by Kory Shen
Oh shit, Mia was Asian. She couldn't be his kid, could she? I hoped Staccato wouldn't notice my blunder.
"You're lying," Staccato growled.
"I'm not! I swear!"
Before Staccato could reply, five Mekanics descended, landing in an arc behind him. They were the same flying model as before. One of them stepped forward.
"You! You! I'll delete all of you!"
DUSTIN! CAN WE GO NOW?
We had no way to get off the airbase.
Incoming! It's Drake.
A silvery shape approached. I sensed the others turning to see what I was looking at. Drake was our transport, if he could make it in time.
Staccato laughed again. "Drake? That's your plan? Don't you get it? One more of you isn't going to make a difference against us." He swung his head, gesturing to the Mekanics around him. "You had two chances to join us. You won't be getting a third."
Three of the Mekanics flew away toward Drake.
"Ask him!" I screamed, gesturing to the first Mekanic who had spoken. "Your kids!"
"I don't care!" Staccato roared. His angular legs bent sharply, preparing for a lunge.
Drake wouldn't make it in time. I squinted at his shape. Can I use Resonance Scan at this distance?
WHICH TARGET? OH. YES.
ENERGY: 110/1600
My vision filled with Drake's report.
I don't have time for that. I need his wings! Copycat!
"Julie, Mia! On me!"
The next moment, I was a golden dragon. I unfurled my wings.
Staccato moved, but Mia somehow moved first, melding into a rolling turtle shell to knock a surprised Staccato off his feet. She bounced toward me and unmelded. A small weight climbed onto my leg.
Staccato quickly recovered his stance. The Mekanics at his side rose, hovering.
Julie melded and leaped onto my back. I grunted from the impact and edged closer towards the open air.
We vanished. "Go!" Julie screamed as Staccato lashed out blindly into the empty space where I had just been.
I pushed off the airbase and promptly dropped like a rock.
How do I fly!
I could see myself once gain. The presence on my back disappeared, and instead, a pair of arms wrapped themselves around my neck.
"Dustin!" Julie yelled. "Dustin!"
I beat my wings frantically, tumbling through the sky.
IT'S SIMPLE. THE INCREASE IN AIR SPEED ALONG THE UPPER—
Not now, Vikki! Dustin, Stop screaming! Focus. Steady wings. Steady wings!
I hadn't realized I was screaming. I calmed myself and tried to ignore the sensation of freefall, instead concentrating on beating my wings.
One. Two. One. Two.
I gradually slowed. I wasn't quite flying, but I was falling much slower than before, in a semi-controlled way.
The cloud layer rushed past us, and I couldn't see anything for several seconds. When the cloud layer broke again, a silver dragon was at my side.
"Who the hell are you?" Drake shouted.
"It's me, Dustin!" I screamed over the rushing wind.
"The fuck, you can't even fly?" Drake circled around me as I continued my descent. "Can you get them to the ground? There's a portal waiting."
Hadn't they shut down the portals? I didn't have time to question Drake.
"Yeah, I'll get them there!" I glanced upward. Five flying Mekanics were approaching.
"I'll slow them down. Don't wait for me!"
With that, Drake was gone. I watched his silver form shrink in the distance even as the Mekanics grew larger. There was no way he could win that fight.
The sky above me lit up in flame. It was as if air itself was on fire, burning brighter and hotter than I had ever seen before.
He's using everything he has. Zoe paused. It must be a booster.
The flames burned and burned, the heating still building even though we were falling further away from the blazing canopy.
We were gliding in a spiral now. I could make out a number of vehicles on the ground. I aimed toward them.
Above us, the sky still burned. Nothing had penetrated Drake's wall of flame. Yet.
I wanted to turn around. Fly higher. To do something, anything, to help him. Maybe I could catch him when he zeroed. Maybe I could convince Garvek to stop. Maybe, maybe…
I screamed in fury as we glided lower. I could make out figures below, soldiers with their weapons raised high. So small and helpless. Like me.
Dustin. We have to go forward. Drake made his choice.
I know, I know. After everything I had gone through, to save Drake the first time, I still couldn't do anything. I know we can't save everyone. Fuck! I hate it.
WE WILL END THE WAR. I PROMISE.
I spotted a shimmering purple dot on the ground. It had to be the portal. I beat my wings, adjusting my course.
A brilliant flash lit up the sky, as bright as when I had once used the nanonuke. The figures below me crouched and covered their faces.
"Drake!" Julie screamed.
When I looked up at the sky one last time, the flames were gone.
CHAPTER 25
I was coming in fast, the ground rushing to meet us. "Clear the area!" I shouted at the people below. "Mia, Julie, get ready to meld!"
"Go!"
Julie and Mia pushed off to either side, melding.
All three of us landed hard with three dusty booms.
A figure in dark armor pushed its way through the cloud of dust.
It was Dr. Hill.
I unmelded. "Dr. Hill! You're alive—"
"What'd you do to yourself, Hunter?" Dr. Hill stared at my face.
I touched my metal eye. "Oh, right. Long story."
"You're not one of them, now, are you?"
"No—"
"Incoming threats!" someone screamed.
Mia and Julie had unmelded as well. Mia pulled me past Dr. Hill, towards the open portal.
"He's one of us," Mia shouted as she ran toward the portal.
Dr. Hill frowned for a second, then pointed at the portal. "Hunter, go!"
We ran towards the portal, leaping into it, one after the other.
There was a wave of momentary dizziness. My feet hit the ground, and I bent over, hands on knees, to steady myself. We were in a dim room. Two other figures, soldiers, approached. I recognized one of them, Captain Rivera. The fierce woman eyed me warily. The man next to him shifted his weapon.
Dr. Hill stepped through the portal.
"What's the status?" Rivera barked.
"We got him, but I don't think they'll give up that easily." Dr. Hill pointed past me. Another open portal shimmered, two feet off the floor.
"Go, again!" Dr. Hill shouted.
Mia moved first, entering the portal.
Julie grabbed my arm. "Sorry, back there, with Garvek…I've been ready to die for so long. I thought it was finally time. I thought it was all over."
It must have been too much for her, what she had seen on the airbase. At least I had Zoe to guide me through it, and now Vikki. I shook my head. "No, it's not over by a long shot." I covered her hand with my own.
"What happened to you back there?" Julie asked.
"I'll tell you later, but trust me. This is only the beginning."
A soldier appeared from the first portal, blood streaming down his face. I stared at his shoulder. He was missing an arm, dark fluid gushing out of his wound.
Dr. Hill tapped at the console on her arm. The first portal closed. "Hurry!"
Julie jumped through the remaining portal.
I couldn't look away from the dying man. His mouth moved, but no sounds came out.
Dustin, we need to move!
I ripped my eyes from the gory sight and headed for the second portal.
There was a sizzling sound. I glanced backward. The first portal reopened. Dr. Hill screamed. "Go! They're coming!" She traded glances with Rivera. "You know what you have to do."
Rivera nodded and motioned t
o the other remaining soldier.
My stomach twisted at Dr. Hill's tone, but I jumped through the second portal in a rush.
I landed belly first on the hard floor. Zoe fell on top of me. Then, another weight fell on both of us. Arms pulled me out.
"Come on!" Julie pointed to another portal. I twisted free to find Dr. Hill getting to her feet.
Dr. Hill closed the portal behind us again. This time, Julie was the last one to leave, filling the room with webbing before unmelding and stepping through the third portal.
We ping-ponged across the country through four more portals. Dr. Hill wasn't taking any chances this time.
The final one left us in a large open chamber. I recognized the layout. It was a hangar.
There.
Zoe pointed to a vectorjet. Four figures in combat uniforms leaped to their feet as we approached.
"Oh my god!" Nikki reached us first, nearly knocking me over as she jumped on top of me, wrapping her legs around my torso. "Dustin!" She lifted her head to glance over one of my shoulders, then, the other. "Julie! Mia!"
I picked up Nikki by her armpits, setting her on the floor. "Thanks, Nikki." I nodded to the others who were standing further away.
Dr. Hill ran towards the vectorjet. "Save the reunion for the flight. Let's go!"
We ran up the open cargo bay door. The inside was similar to before, although the bathroom was in the other corner. Claire rushed forward to the cockpit.
Dr. Hill strapped herself into a free seat. The rest of us melded without any prompting.
The engines roared, and the vectorjet lurched forward. We were off.
No one spoke until we were high in the air. The engines settled to a steady hum, the acceleration dying away. Dr. Hill unstrapped herself, the others taking that as the cue to unmeld.
Before, I had thought we were safe in the sky. Now, though, I knew better. I hesitated, then finally unmelded as the others approached.
Dr. Hill made her way through the girls towards me. She stopped, letting Stella reach me first. Someone made a hushing sound.
Stella stood an arm's length away, staring into my face. "Dustin. You're still Dustin?"
I nodded. "Yeah. It's me, but…there's more now. Zoe's not the only one. I have another."
SHE'S CUTE! I LIKE HER.
Quiet. Give them some space.
Stella reached out with her left hand. I opened my right eye wide, so she could touch it.
Her hand moved past my eye, though, instead cupping the side of my face gently. Her fingers tips were warm, soothing.
Stella's brown eyes quivered. "We thought you were gone," she whispered. "That you were dead."
The slap jerked my head sideways. "Ow!" I rubbed the side of my face. "What was that for?"
"Don't you ever do that again! Don't leave us like that!" She swung her hand at me again. I could have dodged it with my reflexes, but I stood still, closing my eyes. The blow didn't land. I opened my human eye.
Stella's arms were at her sides, tears streaming down both cheeks.
I moved, wrapping her in my arms, holding her close to me. "Stella." I murmured her name again and again, savoring its taste and sound. "I won't leave you again, I swear."
Stella hugged me tight. "You better not." She looked up at me, a sparkle in her eyes, not from the tears. "Or I'll kick your ass."
Her slim lips curled into a grin, so damn cute and inviting. I lowered my head. Stella's eyes widened, but she didn't pull away. Her mouth opened slightly—
"I missed you, too, Dustin." Another arm slid between us, catching me in a hug. Stella's ferret let out a squeak as Kayla inserted herself between us.
Kayla twisted my head toward her, then locked her lips with mine. Her hungry tongue massaged my own, and she sucked in sharply, taking in my saliva.
"My turn, my turn!" Someone pushed Kayla aside. Nikki reached for me, but she screamed as someone grabbed her by her long hair, pulling her backward.
"Stand down!" Dr. Hill stomped her way to the front. She glared at the girls, her eyes resting on Stella. Dr. Hill muttered something and shook her head before turning to me.
She grabbed me by the front of my uniform, her face an inch from mine. "Dustin, you're coming with me," she whispered.
Dr. Hill dragged me towards the bathroom while the others watched.
WOW! IS SHE GOING TO—OMG! OMG! I CAN'T WAIT TO WATCH!!!
Don't get your hopes up. The last time Dustin had his pants down for Dr. Hill—
Zoe!
Dr. Hill shoved me into the bathroom and stepped inside the narrow space. There were hoots and whistles. Dr. Hill stuck her head out the door.
"Quiet! Everyone stay sharp, and monitor the situation," she ordered.
"I can monitor the bathroom!" That had to be Nikki.
Dr. Hill ignored her and withdrew her head. Zoe squeezed into the bathroom at the last second, climbing into the bathtub. Dr. Hill shrugged and slammed the door shut.
Dr. Hill turned to me. "Take it all off."
I raised a hand. "No, no. I know how this goes—"
"It's not like that, Hunter. I need to check you. Anything else besides that metal eye? What if they did something you don't know about?"
I hesitated. They had kept me unconscious for almost a day, when I had first zeroed.
Vikki? Uh, did you guys do anything else to me?
NOT THAT I CAN DETECT.
"Vikki says they didn't do anything else to me."
Dr. Hill raised an eyebrow. "Vikki?" She glanced at Zoe.
"Vikki." I tapped my metal eye. "I have Vikki and Zoe, now."
Dr. Hill leaned closer to peer into the eye. "Nice to meet you, Vikki." She moved away and twirled her finger at me. "Hurry up, we don't have all day, Hunter."
I sighed and stripped off my uniform. She gave me a very thorough inspection. I stretched my limbs, bent this way and that way, letting her poke and prod me everywhere like a piece of cattle. But true to her word, Dr. Hill kept it professional.
"You look like you're in good shape, other than that eye. Any pain or discomfort?"
I quickly put on my uniform again. I tugged a bit of bunched fabric out of my butt. "No, I'm good now."
"Explain the dragon."
"Dragon?"
"You were a dragon when I first saw you."
"So, um, Vikki lets me do more stuff. I'm like a full Beastmaster now."
"Full Beastmaster?" Dr. Hill looked to Zoe. "Did anything happen to her?"
You're the same, right?
Zoe licked a paw coyly. I'm fine.
Weird. "No, they didn't touch Zoe. It's…how do I explain this?"
ZOE + DUSTIN + VIKKI = <3 <3 <3
Right, thanks…
"So, the Mekanics," I said. "You won't believe this, but Mekanics and Chimerics originally bonded with each other. A long time, like a long, long time ago."
Dr. Hill frowned. "Go on."
"They can't do it anymore, but humans can act as a bridge. Oh, and maybe only higher Chimerics like Zoe can do it. Oh, I forgot. The Mekanics want to make babies, too. And they used to have foursomes…" I trailed off.
Dr. Hill nodded as if she had understood everything I had said. "Can they do it again? What they did to you?"
I paused. "I guess. If you found a higher Chimeric. But higher Chimerics hate bonding normally."
"And you can mimic other Beastmasters?"
"Yeah. But it might be different for others. I have all these new abilities and evolutionary trees, and—"
Dr. Hill waved her hand, signaling me to stop. She closed the lid on the toilet bowl and sat on it. "So, it's hopeless. With what's happened to you, we don't even know if you can still breed. Not that it would matter."
I froze. "Dr. Hill?"
What happened after we left, Dustin. The Academy.
I had forgotten about everything else while on the airbase. My only goal had been to get out of there alive.
"What happened out here?" I asked. "The Academy?"
"Not just the Academy." Dr. Hill rubbed her face.
It was then that I noticed she wasn't wearing her usual makeup. Her face was worn, tired. Something was wrong.
"Dr. Hill, what is it?"
Her eyes met mine. "While you were gone…" She stopped and took a deep breath.
"The War. Dustin, we lost the War."
CHAPTER 26
Once the initial shock wore off, Dr. Hill and I pieced together what we could. She told me her side, and Vikki filled us in with the Mekanic side. Garvek hadn't let Vikki access all the Mekanic military details, but it sounded like I hadn't triggered the attack on the Academy like I had originally thought.
It was the opposite. Although the Mekanics had finally transported the resources to defeat us, Garvek had convinced many of them to delay the War because of his project's development, that is, me. He wanted to string the humans along, see what other goodies we came up for him. Two other factions opposed Garvek. One group wanted to conquer Earth immediately in agreement with the Second Strain, while another wanted to wipe humans out. The Mekanics had grown tired of waiting. The final Mekanic vote had been close, but the day before the Academy's attack, they had chosen to proceed with the conquest.
Garvek had made a last ditch-effort to snatch me up before everything went crazy. Meanwhile, Dr. Hill had managed to escape the destruction with a small group of soldiers. Two days later, the Mekanics had descended upon the remaining major capitals of the world, pushing aside our meager defenses. In the aftermath, most Beastmasters were dead or missing. The Mekanics had demanded unconditional surrender, and with no choice, the governments of the world had complied.
The Mekanics hadn't told the humans what fate awaited them. Vikki no longer had full access to the Mekanic infrastructure, although she said she was working on it.
Something about what had Garvek told me still bugged me. I couldn't quite place it, but I had the sense that he had been lying or hiding something. The bit about free will was weird. I would have to question Vikki about it later. For now, we had more immediate concerns.
"But if the War's over, what about us?" I asked.
