by Candice Lim
“Edmund!” Hershey gasped. There was more sorrow than surprise in her voice. She stepped forth and commanded her students, “Get behind me!”
A small movement came from the enemy’s barricade. The sound of Zappers seared the air. All three pairs of stun guns aimed at the enemy. And the enemy’s weapons were on us.
“What a wonderful circus of clowns.” Cash smiled in mock delight. I found it hard to believe these words were spoken by the same person I had idolized when I was young. “Dr. Hershey. You’ve taught your kids well. They aren’t as dumb as they look.”
Cash’s gaze rested on me. “Especially you! I never thought you could’ve the capability to kill those two guards on the dock.” Cash turned to Hershey and sniggered. “That’s something your little Roxy can teach you.”
Everyone turned in my direction.
“Tell me you didn’t, Roxy,” said Hershey.
I closed my eyes and chewed my lip.
“Though I salute your courage, payback is still a bitch,” spat Cash, who broke into a chortle. “So sad you’re not the one to pay for it. Your friend in the submarine will do.”
My hand shot to my earpiece. “Sam?”
No reply.
“Oh, Sam, that was his name?” laughed Cash.
A wave of fury surged through my veins. I was about to pull the trigger when Edmund’s sudden laugh filled the air. “There is so much you can do with the time you spend witlessly tormenting the innocent.”
Cash snorted, “I have plenty of time.”
“I don’t think so,” Edmund said. “You must be so carried away, relishing the agony of others you have overlooked who I am; the public relations officer of CU. I know how to make the news. Cash, the whole world knows who you are.”
“You didn’t!” Cash muttered as her face crumpled.
“Edmund, you didn’t!” Hershey shook her head in disbelief. “You know what befalls the Community if this happens to fall into the wrong hands.”
“It’s already in the wrong hands!” Edmund let out a weak, self-pitying laugh. Regret was clear in his eyes. “I am sorry, Hershey. There’s nothing else we can do. I only wanted to make things right again.”
I almost pitied him. But he was a part of what happened to Mom and Dad. I couldn’t forgive him.
The vexed look on Cash’s face was replaced with fury. “Then, we’re all in this shit together, Edmund.”
“I’d rather die a hero than become ATP’s prisoner. You know how they work. If they torture you to death, you’re lucky.” replied Edmund.
I knew well enough. Edmund’s smile was now effortless. He was a different man now. The tedious lecturer of Microbiology was no more.
I switched off the two Zappers and kept them at my waist. My thumb connected to the button on the round device in my palm as a mischievous smile stole out on my face.
Cash squeezed the trigger.
“Don’t!” Hershey screamed.
Nothing happened.
The men looked at each other in confusion.
I pulled out my pair of Zappers. It’s showtime.
“Duck!” I shouted at Edmund.
Edmund and Cash crouched down and held their hands over their heads. The guards charged in full throttle in our direction. Shocked, the two seniors stumbled back and stood close to Hershey. Each flanked her side, like her most faithful protectors.
“To hell with it!” I fired, swinging my Zappers left and right. Rays blasted out of the muzzles like searchlights in a night sky. One by one, the men fell.
“Shoot, Roxy, like your last time. Because it is,” said Hershey behind me.
Soon, all the men in black were on the floor. Edmund rose to his feet and looked around. “That was easier than it looked.”
“Are you all right, Edmund?” asked Hershey.
“Nothing I can’t deal with.”
Cash wasn’t here. The sound of her heels clinking away as she disappeared into the other end of the corridor. I clenched my fists.
“I’ve stopped the elevators. We can make the run if you want to,” said Edmund.
“No, I say we leave this place now,” Hershey objected. “They will outnumber us. Your Zappers can’t hold them off forever.”
Glaring into the empty corridor where Cash had disappeared, I nodded.
34
CASH
“Blot my gel! Why do kids like to play with elevators?” 24 floors later, Cash was drenched in sweat. Slamming her fist on the exit door, it flung open and hit the wall behind with a loud bang. She marched up another flight of stairs. Her two assistants were in black robes, contrasting with Cash’s long white coat. The clicking of her heels against the marble floor echoed throughout the staircase. Every step reflecting her growing rage. “And Blot my gel! Of all the facilities, why this one?”
“Because here’s where you kept Hershey,” said one of the assistants.
They came to an abrupt stop when Cash turned around and slapped the assistant on her left. It reverberated in the staircase. In response, the assistant’s hand shot to his face where a red mark appeared.
His colleague was shocked.
“I knew that,” said Cash. “You thought I needed you to point it out?”
“But…” The assistant jabbed his finger at his colleague. “It was him!”
“I don’t give a damn. Quit speaking! You two sound like idiots.” Cash spun around. Her coat flared out as she pushed another door. Sunlight reflected off a streamlined helicopter.
Joy lit up Cash’s face. “Now start that machine, you two dunces!”
The two men hurried over to the helicopter. The engine roared to life as she got on board. The blades spun, gaining speed until they were going at full tilt. Dust rose and formed brown clouds. Cash’s coat flapped as she grabbed onto the handrail and turned to glare at the ORF.
“I will have my revenge, Roxy Riley!”
35
ROXY
I skidded to a stop as my arms flailed in the air. I was on the edge of the pier, overlooking the vast angry sea. I spun around to see Vaxine holding onto the arm of my jacket, giving me a patronizing look.
“That was close.” Vaxine let go and smoothed down my jacket. “Watch your step next time.”
I nodded when the rest of the group caught up. We were at a dead end; an infinite body of water before us and enemies chasing after us. No way out. The familiar sound of spinning blades whirred from overhead. The helicopter soared away, becoming a small dot in the distance.
I looked away and scanned the horizon, looking for a sign of What Sub.
“What do we do now, Captain?” Axon’s breath hitched. His chest heaved and sank like the rest of them.
I looked at him and Hershey, wanting to ask her what to do next. But I thought that would be pointless and changed my mind. I took in more mouthfuls of air, replenishing my lungs with fresh oxygen. I turned to the group. All eyes were on me. “We need to take a dive.”
Hershey broke the silence. “To where?”
“To make our escape.” I turned to Vaxine. “Can you swim?”
Vaxine looked offended at the question. “Very bad indeed. Like a drowning rat.”
“That’s fantastic!” I smiled and retrieved a couple of Sam’s OxyPills from my pack. They supplied oxygen to allow underwater breathing, one of the Community’s best creations. From the knowing looks on their faces, I knew the pills needed no introduction. “We are short of one.” I nodded in Edmund’s direction. “I didn’t know we’d have a guest.”
Vaxine folded her arms as an exasperated sigh escaped her lips. “Well, you could have brought more, right?”
I shrugged and slapped the tiny white pills into ready palms. “I’m sorry. These aren’t mine. And I checked the price. I can’t afford it with my pocket money.”
Axon nudged Vaxine. “Well, maybe we can share one.”
Vaxine rolled her eyes. “It’s fine. I can hold my breath.”
One by one, they followed me. I nodded at them. They nodded back. When I dove again, they followed suit.
The sea darkened as we traveled deeper. The pressure increased and compressing my chest and making every stroke harder. My heartbeat pulsed in my ears when I saw the metallic debris floating about. What if Sam was dead? What if I couldn’t find him? What if the OxyPills weren’t working?
A vaguely familiar shape appeared before me and I smiled and kicked harder. The vessel looked different, larger in the water. My heart swelled with joy when the figure of Sam waved at us from the panoramic windows.
We swam into the chamber where the gate clamped shut behind me and the rest. Water rushed past our feet as it was rapidly pumped out. We regained their equilibrium and fought to balance ourselves. A layer of warm air wrapped around our cold bodies. Drenched hair draped over our faces like seaweed. Our shoes squelched as we moved our feet.
Drained OxyPills were spat into wet palms. We gulped in great mouthfuls of breath, refilling our heads and lungs with fresh air. We busied ourselves taking in our new environment.
The gate on the opposite side slid open.
“Come on,” I called out.
We jogged towards the interior of the vessel, footsteps clanking loudly against the metal floor.
“Roxy, you all right?” Sam’s skillful fingers danced on the holographic keyboard at the control station.
I nodded. “Are you all right? I thought you were dead.”
“I thought so too. I was attacked. Thankfully, the vessel has a plasma shield and I played along with them. They thought they got me, hah! They don’t know who I am.” Sam winked at me and leaned in closer for a kiss. When he looked over my shoulder at the group behind, he straightened himself and cleared his throat. “I’m glad you’re all right.”
The group pretended not to see us so Sam took the chance. He pulled me into his embrace and planted his lips on mine. My eyes fluttered closed as I wrapped my arms around him and drank in the moment. After what seemed an eternity, we pulled apart.
“Thank you―” Hershey hesitated.
“Please call me Sam.” Sam gestured at me. “I am Roxy’s friend.”
“Thank you, Sam. We are forever in your debt.”
“Not at all, Dr. Hershey.”
“Take credit where it is due, Sam.” Hershey glanced around the vessel, at the walls and ceiling. “Much damage has been caused to this ship because of us. Some explanations may be required. May I know the name of this ship?”
“It’s the What Sub, Dr. Hershey,” said Sam.
“Dr. Ariel’s vessel, isn’t it? From the Aquatic University of Asia Nova, the AQUA?”
Sam nodded guardedly, passing his eyes between Hershey and me. “Yeah―yeah, how did you know?”
The seriousness on Hershey’s face melted away, replaced by a smile. “We know each other through Social Sense. Do not worry about anything, Sam. I will take care of this.” She gestured about the vessel as Sam nodded in gratitude. “But for now, will you please take us away from here?”
“Yes, Dr. Hershey. Where to?” Sam flew towards the control station, where he waited with a ready hand and foot.
I pivoted to Hershey, who turned to gaze at the displays. “Corn City. We shall end what Cash has started.” She turned to me. “You did a great job, Roxy. Thank you for rescuing all of us.”
I blushed and nodded. It was the first time Hershey had commended me. I should feel happy but my thoughts went to Whiteshore instead. Hershey was safe now and I wanted to go home. But I suppressed my emotional pain and conquered my demons. Hershey gazed at the sapphire holograms in silence, as though a grand plan was forming in my mind.
“This is all over, isn’t it?” I asked no one in particular.
Hershey shook her head. “Not yet. When the public learns that the Cranax Outbreak is the result of a research mishap, there will be an uprising. This is just the beginning.”
###End of Cranax Outbreak by Candice Lim###
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ALSO BY CANDICE LIM
Soul Thief
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