“Calm down, you lunatic!” Imara shouted back.
“Please ensure your jumpsuits are unzipped and your arms are exposed,” their guide instructed. “Behind your head is a small, blue button. When you’re ready, press this button and relax your arms at your sides. You will feel a slight discomfort as syringes inject into both arms, just beneath where they meet your shoulders. But do not fear—the pain is temporary, and you will not feel them once your simulation begins.”
This was insane. All of this to be awarded a spot on Oranos?
The leaders of the Systems were sadistic.
Gemma did as instructed, unzipping her jumpsuit and freeing her arms from their sleeves before picking up the syringed devices to inspect them. They were similar to medical syringes but bigger and flexible (except for the needle) and were attached to a thick wire that connected to her sleep chamber. Inside both syringes was a light blue, opaque liquid that definitely didn’t look like it belonged in anyone’s body.
Gemma took a deep breath.This is all for you, Nadine.
Gemma pressed the button behind her head and closed her eyes as she lowered her arms to her sides. A soft, mechanical whirr resonated.
She winced as the needles jammed into their proper deltoids, then the blue liquid flushed into her system. A chill ran through her body. The chamber brightened around her until Gemma had to cover her eyes to protect them.
A wet, whooshing noise caught her off guard. She’d only heard that sound in optics from Earth.There’s no way...
Gemma uncovered her eyes. Her jaw dropped.
She stood on what she’d learned was called a beach, staring out over an expanse of deep-blue water that foamed white as it hit sand. Squawks of birds sang from above, and the salty smell of the sea filled Gemma’s lungs.
She couldn’t help the grin spreading across her cheeks as she stepped forward, the sand crackling beneath her feet. A breathy chuckle escaped her.
“Are y’all seeing this?” Alfie said from Gemma’s right.
She turned her head. Her teammates stood next to her on the beach, but instead of gray jumpsuits, they now wore black military gear like theguards who had stood in front of the elevators when they’d arrived at Zion.
“Incredible, isn’t it?” the same feminine voice from their optic spoke.
Gemma turned to her left where their ebony-skinned guide now walked toward them, barefoot and dressed in a flowy white gown. She was ethereal.
“To be able to feel, see, and smell a place from another world is an experience you’ll never forget.” She waved her hand, and tall, purple grass surrounded them now.
The smell in the air was flowery—heavenly. Gemma had smelled flowers only once before, when she’d been lucky enough to procure a cube of expensive soap from off-world. She’d used it as a scenter in her wardrobe until she was fired from the infirmary and had run out of money. She’d been forced then to use it as actual soap, and she’d sobbed the first time the cube got wet.
Flowers were definitely one of her favorite smells.
To their backs were ruins of what had to have been a cozy little village. The roofs of the structures had collapsed, but some walls still stood, and a gated stone wall provided entry. It was eerily beautiful.
“Not gonna lie, I’m starting to freak out a little,” Imara said.
Their guide smiled. “This is where I leave you. Each of you must pass this test in order for your team to win. If one falls, all fail.”
“What’s our objective?” Hawk’s face was tight in confusion.
The optic smiled again. “Survive.”
The flowery smell disappeared, replaced by the scents of smoke and decay. The sky above was no longer bright and blue but hazy, as if the world knew it was on fire. Gunfire reverberated from every direction.
Gemma’s stomach sank.
“What do we do?” Alfie asked. “She said ‘survive.’ What does that mean?”
Gemma spun slowly, surveying their surroundings. The purple grass was now gone, replaced by its scorched remains. The village no longer held a beauty to them but was rotted and worn. Death had severed their ties to the world with a serrated blade.
A battle cry echoed from the distance.
“Anybody else hear that?” Gemma asked.
