I can’t do this!
Straight across from her was Deadly Dearest and Diatrix. The other woman gave her a chilling smile and waved to her, but then the cheers boomed and the teams began to be introduced to the crowd.
Her and Cypher’s name were called third, andboosmingled with the cheers. Cypher grabbed her hand and held it up between them. Theboosgrew louder but so did the cheers. Anxiety threatened to drown out any courage she had left.
Cypher helped her into her rig, and she let him. An electric numbness took over. After he grabbed her visor and set it on her head, he leaned down, startling her further. His face blocked out everything else.
“Remember, you’re not alone. I’m here with you all the way. No matter what happens, I’m here.” His lips brushed her brow.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispered.
He smiled, and her heart melted. She leaned into him. It was a stolen moment of reprieve.
“We’re a team,” he said.
“Yes. The greatest team.”
“Let’s land on Laprencia and show the world what we’re made of. Whatyou’remade of.”
His words calmed her some. Vee nodded. “Yes!”
Cypher pulled away, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and turned and strode to his rig. He attached the straps around his muscled frame. When he was finished, he winked at her and pulled his visor down.
A huge hologram surged up above them, showing their championship virtual login and the planet spinning in the background. Similar screens emerged atop the other teams’ rigs. Inhaling, Vee tugged her own visor over her face. The technology scanned her pupils, and she appeared next to Cypher.
Unlike her change of hair, he looked the same as he did in real life. A fantastical space warrior.
She could hear Derek’s voice as she approached Cypher’s digital side. “Today we begin the 317th Annual Terraform Zero Semi-Finals!”
Cheers erupted. Cypher took her hand. Derek went on introducing Laprencia to the crowd, ending on the Trentian involvement. Cypher’s grip on her hand tightened at the mention of them.
When Derek was done, the turquoise and green planet before her unlocked, and another wave of cheers sounded. This was it.
Adrenaline zinged through her body.
She had no idea what to expect, but she was prepared. She knew she was prepared. The beginning of a new game was the best part.
The most exciting.
“Here we go…” she said, moving forward.
The screen flickered before she could jump to the planet’s orbit. She frowned. That was different. Sometimes she started on space stations in the past, but never this.
Within the next moment, she and Cypher were on a strange ship with battle-clad Trents surrounding them, poising laser spears and aiming guns at their persons. Vee froze as Cypher jerked out his weapon.
Confused, Vee looked around.This isn’t right.
A silver-clad alien wearing a horned helmet stepped between the guards surrounding them with pale eyes that looked flamed with white fire. From head to toe, his armor gleamed white-silver, covering every inch of his body.
She inhaled, annoyed, but kept her emotions in check.People are watching us.
“I am Commander Lotrin, a Knight of Xanteaus, and you have trespassed in airspace claimed by my people. Who are you, and what business do you have here, humans…?” Lotrin hissed the last word. His eyes pinned her.
She’d never been this close to a real Trentian before, not even a half-breed. Until yesterday’s announcement, the Trentians had never been in any Terraform Zero game. Near-mesmerized by the sight, she swallowed.
Cypher inserted himself in front of her as Lotrin took a step toward her. “Back off,” he warned. Cypher’s nails vanished, and metal claws appeared.
Vee put her hand on his arm to calm him. “It’s not real, remember?”
