Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

eldritch glow that skated along the inner surface of the ring as it began to power up. When it had circled around to touch itself, there was an audible pop and Gus felt his ears click at the sudden change in pressure. He worked his jaw and tugged his earlobe to relieve the feeling.

Without any more fanfare, the others began to move into the portal. Gus stood there in wonder, walking to the other side where he could see a slight haze, but the Crew was not visible at all from this vantage. He peeked back and forth, unnerved by the strange effect.

“First time using a portal?” someone asked and Gus was brought back to the moment.

Looking up, he saw Harmony there, a little closer than his usual bubble of comfort dictated.

“You always remember your first time.” She winked and sauntered through the portal.

Gus stood there shell-shocked while the other supers eagerly entered the portal. All except for Grimdark. He seemed to be psyching himself up, as if he were going to jump into a cold pool to do morning laps. With balled fists, he marched through, leaving Gus there by himself. Then he waited there for Aurora to arrive, since he didn’t know if he had to be on this side of the portal to keep it active or not. Five minutes later, she jogged down the escalator.

“Thanks for waiting, Gus. I appreciate it,” she said warmly as she went through the event horizon. Gus stepped through, longing for his own bed.

Chapter Twenty-Four

I Got No Time

Gus shivered as he stepped through the portal. There was a slight resistance and he felt a brief pins-and-needles sensation spread over his face and envelop his body as he pushed through the plane of the portal. After enough pressure, he slipped through the gateway and the sensation passed before becoming painful, leaving him feeling itchy all over. The trip was instantaneous and Gus observed he wasn’t the only one fidgeting and scratching. Gus had to squint at the change in light from the dark subway-like confines of the station to near-blinding brightness.

“I hate portals!” Grimdark muttered as Gus stepped through the shimmering doorway. He was fidgeting with the belts and buckles on his outfit, making sure everything was as it should be.

“I like the tinglies it gives me in the stomach, myself,” Darik said, laughing at Grimdark’s discomfort, since he was usually so stoic and unflappable.

The portal room had white tile and a large circular window opening directly onto the beach from a different angle than Gus was accustomed to seeing. He walked to the edge of the room and soaked in the sun, enjoying being warm for the first time in a while. The briny scent of the ocean wafted in and Gus sighed. Harmony apparently had the same idea as him, and she had opened a door and was marching determinedly onto the sand.

“Good, everyone’s back. Why don’t we unwind for a bit and meet for a post mission debriefing and plan what’s next? Sound good?” Tempest asked.

There were mutters of general assent and the Crew began to disperse.

Gus filed onto the elevator and made it to his room.

Sighing as he looked at the plush bed, Gus slipped out of his dingy suit. As he did, he saw the hybrid-Nth peel away from the outer surface of it. They hovered like a cloud of gnats and then reattached to his bare skin. After settling, they shimmered and became translucent, mimicking his skin tone. Areas where there was ground in dirt began to slough off like water on a newly waxed transport.

He went and stood in front of the mirror and wondered if his Nth could manage the banalities of personal hygiene. As if in response, he felt a tickle and a thin layer of gunk fell away from his skin, clipped fingernails, along with his ungroomed facial hair fluttering to the bathroom tile. Clumps of his unkempt hair also slid off his shoulders like hot butter on a skillet.

He stepped away from the disgusting pile around him and a small orb the size of a tangerine rolled out of a tiny recess as a tile slid open. Like on the beach, the little ball rolled over the ‘sheddings,’ spiraling inward until it had sucked up everything and retreated back into the wall.

Flipping weird!

Gus changed into the other suit, noticing the process reverse as he pulled on the jumpsuit. It wasn’t as relaxing as a shower, but nice to know he wouldn’t get funky if he was on a long mission.

He opened the large glass window and stepped out onto the balcony. Sitting down, he turned to face the sun and closed his eyes. Even through his eyelids, he could feel its brightness. He searched for the feeling again, when he had crafted and formed ether constructs in the forest. He tried attuneing himself to the ether around him.

“Do you want my assistance?” Nick asked.

By his tone, Gus could tell he expected to be shut down abruptly.

“Have I really been that irritable and rude?”

“Yes. A full vessel can carry no water. You have been dismissive and prideful. Utterly unteachable,” Nick replied in a huff.

For some reason, the rebuke didn’t immediately make Gus get defensive. Reflecting, he had been out of sorts and grouchy for no good reason. Maybe it was the headaches.

“I’m sorry for how I’ve acted, but I think I’m feeling more centered now. Even though the headache is building again, I think it was really affecting my mood. What do you have for me?”

“If I am to teach you, I expect you to listen and apply the exercises I give to you. Without bargaining, without negotiation. Are you able to agree to that?”

“But, why—”

“And without doubt and questioning. Normally, we are not able to discuss what changes in this phase of levels, but since BoJack has already given you this information, it is not giving you an unfair advantage to suggest it anymore. He is correct