Page 99 of Stormbreaker

“Until now, only General Sol has been able to ‘capture’ the plasma energy of Spark in a usable way, but our scientists have recently had a breakthrough. They’ve only been able to isolate a small charge,” she continues, “and most of it will be reserved for current Guard training until a reliable replication method can be achieved. But . . .” She smiles bigger. “I managed to convince them to give us a small dose for each of you today.”

She’s acting as though this is the greatest news she’s ever shared. Her enthusiasm causes everyone to start smiling and talking at once.

“What if we get hit?” Domino asks, accompanied by several nods around the room. “Won’t we . . .”

Dr. Eze raises a hand. “There are some risks, yes,” she answers. “But I assure you, the charge is too small to cause a blitz. If you’re hit, you’ll be temporarily incapacitated. If that happens, we have doctors standing by to transport you to the med wing immediately.”

The room’s initial enthusiasm has dimmed somewhat in the face of this information. That’s when my gaze meets Rook’s across the room to find his permanent frown is etched a little deeper.

We’ve basically avoided each other since the incident in the cafeteria, but he holds my gaze steady now, and I feel warmth creeping up my cheeks. I look away.

“Cadets,” Henry says, his deep voice cutting through the din. “This is what you signed up for. When you’re out on that tower, it’s you and the storm with nothing in between. This is a breakthrough in the fight against one of our worst enemies, and we must embrace this new challenge. Anyone wishing to abstain from the simulation today is welcome to sit out.” He lifts a hand toward the door. “But you will not be welcome back. The Storm Guard has no room for cowards.”

His words are harsh, meant to either embolden or break us. I consider leaving. The risk of being discovered sits heavily in my chest. Uncomfortable silence is accompanied by the shuffling of feet and averted eyes as we consider our choices.

A woman near the front—a tall brunette from House Fiama—looks up, scans the room, and then walks toward the door. The Extinguishers move to intercept her. She stops and stares up at them.

“Come with us,” they say.

“What are they doing?” Domino whispers.

I shake my head. I’m not sure, but I have my suspicions. She’s drawn their attention by deciding to leave.

I swallow nervously.

If I enter that room and I’m hit and absorb Spark, then I’m exposing myself to the truth and potential incarceration. Or possibly death, because let’s be real, no one seems to escape the Extinguishers. I think of the woman from my test who was exiled to the Wastes. A part of me wonders if I was being lied to that night. Even if she did leave, how long could she survive out there all alone? Either way, it’s a grim fate.

But I also can’t walk away. Not only because I have to do this but because I don’t want to stamp an even larger target on my back. Either option is a risk, but at least I have a chance if I choose the simulator.

One of the Extinguishers leaves with the brunette, and we all watch the door close behind her with an ominous thud.

“Anyone else?” Henry asks.

No one moves.

“Then we’ll begin.”

37

The simulation room is a massive underground cube carved from the earth with high ceilings and walls lined with some kind of rubberized substance covered with projected grids. It’s at least three stories tall and several hundred yards wide.

Dr. Eze informs us that the walls and floor are intended to absorb electricity and help minimize damage to our internal organs if we’re hit.

Reassuring for everyone else, I guess.

They’ve re-created a miniature city with twenty-foot-tall buildings, along with walls and tunnels that can serve as hiding places and obstacles. Along one side is a metal platform lined with a bunch of screens and dials accessible by a set of metal stairs, all set behind a plane of protective glass.

“This exercise will last for about ten minutes,” Dr. Eze says through a microphone from the elevated perch with Henry at her side. Lieutenant Dire stands next to him with his hands behind his back. “Today, it will be just us, but as we continue training, we’ll be joined by higher-ranking Tempestade officials. They’ll want to assess your abilities and decide which battalions you’ll join once you graduate.”

She adjusts some knobs on the panels lining the platform, her expression bright with excitement. “I’m very eager to see how this will play out.”

We’re divided into two teams, and the objective is for everyone on our side to tap the far wall while our opponents attempt to stop us. Simple enough, but the task will be made more difficult by the addition of random Spark attacks.

“If you’re struck, you’re encouraged to continue as long as you’re able,” Henry says, also speaking into the microphone. “After all, when you’re out in the field, stopping isn’t an option. If you’re unable to move, lie flat on the floor and wait for the simulation to end. The rubber will protect you from the electricity as long as you remain still. Of course, that means your team loses that point. Everything clear?”

We all nod. I bounce on my injured knee, testing the weight. It twinges a little, but I bandaged it up like Dr. Perez showed me, and it’s helping a lot.

Dr. Eze smiles down at us, her dark eyes shining with excitement. “All ready?”