Cynetic Wolf

Less than fifteen kilometers to the city center and things didn’t look good.

A VTOL took off, and for the first time, Lars looked worried. “We’re going to have to jump.”

His unenhanced body wouldn’t stand a chance. “No way. I might be okay, but you wouldn’t.”

“Jump, Raek, now! Either that or I’m going first. We can’t afford to lose you.”

And I can’t afford to lose you. Wait, what was that? “A small pond, look.” I pointed. “Four kilometers, we can make it.”

“Fine. But you’re jumping, either way, kid, even if it’s too far for me.”

What choice did we have? I nodded as a realization hit me. We had to torch the place. The DNS couldn’t find DNA samples or they’d realize I wasn’t in Kiag.

Hurrying into the train, I went to work on the crates. There had to be something explosive. After busting several boxes, I knew it wouldn’t work. Hundreds of solar cells and microturbines, but no freaking batteries or fuel cells.

We were running out of time. United Digital was a no go.

Come on, one last shot.

Cracking open The Everything Store box, I knew we were in business. It was full of Amazon Elite Vodka. Slamming the case of a hundred or so bottles, alcohol gushing about my feet, I noticed another packing label: Olive Oil.

Perfect. I smashed a fortune’s worth of cases and waded to the doorway.

The pond was almost on us. Aiming, I fired and the booze caught fire. Two hundred fifty meters, closing fast. Here goes nothing. “You ready?” I asked.

He grabbed my shoulders and forced me toward the edge. It was getting hot. “You’re jumping! I’m old and washed up. The Resistance needs you.”

Not a chance. I couldn’t lose another friend, not like this.

As we argued, a BOOM. The main crate of vodka had ignited, engulfing the boxes around it. The heat became unbearable, burning stench of oil searing my nose as we reached the pond. It was too far to jump, at least four meters. It wasn’t going to work.

A flame exploded through the door and Lars yelled, “Now, kid!”

I sprinted, and as I was about to clear the edge, I grabbed him, pushing off with everything I had. The look on his face was priceless, pure anger and rabid fear, eyes wide, mouth open in a wordless scream. Straining my muscles and tendons to their max, I willed myself further as sounds of the VTOL broke the crackle. Five kilometers now.

We soared through the air but wouldn’t make it. Rotating my hips and timing it with the ground beneath us, my shoulder and hip thudded first, taking the brunt of the blow.

I threw my arms over Lars’ head and pulled his body into mine as we smash-rolled along, splashing into the freezing water. Seconds later, we came to a stop: soaked, sore, and shivering—but alive.

“You okay?” I asked as we crawled out.

“Thanks to you, yes. That was some stunt. Shoot, kid, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” I scratched my head. “What’s wrong?”

“Your face—”

My hand was drenched in blood. “Are you bleeding?”

“That’s your head, Raek!” He touched my cheek. “Are you okay? There’s a massive gash down the side of your face.”

Putting my hand to my cheek, I felt sticky warmth on my icy fingers. “I’m fine. We need to get out of here.” Something wasn’t right... “Is it me or did the VTOL stop?”

“I don’t hear it either,” Lars replied. “Maybe they boarded the train.”

“Hopefully the fire slows ’em down. Either way, let’s go.” I sprinted for the treeline, Lars hurrying to catch up.

When he did, he said, “Wow, you are fine. I need to get me some of those cybernetics. Could use a new bod too.”

“Maybe they’ll make an exception,” I said sarcastically after sending a cryptic message to Paer about the change of plans.

“If they find something, our plan’s toast,” Lars said as I finished.

“We’ll see,” I said, sounding more confident than I felt, and reminding myself of Fitz. “That’s why we have a backup plan. You taught me that.”

“Using my own words against me. I’ll have to be—”

A VTOL took off, cutting him short. “They must have finished searching the train. Hurry.”

We made it in the nick of time, a VTOL zipping overhead thirty seconds after we hit the treeline. It followed the lev track westward as we continued through the wood, thankful for the cover.

Thirty minutes later, two more buzzed by, one headed west, another, north. They were widening the search. At least they hadn’t narrowed in on the wood, yet.

Paer called five minutes later to confirm, worried about a trap. We reassured her and asked for updates.

Everything was going according to plan. A local team with backup from Caen was prepping the Kiag mission, and Lilia and the other members of the Council had no idea what would happen next.

The hike to Eagle Creek was beautiful and relaxing. It snowed some, crystals pirouetting through the air, blanketing us and our surroundings in a soft glowing gleam. Caen was stunning this time of year.

And the snow covered our tracks, too, which helped me breathe easier.

It was a snowglobe moment, the kind you’d like to capture, store away and relive again and again.