The Explorer Complete Series Box Set: Books 1-4

By Kesten E. Harris

Includes 4 young adult sci-fi books! 1,000+ pages of funny, action-packed, and superpowered space adventures. The perfect book if you like killer robots that are also aliens.

 

"Kesten Harris is a brilliant author. That is the word that kept coming to my mind as I was reading through his novel The Blue Barricade, brilliant. This one is a real page-turner with many plots twists and just the right amount of action to keep a reader obsessed with finishing the book."  —Brandi Peterson, The Aspiring Author Blog

 

Wander Locke never cared about the 400-year-old galactic war until it wiped out most of his family. Now he's made it his personal mission to find his missing sister and bring her home. A mission supported by the President of the First Division, who tasks him with a literal mission to retrieve an experimental device from mysterious rebels.

 

What was meant to be a simple mission evolves into a life-changing fight for survival as Wander's life is plagued by questions. Why did the Aggressive Intellectuals target his family? Who are these rebels and why do they know so much? Most importantly, what even is a Hybrid?

 

This box set includes traumatized teenagers, people with glowing eyes, alien invasions, dumb banter, morally gray decisions, robots, planets, a robot planet, and a very important message about family.

 

This set includes all four books in The Explorer series:

 

The Blue Barricade (Book 1)

 

The Gray Raid (Book 2)

 

The Green General (Book 3)

 

The Red Revolution (Book 4)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kesten E. Harris
• Release date: Jul 30, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393320890

Book preview

Burned into Memory

I

should have brought milk for the chocolate bomb I called a cake. I picked at my slice while Laura dug into hers. Every bite flooded my mouth with sweetness. Sounded great in concept but was sickening in execution. Laura didn’t seem to mind. Not surprising, seeing as I’d seen her consume an entire bag of candy in one sitting. She was lucky that rich people didn’t get cavities.

Eating beside the gravestones of my family members was stranger than I thought. It even felt a tad disrespectful. I just felt like I had to. Families ate together. No matter what.

I rested a hand on Beth’s stone. Black with yellow lining. She wouldn’t have liked it. She had preferred light colors. When I’d gotten my blue space suit, she’d gotten a matching one in light blue. That’s right, we were matching siblings. Dark days, but I’d do anything to be back in them.

"Do you not like the cake that you picked out? Laura asked as she shoveled another bite into her already full mouth. In comparison, I was ladylike enough to be a date for the ball. If so, then do I have a deal for you—"

Just take it. I handed her my plate, which she gleefully snatched. It wasn’t for me. It was for Beth. Sadness washed over my other emotions. Over a year, and I still wasn’t over it. How pathetic was I? I forced something happy into my brain. I—I’m glad you’re here, Laura. Family eats together, and you’re family too.

She paused before taking another bite. A somber expression came over her.

You really think so?

I snickered. "Please. You were there every other day. Attended all her birthday parties. Got my parents stuff for their birthdays and their holidays! They loved you."

She grimaced like I’d just dropped a weight into her lap. Considering I’d said something happy, it didn’t make sense. I thought I understood, though. Laura’s home situation was...undesirable. I’d just reminded her that her real family was gone. If it hadn’t been for her, I’d be gone too.

A year before, I’d gone out to see a movie with Laura. We had already celebrated Beth’s birthday, so my going out was no problem.

I should have stayed home. An AI attack happened while we were gone. One of the first ones the Moon ever experienced. Definitely a first for New Selene. Those twisted machines had no business being anywhere near us. They hadn’t been since they’d ruined the Earth. There weren’t many casualties, but, of course, my family had been among them.

Two out of three had.

I stood and stretched. Anyway! We should get going. I’ve got one more day of studying left. Redhead?

She shrugged. "Whatever you say. It’s not like I’ll ever want to go home, but I get it. You sure you don’t want to stay longer?"

Those stars won’t explore themselves. Until I invent something that lets them. Point is, the sooner I’m done here, the sooner I study. The sooner I do that—you get my point. I glanced at Beth’s stone again. I reached into my suit and took out my vivepen. I drew a heart on her stone. With a click of the button I’d installed, it glowed like a star. Light blue. I clicked the save button, preserving the gesture in the pen. See you soon, sis.

I scooped up the remaining cake and turned back. My legs felt like lead. Walking away never got easier. I’d stay forever if I could. But it wasn’t efficient.

The cruiser ride should have been free of tension. But the opposite was true. Laura wasn’t looking anywhere near me. She loved gazing out the window, but it felt like she was avoiding me. I hated eye contact, so I shouldn’t have been complaining, but being ignored was just as painful. At least I knew why she was doing it.

Yes, I still think she’s alive, I said without taking my eyes off the road. And I’m a day away from getting out there and finding her.

She scoffed. Sure about that? You still need a ship, some weapons—

I’m not hurting anyone.

Food, money, not to mention a crew. You need someone watching your back if you’re going up against the AI. Or whatever you think you’re doing.

I sighed as we rolled up to a red light. "They reduced my home to rubble. Burning rubble because of their crazy plasma weapons. The fire department found my parents burned and...too far gone. They didn’t find my sister. Nothing suggested that Beth had been caught in the fire. She’s still out there somewhere. She’s not on the Moon. I made sure of that last summer. She’s in the stars. Once I pass that explorer exam, I’ll be certified to search. I will find her, and I’ll bring her back."

That was my goal in a nutshell: become an explorer, find Beth, live happily ever after. Maybe an obstacle there, and an inconvenience here, but how hard could it be for siblings to find each other?

Laura growled as if I’d insulted her. "My mistake then. Clearly, you don’t want to fight the AI. You just want to find one person somewhere in the infinite galaxy. After they disappeared because of the AI. All the while, you have no clues to go on. Yeah, there’s clearly no reason for me to worry."

What else am I supposed to do?! I recoiled from my own volume. I hadn’t meant to raise my voice. Not to Laura, of all people. I hated how my emotions could get the better of me. Sorry. I just don’t know what else to do. Beth’s out there for sure. I know you’re concerned, but you can’t stop me.

She gazed down, lost in thought. I know.

Hadn’t I been trying to ease the tension a moment ago?

Laura’s neighborhood looked like someone had stolen a piece of a New Earth city and dropped it in New Selene. You knew you’d driven into it if there were two-story houses around you. The green of their trimmed gardens was an apt symbol of their money.

The place was okay but far too quiet for my taste: no screaming kids or humming cruisers for background noise. Everyone either stayed inside with their money or was out making more money. The neighborhood had no air of friendliness. I wouldn’t have lasted a nanosecond.

Somehow, Laura’s house was the cream of the crop: two-story, white, and with enough windows to make a second house entirely out of glass. The only thing it lacked was people. The driveway was empty. Oh boy!

I see your parents still don’t appreciate their own mansion, I said in an attempt to lighten the mood.

Laura glared at the barren driveway. Yeah, they don’t appreciate a lot of things. They’re either off managing their businesses or forgetting they have a daughter. Why not both? She opened her door and climbed out like she was stepping onto lava. Call me when you’re done with your exam.

Will do. I glanced at the driveway again. If you want, I could study here instead.

Now, who’s the concerned one? I’ll be fine, dummy.

I waved goodbye to Laura and waited until she was inside to drive off. Now, it was just me, the Columbus, and every podcast I had saved on my monitor. Much better than the dulcet tones of galactic pop.

Plus company kept my more painful thoughts at bay.

I passed at least twenty colorful buildings on the way to my destination. Stores advertising services and products. As a kid, I’d never paid them any attention. Now, it all seemed so pointless. What was the point of simple things like that when life’s ugly side was so painfully real. It was like living in a glass cube. That’s why I understood Manning’s lesson more than he thought. My cube was already shattered.

Pain, death, and war. The AI had a doomsday device powerful enough to erase the galaxy and we were just wasting our time. With our colorful buildings and advertisements.

I gazed up into the night, and a sickly orb glared down at me. It took up most of the sky. It was much larger than any speck. The whole thing was wrapped in green gas. Toxic fumes. It was a twisted remnant of an ancient peaceful world. One that no one talked about unless they were using it as a curse.

Planet Earth.

Around four hundred years previously, the AI had started this war by firing an insanely powerful weapon at the planet. The initial blast had killed millions if not billions and eradicated the Earth’s magnetic core. Without that, the planet was subject to cosmic radiation on top of the toxic energy left over from their weapon. Earth was deemed unsuitable for life. Forever.

Luckily, the Moon and New Earth were suitable at that point. The rich and fortunate who fled in time had somewhere to settle and rebuild. During that period, humanity was the closest it had ever gotten to extinction. That was also why we no longer settled on one planet. Keeping all your gold in one safe was an easy way to lose it.

Everyone treated Earth like it was our greatest failure, but I saw it as a symbol. It represented the galaxy. It reminded me that there was more out there! Thanks to it, I knew that not every rock was as barren as the Moon.

Man! The podcasts were not doing their job.

I pulled into the driveway of a stout brown house. The lights were on, and I knew one person would be home but the other would still be at work. After what had happened to my family, I had been handed over to my dad’s best friend, Opifex. This guy also happened to be the one who taught me everything I knew about technology and cruisers. I lived with him, but, I didn’t go inside much.

I parked my cruiser and rotated all the chairs back. They whirled together, forming one long surface. I lay down on it like it was a couch.

I reached between the flat seats and pulled out a blanket, making it official. Laura had asked why my cruiser was messy. This was the answer.

Opifex’s front door suddenly seemed more tempting than ever. I could easily have had a normal life again, living under the roof of someone who loved me. What for? So I could lose them too? It was hard enough for someone like me to form connections. Losing them was like being ripped apart.

My vivepen made a reappearance as I pushed it against the cruiser. I clicked the third button. The one that didn’t save or glow. The tip expelled lines like a busted fire hydrant. They scrawled out across my cruiser. The lines linked up to form all my recent doodles and notes. It was like someone had let a kid loose in my cruiser. In reality, it was a pretty good glimpse at my brain.

Perfect. I reached down and grabbed a can of Cosmos, the only soda that didn’t feel like it rotted my teeth with each sip. I popped it open and peered at the words sprawled across my windows. We meet again, exam notes. Ready for round two hundred?

I switched off the podcasts in favor of instrumental music. Electric guitars surged off as I soaked in the difference between lite ships and exploration ships, again. I had no idea how Laura did this. My brain barely worked if I wasn’t moving, listening to music, or working with technology in some way.

Despite the shredding guitars in my ears, my eyelids grew heavy. My dreams beckoned me. I fought back, but, once I found myself mumbling ship over and over, I allowed them their victory.

Short girl. Mane of golden-brown hair. Big eyes as blue as the sky. She stared up at me with a question on her face. The environment was hazy and kept shifting. Were we in a movie theater? A park? My...driveway?

Something rattled in my mouth. I coughed it into my hands. Pearls, at least thirty of them. Why were pearls in my mouth? I shook them and realized they had sharp edges. Not pearls. Teeth. That made me realize what the girl was asking. Somehow. It was written all over her face. Why did you let me die?

Fire consumed the girl in an instant. Roaring flames blew me back. I hurried toward the fire, but an invisible wall kept us apart. It forced me to watch the blaze consume her. She shifted into a pile of rubble.

"Ah!"

HUUUM!

The Columbus rumbled to life, and me along with it. Its headlights pierced the darkness. The sudden brightness stung like someone had thrown wasps in my eyes. Stars decorated the dark sky. When did the Sun leave? I summoned my key and directed it toward the ignition.

I stopped halfway. Maybe the cruiser should have been on. Just in case I needed to get away from whoever was spying on me. The street lights acted as beacons as I peered into the dark. They didn’t reveal anyone. I might have been too distracted by the cool breeze to search properly. My suit kept me warm, but I hated the way the wind felt on my face.

Someone out there? I said. Someone I can help with something? No response. Of course not. When did that approach ever work?

I kept my guard up as I switched off the cruiser. I didn’t sense the presence anymore. They’d slipped away, and good thing too. Good for me. Even if I’d found them, what could I have done? No doubt they were some creep, but I didn’t have creep protection.

I lay back down despite having no plans to go back to sleep. Morning would come before long, so I’d chill until then. Wouldn’t be the first time I’d gone a night without sleeping.

THE DAY HAD FINALLY come. Literally. I was running on no sleep, no food (unless you counted cake and soda), and a possibly faulty cruiser. I’d never been readier. My eyelids might have gotten heavy on the drive over, but I’d never closed them!

I planted my feet on the pavement and shut the cruiser door behind me. A black building decorated with white specks stood tall on the other end of the parking lot. Big block letters spelled out EEC. Exploration Exam Center: the building where kids became explorers. Not a good slogan, but that’s why I didn’t say it out loud.

Now I just had to get past the human wall that was in my way.

If the EEC weren’t so tall, I never would have seen it over the bustling crowd. Their chatter alone was giving me a headache. I hated crowds, but they were a rarity anyway. Every New Selene event brought out the noisy people. They had nothing else to look forward to in a town so tiny.

No one in the crowd was there to take an exam, I knew that much. They were only around to meet the special guest. Anyone who wanted to be an explorer out of high school applied on the day after graduation. Knowing this, the President of the First Division picked one EEC per year to visit on that day. Guess which one she’d picked this year. I had been lucky enough to survive the traffic; A crowd wasn’t going to stop me. I pushed through it, ignoring the babble.

Let us in!

Where’s the president?!

You can’t keep us out!

Almost all the babble. I couldn’t remember her face, but everyone knew the president. She’d been in the First Ship for sixteen years. I was seventeen so she’d literally been in office for as long as I could remember. She was popular because of her contributions to our colony on New Earth. Hard to call it a colony when she’d also renamed the planet, but I assumed it was more complicated than it seemed. Thank the stars there weren’t any Moon aliens.

Weaving through the crowd was a sweatier endeavor than I’d expected. The summer heat was cooking me, and it was hard to step around moving people. I began to lose hope when I got to the sign-holders. Then when all seemed lost...the light of hope revealed itself! The other side of the crowd! I forfeited all manners and sprinted the rest of the way.

Victory! I shouted as I leaped out of the crowd.

Unfortunately, I teetered as I hit the ground. The rough landing soiled my triumph, but whatever. Good motor skills were overrated. Now all I had to deal with was the front door. It must have been locked if so many people were just standing outside. I approached it for inspection, but then it slid open. So it wasn’t locked. Okay.

The members of the crowd had no yellow tape or energy restraints around them either. This was off to a weird start. I headed inside anyway.

I walked right into a cold draft. Did someone have the air conditioner cranked up? Down? Whichever one it was. The walls, floor, and counters all shared the exterior’s starry theme. One major difference from the outside was the sound. It was deafeningly silent compared to the exploding crowd. Altogether, the experience was so immersive that I could have sworn I accidentally teleported into space. I was so down for it.

Halt!

Two sets of bright purple eyes towered over me. How had I missed them? They were attached to gray, metallic bodies. Androids. My stomach churned as I avoided the glowing dots. Reminded me too much of the other robots. The killer ones who ruined my life. My body protested like it was begging me to lash out.

My apologies, said a woman in the back. The glow died as both robots stepped back. They’d stay back if they knew what was good for them. The woman looked up from her wrist with a grin. She adjusted her round glasses as she studied me. Did you need something, young man?

Her magenta hair was tied up in a bun. A pearl necklace hung around her neck. A long blue coat nearly covered an impressive-looking magenta and blue space suit. The suit was beyond advanced by the look of it. Was she an employee? Could I be one too? I needed in on that kind of pay.

I took a breath to calm my nerves. Would you mind keeping these walking trash cans as far away as possible? I can’t even think while I’m near them.

I beg your pardon? said a guy in the back. He sat at a booth, one of many. They were lined up next to each other, but the middle booth was unoccupied. It must have been where the woman had sat. Do you have any idea who you’re—

She raised a palm, cutting off the man. I see no reason why not. A tiny control panel lay on her wrist. She frantically tapped it.

The robots beeped and marched away, shaking the ground with each hundred-pound footstep. Good riddance.

I sighed in relief. Thank you. I— The calculating look in the woman’s green eyes unnerved me. She eyed me like I was her study guide. Did I have something on my face? I—I’m here to take my explorer’s exam. Those are still happening today, right? I don’t see anyone else lined up.

The room was empty except for me, the woman, and all the employees. I didn’t believe she could be counted as one of them anymore.

Yes of course. May I ask for your name? She extended a hand.

I eyeballed her hand before shaking it. I’d never been eager to touch a stranger, but this woman had an air of authority to her. It was like someone would snipe me if I refused.

Wander Locke. You are?

Her grin grew. A pleasure to meet you, Wander. I am President Margaret Frost. Please come this way to begin your exam.

3

The Call of Destiny

T

he heck did I just do?

I just ordered the president to shoo away her robot bodyguards. Roboguards. I didn’t even recognize that I’d been talking to the president! What kind of First Division citizen was I?

She—the president—led me down a long corridor. Only the two of us. She might have had her robots follow if I hadn’t protested.

My legs were numb, so keeping up was hard, and I felt uncomfortable being so close to the leader of my entire division. I spaced out my own footsteps to give her room.

No need to keep your distance on my account, Wander, President Frost said as she beckoned me closer. That was immediate. Was she watching me? "I wish to know more about you. Your reason for being here. It’s important to know as much as I can about my future explorers. Especially when one is Michelangelo Locke’s grandson. Honestly, you should be walking ahead of me."

I tripped as though I’d stumbled on an invisible rope.

So you know about my grandfather? Sorry, dumb question. Who hasn’t heard of the guy? I tried masking my disdain, but my grimace wasn’t going anywhere. If you wanted to instantly end any conversation with me, all you had to do was mention my grandfather. I wouldn’t say having a deceased war hero in the family influenced my decision much. I just crave adventure, and being an explorer means satisfying that craving every day. Oh! I’m also here to help people of course! Explorers experience different cultures and record the findings; that’s helpful.

She chuckled. How kind. An explorer’s primary task is indeed to search for, discover, and report interesting findings on ‘alien’ planets. However, should help be needed, I trust them to offer it. Any ambassador of the First Division should know that much.

Nailed it.

The space-themed hallway led to a series of doors. Each one was steel and bulky like it was made from cruiser parts. It only took a glimpse to know that they were modeled after spaceship doors. They were made to be fortified against the icy depths of space.

Enter through this door and wear the equipment presented. President Frost raised a palm. The space suit parts around it clicked and retreated, revealing her bare palm...and lovely purple nails. She pressed it against a hand scanner beside the door, which glowed green at her touch. The door slid open with a thunk. She nodded like this was a victory. Good luck! I shall be seeing you soon.

President Frost walked away before I could ask her to elaborate. I assumed that meant she’d see me afterward. I’d be an actual explorer by then. The thought left a warm feeling in my stomach.

I couldn’t see into the room; a wall of darkness made sure of that. But I didn’t have to see inside to know that it led to the rest of my life. I bounced on the balls of my feet, hyping myself up. This was it!

I sprinted into the darkness with the door sliding shut behind me. The remaining light faded, leaving only the dark. I couldn’t see my own hands in front of my face. My first instinct was to activate the lights, but there was no switch. I think. It wasn’t like I could visually confirm that.

Blue seeped into the room, waving off the shadows. The walls, floor, and ceiling all ushered in a virtual sea. My brain couldn’t accept that I wasn’t going to stand in water.

Click!

A beam of light burst into the center of the room. I blinked the stars from my eyes and peered at what lay underneath the flash. A reflective helmet, gray gloves, and gray boots. All gathered in a black chair. Not my style, but President Frost had mentioned putting on equipment. As long as they were as smooth as they seemed. I hated weird textures.

The helmet weighed as much as a black hole. I swore my head was receding into my neck under its pressure. I couldn’t see out of its visor either, so I had to blindly put on the other stuff. I willed my suit to disassemble around my arms and legs to fit the garments. Their insides were padded like my suit, so they were comfortable enough.

An image flickered onto the visor. White specks scattered across a black canvas. I was seeing stars again. Why? Below those stars was a rainbow of buttons, cluttered around a monitor. Dark steel walls surrounded me. A beeping dot sailed toward an X on the screen.

I was in a spaceship.

What the—did they invent teleportation helmets when I wasn’t looking?! I brought my hands up to my face. They floated in midair, completely disembodied from my body. My feet were the same way. Thank goodness I was born in the twenty-fifth century, or this would have nauseated me. No. Virtual reality. Awesome!

Rather archaic, actually. Virtual reality is at least five hundred years old.

I twisted my back so that I could turn around. Four vertical rows of chairs extended behind me. There were enough for any exploration companions, but all the seats were empty except for President Frost’s. Wait, what was she doing here? She looked exactly like the real one. I guess she was. Was she?

Are...you real? I jabbed a virtual finger at her. Or is there always a hologram of the president in here?

She rested her chin on her hand as she grinned. That would be flattering, but no. I chose to give you this exam myself.

So, no pressure.

"As you should know, passing this exam is dependent on how well

you can steer this virtual ship to its goal. I assume you’re new to this simulation, based on your reaction. You didn’t truly skip VR training, did you?"

I froze. Signing up for VR training wasn’t easy when you lived in your cruiser. It was hard enough getting Opifex to sign me up for my last year of high school. Besides, there wasn’t a vehicle that I couldn’t pilot. Exploration ships and cruisers were cut from the same cloth anyway. All our vehicles spawned from the Frontier Project. Along with everything else that made up our world.

Training’s nice, but nothing beats experience! I gripped the wheel, which was more of a yoke. It also wasn’t much of a grip since the ship wasn’t really there. Enjoy the ride, Madam President.

I seemed confident, but my stomach was full of butterflies. Not due to the exam, because I had that covered! I’d just never been in an exploration ship before. I’d always wanted to, and I’d studied ships to death, but this was a first. It wasn’t real, but that’s why I was there. To make it real.

I pushed at the fake speed slider. It moved up, increasing the ship’s momentum. The stars streaked across the dashboard. It was a beautiful sight. It was an even easier obstacle course. I had no idea how deep this reality went, but if this was it, it’d be easier than I thought.

President Frost, have you done this for anyone else today? I asked as I glided around an asteroid.

Not that I can recall, she said. Is there a problem?"

No, no! It’s just...why are you administering an exam at all? And why to me? I guess I just figured leading the First Division was a busier gig.

It very much is. She sighed like she was a teenage girl with twelve essays backed up. I don’t have much time reserved for myself, so I use it wisely. Exploration is very important to me seeing as mankind’s curiosity is one of its greatest attributes. It’s why I’m as involved as I can be in the Explorer Program.

I nodded, adding even more pressure to my helmeted head. That all makes sense, but still...why me?

The only answer she offered was a calculated gaze. Was she searching for my soul? I was just searching for an answer.

A flash of red demanded my attention. I whirled back toward the monitor, which now showed an additional dot. One that was larger and redder than mine. I scanned the dashboard for signs of this threat. There was a blue speck among the white, as if a star had gone rogue. Letters shifted rapidly on the monitor until they formed sentences—the last sentences I wanted to see:

WARNING! AGGRESSIVE INTELLECTUAL SHIP DETECTED!

AVOID AT ALL COSTS!

My fingers froze over the monitor. No way. How could this be allowed in an exam? It hadn’t been mentioned in anything I’d studied.

Seems that you have unwelcome company, President Frost said as casually as someone announcing dinner. Quite the obstacle. How will you handle the situation?

The blue blip inched closer, while I remained frozen. How would I handle it? Why was this difficult for me? I’d never even seen an AI in person. I just knew what they’d done. I shouldn’t have had any issues dealing with them. So why was my forehead burning with anxiety?!

I—I’ll just cloak us. I shifted through the monitor’s options. The cloak option had to be in there somewhere. But, Madam President, are they supposed to be here?

I’d love to know what exactly you’re implying, but I must first stress that using the cloak is a risky maneuver.

The speck grew into a blob. Its dot on the monitor was speeding toward ours. There wasn’t time for another plan.

Yeah, for most ships it’ll drain the heck out of our power. Sometimes to the point where warping will be impossible. I guess warping would also work here huh? If only I knew the coordinates of my objective. I’ll stick with cloaking though. More suspenseful.

Red continued to flood the cockpit, spiking my adrenaline. If I’d known the monitor’s menus better, this would have been over already. My garbled mind wasn’t helping either. I was stuck flipping through absolute gibberish, while the AI hurried over like they were making a delivery. Those garbage heaps! Real or not, they’d never catch me.

A delicate hand crept into my view, blocking the monitor. The president? No, her suit didn’t look like this. Like mine.

I gazed up at the face of my sister, as clear as it had been in my dream...or when she had still been with me. I couldn’t describe the squirming my stomach did or the confusion I felt. Beth? I reached out to touch her but stopped myself. I didn’t want to confirm my suspicions. How are you here?

Her chubby cheeks puffed up as she smiled. The innocence in her eyes struck a blow to my heart. Nothing about this was fair.

Whatcha doing, Wand? Her voice was as sweet as ever. She looked straight at the monitor. Running away? So you won’t end up like me? Why not stay and fight? So you can avenge me?

My jaw hung open. No, no, that’s not something you’d say. And you’re not dead! I reached out to grab her shoulders but my hands went right through. That could have just been due to the VR. You’re here, you’re real! I know it!

Wander. President Frost’s voice cut through like a knife. You need to focus.

I gasped as the flashing red reclaimed control. I looked around for Beth but she literally vanished before my eyes. Did President Frost hear all of that? I looked out the dashboard and only saw blue. Something was taking up the entire window. Something huge. Sweat rolled down my face as I realized what it was.

No, no, we gotta cloak! I scrolled through the options until they finally popped up. Two magical words: INITIALIZE CLOAK. Yes!

BOOM!

The dashboard shattered into pieces, which an explosion launched at me. I shielded my face, and when I lowered my arms, my worst enemy was staring me down.

A Kilo towered over me, essentially cornering me in my seat. Kilos were the weakest and lowest-ranking AI, but they were still deadlier than any human. According to a witness, a Kilo had killed my parents. Those piercing blue eyes instilled more hate than fear in me. It raised a hand that broke apart and created an arm cannon before my very eyes. This it lowered toward me.

Stop! Beth threw herself between us, her arms wide open. Was she shielding me? Stay back.

The Kilo didn’t even seem to have heard her. Its cannon glowed with power, but the shot wouldn’t hit me, not at first. Not while Beth was in the way.

Beth, you gotta move! I watched in horror as the Kilo continued to charge. I had to move. I had to get us both away. But my legs wouldn’t budge.

The energy’s light peaked as it fired its fatal shot. Right into my sister’s gut.

STOP!

Black consumed everything. Blue trickled in. Heat surged through me. I couldn’t tell if it was from the attack or the anger. I had no idea what had happened, and I didn’t want to know. It took me longer than I should have to realize that I was seeing black because the simulation had ended. I yanked off the helmet and set it beside me. It took all my willpower not to chuck it across the room. I did the same to the gloves and boots, while a pit settled in my stomach and a pain in my head.

That simulation had taken such a drastic turn. The AI, my sister, the fact that the president had been there to see it all. Who knew what she thought of me after that? The door glided open, and in marched President Frost herself. Her face was unreadable, but it sure wasn’t the relaxed expression she had previously had.

Ma’am, just what was all that? I massaged my head, but that didn’t ease the pain or frustration. I’m surprised my brain didn’t explode.

She cast a forlorn look at the helmet. A glitch in the program, a decimal misplaced? It’s impossible to say for sure. Until I get my hands on the technician in charge anyway. As for your exam...all things considered, I’d hardly count it as completed. Unfortunately, the computer did.

Despite all the madness, my exam was over. As long as I’d passed, that was fine with me. I searched my memory for the point at which I’d guided the ship safely and found no such thing. Wait, but that meant... I’m sorry, Wander, but you failed. She handed me a slip of paper stamped in bright red letters: FAILURE! The rest of the paper went on, detailing things I didn’t care about. As a personal witness to the horrors and hallucinations you faced, let me just say that I’m sorry...

Frost’s words fell on deaf ears. I directed all of my brain power toward comprehending this: I had failed. I wouldn’t be walking out as an explorer. Not today. It’d be months before I could even try again. This couldn’t be happening.

President Frost...you have to let me retake this exam! I grasped for more eloquent words, but my brain was failing me. I really need to be an explorer as soon as possible! It’s already been a year, I can’t let her wait any longer!

She took a step back. I am unsure as to what you’re referring to, but I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do. I truly am sorry about this.

Did I even have a heart anymore, or had it been crushed? Time stood still and moved a mile a minute at the same time. I didn’t remember saying goodbye to Frost, leaving the EEC, or even getting into my cruiser. I just blinked, and there I was.

There was one other thing too. Something I had to do, even if it seemed like the last thing I would do. Desperate times called for measures you wouldn’t otherwise take. My senses (and my grip) returned after I drove into that ridiculously fancy neighborhood. Then I texted a message to my only hope. I asked her to step outside. I’d have knocked on her door, but her parent’s cruisers were back in the driveway.

I mindlessly swiped my phone as a door closed in the background. Footsteps followed. I didn’t even look up when my cruiser door was yanked open.

Tell, me, everything! Laura Genki climbed in and kicked down my belongings. Don’t leave out the embarrassing parts. Those are the best.

4

Hiding in Plain Sight

I

drove us to a secluded location in case I felt like crying.

Pinpointing my mood was impossible, so just in case. That’s why I’d gone to Laura. If anyone knew about rampant emotions, it was her.

I chose a local park. It was by an abandoned school, which meant the park was honorarily abandoned. The grass was dead enough to reveal the white terrain underneath. Huge trees were the only living things left. The sidewalk was chipped and scratched. Our bench even creaked as we sat on it.

A huge square cone sat unattended beside us. An auto vendor that had gone out of order. If I could get inside that thing, there were parts that—nope! It wasn’t mechanic time. I handed Laura a granola bar in exchange for listening to my tale. I chewed on one myself, which made it the only food item I’d had all morning. Pretty typical, honestly.

Laura swallowed her granola. How did you even drive yourself after going through all that?

I crushed my granola and pulled it apart. Who knows? Can’t do much else though. Everything was riding on this exam. What happens when you fail the thing that’s supposed to elevate your life? That’s a ‘back to square one’ situation.

You should just pick yourself up and keep moving. It’s what Instructor Manning would say. It’s pretty good advice.

I smiled. I’m glad you said that, because I’m not giving up. I couldn’t do that to Beth.

Great! I’ll be here for whatever we’re doing next. Her hand landed on mine. She had a gentle touch like she was tending to a wounded animal. Laura was fine with the occasional hug, but random affection? What was happening here? I’m happy that you finally came to me about this stuff. Those days when you’d barely talk to me were some of the worst of my life. I just felt so guilty and helpless. If you had never gone to the movies with me...you would have been there. Maybe, you could have done something.

Laura chewed her lip, a surefire sign that she was holding back tears. She was the one who’d suggested seeing a brand-new movie on that day. She’d been so excited about it. She was the whole reason why we weren’t there when the AI came.

Hey, why would that make you feel guilty? I could have squeezed her hand back, to show that I supported her. My stomach swirled just thinking about it. That might have been too weird, so I didn’t. What could I have done against a Kilo? It would have torn me apart. You saved my life, Redhead.

She lifted her head, wearing a smile. You think so?

Of course! And I’m glad you want to be involved. I have this great idea that I’d love your help on. I won’t wait for the required number of months to retake that test. It’d be too long, and Beth could be dead in that time! I’ve thought about it and come up with the perfect idea: Why don’t you take it for me?

Her smile vanished in an instant. She furrowed her brow as though she were still trying to comprehend my words. She wasn’t. The flames building in her eyes told me that much. Oh boy!

Excuse me? she said in a voice so low I nearly missed it.

I can teach you everything you need to know because I’ve lived it! You just have to pass the exam, buy a ship with your parents’ fortune, and I’ll go with you as your companion! It’ll be exactly like I never failed! Sure, you can’t go to institution this year, but there’s always next year.

Laura clenched her fists: my cue to scoot away. "I can’t believe this. I can’t believe you!"

She jumped up and glared me down. I backed up and ended up slipping off the bench. Moon dust puffed up as I hit the ground.

I shielded my face. Wait! If you hate the plan then let’s just go over it! Work out the kinks—

Shut up! All I’ve been trying to do is help and support you, but you don’t want that. You push it away. What you want are people to help you in your little schemes. Accomplices. Not friends!

What? No! I sat up, but Laura’s glare froze me there. "I know how messed up it sounded, and I’m sorry. I just need to find some way into space! But you don’t have to be part of that. It was just a shot in the dark. You should go to institution. I’ll find some way to explore, and then you won’t have to get caught up in any more of my schemes. We’ll be on different ends of the galaxy."

She sighed, a shaky sign that she was calming down. That’s not it, dummy. I...don’t want to go to institution anymore. I haven’t for a while.

Wait, what? Why not? Didn’t you want to be an instructor?

Sure, but I’d be a lonely one if I were stuck teaching on the Moon while my best friend was zooming through space! Even if you find Beth and you’re back within months or even a year, you’ll still be an explorer. You’ll still be in space. The Moon will just be a pit stop to you by then.

I fidgeted with my hands. Don’t worry about me. Focus on what you want.

What I want is to be where you are! She shouted so loudly that it echoed around us. She slumped like the will to fight had fled her body. I want to be your companion. Not the other way around.

Laura Genki as my butt-kicking partner? Sounded too good to be true. It was. This was a personal mission to find my missing sister. She didn’t have to risk her life being part of it. Even though she’d loved Beth as much as I had—did.

Then I felt the eyes again. Wha—do you feel that? I got up and surveyed the area. No one in sight. If I couldn’t feel those burning eyes, I would have brushed it off.

Feel what? Did a bug land on you or something? Laura placed a hand on her hip. Look, this isn’t the time to be changing the subject. We can discuss your attitude later, but I have to know something now. Do you want me to be your companion or not?

I—

Accompanying a man like this into the darkness of space doesn’t seem like the best idea, said a distorted voice, clear as day. I looked toward one of the park’s largest trees as a dark figure stepped out from behind it. He seems to have a few too many enemies.

The figure was difficult to make out because the suit was black and gray. I’d never seen anything like it. Each curve and edge was clearly designed to be armor, like a knight’s suit. Not even an inch of the figure’s head was visible. Not the ideal appearance for someone who was going on about my enemies.

Who the heck are you? I backed up toward the Columbus. The parking lot was more than a few steps away. For how long could I stall? Why are you dressed like you’re hitting up a convention later? They give a discount to cosplayers?

With each step I took back, the knight stomped forward. I am no one. A ghost, a shadow, whatever you need to call me. I’m merely an agent of the AI, and I’ve come to do my job.

The knight’s voice was so distorted that I couldn’t tell if it was masculine or feminine. I had to decide on one though. It was probably a guy, because of his muscular frame. That’s assuming he was human at all.

Laura threw herself between us, arms out...just like Beth. I’ll pay you double what they are to buzz off! What kind of AI soldier are you supposed to be anyway? Last I checked, they came in blue and tan, not black on gray. They don’t spout edgy nonsense either!

Twenty more feet to go. The cruiser was within my reach.

The AI agent reached behind themselves and pulled out the scariest rifle I’d ever seen. It matched their color scheme, and attached to the bottom was a single-edged blade. The dude had a gun-sword. The AI knew what swords were? All their weapons were based on energy!

He pointed it at Laura. Move. This is not negotiable. I hoped she’d obey for once. Laura closed the distance between them. Go jump off a moving ship. Of course.

He swept Laura’s legs, throwing off her balance. Then he aimed his rifle at me and squeezed the trigger. I ducked just in time to avoid a blue plasma bullet. It soared over my head, exploding against a house in the distance. Blue smoke rose from the blast, reminding me too much of the other smoky incident. Did I mention my heart was beating out of my chest?

I’ve come to capture you, but the AI will forgive some bruising, he said as he marched toward me. "They wouldn’t have sent me otherwise." Laura wrapped her arms around his leg, halting his advance.

Lay a finger on him and your stupid suit won’t save you from me!

The knight guy chuckled, producing what sounded like distorted garble. Blind allegiance is a quick path to death, I’ll give you that. A shame you’ll walk it alone.

Time slowed as he raised his leg. My adrenaline spiked as he brought his foot crashing back against Laura’s face. Blood spewed from her mouth as she covered it.

Forget the cruiser. I pumped my legs as hard as I could. Our assailant froze, almost welcoming me. I punched his helmet...which flooded my knuckles with pain. He chuckled before he jabbed my ribs. I coughed and stumbled but kept my balance. Space suits could absorb force, which was the only reason why that didn’t shatter my ribcage.

You two are as pathetic as ever. He folded his arms and studied me. I couldn’t see his eyes, but, as usual, I could feel them. You can’t even access those abilities, can you, Alpha?

I froze. Alpha? I get that you don’t know us, but that’s not my name, pal. Want to try again?

"I know everything about you two. Part of the job. Laura Genki; your life is so screwed up that you clung to the first person who was nice to you. Wander Locke—well, how’s your family doing?"

I screamed and jabbed at him. He dodged and grabbed my arm then twisted it and stomped my knee out. I yelped in pain as I fell. He planted a foot on my back.

This is fun, isn’t it? he asked with a snicker in his voice. Hurting someone who deserves it is the best feeling. Unfortunately, the AI have their own plans for you. This is the only chance I get to have fun. That’s why I’m making it count.

Get away! Laura tackled him. I scampered away as he staggered. Laura threw out punches like I did, but they were more coordinated. He countered with strikes that would have ended me, but she was keeping up. The martial arts she’d taken as a kid were finally coming in clutch.

As well as she handled herself, she couldn’t keep up. Her red and green suit was expensive, but it didn’t offer the power to counter whatever the dude was wearing. Not to mention he fought like he knew every fighting style known to man.

He kicked her away and whipped out the rifle. Laura bared her teeth and ran toward the loaded gun. I called her name to get her to snap out of it. She didn’t even look at me. The knight slashed at Laura, who yelped and fell. It happened in a flash; I didn’t see what happened. Only that Laura was down. I ran to her, but he kicked me away, expelling the air from my lungs.

That’s enough, Alpha. He seized my arm. His iron grip paralyzed me. He could squeeze through my suit with ease. I left your friend alive, so come quietly. It’s a long ride back to Epsilon.

ZWOOM!

An explosion of plasma blasted the knight away. He skidded across the ground in a satisfyingly brutal fashion. The purr of jets alerted me to an unfamiliar presence. Two gray robots hovered above us, and one possessed the arm cannon that had blasted the jerk. As if it wasn’t bad enough that robots had saved me, it turned out they were President Frost’s robots. The same ones I had shooed away. I’d do it again if they hadn’t just saved my life.

Step away from Wander Locke immediately, barked one of the robots in a deep, rumbling voice. Its eyes glowed on and off with each word. At least it had style.

The knight pushed himself up and squeezed the trigger. The blue bullet exploded against the left robot, sending it reeling. Its jets flared up, and it regained balance. I looked back toward the knight but found nothing. I looked all over, but there was no trace of him. He’d literally disappeared into the thin air. Too bad he’d left before I could warn him to never return.

What the—Laura! I rushed to her side. She stared at the robots with her eyes imitating her gaping mouth. That was her first encounter with them. Laura, are you okay? I saw him hit you; are you hurt? She turned to me. My heart dropped as I got a look at the damage. Blood seeped down from a gash on her cheek. The cut was as wide as my finger. I raised my hand toward her face, but she flinched. I’d done it too quickly; I’d forgotten she hated that.

Sorry! I said. But, we’re going to need some medicine for that.

She wiped away the blood. Whatever, it doesn’t hurt that much. A tiny price to pay for protecting my best friend. She frowned as she gazed into her lap. Not that I was much help.

Are you kidding? I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that tackle. You did great.

She beamed as if I’d just offered all the praise in the world. I’d always thought I was in this alone. Who knew I’d been so wrong?

Two thumps shook the ground. Oh, right. Frost’s pets. Wander Locke, you have been summoned by President Margaret Frost, effective immediately. Both bots studied me as if gauging my threat level. I didn’t appreciate it.

Laura put on her thinking face. The president wants you? After that nutty exam she gave you? Why?

I have no idea. I stared back at the bots to establish dominance. But I don’t think these tin cans are asking if I want to go.

I should have been excited. I loved ships, and the First Ship was the largest recorded ship in existence. Human-made ship at least. It housed the president as well as her technicians, scientists, chefs, and whoever else she needed on a daily basis. Destroying it would be the ultimate declaration of war.

I wasn’t excited because what could the president possibly want with me? It was so important that she’d sent her robots to fetch me. They didn’t even refuse when Laura demanded she come as well. Speaking of that redhead, why was she shoving my shoulder?

Can I help you with something? I asked in the most annoyed tone I could muster.

Yeah, you can start by listening to me. I was cool with it until I started rambling. You know I hate doing that. I was talking about how cool it is that you’re finally on a ship. This is what you’ve been talking about for years.

Lite ships were miniature versions of real ships. Their ancestors were known as airplanes, and I’m told they were nearly identical. Three vertical rows of chairs. Little screens embedded in the backs of the chairs to broadcast galactic news. The robots sat up front, piloting the thing. I didn’t trust them to, but whatever.

The windows were the best part. Just a glance gave me an array of twinkling satellites, exploration ships gliding by, even fellow lite ships. It was what I’d imagined a busy intersection to look like.

It is cool, but I was on a ship earlier today. I leaned into my chair as I recounted the memory. Kind of. The exam, remember?

She rolled her eyes. This is different because it’s real! You can actually feel the walls. This was a big moment, but now it’s ruined. Whatever. Are you at least excited to find out what the president wants?

Not excited, but nervous. If she sent robots after me then she needs something important. Plus I need my own answers. I barely escaped a dude straight out of an RPG. How are you holding up?

Her hand flinched. She must have stopped herself from touching her cheek. Guilt tickled my stomach.

I could be better. Wish I had actually hurt the guy. He wouldn’t have been so lucky without his suit. We might see him again actually. Since he’s after you. I can pay him back then!

My stomach flipped. As long as I stayed on the Moon, that guy would be after me. He’d keep coming like a bounty hunter. I disliked the Moon, but now I wouldn’t even be safe on it. The anxiety was clawing its way back to my forehead. I needed protection or an escape.

Destination reached. Landing in progress, said one of the robots. He wasn’t kidding. An enormous black ship hovered just beyond the dashboard. It held a tiny white square: the ship’s opening, also known as our destination.

The First Ship had its own satellites, the Asteroid Belt Formation. The gray drone ships circled the First Ship at all times. They protected the ship, blocking or destroying anything it deemed a threat. If we were the AI, we’d be blown out of the sky—space. Out of space.

Light invaded the cockpit as we pulled into the opening. It was whiter (or brighter) than I’d thought. I had to blink the stinging sensation from my sensitive eyes. The lite ship’s monitor flashed green. That was usually an indication that we had entered a stable atmosphere. I guessed the First Ship would have to have something to protect its inhabitants seeing as they were exposed to space through the giant opening.

The massive ship had a massive parking bay to match. Most exploration ships stored their inhabitants’ vehicles there. Everything in a parking bay was electronically locked down to keep it from sliding. The First Ship didn’t need that because it was always flying at a slow pace. Exploration, lite, and battle ships littered the place. Lots of people were walking around too, but who cared about people? The ships were the highlight.

The ship rumbled as we ground to a halt. The floor thundered as the bots got up. They pulled open the door, letting in the chatter and footsteps of the parking bay. Allow us to escort you to President Margaret Frost, one of them said. It was more of a gentle demand than a request. They loved those.

Ready to meet the president? I asked Laura as I stood up.

I’m ready to get those answers you mentioned, she said. "Seriously, why did she ask for you? What’s a high school slacker going to—"

We have different definitions of the word ‘answers!’

We stepped into the galaxy’s largest garage. Standing before an army of exploration ships made me the galaxy’s most excited ant. Unlike the aerodynamic lite ships, exploration ships were shaped like giant biscuits. They needed to be so they could hold every facility. The exploration ship was the ultimate ship because it was also a house. You could live in it as long as you needed to. Too bad they cost more than I would if I sold myself.

Once the magic of the ships faded away (I didn’t know this was possible), the place got eerie. It also stunk of expensive air freshener. People in space suits twenty times fancier than mine paraded around with purpose. They didn’t glance at me and Laura or slow down when we stepped in front of them. The president had some dedicated workers.

So why were we here?

We left the unnerving white room to enter the unnerving black hallway. The walls were the darkest shade of black in existence. A door showed up beside us every few feet. These doors were labeled with numbers. I looked over my shoulder every few seconds. My paranoia was spiking. This should have been where I felt the safest, so why was I freaking out?

Thoughts so far? I asked Laura in an attempt to distract myself.

She craned her head to take in everything. Pretty...lackluster. I expected something more impressive. This looks like our school hallway with a black coat of paint. I mean, President Frost is basically the whole government. As long as the council approves her ideas, they happen.

"All she has to do is convince a room of old dudes to do what she wants? Seems a bit unbalanced. Shouldn’t we have a second, smaller president to keep her in line or something? Or maybe divide the government up?"

Laura shrugged, her eyes still wandering the hall. Maybe something like that existed once. Since it doesn’t anymore, it must not have worked out.

At the infinite hallway’s end was an elevator. I wasn’t getting in with robots. The space was too small. I looked around for our real form of transportation when I heard a ding. Oh no! The metal doors slid apart a second later.

If this meeting wasn’t about handing me a million bucks, Frost was going to pay. We shuffled into the metal cage (reluctantly). A heap of metal in front of me, a metal wall behind me, and zero room to breathe. I couldn’t help but gulp as the doors shut. My stomach churned as the elevator rumbled. Our long, long journey had begun.

So...are you guys pre-programmed or can you think for yourselves? Laura asked the bots for whatever ridiculous reason.

We do not think, beeped the one squishing me. Our ‘free will’ is limited and is ultimately controlled by President Margaret Frost. She can disable us any time she wishes. I will answer any more questions.