The Sky Drifter (22 page)

Without time to think, I acted with instinct and quickly crouched, bounding right back up as high as I could while bringing my leg violently upward in front of me just as Altec was within range of it. My knee crashed into his jaw, snapping his mouth shut as his head, followed by his body, flew backward and fell hard to the metal floor. Altec writhed around in pain while holding his head just before bounding up onto one knee, facing away from me.

I tentatively approached him, holding my arms out in front of me, cursing that my right eye had now completely closed. My opponent had to be in extreme pain, maybe even struggling not to lose consciousness.

As I rounded up on him, however, he suddenly turned, his hands tucked into his chest, before he thrust his right arm up toward me. I made to turn to my side, and too late saw he’d released his light chain and crimson metal ball, crashing the latter into my right shoulder with full force, dislocating it. I stumbled back a couple of steps before
tripping on my feet and falling to the gridded surface.

A blinding, hot pain throbbed in my shoulder, spreading up and down my arm. I looked up to see the grinning, blurry figure of Altec walking slowly and proudly toward me. All of a sudden, the arena filled with the booming sounds of boos and angry shouts. At first, I thought they were booing me, which would have been low, but I quickly realized it was Altec they jeered when I heard his name called out. My opponent must have heard it, too, because he stopped walking and looked around the arena with a puzzled look on his face.

I used the limited time I had while Altec was distracted to pull myself up and lean against the sphere as straight as I could. “Looks like you’re not as popular as you thought,” I said, smiling.

Altec turned abruptly and pointed his index finger at me. “Shut your filthy mouth or I’ll rip it out!” he spat. I could see I was getting to him, so I forced myself to continue laughing as the crowd jeered on. “Stop laughing at me!” he shouted, closing his eyes and placing his hands firmly over his ears.

I had him where I wanted him. The unexpected response from the crowd had thrown him off, and he couldn’t handle it. If I was right, all it would take was another slight push from me before he snapped.

True enough, no sooner had I curled my mouth into the most condescending, satisfied grin I could muster, and as soon as he opened his eyes again and saw it, he made a furious dash toward me. Blinded by rage, Altec charged, shouting as loud as he could. As soon as he was close enough, I placed all my remaining strength into my legs and crouched, springing back up at full force. The top of my head collided with his exposed jaw, sending him reeling backward, and we crashed to the floor, my body on top his.

In that moment, everything started to turn dark, as though I walked backward from the mouth of a tunnel. I started to pick my aching body off my opponent, who looked to be unconscious, propping myself up on my arms, which sent a screaming hot pain shooting from my shoulder, causing me to scream.

Somehow, I managed to get to my feet. The sudden echo of cheers filled my ears, but quickly started to fade the darker my surroundings became. Finally, the mouth of the tunnel became smaller and smaller until it was too far to see any more, and I was completely swallowed in darkness.

IT’S FUNNY. YOU NEVER
know if what you hear when you’re unconscious is real or just part of a dream you’re having. Like distant voices gradually getting closer, I started to hear Mr. Hist’s angry shouts intertwined with Gamal Metafrick’s own overly suave one, assuring him everything was okay. Soon after, 64’s and 33’s voices drifted in as they chatted about how we’d won and how Altec had lost his mind when he found out he’d lost.

The voice I heard, the one that made me wonder whether it really was a dream, was Iris’. She insisted they let her in to see me. The moment I knew it wasn’t a dream, though, was when I felt her hand press against my cheek as she quietly breathed my name. At the time, I thought the reason I didn’t open my eyes was curiosity, and that I wanted to know what would happen next. Later, however, I came to realize it was more than that. I remained motionless because, to do so, would spoil something I thought could be amazing. That whatever it was would slip away and I’d never get to find out what it was.

Then came the moment I would always remember. Iris pressed her lips lightly against mine. My heart beat so wildly I felt sure it would give me away. Her lips were warm, like her hand, but much softer. In a way, I was glad to still be pretending to be unconscious, because I really don’t know if I would have known what to say or do just then.

In the same moment she lifted her lips from mine, Mr. Hist’s voice grew louder. “We’re leaving as soon as he’s awake and that’s that! Iris! Where’s Pi?

“He’s just outside—”

“Bring him here, please. We’re leaving.”

“Dear Mr. Hist,” resumed Gamal Metafrick, “an entire ceremony has been prepared for the victor. You can’t just—”

“The
contract
, Mr.
Metafrick
, stipulates we remain here until such time as the game is concluded. Well, it is! So we’re leaving! One! Use the medicinal spray on Seven again. It might help wake him faster.”

As Mr. Hist and the Malac resumed their arguing, I heard footsteps approaching me. I really wished the coach hadn’t asked for One’s help, because the next moment, the sweet lingering taste of Iris’ lips was replaced with the acidic, bitter one of the spray in my mouth.

I sat up as if ice cold water had been poured all over me and tried to spit out as much of the foul-tasting spray as I could.

“It worked coach. He’s up,” said One flatly, calmly walking away. Any feelings of camaraderie I may have had for the guy were gone. I really,
really
disliked him.

“Excellent,” began Mr. Hist, “Seven, glad you’re back with us. Well done, my boy. I’m very proud,” he said animatedly, but still with a hint of anger he couldn’t seem to shake. “Now get your things. We’re getting out of here right
now
.”

We all left the arena as quickly as our legs could carry us so as to keep up with the coach. We got all our things from the locker room while continuously being sprayed by ASOs and then left the stadium.

Gamal Metafrick followed us all the way to the landing platform, assuring Mr. Hist the incident with Altec was the only one of its kind, that we were welcome back any time for a rematch, and that there would be no need to tell the Universal Sphere Committee about the silly little mishap.

With the exception of Mr. Hist, who kept trying to shoo Gamal Metafrick away, we were all pretty quiet until we boarded the vessel and then took off. Pi sat next to me with Iris all the way over in the seat next to him.

“Whoa, that was intense, but I knew you had it in the bag, bro.”

“Thanks,” I replied, half-heartedly feigning a smile. I tried hard not to look at Iris, who also seemed to be avoiding eye contact with me, spending the entire journey playing on her Equinox.

***

It felt so good to get back to the
Sky Drifter
, even if I hadn’t been gone very long. That was the thing. No matter how short a time I was gone—be it for a class trip or to an official Sphere game—I always looked forward to getting back. It was home to me, and even though visiting other planets was interesting, I wanted to be nowhere else.

Later that evening the whole team, including Iris and Pi, went to Shabli’s to celebrate our victory. Mr. Hist had reserved half the place in honour of it. This was the first time he’d ever done it, but I was very glad he had. I also suspected he’d done it so we’d all forget about our experience in Malanor.

After we’d had a chance to shower and change, Iris and Pi picked me up from my quarters and then we headed to Shabli’s. Iris was still being as aloof as I was toward her. Funny how those things can be. Once we finally arrived, I saw through the window that the rest of the team was already there. The place had been split in two parts with the back section being ours. Thick lines of solid blue light ran along the length of the middle of Shabli’s, turning off almost at the bar and all the way to the back wall. The place was as packed as ever, so it was incredible to see so much space reserved only for us.

At first, the thick wall of people looked impenetrable, so crammed together they were. Pi casually walked forward, and as if he did so through nothing more than jelly, progressed steadily inside with Iris and me closely following.

“Ah! Our star player has arrived!” exclaimed the coach with open arms as he walked forward to let us in and greet us. “Welcome, m’boy, welcome. Now we can begin.” Ushering us farther in, the coach turned toward all of us, and announced, “Everyone, tonight feel free to order as much food and drink as you wish. It’s all on me!”

As everyone cheered and clapped, I quickly looked at Pi who, as predicted, had already begun to drool through his huge, smiling mouth as his eyes twinkled in delight.

People merrily danced, ate, and drank into the night as upbeat music filled the ‘shake shop. A couple of round tables had been set up at one side so we could sit and eat, but the only ones who did sit were Pi—who amassed a tower of empty bowls and plates as he merrily stuffed his face—and Iris, who quietly sat in the corner playing her Equinox. A couple of the Sphere guys had gone over to try to chat with her, but she’d quickly sent them packing with a single of those looks she gives when she wants to be left alone. Nobody bothered her after that.

Drinking a raspberry and white chocolate shake, I couldn’t help but glance at her from time to time, though. I finished drinking it quickly, set the tall glass on the bar and went to speak with her. Just then, however, a painfully familiar voice came from behind me.

“Simian.” I turned to see One standing there, wearing the same old long black coat with red buttons. I noticed he was alone, both his goons standing by the edge of the bar, glaring silently at us.

“What do
you
want?” I couldn’t hide the contempt from my voice. I’d been trying to avoid him the entire evening, knowing I’d likely cause a scene if we spoke. After all my efforts, though, he’d brought the scene to
me
.

“Look,” he began, folding his arms in front of him, “I just…I wanted to say ‘well done,’
okay
?”

Keeping my face as expressionless as possible, I said, “Is that it?”

“
Yes
.” he replied, slightly childishly. As I made to turn away, however, he said, “No.”

I turned to face him again, making myself look completely bored and aggravated. I wasn’t helping the situation, but why should I.

“
Look
,” One repeated. You could tell whatever it was he wanted to tell me was killing him to say. “Look, I also wanted to say…Sorry.”

“
Sorry
?”

“Don’t milk it, Simian.” He turned away, walked back to his goons, and all three headed toward the exit and out the door.

I never thought I’d live long enough to ever hear One say that word—to me or anyone. I smiled to myself and walked toward Iris.

All of a sudden, Shabli’s violently shook, sending glasses and dishes crashing and smashing to the ground. It wasn’t just Shabli’s. It was the whole ship. Without any warning, the
Sky Drifter
tilted violently to the left, sending us all crashing hard into the bar and each other. I couldn’t understand what was happening, but what was stranger still were the expressions of everyone around me. They all looked as happy and care-free as they had up until that moment, as though nothing happened.

“Iris!” I cried when I saw her half-buried in placid, merry bodies.

I pushed 208 off me and then clambered quickly over to her, lifting a couple of people off her chest and legs as she continued calmly playing on her Equinox. It was all like a bad dream I’d abruptly stumbled into. It was exactly like what had happened on the trip to Brattea. Just as I held Iris in my arms, everyone in Shabli’s started to scream and panic in confusion as if they’d just woken up from some deep sleep.

In a single, violent motion, the
Sky Drifter
tilted once again, righting itself, and everyone fell back down to the floor, piling on top each other. I just managed to jump far enough forward to avoid being buried under a crowd of people, landing hard on my back with Iris on top me.

“What’s happening?” cried a voice through the screams.

Looking at me as though she’d seen a ghost, Iris exhaled. “What was that?”

Before I could answer, a calm, feminine voice came over the speakers outside, which were dotted everywhere around the deck of the ship. “Residents of the
Sky Drifter
, the captain would like to regretfully announce that we are experiencing some engine malfunction, but would like to assure you that the issue will momentarily be resolved. Please remain calm. Thank you for your patience.”

Having emerged from somewhere in the pile of scrambling people, Mr. Hist, who now stood by the entrance to Shabli’s, said in an authoritative voice, “Okay, everyone, there’s no need to panic. You heard the announcement. Everything is just fine. Is anyone hurt?”

As the coach assisted those who’d been injured, Pi, who helped those around him to their feet, casually said, “Well, that explains it. Whoa, that was trippy.”

His laid-back attitude never ceased to impress me, reaching new heights with each passing day. I was so nervous I thought my heart would burst from my chest.

“That’s never happened before,” said Iris still looking a little shocked as I let her down. She reached over and placed her hand on my arm, and breathed, “Are
you
okay, Seven?”

Feeling my cheeks redden slightly, I told her I was, and even forced myself to believe it was true. Everything was finally back the way it’d always been before Brattea and the mysterious girl, and that
was the way I wanted to keep it. Besides, the sudden tilting of the ship had happened so quickly, maybe I was wrong. Maybe everyone
had
reacted with just as much fear and puzzlement as I had when it had happened.