"Welcome to BrainTech," the billionare says with rock music blaring in the background. "I'm Edric Landry, President and owner."
Rousing applause explodes across the auditorium as he waves to us with both hands, his fitted tee stretching against his athletic frame. A body that belies the genius of his mind.
I'd recognize Luke's father anywhere. The eccentric icon is a tech rock star. His short messy hair is fitting. As are his blue jeans and plain white tee. He's too cool to wear a brand.
"I can't believe we're here!" I say to Zahir and G. They're sitting on either side of me in the plush lecture hall. G has his legs folded under his butt to see over the PC sitting in front of him. Zahir gives me two big thumbs up. I've never seen him smile so much.
A massive digital display behind Edric Landry has a slick graphic titled, CodeX Games 2023—A SIP of Greatness! Below the title, the SIP acronym is broken down into Social ~ Intellectual ~ Physical. And I'm terrified this is an intervention for nerds. My clammy hands tell me all I need to know. The games are all everyone talks about. And it's been two weeks since I returned from the hospital. There's even a dance challenge.
Freak'n Merlin's beard—a DANCE!!
I've never been to a dance before. And even though we're at BrainTech, the technology disruptor of neuroscience, the ultimate nerd-fest destination, I can't help but squirm in my seat as I see those two terrifying words on the screen.
Social. Physical.
"We are honored to have you here," Edric Landry continues as he holds his arms out to us, "to kick off the annual CodeX Games sponsored by BrainTech."
Another loud round of applause fills the auditorium. The entire school is here for the annual kick-off event—all 90 PCs and the professors. Headmaster Hayes is on stage too, but in the background.
"Thank you. Thank you." Edric Landry turns his palms down to quiet the crowd. "The CodeX Games—A SIP of Greatness, represents everything we look for in new hires at BrainTech. I want the best of the best working here." He rubs his hands together as if this is his favorite part. "That means making you uncomfortable. The games are designed to knock off your rough edges, to accelerate your refinement."
I sneak a peek behind me as Edric Landry speaks and see Luke a few rows back. He has a scowl on his face. And he's sitting next to Fydor. Always next to Fydor. All PCs are situated in the auditorium with their respective squad. DOOM is in the back, Gauntlet in the middle, and Contra at the front. That's how the academy is now, ever since the bathroom prank. Even in our block classes, PCs stick with their squad. We only work together when required.
Luke has only spoken to me once since our ocean escapade. And, of course, he was with Fydor when he did. They dropped by my mermaid room to welcome me home. Neither apologized for the disgusting prank. I assume Luke was complicit in the joke because he's a Killer—DOOM is trimmed into the side of his head.
Traitor.
"Finally," Edric Landry concludes, "I hope your tour of BrainTech and hands-on experience today will give you a tantalizing taste of what your future might hold...at least, for those who have the drive and passion required to do what is necessary." He seems to be staring at his son when he says the last bit. And then he raises both hands and shouts, "Let the games begin!"
Confetti cannons shoot across the auditorium. Everyone is on their feet clapping and whooping and whistling. Then DOOM yells out their squad cheer, followed by Gauntlet, and then Contra.
DOOM, DOOM, killers will entomb,
We are DOOM, bringers of gloom!
Gauntlet, Gauntlet, armor of staunchness,
We are Gauntlet, bolder than dauntless!
Contra, Contra, stronger than anaconda,
We are Contra, rulers of the quanta!
After several rounds of chants, each one louder than the one before, Headmaster Hayes gives the signal for us to leave the auditorium. The atmosphere is electric as PCs buzz with excitement for the days and weeks ahead. And I'm excited, too. Maybe a different kind of excitement. The gut-wrenching-knee-bouncing-sweat-dripping kind that has my arms twisting into knots.
After splitting up into our class blocks, we are the last group to arrive at the top-secret X-lab where no outside electronics are allowed. Or any of our professors. Not even Headmaster Hayes. Only students and BrainTech employees. We weren't even permitted to get on the bus for our trip to Boston without getting a full pat down.
"Legs spread. Touch hands overhead," the rotund security guard says as each PC passes through the body scanner. He has a gruff voice and overgrown goatee.
I know I shouldn't be nervous. But my legs squeeze together, and my arms fold against my chest. Because PCs are making jokes about airport scanners that show nude images of people. I still have nightmares from exposing my skeletal frame in the dining hall. Except in my dreams, I'm butt naked.
N-A-K-E-D!
I don't do naked with other people. I can't change my clothes in front of G. And showers only happen late at night when the bathroom is empty. So yeah, I'm freaking out about the scanner. When I'm told to step onto the designated spots, I hesitate and then go through the required motions, touching hands overhead. And I hope on Merlin's beard that the machine—
"Hold on," A lady says. She's the security guard sitting behind the desk. All I can see is her hat poking above the computer screens in front of her. "The image didn't come through. I'm going to run it again."
"Stay there," The guard says, rubbing his goatee.
Sweat trickles down my back as the machine's imaging arm whirs past me again. Liam, Luke, and other PCs are chuckling in line behind me, and this feels worse than my nightmare. Because I'm awake. And everyone is laughing at me. Me and my bony, naked body. Ok, I know they can't see the images. But that's how I feel. And I just want—
"Whoa!" The guard jumps back as sparks fly from the machine on the third pass. Then he lunges froward and pulls me out with his meaty hands.
Isa is swearing in Spanish again. Liam and Luke are laughing and pointing in amazement as the scanner comes to a grinding halt. A light trail of smoke wafts up from the circuitry panel.
"Are you okay," the guard asks.
"I feel woozy." My head is pounding from the electrical shock. "But don't worry," I say. "I'm fine. I'll be fine." The hefty guard rolls a chair over and pushes me down into it.
"Why don't you just rest for a minute."
"I've called a medic," the female guard says from behind her computers.
"Thanks, Jazmine—please do a manual pat-down on everyone else. I'll wait with...um, what's your name?" he asks.
"Merlin," Headmaster Hayes says. "His name is Merlin." He has been trailing our group all day. And I don't like the way his eyes are squinting at me. I'm tired of people thinking something is wrong with me.
"Right," the chunky guard replies. "I'll stay here with Merlin until the medic arrives."
But by the time the young man with the EMS badge does arrive, I really am feeling fine. And I'm the last PC waiting to enter the X-Lab.
At least I got to watch Liam walk head first into the scanner. He didn't slow down or anything. And PCs weren't even going through the machine anymore. Serves him right for laughing at me—the ramrod.
"Please," I say to the medic. "I'm good. I feel great."
After he checks my pulse, something Headmaster Hayes has already done, and blood pressure, I stand and jump up and down. "See, all good. Can I join my class now? Come on. The X-Lab Neuron Challenge might be the coolest thing I ever do or see in my life—please!"
The young medic laughs. "His vitals are good. I don't see any reason why he can't join the others."
And after one final pat down, I'm allowed past the security checkpoint and into the frosted glass room where everyone is waiting.
YOU ARE READING
Merlin's Curse
Science Fiction[8X FEATURED] Merlin is the greatest-eleven-year-old nerd the world doesn't know because his name has cursed him--he's all parts nerd and zero parts magic and all he wants is to be cool. When Merlin hacks a new encryption code designed to protect on...
