Jerry

"You don't wanna know why?"

"Gross."

I chuckled lightly as we approached our usual free time hangout. We sat and I yawned. We both watched as our classmates socialized in groups, some throwing around a ball.

"You think things are gonna change?" I ask.

Jack rubs his neck, "don't think so."

"Why?"

"I don't know, there is so little of us and so many of them. Then they killed Cody and that alone sent a message..."

We both grow silent again. It seems all we talk about anymore is our future. We never joke like we used to. I hate that this place is doing that to us. Making us grow up and get serious.

I scan the Rec room until my eyes land on Grace. She's by herself on one of those screen our Technical Teacher, Mr. Brimer, gave us. Every part of me wants to go over there and bug her. I don't want to leave Jack by himself though. He's my bro, that would be messed up.

Then Grace tucks her hair behind her ear and I can't stop staring. She looks determined on something. I can tell by the way her brow is furrowed.

She's so hot.

"Hey, dude, I gotta go."

"See ya, bro."

I gave him bro hug and watched him go. He seems so distant, like he's got loads going on. Like, he's got to make a live or death decision. Maybe I'm just making something out of nothing because I feel like I'm losing him. Losing him to this stupid Academy and its many rules and regulations. I'm personally not one to follow rules.

I hate rules.

I glance back over at Grace.

Just go over there and play it cool.

I stand and fix my uniform. Its ugly and bland with the only splash of color being my badge. It's depressing, really.

I finally make my legs move towards Grace. At first, they are small but, soon they become confident, big steps. Soon, i'm standing in front of Grace with my hands in my pockets. She doesn't notice me so I clear my throat.

She looks up, "oh, hey, Jerry."

"Sup, girl. What you up to?"

"Nothing, just homework."

"We have homework?"

"Yes."

I scratch the back of my head, confused. When did Mr. Brimer assign homework?

"That face looks about right."

"What?"

"The confused face you're sporting right now. It's like your signature."

I smirk, "oh, really?"

"Yeah, when we're in class and Mr. Brimer calls on you, you always make that face. Like you have no idea what is going on."

"I can't help it if his class boring. All he does is drone on and on about stuff nobody cares about."

"Um? Jerry?"

"Yeah."

"If you think that everything in here is boring and irrelevant then why are you here?"

I shrug, "I got invited."

She shook her head and looked back down at her screen.

"I see it like this, chica. When you're in a situation, say, a guy has a gun on you, you have to make a decision. Are you gonna look at the gun or the guy? If you look at the gun then either you're gonna panic and fight. Both of those responses are bound to get you killed. If you look at the guy then you have a chance. You can convince the guy that what he's doing is wrong or prove yourself to him as a man. And that's it."

I look down at her after my spiel. She is staring at me wide eyed. She's so cute when she's thinking. She stands up and looks me in my eye.

"Jerry?"

"Yes, chica?"

"That was the wisest thing I think I ever heard you say."

I rub my neck and look down, I don't want her to see me blushing.

"Thanks."

Grace smiles and shakes her head. She sits and I sit beside her. As she goes on about how she will help me with Mr. Brimer class, I stare at her. I couldn't help it and that kind of sucks because I probably look like a dork.

"Jerry, are you even listening to me?"

Stupid me, I glance down at her lips.

"Yeah, of course."

She smiles and looks down, blushing.

She must have noticed. Crap.

I lean back and rub my neck, trying to play it off.

Nice. Just great.

"I hope things get better."

I look over at her, quietly.

"I don't think the Colony can take much more. We're long suffering but, lately things have been really tense."

"What do you mean?"

"Alec Gordon Brewer's assassination was, I believe the beginning. Then the revolts and the responses of the Elite Police to those revolts. The outbreaks of legion and ecstasy, which killed lots of people. The acid rain levels rising. The new Colony representative is a U.F lap dog. And the exclusive manhunts for the writers and printers of the-"

"Okay, I get it but, we always bounce back."

She smiles, "I love your optimism, Jerry. It's very refreshing."

I smile back but, in the back of both of our minds we know that there is no 'bouncing back'. The Colony is slipping deeper and deeper into a pit and there is no one who going to pull us out. I'm afraid there's no hope. I'm also afraid that when things in the Colony truly go crazy my family will be stuck in the middle of it. I don't want a single one of them hurt.

I then remember what my father said to me when I was in trouble.

'Jerry, the world is bad enough without you making it worst with your crazy antics.'

That was just days before I lost Eddie to a P.K. During the days after, I started to have visions of a world full of green and life while I was on legion. A world I was afraid I would never see. It was beautiful though. Lively and open with tall trees and soft breezes. After Cody died, I began to sink into depression. So I got a hold of some legion hoping that I could go back there but, it got wasn't authentic. It didn't pack the punch like real legion did and only managed to get me high.

Grace poked my temple, "what're you thinkin' about?"

I grab her hand and smirk. She tilts her head, confused. I stand and yank her up and on to my shoulder.

"Put me down. Put... Jerry! JERRY!"

She starts to laugh uncontrollably, making me temporarily forget mt troubles.

Milton

I check the screens for the fifth time and sigh. If he was going to come, he would be here by now.

"He'll come, Milton. I know him. He'll come."

I stand and start to pace. I'm little anxious. This phase is the last one and is incredibly delicate. If a single thing doesn't go as plan then years of sacrifice and planning goes down the drain.

I will not let that happen.

I've been involved since the late stages Phase 1 and I am still impressed with how well everything has been progressing.

Just then, the door opens and Jack walks in. He smiles small at me and give Rudy a hug.

"So you made up your mind?"

"Yes. I want in."

I smile while Rudy does a little happy dance.

"One thing though."

We both go quiet and look to Jack.

"Is it gonna hurt?

Jack

I got even more nervous when he strapped my arms down.

"Why not my feet?"

Milton looks up at me, "you know... is you feel like stomping."

I nodded even though I didn't understand.

"Alright, so this is how the X works. I slit your wrist-"

"Um, Rudy? Maybe I should do this part."

He nodded and Milton stepped forward with a small black square in his hand,

"This is the External-Internal Suit or X for short. It works by inserted into the wrist under the skin and when I turn it on it will bond with your muscle, making you strong and more resistant to bruising."

"How do I, you know, whip it out?"

"Your mind. You think it, the suit does it. The suit also acts as a healer for any injuries that do occur. The suit has built in boosters into the boots. They are limited but, I am working on that. Finally, the suit has a direct contact line to us so, whenever you need to get into contact with us it'll be easy."

I stare at him while he smiles brightly.

"Shall we begin?"

I nodded as he put a clear pad on my left wrist. I nervously rub the padded arm rest.

"Alright."

I look down at my wrist as he puts the X in my wrist. His hands are so steady. The cool metal touches my muscle and I shift in my seat uncomfortably. He then puts another clear square on my skin and the wound closes up.

"Done with the first part."

I take a deep breath and mentally prepare myself for the loads of pain I was sure that was on the way.

"Alright, this part is going to be... uncomfortable. But, I trust you will push through and hold out until the end."

He tries to smile, reassuringly. I can see through it though, he's nervous.

"Uncomfortable?" I ask.

"I'll count to three."

"Wait, Milton. Uncomfortable?"

"One."

"Milton."

"Two."

"Milton, wait, please!"

"Three!"

Milton presses the button and the pain ensues immediately. I scream and cringe as an awkward pain riddles my body. It's like a million spiders are under my skin crawling, trying to reach every inch of my body. I double over and grunt, as the suit crawls up my back. I twist and turn to keep from being still. I scream out again as it tears through my body. I pull at the arm restraints with all the strength I can muster. Tears begin to blind me as it only increases in agony.

I can hear voices but, they are distant. My grip on the arm rest seems to loosen as my strength drains. My vision is splattered with black dots and its only getting worse. My mouth is dry from all the screaming. My body feels as if it going to let go. I close my eyes.

Then, suddenly, it's all gone.

The pain is gone and replaced with extra strength. My hearing comes back but, all I can think about is what is happening to me. I open my eyes and stare at the floor for a second.

"How do you feel, Jack?" Rudy asks.

I yank both my wrist up and break the arm restraints. I stand, feeling ten feet tall. I take a deep breath.

Once I look over to the full body mirror, I notice how sweaty I am. I frown and walk closer to the mirror.

"You should wait for the suit to settle before you, ya know, whip it out."

It was too late. All that I was thinking about was the suit.

Subsequently, pain engulfed me again. I fall to one knee and grunt. Black seemed to peel its way through my skin, covering me. The same discomfort from before consumed me. My hands hit the floor so I don't hit the floor. Just like before, it ends as quickly as it begins.

I breath heavily and keep still.

"Jack?"

I shake ever so slightly as I try to stand. I get to my feet and run my hands through my hair to get it out of my face. When I look up, I jump back away from the mirror.

I look away then back at the mirror, not sure if it was real.

"Whoa."

It was pitch black with little lights near my arms, on my chest and on my knees. The grooves on the chest plate outline and shape my physic. Everything about the suit is light weight and comfortable, even the boots, which is surprising. Most of the upper suit is tough, black mesh covered with flexible, slick armor to match. The bottom half of the suit was a bit of a mix of the two.

All in all, I looked good.

I smile and look back at Milton through the mirror.

"This is amazing, Milton."

"I didn't make the suit, though God knows I wish I did. It was your father and Rudy."

I turn around and look at them both.

"He was genius that understood the system better than any of use ever will." Rudy replied.

"Then why isn't he here?" I retort.

"He is," he walk towards me," this suit is him and now he will always be with you."

I look back at the mirror. Suddenly, something covered my head. My hands flew to my head as I tripped over my own feet and fall. I hear Milton and Rudy burst into hysterical laughter.

"Not funny!"

Hey, everyone!

Hope you liked the chapter. Make sure you leave a review and tell me what you think. It means a lot.

Just to let you know, Jack suit resembles Rinzler's suit in Tron, like on the cover picture. That movie was sick by the way.

Who else is excited for Avenger 2?! I can barely contain myself!

Hope you all you great scallops have a great week!

Yeah, I called you all a scallop. ;D

Byes!

-Angel