Chapter 4
A maelstrom of thoughts flashed through Shamira’s mind as she fought to keep her composure. She couldn’t show weakness. Wouldn’t give into her feeling of self-pity and disappointment like she wanted to deep down. The last year had been the best year of her life. After the dismantlement of Monev and the news that Renu, its leader was dead, she was able to relax a bit. She’d trained with Cal and her respect for him grew each day.
He’d taught her to rely on her wits to survive, taught her to suppress the fierceness of her power that had become her burden over the years, and to rely on her skill alone. With that restraint, came calmness. Besides, once they’d gone to Earth to be dipped and their technosuits became part of their bodies, she discovered that her hidden energy could hurt her. Not only could it short out the suit, it could kill her if she didn’t release her power in subtle waves. The invisible suit that was a second skin on each Elite officer could never be taken off. If she released the electrical stream she harnessed within her, the suit would push it back into her body and possibly cause her to implode.
It was decided that Cal should teach her to control her inner strength so the suit could do its job and protect her body from external attacks such as laser fire or knives. Although the suit gave the Security Force Elite officers super strength, it just improved her already enhanced strength, making her ten times stronger than even a fully mature Security Force Elite officer.
“How did they kill him with his suit on? They practically took out Kurt too,” Dion said.
Shamira’s lips turned up in disgust. “Yeah, great. If the suit worked so well, how was Cal killed? It was supposed to keep us safe. With the leader of Monev dead we have to figure out if he sold what he knew about the Security Force and our suits. And to who? Who would want to give up the struggling rebuilding of Mars to kill the ones that were created to protect it?”
Valens tightened his arms around Shamira’s hips. “There are a lot of people out there that wanted Renu’s power—Monev’s kingpins had it all. And Renu had been dipped in a technosuit himself, maybe he sold the secret to making it to someone we don’t know about? Then there is the other deal he had that someone would kill for. Remember the owners of the technology that runs the air filtration system here on Mars? They wanted to cut a deal with Renu.”
Hedi touched Shamira’s arm. “Yeah, George Cruz and his family. The owners of Telwell Industries were never prosecuted in the shut down of Monev. They got off with just a fine. Since they created the technology to make the air on Mars breathable, they were basically untouchable.”
Anthony grunted, “Yeah, only because the bastards could shut down Mars and kill us all if they cut off the air filtration system. Man, politics suck!”
Valens leaned up. “I got coms up. You want to talk to your father?”
“Not really. But I don’t have a choice. Shamira grabbed the tiny coms earpiece from Valens and stuck it in her ear. Briefly, she closed her eyes to brace against telling the deputy security force leader, and her father, that she had failed.
“Deputy Elite Officer, Nelson Nobel,” her father answered.
“It’s cadet Shamira Nobel. We have two men down.” She paused, “We’re on our way back to headquarters.” She swallowed.
Her father fell silent for a moment, “Situation details.”
“Security Force Elite Leader, Cal Long—dead. Cadet, Kurt Johnson, alive and unconscious.”
“Location?”
She bit her lip. “Leaving the Mons.”
“Got it, we got a connection for Cal’s suit. His distress signal just went out. Help is on the way. Copter on the way now. And Shamira…I’m on my way.”
Warmth filled her chest. Her father, champion and rock, would always be her backup. Her eyes watered because he constantly found a way to make her feel special—even when she’d been handicapped. He’d cheered her beyond her depression and taught her she could be more than others thought a blind girl ever could—more than she’d wanted to believe.
She sat back into Valens chest and took a deep breath. “They’re on the way. Keep moving. They are coming with air transport.”
Valens tilted forward and whispered into her ear. “You’re doing great. We’ve got your back against the elite. It’s not your fault. We’ll get the guys who did this to Cal and Kurt. We’ll do it together.” He rested his chin on her shoulder and softly kissed the exposed skin just below her neck.
Tendrils of warmth took her mind off the interrogation ahead. She loved Valens more than anyone besides her family. He calmed her, encouraged her…but she hated that she was starting to crave his support like a drug. She needed to do this herself and was afraid that she’d one day have to make a choice that she selfishly couldn’t make.
“Yeah girl, you know we’ve got your back. Always. Road dogs to the end.” Anthony gave a weak chuckle.
“Ditto.” Dion reached over to tap her arm.
“Yeah.” Hedi bent over and hugged her.
Shamira allowed their pats and touches. Unfortunately, she’d still felt a bit uncomfortable with their physical contact. It was as if they sensed that about her and worked together to get her to loosen up and show her affection. For that she loved them. Without realizing it, they constantly gave her something she’d always wanted, but was too afraid to hope for. True friendship.
“Okay guys, too much touchy-feely going around for me. Let’s get our game faces on so we can find the creeps who did this to Cal and Kurt without the old guys pulling us back.”
Ready now for her father and the other Elite officer’s questioning, she smiled.
End of this sample
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