Chapter 41

ORION

“Come, my son. We have work to do.”

Orion ended the call with Aurora and picked up his rematerializer, a dark blue device with a yellow button. In case anything went wrong on their advance mission, it would let them regroup out and rejoin the army. Not that anything would. Vector was one of the finest killing machines Orion had ever seen…and coupled with the power of Project Antigen, Helio Corps would be eradicated. For good.

Orion and Vector slipped out a side entrance ahead of the mob of psions. Soon, the Helio Corps Headquarters loomed ahead.

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Chapter 42

VONN

Vonn donned his armor and composed himself mentally. Meridian had called the Hyperion troops back to Atlas, and apparently not a moment too soon. A bell had sounded at the Atlas Hyperbotics complex, summoning all soldiers to battle.

Vonn walked down the hallway towards the medical rooms. Whoooosh. His sister flew down the hallway, nearly knocking him over.

“Hi big bro! Ready for the fight?”

Vonn smiled wanly, trying to suppress his nerves.

“Ready as I can be,” he said.

“Great!” said Lex, who appeared far more excited than nervous. “Aren’t you headed the wrong way?”

“I’m going for my daily session with Aethelinde,” said Vonn. “Have to be at my best!”

“Oooh, your girlfriend came along?”

“She is not my…okay, that’s just stupid. First, I prefer MEN and you know that. Second, she came because she’s battle-capable — did you know she’s a former medic? — and Meridian wants her around in case there are injuries. Third, she’s old enough to be our MOTHER. Or at least an aunt. Minus the whole century of cryosleep thing. Fourth, I…you know what, this is stupid and I’m not responding further.”

Lex grinned and lightly punched his arm. “I’m just kidding, silly. Go have your session! I want my big bro at his best. But hurry — we’re kind of supposed to be dashing off to save Helio Corps.”

She tilted her head, as if thinking about giving him a quick hug or kiss, then changed her mind and sped off down the hallway.

Vonn walked briskly down the remainder of the hallway — dashing wasn’t really a thing he did — and turned into the medical lab. Aethelinde was waiting for him.

The medical scientist smiled brightly when he came in, and gestured toward an open examination room. Vonn followed her in.

“So, since there’s apparently a battle going on today,” said Aethelinde, “I’m going to give you an extra shot of steroids. I want you to decimate those attackers.”

Vonn gulped and nodded. He could use a shot of confidence, too. Maybe she had some brandy?

Aethelinde took a syringe from her supply and made eye contact with Vonn, as she always did. He closed his eyes, anticipating the prick. She inserted it carefully into his neck and released the substance into his veins.

“I’m so sorry, Vonn,” she whispered to him, as the room began to spin.

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