Mutiny (M.E.R. Series)

by Jacqueline Gardner

  “Geez, Frankie!”

  “It wasn’t me,” he nervously replied. I started walking forward again. I couldn’t see a thing so I listened. Rocks were dropping in the distance and I heard breathing. And it wasn’t coming from Frankie.

  “Something is waiting in front of us,” I whispered to Frankie.

  “What do we do?” Frankie and I were both hanging by a thread. Frankie was exhausted and my sides were aching.

  “Do whatever you can think of,” I answered.

  “I got nothing, man. I’m sorry. I never meant to let you down.” Frankie was giving up. In all the time I’d known him, he’d never given up.

  “No,” I argued. “I let you down. We’re here because of me. I never meant to get us all killed.” I took another breath. “And I’m not giving up. I always have your back. We’re going to make it out. I promise.”

  “And if we do make it out?” Frankie muttered. How will we live without serum?” I grinned. I hadn’t thought of our serum problem yet but I figured I’d take things one step at a time.

  “We got this far, didn’t we? We’ll steal it straight from under the Commander’s nose.” I heard Frankie chuckle. More rocks were moving ahead, but I kept on talking. The distraction was making me less and less afraid.

  “I would love to see the look on his face if we ever pulled that one off.” Frankie’s words were a bit more spirited. He had at least one good fight in him. It was all we needed.

  “And when we get out of here, we’re going to start over,” I continued. “And we’re going to get Davis his family back.”

  “And you’ll get the girl,” Frankie joked. My cheeks went red. Good thing he couldn’t see my face. “You like her man, I know it. You’re different around her.” Frankie’s pace quickened.

  “As a friend.” I casually chuckled. Frankie didn’t say anything. This was the first time we’d ever talked about girls. It felt a little awkward.

  “I wish we had a damn light!” Frankie shouted. Something flickered on in front of us. My eyes took a minute to adjust to the light. There was a face in front of me. At first, I thought it was Melora. But then I noticed the body paired with the face. The girl was made of smooth rock - rock that blended into the cave walls. Her features were sharp, cragged like the hard surface she’d come from, and the eerie blue-gray color of her skin made her seem anything but friendly. She didn’t look angry. She looked annoyed. And she was sturdy enough to take both of us down without much effort on her part.

  “Uhhh,” I stammered. “Excuse us?” The rock shook her head. She opened her mouth and I wasn’t expecting her voice to sound so girly.

  “I don’t think so,” she replied. “I can’t let you go any farther.”

  “Why not?” I wasn’t in the shape for another fight. Maybe we could somehow bargain with her.

  “Look regenerator,” the girl replied in her oddly lilting tone. “There is no way I can let you through.”

  “But my friend here is dying. We need to get out of here!”

  “Your friend is lucky,” she answered. “He won’t have to suffer any longer like the two of you will.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” I could feel Frankie moving around behind me.

  “It means you’ll soon die. No one ever makes it out of here alive.”

  “I know someone,” I protested. The girl’s face changed. She looked angry.

  “My job is to keep you away from the next cave, and that is just what I’m going to do!” Frankie slipped me a sharp rock. I had it firmly behind my back as the girl made out of rock started ranting. Her features distorted, becoming harder if that was even possible. “Just stay away!”

  I knew we had to be close to the Triton. I stepped closer to the girl waiting for her to look in another direction. As soon as she did, I smashed the sharp rock into one of her eyes. I used all the strength I had. The rock hitting rock made my fist feel like it had broken apart. The girl’s face cracked and she screamed.

  I grabbed Frankie’s arm. The both of us took off running. I started laughing. We were almost out and I felt like I’d just overcome the impossible. And I’d done it on my own - no special abilities.

  More lights flickered on in front of us. Frankie and I were both startled.

  “What the . . .” Frankie muttered. Another group of rock girls stood ahead of us. At least a dozen blue-gray bodies blocked our path, fists clenched and poised to strike. They all looked furious. I had no plan. All I could think to do was keep running. “Run for it!” Frankie nudged me and we took off again.

  My shoulders were ready to feel pain. I sprinted towards the group of moving rocks. When I was close enough, a girl ahead of me swung her fist at my face. I dodged it, kicking her torso as hard as I could. My hand was still throbbing and my boots were a lot stronger than my hand.

  I could hear Frankie kicking rocks behind me. We both dodged around each moving rock, concentrating on knocking them over. Frankie was out of breath but he kept running. I could see the light ahead at the end of the tunnel. The Triton was there. I could feel its energy giving me strength.

  “Almost there!” I shouted. “The Triton is up ahead! We made it, Frankie!” Another rocky fist swung at my face and I jumped to the side. Frankie kicked the rock in the face and the girl yelled.

  The end of the tunnel was right in front of me. As I got closer to it, it got smaller. And I realized that our way out was a small opening only large enough for one person at a time. Frankie donkey kicked a couple rocks and ran up right next to me.

  “Climb through!” he yelled. “Those crazy rock things are going to pound us when they quit screaming!” I dove through the opening and rolled into a bright circular cave. I reached a hand back, pulling Davis through the rock. He still had a pulse but it was faint.

  “Come on, Frankie!” I yelled. Frankie reached a hand through the opening. I grabbed it and helped him through but something tugged him back. “Frankie!” His hand was starting to slip.

  “Just leave me! They’re all pulling my legs! I can’t hold on!” Frankie’s sweaty palms slipped out of grasp. I held onto his fingers as long as I could but I was no match for a mountain of rocks – and these rocks were mad.

  I could hear Frankie yell as he was pulled back into the tunnel. I knew what I had to do. Despite what might happen, I had to go after him. We were brothers.

  I still had the sharp rock in my hand. It would have to do. I had nothing else. I jumped back into the tunnel and I told myself everything would be fine. The sound of crashing rocks surrounded me. It was so loud I wished I had ear plugs. A few rocks ricocheted off the ground, slicing my legs. The cuts stung uncontrollably.

  There was a crowd of moving rocks ahead of me. All of them screeching and yelling at Frankie. I heard something fall to the ground. It was Frankie’s body. My chest filled with rage. I let it consume me until I found myself charging towards the huddle. I rammed into the rocks and at the same time I could feel a snap in my shoulder. I ignored it and imagined myself regenerating.

  I shoved the sharp rock into the side of the tunnel and immediately the floor started to rumble. My ears were filled with even more screams but I kept ramming my way through until I was able to grab one of Frankie’s legs.

  The rumbling got louder. Small rocks were falling from the ceiling. I pulled Frankie back towards the opening, wiping the sweat from my face. Frankie’s face was red. His cheeks were already starting to swell from the cuts on his face.

  The floor shook violently and giant rock fell, crushing one of the screaming rock girls. I laughed, lifting Frankie up. He reached through the opening and pulled himself through. I turned around and saw more boulders falling. The tunnel was collapsing.

  “Eric!” I dove through the opening and fell next to Frankie. We both tried to catch our breaths. My shoulder felt like it was on fire and my sides were burning. Frankie sat up.

  “You look terrible,” I said. Frankie smiled. We both looked around.

  “Not as bad as you.”


  The bright circular cave had high ceilings and in the center was a glowing blue light. The light was so bright I had to turn away. Frankie laughed and wiped blood from his face. He ran towards the blue light.

  “Wait!” I yelled. I felt a cool breeze and a chill down my spine. Melora was back and I didn’t want to think about what else she might have up her sleeve. “Be careful! That ghost chick is back!”

  “Eric, don’t be so paranoid,” Frankie replied. He studied the cave shrugging his shoulders. “No one’s here. We did it! The Triton is ours!” I looked around the cave for any signs of movement. I could see was a rounded door in the corner. It looked like it was part of the wall. There were four circular indents where the door knob should have been.

  A scraggly looking man stepped out of nowhere holding a sharp knife. Frankie jumped back but he didn’t move very fast.

  “That’s typical,” the man said. “Poseidon has sent teenage boys to do a man’s job.” His deep voice pierced my ears. The man was thin and he had smooth, wrinkle free skin. His face was unshaven but his hair was neatly parted to the side. He wore plain looking clothes that looked a little dirty.

  “We’re not after you,” I said calmly. My eyes drifted towards the blue light.

  “You can’t touch it,” the man said. “Not without a true sacrifice. It’s been twenty years since I’ve had to seek out the Triton.” I did a double take. The man standing in front of me didn’t look a day older than thirty.

  “Look man, we don’t want trouble,” Frankie said. “We don’t work for Poseidon, not anymore.”

  “You’re trouble whether you like it or not,” the man replied. “Each of us wants the Triton but only one will get it.”

  “What kind of sacrifice are we talking about?” I asked. I thought back to what Frankie did at the factory. There was no way we could do something like that without severe consequences. For the time being, we weren’t regenerators.

  “I think you know,” the man said.

  “How did you do it last time you got the Triton?”

  “Don’t ask,” the man answered.

  “Who are you?” I’d imagined Zero to look a lot different. For one, I thought he would be the Commander’s size or bigger.

  “My name is Rick but you probably know me by my soldier name.”

  “I’m Eric,” I replied. “And I know you want the Triton but we desperately need it.” I looked back at Davis. “My friend is dying.”

  “Your friend will be able to regenerate as soon as you leave the cave.”

  “Yes,” I replied firmly. “But he’s not the only person who needs saving. There’s someone who can’t regenerate. I just hope I’m not too late.” The man looked intrigued.

  “What’s her name?”

  “What?” I raised my eyebrows looking confused. The man grinned. He relaxed his face and I caught a glimpse of his brightly colored eyes.

  “The girl you met. What’s her name?” I didn’t have much of a choice in this situation. All I could do was tell the truth and hope for a getaway plan to present itself.

  “Mariella,” I said softly. “I need the Triton to bargain for her life.”

  “But you’re a regenerator,” the man stated. “Use force.”

  “It’s not that simple. The Commander took her prisoner and my team was exiled.” The man’s face softened even more. He stared longingly at the Triton, almost like he was having an inner debate with himself.

  “So they found her,” he muttered. “Take it.” The man stepped back, hanging his head. “I once lost someone. Someone I loved very much. If I could go back I’d do things differently. Do what you gotta do.”

  “Are you joking?” Frankie stepped back towards me.

  “Not at all. Just promise me one thing.”

  “Anything.” My chest leapt.

  “Take care of Mariella. And as for Z, I think his time is up.” It was strange to hear this stranger talk about Mariella and Z like they were long lost friends. But we didn’t have any more time to ask questions. Davis could die any second and Mariella might already be dead.

  “You were once a M.E.R. soldier, weren’t you? But how?” I continued. “I mean, how did you last so long without the serum?” Frankie nudged me towards the Triton. He was getting anxious to leave.

  “Come on Eric,” Frankie whispered. “Before this creep changes his mind.”

  “The serum is a myth, my boy.” As soon as his words struck me, I felt like a complete idiot. “It’s nothing but a ruse – a way to make obedient soldiers feel dependent on their superiors.” I heard Frankie gasp but he still nudged me towards the blue light.

  “Not so fast,” a voice echoed through the cave. Melora floated towards us in her flowing blue gown. The blue of her eyes matched the Triton’s glow. “Someone has got to make the sacrifice. Now who is it going to be?” I looked down at the floor. I wasn’t ready to die. “How about the little one?” Melora looked at Davis’s body. Frankie gave her a nasty look.

  “He’s already suffered enough,” Frankie protested.

  “I’ll do it,” I blurted out. I may not have been ready to die but there was no way I was letting one of my brothers die in my place. “But Frankie, you have to promise me that you’ll get Mariella back and do everything you can to destroy the Commander.” Frankie looked outraged.

  “Like hell you are, Eric!” Frankie put Davis down again and stepped in front of me. I pushed him to the ground and looked at the Triton’s keeper.

  “What do I do?” I asked Melora.

  “Step into the light,” she replied. “Once the Triton has been acquired, all participants will be returned to shore and Atlantis will be moved to its new home.”

  “Remember your promise!” Zero yelled. I braced myself clenching my fists. If this was the only way, I couldn’t let Frankie or Davis be the victims. After all, I’d gotten everybody into this mess.

  “Don’t worry,” I whispered to Frankie. “When you find your mom, she’ll be happy to see you. I know she will.” Frankie shook his head. A tear rolled down his cheek - the first time I’d ever seen him cry.

  I gulped but before I could step forward, Frankie got up and lunged at the Triton. His last words - “I got your back.” The light engulfed his entire body and I screamed with outstretched arms. My yells filled the entire cave. They were so loud I could see rocks shaking. But I couldn’t stop. It was like a piece of my body had been ripped out. The pain was even worse than drowning twenty times in a row. Frankie was gone. My brother was gone . . . forever.

  A bright light filled my head. When I could see again, I was back outside. Thick green jungle surrounded me and I could hear the pounding waterfalls in the distance. Both Frankie and Davis’s bodies were in the dirt in front of me, and there was no sign of Zero. A short metal bar rested at Frankie’s feet: the Triton.

  I fell to the ground checking Frankie’s pulse. No pulse. He was dead. Davis coughed. He rolled over to his side and I could see his shoulder wound beginning to heal. I shook Frankie a few times but his body was stiff and motionless. One of my fingers brushed up against the Triton. Its power felt like an electric shock.

  Picking up the Triton made me feel stronger. A whole new range of possibilities opened up in my brain. I could almost feel the Triton connecting with my thoughts. It knew what I wanted and it told me how to get it.

  Davis opened his eyes and gazed up at me. He looked astonished as he jerked his head towards the glowing Triton.

  “We did it,” he sighed. “I knew we would.” A teardrop rolled down my cheek. I couldn’t stop it. Now wasn’t the time to celebrate.

  “Davis,” I said. “Frankie is gone.” Davis sat up looking over at Frankie’s body. He buried his face in his hands, glancing at Frankie again.

  “No,” Davis yelled. “No, he can’t be!” I could feel Davis’s pain but something told me Frankie would be alright. Almost like a voice inside my head. I didn’t want to believe it but my emotions started to match the voice. I was able to rela
x. There was a way to revive Frankie, the Triton told me. I would learn it in due time and I would get my brother back. But for now I had to move forward. It was time to get Mariella back.

  I crouched down in the dirt observing my surroundings. My super-sight was back and better than ever. I could see and hear every single tourist along side walk. I searched for Lou and Anchovy.

  “How can you be so calm?” Davis asked. He kept feeling for Frankie’s pulse with no luck. My peace of mind was hard to explain. I’d tell him what the Triton had told me at a less pressing time.

  “Focus, Davis. Let’s not forget what we came here to do. Don’t let Frankie’s sacrifice be for nothing. Now where’s Lou and Anchovy?” I could hear a crunch in the trees hundreds of feet away but my eyes saw nothing. We weren’t alone.

  “Clark,” I said to myself.

  “Huh?” Davis said.

  “Never mind. How am I supposed to hide this thing anyway? People are going to notice if I go strolling down the street with a shiny metal pole.” As soon as I thought it, the Triton shrunk into a small silver gun that fit into my pocket.

  “Whoa,” Davis gasped. His mouth hung open. I put the Triton into my pocket and carefully dragged Frankie’s body into the bushes.

  “Wish us luck,” I said to Frankie. His skin looked cold. I turned, grabbed Davis by the arm, and didn’t look back. I could see Lou sitting nervously in a patch of grass. Anchovy sat with him looking down at the ground.

  Davis saw Lou and took off in a jog. The streets were less busy now and tourists were slowly starting to move away from the observation trails. I jogged behind Davis, looking around as I followed. Something didn’t feel right. The Triton pulsed in my pocket like it wanted to take full form. Lou sighed when he saw us. His forehead was piling up with sweat and Anchovy refused to look up.

  “You should have run boys,” Lou said looking defeated. Before I could figure out what was going on, Commander Z stepped out of a passing crowd along with a full team of M.E.R. soldiers. His eyes were wild and angry. I wanted to step back, to even run away but the Triton pulsing in my pocket was oddly re-assuring. The Commander pulled out his gun and pointed it at Lou.