To avoid any one barracks gaining an advantage over another, all of us are marched into a blank combat chamber. Devoid of any topography or detail, the only identifiers are five colored circles spaced evenly around the perimeter. Without needing to be told, the Serpents head toward the green circle.
“As soon as everyone is inside their corresponding circle, the chamber will render the setting for round two,” Turon’s announcement crackles over the loud speaker.
“Pack in.” I hover on the edge of the circle while the rest of my 49 squish within the boundary. There’s barely enough room for us to fit without sitting on top of each other’s shoulders. “We’ll most likely be in the lowest spot after the transformation. Fliers, get ready for some speedy recon, but don’t rush it. Wait for my order. There’s no reason for anyone to get phased today.”
My nerves settle. From here on out, it’s another session in the combat chamber—just like all the others. “The rest of you, take it easy and stick close. We know where the others are starting.”
I intentionally remain outside the circle until the last of my guys are in. I’m hoping to make the other barracks sweat a bit longer. I count slowly to ten and step across the line. Instantly the floor around us shimmers with telekinetic energy.
Like flowing crystal, the plasteel morphs, burps, and projects. Except for the occasional crack or pop of the material settling into its solid state, all I hear are the sharp inhalations of the cadets around me.
We’ve all seen TK transformation on a small scale, but this is awesome—something I thought only possible in a dream. As I crane my neck upward to watch a cliff birth an overhang directly overhead, I sway and lose anchor.
“Whoa there.” A strong hand stabilizes me. “Watch your step, cap. Hate to see your foot become part of the scenery.”
“Right.” I shake my head and focus on T’zan instead of our constantly morphing surroundings. “Thanks.”
“It’s beautiful though, isn’t it? When you see it as something other than a hunting ground,” T’zan sighs.
“Yes, it is.” I curl my braid around my neck. “Even as a hunting ground I can appreciate it.”
T’zan nods. “Terrible and beautiful are often not far apart.”
I tremble as T’zan strikes a chord deep inside me, dredging up memories of Centavo I prefer to keep pushed down. But I’ve already mentally made the connection between the shifting plasteel and my own soul.
Forces beyond my control, some probably beyond my awareness, are shaping me. Currently, I’m still fluid and energized like the plasteel. The day is coming when my identity will harden. Then my function—my loyalty—will determine whether I be beautiful or terrible.
“Cap?” T’zan shakes my shoulder.
“Right.” A quick glance overhead reveals the plasteel has almost finalized its process. Most of the surfaces have turned from luminescent to milky. “It looks like a typical peek and valley. If so, that means we’ll be limited to two ground foes at a time. First task will be reducing that to one.”
I stand on tiptoe until I spot Neca gathered beside Serpent 2. Raising my voice, I address the 49, “Flyers on my command.” The overhang turns the color of a dove. “Now.” Nearly a dozen cadets shoot skyward, twice what I’m used to working with. I tamp my enthusiasm by reminding myself the other barracks are working with elite groups as well. Plus, there’s the chamber operator to worry about.
I address the ground forces, “As for the rest of us, we’re in a blood ring. Most likely, this valley connects all five barracks in a continuous loop.” Leaving the green circle, I climb up the equivalent of a large rock in order to better address the others.
“Butterfly is behind me, and Jaguar is that way,” I point over their heads. “This is going to be a long battle with a lot of pounding before it’s through. Ami knows that. She’ll take Jaguar toward the softer target, Coyotl. We’ll take it to Butterfly and plan on meeting the Jags on the other side.”
I take a moment to study the inside face of the cliff. It’s dimpled and scarred with clefts and overhangs. “Our confines could provide opportunity for hand to hand combat, so be ready for it. If the operator funnels EM energy away from us, stay out of the direct fire of the enemy and use the rock face to get up close and personal. Understood?”
“The flyers are back,” Cera points overhead. “Or at least one of them.”
Yetic descends into the narrow valley alone, wiping sweat from his brow as he lands.
“What’s the scene?” I ask.
“There’s a teocuali citadel in the middle.”
“A what?”
“A fortress. It’ll be impenetrable with a 49 inside, and both Eagle and Jaguar are in route to it already.”
“Xoxochueyi,” I stamp my foot.
“We’ve got the air advantage for now. But when the ground troops get there, all we’ll be able to do is watch.”
“And the other barracks?”
“Butterfly is hunkering down, but Coyotl is coming our way fast.”
“Has Coyotl seen the citadel?”
Yetic says, “Not yet, but they will once they reach the Jaguar start spot.”
I jump down from the rock and pace before turning toward Yetic. “Do you see any advantage in controlling the citadel by air until enemy ground troops arrive?”
“No.” Yetic jumps down by my side. “It’d be a waste of resources.”
“Agreed. I’ll hail Olin and call everyone back.” I connect with my brother and convey what I’m thinking in the time it takes me to clamor back up the plasteel rock. “Serpent 4, 5, and 8.”
The whole group jumps to attention.
“I want you guys to head off Coyotl in that direction. There’s an inland route toward a citadel in the middle of the chamber. Make sure they take it. Force them up Jaguar’s back as fast and as hard as you can. I want the Jags to take losses before they reach the citadel, understood?”
“Iye!”
“Good. Serpent 2 will cover you from the air. Go!”
They spring into action. The number of cadets on the ground is only 18, but they’re a brutally strong bunch. With air support, I’ve no doubt they could rip Coyotl apart. Instead, I’m hoping we can wield the coyotls like a sword.
“The rest of you are with me,” I face the crew I’ve got left—a little more than half. “Have any of you been pika hunting?”
Cera nods, a smile on her face. Tenoch raises his hand, as do a couple others.
“Good. For those of you who haven’t, the idea is simple. The little critters move up easier than down. They keep their eyes mostly on potential threats from below. When a predator gets too close, they scurry up and into their burrow. So when you hunt them, you start on the top of the mountain and work your way down. Caught off guard and in the open, they’re easy pickings.”
“Let me guess,” Cera interjects, “the butterflies are playing the part of the pika?”
I nod, “And we’ll be picking them off.”
Olin hails me.
I pause as he, Neca, and a flier from Serpent 7 descend on our location. After they land, I continue. “We’ll knock out as many Butterflies as we have to, but I’m hoping we can convince some of them to take their chances storming the citadel. So after the initial assault, as soon as it’s safe to do so, stand down and give me time to talk.”
I turn to Olin, “You guys ready to provide an air lift to the top?”
Thanks so much for taking the time to read this scene of Boundaries, Season 2 of The Green Ones. I’ll be publishing FREE daily scenes from The Green Ones until…I die…or something terrible happens. Seriously, I’ve got over 100 scenes written so far, and I’ll be writing more until the story reaches its natural ending. You are totally welcome to read the entire story for FREE! If at any point you decide you would rather finish the story in ebook or print format, just click the buttons below and you can do that as well. If you enjoy reading the serial releases, BUT you would also like to support me as a writer (my kids need wine!) please subscribe to my premium content for bonus scenes, exclusives, and insider access to my process. And of course, I’d be grateful if you would share this post with any of your reader friends who you think would enjoy The Green Ones. Happy reading!