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She smiles back and kisses the tips of my fingers too, before leaning her cheek against my palm. “And I you.”
I lean down and reach for the button. As I depress it and the throbbing continues once more, I pray we’re not making a big, big mistake.
Zoey
The AI’s holographic image flickers slightly as it reappears. “Have you had enough time to deliberate?”
No, but we don’t have a lot of time left. “Yes.”
“And will you help me with my mission?”
I nod. “Yes.”
"Excellent,” Arty says, beaming joyfully. “The power station lies deep within the heart of maze. To activate it, you must navigate through it, avoiding the traps and creatures the Malquarans have scattered throughout."
M’ijel’s hand tightens around mine, a silent promise of his support. "Do you have a map of the traps to help us avoid them?”
Arty nods. “I do. My sensors are picking them up now. I’ll create a map so you can avoid them.” The AI’s flickering intensifies as it elaborates. “The Malquarans have designed the maze to be a labyrinth of danger. There are pitfalls, carnivorous plants, and other alien creatures that have been modified to be more aggressive. Additionally, there are environmental hazards, like quicksand and poisonous gases.”
I swallow hard, feeling a twinge of apprehension at the prospect of facing such perils. “And the power station itself?” I inquire, needing to know everything we’re up against.
“Originally, it was protected by a security system, remnants of my creators’ technology. But it too has no power, so it is disengaged. Once inside, you must activate the core. This will harness the latent energy and allow me to open a portal, allowing us all to escape.”
M’ijel nods, a determined look on his face. “We’ll do it. We’ll activate the power station and return to you. Then you’ll create a portal to get us out of here.”
Turning to the AI, I ask: “What will you do when you leave here?”
The AI’s form shimmers. “My existence is tied to my creators. My purpose is to aid you and keep their memory alive. Once you escape, I shall create a new civilization.”
Arty is true to his word and printed out a map of the maze with the dangerous traps marked out. “The altered beasts roam the maze at will. With no way to contact you, I cannot give you updates on their locations. But I can tell you where they are right now. I have noted them on the map.”
With our mission clear, M’ijel and I turn to leave the pyramid’s summit. The jungle awaits us, a treacherous path to freedom.
But with M’ijel by my side and the AI’s guidance, I feel a glimmer of hope. We can get through this.We can. And we will!
M’ijel
As we make our way through the maze, every step is cautious, deliberate. The thick foliage forms a canopy overhead, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. The air is humid, filled with the sound of distant alien calls and the rustle of leaves.
Zoey walks beside me, her eyes scanning the surroundings with a mix of apprehension and resolve.
The path to the power station is not clear, and we rely heavily on the map given by Arty. Our progress is slow, hindered by the undergrowth and the constant threat of hidden dangers.
I’m on edge, every sense heightened, prepared for any sign of the other alien males. The thought of them laying their hands on Zoey ignites a fierce protectiveness within me.
As we navigate through the maze, taking one mysterious corridor after another, I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration for Zoey. Her courage in the face of such uncertainty is inspiring.
She moves with a quiet determination, her focus neverwavering from our mission. It’s in these moments that I realize how deeply I’ve come to care for her.
Our journey is interrupted by a sudden rustling from the bushes nearby. Instinctively, I pull Zoey behind me, ready to confront whatever threat might emerge.
My heart races, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I’m prepared to fight, to defend Zoey against any danger.
The rustling grows louder, and I brace myself for an encounter. But it turns out to be a small alien creature with bulbous pink eyes, more curious than threatening, quickly scurrying away into the underbrush.
I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding, feeling a brief moment of relief.
But the tension doesn’t leave us. We continue our trek, each step taking us deeper into the heart of this alien world. The dangers are ever-present, but so is our resolve.
