The Outerlands - Sedition

by Aleigh Schuster

  “Slow is good,” I repeated, a little nervous.

  “Touching between us will make it come more easily.” He lightly bumped our hands together. “First you’re going to call your ability, but I need you to hold on to it. This part is important. While you contain it, I want you to focus on me. Our powers will recognize each other. When you feel it—and you will—I want you to pull forth my power and combine it with yours. At that point we’ll raise our hands and release it into the sky. Ready?”

  “Yes,” I said, finding that I meant it.

  Staring directly into Graff’s eyes, I called to that power within me. My fingers went from a small tingling sensation to downright friction in seconds. I could feel the current run through me like always when I did this, but this time the charge was stronger, faster, illuminating.

  Holding it within me, I focused all my attention on Graff until a completely overwhelming force entered the invisible sphere I’d created around me. A ball of bluish green light appeared, swirling between us and encompassing our joined hands. When the light began to move at a faster pace, Graff jerked our arms straight up toward the sky and I thrust the power outward.

  The next second I hit the ground hard, landing flat on my back, but the sight before me was spectacular. Dark clouds swirled above us just before a loud clap of thunder was followed by pouring rain. Rising to a sitting position, I noticed Graff lying a few feet away, staring up at the sky. As I followed his line of sight, a bluish green lightning bolt burst from the clouds, annihilating a boulder that shot fragments down all around us.

  “Wow, that was amazing,” I said, breathless, shivering as we were now drenched from the downpour.

  Graff extended his hand, helping me to my feet. “Now that’s what I’m talking about,” he exclaimed, a huge grin on his face. “That was a great start, Brooks.”

  “A great start,” I repeated, wondering how on earth we could top this.

  “Well yeah, but we have to keep practicing until you can draw on my power from farther away,” Graff said, raising his free arm toward the sky to make the rain cloud disappear.

  “You think we can do that?”

  “I know we can. Come over here and have a seat.” Graff walked me over to the bench before adding, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  “First off, from the beginning of our people, some of our ancestors were extremely powerful. It’s rare, but sometimes that gift is passed down through generations. Our family books tell us of our bloodline. That’s why they’re so sacred and kept under lock and key. According to my family book, our birthmark is a sign that we’ll possess a greater power. We have more abilities than the rest of our kind and some of us can actually pull from one another’s powers, like you and I just did. It means we just proved that we’re Gunari Partners. With me so far?” Graff asked.

  I nodded, both relieved and anxious over this bit of news. “Jonas explained some of it to me already.”

  “Okay. Well what I’m about to tell you next is something only a select few know. So…” It looked like he was debating how to tell me.

  “I’m listening,” I gently coaxed.

  “Do you remember when Keegan went on that last mission?”

  “Yeah, he was gone about four months. Why?”

  “He met his Gunari counterpart and his world turned upside down. Once the Council found out who they were to each other, they were ordered to abandon their assignments and work and train together. They fell in love. Her name was Maven, and you would have loved her too. He planned on bringing her home to meet you and your father. Unfortunately, something went horribly wrong on their first joint mission, and she died. Keegan was so grief-stricken, his powers started to diminish. That was the real reason he took his leave.”

  “He never said a thing,” I whispered, thinking about how distant and depressed he’d seemed when he first came back. I’d asked him repeatedly what happened while he was away, but he’d always shut me down, passed it off as nothing. One day, he woke up and started acting like he did before he ever left.

  “Why didn’t he ever say anything?” I mostly asked myself.

  “It gets worse. With our kind, when our other half dies, if we’ve already connected to one another, the survivor can become broken and gradually lose their powers.”

  Remembering Keegan taking the leap across the riverbed, suddenly everything became much clearer. I knew he was more than capable of that jump, even before they dropped their Mag Nets. I’d convinced myself that Keegan was trying to protect me, but maybe—just maybe—he really couldn’t make it to the other side.

  I felt Graff’s arm come around me, pulling me close. Without thinking, I leaned into his warmth. He didn’t say a word, just kind of rocked me, and I was glad for the much needed comfort.

  “Thank you for telling me,” I whispered.

  “Of course. And look, I’m sorry about last night. I could’ve handled things differently.” Graff released me. “Quinn’s waiting for confirmation on the location of our people. Let’s walk over there and see if he’s heard anything. We can practice more tomorrow.”

  That was the exact thing to say to get my mind off all this and the fact that Graff was willing to share this information meant everything to me.

  “I’d really like that,” I replied.

  Graff took my hand and we took off to find Quinn.

  * * *

  As we reached the road which led to Quinn’s cabin, we spotted a bus parked outside the barracks. A new group of Gunari soldiers were gathering around talking and laughing with Rafe and Quinn.

  Graff grinned, apparently recognizing someone in the group, and was about to say something when Dera came running over to us.

  “I’ll see you over there in a few?” Graff asked.

  “Sure.” He walked off just as Dera reached me.

  “Henley, I just made Scout!” she squealed. “They assigned us to our new units and we already have our assignment. I’m temporarily partnered up with your friend Jarvis now that he’s pretty much healed. Isn’t that great?”

  “Yes, I’m so happy for you!” I laughed out, giving her a congratulatory hug. “You said it’s what you’ve always wanted.”

  “Since I was little. I still can’t believe it!” She looked over my shoulder. “Hey, are those more GWs coming in?” she asked, just noticing the new group. Before I could answer she continued, “Henley, we’re getting close now. It won’t be long until we get your brother back.” She said it with such conviction I almost believed her. “But look, I won’t keep you. All the scouts are meeting over on the west end to discuss strategies. We’ll talk later tonight.”

  * * *

  There were so many new soldiers it took me a minute before I spotted Rafe at one of the tables. With no sign of Graff, I took a seat across from him.

  “How’s it going, Henley?” Rafe asked as I sat down. Before I could answer, someone else caught his attention. “Well, look who it is…”

  “Rafe. Hey man, it’s good to see you,” replied a guy who stepped up to our table. Rafe stood and they did the manly handshake half-hug thing. He was taller than Graff and Rafe, broader in the shoulders too. His brown hair was tied back in a short ponytail. As they broke away from their reunion, he caught me staring.

  “Well hello, sunshine. I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.” Taking my right hand and leaning in, he added, “I’m John Carlyle, and who might you be?”

  Before I could respond, Graff came up, slapping John on the back while simultaneously stepping between us, making him drop my hand.

  “John, this is Henley Brooks, Keegan’s sister,” Graff said to John, sounding a little protective. Or possessive?

  “Well, I’m very pleased to meet you, Miss Henley Brooks, Keegan’s sister,” John said, flashing a smile that lit up his entire face.

  “It’s nice to meet you too, John Carlyle,” I said, unable to keep from smiling myself.

  “John, I think there are a few things we need to discuss,”
Graff said, and turned him away from the table, effectively cutting off any more conversation.

  John just stared at Graff for several seconds before he stepped back and let out a sharp roar of laughter, causing everyone near to turn our way.

  “So that’s the way the wind blows, eh? Okay man. Is there somewhere we can talk?” John asked, leaning over and speaking in a lower voice.

  * * *

  The sun was beginning to set as Graff and John walked off from the crowd. Rafe must have noticed my confused expression because he started laughing.

  “Graff’s just marking his territory, Henley,” he managed between laughs. I simply stared at him until he calmed down enough to continue. “The three of us go way back. We were in the same training class when we were younger; got into all sorts of trouble together. But once John completed his training he moved back home. He heads up the Northern Sector now and brings with him a very large army.”

  “So he’s the guy they call the Hawk? I had no idea he was so young. That’s…impressive,” I said.

  “And with the number of men he brought to go on this mission? It will certainly increase our odds of getting Keegan and the other prisoners back,” Rafe confirmed.

  I nodded, getting lost in my thoughts for a moment before the table jostled and I looked up to see Barbette sliding in beside Rafe. Her eyes ran over me before she leaned in and whispered something to him that made him shake his head.

  “There’s something I need to do,” I said to Rafe, standing up to leave. “I’ll see you later, okay?”

  “Yeah, sure. You all right though?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “Yep. I’ll see you later.”

  There wasn’t anything I needed to do. I just felt like being alone. Graff’s revelation about Keegan…I couldn’t believe my brother had fallen in love and lost her in such a short amount of time.

  Ben screeched to a halt right in front of me, tearing me from my thoughts. “Henley, Jonas has called an emergency meeting. You need to be there in fifteen.”

  * * *

  Graff opened the front door before I could even knock. He didn’t look pleased to see me.

  “Graff,” I said by way of greeting. He nodded, stepping aside to allow me entrance.

  The room was filled with Gunari team leaders and their first lieutenants. Jonas stood at the table with his back to the wall, Quinn to his left and Graff just stepping up to his right. Rafe, Gunner, John, and one other team leader I hadn’t met, made up the rest of the group gathered around the table.

  As I approached, I saw a map that took up the entire table. Everyone stopped talking and Jonas raised his head. “Henley, thank you for coming. I believe you know everyone here except Marcus, who is captain of our scout team.”

  Curious as to why I was privy to this meeting and none of the others, I stood beside Marcus and shook his outstretched hand, which also put me next to John. Graff gave me a look I ignored.

  “Okay everyone, listen up,” Jonas said, banging his fist on the table. “Quinn just received confirmation on the location of some survivors from the Southern Sector. They are being held in a research facility on the other side of the Flux, which confirms what Jarvis told us earlier. Its location is right outside of Industrial City.”

  Addressing everyone, Jonas continued, “In addition, Quinn’s source collected intelligence on the disposition of Devlyns’ forces. Graff will coordinate with all team leaders regarding the movement of troops and employment of weapons at base camp.

  “Now, according to this map, point of invasion is here,” Jonas said, using a pen to point to a rectangular structure marked with a red X on the southeast side of a large compound—the building imprisoning our people. The entire compound was surrounded by an electrical fence.

  “Graff’s team will take care of the fence,” he said, looking directly at me.

  “Four guard stations surround this part of the compound. We’ll need to use some stealth and deception here. The archers will eliminate them, then Graff’s team moves in, followed by John’s.

  “Marcus, grab your team and leave ASAP to scout out this facility. Get with Graff before you leave to discuss a base camp location.”

  “Yes, sir,” Marcus replied, taking a map from Quinn before heading for the door.

  “I’ll catch up to you before you leave,” Graff told him.

  “The rest of the team leaders will receive their orders from Graff at base camp,” Jonas continued. “You leave at dawn, people. That is all.”

  Everyone headed for the door with excitement in their steps. As I prepared to do the same, Jonas said, “Graff, Henley, please remain a moment.”

  After everyone filed out, he turned to us. “Graff, take care of Gunari business immediately, then I want you and Henley to get one last practice session in this evening. I want her ready. Understood?”

  “Yes, sir. Henley, why don’t you grab a bite to eat? I’ll meet you at my cabin in about an hour,” Graff informed me.

  ***

  On my way to the mess hall, Dera appeared wearing a backpack and carrying a survival bag.

  “Henley, we’re getting ready to leave and I just had to find you to say goodbye,” she said, grabbing me for a hug.

  “You’re excited, I take it?”

  “Are you kidding me? This is the best! We’re finally getting what we want. We’re going to rescue everyone!”

  “You bet we are.” Her enthusiasm must have been contagious.

  “I need to go. I’ll see you at base camp,” she said before she took off.

  I could feel the excitement in the air as I walked to the mess hall. GWs laughed and joked around, clapping high-fives and calling out YAWPS. It was infectious. I snatched a couple of sandwiches and hurried to my cabin to wait for Graff.

  I should have been exhausted with all the rigorous training the last week, but instead I felt a burst of adrenaline; we were heading out in less than twelve hours. Anxious, I paced my deck when Quinn came sprinting up the porch steps.

  “Hey, Quinn. What’s up?” I asked.

  “We usually have a ceremony for this kind of thing, but with so much to do before we leave, I’m in charge of telling you that as of this moment, you are officially inducted into the Gunari Military and have been placed in Graff’s unit.”

  “What!” I squealed, rushing onto the porch to throw my arms around Quinn.

  “Congratulations,” he said, smiling wide and handing me a dark blue jacket with the Gunari symbol embroidered above a silver background located on the front left side.

  “Thank you so much!”

  “You’re welcome. I’m happy for you, Henley. Look, I need to get moving—got a lot of other people to inform.” He gave me one more hug before he was on his way.

  “Did you hear that Mom? Did you hear that Father?” I yelled into the sky. “I’m A GUNARI WARRIOR!”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Eight gray transport vans sat at the entrance of Jonas’ property along with over double that number of newer looking ATVs. I headed to where some of the teams had gathered near the main cabin, but stopped short when I got a closer look at the five parked ATVs. They were all militarized, equipped with heavy artillery similar to what I’d only seen government soldiers use. Two were older; the same type I rode out of the bunker on. However, the other three were all modern and sleek; they looked to be made of that chameleon metal I’d only heard rumors about.

  “Pretty amazing, aren’t they?” a familiar voice said from behind me.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it before. Not in all my life.” I stared, mesmerized by the metal’s ever changing colors.

  Rafe stepped up beside me and pointed to the closest ATV. “That right there is Devlyn’s newest little invention. The material is his most prized possession. These ATVs in particular hadn’t even made it out of the factory before we got our hands on them.”

  “Is that really the chameleon metal we’ve all been hearing about recently?”

  “Yes, ma�
�am. And it’s metal alloy, actually. A mix of titanium and some other material we haven’t been able to identify yet. Whatever it is, we all agree that the top coating is what’s the most spectacular. Once we turn them on, it’ll change the color of the vehicles as it moves to a new landscape. And if the landscape itself moves, like these bushes swaying here and the clouds overhead casting shadows all around? Well, it changes to accommodate that, too. And it only takes a millisecond to do so.” Hitting a switch, he ran his hand over one of the front panels and I watched as the surface of the ATV swirled from blue to tan and seconds later back to blue. “We can now travel through enemy territory without anything other than the wheel well being seen. Of course, that means they can do the same thing to us, considering it’s their technology.”

  “What about the person riding?” I asked.

  “Reflective Camo Suits. They take on whatever color the metal is projecting at the time. Works like a charm,” Rafe said, killing the switch.

  “Wow, he must be livid the Gunari got their hands on some of these.”

  “Doesn’t even know they’re missing.” When I gave him a questioning look, he winked, adding, “We have our ways.”

  He squeezed my shoulder briefly and backed up. “All right, we should probably get going. Most of the other teams already took off for base camp over an hour ago.”

  “Sure.” I followed him through the crowd of the hundred or so remaining Gunari who were bustling around, obviously adhering to last minute details from their team leaders.

  We got to the front of the cabin just as our team and another dispersed. Graff, who had been talking to John, took off toward one of the vans carrying a few bags of gear, and after he loaded them into the back, he returned for more.

  I moved into his path as he got closer. “Hey.”

  “Hey yourself.” His eyes flitted to my face, letting me see the apprehension hidden just beyond the surface. Then he brought his palm up to cup my cheek and briefly pressed his lips to mine. “Were you able to get any sleep last night?”