I downshifted and pumped the gas pedal, urging the semi down the highway. The team and I had left LA two days ago, and were one a relocation mission, moving our ops from LA, to a boarding school up in Colorado. It was Michael�s idea originally, but I had agreed that the team needed a change of scenery.
I did say goodbye to a few friends before I left. I took a special trip to see Taos�.I even brought the team�
�You�re back�.and you brought puppies. Don�t you have something better to do than bother me?�
I led the team in, and stood right in front of him as he sat on a work stool, frowning down at something that he was working on.
�Nice to see you too, Taos.� I shot right back..
�Cool toy.� said Marco. �Can I see it?� Taos glared at Marco, but nevertheless handed it over. Marco fitted his right hand into the handle, the stock of the weapon reaching � of the way up his forearm, then he lifted it off the stand. Marco inspected the weapon, rotating his arm around to look at the craftsmanship.
�It�s a sonic cannon, right? Weaponized into a more portable form.�
�No shit, Sherlock.� A vein on Bryan�s neck popped out.
Needless to say, Taos�s first meeting with my team did not go well. We still got the weapons that we needed, though. Our tour bus was packed with contraband. I was driving the vehicle carrier, transporting our motorcycles, 3 cars, and two armored SUV�s that Marco had tricked out. Bryan was driving the tour bus with me on this shift. The other four guardians rode in the back of the tour bus, sleeping, pigging and/or vegging out, relaxing and recharging for their next shift. The tour bus was quite nice. It had a big-screen TV in the very back, with a wraparound couch/daybed. Also, there were two smaller TV�s that came down from the roof, with everything hooked up to the ultimate gaming system. Plus our laptops worked well too, but I forget what Marco did to the bus to make them work right. In the front there is a couch , and a full kitchen and fridge, also a bathroom in the middle. The driver�s seat, or the �cockpit� is also wired up to everything: satellite radio, GPS, in-call system, and even an old-fashioned CB radio.
The semi that I�m driving is much more plain. It�s meant to be a workhorse, not luxurious.
The CB chirped. Erik�s voice came out.
�Red Ranger, Red Ranger, Come in Red Ranger, this is Wind Ninja.� I unhooked the CB, held it up to my mouth, and pressed the talk button..
�Wind Ninja, this is Red Ranger, Go Ahead.�
I released it and waited.
�Red Ranger, we have a stop scheduled in the next 45 minutes, and then, a dinner break, and after it we switch shifts. Roger?�
�Roger-roger. Ten-four, Wind Ninja. What place did you have in mind?�
�There�s a major truck stop about 25 minutes from where we are now. We need to stock up on food too, someone ate the last bag of Cheeze-it�s�Aimee�s a pig, you know that?� there was a thunk sound as the radio cut off abruptly.
�Ahaahahahahhaa.� I laughed into the mic.
�Red Ranger, this is Desert Star.� It was Aimee.
�Desert Star, this is Red Ranger, Go Ahead.�
There was a pause, then:
�After we stop, I have to talk to you about something.�
�Ten-four, Desert Star.� I waited a few more seconds, to see if she would reply, before I put the mic back into it�s cradle.
When I asked him what the big deal was, he explained,
�It�s like killing and Angel. Dragons haven�t touched a human in over a thousand years, but you�killed one to save a member of your team. It says a lot about caring for your own.�
Marco had bought six of Taos�s sonic cannons in the end, even though Aimee didn�t like the cannons or Taos. He had worked out sling-carriers to strap them onto out backs. The cannons worked on and alternating compressed sound wave, that did the same thing as nine-guage, only less lethal. The large domed front end collapsed into smaller plates that folded back when the weapon was not in use.
I maneuvered through the lanes, watching where the tour bus was. When the next stop came up, we both pulled off and parked right next to each other in the semi parking lot. After Checking the tank and seeing that I �d need to fill up before we left, I turned off the engine, grabbed my jacket sling back, then jumped out of the cab.
I shut the door and joined my team. Everyone was stretching in between the two large vehicles, I threw the keys to Andrew, saying �Your shift next. You and Erik. Argue amongst yourselves to figure out who-drives-what.�
Raising my arms above my head, my jacket in my right hand and my bag in my left, I tensed every muscle in my body and then relaxed. I put the strap on my bag around my neck and put my jacket on�a black canvas one with a ton of pockets, patches and pins�then stuck my right arm through the strap, slinging it across my back. I contorted and pulled my cell phone out of the external pocket, then pushing the speed dial button for Michael. He answered on the second ring.
�Nenona?�
�No, this is Buffy Summers. What ringtone do you have for me on your cellphone?�
�Why do you ask?�
�It�s a fun thing to know. You come up as a clip from some medieval stuff on mine.�
�You can do that?�
�Yeah, you can do anything with the right software.�
He sighed on the other end. �Where are you guys? How�s the team doing?�
�We�re almost to the mountain pass. We�re going to take it at night. The team�s good. I just ended my last shift for the next five hours, so I�ll prelly get some sleep in before my next one.�
�Is everything good? You check the tanks? Did you check the air pressure in the tires? Are you keeping with the speed limit? Are you getting enough sleep?�
�Yes to all. Everything�s just fine.�
�Exactly were are you?�
�Near Leeds, Utah, we�re following 15N.�
�You�re ahead of Schedule. Are you sure that you don�t want to spend the night somewhere?�
�Puh-leaase, Michael, What�s the fun of a trip like this if we don�t enjoy pushing ourselves a bit?�
�Okay, just be careful.�
�Can we make a side stop?�
�No.�
�Please? It�s not too far out of the way and we passed up Vegas like good littlies.�
�What is it?�
�Instead of taking 70E to 125N, could we keep going to Denver and visit Ft. Collins?�
�I�d have to check into it.�
�Alright.�
�Is that all?�
�Yep.�
�Kay, next update at 0600 Tomorrow then.�
He hung up.
�We�re not clear for the side trip, but we are doing well, he says.�
�Food? Please? Now?� Erik said, poking Aimee in the shoulder with each word. �I�m kinda starving.� He danced away as Aimee attempted to reach for him.
�Ok, ok, ok. Where do you guys want to eat?�
They paused for a second and looked at each other before answering.
�Taco Bell!!� Despite the fact that the truck stop didn�t have a Taco Bell, we knew that there was one in Leeds, so we unhooked one of the cars, the SUV, actually. We had been smart enough to put the group car in the first slot, and the bikes along the top, but no one felt like digging out the safety gear. I plucked the SUV�s keys from the tour bus�s glove box, and drove us to the next exit, where the Taco Bell awaited. On the way there, Erik sat in the front and played unofficial DJ, rocking out all our favorite songs. So the music blasting, we pulled into the drive-through and made our order. Let�s just say that the bill was over $50.
As we sung our fave songs together, shoveled down spicy junk food, and drove around the town, a thought struck me.
For once, this was what normal groups of friends do. Yes, we do some pretty cool things for a living, but this was something everyone does. I spotted a park and pulled into the parking lot. It was starting to get dark, but I didn�t care. I picked up my two chalupas and nachos grande, then my large coke. I chose a spot in the community garden and sat on the low wall surrounding it. As I began to unwrap my first chalupa, I head Erik come up behind me.
�Hey.� he said, sitting down on the wall also.
�Hey.� I said back automatically, not looking up from my food.
�I love you.� He said.
I stared down at my lap.
�Don�t start this, Erik.�
�Start What?�
�What are you planning to do in Colorado?�
�huh?�
�What are you thinking about doing there? I really want to check out��
�Are you avoiding the subject?�
�Yes�but for your own good.�
�Why can�t you just see what I�m trying to say?�
�I want you to wait a few months. If you still lo�if you still feel the same way�then we�ll see.�
�Are you saying that you care for me too?�
�I don�t know. I really don�t know, Erik.�
�There�s a racing group in Colorado. They have a rally every few months. I�m thinking about taking a few days off and going to one. You?�
�There�s a woman who runs a shamisen class. I might take a weekend and go to one of her workshops. You know I got really interested in them when we visited Japan a few months ago.�
�Have you heard anything yet about our missions for the next few months?�
I spread my palms. �Search me. Michael said he won�t tell us until Christmas. I�m just as in the dark as you are. I do know that our training is being switched over to a different guy. It�s�.about 2-3 more days until drive, and then a week until Christmas. We get off until New Year�s, and then our missions should begin.�
�Have you thought about Christmas presents yet?�
�Yep.�
�Have you gotten anything for anyone?�
�Yep.�
�Did you get me something?�
�Yeah.�
�Can you give me a hint?�
�Nope. Did you get me anything?� I finished my first chalupa and moved onto the second.
�Have you lost weight?� He changed the subject abruptly.
�What?� I looked up at him.
�Look at your wrist.� He held a palm out for my hand, and I obliged. �See?� he said, gripping my wrist in his right hand and using his left to push back his sleeve.
He was right. Both of us had lost wieght and gained muscle, which was more apparent in his pale forearm.
�Yeah. So? Doesn�t combat training do that?�
He dropped my wrist and tugged his sleeve back over his arm, shrugging.
�It�s not really supposed to, but it could be the compounded problems of stress, bad diet, and a pretty extreme workout.� He paused. �I�m just worried. There hasn�t been any guardians for a long time, and we know so little about how our abilities affect our bodies�I�m scared about what may happen to us.�
I watched his face.
A thought struck my mind. It would be so easy to reach out and pull his head to mine, to kiss him. I craved the connection, and I liked him enough.
Instead, I stood up and threw my trash in the garbage.
�C�mon, we gotta go.�
Back at the bus, I took my jacket off and curled up in the back. I remembered to fill up both the semi�s and the bus�s tank. Aimee and Marco had the shift after Erik and Andrew. So I slept for the next few hours until mine and Bryan�s shift returned.
On our next checkpoint, right before breakfast, Michael gave us the go-ahead for our side-trip.
Erik pumped his fists in the air.
�Why are we going, exactly?� Aimee sat cross-legged on the couch in the bus.
�Cause there�s a hidden mecca for underground there. There�s a club in the old bunker. And a few awesome shops in the small city. I wanted to check it all out.�
�Ah.� sighed Aimee.
Three and a half days later, we reached Ft. Collins, the town. We spent the day in the small city, browsing the various shops, and such, then that night, planning to go to the club. I dug out my platforms, kimono, and corset from Japan. I didn�t have any fancy hairpieces, so I sufficed with pulling my hair up into two high pigtails.
Erik caught me fastening up my boots ,and I noticed that his eyes wandered over my outfit.
�What?� I asked.
�You �you need a necklace. Here.� he said, digging through his jewelry and holding up a spike and chain collar.
�Can I put it on you?� he asked meekly.
I turned around. He gently placed it about my neck, and worked the buckle to the right hole, then adjusted the kimono. He placed one hand on each of my shoulders, lingering to be close.
He bent over and brushed his lips against my bare neck. I stepped away and left the bus, grabbing my trench coat and sling back on the way out.
Kill me. I thought. I knew I�d have to watch myself at the club.
I put the trench on and hopped into the driver�s seat of the SUV. Erik got in on the passenger�s side. Everyone else piled in soon after. At the club, nicknamed FallOut, I flashed the bouncer a $50 and he let us in. The rumbling techno/EBM/dark wave enveloped my mind and I ditched my trench and purse at a locker. I slipped the glow-band that the key came on around my wrist and forgot my worries. Song after song came and went. I saw the team a few times, but tried to stay on my own.
I got thirsty and took $20 from my purse, then approached the bar and eating area. Further off, a group of Goths were in a booth along the wall, discussing something.
�Tarback and lime. Virgin, please.�
�ID, Please.� the guy with a head full of black and white dreads grinned at me from behind the counter.
�But I said virgin!�
�Can I at least get your number then?�
I grinned. He put a pad and pen down on the bar.
�You don�t have to give me it, I�m just leaving the option open.� He turned away from me to make my drink. There were four bartenders, and every one of them was busy. Moast barely listened to the whole order. A girl with blue hair, a high undercut,, and bangs took an order from a kid in goggles to my right.
I wrote down my phone number, and my name below it.
I smelt a whiff of blood.
I was startled by it. It couldn�t be here, could it? My mind flashed back to that club in LA, when these�things, people, I don�t know�.had found us, sense us somehow. They had the ability to bring us down, too. They had almost succeeded with Erik.
I noticed a row of windows halfway up the wall in the cavernous room.
The bartender with dreadlocks plunked my drink down on a coaster. I automatically handed him the twenty.
�What are those windows to?� I asked him.
�V.I.P. rooms. Private apartments. Palours. Do you want to go up or something?� He wrinkled his face in concern.
�Oh, no, just curious. Thank you.� He handed me back my change, and I shoved the money down my boot. Picking up the drink and coaster, I found a spot to sit, then took a few sips. I was nervous about the rooms. Something irked me�.
�Look at them, their smug-ass selves. If Master hadn�t ordered me to stay off them for a while, I�d slit that blonde princess�s throat�.�
It wasn�t speech. It was thoughts. Like the team had, only�it was a woman and Aime�s not like that�those thoughts�were evil. I reeled from the neausua that I felt. Someone was in on our network. I jumped up from where I was sitting and went to retrieve my phone from my locker. With trembling hands, I pushed the group call button and told everyone to come to the front.
�What�s wrong?� Erik asked, seeing my face.
�I�ll tell you in a minute�can we just go?�
�Okay.� He said, the rest of the team behind him.
Erik drove on the way back. I didn�t feel fully safe until we pulled a pow-wow in the back of the bus, all of us sitting in a circle.
�What was it?� Andrew looked me in the eyes.
�Something�.evil.� Everyone glanced at Erik.
�No, it was a girl. She was seething anger. She really hated Aimee.� I looked down at my lap. Baggy burgundy satin pajama pants, and a black tank top, that�s what I wore. My hair was still in pigtails.
�So, wait, you could hear her thoughts?� Marco asked.
�Yes.�
"Like when we last went to a club? Something happened. We were closer. Our minds could speak to one another. It�s how we could feel Eric�s pain.�
�Erik and I have talked mind-to-mind before�I didn�t think too much of it at the time, but��
The next morning we left for the school. We parked both the tour bus and the semi in the garage, then unloaded the semi.
The student government president, Veronica, came out to meet us and give us a tour of the grounds.
She surprised me. She wore a catholic schoolgirl-esque uniform, and a long, flowing black robe with a hood. But her hair completely denied that she was normal. The sides were shaved, and the long hair on the top and back was dyed green. Added to the green hair, was foam in black, green, and white, along with plastic string. Not much, though, just enough to make her hair look wild.
�Hi!� she said, shaking my hand. �Nenona, I presume?�
�You presume right. This is Erik, Aimee, Bryan, Andrew, and Marco.� She shook each of their hands in turn.
�I�m Veronica. I�ve been sent by Headmaster to show you guys about the school and then to the guest wing.�
We decided to put of unpacking and get a thorough tour of the school. I gaped in awe at the baroqued insides, full of wood carvings and secrets. It was a week until Christmas, and the decorations were spectacular. Huge trees, spangled in the school�s colors, with giant blown glass ornaments. The king tree, the largest, in the very middle of their cafeteria, was covered in a mish-mash of homemade and bought ornaments, with popcorn strings and garlands lain along it. At the very top, and ornate glass star sat. Multicolored lights wound around it.
Fresh arrangements sat on every table, and garlands wound about all the staircases.
�It�s so beautiful here.� Aimee breathed.
�Aye. The big tree is a tradition. The students decorate it themselves, and it is a magic school, after all.�
�Cool.� added Erik.
Veronica showed us the library, a large, warm place with rows and rows of shelves, with seating places all over, and several overstuffed leather chairs near fireplaces that crackled happily. I ran my fingers lightly across the leather spines of the books. Entire weeks could be spent in here, snuggling in the chairs, cozying up next to the fires.
Next, she gave us a run-down of where the classrooms were. I didn�t pay any particular attention, since I wasn�t expecting to be here much.
Finally, she showed us the guest wing. Eight huge rooms, with a connected living space, including a long dining table, small snack area, and living room arrangement. All of it done in baroque and colonial style. My eyes drank in the richness of the carving, gilding, and frescos. I could tell that everyone else was doing the same.
�THIS is where we�re staying?� Erik asked.
Veronica giggled. �Yes.�
�I�ve never seen Buckingham palace, but I�m quite sure it�s nowhere near the splendor.�
�Cha� right�.� Bryan commented. �So who gets which room?�
�You can pick them yourselves. The keys for each are on the breakfast tray, along with a welcome from the headmaster. Once you pick your rooms, your baggage can be brought up.�
I interjected. �Thank you. We�ll get our bags by ourselves.�
�I�ll send someone up with your dinner.�
�Thank you, Bye.� I said, and Veronica left.
The eight rooms were arranged with four on each side of the living area, with the entrance to the wing at one end, and a large wall of windows, overlooking their courtyard on the other. I chose the room in the back right corner, nearest the courtyard. In front of the wall of windows, was the dining table, perpendicular to the wall. Opposite it, at the entrance set off to the right, was a fireplace and a small grouping of couches and chairs.
I explored my room a bit, finding the closet and looking in the vanity, and under the bed. I went to what I thought was the window, only to find that it was a balcony, about twenty feet up from the courtyard. I opened the double doors and stepped out into the cold. The snow had been swept off the stone precipice, yet a blanket of 2 to 3 feet covered everything in the courtyard below. I could see trails in the snow where students had tromped through to get to and from their classes.
I went back inside, closing and locking the doors behind me. I snatched the keys off the tray, barely noticing the box next to them.
I headed into the living area.
�Hey!� I called. �Anyone else need to go to get our bags? I�m heading out.�
I waited a few seconds for everyone to leave their rooms and follow me. Down in the garage, I leaded up my acquired luggage from the past few months, including my weapons, impressive collection of boots, suits, and training clothing, all onto a cart an wheeled it carefully to the guest suite.
I was quick during unpacking. I�m so used to moving from place to place by now, that I�ve become an ace at packing so nothing broke or wrinkled. Michael had recently insisted on getting me a few tailored suits. A four-piece black one, with a coat, pants, skirt, and waistcoat or vest. A burgundy one just like it, and a ton of button-down shirts. I kept my professional wear, including three pairs of tailored khakis, all in a garment bag.
By dinner time, I had set up my room, and change out of my traveling clothes. I took a shower before I changed and lounged about with wet hair, wearing light gray guachos and a t-shirt.
I went to our common area and plopped on the couch. I picked up one of the remotes on the coffee table and pressed the power button. From a short wall partition that separated the couches from the dining area, rose a flat-screen TV. Through messing with the other remotes, I found another two TVs in the walls, behind paintings. I settled for using one in the wall, directly in front of my couch, so I could lay out full-length and be lazy. I flipped through the guide and stopped on politics. Apparently the president�s approval rating wasn�t doing so well. I switched over to the weather. Cold, snow, then more cold.
It was then that the dinner service came in, three rolling trays pushed by�.woodelves? They set the things out on the table, filling up the long polished surface with a roast, potatoes, green beans, rolls, water, and cider. They set out gravy, butter, and honey, then bowed themselves out of the room. I chose the head of the table, and Erik to my right, Aimee to my left. Each of us sat down together. Before anyone could make a move, I indicated that we should join hands.
I bowed my head, gave a few seconds for the others to copy me, and prayed.
�For Food, for Raiment, for Life and Opportunity, For Friendship, and Fellowship, We thank thee O Lord. Amen� I raised my head and broke the circle, then dug into the roast, choosing a nice slice for myself.
Once I had a full plate, I took a bite. It had been forever since I�d tasted food not processed to death.
Michael stopped in after dinner, and announces that we�d receive our missions on Christmas, but wouldn�t start them until after New Year�s. Between now and then we were allowed to explore the school and the grounds around it. Also, trips to Denver and other nearby cities were allowed.
I spent the week until Christmas at the library mostly. A few days before Christmas Eve, a large tree was delivered, along with some ornaments sent from our homes, popcorn garlands, construction paper for making ring chains, lights, and a beautiful class star to top it with.
We gleefully decorated it, Ornaments from the four corners of the earth, including a few knick-knacks I had picked up in Japan, graced the tree. We shared memories of each ornament we remembered.
Erik even pulled out a CD of Christmas songs one the Eve of, and for the first time, I felt truly homesick.
Christmas Eve, We sat around the fireplace, and exchanged presents. For people who have everything, finding the right present is not easy. With me, I take pride in calling in a few contacts to get their gifts. Taos turned out to be indispensable. Him, because for the right price, he�d get you anything. Once I had told him my plan, he excitedly(I swear I had no idea he could show emotion) called up several places and arranged fro the things to be delivered to the school. Everyone got of exotic chocolates, plus an individual present.
Marco got a high-grade soldering kit with a special magnifying glass.
Bryan got a pair of rocket dog sneakers and a forram divination device. The forram was a small globe of water, held in midair on top of metal stand. For storage, I included a glass bell to cover it with.
Aimee received a suede vest with embroidery and fur lining, along with an elven globe. It was unlike normal globes, in that it was slightly larger, plus instead of glitter, there was a living miniature forest inside. Over time, the trees would grow and the seasons would pass in it. Right now, the little pond to the side was frozen over and everything was covered in snow.
Andrew got a leather cuff with bone bits sewn onto it, and a lute�a short, rounded guitar. He pulled it out of the case and strummed it gently, lips slightly apart.
Erik got arm warmers of canvas that strapped up to his elbow from mid-palm, and a pair of New Rocks, infamous boots that I had to order from England.
Everyone loved their gifts.
I finally turned to open mine. I picked up the one from Aimee. The box was wrapped beautifully. As I ripped the paper off, Aimee said, �if it doesn�t fit, we can exchange it or something.� I unwrapped a black plaid skirt that would reach mid-thigh, with straps and hardware everywhere. Beneath it in the box were some black tights. I smoothed the skirt out over the box.
�You hate it, don�t you?� asked Aimee.
�No, I love it! It�s just�can I actually wear it?�
�Don�t worry about it, silly!�
I opened the one from Marco next. It was a combination GPS/communicator that was still attached to a rigid gauntlet.
Bryan got me a pair of goggles, a bunch of thick headbands, and a medley of stuff to hold my hair back with. I figured Aimee had helped him pick it all out.
Next was Andrew�s gift. A necklace. Consisting of a small round, clear glass ball with a hint of red at the center, enclosed in a silver cage, attached to a long chain. I slipped it over my head and it settled just above my cleavage.
Erik�s was last. It was in a red bag. I slowly worked out the object covered in tissue paper. It surmised it to be clothing. Pulling the tissue paper off, I found a leather corset underneath.
�Check in the bag again.� Erik suggested.
I felt around in the black tissue paper and found a collar with spikes and two matching leather cuffs. I blushed deeply and put Erik�s gifts back in the back quickly.
�Thank you, everyone.� I said.
�Thank you for all our gifts�how did you know that I wanted a lute?� Andrew fingered a chord and played a few notes.
�I dunno�I guess I listen well?�
He strummed a few more notes.
�Well�thanks. I really like it.�
We went to bed late that night, stuffed with Christmas dinner. The next morning I woke up to find a package at the foot of my bed. I jumped out, walked over to it, and opened it. I knew it was from Michael, my clue to my mission. As I pulled the flaps of cardboard back, I could see the clothing inside.
�You have GOT be to be kidding me.� I said aloud. It was a school uniform. For here. Implying that I was going to school. Again.
I reached the bottom of the box and picked up the thin file. Inside was a school Schedule and a short letter from Michael, explaining that I needed to finish my high school diploma. Argh. Darn. I couldn�t believe it. I was going back to high school. Maybe it would be better. Since this is a freak school, you know? It�s a place for the weirdoes, and the odd people.
I could only hope.