some don’t I?” Kieran blurted out.

  “Meaning?” Alpha One studied his face.

  “I can do things like Adam, that’s what Richard was saying, I am just like him.”

  “It is true, you are able to do things that Adam can.”

  “Why?”

  “You are what is called The Locator.” Alpha One sighed, “Adam and a few other people in the world have abilities that only others can dream of. We’re not talking Superhero, we’re talking about gaming abilities. When your abilities are unleashed inside Plantranet you can do more than you will ever know.”

  “I don’t understand. It’s not like I’ve played on the computer and recreated the map. How have I got t
his?”

  “Six years ago, when Adam was trapped inside Plantranet, the power surge caused him to split. When you enter Plantranet, you are uploaded into the system, so you are sent in bytes…are you following?”

  Kieran nodded.

  “When the power surge ran through the system that night, some of Adam’s bytes got lost and went awry. You may not remember or even know that it happened, but the surge travelled far and wide. You received part of his ability.”

  “How? Nothing changed.”

  “You wouldn’t have changed because you didn’t know what you had. Did you not wonder why you could out-run him, or did you ever think how you got on the top of the leader boards when gaming?”

  “I just assumed I was playing people a lot younger, less skilled.”

  Alpha One shook his head. “No, you have a part of Adam and he wants it back. We can’t let him have you. You are not alone, there is one other that we know of, one more person that received part of his power. That person is called The Protocol. Adam needs you and The Protocol so he can attack and take over the whole of Plantranet. If that happens then he will control the world.”

  “But then surely putting me in there would be dangerous, he could get me?” Kieran looked and sounded worried.

  “No. We need you where we can keep an eye on you. Inside Plantranet you are one of the best weapons we have to bring Adam to an end.”

  “Sir, I really didn’t touch Richard.” Kieran mumbled.

  “Although I have my doubts about Cadet Walker’s motives, I do believe that you didn’t touch him.”

  Kieran smiled, “Thank you…”

  “But,” Alpha One stopped him, “with all the evidence and the commotion the General is creating, I have to keep them happy. So…” His phone started ringing, he seemed unhappy but he pulled it out of his pocket and answered. “North speaking…I understand I will be on in ten minutes.” He hung up the phone and placed it on his desk. Leaning over his desk, he looked Kieran directly in the eyes. “I have to be on SafeNet in ten minutes to tell the General my decision. Regrettably you will be demoted for two weeks.”

  Kieran went to protest but Alpha One carried on, regardless of Kieran’s confused expression.

  “On your first upload into Plantranet you will report to Cyberus who is the Gatekeeper of the grand hall. You will then be on shift at The Wall until this has blown over.”

  “Cyberus?”

  “He is the heart of Plantranet, and someone that will be very excited to meet you.”

  “But Sir, two weeks means I won’t get to fight in Plantranet with the clan?”

  Alpha One slowly lowered his head, “This is regrettable, but is it not better to serve your clan doing something than to not serve at all?”

  Kieran was completely confused, totally dumb struck by what Alpha One was saying. They had been at WIPI for two weeks already, they had trained harder than any other time and they had learnt more than they ever could. But Alpha One had put Kieran on The Wall. It wasn’t a bad job, just a boring one. There had been attacks that the cadets had learnt about, but other than that the soldiers had nothing to do. They stood for hours on end, watching and waiting.

  Kieran nodded slowly, he had no choice but to accept the terms Alpha One had set in place.

  “You may return to your barracks.”

  Kieran turned and was making his way out of the office. As the sliding door opened, Alpha One spoke once more.

  “One more thing Kieran, the information I have told you is on a need to know basis. I will be trusting you to be discreet.”

  Kieran kept his back to Alpha One, “Yes, Sir,” he mumbled and walked out. He walked down the staircase and out of Main Control, where the office was situated. He kept his head low to avoid talking to anyone, even when Megan looked up from her control panel and spoke, Kieran just kept going. As he turned down the hallway that led to the barracks he laughed to himself, it was an angry laugh that made him shake his head. “Need to know basis!” he snorted in disgust. Suddenly his feelings changed to nervousness, turning the corridor he realised why he felt that way.

  Facing him was Felix Collins, Rhys Samuels and the rest of Nelson Barrack, all except Richard. Kieran lowered his head more, he stumbled slightly not knowing whether to keep going or turn and run away. But he was already nearing them and it was too late for him to retreat. But why should he? He hadn’t done anything wrong.

  The group were standing outside of their door, all huddled closely together. It just so happened that their door was directly opposite to Kieran’s.

  “There he is,” Felix whispered with a snarl.

  Kieran just hurried through the hall quicker.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” Rhys called and he stepped into Kieran’s pathway blocking him.

  Kieran looked up. He took a deep breath and stared at the fifteen year old that towered over him. He had no reason to be scared, he hadn’t done anything wrong. “I didn’t touch him, he ran into the door!”

  “Watch out Rhys, he might try to break your nose.” The group laughed.

  Kieran huffed, the nerves had gone and his anger was starting to return.

  “I’m not worried about this freak,” Rhys laughed to his friends. Bending down he still towered over him, “I could crush him with one foot if I wanted to. Rich was right about you, you are a freak…”

  “And he got my brother demoted for two terms!” Felix added.

  “What’s going on here?” A voice bellowed from behind.

  “Nothing, Sir,” Rhys answered whilst standing to attention.

  The voice was a new one to Kieran. It had a deep and gruff tone that rattled down the corridor. Kieran saw a tall skinny man standing in his doorway.

  “Cadet 191…” The man had a perfectly kept moustache and he wore the same Greys as every other officer within the Institute. “Well…what is…” The man twiddled with the end of his moustache as he thought hard “erm...oh what is your name, Kealey? That’s it Cadet 191 Kealey?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Confused, he tried to work out who he was.

  “Right, well, cadets into your room please, it’s nearly lights out.”

  The mob of Richard’s friends quickly shuffled their way into their room, Kieran slipped in behind the man.

  “Right…well…” The man coughed and mumbled unspoken words to himself as he tried to string his sentence together. “I am Lieutenant Summerville, your new quarter master.” He coughed and mumbled more words to himself, “Yes well, lights out in twenty minutes. Very good.” With that he shut the door and grumbled under his breath as he marched down to the staff quarters.

  “New quarter master?” Kieran asked in a mixture of bitter confusion.

  Thomas, Dexter and Owen were on Dexter’s bed playing cards. Isabelle and Kaitlyn, who had returned from the Commons room, were at the table reading books. In turn they all looked at each other, then at Kieran. It seemed no one wanted to speak.

  “Private Officer Seal has been moved to Command Control,” Isabelle said solemnly.

  “What… why?” Kieran asked with a blank expression.

  “Ex came in after you had gone,” As Dexter spoke, he sounded angry. “General Walker felt she was not controlling us, so they bought in Summerville.

  “This is bad,” Kieran shook his head, “so, so bad!”

  “Ex looked really angry when he told her. He took her into the hallway and we heard him shouting, Izzy sneaked a look and said she was comforting him.” Thomas was scratching his head. “I don’t like any of this.”

  “I don’t think any of them like Walker, but everyone seems too scared to do anything.” Dexter agreed.

  “Snap!” Owen shouted and threw his cards onto the bed. “So, what happened with the big guy?”

  Kieran knelt on his bed, his hands draping over the wall that sectioned him off.

  “Come on, Kiwi, tell us. Should I be packing my bag to leave?” Dexter threw his remaining cards in Owen’s direction.

  “
No, I’m being sent to The Wall for two weeks.”

  “The Wall?” Isabelle shrieked. “But two more weeks after that and we’ll be looking at going home.”

  “I know, but at least I will be doing my bit.” Kieran explained everything Alpha One had told him. He told them about the bytes that went missing and how he became what he was.

  “Well, thank god for that.” Dexter slumped back onto the bed. “I hate to say it mate, but I love it here, and the thought of leaving is horrible. I’m debating on ever going home. In fact if anyone is listening, I want the scholarship, please?”

  “You overgrown ape! If Kieran is put on The Wall, he will not be in the clan with us.” Isabelle tutted and gave him a dirty look.

  “Whoa,” he jumped off the bed, “who are you calling an overgrown ape?” Dexter picked up the cards off the bed and launched them at her.

  She growled angrily at him and stomped her feet, “You are so childish sometimes. I ought to…”

  “Stop it,” Kieran jumped off the bed and stood in between them. “Look, this way I get to…I get to help out.”

  “By what, standing and staring into space for hours?” Owen asked sheepishly.

  “It’s better than going home,” Thomas snapped in Kieran’s defence.

  “Look, its fine. Don’t start fighting!”

  “But we can’t protect you.” Isabelle was worried. She walked back to the table and sat next to Kaitlyn.

  “Have I missed something, why would Kieran need defending? He is after all the best in this place.” Kaitlyn blushed and avoided Kieran.

  “It’s a long story,” Isabelle groaned and hugged her.

  The atmosphere in the room was cold and the friends were tired and hurt.

  “Look,” Kieran broke the two minute silence, “things haven’t changed. I’m still me and I will keep us all safe. After all, who else has a Super Ape on their team?” Kieran grinned wildly at Dexter. Within a few seconds the group started laughing and a play fight had broken out between them all.

  The door opened suddenly and Alfie fell into the room. The group stopped and broke apart.

  “What’s wrong with him?” Kaitlyn shrieked.