dropped due to the limited underground heating pipes and generators. The air quality dipped also as they drove deeper into the Outlands. The air filtration towers that processed breathable oxygen were fewer and farther between.
The adrenaline built within Shamira’s stomach. No one knew they were showing up, and yet she wondered if there were any more surprises coming. Odds were someone would be waiting for them. She’d have to admit, being the hunter was much more enjoyable than being the prey. After today, she’d have to turn the tables for good.
“Almost there, park our bikes at the end of Rock Haven. We have to go in on foot in case they have it guarded.” Shamira lifted her hand and pointed.
The scattering of rocks opened up the way to the portion of the Outlands called Meccan. She’d figured that if anyone tried living in the Outlands, Meccan would be the only place they’d be able to survive. They could plug into the underground piping lines and kick up the only air filtration tower in the further portion of the Outlands.
Valens moved his hands from her waist to her thigh. They drove around the last of the boulder at the end of Rock Haven when she shared her thoughts, “The people who live there aren’t killers. They wouldn’t have guards. It’s too hard for regular folks to get their hands on firepower here now that Monev’s shutdown.”
Shamira bought the cycle to a stop, kicked on the brake and breathed the thin air of the barren land. Glad night hadn’t come just yet, her shoulders relaxed. They’d have just enough time to make it. “I hope you’re right, but everyone has ways to get what they want don’t they?”
“Guess so,” Valens answered, “Here come the others.” He got off the bike to meet Anthony.
Mitch’s hand was on his gun. “I’m ready. I got a new toy Valens souped up for me.”
Shamira licked her lips, admitting she was ready too. “Hey, Valens, did you bring the glide pads?”
Valens tucked his gloves in his pocket. “You know me…I come prepared, or you would end up getting killed.” He eased off the black backpack. With a teasing smile, his eyebrow lifted as he dug inside. “You all know, you act like I’m Santa Claus.”
Anthony laughed and grabbed four of the glide pads from Valens when Valens’ hand cleared the bag. “Hell ya man, you are. The only person in my life to give me a present. My dad’s thing is hanging out, not gifts.”
“First one to give me one, too. Except, my adoptive dad is starting to go a little overboard with gifts. I had to tell him to stop.” Kurt added a low chuckle in his throat. “I told him the cookies he leaves out for me at night are all right, though. Too bad the old man never got married and had kids of his own. Good for me, I guess.” Kurt’s eyes became glassy for a moment, before he turned away.
Lips thinning, Dion squeezed Hedi. “You’re lucky. My adoptive father’s an ass. Hates that I’m in the Mars Police Force training program. Said he didn’t get why they would even consider a thief and a killer for the program. Then told me I joined the beat cops because I’d never be good enough to be a real Security Force Elite Officer. The bastard. As soon as we get promoted and do our year on Earth, I’m never looking back. All he is to me is a place to sleep.” Venom filled his words.
Hedi tilted her chin toward Dion worriedly. She interlaced their hands. Then she grasped the flat oval piece of metal that Valens gave her and stuck it to the bottom of her shoe. “Well, my birth mom isn’t exactly used to having me around, either. She asked if I’d been hurt like she was when I was captured by Monev. I told her…what the hell did she think would happen to a little girl taken by grown men? The same men who assaulted her in front of me and kidnapped us both. Ugh!” Hedi sniffed, and wiped a stray tear away.
Shamira’s heart sank. She reached out to her. “I’m sorry Hedi, I…”
Hedi planted a fake
The adrenaline built within Shamira’s stomach. No one knew they were showing up, and yet she wondered if there were any more surprises coming. Odds were someone would be waiting for them. She’d have to admit, being the hunter was much more enjoyable than being the prey. After today, she’d have to turn the tables for good.
“Almost there, park our bikes at the end of Rock Haven. We have to go in on foot in case they have it guarded.” Shamira lifted her hand and pointed.
The scattering of rocks opened up the way to the portion of the Outlands called Meccan. She’d figured that if anyone tried living in the Outlands, Meccan would be the only place they’d be able to survive. They could plug into the underground piping lines and kick up the only air filtration tower in the further portion of the Outlands.
Valens moved his hands from her waist to her thigh. They drove around the last of the boulder at the end of Rock Haven when she shared her thoughts, “The people who live there aren’t killers. They wouldn’t have guards. It’s too hard for regular folks to get their hands on firepower here now that Monev’s shutdown.”
Shamira bought the cycle to a stop, kicked on the brake and breathed the thin air of the barren land. Glad night hadn’t come just yet, her shoulders relaxed. They’d have just enough time to make it. “I hope you’re right, but everyone has ways to get what they want don’t they?”
“Guess so,” Valens answered, “Here come the others.” He got off the bike to meet Anthony.
Mitch’s hand was on his gun. “I’m ready. I got a new toy Valens souped up for me.”
Shamira licked her lips, admitting she was ready too. “Hey, Valens, did you bring the glide pads?”
Valens tucked his gloves in his pocket. “You know me…I come prepared, or you would end up getting killed.” He eased off the black backpack. With a teasing smile, his eyebrow lifted as he dug inside. “You all know, you act like I’m Santa Claus.”
Anthony laughed and grabbed four of the glide pads from Valens when Valens’ hand cleared the bag. “Hell ya man, you are. The only person in my life to give me a present. My dad’s thing is hanging out, not gifts.”
“First one to give me one, too. Except, my adoptive dad is starting to go a little overboard with gifts. I had to tell him to stop.” Kurt added a low chuckle in his throat. “I told him the cookies he leaves out for me at night are all right, though. Too bad the old man never got married and had kids of his own. Good for me, I guess.” Kurt’s eyes became glassy for a moment, before he turned away.
Lips thinning, Dion squeezed Hedi. “You’re lucky. My adoptive father’s an ass. Hates that I’m in the Mars Police Force training program. Said he didn’t get why they would even consider a thief and a killer for the program. Then told me I joined the beat cops because I’d never be good enough to be a real Security Force Elite Officer. The bastard. As soon as we get promoted and do our year on Earth, I’m never looking back. All he is to me is a place to sleep.” Venom filled his words.
Hedi tilted her chin toward Dion worriedly. She interlaced their hands. Then she grasped the flat oval piece of metal that Valens gave her and stuck it to the bottom of her shoe. “Well, my birth mom isn’t exactly used to having me around, either. She asked if I’d been hurt like she was when I was captured by Monev. I told her…what the hell did she think would happen to a little girl taken by grown men? The same men who assaulted her in front of me and kidnapped us both. Ugh!” Hedi sniffed, and wiped a stray tear away.
Shamira’s heart sank. She reached out to her. “I’m sorry Hedi, I…”
Hedi planted a fake
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