I shrug. “Opportunity, I guess. Power might make anything possible. But the opportunity for power has to be there, or nothing can change. Having the power to create an opportunity is important, but I think an opportunity not taken is worse than a power not received. Because even the powerless can rise to power given the right opportunity.”
The doctor scrolls through something on her tablet. “And what would you say to someone who stepped in front of you in line?”
“What’s the line for? The bathroom? A flight? A sandwich?”
“Generically.”
“I’d ask if they need help. I’d change my tone depending on the situation. If they look in pain, I’d mean it sincerely. If they’re being an ass, I’d mean it as an implication of their missing honor and respect. Might swear at them. I have a tendency to do that.”
The doctor nods. “Feeling better?”
“Awake now.”
“Good. You are assigned purple bands. Please proceed with the other women to pick up your initial race uniform, get your assigned room, and then on to the buffet.”
“Thanks.” I slide off the bed. The nurse extends my satchel to me.
“Thank you for not burning down my medical center.”
I look back at her. “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to.”
“I know. But there’s something else going on. ABR would usually make me pull you, but I think removing the gauntlets should help. We’ll keep them locked up in secure storage.”
I nod and sigh as I finally enter the room where I’ll receive my uniform and bands.Purple? Talros isn’t going to believe it when he sees me on the holovid. At least I’m not a pink.
But what bothers me most is my dream. I think my nightmare initiated my defense system and made me fry the strap.
And a Storm? What the hell was that guy talking about?
I fear something is wrong with my gauntlets.Maybe they have a virus?I wouldn’t put it past Verity to suck some guy’s dick just to get him to corrupt my augments.
I shake my head.I’m here. I need to forget about her. I’ll decide what to do about my gauntlets later.
A woman hands me a navy jumpsuit and a set of purple armbands with a wristband that will supposedly unlock my room and keep me posted on race stats. “The rest of your uniforms, including swimsuits, will be in your assigned room. You can shower and get ready in the locker rooms just through that door.”
“Thanks,” I say, no longer as excited as I once was for the upcoming race.
“Whatever is on your mind, let it go. Just be here, have fun, eat well and rest safely.” She decorates her face with a smile. “Security is tighter with Ohni’s leadership. You can focus on enjoying yourself.”
I thank her and walk toward the locker rooms, eager for a hot shower.
It’s just like everything else. I’ll figure this out.
Except it’s nothing like anything I’ve ever done before. I can’t get over the notion the man in my dream wasn’t just a figment of my imagination.
“Those drugs sure bring out some wild dreams, huh?” a woman asks.
I look up at her as she blow-dries her tawny hair outside of an empty shower stall. She’s banded pink. “Uh, yeah. Crazy.”
The woman next to her with satiny blond hair done up in a sleek ponytail primps her fake eyelashes. “I had three Mindor all over me.” She grunts in lust. “You?”
It takes me a moment to find my tongue and figure out what I had. “One. Amphiran, I think.”
“Electric?” The first woman turns to me with a smile. “Cool.”
The second woman gives my Faraday suit a once over. “Fitting. I’m Coralla. Most just call me Cora.”
She sticks out a hand with acrylic fingernails.
