So, as I walked into the kitchen this morning and looked at the date, I nearly screamed. Wednesday already?! That can't be! I hadn't been writing much lately, so I had to petal to the metal. It was almost a day late! YIKES!
Alright, I orginally posted this chapter yesterday, but I had to edit it more because at second glance I reliezed what a hack job it was. It was almost like I corrected it by running it over.
This chapter is dedicated to owlcity2013! Happy B-day!
Excuse the grammar. You know the drill.
LYNN
I held the wrench between my teeth, the metallic taste filling my mouth. Standing inside the Argo II, I was busily working, trying to manipulate the wires and machinery back to life. After nonchalantly breaking into Leo's room, I was able to find a few miscellaneous tools that happened to be lying around. It was near impossible though, since Leo carried everything in his magical tool belt, but I was able to find a wrench, a single screwdriver, and the hammer that he had used to knock me out.
It hadn't enough.
It was like trying to solve one hundred pieced jigsaw puzzles with only three pieces. The Argo II was about a million times more complicated than my databases let me in on, and it was even more frustrating in the sense that I had limited access to tools and resources. We were in the middle of the ocean. And, in honesty, I didn't know that many Wal-Mart's that were just floating around near by.
I looked into my databases, and then jabbed at a dented slab of metal to give me better access to the circuits. I pounded the celestial bronze back into place, even though it was half melted. I had done this process for hours. Pound. Fix. Groan when I couldn't fix it completely. Repeat. You couldn't even believe how tedious that was to correct. Not to mention the gigantic opening that was in place on one side of the ship. I didn't even know where to begin with that little situation. I hadn't even had time to suspend a tarp over it, so it let in a lovely draft.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
My hammer pounded into the metal, and I pounded out my frustrations with it.
Fang, how dare he! He just accused me of being evil then decided to fly solo. It wasn't about Angel at all! It had just been him and his stupid stereotypes. On the day I was sent to get Leo, I could've gone on my own. I could have ignored them, and went to go save Amelia on my own. My sister and I could have lived without trouble, without getting ourselves into that mess. But no! I decided to help them. And we're out here, risking our freaking lives, and Fang had the nerve to even question me.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Then there was the Argo II. The New School just loved to put dents in my plans. I couldn't fly in any way, shape, or form, and I couldn't just give them the coordinates and send them on their way. No. They were insanely strong, but the New School was prepared for this sort of situation. If something happened to them during the rescue… I couldn't live with myself.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Amelia. I wondered what she was doing. The only time I had an update on her situation was when I had my little dream, and trust me when I say that it wasn't the best way to check up on your sis. She was in the most danger now, almost as if she stood directly over the epicenter of this whole mess. One wrong step and she's dead. I wish I could talk to her. I missed my sister. After all, she was the only family I had.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I pound in the last dents, and then replaced my hammer with the screwdriver. It was the smallest tool I had, so ultimately, it was going to be the one the tinkered with the circuits with. I reached into my head for information before beginning, but it was in vain. I pressed the tip the wrong way, and the mechanics spit sparks in my face.
Angered and completely fed-up, I threw my screwdriver out the gap in the Argo II, watching as it splashed in the ocean. I was most likely going to regret that outburst, but at the moment I didn't care. I kicked the side of the ship before collapsing, "Stupid ship, WORK ALREADY!"
I gritted my teeth, lost in concentration. I looked out the side of the Argo II, facing the sunset. It was actually really pretty, minus that it signaled the end of another day. A whole twenty-four hours and we had made zero progress. At this rate, we were never going to reach the new school.
Suddenly, I heard distant splashing. It was soft, yet urgent, as if someone was trying to swim with a broken arm. I looked out into the ocean, staring at a figure that was bobbing in the waves. All it took was one look, and I knew who it was.
It was an Omega. In particular, it was the one that Max had managed to paralyze. It must have fallen into the water and hadn't gotten the memo that the fleet had already been withdrawn. It looked like it was drowning.
I knew I should have just left him at the mercy of the ocean, but I couldn't. Even if he had tried to murder my friends, I just couldn't let him drown. He didn't have a choice, nor did he register what he was doing. All Omegas were basically slaves to the New School. Besides, I had a heart for Omegas, secretly. I was one, for starters.
But, I had bigger means then just being nice. I needed answers and I knew that with the right words I could get the information I needed.
I dove out the hole in the side of the ship, and fell several feet before splashing in the water. Once underwater, I let my instincts take control. I glided through the water, swimming under the victim before hooking up, pulling him up for air under the arms. He coughed up salt water, and I began to drag it up towards the ship. Of course, I forgot the little detail about the nearest opening to the Argo II being a few feet above my head, so there was nowhere were I could bring him.
See? This is what I get for being nice.
Despite its weak state, it wrestled in my grip, trying to break free.
"Stop it," I demanded. "You're going to drown us both!"
"I have failed…" He gurgled.
"Yeah, whatever." I retorted.
He struggled even more, the water splashing in our faces.
"Sorry dude," I said. "This is going to sting a bit."
I whacked him in the side of the head, directly in his weak spot. He went rigid in my arms, but then went limp.
Now, all I needed was a way onto the ship…
MAX
I was waiting for Fang. I kept saying to myself that he would be back. That he was just mad, and that he just went flying for a bit to blow out steam, like I do when I'm mad.
He'll be back. I repeated the thought, over and over again. But as the sun sank over the horizon, I lost hope.
His little outburst was just so…unpredictable. It was almost as if he was a different person. Fang was usually a go with the flow guy. And I knew he cared about Angel, we all do, but Fang has never been in that much of a hurry to go rescue her. It sounds heartless and evil, but it's truth.
Of course, there was that one occasion where the flock split because Fang didn't trust Ari, so was it really that different? And, it's not like he's a stranger to leaving the flock. Might I remind myself of the notorious group called Fang's Gang?
But, it left me with an uneasy feeling that refused to go away. It was sickening, really. It was almost like an emotional cocktail: Rage, disbelief, and, yes, sadness. Utter sadness.
Pathetic, right?
I slouched over the railings, focusing in the waves. Always rolling, always moving towards the shore. They rushed by with the wind, without a care in the world.
If only it was that easy.
"MAX!"
I turned downwards towards the noise. To say I was surprised that Lynn was bobbing in the waves would have been an understatement. Not to mention the half-dead Omega that she was carrying in her arms.
"What in the world-" I began.
"Please don't question! Can you just get me back on deck?" Lynn yelled.
Five minutes later, one soaking wet Lynn and the rest of the passengers on the Argo II were lined in the control room, staring at the Omega that was tripled tied to the chair.
"This must be familiar to you Lynn." I joked, which only resulted in a murderous glare.
"So," Frank started. "Tell me again why we have a murderous cyborg on the ship?"
"Hey," Lynn argued. "Let's not forget that I am technically of the same species as those murderous cyborgs. Second, we need answers. If we ask him the right questions, we'll get some information."
She paused.
"Besides, I couldn't just let it die. It's not right. Especially with its broken leg."
I was about to say something philosophical, but the head of the Omega snapped back, his red eyes staring in your soul…almost literally.
We instinctively took a waning step back.
Lynn stepped towards it, "Who commands you?"
He looked at her, "I have failed."
"Yeah, we get that," Lynn said, annoyed. Then, she furrowed her brow in concentration, before her eyes lit up, "How about, protocol 11-A?"
The Omega stopped wiggling, and then looked forward.
"What did you just ask it?" Gazzy questioned.
"I basically just asked it the same thing, only in Omega language. The protocols are top secrete codes so that the enemy can't get any information out of them if they were supposedly caught. Like now, for example. Only, they didn't quite expect this." Lynn answered.
"Doctor Susana A. Hoarfrost." The Omega replied, monotone.
"What?!" Lynn exclaimed. "That's not possible! Only Jeb gives the official commands! Why in the world would Doctor Hoarfrost command an attack on the Argo II?"
"Who's Doctor Hoarfrost?" Frank asked.
"She's the head doctor. She's almost like an evil grandmother, only worse. She's usually quiet and just keeps to her own business. In fact, she's most likely the one who is working with the demigods. So this doesn't make any sense."
"Okay," I began. "You should ask him his motives. Someone just doesn't command an assault because they think it's fun, right?"
"Well, knowing Doctor Hoarfrost… never mind that. I'll ask it why," Lynn stated, "Okay, how about protocol 77-k12?"
The Omega began, monotone and stone faced, "The termination of the enemies and the successful capture of a single flock member. The request that Omega number 113 was kept alive was also put into effect."
Lynn's jaw dropped, "What do you mean by "keep Omega 113 alive?" I'm a mistake, remember?"
"Invalid protocol." He said, then he began to wreslet with the chair again.
"Whatever," Lynn grumbled, lost in thought.
"No offense," Iggy said. "But why would the New School want you alive?"
"I seriously do not know. I've never have had this happen before. Once the New School figures out that you were a mistake- you're toast. It's happen before…" Her gold eyes went dark. "They must have passed on the information about me being alive when they were receiving their new information on the deck. Certain Omegas are rigged with a camera, so they know I'm helping you guys. But wanting me alive? I don't get it. It defies the laws of Omegas."
She bit he lip, then began to pace around.
"Look," I said, "I know this is important and all, but we still have a problem. How the heck are we suppose to find Angel and the rest of the demigods? We have no weapons, and it's not like Lynn can fly. We can't leave her behind."
Nods rippled through the crowd.
"Maybe we could carry Lynn?" Nudge offered.
Lynn laughed, "No, I don't think that's really a smart idea. I may be less then a hundred pounds, but it would just slow you down. Not to mention that it would just be weird."
"What about the boots?" Gazzy spoke quietly.
"What do you mean "the boots?" Nudge asked.
"The anti-gravity boots. We have an Omega right here. With them, Lynn would be able to fly." Gazzy explained simply.
A smile broke out over Lynn's face, "Gazzy, you're a genius!"
It was easier said then done. Have you ever tried to take the boots off a kicking and screaming Omega? I didn't think so. It was one of those practices that would have a warning attach to it like kids, don't try this at home. But, we managed to get the boots from him with only a fair amount of screaming and bloodshed.
Lynn slipped on the boots, shuffling her feet around.
"Well?" I inquired.
"I don't feel any different. In fact, I don't think I even know how to turn these things on." Lynn answered, jumping into the air a few times, trying to catch the air.
"Maybe you should try shouting, "activate!" at the top of your lungs." Dylan suggested, a sarcastic smile playing across his lips.
"What? Do you actually think shouting "activate" is really going to-"
Suddenly, as if she was standing on top of an air bubble, she shot a few feet in the air.
"Are you freaking kidding me?! Way to be original…" Lynn hissed, while Dylan laughed.
"Can you steer though?" I continued.
Lynn closed her eyes, and concentrated. With a burst of speed, she lifted into the air, and then did figure eights in the air before touching down.
"Whoa! You control these things with your mind! This must be just specifically made for Omegas, you know, because of the half robotic brain thing. But man, what a rush!" Lynn said.
"So what are waiting for? Let's leave! We have a lot of ground to cover up, so let's get a head start." Dylan argued.
"At night?" Iggy said.
"Why not. It's not like you can see or anything." Nudge remarked, and Iggy shrugged in agreement.
We're going to make it after all! And we're bound to see Fang on the mission. We can save the demigods and rescue Angel. And the flock will be back together. Maybe, there will even be new members of our little flock.
"You can fly, right Max? I know you dislocated your wing…" Lynn said.
"No, I'm good. I was able to pop it back in," I cringed at the recent memory.
"Wait," Nudge interrupted. "What about the Argo II?"
"Don't worry about it. During the war with Gaea… we made connections. It'll be taken care of." Frank reassured vaguely.
I nodded. No need to go into depth, "Up and out?"
Smiles spread across everyone's faces. Frank transformed into a giant eagle, his beady eyes filled with excitement.
"Up and out."
And we shot into the air.
JEB
"You can't just command the Omegas like that. What you did was reckless and wasteful. We lost too many Omegas due to your outrageous actions!"
Doctor Hoarfrost puckered her lips sourly, more bitter than offended by my words, "The enemy advances, yet you do nothing about it. If they come here, they'll ruin our plans.
I scoffed, "Please. They won't even make it to the mountains."
"Is that so?" Dr. H said, "It would be a lie to say that I don't have any doubts."
"Remember your place," I growled. I sat down in my chair, glaring at her from across my desk. "You nearly killed Omega 113."
" I knew you cared about this certain Omega. I demanded that she was kept alive. But, what is so special about this Omega? We have all seen the footage. She's a mistake."
"Don't play stupid with me woman. I know you have a habit for sneaking around in the file room. If we lose her, the operation crumbles."
"What about the Omega 113.5? Couldn't she still be used? They are of the same DNA."
"Yes. But they were born twins for a reason."
"When the time comes, will they cooperate? We aren't positive that Omega 113.5 is a mistake, but 113 defiantly is one. How will you handle that?"
"We have our ways!" I barked. "Now leave my office. I believe you have a surgery to attend to."
Dr. H shook her head, "You're playing a dangerous game Jeb. One wrong move, and this whole thing could blow in your face."
"I thank you for your impute, but I could do without." I spat.
But she just laughed as she left the room, closing the doors behind her.
R&R!
-medusa's pen