DNA. “Elese pinned me a hundred times at least.” I huff.
Mom presses a hand to her chest. “You mean you’re not going to become a super woman overnight?” She tsks. “Such a disappointment.”
“Ha ha.” Normally, I have to endure my dad’s lame humor. I’m not sure I can handle it from both of them.
“Do I need to remind you how many years it took you to become proficient at reconstructing the Warriors?”
“No lectures, please.”
“All right, but because of your experience, you’re the only one I trust to finish putting the General back together. That is when we can get back into the pits.” She presses her lips together. Her stiff posture radiates frustration.
I understand all too well. We time jumped fifty-years into the future to travel to Planet Yulin so my parents, the archeological Experts (the capital is not a typo) could study the ancient Chinese Terracotta Warriors buried in sixty-four pits underneath Yulin’s desert. Only four pits had been uncovered before looters arrived. They stole hundreds and destroyed the rest. Then the shadow-blobs appeared—and attacked us—they’re not called hostile life forms for nothing. The pits were sealed for everyone’s safety.
When the unit’s door opens to admit the last of the guests, my mom takes over setting the table so I can greet him in semi-private.
Niall waits for me in the living room. He’s not in his security uniform, nor am I, which means I’m allowed to wrap my arms around his neck, go up on my tiptoes and pull him close for a hello kiss. He responds, deepening it as his hands press on my back. Warmth spreads through me and tingles dance along my skin. With parents in the next room, our kiss is unfortunately short.
Still holding me tight, he rests his forehead on mine. “Hi, Mouse.”
“Toad.” That earns me a tired laugh.
Poor guy’s been working long hours since Jarren’s attack. All of the security officers have been. There are dark smudges under his blue-green eyes.
“Dinner,” his dad calls from the kitchen.
Niall sighs. “How long until you’re eighteen?”
“One hundred and twenty-four days.”
“That’s one hundred and twenty-three days too many.” Releasing me, he grabs my hand and tows me into the kitchen.
The conversation limps along with stilted small talk. It’s odd and I wonder if this is normal or if it’s because this is the first meal where I actually have enough energy to pay attention. By half way through, I suspect there’s a topic that the adults are dancing around. And my instincts tell me that I’m not going to like what they really wish to discuss.
I meet Niall’s gaze and raise my eyebrows. Does he know? A small shake of his head. But at least he confirms I’m not crazy.
Interrupting the fascinating discussion about the research base’s air filters, I say, “All right, spit it out.”
Mom exchanges a glance with my dad. They do that silent communication thing as Radcliff’s expression remains neutral. Too neutral, which worries me more.
Finally my dad says, “Officer Morgan has been working with the astrophysicists to create a light weapon that might affect the HoLFs.”
So far so good. “And?” I prompt.
“And they need more information that only you can provide,” Radcliff says.
Ah. Makes sense since I’m the sole person in the base who can actually see the shadow-blobs…er…HoLFs. So why the hesitation? Unease gnaws on my stomach. “You need me to go into the pits?”
“No,” my parents and Radcliff say in unison. Impressive.
“Nothing so drastic,” Mom says.
“Not yet,” Dad mutters, but clamps his mouth shut when my mom glares at him.
“Not at all.” Mom’s grip on her fork is so tight, I expect it to bend in half.
Radcliff interrupts. “We discussed this and the best way is for you to talk to the scientists directly.”
Which means more people knowing I’m alive. “How many?”
“Two and I’ll ensure they keep your status secret.”
Not an idle promise. Radcliff threatened to tear Jarren, the murdering looter, apart with his bare hands if he harmed me. I would have been flattered if I wasn’t terrified out of my mind at the time.
“All right, I’ll talk to them.”
“Are you sure?” Mom asks because that’s what moms do.
“Of course. If those shadow-blobs find a way out of the pits, then we’re going to have more to worry about than Jarren returning.”
A tense silence follows as everyone is no doubt remembering Planet Xinji. Looters raided the pits, stealing and destroying Warriors. Soon after the attack, the planet went silent. No communications and no signs of life. The entire population of