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

chanting. In a matter of seconds, the rest of us join in. A few moments later, the scientists are also chanting.

I look back to see the drones leaving the field. 80, however, is walking toward us.

“What does he want?” Titan says, standing next to me.

“Don’t know.” I step away to meet 80 a few feet from the group.

“Good game, Atom.” He extends his hand.

I take it and shake his hand. “Yes it was. Thanks for letting us do this.”

“You got it.” He smiles. “Listen, do you have time to talk?”

I look to the sidelines and see that the majority of the scientists are leaving. I steer my gaze to the Genesys and see them celebrating among themselves.

“Sure. Give me a second.” I jog back to the group.

“What’s up?” Fe asks.

“Hey, everyone. Great job!” I ignore Fe’s question. “I’ll catch up to you guys in a little bit. Take Mag to Dr. Peters to get checked over, and then we can have our celebration in the medical ward.”

I jog back to 80 before any of the Genesys can say anything.

“Do you mind if we walk?” 80 asks.

“Sure, where to?” I respond.

He walks toward the outer wall, which is now made up of piles of rubble. I pick up my pace and walk next to him.

“I’m going to be sore tomorrow,” I say.

“Yes you will be.” He smiles at me.

“So what’s up?” I pry.

“Well, I…” He keeps walking, and I can tell by his face that he is searching for what he wants to say. I choose to remain quiet until he finds the words.

We reach the compound’s edge pretty quickly and climb up to the top of one of the rubble piles. When I look out, I see that there’s still a lot of activity going on in the city where the outsiders are. There are multiple Flyz hovering above the city, and I can hear some shots in the distance. Behind everything is the giant structure that 80 and I once ran to, the Great Pyramid of Giza.

“Want to run to the pyramid again?” I ask, only half joking. I actually would love to see it up close again.

80 looks at me and smiles. He takes a deep breath. “Is Rene still going through with the Ragnarok?”

I see the pain in his eyes, but I can’t lie to him. “Yes. I don’t know when, though.”

“Do you think he would reconsider?” he asks.

“No. Rene’s mind is pretty set.” I frown.

“What if you asked him? He’d listen to you,” he pushes further.

“I’ve tried. Many times. Honestly, I kind of agree with what he’s doing.” I instantly wish I hadn’t said that.

“That’s what I was afraid of.” 80 looks off toward the pyramid.

“I’m sorry, 80.” A knot tightens in my chest.

“It’s okay. Please understand; I don’t want to die.” A tear streaks down his cheek. This is not something I would ever have expected from him when we first met. In fact, I would have never had expected it from any drone. Now they all seem capable of it.

“I know you don’t.” I try to comfort him. “I don’t want you to.”

“But if Rene sets off the Ragnarok, it will happen.” he states.

“Yeah.” I look out toward the pyramid as well. Tears begin to roll down my face as I realize that one of the first friends I made won’t survive. It doesn’t make sense, but, as Rene says, it’s for the greater good.

We sit in silence for a few more minutes. I smile slightly, recalling the chicken that he went back to get us.

“I should probably go back inside.” I stand.

“Alright,” he says without looking at me.

I put my hand on his shoulder. “You are a great friend, 80.”

He looks up and smiles at me. The tears have cleaned a path on his dirty face. I climb down the rubble pile.

“Atom!” he yells after me. I stop and look back up at him. He’s staring at the pyramid again. “I don’t want to die. Please understand.”

I bow my head and walk off toward the medical ward.

CHAPTER XVII

I reach the exterior wall of the ward and see that the hole has been covered by a giant plastic tarp. I can hear a celebration going on inside, but my mind is still preoccupied with the conversation. I really wish there was a way that 80 could survive. However, Rene said that each bunker can only hold two people, and they only built enough for the twelve Genesys.

I pull my focus back to the medical ward and do my best to shake off the negative thoughts. My plan to bring the Genesys closer together has worked, and I want to revel in our triumph. I push the tarp aside and step through.

The Genesys are gathered in the open space in the middle, enjoying a feast of vegetables and fruit. I see Dr. Cicca, Dr. Kivuli, and Rene off to the side. They look like they are enjoying themselves as well. I’m not particularly keen on seeing Dr. Kivuli here, but we can keep an eye on her at least.

“Atom! You have to try this!” Al throws me what I have recently learned is a strawberry.

I catch it and toss it into my mouth. It tastes so much better than the strawberry protein pouches. The rest of the Genesys open up the group and invite me in.

Hydro steps up to me. “I’ve been filling them in on what all these fruits and vegetables are. Dr. Cicca brought them to us.”

“Awesome!” I put my arm around her shoulder. I grab the next closest Genesys, who happens to be Sil, and put my other arm around his shoulder. He flinches at first but then lets my arm stay.

Fe steps up to me with a big smile. “That game was so much fun!”

“Yes, it was!” I respond and then peel away to talk to Ev. As I walk toward her, I notice that Ox and Mag are missing.

“How’s 80?” Ev asks.

“He’s good,” I respond.

“Anything important?