Gene. Sys. by Aaron Denius (best ereader for comics txt) 📕

He would give me the most straightforward answer. “I’ve seen her in my dreams.”

“Fe?” he pries.

Hearing her name makes me smile. “We were in the same simulation. I’ve had this dream more than once, the first time before I even knew she existed.”

Grant stares at me. I can tell that he is processing the information. “I really don’t know what to tell you, Atom. Perhaps you unconsciously registered her when you were in incubation. It was a dream. Nothing more.”

Part of me wishes he were right, but deep down, I know that he’s wrong. I don’t feel like discussing the subject further, so I just say, “Thanks.”

I turn, but Grant’s hand stops me. “One more thing.”

My hands get clammy, and beads of sweat form on my brow as I realize that he still hasn’t yelled at me for sneaking out of the compound.

“I will be leaving the compound tonight.” He looks dead at me, his eyes telling me that this is okay.

“What? Why?” I object, sitting on a stack of mats.

“I know you aren’t a fan of our plan,” he explains, “but the world is still being reset. We have to go and reactivate all of the nuclear weapons that still exist.”

“Who else is going?” I can feel my eyes welling up. I work hard to keep them under control.

“A few drones, some scientists, and Nathan,” he replies. I have heard of Grant’s husband Nathan before, but I have never met him, and Grant never really speaks of him. All I know is that he’s a pilot and a scientist in the development sector.

“Does Ev know?” I wipe the tears that I can no longer hold from my eyes.

“I told her yesterday. She understood, and I hope you will too.” There is a softness that has graced his eyes. At that moment, I realize just how much he cares about me.

“I’m going with you!” I demand.

“You know you can’t.” Grant moves closer to me.

“Who is going to train the other Genesys?” I remember one of the outsiders referring to us that way. “They need a lot of work.”

“You will. And Ev.” Grant puts his arm around my shoulder. “You two are beyond capable, and they respect you. I will leave some instructions on how to operate the simulation, and I will give you some suggestions for some good battles.”

I can’t say anything. I just sit silent. All of the people I keep closest get taken away from me. I don’t consider Rene to be close anymore, but there is still Ev. She’s still here.

Grant stands and heads for the elevator. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Take care of yourself, Atom.”

“You too,” is all that escapes from my lips. I’m not even sure he hears me. The elevator doors close him off to me, and I’m left alone.

My body deflates, and I lie back on the mat. Somehow, I know that I won’t ever see him again.

CHAPTER VII

Ilook around and recall all the moments I had with Grant in the simulation room: my first training session, my first simulation, the first time I beat him. I know that it has only been a few months, but it all seems so distant. As guilty as it feels, I want to go back to when it was just me in the compound, before I even knew about Ev. Things were more straightforward, and I had no responsibilities.

My thoughts turn to Ev. She must also wish she could go back from time to time, especially now that the other Genesys are around.

I convince my legs that they need to walk me to the elevator, and they oblige. On the ride up, I try to snap out of my funk and ready myself to finally meet everyone.

As I weave my way through the hallways, I hear the sound of laughter rise from one of the classrooms. I head for the room and stand in the doorway. Ev is the first one to notice me.

“Atom, come in.” She waves me over. The rest of the Genesys go quiet. I can feel their eyes following me as I step next to Ev. “I think it’s time you met everyone.”

One by one, they step toward me and extend their hands. Cal, whom I had already met, jumps in first.

“So I’m Cal. Nice to meet you again.” His enthusiasm can be contagious. I like him.

Titan steps up next. His blond hair is closer to white than yellow, and his handshake is firm. “Titan.”

“Hey,” I say dismissively.

Next, the dark-skinned girl who fought with him, steps forward. “I’m K.”

“Pleasure to meet you.” I shake her hand.

The first two guys who Ev and I took down step up, but I barely catch their names because I see that Fe is next. I believe the redhead called himself Sil, and the dark-skinned guy said he was Ox.

I can feel my hands get sweaty as Fe walks up to me, and I hope more than anything that neither she nor Ev can tell how nervous I am.

“Hi, I’m Fe.” Her voice is so light and soothing that I instantly find comfort. “Are you okay?”

This catches me off guard, and I realize that I must have been staring. I look down to see her hand held out, and I quickly shake it. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Cal smiling, and I know everyone saw the awkward moment. As hard as I try to fight it, my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I can feel Ev’s eyes burning holes into the back of my head.

Picking up on the tension, the next two jump toward me. They are the two who chased Ev into the white abyss. This is the first time that I have gotten a good look at them. They both have dark hair and mocha-colored skin.

The girl grabs me and pulls me in for a hug. “My name is Hydro, oh great leader.”

I feel weird being called that and hugged, but a smile