Inked Wings
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - A New Streak

/ Angel’s POV /

Focus.

I’m hidden under a cloak, it’s fine. My screen is showing me three tabs, needing them all to keep track of things. ‘Every bone in position?’ I ask, my team confirming.

‘Good. Scaramouche…’ I focus on his camera, getting new information from Alexei in real time. ‘Pay attention to their positions… On my signal.’ The screen shows Scaramouche’s point of view, He is underwater, within their water source. I read the notifiers Alexei gives him. We can see the exact positions of each guard, and their actions. One is approaching.

‘Patience. You know what to do.’ I remind him, accepting new intel from the others.

It’s fine. It is easy to deduce what is happening. As soon as the guard approaching Scaramouche enters the blind spot, he pulls their feet, dragging them under the water. By the sound of it he’s just unhinged his jaws…and – first one down. ‘Now,’ I tell Hashem.

I shift from the screen full of blood to Loek’s. He and Cosmin have disabled the cameras Alexei could not crack in time, now watching over one of our vital assets. Hashem faces the wall, taking off his gloves in Hashem fashion. MEA has – uses the strongest material in the world for their projects but – oh well…that doesn’t make a difference to our Break-through.

Hashem presses his palm on it. His mutation rots the wall, his hand pressing harder until there’s a big enough hole. He wipes the small, red sprouts left behind.

Loek and Cosmin fly in the secluded hall. ‘Angel, can we swipe in now?’

‘Hold.’ I check on Martha, who is together with Linda. Linda keeps watch while she puts her hands to work. One little spark, yes…and it’s on. Their vehicle explodes, barely seconds before estimated. It’s good, it’s good. They’re in a panic now, their systems disabled. They’ve always relied too much on their technology. ‘Loek, Cosmin, have fun.’

The two knock out a considerable number of people. Cosmin follows from behind, putting a damp in their whole structure. It’s fine, going down smoothly. This feels surreal.

‘Save some of that play, for their core system.’ I advise. Afterward, I check on each one frantically, making sure if I should intervene. Does not seem -

‘Angel! Some waited behind! Do we rush in?’ Loek says.

‘You mean risk getting injured? Can’t have that, you need to go as fast as you can.’ Hashem complains, Cosmin by his side. The sounds of fire shooting are louder and bigger in number.

‘Calm down, I’m coming. Loek, stall them. Cosmin, be ready to call on Lusa.’ I stand on the cliff part of this mountain. I raise one foot and step into the air.

The whole facet, almost the whole place is in my view.

I drop down, pulling my hoverboard off my back and sliding it under my feet. Moments before I hit the ground, I ride it. I dash through the forest, high into the sky right over the base.

Free falling into the property, I can see most of the shooters occupied by Martha and Linda’s ruses. I pull on my board, steadying myself. I continue forward at full speed, right through the hole Hashem made a few moments ago. My hand slams the wall when I’m entering.

I jump from one wall to another, slamming.

After a bit of playing, Hashem and Cosmin come into sight. I pass them, leaving behind a strong current. A hard turn but I manage. I launch myself into the crossfire Loek’s tip-toeing in. Impressive he’s not down yet. I pierce through them, knocking out half.

Loek puts out his hand, protecting me from one shot. It burns his hand instead.

I crash my mock board into the ones standing in my way. It explodes as I slide on my feet. I run into The Room. The Core is here. I slam the recipient in which is kept, opening my wings and stretching them. I take flight, turning around. I grab Loek and sign Cosmin to go.

They pick up Hashem.

We fly out, passing all the bombs I’ve planted. Let’s see if my wiring has improved.

Once into the air, I use one hand to grab the trigger.

‘Counting now!’ I announce it to the others. ‘Leave the site in - Three!’

Two. Martha and Linda exit the property.

One. Scaramouche is far enough in the sewers. He greenlights me.

I press the trigger.

7:30

Everybody is present.

It seems our stunt has taken a bigger toll on the others than I expected. Scaramouche is sleeping in his tub, Loek and Cosmin are snoring, while Hashem’s looking at the ceiling. Linda is resting her shoulder against mine, whereas Martha is resting her head on Linda’s lap. Lusa is the one who is bandaging everybody while they are out of it.

They’re tired but I’m not worried, except -

‘Hashem,’ I call, catching his attention.

‘What?’

I point with my head. ‘Any adverse effects?’

He laughs. ‘The usual, don’t worry about it.’

‘You can handle the rest...?’

He nods. ‘Yeah, Angel…I’m not porcelain.’ Hashem returns to staring around the ship.

I stop myself from insisting, biting my lip. Lusa gives me a sour look.

‘What?’ I mouth, making a face.

She makes a silly face right back.

In two minutes, we’re inside the garage. We’ve fled rather easily. All that happened was so easy. It didn’t feel real. But it is. Ha! Nothing can throw me off this high, it’s a drug.

We ‘(Lusa and I)’, mobilize the others to go rest in their rooms. I make my way north.

Alexei is waiting in the Command panel. I’m going there to hug him. He’ll punch me but I feel too good to care right now. A sudden laugh escapes me. After Alexei punches my face in, I’ll go to Dad. We’re celebrating this. My wings can’t stop shivering and flinching. I have to stretch them good and flap them once so they calm down already, fuck.

Almost – There….that’s the kid at the end of the hall. He hears me, turning around.

His face is full of disgust, switching to worse as soon as I reach him. What happened now?

My hand goes out instinctively. He slaps it off.

‘Don’t – touch me.’ His tone is full of venom. It’s different from normal.

‘Did something happen?’

‘Are you stupid?’

His question sounds…What the -

‘Just tell me what’s wrong.’

‘How are you any better if you kill them?’ His hand blocks my way and directs my attention to the panel screen in my sight.

Alexei glances my way, tilting his head. He alludes to Noel then I figure it out.

I both scoff and laugh. ‘Kid,’ I take a moment. ‘Life is more than what you see on the surface.’ My wry smile models my tone after it. ‘I don’t do this for no good reason.’

‘Whatever,’ He snarls. ‘You’re missing my poi-’

I interrupt him, hungrily. ‘No, you are missing my point. If you don’t do it their way, they’ll kill without hesitation. This is just self-defense. Loek would be dead if it wasn’t for it. There’s no point throwing water into an indistinguishable, never-ending fire.’

‘So you fight fire with fire?’

‘I fight fire with gas, kid. If you can’t put a stop to it, let it consume itself until there’s nothing left.’ I’m towering over him, only now realizing the tension in my expression.

The words I say come out slightly wrong, which irritates me further. Why can’t I articulate for all’s jolly? I rub my eyebrows, blowing some air. ‘Look, you don’t get it right now…’

‘That’s right…I don’t get it! Killing a few pawns is useless in the grand scheme of things!’

‘We’re demolishing their resources, we’re not hunting for stupid pawns. I’m sorry coming to trust someone who’s been forced to take lives is this big exercise for you -’

My wings jump.

‘Abi fought in the Reckoning, you piece of shit!’ He screeches. The kid goes on fast. ‘I’ve heard first hand how this method leads to nowhere permanent, it’s all shit! It’ll ruin you!’

He stops to catch his breath.

I halt, inhaling sharply. ‘I hear your side, but it is not mine to adopt.’ Whatever good vibes I had are gone now, the air being stale. The kid’s visibly tense.

‘Forget it.’ He leaves, letting me grit my teeth.

It’s very unpleasant.

00:00

I’ve been avoiding Dad, knowing he will hear about my argument with the kid. I’m not in the mood for a lecture today, I really am not. I have been avoiding going to my room ‘(and the kid’s room)’, for that matter. I’ve been wasting time, burying myself in my screen, messaging Alexei and Linda from the engine room. With Alexei I talk about what is next, with Linda I have random ass conversations to calm myself down. My prosthetics are bothering me again. Is this because of stress? I rotate my wings since they are annoyingly sore.

I groan, exhaling.

My muscles crack. That doesn’t sound too good.

The engine keeps making this continuous sound, like boiling water. It’s nice…Guess I’ll sleep here tonight. Right after I think it, Linda threatens me: “Go to your room and get the rest and comfort you need or Linda swears to the stars, she’ll drop Loek’s shedded, feet skin, in you drink next time we eat.” She would do this, wouldn’t she?

Is my hurt pride worth the nausea? I cough. No, I’m not a kid.

I get up and exit the engine room. It’s much warmer there compared to the halls.

The way to my room is lucky, not running into anyone.

Kid’s here, obviously ignoring my existence. He is on his screen again, earbuds on. From the movement of his fingers, looks like he’s playing a game. All right…He is in his futon; I am going to my bed. I climb it, my wings dragging me back more than usual. My eyes close, still feeling the kid’s presence, still hearing his annoying press of controls. Can’t relax.

I’m watching him, maybe glaring. Cannot properly see his face, half buried in his jacket. His eyebags are deep, movement on the screen reflects on his irises.

…Last thing I need is to fight the people I am trying to save…

‘I’m sorry,’ I say, guessing he won’t respond. ‘For upsetting you…’

My guess is right.

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