by Candice Lim
Sunshine enveloped them as they stole away from the shadows of the main campus building. The noise had reduced to a tolerable level. They descended the few flights of steps quickly, not wanting to be trampled by the crowd.
“I think now is the best time you pursue your dream of fossil-hunting.” Mandy‘s thoughts returned to Roxy.
“What the?” Armani suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Mandy stared at a poster of Roxy. ‘ROXY RILEY: WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE. REWARD $500,000’. The fine print below read, ‘Intellectual property theft’. Mandy scanned around and found the same posters on every post and every wall. “Blot my gel.”
Armani’s lips parted. “Seems like we already found ourselves a summer job.”
27
ROXY
The whirring of helicopter blades slashed through the air. It reflected the intrusive thoughts partying hard in my mind. Vaxine and Derrick were in the cockpit, both geared up in bulky headgear and visors. They spoke low and in cryptic phrases. I only heard a few words: Cranax. Destroy. Cash. Hershey. Facility. It sounded intriguing but I couldn’t make sense of any of it. After a few minutes, I didn’t pay much attention.
A bank of yellowish-orange clouds sailed across the sky. The frequency of air travel over the past weeks had numbed my excitement. In fact, it had become something I dreaded doing.
“Are we there yet?” I asked for the fourth time.
Vaxine turned to Derrick instead. “Does the Zapper include a ‘stun’ setting?”
“Okay,” I raised a hand. “I’ll shut up for now.”
Vaxine glanced at me and back at him. “No, seriously. Does the Zapper have one?”
Derrick’s fingertips were dancing on the touchscreen display in front of them. “Why do you need it?”
“I’m afraid Axon might not be so easy to handle.” Vaxine looked out of the window. She wasn’t pouting, but it was obvious she wasn’t pleased.
Derrick smirked. “Oh, come on, Vaxine. He wouldn’t booby-trap his own hideout, and the three of us can take him. Don’t be so paranoid.”
“I’m not, Derrick.” A new edge entered her voice. “I am taking all necessary precautions.”
“I know Axon can be a pain in the ass sometimes, but why do we need precautions?”
“I still remember the day he quit on Hershey. He was furious, claiming how Project Cranax was gonna destroy the world. Guess he has the last laugh now. After he went rogue, he withdrew into solitude, avoiding contact with anyone. I understand Axon’s still upset with Hershey’s decision to go on with the project.”
“How did he survive off the grid?”
“Oh, Axon has his ways. That’s why he was always Hershey’s favorite.”
The resulting silence lasted for half an hour.
“There it is!” chirped Vaxine.
I peered through the windows, following the gaze of my two seniors. Beneath us, a carpet of greenery stretched as far as my eyes could reach. A lone hut stood where Raptor was closing in. Its nose pitched downwards and descended towards the green expanse, whipping the field into a stormy emerald sea. Long blades of weeds tossed and turned as the Raptor landed.
The ramshackle hut looked surprisingly sturdy. Above the sheet metal door, a hand-painted signboard read ‘WELCOME ALL LOSERS’. I had no idea what this Axon Zack was like, but I had a feeling I was going to like this guy.
Derrick and Vaxine scrambled to take off their gear. Vaxine’s hair was surprisingly neat and fresh though it had been covered for more than five hours. Derrick had traded in his lab coat for a rugged all-terrain jacket. He had no issues showing the world he was armed.
We jumped out of the helicopter and sank into the cushion of grass and weeds. The plants were taller than they looked from far above, reaching my waist and their hips. Vaxine took the lead and Derrick brought up the rear. I was sandwiched between them. The only sounds were the swishing of the evening breeze and songs of birds.
Vaxine reached the door of the hut first and gave it a knock.
We waited.
Silence.
Vaxine knocked louder.
Muffled footsteps gained and closed from inside.
She took a step back and we waited again.
The door cracked open, jerked back by the metal chain fastened to it. A man poked his head out. His eyes were deep-set and dark under his bushy brows and he had a sharp nose. His lips were so thin they were almost nonexistent. He was in a crouch as though he was too shy to look at them or couldn’t stand straight.
The fading light of the setting sun revealed his face. A man of about Vaxine’s age, maybe older. He was dark like Derrick but had a bushier face. His raven hair was long and unkempt, draped over his shoulders like creeping vines.
“What the hell are you doing here?” His voice was husky as though just woke up from a nap but his anger was directed at Vaxine.
“Axon, I don’t blame you for still being pissed off―” Vaxine’s hand shot out to stop Axon from closing the door. “Listen to me. We need your help!”
“You scientists all screwed up, right?” Though Axon had shouted, I sensed sadness more than frustration in his voice. “If only you had listened.”
“Hershey is in trouble.”
“I guessed as much.”
“Axon, Cranax was your project. You surely know more than we do.” Vaxine’s voice dropped to a plea.
“I’ve heard it all before.”
Axon slammed the door again, but Derrick acted faster. He stepped between Axon and Vaxine. “What’s your plan now, huh? Hiding away for the rest of your life like a coward?” Derrick’s face was twisted in contempt.
The door that was about to close was flung open again, the metal chain wrenched out of its bolt. Axon glared at Derrick, he stood straighter and taller now. “Who are you to threaten me, huh?”
“You are a coward! A traitor who betrayed your own mentor! Anyone has the right to spit on your filthy face!”
Axon charged out at Derrick, knocking both of them into the carpet of weeds. I hid behind Vaxine as the two men came to blows.
As the two men writhed and twisted on the ground, flattening the weeds, their faces grimaced like they were in pain. They let out a barrage of cusses I’d never heard before.
“Stop it, both of you!” shouted Vaxine, her voice rang out so that I was certain it carried beyond the field.
Like weakened magnets, the two men fell apart. They exchanged scowls and stared up at Vaxine, who was ready to breathe brimstone and fire. “The world is falling apart and you two are fighting like bulls in a field!” Maybe it was my imagination, even the birds had stopped singing.
My eyes flicked back and forth as I stood still behind Vaxine. I tried to breathe as quietly as I could.
“All right. We talk like adults,” said Axon, pointing at Derrick. “As long as he promises not to hit me again.”
“Ya know, much trouble could be avoided if more people listen to me.” Axon swung the sheet metal door wide open. His white shirt was streaked with mud, his sweat pants wrinkled and dirty. Only now did I realize he wore flip-flops. Compared with him, we looked overdressed. When the three of us still stood unmoved, he waved his hand once, gesturing us inside the hut. “Come in. What are you waiting for? The Infected to come and attack us?”
Vaxine made the first move, stepping into the hut. The wooden floor creaked beneath her feet as though stepping on old bones. Derrick followed after her.
“I’m watching you,” warned Axon.
“The feeling’s mutual.” Derrick shot back.
Axon tailed him with his eyes until he was engulfed by the shadows.
“Hi,” I said quietly.
Axon loomed over me. “Hey.” He had to bow his head to talk to me. “Are you Vaxine’s sister? I didn’t know she has a sister.”
“She’s your junior, Axon,” Vaxine shouted from inside. I had no idea how she had overheard us from there.
“Oh, really?” He shouted into the hut. “That escalated too quickly. I don’t remember promising you anything, Vaxine.”
“You will, Axon, you will.”
“Jeez, this is crazy.” Axon slapped his palm to his forehead and wiped it down his face.
I gave him an indifferent shrug and went inside the hut. The first breath I took made me choke, the place reeked of dust and dirt and rotting food. A clanking sound rang from above when my head hit something. I looked up to see a bunch of beer cans swaying above me.
“Well, at least, give me a call before you come next time.” Axon closed the door behind him and parted the curtains. The setting sunlight poured in, setting the furniture on fire. “And maybe bring some food.”
“Axon, we are here for serious business,” chided Vaxine.
“Of course. Do I look like a helpdesk?” snorted Axon as he rubbed his stomach. “Okay, I’m calling for a pizza. You guys want?” He jabbed a finger at me. “You want a pizza, kiddo?”
“Axon, there’s been an outbreak that’s taken thousands of lives.” Derrick meant business.
“You want pepperoni or pineapple topping?”
“Axon, I’m going to smash your head with a shovel!” Exasperation was clear in Derrick’s eyes.
“If you can find one,” sniggered Axon as he sank back into the lumpy sofa behind him with a sigh. “Well, as I said before I left.” He pointed absently at Vaxine. “I am not going back no matter what happens. You were there, Vax. You thought I was kidding?”
“We tried to fix things without bugging you. We failed and you are our last resort.” Vaxine’s voice tinged with regret.
Axon reached under the sofa and produced a can of beer. He popped it open and took a chug. “I thought you and the Community knew better. Cranax was going to be the new cancer. Cash was going to screw it up and Hershey stood no chance. Blah, blah, blah. I’m tired of repeating myself.”
“I am sorry.” This had to be the first time Vaxine had sounded so humbled. She wasn’t the Vaxine I first met. “I am sorry I blamed you for leaving.”
“No, you don’t have to be sorry, Vax. It’s over, isn’t it? Time heals everything.”
“But we need your help now. The anti-Cranax gene doesn’t work anymore.”
“My baby won’t do what you scientists want? That’s a shame!”
“I will not hesitate to bring my fist to your face if you don’t cooperate.” Derrick snarled.
“And what is Hunky’s problem with my face?” Axon frowned at Derrick. It was as though he was trying to get on all his nerves.
Vaxine put a hand on his shoulder. “Calm down, Derrick.”
“Every second, people are dying out there!” Derrick snapped at Vaxine, jabbing his finger at Axon. “I’m not going to let this piece of shit waste our time!”
“Hold on.” Axon held up a hand. “Don’t gatecrash my house and claim I am being difficult. There are very good reasons I left and for those same reasons, I will not return.”
“For the sake of Asia Nova―”
Axon hurled the emptied can of beer at the wall. “Okay, Vaxine! Knock it off. Not for the sake of the money-hungry species that call themselves human. For the sake of getting you outta my house so I can continue watching the newsfeeds.” A slight grin spread across his face. “I am gonna give you my last two cents. Then, that’s it, you all get out.”
Derrick shifted his feet and crossed his arms over his chest. “And let’s see what this piece of shit is up to now.”
“Stop insulting the one you are begging for help.” Axon held a finger up.
Derrick wanted to hit back, but Vaxine stopped him.
Getting up from the sofa, Axon did a mock theatrical bow. “Follow me if you want a show.”
I turned to Derrick and Vaxine for clues. The puzzled looks on their faces spelled out they wished for one too. So, all we could do now was stand back and watch the ‘show’. All eyes followed Axon as he stood up.
Axon rolled his shoulders and stretched his arms over his head, loosening his joints. “All right, we are good to go.” He strode towards Vaxine and Derrick, who still stood their ground. “Excuse me.” He pushed through the space between the two.
I almost laughed. It was funny to see how the three seniors drove each other up the wall.
“Don’t try anything funny,” said Derrick.
“I don’t have to try. I’m a funny guy.” Axon turned around and winked at Derrick.
“Don’t be stupid.”
“Stupid? You’re asking me for help. Doesn’t it mean you’re stupider than me?”
Holding onto the edge of the wooden table, Axon flipped it over with his strong arms. His biceps bulged like inflated balloons, veins standing out on his skin. The table seemed like a feather in Axon’s hands. The frail-looking thing was surprisingly still in one piece.
“Take it easy,” said Vaxine.
“Yeah, it’s kinda easy when you have these.” Axon flexed his biceps, his chiseled pecs rippled under his semi-transparent shirt.
Derrick held up his hands. “Striptease is over. What are you trying to show us?”
“Follow me.” Axon gazed at them in turn. No one moved a muscle. “All right then.” He stepped on to the carpet that had been under the table. “Who’s next?”
I threw a glance at Derrick and Vaxine who seemed to be still calculating the risk. “Me!”
All heads turned to me when I stood next to Axon. I had no idea what he was up to, but even if it was a prank, it seemed harmless. The worn rectangular carpet was threadbare, thick with layers of dust. It was big enough to fit a couple of people.
“Now, who else is up for adventure?”
Vaxine and Derrick concluded they had nothing to lose and huddled onto the carpet. Everyone shifted to make room for each other. Axon and Derrick accidentally bumped chests and both men exchanged scowls.
Axon said, “Hold on tight, guys!”
The floor disappeared beneath our feet and we fell into empty space.
We could no longer see each other in the darkness but from the voices, I could vaguely make out where everyone was. I was holding onto something, someone; I thought was Axon because he had been standing behind me. I felt Vaxine’s hands grabbing my arms, holding me tight for reassurance.
The descent came to an abrupt halt and shook everyone out of initial shock. The solid floor creaked with our feet shifting and bodies bumping into each other. Hands were groping in the dark and eventually we were holding onto each other for support.
Golden light, pricked like needles, burst over my eyelids. I bent over in pain. It felt like my eyes had ignited. We flung our arms over faces to block out the sudden blinding glare. Except for Axon, who looked calm and composed, and probably was thinking his guests were all crybabies. When my eyes had adjusted to the light, I lowered my arm. The black patches filling my vision gradually dissolved. The light had come from spotlights set in the low ceiling.
“What the hell, man?” Derrick yelled from my right. After that, it was all silence as though the world ceased to exist.
“It’s only advanced elevator tech,” said Axon. “Is everyone done whining yet?”
Vaxine and Derrick blinked and looked around. We stepped out of the carpet and laid our eyes on the surroundings. We were in a large cavern underground. What caught my eye was the technology on display; transparent sapphire screens dotted the three walls. In the middle of the room was a battleship console.
“Impressive. How long did you spend on building this simulator?” Vaxine turned to face Axon.
“Three years.”
She nodded. “Not bad.”
“This is not a tour. Let’s get to the point.” Axon’s voice turned cold as ice, or had it been like this since earlier? He went over to the console and waved his hand over the solid surface. It transformed into a smooth screen. Axon tinkered with the controls. “Once you get what you want, I want you to scram.”
“If you read the news, you should know MAD has raised the price of Cranatol by seven percent. That’s more than our friggin taxes. Shortage of supply, they say. Bullshit! It’s a gimmick to get more sales and profit. Scumbags!” There was no mistaking how much Axon hated MAD.
