HIVE: Inheritance: Chapter Seven
Otto yawned, not wanting to get out of bed. He felt okay, just enormously tired. The patter of footsteps told Otto that Wing was up, so he kept his eyes closed in case he was forced out of bed.
"I know you're awake Otto," Wing said nearby. Crestfallen, Otto slowly slid himself out from under the duvet.
His right leg looked like it was on the mend, so luckily the water hadn't affected it and Otto could walk.
"You all right?" Wing asked, sitting down beside Otto. "Yesterday, I thought you were going to drown!" Otto smiled faintly.
"I would of if you, Shelby and Laura hadn't fetched me." Wing shrugged, and continued getting changed.
Last night, whilst Otto had sat by the pool trying to catch his breath, Laura had fetched Doctor Nero, Raven and Professor Pike. Raven had immediately dived into the pool to try to catch the attackers, but they'd allowed escaped via an air vent. Annoyed, Raven had watched Professor Pike check Otto over, then after some questioning, they'd all gone to bed.
Today, Otto was going to meet Number One. The Black Box said it was 8:00am-half and hour to go. Trying to shake off his nerves, he slid on his black HIVE jumpsuit and tried to sneak out of the room. But Wing caught him at it.
"Where are you going Otto?" Otto froze, not sure whether to bolt or explain. At the sight of Wing's curious face, he decided to explain.
"I've got to meet Number One at 8:30am," Otto said simply, trying to hide his nerves. Wing sprang forward in surprise.
"You mean the Number One, ruler of GLOVE?" he clutched Otto's hands so tight they burned.
"Yeah," Otto mumbled, "But I'll be fine!" he said quickly as Wing held on tighter. Wing let go slowly, deep in thought.
"Can I come with you?" he said, not the slightest bit joking.
"And us!"
The boys swung around to see Laura and Shelby at the door. Otto put his hands on his hips.
"Have you been eavesdropping?" Laura looked sheepish but Shelby just put on a dazzling smile.
"No," she said sweetly, purposefully widening her blue eyes to look innocent.
"Shelby," Wing put his head in his hands, "We know you're guilty."
"It would be great if you could all come," Otto said slowly. He was met by a bombard of grateful smiles. "But," he frowned, "We need to ask Nero."
"Are you sure about this Otto?" Doctor Nero looked the boy in the eye. Otto looked round the hangar at his three friends, chatting loudly by a solemn Raven.
"Yes" Otto said decisively. "I want them to come."
"And you realise that they won't be able to meet Number One with you, then can only go on the journey?"
"Yes."
Otto ran up to Shelby, Laura and Wing.
"So?" Shelby prompted, bursting with excitement.
"You can come," Otto said breathlessly.
"Yes!" Laura whooped, "I haven't been outside HIVE in ages!"
"Me neither," Wing said.
Just then there was a loud throbbing noise coming from above them.
"Open the hangar doors!" security guards shouted. A beeping noise started as two giant metal doors at the top of the hangar slowly slid open. Otto's eyes widened as a sleek black aircraft lowered itself through the doors. Dust billowed everywhere as the rotors disturbed it, creating a hazy red glow. There was a dull thud as the aircraft touched down, and the rotors slowed. Red dust fell to the ground as five men in black jumpsuits stepped out.
Otto's blood ran cold. They looked just like the two people who'd tried to drown him! Otto looked at his friends, they were looking at him with equal surprise.
"It's them!" Shelby mouthed quickly. They only nodded in reply because two men came up in front of them. They surveyed the children.
"Which one's Otto Malpense?" Otto shivered at his gruff voice and hesitantly stepped forwards.
"I am."
"Then come with us," the men said. It was an order, there was no choice in the matter. Thankfully Nero stepped forwards.
"They're all going, even though only Otto and me are meeting Number One." Otto held his breath as Number One's guards paused, but luckily they beckoned for them all.
As Otto entered the shiny interior, he automatically tried to head for Raven and Nero. He had to warn them that these were the enemies, but a guard pushed him roughly into a seat with his friends. They watched in despair as an oblivious Raven and Nero followed the five men into the cockpit. Otto jumped as a seatbelt sprang across his waist, he tried to pull against it, as did his friends. Unfortunately, they weren't going anywhere.