“Well, it was a pleasure being hijacked by you,” he said, holding out a hand. Liza and Gwen shook his hand in turn. Liza almost missed the look that passed between Wayne and Gwen, but it was gone before she could figure out what it was. Wayne thanked Dom again and turned to leave.
“Wait! Are you going to join the Syndicate?” Liza called after him. He turned, walking backwards.
“Don’t know yet. But I’m sure I’ll see ya around,” he called with a wave. He turned again and disappeared in the crowd.
Liza looked back to Gwen. “Let’s get this over with,” she said. Dom looked like he might say something but seemed to think better of it. He nodded to them and stepped aside.
Liza and Gwen followed the directions that Dom had provided to reach the SSA prison. When they arrived, Liza wrinkled her nose. It was a disgusting building, but she couldn't quite place the reason why. Chills crawled over her skin as they approached, and Liza saw Gwen rubbing at her arms.
“You feel it, too?” Liza asked.
“Yeah,” she mumbled. “It’s weird.”
The Enforcers at the gate drew together and stopped them as they neared.
“What do you want?” an Enforcer asked. Liza and Gwen held up their SSA Supersensory Division badges. The Enforcer squinted at them, and as his mind comprehended who they were, he snapped up to attention. “Sorry to delay you, Agent-Ks,” he said. “Please, go right in.”
That was easy.
I’m keeping this badge forever. They climbed the steps and the large door snapped open at their approach, granting them access to the prison. Inside, the thick, unpleasant feeling was even stronger. Liza tried to ignore it. The lobby was a cold, metal room, with a few chairs, and a desk, behind which sat a young woman in an orange uniform. Liza and Gwen approached her.
“Can I help you?” she asked. They handed over their badges once again.
“We’re here to see your new prisoners, the pirates Warwick and Tschsova,” Liza said in her most official sounding voice. The receptionist nodded.
“Of course. Take the elevator up to the fifth floor. They’re in cells 502 and 503,” she said. Liza thanked her.
On the fifth floor, their ears were assaulted by haunting cries and moans from the other prisoners, and their noses were overwhelmed by the smells of decay and neglect. Liza and Gwen shared a look and proceeded down the hall, reading the cell numbers as they went. At the end of the hall, they found 502 and 503. Warwick was slumped on the metal cot in his cell, his back against the wall, while Zimir paced back and forth in his.
Liza stopped in front of Warwick’s cell and planted her hands on her hips. Warwick looked up and grinned.
“Why, Miss Strange,” he said, climbing from the cot. “I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”
“Your lucky day, I guess,” Liza replied. Warwick glanced at her badge.
“They made you an agent instead of an experiment?” he asked. Liza said nothing and stared hard at him. The arcs of power on her arms began to quiver. “Once Zimir and I tell them everything we know, they’re going to let us go, I can assure you.” Warwick and Zimir both laughed, their voices echoing down the metal walls. The other prisoners joined in for a moment before the sound died away.
Liza sneered at him. “You think they’ll give you amnesty? You two are the first ones I was ordered to kill. And I just might.”
Warwick’s face fell. “You can’t kill me,” he said, his voice quivering. Perhaps he was realizing how powerless he’d become against her.
“There’s no one here to stop me,” she said, taking a step forward.
“You don’t have weapons,” he said, his words running together. Liza stopped right in front of him, their faces inches apart.
“I am the weapon,” she whispered. Warwick trembled, and Liza raised her hand. She pushed her power into his chest until he slammed against the wall of the cell. She kept him pinned there. She glared at him for a moment, wishing desperately to Snap him, but she pulled her power back, allowing him to drop onto the ground. “Luckily for you, I’d rather let the SSA deal with you. When I die, my hands will be cleaner than yours.” Liza turned to leave, but Zimir ran up to the bars.
“You stupid little bitch!” he shouted, reaching toward her with his claw-like hands. Liza lifted her arm and blasted him. His skull hit the metal wall so hard, an out-of-tune note reverberated in the air.
“Let’s go,” Gwen said quietly to Liza. They left the SSA prison and returned to the docking bay.
The crew of the Gypsy Star waited for them at the gangway. Corbin, Doctor D, the twins, Becce, Cedrick, Vely, Tsuto, and Dom. They broke off their conversation as the two Kathos approached.
“Finished?” Dom asked, his hand resting lightly on Liza’s shoulder.
“For now,” Liza said. “Let’s get out of here. This place reminds me too much of the Moon.” Dom nodded.
“If you’re not on the ship in five minutes, you’re getting left behind,” Dom called out, a smile on his face. The crew chuckled and boarded the ship, their boots clunking on the metal gangway. Vely hung back while the rest boarded. She grabbed Liza’s hand.
“Let’s try not to get separated this time,” she said. Liza threw her arm around Vely’s shoulders.
“We won’t,” Liza said. “Come on, little sister. Let’s be pirates.”
Acknowledgements
So many people went into making this book a reality for me, and I am forever grateful for their support of me and my dream of publishing a book.
Shawn – Without you, this book would not exist.
Ashley – You were the first person to fall in love with my book, and you drew my first fan art!
Erin – You’re my writing buddy, you helped me edit, and you keep me sane every day.
Dan & Dad – You never let me forget that I should publish a book, and for asking me at every turn if I had published my book. Like every time.
Mom – You’ve always been there for me and supported my writing.
Women of Detroit Rugby – You’re all just the best. You helped me develop discipline.
Toby – For being my #1 cheerleader.
The Core – For being there always.
And everyone else who has touched my life these last few years, you’re amazing.
Love you all!
About the Author
Psychogen is the debut novel of author N.C. Madigan. She started writing at a young age, and her dream has always been to publish a book. She’s super excited that her dream has finally come true, and she looks forward to writing and publishing many more books. She lives in the Metro Detroit area in Michigan with her boyfriend, her dog, and her snake, and is a member of the Detroit Rugby Football Club.
Psychogen (Galactic Syndicate Cycle Book 1) Page 29