Sword and Illusion
Page 40
“All of you have been chosen to take on a team of these Earth humans. You are to train them and use their knowledge to help us stop the Gelandrosimbol and Basatlavan from winning this battlefield. Each of you have been given the coordinates of your team. Our forces will be focusing in on an area referred to as the Midwestern United States of America. Do all of you understand your mission?”
“Yes, Sir Orioltogorthan,” all of the Juniors said in unison.
“Best of luck to you all then,” Sir Oriol said, saluted, and then left the launching bay. But not before giving Alan one last dark look. He leaned in and whispered, “And you can be sure your father will know about everything that happens.”
Alan shook it off. Whether Sir Oriol believed in him or not would not stop him from going on this mission. There was personal business for him to attend to on Earth. The woman Alan was betrothed to was on the planet somewhere. Ultimately, his mission was to find her and bring her back to their home world again. She'd gone missing, and his gut told him she was involved in the war. It was the reason he'd joined the military to begin with.
One step at a time of course. First he would find his chosen charges on Earth. Then he would find the woman he loved more than anything. No one knew for certain if she was on Earth. Having charges would give him an excuse to explore the planet in search of her. His assigned coordinates programmed into his travel guide, he checked to make sure his atmospheric shield was fully charged. These devices would make sure he got to his destination, and that he did so safely.
Stepping towards the launch director, he took in one last deep breath to calm any final nerves.
“Sir Alanmendiquixanimackle, are you ready?” the director asked.
He nodded. “Send me to Earth.”
Chapter One
Gym class, the bane of Orlando's existence. Not to say he wasn't an athletic kid. Despite his dark, Gothic style, he did work out and stayed in good shape. He simply liked to do it on his own terms, and away from the rest of his classmates. He loathed every second of socializing.
“All right class, let's clean up and get changed.” Coach Wilson said, and it was practically music to Orlando's ears.
He eagerly put the basketball away and hightailed it to the boys’ locker room to hopefully get a head start on changing. The less time he had to interact with anyone else the better. He'd just finished pulling on his baggy black jeans and was in the process of buttoning his matching shirt when the jocks walked in.
“Good game, Holmes,” the leader of the pack said. Orlando knew better than to take it as a compliment though. “Make sure you try out for the girls’ team this year. I think you have a real shot for starting forward.”
He rolled his eyes. “I'd hate to steal the spotlight from you, Jesse.”
“That's right. Your family is more into the red-light. How could I forget?” Jesse said as he began to change.
Orlando clasped on his black wristband, chained his wallet back to his pants, and tightened his belt. Ignore the idiots.
“What happened to you, Holmes? You used to be cool.” Jesse wouldn't let himself be ignored, apparently.
“I grew a brain. Need me back on the football team? I thought you were having a great season, or is that the same line you feed all your female fans? A new pick-up line might be a good idea,” he said, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.
Jesse's right-hand man, Ryan, chimed in. “I don't know why you bother, Jess. He's converted to the freak side and not turning back.”
Freak side. How original. With another eye roll, Orlando made his way for the door, but Jesse blocked him. “Yes?”
“Don't think I'm finished with you.” He gave Orlando a shove. “School doesn't get out for another three minutes.”
“I didn't realize you missed me so much. I hate to break it to you, Jess, but my boat doesn't float that way.” He made a move to push his way past Jesse, but was shoved again and much harder than before, falling backwards onto a locker.
Jesse laughed, and all of his groupies followed along. “Cute, Holmes. I'll be sure to share that one with your sister when I see her on the corner of Lake and Hennepin next. After I show her a great time because she's so easy. Don't worry, I'll give her a great tip.”
Orlando's hands balled into fists. “She's not like that.”
“You're right, she's hard until you give her the green, since everyone knows that's how your family gets all of its money. Did you guys know his parents are never around? Probably because they're finding new kids to sell their illegal drugs. When do you plan on joining in on the fun, Holmes? I'm sure a guy like you could—”
Jesse didn't get to finish because Orlando's fist made contact with his jaw. His eyes wide and surprised, the seventeen-year-old boy stumbled back, then charged forward, swinging his fists. Orlando dodged the counterattack and rammed into him, shoulder first, and knocked him out of the locker room and into the hallway.
A few girls nearby squealed and scattered as they watched Jesse throw another punch in retaliation. It hit Orlando's chest, and now Ryan was throwing himself into the mix as well by trying to trip him at the knees. He caught this just in time and body-slammed Ryan into the drinking fountain. The boy hit it hard with his upper back and head.
“Boys! What's going on here?” Coach Wilson grabbed Orlando just as he broke Jesse's nose.
He willingly stepped away, pleased and satisfied with his work. “Fighting, Coach.”
There was no point in denying it. Jesse had it coming. His whole crew did. It was only a matter of time before someone taught them a lesson. While he much preferred to keep to himself and lay low, Orlando didn't mind stepping up and taking on the role of the teacher in this scenario.
“I see that,” Coach Wilson said. He went to Ryan and Jesse to make sure they were both okay. Orlando felt the firm hand of another teacher on his arm and saw Mr. Daniels the music teacher.
“To the office, right?” Orlando said with a glance up at the man. Mr. Daniels nodded and released him as the teen pulled his arm away to head towards the Dean of Students’ office.
“You're going to regret this, freak.” Jesse hollered after him.
Orlando snorted. “Doubt it.”
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