trial run. If it works, I’ll use my extra time in the port to implement this bypass. I chug through it. After…I’ve no idea how long, the Q-net kicks in and helps despite the fact I’m not in my cluster. Must be because this is a dream and strange things happen in dreams all the time—I accept the aid and it finishes in seconds. Show-off.
I’m considering my next move when the screech of my alarm pierces my dream. I fall to Yulin. But I know I’ll get a nightmare migraine if I slam back to my body. With effort, I slow and go through the steps to disentangle with my dream. Yes, I know it sounds crazy. Dream, remember? Humor me.
When I wake, I open my eyes slowly. No pain throbs in my head. But my ears are being assaulted. “Alarm off,” I say. The instant quiet is blissful. However, I’m now running late.
I dash to the washroom. Radcliff is already dressed and drinking a cup of coffee. He makes a show of glancing at the time. Rushing around, I dress, apply sunscreen, and shrug on the backpack. Its weight almost knocks me off my feet. Good thing we’re not hiking.
When I’m ready to go, Radcliff’s already waiting for me by the door. Since I’m on time, he keeps the snarky comment that I’m sure he was mentally composing to himself. We head to the port through the deserted hallways.
Glad that he seems content to walk in silence, I review my…er…nightmare. My subconscious must have noticed something wrong when I was worming the satellite feeds. And my worry about this mission brought it to the surface.
Despite the early hour, my parents and the techs are in the port. They’re loading equipment into three sand vehicles. The trucks have big oversized tires with lots of nubs that help them gain traction in the sand. Six people can fit in the two rows of seats. No roof, but there’s a thick metal roll bar arching over the passenger compartment. Two big spotlights sit on the bar like a pair of mouse ears—it’s kind of cute. Behind the seats is a long flatbed that will be filled with the boxes.
Radcliff goes over to talk to my parents, but I find the terminal in the port. I’m not going to be happy until I check the satellite feeds. Not bothering to sit down, I insert my tangs and worm into the satellite. Sure enough, Jarren’s little paws are all over. I curse. But then—
The modifications I did in my dream have been implemented. There’s a shortcut to the feeds and Jarren is watching the uninhabited sand dunes I recorded earlier. The strength in my body drains and I sink to the floor. Pulling my knees up to my chest, I rest my forehead on them as the room spins.
I entangled with the Q-net while dreaming, without tangs or a terminal nearby. Oh my stars.
Ten
2522:214
Not good, not good, not good. The port continues to spin around me. I gulp in air, trying hard not to pass out. This is bad, really bad. Terrifying. I’m a freak. Dying has fried my brains and I’m—
“Ara, why are you on the floor?” Mom asks. “What’s wrong?”
I curse under my breath and raise my head. The port tilts under me. Concern flares in Mom’s eyes and she crouches next to me. “You’re white as a ghost. Lean forward, head between your knees, deep breaths.”
I do as instructed.
She rubs my back. “In and out, nice and easy.”
Concentrating on the basic task of breathing, I ignore my chaotic thoughts. Eventually the black and white spots in my vision fade and color returns to the world.
“Better?” Mom asks.
“Yes. Thanks.”
She helps me straighten. I brace for another wave of dizziness, but the floor remains steady.
“What were you doing?”
Freaking out, having a panic attack, take your pick. “I was checking something in the Q-net. And I…think I moved too fast.”
“What was so important it couldn’t wait?”
“The safety of the mission.”
“Oh.”
I explain about the satellite feeds and my solution.
“That’s my girl. It’s a good thing you checked, then.” Mom relaxes and returns to ordering techs to load the trucks faster.
If you must know, no, I didn’t share with my mother that I fixed it while dreaming. That still sounds crazy. And now that I’m thinking about it, I could have been…sleep walking last night and accessed a terminal. That’s probably it. Since I’m not showing up in the camera feeds, it’d be impossible to verify.