The Modified (The Biotics Trilogy, #1) (16 page)

The next day in class, I couldn’t quit smiling at Landon. I stopped feeling guilty about how I feel about him. These could be our last days alive. Why not spend them happy? The war does still weigh heavily on my mind though, that’s for sure. One thing is for certain, I’ve never felt this way for someone in my whole life. This feeling gives me hope. It gives me strength, and I know Landon feels the same way too.

“Yesterday you all learned how to produce barriers, so today I thought I’d go into a little more of the scientific explanation behind your implants. They’re quite fascinating really,” Dr. Patel states as she walks around the room. “First of all, it should be noted that your implants are synched with your DNA. That’s why your blood was taken before you entered the implant administration conduits. Each implant reacts differently depending on the host who receives it. And since your implants are linked with your DNA, they’re also connected with your vitals. Any changes in emotion can activate them. Once you learn how to control your emotions, you’ll gain control of your abilities. Speaking of controlling your abilities, let’s move on with our second exercise, the multi-barrier,” she explains and then sits down in front of us on her floor mat. We again copy her sitting position and close our eyes, waiting for her instruction.

“Let’s begin by clearing our minds and focusing on someone in the room to cast a barrier around. We’ll practice one barrier at a-”

Dr. Patel suddenly stops talking, which causes me to open my eyes, and I see there are barriers around Landon, her and me. Dr. Patel’s surprised look meets mine. As I look around I notice no one else has a barrier around them yet.

“Kenley Grayson, I do believe you have produced three barriers at once,” Dr. Patel states in awe as the barrier around her begins to fade away.

“I did?”

“Absolutely remarkable,” she says with a huge smile.

I look over at Landon and he grins at me. I return it.

Heading into the Fortification final exam, I feel much more confident than last time. I’ve definitely proved myself, and Dr. Patel agrees. So maybe I wasn’t cut out for Strike, but that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to be here.

“Are you ready, Ms. Grayson?” Dr. Patel asks.

“Yes, ma’am,” I reply with a salute.

“All right then, head into the test area and press the switch when you want to begin.”

I nod and enter the room. It is set up exactly like the Strike’s test room with a switch on the wall, a large digital timer, and the walls and floor are comprised of big white tiles lined in shiny metal.

I hit the switch, and as the timer starts an electronic voice filters into the room. “Task is Barrier. Activating combat drone.”

One of the white tiles in the distance rises slightly and slides to the side. A combat drone emerges from the opening, but this time it has a weapon in its hands. Not just any weapon though, it carries a brand spankin’ new shiny plasma rifle. It looks like a newer and sleeker design than any of the rifles I’ve seen the Federation soldiers carrying. I calm myself, knowing the rifle will be firing fake bullets because that’s what Dr. Patel told us.

Taking a defensive stance, I concentrate and focus as I hear the rifle warming up and readying to fire. I hear the bullets begin to rip through the air and my eyes shoot open just in time to see them ricocheting off the barrier I’ve produced. One by one I see them bounce off in slow motion, causing a ripple effect across the wall of energy upon impact.

The gun ceases fire and I see my time turn green. The electronic voice says, “Excellent.”

I hit the switch on the wall again once it begins to glow. “Task is Multiple Barriers. Activating combat drones,” the electronic voice announces.

A drone appears in front of me with a rifle in hand just like the last one, and another appears next to me without a rifle.
I was wondering how they were going to test this one. All right, bring it!
I tell myself.

I hear the rifle warming up and I concentrate on the robot and myself. I open my eyes and see that there’s a barrier around both of us even before the drone begins to fire. As the bullets begin to fly, I feel a slight stress on my barriers. The ripple effect gets larger and I find myself struggling to hold out with every bullet that connects.

The bullet barrage ends and my timer turns green followed by the electronic voice saying, “Excellent.”

I wipe away the sweat on my brow from the exertion of the previous task, and take a breather. Then I hit the switch to begin the next one. Again the electronic voice pipes in. “Task is Disarm. Activating combat drone.”

The drone that rises up from the ground is not as heavily armed as the previous ones. It only holds a standard issue Federation pistol in its right hand. I immediately cast a barrier around the drone’s right hand and pull toward me, causing the gun to fly out and skid along the floor. It immediately whips a rifle from behind its back and takes a few steps forward. I concentrate harder and produce a barrier around the rifle. Pushing off the right, I send it soaring off into the wall.

My timer stops and turns green. The electronic voice chimes in and states, “Excellent.”

So far I’m three for three. You’ve got this, Grayson,
I think to myself.

The switch glows again and I press it. The timer begins and the electronic voice says, “Task is Restrict. Activating combat drone.”

The drone emerges into the room, carrying a rifle identical to the previous ones. I hear the rifle readying to fire, and produce a barrier around the robot. It begins to fire and I hold my focus, ensuring the barrier stays in place. The bullets ricochet around inside the bubble of energy, pounding into the drone many times in the process. After the last shell hits the ground, I release my barrier. The drone collapses to the floor, covered in dents from all the impacts.

My timer turns green and the electronic voice says, “Excellent.”

I breathe a sigh of relief when it’s all over. I can’t believe I just did all of that.

Looking over at Dr. Patel, she gives me two thumbs up.

As I re-enter the training room, I immediately look for Landon’s face. He mouths
good
job
.

I mouth back
thanks
.

Chapter Eight

Strategic Maneuvers

I’m still surprised every time I enter the library that it’s full of books, especially with the advancements in electronic reading. I’ve loved libraries ever since I was a little girl. It was actually my older brother, Dylan, who sparked my love of reading. I wish he could be here to see all of this. Most libraries back on Earth don’t even have a third of the actual books this one has. A lot of people just download them now. It’s rare to see people reading a physical copy anymore. And yet here we are on this highly advanced spacecraft with the library full of books.

It’s actually a very neat sight to behold. The room is a large three-story cylinder with clear glass comprising the floor on each level, and walls made entirely of antique-looking wooden bookshelves. There are several bookcases randomly placed in the center of each floor as well. As I look up, I can see all the way to the ceiling and people on floors above me seem to just be floating there. The spiral staircase that leads up to each level has the same blue light comprising each step.

Making my way to the top floor, I notice a lone leather chair off to the side sitting on a beautiful ornate rug that’s surrounded by stacks of books. There’s a man pacing back and forth in front of the chair while reading the book in his hands. He seems to be in deep concentration. He’s not wearing a uniform or a lab coat, and then it dawns on me where I’ve seen him before. He’s the bookish-looking guy from the first day. He’s dressed in a black button-down shirt with the sleeves slightly rolled up and a nice pair of khaki pants. His tie is loosened and his short brown hair is a little disheveled. 
I wonder how long he’s been in here,
I think to myself.