Spirits of the Earth: The Complete Series: (A Post-Apocalyptic Series Box Set: Books 1-3) by Milo Fowler (paper ebook reader .TXT) 📕

Telepathy. Weird, right? I give her a wink.

She nods. "Very."

"This way, Enforcer Chen." The drones sideline themselves, expecting us to walk between them as we exit the forest.

I offer Erik my hand as he comes to, and he groggily lets me help him to his feet. Cursing under his breath, he flicks the shocker dart off his chest and empties his pockets. Half a dozen discs identical to the ones he used on the security clones rain onto the ground, followed by a pair of EMP grenades.

"All fried," he mutters, his voice sluggish.

"Are we returning to Dome 1?" Unit D1-436 steps toward us.

I shake my head. "How many of us are in Dome 3?" I ask Erik.

"Two," he says. "One of my siblings, one of yours. But without a way to knock out their augments, there's really no point in going."

Did you hear Bishop? I think at him.

The tail end of it, I think. He nods. She basically authorized you to do what we're already doing.

Not sure what to make of that. She said we don't have much time. If someone other than the Chancellor is sending security units after the Twenty, we need to get to them first. We can worry later about telling them the truth.

First we need to make sure they're safe.

We start walking with the buzzing drones flanking us on both sides. Erik and I lead, with Arienna and Unit D1-436 following close behind.

"We should split up, cover more ground," Erik suggests. "Arienna and I could—"

"I'm going to need to see some proof," Arienna says. "I understand the Chancellor has endorsed your mission, but I still don't see how anyone could get away with what you're suggesting. And the idea that I'm going to display some sort of strange ability now that I'm offline…" She shakes her head. "How do I know anything you've said is true?"

It's totally understandable. Not long ago, I was right where she is, questioning all of this insanity, unaccustomed to trusting my biologic. But now I'm ready to join Erik on his quest, visiting our siblings across the Ten Domes. Why? What's changed?

Easy answer: my commanding officer not only validated what we're doing but told me to pick up the pace. Reading between the lines: the Twenty are in danger.

I hand Erik's phone to Arienna. He doesn't look happy about it. "Here."

"What is this for?" She looks perplexed by the antique device.

"Before neural implants, this was how people used to communicate and access the Linkstream. Think of it as a miniature console. Go ahead, run a DNA search," I tell her over my shoulder. "Siblings tend to share fifty percent of the same DNA. When I ran mine, your face came up. Along with eight others."

Erik takes a minute to show her how to use the touchscreen interface, then leaves her to it. She walks silently behind us, neck bent awkwardly over the small screen as she runs the search.

"It remains unclear why this curfew violator is being allowed to discharge electromagnetic pulses and take citizens' augments offline." Like the drones, the clone's monotone hasn't changed, yet it somehow manages to sound irritated. "How is this in line with the Chancellor's orders?"

I'm about ready to order it to zip its genetically manufactured lips. "Check your logic there, Unit D1-436. Erik's actions have served to keep us on-mission, as unorthodox as they may seem."

He half-turns toward the clone. "If it's any consolation, I'm all out of EMPs. So until I find another supply, I'll have to rely on my wits and charm alone."

I shudder to imagine that. The clone doesn't respond.

"So...we are sisters," Arienna says at length. She's verified that much already. "And we're going to meet the others?"

I nod. "That's right. A little pre-Revelation Banquet reunion," I borrow Erik's term for it. He smiles at me. I direct my gaze straight ahead.

"Your commanding officer made it sound urgent," Arienna says, handing the device dismissively back to Erik. "Are we in danger?"

Not sure how to answer that. "We'll be fine." I glance at Erik. We stay together, and we keep moving. One dome after another.

We may not reach them all in time, he replies, mind to mind.

We'll do the best we can. One step at a time.

The edge of the forest looms before us, and beyond, two square blocks of Dome 2's urban upward-and-outward sprawl. In the distance, I spot the gate to the maglev tunnel. Should be interesting returning with an eight-drone escort, but maybe their presence will prevent the guards from asking too many questions.

Except the guards are the least of our concerns as a government aerocar swoops out of the tunnel and soars straight for us. The tree branches and leaves tremble as the car stops in mid-air to hover above. Then it slowly descends, preparing to land on the forest floor less than twenty meters away.

Two security clones sit in the cockpit, their garish white armor shining and their black face shields fixed on us.

"Friends of yours?" Erik glances at D1-436.

"Did you call them?" I demand.

"Yes," the clone replies, "if by friends you mean fellow personnel from the Chancellor's security force. But as far as calling them, no, I am afraid that would be impossible. My Link-based communication systems remain out of order."

Thanks to Erik.

"What's going on?" Arienna sounds afraid for the first time.

"Trust us. Everything will be alright." For the moment, I keep my rifle down at my side, dangling from its shoulder strap. No reason to make an awkward situation worse.

As the aerocar settles onto the artificial turf, the side doors drift upward, and both security clones step out with their weapons aimed upward. Just a split-second away from pointing those muzzles at us.

"Enforcer Chen, your orders have changed," the clones say in unison. Sounds like they might've been eavesdropping on my conversation with Commander Bishop. "You, Erik Paine, and Arienna Dogan are to come with us immediately. We will explain the situation while en route to our destination."

"Which