At the front door of the building, the professor fished out his keys. With a few twists, the lock clicked open. Darkness greeted them as they stepped inside, until Malcolm flipped a switch and the room filled with white light.
Valtor glanced around the spacious laboratory. The walls gleamed, work counters stretched along the sides, and strange gadgets and instruments covered every surface.
"This is my temporary lab here in Vatica," Malcolm explained. "My main one is back home in Nexis."
Valtor drifted from table to table, scanning the devices.
"I couldn't take you so far away," the professor added. "So we'll have to make do here."
Valtor turned toward him. "You said you were going to restore my memory?"
"Yes," his father answered, already walking toward an inner chamber. "Come with me."
Valtor followed, his voice low. "Why now? Why change your mind?"
Malcolm's shoulders stiffened. "Because I couldn't bear it—your anger, your distance. You're all I have, son. And you deserve to know the truth."
Valtor's expression eased at his words.
They entered a smaller lab. Malcolm went straight to a desk, crouched by a drawer, and tapped in a code. With a soft hiss, it slid open to reveal a transparent circular case.
Inside lay a small disc. Malcolm lifted it carefully and turned to Valtor. "Here it is."
Valtor frowned. "That's… my memory?"
"After your mind was filtered, the superintendent ordered the wiper destroyed. I obeyed—at least on the surface. But before that, I secretly copied the data to discs like this."
Valtor's breath caught. "So all our memories still exist?" His tone had risen without him noticing.
"Yes," Malcolm said. "But only yours is here. Your friends' are safe back home."
"I see…" Valtor muttered, his eyes fixed on the disc.
Malcolm moved to a machine, slid the disc inside, and closed the panel. The device began to hum and rotate softly. He gestured to a reclined chair. "Sit."
After Valtor lowered himself onto it, Malcolm connected a series of plugs, then handed him a headgear wired to the machine.
"Put this on," he said, his voice steady but his gaze heavy with unspoken fear. "Once it begins… you'll see everything."
...................
Lieutenant Ross led the crew out of the main barracks and into an open field that stretched wide and far, the grass swaying lightly in the breeze.
"Alright," he said, turning to face the youths. "As promised, today's session will focus on sharpening your skills through creative thinking."
He began pacing in front of them, hands clasped behind his back. "Earlier this morning, I set traps across this field. Some are easy to spot, others… not so much. You'll need sharp eyes to avoid them—one wrong move and they'll blow up in your face. Or worse." He let the warning hang for a moment before continuing.
"You'll also need to think outside the box, which is why you'll be divided into two teams. Your mission is simple: retrieve a gold medal hidden on the other side and bring it back to me. First team to return wins."
Lynx leaned toward Orea, a grin tugging at his lips. "Partners?"
She cocked her head at him. "What's in it for me?"
"Victory."
"You do realize it'll be three of them against just us?" she countered.
"Doesn't matter," he said confidently. "With my skills and your sinister brain, we'll crush them."
Her lips curved into a sly smile. "And if we don't?"
I'll be your servant for a week. No complaints, no excuses."
"Deal." She clasped his hand without hesitation.
"So," Ross called out, raising his voice. "Teams decided?"
"We have," Lynx and Orea replied, raising their hands.
"Good. That leaves Zara, Rowynn, and Kymani together."
Satisfied, the trio nodded in agreement as Ross gestured to two opposite lanes of the field. Each team took their place, eyes fixed ahead.
"Remember," Ross said firmly, "the first team to reach the medal and bring it back wins."
Silence fell. The air felt thick with anticipation.
Ross lifted a whistle to his lips—then blew.
Both teams launched forward at once.
As Orea pushed forward, Lynx's hand shot out and caught her arm, halting her in her tracks.
"We should slow down," he said firmly.
"Why?" She frowned. "If we do, the others will reach the medal first."
"They won't. Remember the traps? we either slow down or get caught up in them".
Reluctantly, she nodded, while they proceeded with caution, though she continued to walk ahead.
Then it happened—her foot pressed down on a low mound of grass. A faint beep cut through the air.
With a swift motion, Lynx thrust out his palm, an ice wall erupting just as three darts whistled toward them. They struck the frozen barrier with sharp, metallic thuds, splintering harmlessly against the ice.
Orea staggered back, eyes wide. "That was… way too close. Thanks, Lynx."
"Don't mention it." He stepped beside her, his tone softer now. "Let's stick together from here on."
She gave a quick nod, her sly composure returning, "Agreed".
Side by side, they pressed forward at the same pace.