For several seconds, nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody even blinked.
The arena was silent except for the occasional hiss of damaged machinery.
Robot parts littered the floor.
Scorch marks covered nearly every wall.
Smoke drifted lazily through the air.
And at the center of the destruction sat Kirran and Mach.
“Holy snat.” Mach’s icon blinked.
“I concur.” Above them, several damaged robots attempted to stand.
They immediately collapsed again.
One arm detached and rolled across the floor.
Kirran pointed.
“Does that count as winning?” The loudspeaker activated.
“I’ll allow it.” Gear sounded impressed.
Which was somehow more terrifying than when he sounded disappointed.
The arena doors opened.
Gear and Raymond walked inside.
Both stared at the destruction.
Raymond looked impressed.
Gear looked curious.
Staring.
“Interesting.” Kirran pointed at the smoking crater nearby.
“Ow.” “Use normal people words.” Gear sighed dramatically.
“What I mean is…” He gestured toward the destroyed battlefield.
“…that was incredible.” Kirran blinked.
“Really?” “Absolutely.” Gear crouched beside Mach.
Diagnostic screens appeared around him.
“The robots hit one of the weapon control lines.” Mach nodded.
“That caused my systems to reboot.” “Exactly.” Kirran folded his arms.
“So what happens if that occurs during a real fight?” Silence.
The smile vanished from Gear’s face.
For the first time all day…
He looked serious.
“Then you die.” A few minutes later, everyone had moved back into the workshop.
Mach rested on a maintenance platform while Gear installed one final component.
A small microphone.
Kirran stared.
“That’s it?” “That’s it.” Mach nodded.
“After all that drama?” Gear nodded.
“This is actually more important than the weapons.” Now Kirran was interested.
The microphone clicked into place.
Gear connected several wires.
Then stood.
“Okay.” He crossed his arms.
“This system is called the Cradle Protocol.” Kirran immediately frowned.
“The what?” “Cradle Protocol.” “That’s the name?” “Yes.” “It sounds like a baby product.” “It saves your life.” Gear ignored him.
“As soon as you activate it, an emergency shield forms around the chair.” Kirran nodded.
“Okay.” “It then automatically removes you from danger.” Kirran nodded again.
“Still okay.” “It can survive artillery.” “Very okay.” “It can survive direct plasma impacts.” “Extremely okay.” “It can survive Jarrick.” Everyone paused.
“Wait.” Kirran looked up.
“Seriously?” “Still sounds like a baby product.” Gear ignored him.
“As soon as you activate it, an emergency shield forms around the chair.” Kirran nodded.
“Okay.” “It then automatically removes you from danger.” Kirran nodded again.
“Still okay.” “It can survive artillery.” “Very okay.” “It can survive direct plasma impacts.” “Extremely okay.” “It can survive Jarrick.” Everyone paused.
“Wait.” Kirran looked up.
“Seriously?” Gear nodded.
“Mostly.” “Mostly?” “Depends how angry he is.” That somehow felt accurate.
Gear handed Kirran a data pad.
“Activation phrase is already programmed.” Kirran examined it.
Then frowned.
“No.” “What?” “No.” Gear sighed.
“What now?” Kirran pointed at the words.
“‘Activate Cradle Protocol?'” “Yes.” “We’re changing that.” “No.” “We absolutely are.” “No.” “How about Cocoon Protocol?” “No.” “Shield Protocol?” “No.” “Emergency Don’t Let Me Die Protocol?” “No.” Gear folded his arms.
“The system is already programmed.” Kirran groaned.
“I hate everything.” “Noted.” Before Kirran could continue complaining, an alarm sounded.
BLEEP.
BLOP.
BLOOP.
Mach’s icon immediately appeared.
“Oh.” Kirran froze.
“Oh no.” “What?” Mach looked confused.
“Your tutoring session.” Silence.
Kirran’s eyes widened.
Christopher.
The tutoring session.
Today.
Right now.
“OH SNAT.” Kirran immediately turned toward the exit.
“Thank you for the training.” “Wait.” Gear pointed.
“We’re not finished.” “I’ll come back.” “You said that last time.” “I mean it this time.” Raymond was already following.
“You forgot, didn’t you?” “Maybe.” “You definitely forgot.” “Maybe.” “You definitely forgot.” Mach sighed.
“He definitely forgot.” Kirran rolled faster.
Outside, the late afternoon sun hung low in the sky.
The city stretched before him.
School wasn’t far.
Not with flight capabilities.
Kirran looked toward Raymond.
“Mind driving yourself?” Raymond immediately narrowed his eyes.
“Why?” “Because I can get there faster.” The nurse considered this.
Then sighed.
“Fine.” Kirran grinned.
“Thanks.” “Stay where I can see you.” “No promises.” “Kirran.” “Mostly no promises.” The thrusters ignited.
Wind rushed around him.
And for the first time— Kirran launched into the sky alone.