The screen changes to images of babies growing into children then into adults; all muscular, agile, fast, and perfect.
“These soldiers were sent off to fight in remote areas of Sirain where pockets of resistance still lived. These men and women outperformed their predecessors, bringing adversaries to their knees in months instead of years. Then a new weapon was created by our enemies.”
This is the first time I’ve heard Devlan refer to the opposition as ‘our enemies’. I begin to wonder if he had anything to do with the Dormitories, and what went on there. More importantly, why he is suddenly siding with the cities? He drilled into my head that the cities are what we should fear, not that there was another adversary out there.
“This weapon had phenomenal power that would destroy our soldiers with one shot, causing immediate destruction of any body part that it encountered.”
The Levin gun, that had to be what he’s referring to.
“The Dormitories could not create soldiers fast enough to replenish the troops that were dying. One man risked his life to cross borders to bring back the technology and designs for our scientists to study to help create a defense against this destructive power.”
The image shifts to a young man about my height, black hair cropped short, thin, and frail. I recognize the eyes set deep in the man’s face. It’s Devlan.
“I was hailed a hero by many, but I didn’t see myself as one. I lost many friends to the wars our region fought, but I didn’t know I was going to be bringing the conflict to our own front door.”
The tablet shuts down.
This segment is a lot shorter than the others, only lasting five minutes.
I try to think if I’ve heard about any current fighting going on between the cities, but can’t remember any. My eyes grow weary, so I slide the tablet back into the satchel as I contemplate Devlan’s parting words.
I get up at five the following morning and do several three-mile runs, but this time I do them alone. Once back at the barn, I shower and change into a tank top, shorts, and my boots. When I enter the house, Rena is pacing back and forth, wringing her hands.
“Hi Rena,” I say, as I walk up to her.
At first she doesn’t appear to hear me, but as my voice registers with her mind she forcefully grabs my hands and starts panicking.
“Terrance and Quin didn’t come back. Have you seen them?”
I think hard, but I don’t remember hearing Quin’s truck returning last night.
“Maybe they did come back, but left again,” I lie, trying to calm her down.
She seems to consider my idea as her grip loosens. I guide her to the couch, get her a glass of water, and hand it to her as I kneel on the floor.
“What errand were they running for you?” I ask, as I help raise the glass to her lips.
“They were going to Oasis Eight to pick up a package for me. It should’ve only taken an hour at the most, but they’ve been gone all night,” she blubbers after swallowing.
I help her take another sip. “How do I get to Oasis Eight?”
Terror enters her eyes. She grabs my shoulders, dumping the water all over herself and me. “You can’t go there. No, I won’t let you,” she screams.
I gently remove her hands and place them onto her lap. “Rena, it’ll be okay. I just need you to tell me how to get to Oasis Eight.”
She slumps her shoulders, letting her depression take over. I leave her sitting on the couch while I head to the barn to retrieve my knife, motorbike, and satchel. I remove the contents except for the metal canisters with the Quarum and two detonators. I place the Beta gun in the satchel, but I leave the knife in my boot, put my hair up into a ponytail, pull the bike up to the porch, and go into the house to get a quick drink. Rena has moved from the couch and is now behind the bar drawing a map, along with directions on what to do once I get to Oasis Eight. Taking the paper, I study the map quickly and fold it, placing it into the satchel. Rena gives me a hard hug.
I head out of the Refuge and turn right at the abandoned highway.
According to the map, I will need to go thirty miles before I hit the security fence that surrounds Oasis Eight. The sky is overcast today, so I’m not competing with the heat from the sun, just the heat emanating from the ground. About a mile from the fence, I see an arrangement of boulders just off the left side of the road, so I slow down, pulling around the mound, and spot Quin’s truck hiding amongst the rocks. I park my bike next to it, and peer into the cab and the bed, which are both empty. Rena’s diagram indicates an entrance to a tunnel in the center of the boulders that will lead me to the other side of the fence and under Oasis Eight.
I see a crack between two of the stones and have to carefully squeeze myself through it, seeing the entrance exactly where it’s supposed to be, at the base of the formation. As I enter, I remember the tunnel at the house and wonder if both were created by the same hands, as the structures are identical except in size. This tunnel is much taller than the other. Down the dark passageway, I walk slowly using my hand as a guide, sliding it along the wall. The buzz of electricity hums as I go under the fence and into Tyrean territory.
My pulse begins to race as I see daylight ahead, but don’t know what awaits me on the other side. I try to mentally prepare myself for anything.
The tunnel ends, forcing me to climb up a
