“I have to say,” the Kaizen continued, “I’m proud of you all. Those motherfucking traitors deserve to die. We provide for you. We protect you. Without us, Perileos would never survive. So, when you graduate—ifyou graduate—and you see one of those blasted motherfuckers, you shoot them dead in between the eyes. Got that?”
Gemma dug her nails into her legs. Every inch of her body was on fire, and it took every ounce of energy left in her body to stay seated.
All the Dissent wanted was for Perileos—and all of planet Reva—to be seen as a part of the United Planetary Systems. This wasn’t the same place they’d shipped prisoners off to centuries ago. Reva’s people deserved a voice. Perileos deserved the same rights as any city under the Systems’ authority. Why was it so bloody hard for them to see that?
“Now,” the Kaizen said, “all of you know your way back to your testing rooms. Get out of my sight.”
The cafeteria buzzed with energy as teams stood. The Kaizen glared at each of them as they passed. A shiver ran up Gemma’s spine when she met the woman’s brown eyes, as if the admiral could see right through Gemma’s disguise. She forced herself to stare into the back of Hawk’s head, her stomach in a knot. She never should’ve looked at the evil woman.
Their android instructor waited for them outside their simulator. “Welcome back,” it said in its annoying, monotone voice. “Proceed to your sleep chambers.”
Gemma did as instructed, plugging the machine into her deltoids, her heart racing.
Their optic guide appeared on the inside of their chambers’ lids. “Welcome back! I’m thrilled you made it through that first, difficult round. You must have a brilliant team. However, this time, you will be separated into pairs based on the algorithm’s assessment of your strengths and weaknesses from your first test.
“I am not permitted to share more details about this second test, but it is important to know that if one pair fails in their trial, the others will still be allowed to continue. Best of luck to each of you!”
Gemma let out a slow breath. At least she would have control over her fate this time. And she would make sure her partner followed her every step. For three years, she’d been training for the Trials. She would not fail now.
She squeezed her eyes against the bright light that alerted their entrance to the simulation.
When the light dimmed, Gemma stood in a dark hall with dimly lit white electrolights dotting the edges of the floor. They still wore their gray uniforms this time; it was likely not another combat scenario.
She glanced over her shoulder. There was nothing but wall behind them.What do you have for us this time, Rami?
“Well, I guess we go forward,” Hawk said, stepping back in to his role as leader.
“Hope you didn’t hurt your head thinking about that decision,” Imara replied.
Hawk shot her an annoyed look, and Imara sashayed forward, a toothy grin plastered on her face. Gemma raised an eyebrow. Those two had gotten close really fast.I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve already slepttogether too.Not that it was any of her business as long as they didn’t ruin Gemma’s chances of winning.
The six of them strolled into a large, cool chamber that reminded Gemma too much of the mines below Reva’s surface. Except, she couldn’t see more than a foot ahead, and the air was thick with the sensation that they were being watched.
Faint starlight flickered overhead, casting ghostly shadows across the walls where strange, light-purple symbols began to glow. The brighter they burned, the more clearly Gemma could see the artifacts that lined red stone walls. They were worn and ancient.
Where in the blazes are we?
“I’ve seen these symbols before on alien ruins,” Christian murmured, his voice low.
“Wait,alienslived here before us?” Alfie inquired.
Christian nodded. “But I wouldn’t know where to start with interpreting their language.”
“How do you know all of this?” Colton asked. “How often were you on the surface?”
The small muscle in Christian’s jaw flexed. “Often enough.”
The room began to hum with an otherworldly energy; the symbols grew brighter—
“Zero-zero-one, your partner istwo-zero-zero.” Alien voices of all pitches spoke from every symbol in the room.
Gemma rubbed her arms when her hairs stood on end. If she didn’t know any better, she would’ve said the stars themselves were speaking.
“Sounds like it’s you and me,” Hawk spoke to Imara.
“Oh, great,” she replied flatly.
“One-eight-nine, your partner istwo-one-four,” the alien voices announced again, their voices causing all six of them to startle.
