Nexis
National Institute of Defence
Zara and Kymani slipped through the slowly shutting doors, carefully bypassing an unknowing array of security thanks to their unseen state. As soon as the densely coated metal panels clicked shut behind them, they shimmered back into view.
Breaking contact, the duo strolled into the massive chamber, glancing around in awe at what seemed like an armory but technically advanced. Vast range of weapons balanced on floating racks, hovering in slow, silent rotation—sleek plasma rifles, combat suits lined on the walls in perfect rows, and countless other instruments of destruction. The floor pulsed with faint blue lines, reacting to every footstep.
The room was divided into three sections while they stood in the centre.
"Wow," Zara breathed. "This is all so cool. What're you doing?" she asked, noticing Kymani standing still, eyes locked on his wristband.
"I'm talking to Valtor real quick," he replied.
"Ooh…" Zara exclaimed, her focus already reclaimed as she spotted a bot idling near the corner of the room. She started toward it.
"Shit!" Kymani suddenly yelled.
Zara spun around. "What is it?"
He looked at her, face tight. "It's Orea. Valtor found her unconscious—lying face down in the middle of burning flames."
"Shit…" Zara whispered, rushing back to him, eyes wide.
"Valtor, how is she right now?" she called into the wristband.
"She was out of air for a while, but she'll be okay," Valtor replied. "She's resting in my arms right now."
"Oh, thank God," Zara exhaled.
"How'd the mission go?" Kymani continued.
"Success," Valtor said, his voice bright with relief.
"I guess it's our turn," Zara said. "Bye, Captain. Give Orea a kiss for us."
"Yeah. You guys stay safe," Kymani added before ending the call.
"So, how do we do this?" he asked, wandering around the place.
"Well, I was thinking we could first— Kymani!" Zara yelled, her gaze snapping to the younger boy as his hand reached toward a combat suit.
"What?" He gave her an oblivious stare.
"You can't just touch that."
"Why not?"
She shot him a dry look, then stretched an arm out. A small blast shot toward the suit, striking an invisible field. The air rippled. Blue lines flared into existence, buzzing with electricity.
"That's why," Zara said flatly, already heading toward the bot. "Maybe we can shut the field down somehow."
Kymani followed.
They stopped in front of the low-built robot with a screen for a face, both suddenly unsure.
"I think you're supposed to tap the screen," Kymani whispered.
"Why do I have to be the one to tap it?"
"Because you're older."
"Oh, now that matters?" She shot him a side glance while he answered with a guilty chuckle.
Zara sighed. "Fine. Whatever."
She tapped the screen.
It flickered to life.
"Welcome", a voice spoke. Please move closer to the screen for a face recognition scan."
The display shifted, lines and grids sliding into place.
They both stepped back instantly while a timer appeared.
"You have ten seconds to comply or intruder alert mode will be activated."
They exchanged a quick, nervous look.
"Um… now what?" Kymani asked.
Zara didn't answer. Her eyes stayed glued to the timer.
…8… 9… 10…
"Intruder alert initiated."
The faint blue floors turned red. Laser beams snapped into existence, locking into tight squares around them.
They froze, clutching each other, breaths hitched as a beam sliced past, close enough to radiate heat.
An alarm blared, filling the room with harsh red light.
"Wow," Kymani exhaled. "First time back home and this is my welcome", he joked dryly.
"Wait till the council finds out we're here", Zara added.
Almost immediately, the doors clicked and slowly began to slide open.
"Here we go," Kymani muttered, gripping Zara's arm as both of them shimmered out of sight.
A security guard walked in, eyes sweeping the room on high alert. He raised his weapon while flicking through a wristband. The lasers shut off and a holographic scan hovered above the screen. He waved it around.
"Show yourself," he muttered, activating an electromagnetic sweep that turned everything transparent as he slowly approached the invisible duo.
Leaning toward Zara, Kymani whispered, "Anytime now."
"Hang on. I need a better angle," she replied, arms stretched out in front of her.
The moment the man shifted their way, she fired a quick blast, slamming him against the wall with a solid thud. He fell to the ground silently.
"Now where were we?" Kymani said as they shimmered back into view.
"Help me get him up," Zara replied.
Together, they pulled the unconscious guard to his feet, balancing his arms between them as they dragged him toward the bot.
Zara tapped the screen again and the scan reappeared.
Quickly, they pressed the guard's face to it.
A sharp verification tone rang out.
The room returned to normal. Blue lights flickered back on and the nerve-wracking alarm shut down.
"Access granted. Welcome to the Defence Institute", the bot said. "What do you need today?"
Zara grinned. "Let's get this started."