Brave New Girls: Tales of Girls Who Tech and Tinker: Brave New Girls, #5

By Mary Fan and Paige Daniels

Tech-savvy girls in sci-fi worlds.

 

Journey into sci-fi realms where girls use their skills and brains to save the day. See scouts who save the world from AI overlords. Travel to the edges of space with girls who dare to go head to head with giant interstellar corporations. Watch as ladies take down nefarious hackers, innovate space travel, and defeat aliens. This 29-story collection has something to delight, enthrall, and fascinate every age.

 

All revenues from sales of this anthology will be donated to the Society of Women Engineers scholarship fund. Let's show girls that they can be the next generation of innovators and inventors.

 

Stories by: Julie Bragdon, J.D. Cadmon, Glen Damien Campbell, Russ Colchamiro, M.L.D Curelas, Paige Daniels, Caroline David, M.M. Davies-Ostrom, George Ebey, Mary Fan, Janina Franck, Thomas Gondolfi, Margaret A. Hanson, Monty Harper, T.A. Hernandez, Andrew K. Hoe, Nicole Iversen, A.A. Jankiewicz, Blake Jessop, Kris Katzen, Claire McCague, Jelani-Akin Parham, Josh Pritchett, Mackenzie Reide, Jennifer Lee Rossman, J.R. Rustrian, Joanna Schnurman, Denise Sutton, Raphael Sutton.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brave New Girls
• Release date: Jul 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393889052

Book preview

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Table Of Contents

The Reluctant Nerd by Paige Daniels

Jessie Jet by Glen Damien Campbell

Bye Bye, Kuronai by Blake Jessop

Beyond the Clouds, the Stars by M.M. Davies-Ostrom

Arms: A Robot Repair Girl Story by Josh Pritchett

The Receiver of Wrecks by Claire McCague

Centurion by J.R. Rustrian

By Cybernetic Means by Caroline David

Escape from Arxia Prime by Joanna Schnurman

The Adventure of the Crab Bisque by M.L.D. Curelas

The Girl with Silver Feet by Jennifer Lee Rossman

Chloe’s Last Stand by Abby, Nathan, and Russ Colchamiro

Critical Breakdown by T.A. Hernandez

Wheelchairs in Space by Nicole Iversen

Save the Fighting Marmaloots by Monty Harper

Scraps by George Ebey

A DDREAM That Flies by Andrew K. Hoe

The Robotics Badge by Margaret A. Hanson

Beta Test by A.A. Jankiewicz

Override by Janina Franck

The Better Mousetrap by Thomas Gondolfi

Jupiter Jinx by Kris Katzen

PLEASE ASSIST by Denise Sutton

Good Vibes by Raphael Sutton

Ines of Carter Station by J.D. Cadmon

The Gadget Broker by Jelani-Akin Parham

ZOWSZA by Mackenzie Reide

Rainmaker by Julie Bragdon

Someone Else’s Earth by Mary Fan

BRAVE NEW GIRLS: TALES OF GIRLS WHO TECH AND TINKER

Edited by Paige Daniels and Mary Fan

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the authors’ imaginations or, if real, are used fictitiously.

Compilation copyright © 2020 by Paige Daniels and Mary Fan

A DDREAM That Flies copyright © 2020 by Andrew K. Hoe

The Adventure of the Crab Bisque copyright © 2020 by M.L.D. Curelas

Arms: A Robot Repair Girl Story copyright © 2020 by Josh Pritchett

Beta Test copyright © 2020 by A.A. Jankiewicz

The Better Mousetrap copyright © 2020 by Thomas Gondolfi

Beyond the Clouds, the Stars copyright © 2020 by M.M. Davies-Ostrom

By Cybernetic Means copyright © 2020 by Caroline David

Bye Bye, Kuronai copyright © 2020 by Blake Jessop

Centurion copyright © 2020 by J.R. Rustrian

Chloe’s Last Stand copyright © 2020 by Russ Colchamiro

Critical Breakdown copyright © 2020 by T.A. Hernandez

Escape from Arxia Prime copyright © 2020 by Joanna Schnurman

The Gadget Broker copyright © 2020 by Jelani-Akin Parham

The Girl with Silver Feet copyright © 2020 by Jennifer Lee Rossman

Good Vibes copyright © 2020 by Raphael Sutton

Ines of Carter Station copyright © 2020 by J.D. Cadmon

Jessie Jet copyright © 2020 by Glen Damien Campbell

Jupiter Jinx copyright © 2020 by Kris Katzen

Override copyright © 2020 by Janina Franck

PLEASE ASSIST copyright © 2020 by Denise Sutton

Rainmaker copyright © 2020 by Julie Bragdon

The Receiver of Wrecks copyright © 2020 by Claire McCague

The Reluctant Nerd copyright © 2020 by Paige Daniels

The Robotics Badge copyright © 2020 by Margaret A. Hanson

Save the Fighting Marmaloots copyright © 2020 by Monty Harper

Scraps copyright © 2020 by George Ebey

Someone Else’s Earth copyright © 2020 by Mary Fan

Wheelchairs in Space copyright © 2020 by Nicole Iversen

ZOWSZA copyright © 2020 by Mackenzie Reide

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in an information retrieval system in any form or by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, taping, and recording, without prior written permission from the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

First edition: July 2020

Illustrations by Elisha Betts, Julie Bragdon, Sean MunkyWrench Eddingfield, Fauzy Zulvikar Firmansyah, T.A. Hernandez, Liana Kangas, Toni Murphy, R.M. Nielsen, Harley Scroggins, and Emily Smith

The Reluctant Nerd

by Paige Daniels

I

close my eyes and take

a slow breath to calm myself; what awaits me is certain doom, but I have no choice. I let out the breath and flick open my eyes, best get on with it. It’s not going to get any easier. As soon as I plunge myself forward into a darkened hallway, lasers assault me. A laser nicks my supposedly anything-proof body suit. Mental note: tell techies their impenetrable suit isn’t. I dodge the beams with my super-human reflexes. Never before have I been so grateful to have been accidentally injected with a virus that made me super human… even if it did almost kill me. Beads of sweat form at my brow as I leap and stretch through the deadly course of lasers.

After what feels like an eternity, I’m finally at the end. There is an eerie silence; all I hear is my labored breath echo off the metallic walls. Before I go any further, I assess my surroundings. It seems to be just a dark hallway, nothing special to see here. I take a scanner from my belt to see if there are any explosives, life signs, aliens… nothing. No way it can be this easy.

Okay, Tessa, put on your big girl panties. Time to get the show on the road.

I take a flashlight off my belt and use it to illuminate the hallways and cautiously proceed. My footsteps echo in the hall. Then my ears prick at the sound of metal scraping against metal. Trying to ignore it, I proceed. The grinding of metal happens again, this time it’s accompanied by the high-pitched squeal of gears moving.

This can’t be good.

I’m stopped in the middle of my tracks by a metallic hand grabbing me around the waist and slamming me into the wall. It takes me a few seconds to gather my wits about me, but once I’m able to focus I see a large robotic frame with glowing eyes hovering over me.

You have got to be kidding me.

I grab the robot’s hand and heave the monstrosity away from me then scramble to my feet. As soon as I’m on my feet I’m surrounded by a fleet of the robotic terrors. I hold my breath, thinking of what’s next. Before I can make my move, the lights come on and a familiar voice says, End simulation.

My shoulders slump. Mom! I was almost done.

An average height woman with her brunette hair tied back comes walking down the hallway toward me. She has her hands across her chest and says in an exasperated tone, You should be studying for the SAT. She looks to the robots surrounding me. Guys, you can take five. I have to talk to Tessa.

One of the bots’ eyes flash blue. Sure thing, Doctor Page. He says to the other bots, C’mon guys, we actually have another sim to run in ten minutes.

As the bots leave, I give my mom a sharp look. Mom, Director says I need to cut thirty seconds off my time, and I was just about there until you interrupted.

I think it’s more important that you study for the SATs than it is for you to cut time off this sim. You’re not going to have a heck of a lot of time for being a super hero when you go to college. Coursework in college is a lot more time consuming than your high school work.

I mumble under my breath, If I even decide to go to college.

Are we really having this conversation again? Tessa, it’s the nineties, you HAVE to have some kind of schooling after high school, even if you are a super human. I mean, what if the virus wears off? We don’t know much of anything about it. Who says your body won’t fight it and you’ll be normal like the rest of us. What then?

I shrug and look at the floor. I don’t know. I just feel like I’m not much good at anything but this, and I’m only mediocre at this. It’s not like I’m super-smart, driven person like Michael.

She puts her arm around me. Oh, baby girl, you’re taking this career stuff way too seriously. Just find something that remotely sparks your interest and see where it takes you. Good grief, most people change their jobs at least once every five years. You don’t have to be great to start you just need to start.

I know. It’s just…

Scary. I know. Just one step at a time. The first step is studying for your SATs. She gives me a squeeze. So speaking of Michael, how is he?

I wiggle out of my mom’s grasp. Michael is a friend? Boyfriend? I don’t know really, and I hate trying to explain it to my mom. I rub the back of my neck. He’s fine. He’s working here for Spring Break. I don’t know why he isn’t going to Panama City with the rest of his friends.

I can tell you why.

Mooom. Seriously, he’s in college. I’m a senior high school. I’m sure he’s got way better options than me.

Not a chance. Give yourself some credit, girly. You’re super smart, fun when you want to be, and pretty cute. I’ve seen you two together, and I can tell you that he doesn’t think he has better options in college.

I sigh. I guess I just feel like a freak living here. It’s not like I have any friends my age since getting injected with that virus. Mostly that was okay because all the kids in my old school were tools. But I’m sure that Michael sees me as a freak.

Not at all. He thinks that living here has actually made you a lot more mature than most people your age. He’s like me and thinks it’s kind of a drag that you didn’t get to have some normal high school experiences like prom or football games, but mostly he thinks the whole experience has made you a strong independent person.

I stare at my mom, mouth gaping open. Oh. My. God. You talked to him about me? She nods with a little smile on her face. Mom, I—

I’m cut off by the sound of a voice over a tinny speaker. Morning quarters in Conference Room B in ten minutes.

I point my finger at my mom. I have to go and get changed before the meeting, but we’re going to talk after my meeting is over.

She giggles. Oh I’m sure we will.

From the outside, Aegis Technix looks like any ol’ boring tech company. They even have a public front of being a biomedical devices manufacturer, along with some other technical ventures here and there. On the secret side, we actually house supers. Some are alien refugees, some are genetic mutants, and some are freak lab accidents like me. Officially, the government claims no knowledge of what we do. Director says the government is the worst at keeping things a secret, so they gladly let us take all responsibility. Culpable deniability.

My feet squeak on the white tile floor as I walk to the conference room. I glance at my watch.

Dang it, late again.

I carefully open the door of the conference room to avoid anyone seeing me come in and am greeted with the smell of coffee wafting through the air. Trying to squeeze in unnoticed, I grab a fluffy glazed donut from the coffee cart and try to find an unoccupied seat. A familiar face waves me over to sit next to him. I can’t help but to smile.

Thanks, Michael, I whisper. How much have I missed?

Director’s just midway through his Monday morning company ethos speech.

I take big bite of my glaze-covered pastry and say, Not much then.

After I take another large bite, Director clears his throat and glares at me. I swallow my donut hard.

Oh, crap.

Tessa, anything you care to enlighten us about?

Suddenly, I’m uber-aware of the half-eaten donut in my hand and I feel pretty much like a big freakin’ dork in front of all these adults. Uh no, sir, just trying to get caught up.

Mmm hmmm. You know, when we announce the morning meeting, it doesn’t mean lollygag around the compound until you feel like getting here. You have a lot of responsibility for someone your age. Part of being responsible is showing up on time. Got it?

I want to tell him where he can stick that responsibility, but instead I sigh and say, Yes, sir, I’ll be on time in the future.

Good! Now, what I was about to say was that I’m sending you and Joe out on a run to the city, but if you don’t think you can handle it, then…

My heart gives a leap. Mostly, I’m relegated to running endless sims with Joe or studying in my room. Once in a great while I get to do a real run, but in the small town that neighbors the campus of our company. I’ve never been on a run in the big city.

I scan the crowd in our conference room and make eye contact with Joe, a big burly dark-skinned man whose face seems to be constantly contorted in either rage or disgust. He sneers and crosses his arms in front of him. Joe is like me; he was infected with the super virus too. Unlike me, he along with some other soldiers volunteered to take the virus. It was some plan to make super soldiers like Captain America, I guess. Unfortunately, he was the only one of his group who survived. Since we were the only two to survive the virus, the powers that be at the company decided that pairing us up would be a good thing to do. So in an ironic twist, the only person that survived the virus along with him weren’t highly trained soldiers, but a dorky teenage girl. He does get to do real runs with the other supers, but when he gets paired up with me I can practically hear the annoyance coming out of his pores.

Too excited to be distracted by Joe’s aggravation, I excitedly say to the Director, No, sir, I can totally handle this one. I am one hundred percent prepared… Uh, what is it we’re going to do?

Well, Tessa, I’m glad you asked. He clicks a remote in his hand, and the lights go dim and the white screen behind him is illuminated with a map of the world. On the map, there are red stars dotting a few big cities around the world, including the puny city close to our campus. The stars denote some areas of weird activity on computing systems of banks, retailers, and jails. There are alerts of various security breaches, but every time law enforcement goes to check it out, there’s nothing. They can’t keep up, and they’re worried that something will be real and they won’t be able to enforce it. He clicks the remote again and the lights turn on. Our techies are going to be helping here to nail down the root cause, but we need you guys out in the field to lend assistance to the local LEOs. This is a situation that could get bad quick.

Michael raises his hand. Sir, um, Tessa and I made something while horsing around in the lab that might be able to help us find the culprit. I mean, that is, if they’re where she’s deployed at.

The Director is silent in thought.

My eyes go wide, and I look at Michael in embarrassment. I say in a harsh whisper, That wasn’t supposed to be something that everyone knew about, and I don’t even know if it works.

He whispers back, It worked fine in the lab; no better time than now to see if it really works.

But—

The Director cuts off my retort, Very well then, Michael, but I want you accompanying Tessa and Joe on this run. She can’t very well be jacking around with tech while she’s supposed to be backing up her partner.

Joe says, Sir, I’ll be just fine with Tessa. I don’t need to be bogged down with two—

Director holds up his hand, and Joe stops. Tessa AND Michael need to go. Besides, all of the techies go out on several field visits a year to see how their inventions are actually used. I think this will be a great opportunity. Joe’s face contorts, and he gives me and Michael the stink eye. Director asks, Do you have anything further to say about this, Joe?

He crosses his arms in front of him. No, sir, I guess not.

Wonderful. You all will be getting your assignments shortly. Do not take this lightly. It may seem like a boondoggle, but this has the potential to go south really quick.

All of the supers start to file out of the room. Michael looks at me with a smile beaming on his face. This is the coolest thing ever! I’m going back to the lab to get our stuff assembled. Meet you out front.

I shake my head and smile. Okay. See you in a few. I gotta go to the locker room and get a few provisions.

I start to head off to my locker when I feel a big hand land on my shoulder. I turn around and look up at the intimidating man and clear my throat. Um, hey, gonna head to the locker room.

Good. You sure you can handle this while your boyfriend’s on a run with us? You need to keep your head in the game.

No one can tick me off while simultaneously scaring the crap out of me as much as Joe. I look him straight in the eye, trying to keep my fear hidden. First off, he’s not my boyfriend. Second, I think Michael will be integral to helping this case out.

Hmph, fine, but you better be focused, because I don’t have time for babysitting.

I give him a fake salute and say, Aye, aye, Captain, and I’m off to the locker room.

The locker room isn’t like any that I had in gym class. The locker doors are all wooden and spacious with our names engraved in metal name tag. The gym room’s floors are heated, and the showers have warm water that actually works. There isn’t even the usual smell of sweaty socks and mold hovering in the air, instead it smells more like cleanser and flowers. Yeah, this locker room is a definite upgrade from high school.

I reach in my locker and take out a uniform of a black form-fitting jumpsuit and combat boots. Then I root around the top shelf to find the most important pieces, two flat circular translucent earrings. Carefully, I put both of the earrings in, then turn and face myself in the mirror. I stare for a bit at the plain Jane staring back and me and can’t for the life of me understand why mom thinks Michael is interested in me.

The jumpsuit is staring me in the face, taunting me. God, I hate putting that thing on. The outfit is actually made of space-age polymers that are bullet, fire, and chemical proof all while being breathable and comfortable. Problem is, it isn’t really great for those of us who prefer to wear baggy pants, t-shirts, and flannel. I kinda feel like I’m out there on display for everyone. A few tugs and a zip-up front and lacing my boots and I’m good to go. I do a quick sniff check of my pits and decide to add another layer of deodorant just in case.

Finally, the most important part, I press on my earrings, and my looks transform. Instead of the plain Jane teenager with brown eyes and mousy auburn hair, I’m transformed into Themis: a statuesque crime-fighting badass with flaming red hair and aquamarine eyes. I stand at least two inches taller than I normally do and look a good five years older than I really am. I admire the holographically generated image in the mirror for a few seconds then grab my backpack out of the locker and head toward the exit.

I’m stopped mid-stride by a female voice. You excited for your first run?

I turn and see a striking woman with platinum blonde hair and electric blue eyes. It’s Circe; she’s one of the alien refugees from some planet whose name I can’t pronounce. She’s one with nature and stuff; she can talk to animals and plants. She told me once that she’s something like a hundred years old. It probably explains why she’s one of the few supers who are actually patient with me.

I shrug and say, I don’t know. I mean yeah, but Joe hates me and I’m going to be out with Michael and I’ll probably look like a big freakin’ dork in front of him.

She pats my shoulder and says, First, Joe doesn’t hate you. He sees a lot of potential in you. He just gets frustrated that he’s not with his old team. There’s a lot of grief there. Second, Michael is nuts about you, so don’t even worry about that. I don’t even know what to respond to first. Joe seeing a lot of potential in me or Michael being nuts about me. My mouth hangs open. She chuckles. Don’t overthink things. You’re going to do great on your first run. Just remember that grouchiness and all, Joe is a real human and has issues to work out too, and Michael is just as nervous around you as you are him.

Oh, okay. I gotta get goin’. Joe’s going to blow a gasket if I’m even thirty seconds late.

Follow your instincts. You’ve been training for a long time. You got this.

Out in the car, Joe is waiting with a scowl on his face, fingers drumming the steering wheel. Joe has also changed into his super persona, Aries. He looks pretty much the same only a lot more intimidating, if that’s possible. He’s wearing a similar jumpsuit, but his has accents of red and blue. I open the door and plop in the front seat.

Sorry it took me so long.

Joe grumbles, Apologies won’t make us on time.

Michael, not looking up from futzing with our contraption, says, Don’t listen to the old man. We just…

He looks up at me and stares with his mouth open. I totally forgot he hasn’t seen me in this get up.

Joe scoffs, Old? I’m thirty-two. Joe looks in the rearview mirror at Michael and laughs, Close your mouth, son. A fly’s gonna get in there.

Michael shakes his head. Yeah, um, anyway we just got here a few minutes before you. I was just making a few changes we agreed on yesterday.

Joe starts the car and pulls out of the parking lot and past the security gates in front of our compound. We wind down a county highway, but after a few minutes we’re greeted by an entrance ramp to an interstate. Joe merges, and the car is quiet as we speed down the road.

Michael breaks the silence. Hey, Tessa, I finally got around to making you that mix tape I promised you at Winter Break.

He tosses the tape up front, and I look at the squiggly handwriting on the front to judge his music tastes. Very eclectic mix. There’s a little something here for everyone: Smashing Pumpkins, Violent Femmes, Cowboy Junkies, ooh even some Iron Maiden.

Michael leans up on the front seat where I can see him. Yeah, I hope you like it. I picked some deeper cuts off of Smashing Pumpkin’s Gish. I mean everyone knows Siamese Dream, but…

Jeez, no one listens to good music anymore, Joe grumbles.

I flip over the tape. Hey, he’s got old people music on here too, like Rush.

Joe growls, and I shove the tape in the tape deck and am greeted by the melodious soundings of Stone Temple Pilots.

Michael clears his throat and asks, Um, so if this run doesn’t take all night, um are you doing anything tonight?

My heart skips a beat, and my palms go instantly sweaty. Before I can answer, Joe says, Yeah, she’s running that sim she never finished.

My shoulders slump, and Michael says, Oh, okay, well, um, let me know if your schedule clears while I’m on break.

I will.

I give Joe the stare of death as we complete the remainder of the drive in silence.

An awkward silence hangs over the car as we pull into the police station. Michael puts our invention into a backpack and exits the car. I start to leave, but Joe pulls on my arm to stop me.

Look, I’m just trying to train you the best way I know how, and hanging out with dweebs with questionable music taste is not how you train. I cross my arms in front of me and give him the look of death. Tessa, you need to focus on your future more seriously. We’re all just trying to help you.

Riddle me this, Joe. How much did you focus on your future when you were seventeen? Did you take a cute girl to prom? Did you go on dates? Joe is silent. Yeah, I think I have my answer there. I’m not going to leave you hangin’. Just cut me some slack, okay?

I get out of the car and greet Michael. You think this will work?

He swings the backpack over his shoulder and shrugs. Dunno, it really depends on if the perp is close. If I had to make a guess I’d say they probably are, because why would they target this podunk city? I mean according to Director there are hits in London, Paris, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and here? Seems kinda weird to me.

You know, I didn’t even think of that.

The slam of the driver’s side door catches our attention. C’mon, we don’t have all day, Joe runs up the stairs leading to the police building, and we follow.

Inside, the building is abuzz with activity. Everyone looks like they’re running around with their head on fire. A gray-haired woman in a rumpled button-up shirt and slacks approaches us. She gives a weary smile. Thank you so much for agreeing to help out. We don’t have the personnel to keep up with this. We’re about to give a briefing in the conference room. If you’d follow me.

Joe smiles and says, It’s quite all right, Commander Wyatt. Whatever you need us to do.

We follow her through a maze of desks to a hallway with a door on the right. We squeeze in the cramped conference room and sit up front. The woman takes her place up front with a presentation glowing behind her. She runs her hand through her frizzy mop of gray hair. Okay, listen, people. I know it’s been a tough few hours. She clicks and a map similar to Director’s pops up. Her map isn’t of the world but the local area, and it is also littered with red dots. All these dots are areas of activity. Most of the alerts are fake, but we have to investigate all of them in case one ends up being real. She gives a smile and points to us. Fortunately, Mr. Aries and uh… sorry, I didn’t get your name.

I squeak, Um, Themis, ma’am.

Michael whispers, Themis, huh? The goddess of law and justice. Nice.

The woman eyes Michael and says, Do you have any questions?

Uh, no, ma’am, but I might have a suggestion.

And you are?

Joe answers, His name is Michael. He’s from the tech department. Says he has an invention or something that may help.

Michael unpacks the device; actually, it’s a few devices cobbled together. I help him set it up and speak as I hook up wires and push buttons. So Michael and I thought it would be cool if we could cobble together a portable device that could access the internet and GPS.

The room murmurs, and the woman says, Okay, what?

Michael chimes in, You know what the internet is, right?

Commander Wyatt rolls her eyes. Yes, I may be old, but I know what the internet is. Honestly, I thought it was only good for goonie teens to have conversations on.

Without a hint of aggravation, Michael explains, No, actually, more and more companies are getting online. Mostly, it’s an easy way for them to communicate with their home office, but if someone can get in on their communications, in theory, they could maybe control other things that aren’t meant to be accessed via the internet.

The Commander responds, Like security system?

I nod. Yup, like security systems. We were just messing around with this bag car phone, laptop, and GPS device to see if we could maybe link them. I mean this internet thing isn’t going anywhere, and we thought it might be a great way to access the internet while not sitting at a desk hooked into a wall for a phone signal.

Also, the GPS will give us triangulation on where people are, I mean, if they’re using the internet, Michael adds.

We finish making the last few connections, and the laptop whirs to life, displaying a background of a grassy meadow and blue sky with feather clouds overhead. Slowly the icons on the desktop load, and the longer it takes, the more impatient the adults grow. Finally, all systems seem to be a go. Michael makes a few clicks to the laptop, and the screen turns black and a bunch of text is displayed. I take that as my cue, and I start pressing numbers into the bag phone. I’m greeted with a bunch of squelching tones, and a smile creeps on my face.

I say to the adults, That means we’re dialed in via mobile signal. There are smaller cell phones that we could use, but these gigantic bag phones are the most reliable and…

Michael interrupts, I got the laptop online. See if we can sync the GPS.

I power up the black plastic box with a large glowing screen, and after a few seconds, I’m greeted by a black-and-white pixelated display of local street maps. I point to the display. As you can see, this is our local area. Now, what I’m going to do is put in the coordinates of the last few attacks in here, and that will hopefully go to Michael, and maybe we can see where all the pings are originating from… that is, if it’s local.

Commander Wyatt asks, What if it’s not local?

Michael shrugs. I guess back to Plan A of all of us monitoring all the sites as alarms happen, until we figure out what’s causing all of this.

The laptop screen starts to fill with numbers and text, and Michael and I stare intently at the screen. I narrow my eyes and point. See, that line there. It keeps repeating. I bet that’s the coordinates we’re looking for. I whirl to the GPS device and plug in the coordinates. It’s the college campus!

Looks like we have some work to do. Commander, can you hold down the fort while me and my team check this out? Joe asks.

Wow, Joe just referred to me as his team.

The Commander nods. If this has the potential to get rid of this nonsense, I’m all for it.

Michael and I gather up our gear and head out the door behind Joe.

Joe, for the last time, we don’t know where exactly the signal is coming from. We need to walk around here to see if we can get a read on it. Do you know what a coup it was to narrow down the signal here from all the buildings in the city? I ask.

Joe grumbles, Do you know how many buildings there are on this campus? What, are we supposed to go in each one and check them out? We don’t have time for this crap.

I sigh. No, we set up the laptop to communicate with this palm pilot, I say, waving my pocket-sized electronic device. Michael and I outfitted this one for point-to-point communications between it and the laptop. When we get a ping, it’ll message my palm pilot.

Michael adds, And like I said, I think starting in the tech section of campus will be our best bet. I mean, where else would have the tech to pull this off?

Joe shakes his head stomps off. I can’t say that I’m disappointed by that; he’s really starting to get on my last nerve. The perfect weather and beauty of the college campus start to turn my mood a bit. The limestone buildings and old trees give a fairytale kind of feel to the campus. It’s really nice here.

Michael nods in agreement. Yeah, usually there’s a lot more people on campus, but since it’s Spring Break, it’s pretty dead now. There’s always something going on here; if you’re bored it’s kind of your own fault. Have you applied here?

No, actually I haven’t applied anywhere.

Michael turns and spins on his heel. Say what? You need to get your applications in soon.

I know, I just don’t know if I even want to go to school. I mean maybe I’m just a lab freak predestined to be at Aegis for the rest of my life.

Don’t be ridiculous. You’re super talented and smart. I mean, you’re taking Calculus II and Physics II as a senior in high school. I’d kill to have that kind of start. Don’t trash all of that.

I’m just not sure I’d fit in here.

It’s not like high school here. I mean, there are tons of different people, and the classes are great. It’s not like high school where there’s one kind of English class or one kind of science class. There’s a lit class where we read all kinds of sci-fi.

Really?

Yeah, and there’s definitely snobs and stuff like in high school, but here the campus is so big there’s no reason you ever have to cross paths with those people. Given all you’ve helped me with on our little project, you’d do awesome in the computer engineering program. It’s such a new field, they really need people like you.

I look around the campus at the rolling hills and newly blooming daffodils and tulips. It’s definitely a welcome change of scenery from drab buildings of Aegis. Maybe Michael is right. Before I have time to think any more about it, my hand buzzes. I look at the screen of my palm pilot.

Hey guys! It looks like we got a hit on the electrical engineering building.

Michael starts to run and says, This way.

The three of us are standing in front of a three-story building that, in contrast to the other buildings, is quite modern with its steel structure and windowed facade. There are two other buildings close to it that are also modern. Around the buildings, there is a concrete patio with a few park benches and nicely manicured plants and trees. It looks like a perfect spot to spend the day reading in the sun.

Michael says, This is the newest place on campus. It caused a bit of a ruckus because it a lot of people felt the modern buildings were an eyesore and clashed with the old limestone buildings. Personally, I feel like it’s a perfect reflection of the technology we learn about here.

Joe grunts, Thanks for the architecture lesson, Frank Lloyd Wright, but if you’re through we need to get to work. I’m going to go in, and you two need to stay back here, and when I comm you come on in. You did wear your comms unit, right?

I tap my ear, signifying the unit. Yeah, I’m not stupid. But why the crud are you having me stay behind? You can’t simultaneously be ticked at me for not finishing my sims and not let me help you on a run. You said it yourself, I need practice.

You’re not going with me, because you didn’t finish your sim. If I need your help, then I’ll comm you. Otherwise, stay put and message Director that we might have a lead.

I throw up my hands. This is BS.

Yup, and next time maybe you’ll complete your sims.

Without another word, Joe is in the building.

Pacing in front of the building, I look at my watch for the hundredth time. Something is terribly wrong. I press on my ear comms and nothing. Michael, something’s wrong. Joe’s been in there for like fifteen minutes and not a word. This isn’t like him.

Michael is sitting on the ground using a bench as sort of a makeshift desk for our invention. He looks up at me and asks, Did you contact the Director?

Michael went back to the car to get the computer so that we’d have it closer to us in case we needed it for something that might pop up.

Yeah, he said that Joe is my superior and that I need to follow his orders, and if something gets wonky then to contact him and he’ll send a backup team out.

Uh, isn’t everyone out at other sites?

Yeah, that’s the thing, even if I do comm back to Director and he sends someone out, it’s going to take a long time before they can get here. I look at the building and think about Joe in there by himself. If I go in there, I’m going to get the butt chewing of a lifetime. All right, I’m going in. He’s my partner, and I can’t let him down, so don’t try to talk me out of it.

Michael shrugs. Wasn’t going to. I think you’re right, if something’s wrong they’re not going to be able to have backup here in time to help him. I just want to take care of a few things before you go off. He makes some clicks to the laptop then says, I’ve coded our comms so that whomever is doing this can’t listen in on what we’re saying. I’ll try to track the baddie here and comm you updates.

My heart it is beating a zillion miles an hour, and my stomach is in knots. This isn’t a training sequence in the simulator, but the real deal. If I screw up, then Joe could be toast. Heck, I could be toast. I look up at the building again and take a breath. There’s no choice. I guess this is it, I’m goin’ in. While I’m in there, you need to get a hold of Director and tell him to send reinforcements.

If it wasn’t for the circumstances, this building would actually be pretty cool. The atrium is open and bright with natural light. There are various plants peppering the entryway, giving it more of a modern office feel than a traditional school feel. My feet echo in the empty building, and I slowly walk, trying to keep a 360-degree awareness with my zap-taze pulled.

I say quietly over my comms, Anything pinging yet, Michael?

Nope, I’d say going to the high-performance computing and robotics lab will be your best bet. If someone is messing with computers, that’s going to be the place to go. It’s on the third floor, room number three-hundred-and-thirty.

I find a hallway with an elevator and across from it double doors with stairs behind it. Thinking for a second, I opt for the stairs because a) I hate elevators and b) if this creep is really controlling all things electrical, then I’d rather rely on my two feet. One by one I take the stairs, anticipating something with every step I take, but there’s nothing. The anticipation is almost worse than actually encountering something that I can fight hand to hand.

I can see you. A disembodied voice rings out through the hall. It’s impossible to tell if the voice belongs to a man, woman, or child because it’s a sort of computerized funky voice. You think you can find me, but you’ll never find me. I’m everywhere and nowhere, the voice continues.

Tessa or Themis or whatever, there are pings all over. What’s going on?

I don’t see anything, but there’s some creepy computer voice saying it can see me.

The computer voice laughs, I’ve neutralized one of you. I’ll take every last one of you down. You can never catch me. I see you.

I yell in the air, Yeah you already said that. I get it, you can see me. I look up in the corner of the stairwell and spot a blinking red light that’s attached to a security camera.

I type on my palm pilot.

MICHAEL WHATEVER CAN HEAR ME TALKING TO YOU. I THINK IT’S USING THE SECURITY CAMERAS TO SPY ON ME. ANY CHANCE YOU CAN GET ON THE NETS AND KNOCK THEM OUT?

ON IT

I continue walking up the stairs, and the next flight I see that the red light is no longer flashing on the security camera.

You all think you’re so smart taking out those cameras. It doesn’t matter. I will still get you. I’m everywhere.

As I make my way up the last flight of stairs, the halls echo with the sound of computerized laughter. My stomach knots, and my heart beats a million miles an hour. This person is definitely whack-a-doo. Once at the door that leads to the third floor, I stop and collect my thoughts for a few heartbeats. I need to go into this calm, cool, and collected. One last breath, and I slowly open the door.

The hallway is lit only by emergency lights, and there’s no sign of activity. Then I hear it, the sound of metallic tapping on the tile floor. Down at my feet, there is a little spider-like bot about the size of the palm of my hand. Its eyes are glowing blue, just staring at me, assessing me. I walk past it, but it speeds in front of me and stops.

I peer down at the little gadget. You need to let me pass. I got some business to attend to.

The bot, once again, stops in front of me. I shake my head. To heck with this. I haul back my foot and give the bot a solid punt, sending it down the hall.

You’ll regret that.

I say to the disembodied voice, Yeah, sure. What is your bot going to do? Tickle me to death?

No sooner than I get the question out of my mouth, the hall is filled with the sound of tapping on the tile floor, but this time it sounds like a whole horde of little spider bots. In seconds, the hall is filled with the glowing spider bot eyes.

OH. CRUD.

The bots surround me. I kick a few of them away and crush more of them with the heel of my boot, but they keep coming.

The computerized voice comes again. Think because you’re a big bad super that you can best my bots? Sometimes the little guy can take the big guy down.

In seconds, a metal cord is wrapped around my ankles, and I topple to the ground. All I can see around me are hundreds of glowing eyes, and I feel their metal legs starting to poke and prod me. I swing and kick the best I can, which does keep some of the bots at bay, but their sheer number is starting to overwhelm me. The brute force method isn’t going to work; I need to use my brain.

Think Tessa, think.

Over the comms Michael shouts, What’s going on? Tessa, can you hear me?

I grunt, I’m a little busy right now. The computer whack-a-doo has their bots on me. I look around the building to see if there’s something, anything that can help me. Then I spot it on the ceiling. I give my side a pat to make sure my zap-taze is still there then say over the comms, You think you can trip the fire alarm remotely?

On it!

The bots descend upon me, and I fight to keep my hands free just for a few seconds more while Michael trips the fire alarm. Their legs burrow into me, cutting and scraping and burning my flesh. I kick them with my bound feet and flail with my hands.

C’mon, Michael, I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up.

The voice says, I told you. Your brawn is no match for my brains. I got one of you, and I’ll get you too.

As if on cue, the hall is filled with flashing lights and blaring rings. A few heartbeats later, the sprinkler system activates, and we’re all covered in water. I smile and wiggle for my zap-taze then hold it to the ground in a pool of water. Before I press the button, I take a breath, because I know this ain’t gonna tickle. I will myself to push the button, and a pulse races through my body, making my muscles seize. Involuntarily, I let go of the zap-taze, and my muscles relax. Then I realize that the assault of the metallic legs is no longer on me. The bots are all disabled; the mixture of water and the electric pulse from my zap-taze rendered them useless. I lie flat on my back and thank the Physics gods then promptly unshackle my ankles from their bindings. Once up, I kick a few of my metallic assailants.

Tessa, what’s going on? How are you?

I’m fine, but is there any way you can stop the sprinkler? I ask as I wipe my face.

No can do. Once the system is triggered, there’s no way to turn it off. By the way, the fire department and the cops are on their way.

You know, we probably should’ve thought of calling them in as back-up in the first place. I shrug. Eh, hindsight’s twenty-twenty I guess.

So, I was right on the location of the pings. They all seem to be coming from room three-hundred-and-thirty. Why don’t you just wait for the emergency services to get here?

Because, this is what we’re trained to do. Clearly, this person isn’t normal, I need to deal with them.

I know I can’t change your mind, but be careful, okay? That room has all kinds of next-level robotics projects in it. No telling what you’re going to be walking into.

Will do.

With every step I take, there is a splash, so much for being covert. My only hope is that the blaring sirens and flashing lights divert whoever it is enough to give me a bit of an advantage. With every step closer to room 330 my heart beats faster. A few more steps, then it stares me in the face. A nondescript door that looks like every other classroom or lab door.

One long breath, then I introduce my foot to the door and it falls to the floor. Inside, there are lab benches with computers, robots in various stages of assembly, and various techno-junk strewn about. I can’t help but think that the water dousing these projects is probably going to make more than one student upset. Joe is bound to a chair and passed out cold. Next to him there is a slight girl with long black hair. She is staring ahead expressionless.

I start to launch at her, but the disembodied voice starts, You can’t do this! I am one with technology. They all made fun of me when I told them, but I’ll show them.

At that, all of the bots and techno-junk start to move from the lab benches. Suddenly, that creepy scene in Toy Story where all of Sid’s mutant toys come to life comes to mind, but this time I don’t think the toys are going to help me.

Tessa, I’m seeing a ton of pings in there. What’s going on? Michael’s voice booms on my comms.

Uh, we got some problems here. What’s the ETA on the first responders?

Michael says over the comms, Crud, the first responders are turning somewhere else. What’s going on?

The disembodied voice laughs and says, You can’t rely on them. I’ve rerouted them to another site.

I yell, Aries, you need to get up. C’mon, help your partner out!

Joe stirs a bit, and I turn my attention back to the bots attacking me. I kick and punch at them, but as soon as one is down another takes its place. The water doesn’t seem to be hampering most of them. I reach for my zap-taze, but one bot smacks it out of my hands, sending it across the room.

I say over the comms, Michael, this chick is nuts. She’s all zombied out, but I think she has her consciousness in the system. I think that’s what’s causing all of this. We need to contain it somehow.

One gigantic bot lumbers toward me and pins me into a wall. I work my hands free and push the bot clear across the room, but as soon as he’s down, two more spindly bots descend on me. My reserves are starting to run low, I don’t know how much more of this I can take.

I yell across the room again, Aries, wake up! I thought you were my partner. At that, he stirs awake and looks wide-eyed at all that is transpiring. That’s right, old man, get up and help me out.

Joe yells and with one movement snaps the binds securing him to the chair and bellows, Why are you in here? I told you to wait outside.

I swat at the bot holding me down. Uh, you’re welcome. Can you hold off the chastising long enough to help me out?

With one fell swoop Joe takes each of the bots in hands and throws them across the room.

You need to call the authorities and Director and get the crap out of here until help arrives.

A RC-controlled plane careens toward my head, but I reach up, grab it, and throw it into a wall. Newsflash, I am the help. We called Director and help is going to be awhile and el creepo there—I say, pointing to the zombie-like girl—has thrown off the first responders to our location. So you’re stuck with me, partner.

Joe growls and lands his foot into mini-rover-looking bot. Fine! What’s your plan?

I say over the comms, Michael, any luck in containing our friend?

The disembodied voice interrupts, You can’t contain me. I’m everywhere.

I yell at the air, Yeah, yeah, we heard you before omniscient electronic chick.

Michael says over the comms, I think I got something. All of her transmissions are originating from this central point. If we can get a firewall around the central comms, I think that would handicap her.

Wait, remember that program I was working on with anti-virus and firewall.

Yeah, hold on, I’m pretty sure I know exactly where that is.

The line is silent for what feels like minutes as I wait for Michael to respond. Joe and I take out a few more bots. Using my super abilities puts a huge strain on my body, and my meager breakfast of two donuts and coffee wore well past thin minutes ago.

Michael! What’s going on?

Hold on. I have to boot the computer again. Static buzzes in my ear. Okay, I think this has it and…

All of the bots stop their attacks.

Noooo… you can’t do this!

I yell at the disembodied voice, You did this to yourself. I suggest you put yourself back in that body.

No, I will not limit myself to a feeble human body. Your prison is weak, and I will wreak more havoc than you can possibly imagine when I get out. You haven’t seen the last of me.

She’s probably right, but for now, I could really go for an extra-large pizza, I say as I slump along the wall of the lab.

My stomach gurgles in glee with each slice of Little Nero’s Ultimeat extra-large pizza that I shove down my throat. The blanket the first responders put around me and warm sun help keep the chilly spring air at bay. The supers and my mom arrived shortly after the first responders. Right after Michael enacted the firewall, we were able to get the right coordinates to the first responders.

Hon, can we get you anything else? my mom asks worriedly.

No, Mom, I’m great. This pizza and icy Coke should do the trick.

I know that you’re a super and all, but I still hate the idea of you doing these runs. This is why I want you to go to college. I want you to have options in case this starts getting old. I mean, having options never hurt anyone.

I look around the college campus and think about how this caper took more than just brute force to solve. Actually, it was kind of fun if you forced me to admit it. I sigh, Yeah, options never hurt anyone. I was thinking maybe of applying here.

A big smile appears on my mom’s face. I think that would be a great start. When you’re feeling a bit more up to it, I’ll help you with the application.

Thanks, Mom.

Behind Mom, a towering man appears. Mom turns around and scowls. I heard what you said to my daughter about not being able to go out tonight. Last I heard, I’m her parent, and I’m the authority on if she can go out or not. Got it?

Joe’s eyes go wide, and he holds up his hands. Okay, okay, I didn’t mean to usurp your authority. I was actually coming over to talk to her about that.

Mom points a finger at Joe and says, Good, remember she saved your butt in there. I’m going to see what they’re going to do with the poor girl. She’s just a shell until they can figure out how to port her consciousness back into her body.

Poor girl? She attacked me and Joe with creepy bots and had half the world in chaos.

Mom says as she walks away, Well, she had to have some trauma that caused her to get to that point. We need to figure out what’s going on.

I shrug. I guess so. I turn my attention to Joe. And what do you have to say? You’re mad because I disobeyed orders? Did you get Director to ground me for good?

Nope, and do you really think Director could do something that your mom didn’t authorize?

I take another bite of pizza and say around the slice, Yeah, probably not. So what’s up, then?

I just wanted to say thanks, and that I was wrong not treating you like a real partner. My mouth opens wide from the shock. Joe rolls his eyes. Try not to look too shocked okay? It’s just that I lost a lot of friends with that virus, and I wasn’t about to lose another.

Whoa, did you just call me your friend?

Shut up, kid. Look, I said I was sorry, and I’ll try to do better. For what it’s worth, I think your mom’s right about college. The whole fist-to-face thing gets old after a while, and having something else to fall back on wouldn’t be the worst.

Thanks, Joe. So does this mean that I’m free to go out with Michael tonight?

He sighs, I guess, but I still think you could do better than a dweeb with questionable music taste.

He did put Rush on my mix tape.

It’s a start, he says while walking away.

C’mon, tell me where we’re going. Why did I have to wear a dress? I mean, I don’t get many chances to break out the nice Doc Martins and my baby doll dress, so I’m not really complaining.

Michael is beaming. He’s wearing a gray shiny suit with a thin black tie. You’ll see in just a few minutes. Can’t you wait?

No, I have no patience. It’s like you don’t even know me.

He laughs. You look really nice. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything other than jeans or your super hero outfit.

I guess I probably could’ve looked really hot and wore my super hero earrings.

Nah, Themis ain’t got nothing on you.

I blush and give him a little swat on the arm. Whatever. Michael makes a turn, and we head into Aegis headquarters. I narrow my eyes. Dude, why are we going to work?

Patience.

"Ugh, if your idea of a surprise is having me run a sim then I’m punching you out. Did I mention I’m wearing my good Doc Martins?"

Don’t worry there will be no sims, no hacking, no studying, just fun.

I huff. Okay, I guess I trust you.

Michael parks in the empty parking lot right next to the commons building on the non-secret side. He turns off the car and motions for me to stay put. I sit in the car, and he opens the door and takes my hand and leads me to the building.

As I walk to the building, my stomach is doing flip flops, and my knees are weak. I can’t believe he went to all this trouble for me. He opens the door, and the cafeteria section of the commons is decorated in twinkling Christmas lights. He motions for me to stay and runs over to a boom box situated on a cafeteria table and pushes a few buttons. The cafeteria is flooded with the sounds of Cowboy Junkies’ Sweet Jane.

He saunters over to me and asks, May I have this dance?

My brain screams out, YES! But all I’m able to do is give a lame nod. He takes me in his arms, and he is warm and safe and smells like cookies and soap. I take a long inhale and look up and smile. How in the world did you pull this off?

I have powerful friends. I narrow my eyes at him. Okay, your mom helped me out.

Really?

Yeah, she said that I need to have you back by eleven or your dad and Joe will be here in short order cramming their fists down my throat. Frankly, I’m more scared of your mom.

Yeah, I would be too. My stomach growls.

Don’t worry, I brought food too. Spaghetti—from what I remember, that was our first lunch together.

I give him a big hug, and he returns it. He looks down at me, and my stomach grumbles again, but not because of hunger this time. His lips brush mine, and he gives me a perfect kiss and says, I’m glad everything worked out okay today. And I’m glad you decided to apply to college.

Yeah, me too. I’m really looking forward to the future.

Me too.

Illustration for The Reluctant Nerd by Fauzy Zulvikar Firmansyah

Jessie Jet

by Glen Damien Campbell

T

he Waste Lands were hers!

Barren, sun-scorched, and scourged by endless stretches of shrub studded sand.

From her vehicle, Jessica Jet Devereux saw the walls of Barter Town in the distance and began to accelerate toward them.

Two hundred feet above her, a Regulator drone flew by, stopping in the sky momentarily to scan the seventeen-year-old for disease or disability before moving on, having found none.

Its tires kicking up veils of sand, its orange fiberglass body mottled by an array of stickers championing Jessica’s favorite pre-Scorched Earth bands. The dune buggy, Desert Rat, pulled up before the