System Nullification

Chapter 24

 "You made a map of the entire northeast sector of the government base?!" I asked. "How?!"

 "Well, somehow I wandered around long enough. They're not sure if I fit into any of the government branches, so I took that time to walk around and observe my surroundings," Reed said.

 "Impressive," Zephyr said. "I only know the location of the rooms I actually go to, and that's the cafeteria, the team's training area, Jack and Will's computer working place, and the main room that Sebastian hangs out in."

 "Same," I laughed."I know this whole place by heart," Reed boasted, but then sighed. "I just wish they knew what I could be placed in."

 "Smartass," Zephyr rolled his eyes. "Anyway, it's hard being placed in this fighting branch. You have to have a good physical condition. Iris, wanna give him a demonstration with me?"

 "Are you challenging me to a duel?" I laughed. "By the way, I need to go to your place later."

 "Yeah, I am, and okay, you can come later," Zephyr said, already into a fighting stance and charging at me.

 "You didn't say go yet!" I yelped, jumping back and charging at him.

 "Good job thinking fast!" Zephyr yelled back, swinging a punch at me that I easily dodged.

 Reed stared at amazement as Zephyr made many straightforward attempts at me that I flipped away or jumped away from. "Now I'll finally counterattack," I announced, swinging my foot at him.

 He grabbed my foot, which was a move he had been trying to pull off forever. "Finally!" Zephyr cheered, and I squeaked once he picked me up.

 To fight back, I had to swing myself upwards, stand on his shoulder, and, when he struggled to apprehend me, I raised my free foot up and dug my heel on his shoulder. "Shit!" he yelled, letting my foot go and causing me to jump back, proud. "Damn, you win."

 "How am I going to pull off anything like that?" Reed groaned as I giggled.

~

 "Was spreading the policy really a good idea?" I asked. "You know... we could've come up with something else to do about Reed knowing about our government stuff. Now Skylar and Brianna might get involved."

 It was a day after the time Zephyr argued with the President. We were alone at his house, sitting in his room on his blue carpet floor. The atmosphere was killing me inside despite what I was even at his house for. I was glad I was able to calm him down, but Zephyr was more determined than ever to make sure the rebellion worked, and he was still out donating food on a daily basis. "The more people involved in our cause, the better," Zephyr said. "But until Cameron sets the whole rebellion idea up, I'll play the role of providing food for everyone. Care to join me? All you need is trayfuls of food and the ability to transport all of it."

 "I'm pretty small, Zephyr, would I really be able to carry all that stuff around? The weight isn't much of a problem, but my arms are shorter than yours," I sighed.

 "Well, that's 'cause I go around donating to bigger families sometimes," Zephyr said. "I'm sure you can carry two trays at a time with less food than the stuff I carry. And it's not bad that your arms are short."

 "Well, I'll help you out, then," I said. "Wait, why isn't it bad that my arms are short?! That means less range for my punches!"

 "You have a point there, but your speed makes up for the lack of range, and..." Zephyr grinned and hugged me. "I think you're cute."

 "Hmph," I said, hugging him back. "Where did that come from?"

 "My eyes and brain," Zephyr laughed. "No, but seriously, Iris, you're beautiful."