by Ann Bakshis
The next several days go by fast. I learn I’m an Antaean: a special soldier created to safeguard Sirain from its enemies. I’m told there are quite a few. The markings on my body are from a Quantum Stream that pulses through my cells. I learn how to handle weapons the Antaeans are meant to use, such as a Levin gun. I also discover I have an ability to produce a protective shield if fired upon. There are only three others in the building like me, but I’m the only one who doesn’t get injured by Levin fire.
I begin to remember how to be a soldier. I grin when the others are hurt, almost relishing it. I feel more alive than I’ve ever felt before. At least, from what I can remember.
If I’m not in weapons training, I’m in battle conditioning. Here we watch footage of the assaults that happened on several of the hatcheries from our sister city Acheron along with the destruction of the city itself. My stream glows bright as rage surges through my veins, watching as thousands of innocent people die. At the end of my days I’m with Commander Caderyn, Kedua, and other members of the Sirain army going over battle plans for invading Eretria, our enemy to the north.
I’m also allowed to sit with some of the researchers as they work on duplicating my ability and design a possible enhancement that has been discovered. Their goal is to apply this new genetic programming to fetuses currently being kept in the cold storage area on the fourth floor.
Of the several hundred fetuses, only one-third survive the initial placement of what is called “Sanar”, a binding agent that prevents the skin tissue from breaking down or being injured. They’re placed into genetic enhancing tubes, which will accelerate their growth. It’ll take several months, but when they’re ready they will be biologically just a few years older than me.
Apparently the researchers have been trying to get these new soldiers created for some time, but our enemies kidnapped me, and halted their efforts. I ask Commander Caderyn about when and why I was taken.
“You were taken almost a year ago,” he says while we’re sitting in the dining hall, eating a late dinner. “We fought for your safe return for months. That’s how you were injured; it was during your rescue.”
“Why would someone take me? When did they kidnap me?”
“You were out on patrol with a couple of Lieutenants out in the Wasteland when you were ambushed. Everyone in your squad was killed. The Hostem, some of our enemies, realized what you were and tried to exploit you. They wanted to use you for their own territorial gain of Sirain.” He taps on a tablet he’s been carrying with him for the last couple of days, pulls up a photo, and passes the device over to me. “Do you recognize this man?”
“I remember seeing him when the medics were testing my brain injury, but that’s all. Why, who is he?”
“A very dangerous individual. He’s a traitor to his country. He disobeyed his High Ruler, which led to the ruler’s death. There’s a reward out for him, but only if he’s killed.”
I study the picture, memorizing the man’s face before passing the tablet back over. Short brown hair parted slightly at the side, strong chin, green eyes, and probably in his late thirties.
I’d say he’s handsome if he wasn’t the adversary.
I make a mental note to kill him the moment I meet him. He’s my country’s enemy, and therefore a threat to me.
A week later, Vladim, my creator and ruler, asks me to start touring the country with him, Commander Caderyn, Kedua, and two other Antaeans by the name of Mair and Thane. He wants us to boost the people’s confidence that we will be victorious in the upcoming conflict.
Our first stop is his estate down in the lower section of the Tyrean territory, southwest of the Dormitories. We don’t take an aerial unit, but instead travel by a private shuttle rail that runs underground from the Dormitories to his estate. It takes us almost the entire day to reach the large house. We arrive just after the sun sets, but we’re not given any time to settle into our quarters.
Vladim has received word that an Eretrian scouting party has entered into the Textile Borough of Tyre. As Commander Caderyn dispatches a sky patrol to the area, Vladim decides to make a public statement to those in the Borough. Our group is ushered across the compound to a studio fashioned with monitors and recording equipment. Kedua, Mair, Thane, and I are asked to change our outfits to match that of the Commander. Vladim takes the podium as we’re told to stand behind him. The lights dim and the cameras begin to broadcast.
CHAPTER 30
Braxton
Grainne is having difficulty swimming, so I have her climb on my back and we make a slow journey to the other end of the lake. Neo takes her from me when we get closer to shore.
“Where’s Trea?” Artemis asks.
“She…fell behind,” I reply.
Grainne begins to cry hysterically, but Caitrin is at her side immediately, trying to soothe her.
“We need to get going,” I say, pulling the satchel out of the water. “They’ll be sending in more troops.”
We head up the incline. It’s exhausting and I’m already tired, and still hurting from my injury. When we reach the top, we scout for a hiding spot, locating a hamlet a mile west. Just as we settle in, an aerial unit screeches across the sky, heading south. I wonder if Trea is on it and where it’s headed.
Vier and Lehen start a fire, Caitrin cradles Grainne in her arms, Artemis doles out provisions, and Neo helps me off with the protective gear. The shot was absorbed mostly by the gear, but I’m burned, bruised, and bleeding from the spot.
“Aren’t you glad I told you to wear it?” Neo says with a smirk, clearly happy with himself.
He tends to my wounds, covering them with bandages and ointment. I eat very little as I’m too upset thinking what might be happening to Trea.
How could she do this to Grainne? Why does she continue to sacrifice herself? Vladim isn’t going to let her live after what’s just happened. Trea’s a fool thinking she’s the only one who can stop him. Then why do I still love her? Obviously she really doesn’t care about me otherwise she would’ve left with us. Was Tobin right? Am I letting my feelings for her cloud my judgment?
I shake my head, trying to clear it. We take turns keeping watch through the night. I have to put the top portion of the protective gear back on since I don’t have any other clothing to replace my burnt shirt.
“Where are we heading?” Caitrin asks Vier, who’s leading the group.
“There’s a Borough about two days northwest of here. If we can get there, Artemis can radio for his men to come pick us up.”
“Why can’t we go back for Trea?” Grainne asks, trying to keep up with our pace.
“Trea’s going to meet up with us later,” I lie. “She wants you to be safe, so we need to get out of Sirain.”
She seems to accept my answer, but I’m not sure for how long. Grainne’s smart. She’ll realize something’s wrong when Trea doesn’t show. I keep thinking about how we’re going to be able to get inside the Borough as it’ll be heavily guarded by Tyrean Regulators. Artemis is a little too overconfident. He keeps assuring me that he can get us in without any issues, but I tell Neo we need to be prepared for anything.
Just after the sun sets, we make camp. Grainne falls asleep immediately in my lap after eating. Lehen and Neo pore over the journal, seeing if there are any alternatives to the Borough. It doesn’t matter where we go, I figure. We’re in Tyrean territory so they’ll all be loyal to Vladim.
We pack up before the sun rises and continue making our way, taking us another day and a half to reach the outskirts of the Borough. When we reach the first signs of civilization, Neo and I scout ahead, leaving everyone else to wait about a mile behind. Caitrin has a communicator, as does Neo, so if we come across any trouble he can tell her to take the others north on foot.
Trees grow thick in this area, butting up against the stone fencing. We each climb up a tree to get a better look over the razor wire that runs along the top. This Borough is larger than any I’ve ever seen before. Mills and factories s
urround several Regulator towers. I can’t see the west side of the boundary, it’s too far away. Shacks fill up empty spots, crammed with Laics. It appears to be a non-work day, judging by the number of people wandering about the crowded streets, talking to their neighbors, or trading at the markets.
“What do you think?” Neo whispers.
“I don’t like it. I’m not seeing a lot of Regulators patrolling like they should be.”
“Do you think he’s right? Artemis? That he can get us in here?”
“Well, we’re about to find out.” I point over to the gate. Artemis is sauntering up to the voice panel that sits a few feet off the path leading to the entrance.
“Caitrin,” Neo says softly into the device around his wrist, “what’s he doing?”
“We couldn’t stop him, Neo. He’s insistent about doing things his way.”
“Arrogant son of a bitch,” Neo mutters.
The two of us turn our attention to the Regulator approaching the gate. He opens it, shakes Artemis’ hand, and escorts him inside.
“Well I’ll be damned,” I say.
We wait a few minutes before climbing down, just in case they suddenly attack him. Nothing happens. We climb down and Neo instructs Caitrin to bring everyone to the gate, along with all our supplies. Artemis is waiting for us when we get there, a big grin on his face.
“Braxton, Neo, I would like you to meet Matt. He’s one of my former fighters for Tyre, now head Regulator of the Textile Borough.”
We take turns shaking the young man’s hand. Colorful rings line his right arm. Matt escorts us over to the western side of the area, away from the Laics and into the Regulator housing. The girls are given their own room, while the rest of us, with the exception of Artemis, share a room. Laics bring us clothing, fresh from the seamstress. Before donning our new clothes, we jump into the communal shower room. I can’t remember when I last bathed — not counting the lake. The girls are given their own area, blocked off by folding partitions that slide in and out of the wall.
Neo insists on going with Artemis while he contacts his crew from Eretria. I think Neo is afraid of a double cross, and I don’t blame him. I don’t trust Artemis in the least, but when you’re desperate to get to safety, you’ll work with anyone.
We eat with some of the Regulators before their shift change. I’m exhausted and go to bed right after eating. I don’t wake until almost afternoon. Grainne runs around outside, looking for any children her age. There are some a couple of years older than her, but they’ve been so conditioned to work, they don’t pay much attention to her playfulness.
Artemis isn’t able to get a hold of anyone until our fourth day, when he manages to get through. He gives his men the coordinates to the Borough and advises them to pick us up in the evening. They tell him the aerial unit is under repair, but should be ready in a week or so. They plan on a pickup for seven days from now around ten at night. I wish it was sooner, but they have other arrangements that need to be made in order to bring us across the border, and that takes several days.
I spend the week pacing around the Borough. The others, with the exception of Grainne, stay in the Regulator housing. She either follows me around, or spends time learning to sew in one of the factories.
The morning of our departure is met by rain, and lots of it. The dirt paths turn into mud puddles. Grainne is disappointed as she was hoping to visit a couple of the mills. We spend the day inside, waiting. I grow anxious and tell everyone I’ll meet them at the rendezvous point, which is the Regulator tower on the north end of the Borough. Grainne decides to come with me.
We’re soaked the minute we step outside. I make a game of it and chase puddles with her, seeing who can jump into the farthest ones. This makes her laugh, which I haven’t seen in quite some time. Once by the tower, we seek shelter under an alcove. We’re so covered in mud, we’ll be able to peel it off once it dries. Everyone joins us just before the sun sets.
“The airship should be here shortly,” Artemis says. “They were able to get clearance faster than expected.”
Grainne climbs into my lap, and in the growing dark of post-sunset, I now notice a red light blinking in her hand.
“Grainne, where did you get that?” I ask, as she rubs the glowing red stone in her palm.
“I picked it up when we were escaping the Barracks. It fell out of Trea’s pocket.”
I rip the chaser from her hand and smash it against the brick of the tower. I don’t have the heart to tell Grainne that she’s just condemned the Borough to death. Mere seconds later, the monitors that hang around the fencing come to life, displaying an image of Vladim sitting in the center of a large room. I move out from the alcove towards the screens. Artemis begins to shout that the aerial unit is on approach, but I’m shocked at the image I’m seeing, and ignore him. Rain drips from the displays as I look at Trea, standing stoically behind Vladim. She’s wearing an army uniform, and looks proud to be in it.
Vladim begins to speak, but I don’t hear anything he says. I can’t stop looking at Trea. Neo is pulling on my arm as the airship has landed just a few feet away.
“Where are they?” Grainne asks, standing next to me.
“I’m not sure,” I say, in a distracted tone. “Maybe Tyre?”
Grainne looks up at Trea. “Do you think she remembers us?”
I look down at her, wondering why she asked such a question.
Does she know something I don’t?
“I…I don’t know.”
“Grainne, Neo, Braxton, we need to get moving,” Artemis shouts to be heard over the cries of triumph echoing from the monitors. “There are units incoming. We need to move.”
I take Grainne by the hand and we run in the mud. Once we’re on board, the pilot lifts us off and begins to head north. I strap Grainne in next to Vier before going up to the cockpit. Artemis is sitting in the co-pilot seat, so I have to stand in the doorway.
“How many?”
“A full squadron,” the pilot says, adjusting dials above her head.
We rise fast, bursting above the clouds, and then go dark. The airship speeds us north, away from the Textile Borough that is now being bombed by the Tyrean Army.
End of Book Two