“And Lucius,” Thora added. The recruits stopped and turned again to listen. “I suggest you stop harassing the new recruit. You may just find yourself in a place you can’t use your influence to get out of.”
“Are you threatening me, Servant?” Lucius glowered.
“Promising you,” Thora countered, holding his gaze. With a look more regal than that of a servant, Thora turned back to the servant’s hall, the door sliding closed behind her.
***
“You’re shooting angry,” Ruddy said, stepping to her side. The gun range rang with shots of recruits practicing.
“Well, I feel angry,” Lena retorted. Raising the handgun she fired three more shots at the stationary target. Her jaw clenched as she looked at the target. She missed. Angrier now, she pulled the trigger over and over until her gun clicked empty.
“Lower the gun, Recruit,” Ruddy ordered.
Lena turned her head towards him. She expected a lecture. His face looked calm and relaxed. She lowered the gun.
“Relax your face.” He stepped towards her and lifted her chin with his finger. “When a person’s angry, their body tenses, muscles clench.” He walked behind her and grabbed her shoulders, pulling them backward. “Your breathing becomes shallow and tight. It impairs your blood flow. That impairs your thinking. Stand tall, breathe.”
Lena adjusted her posture and filled her lungs with air.
“Deeper,” Ruddy said, coming to stand in front of her. Lena exhaled and filled her lungs once more. Ruddy put his hand just below her ribs. “Don’t exhale. Breath deeper.” Lena drew in more air, causing her stomach to push against Ruddy’s hand. He nodded. As she exhaled, she felt her muscles start to relax. “Again,” Ruddy said. She filled her body with as much air as she could. Slowly letting it out, her thinking became clearer. The anger started to subside.
“In life, people are going to make you mad. Angry. No matter what your weapon is, the key to being exceptional is staying clear-headed no matter what you’re feeling,” Lena nodded and continued to breath deep. “Now, exhale and before you take another breath, shoot the target.”
Ruddy handed her his gun and took her empty one. Checking to make sure it was loaded, she adjusted her grip on the handle and lifted it to shooting position. Keeping her breathing even and thoughts cleared she focused on the target. Releasing her breath she pulled the trigger.
“Bulls eye,” Ruddy said. Lena grinned. “Now remember, when face to face with the enemy that hunts you, no matter what, keep a clear head.”
Lena nodded and continued practicing until the end of free time. Ruddy walked around the range, observing other recruits. As she left, Ruddy caught her eye and nodded. Her spirit felt lifted by the small gesture. Maybe she wasn’t as alone as she felt.
The hallway buzzed with recruits on their way to dinner. Curious eyes studied her up and down as she joined the flow of foot traffic. Lena tried to make eye contact but they’d looked the other way as soon as they noticed Lena watching them. Lena didn’t blame them for being curious about her admittance as a recruit. Nearing the training gym, traffic began to slow. A group of recruits stood looking in the doorway, blocking the hall’s flow. Standing on her toes as she walked by, she strained to see what everyone was so curious about. Her breath caught. She stopped in her tracks. Ameena and Gideon stood by her sparring hologram. Gideon raised his hand towards the hologram, its electric pulse stopping his hand from going through. He dropped his hand and continued talking to Ameena. Lena strained to hear what they were saying. As the recruits in the doorway noticed Lena, they shifted uncomfortably and moved to the side, leaving Lena standing the open.
Sensing the shift in the crowd, Ameena and Gideon looked towards the door. “Speaking of our new recruit, here she is,” Ameena yelled towards the doorway. She beckoned Lena forward. “Lena, can you demonstrate to the Captain and me how your hologram works.”
Lena looked to Gideon, then to the crowd around her. Squaring her shoulders, she walked into the room. “What would you like me to demonstrate?”
“Just show us how it works,” Gideon said.
Lena nodded. Taking off her jacket, she stretched her shoulders.
Taking a stance in front of the hologram, she placed the first blow. Jab, kick, spin. The hologram responded with ease, blocking her movements and returning punches. Which Lena blocked.
“How does it work?” Ameena asked as Lena spun around the mat.
“He’s programmed to anticipate my moves,” Lena panted, as she ducked under a punch. “He responds with a counter move.”
“How do you win?” Ameena asked. Gideon stood silent, watching Lena with arms crossed.
Lena backed away. “I’m done,” she said. The hologram stood up straight and relaxed. “As long as I’m paying attention, neither of us ever wins. I just finish by saying I’m done.”
“It’s flawed,” Gideon said. “A real person doesn’t respond so perfectly.”
Ameena circled the hologram. “The question isn’t if it’s flawed or not,” Ameena said. “The question is, how will someone trained by a hologram hold up when fighting a human? Lena, Captain, would you mind?”
Lena gave Gideon a sharp look which he ignored as he stepped to the center of the mat. “Wait, you want me to fight the Captain?” Lena asked.
“There is not any recruit that matches your skill. I need to see how you do with someone who’s trained extensively in hand to hand combat. Which the Captain has.”
Lena nodded and nervously wiped her hands on her pants. Her eyes locked on Gideon’s as she stepped into place. Without warning Gideon spun, kicking Lena’s chest. Staggering backward, Lena caught herself, as anger surged through her. The fight was on. Springing towards him she aimed a punch to his face. Gideon caught her arm, spinning her into him. Kicking back she sunk her elbow into his gut. The blow made Gideon relax his grip. Hunching over, she spun away and in the same movement kicked his legs out from under him. Gideon rolled into a somersault. Using his legs, he caught her around the waist and flung her to the ground. He spun to his feet. Lena kicked his face and jumped to her feet. Running towards him, she leaped in the air. Landing a kick to his center chest, he staggered back. Bending, she spun and kicked. He blocked and grabbed one leg. Lena brought the other leg around, kicking his head. He punched her in the stomach, then the side of her head. Grabbing his arm, she twisted it over her shoulder and plunged her elbow into his gut. Grabbing her around the waist, Gideon fell to the ground. Lena fell with him. Throwing her head backward, she hit head then rolled off him into crouched. Gideon took the same stance. They both gasped for air, waiting for the other’s next move. Lena’s eyes bore into his. His eyes bore into hers, neither pulling away.
“Break,” Ameena called. Gideon stood. Lena followed. “You’re a perfect match,” she said in awe. “Recruit, you say this hologram taught you to fight?”
The shaggy-haired hologram looked straight ahead. Its brown eyes were empty of any emotion. Turning her gaze, she looked into the same brown eyes of Gideon. His eyes were not empty of emotion, they were full of hidden emotion. She wondered if Ameena would ever guess that the hologram had been patterned after him.
“Everything I know,” she answered. Wiping her hands on her pants, she walked to the edge of the mat and picked up her jacket. Lena felt Gideon’s gaze boring into her back, lingering on the jagged red scar as she walked away.
Chapter Twenty
Lena pushed through the crowd surrounding the doorway and walked the rounded hallway towards the dining hall. The side of her face throbbed where Gideon had hit her. She touched it gently.
“Lena, wait up,” the voice belonged to Jonah. She turned to find him exiting the airplane hanger.
“Hey,” she said, waiting for him to catch up.
“Wow, what happened to your face?” Jonah raised his hand and gently touched the side of her face, his eyes filled with concern.
“Is it bad?” Lena asked, her face scrunching in worry.
&nbs
p; “Na,” Jonah said smiling. “You always look good.” He held her gaze. The look on his face caused Lena to blush and she quickly looked away. “But, you may want something to take away the swelling.”
“Well, I just happen to know that’s there’s a first aid kit in the video com room,” Lena answered.
“Would you like some company?” Jonah asked. Lena nodded and slid down a side hall away from the dining hall. “So, how’d you get the bruise?”
“Ameena and the Captain wanted to see how well my hologram trained me against a real soldier. So, she had the Captain fight me.”
“And he punched your face?”
“Ya, he did,” Lena laughed, rubbing the side of her face. The doors to the video communications room opened. Booths lined the outside edge of the circular room. Partitions in the middle of the room formed a second circle of booths, making it impossible to see the whole room at once. Lena opened a panel on the wall. Taking the first-aid kit out, she found anti-swelling cream and gingerly rubbed it into her cheek. Then put an icepack on her face.
A voice resonating from around the curve of the room caused Jonah to stop. Lena perked her ears. Lucius’s voice, even at a whisper, spoke trouble. “I thought recruits weren’t allowed to use this room,” Lena said.
“They’re not,” Jonah said, motioning for Lena to stay quiet and follow him. Bolting across the isle to the partitions in the middle of the room, they slid around the inner curve until she heard his voice, crisp and clear. Sliding to the ground they slunk into a booth opposite of Lucius. Lucius sat diagonally from them, his back to them.
“I have news,” Lucius stammered to the man on the screen. The man’s face, red and freckled, bore deep wrinkles around his eyes. His red receding hair blended gradually with a red thick beard. Lucius had the same red hair. The man wore an expression of malice.
Jonah leaned into Lena’s ear. “That is Nagar. He’s in the Priestess’s council. He’s Lucius’s dad.” Jonah whispered. Lena nodded her head.
“News that might prove beneficial for our family,” Lucius said. Nagar stopped fiddling with his shirt and looked through the screen to his son. Even through the small screen of the video-port, Lena felt fear.
He smiled villainously. “Well my boy, I knew you’d prove useful to me. What news do you have?”
“Well, it’s not so much news as an inquiry into the history of one of the recruits.”
“You would bother me with such a trifle,” his father stood in a luxurious dressing chamber. Dark mahogany woodwork lined the walls and rich upholstered couches and dark leather chairs sat throughout.
“Well, it’s about a girl…”
“I certainly don’t have time to help you win over any girl,” his father spoke exasperatedly, causing Lucius to reposition in his small square video port.
“No sir, you misunderstand,” he said, clearing his throat and sitting a little taller. “This girl, well the army doesn’t have any record of her, Sir. And to add to that, she was a servant before her extremely unorthodox advancement to the defenses. And even though she’s worked here, no one has any idea where she came from.” His last sentences ran together as he attempted to get them out before his father stopped him.
Lena stiffened. She listened in alarm. Jonah slid closer. She felt his arm brushing hers. The touch left her arm tingling.
Nagar lifted his eyebrows, “Okay, you’ve won my curiosity for the moment,” he said as he stroked his beard. Sitting down in one of his leather chairs he asked, “What more can you tell me?”
“Well it seems she must have had some kind of hand to hand defense training before she came to be a servant,” Lucius said, leaving out that he was the victim of such training. “And she knew how to hold a gun, without being taught. And she has a large circular scar on her back. If I had to guess, I’d say she was shot. And it must have healed without the help of a doctor or the scarring wouldn’t be so bad.”
“Yes, all things added together, I see why you’d come to me. Clearly she must have come from wealth. Probably a child of the Resistance taken captive and put to work as a servant,” his father sneered and Lena relaxed a bit. “Not much advantage can be taken from a child who’s already lost everything to their parents’ betrayal,” his father raised his hand to dismiss the call when Lucius added with desperation.
“But father, um, sir, surely someone who goes through such remarkable trouble to hide her would be willing to go to great lengths to keep it a secret.”
“And what would you do with such a secret boy?”
Lucius paused. “She would be in my power,” he said.
The vicious laugh that came from his father drew out Lucius’ laughter as well. “I’ve taught you well, boy. Maybe you won’t be such a disaster after all. If anything, this can be an experiment for you. Tell me this girls name, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“She is called Lena.”
“Lena you say? Tell me, boy, is that short for something?” he asked, twirling his fingers through his beard.
“I’m not sure,” Lucius said as if trying to recall a deep memory. “I guess it could be short for something. Part of a bigger name. That would explain why her name doesn’t register in the system.”
Lena froze as she watched the color drain from his father's face. He knew!
Nagar’s words sounded no more than a whisper, “Tell me it’s true.”
Lena’s heart pounded. Her breath came out in wisps.
“I’m sure it could be a nickname father. Although the Captain does call her Lena.”
“The Captain. Captain Gideon, son of General Zeke Merak I’d presume,” Nagar spoke his words to himself more than Lucius. But still Lucius replied.
“Um, I’m not sure who the Captain’s father is sir,” Lucius’ answer fell on deaf ears.
“And she’d be what? Seventeen?” his father asked.
Lena listened in horror. Jonah’s breathing seemed to be getting faster. She needed to get him out of there. Any minute Lucius would know her identity. Lucius and Jonah. Yet she couldn’t pull herself away from the conversation.
“Yes father, the age of all recruits,” Lucius shifted in his seat as his father continued his unexplained ramblings.
“Of course, that makes perfect sense. As I recall they knew each other as children. Ha ha,” he puffed. “We need to position ourselves to benefit from this.”
Jonah shifted his weight. How long before he put two and two together?
“Sir, I don’t understand,” Lucius said.
His father looked up as if noticing Lucius again for the first time. “Lucius my boy, I think we’ve just hit the jackpot with your little girl problem.”
Lena shrunk into the wall trying to melt into it.
“What do you need me to do father?” Lucius asked.
“Do what you always do. Find out what she values most, then threaten it. We need to make sure she’d do anything for us. We need to make sure she is in our power. I’ll check in on you soon.” His father’s abrupt end to the conversation left Lena terrified.
***
They waited until Lucius exited to move. Jonah repositioned to sit across from her in the booth.
“Childhood friends?” Jonah gave her a questioning look. But he didn’t look angry or confused. He mostly looked amused. “That explains a few thing?”
Lena wiped her palms on her pants. She didn’t know how to answer, so she remained silent.
“So what are you going to do? Clearly Nagar is going to try and blackmail the Captain.”
Lena studied Jonah. Whether he knew about her true identity or not, Jonah was right. Nagar was going to blackmail Gideon. She refocused on a spot in the distance, not really looking at anything. Memories of childhood flashed through her mind, so much of it filled with Gideon. “Nagar is wrong. I’m not Gideon’s friend,” her eyes focused back on Jonah.
“But you did know him as a child?” Jonah asked as more of a statement than a question.
Lena didn’t answer bu
t looked at Jonah with the confirmation in her eyes. He exhaled and ran a hand through his hair. “Lucius won’t stop until he gets what he wants. And what he wants is to destroy you,” Jonah said.
Lena took a deep breath. “Okay, well I have time,” her mind started running faster than her words. “Nagar won’t act rash without confirmation. I’m apparently not in the system, so he’ll have to visit.” She looked at the ground and paced the floor. “Which will take a few days at least. I’m going to need to tell the Captain at some point,” Lena paused, wondering if she could somehow keep the information from him, then decided against it and started pacing again. Feeling eyes staring at her, Lena stopped pacing and looked to Jonah. He leaned against the wall with one shoulder. One foot crossed over the other. His eyes blazed in admiration.
“I don’t think Lucius realizes what he’s just gotten himself into,” Jonah said, standing straight.
“That is an undeniable fact,” Lena answered.
“So what are we going to do?” Jonah asked.
“Not you Jonah, me.” Lena kept pacing, her eyes staring at the floor. What was she going to do about Jonah? Did he have enough information to connect her with Everleigh? No, she shook her head. He only has the information the Priestess gave the rest of the public. Which was her real name, her father’s name, her age, and information about her disappearance and an old photo. But now Jonah knew something that Gideon wanted a secret. She stopped pacing and her eyes flashed to Jonah.
“Hey, I know what you’re thinking. I have no need to blackmail the Captain. I could care less that you knew each other as children. In fact, I don’t get how Nagar thinks he’s going to use that information against the Captain in the first place,” Jonah added. “I guess he’ll probably twist the truth into some vaguely correct story.”
Lena placed her hands on her hips. Her muscles tensed. She tried to take a deep breath like Ruddy taught her, but couldn’t relax enough to do it. Jonah’s words faded into the background. She felt her breath come at irregular intervals. She was starting to panic. She needed to get a hold of herself. Turning around, she dashed for the nearest servant’s entrance. Jonah followed close behind her. “I just need some air. I need to think.” Without waiting for Jonah to answer she slipped through the door, closing it tight behind her
The Angel and the Warrior (The Mir Chronicles Book 1) Page 11