Runaway Lover // Andy Leo

Chapter Nineteen

It's been two weeks since our raid in the Empire, and everything's finally starting to calm down. Mostly all of the bruises on Andy's body have faded, and Brandon will now let Megan go somewhere without him glued to her hip.

That isn't to say that the past two weeks have been easy. Megan's been determined that she's going to make me train every single day if it kills her. Though my hand-to-hand combat skills have improved, I still grudge having to shower twice a day. Sometimes it's just the two of us, and others its as if every runaway in here has decided to join in, and there could easily be twelve or so of us sparring at once.

In an attempt to get away from the hectic halls of inside, I make my way to the back entrance of the complex and go out into the cool air. It hits my skin like a refreshing wave, and I take a deep breath. I haven't been outside in two weeks, and I make a mental note to go out more. I find a seat on the edge of the tall building that lets me see out into Aeon City.

I mentally map the city; remembering all of the Empire run buildings against the Rebellion run ones. I sigh, knowing that theres a slim chance that we're going to win this war. I count at least 15 Empire buildings - I can't see as far as to where the citizen houses are - and 7 Rebellion ones.

I pull my jacket tigher around me and shiver as a gust of wind blows by. I hear a fait humming in the distance, and alert my senses to it. I look around, trying to find the source of the sound. It gets louder and louder, until it sounds as if it's in my pocket. A shadow casts over me and I look up, seeing an Empire aircraft hovering over the building.

I move slowly away from the edge of the building, keeping my eyes upwards. I watch the aircraft as I take cover under some rubble, hiding the best I can.

The craft remains dormant above for what seems like forever. I stay under cover, looking for any sign as to what it's doing. I'm about to crawl out from my space when I hear a loud clanging, and I look up to see the belly of the ship opening. It splits down the middle and two panels move to either side, revealing a shiny metal claw than extends itself from the ship. It reaches about 10 meters from the rooftop before opening, and a shiny silver canister drops from its clutches.

It lands heavily on the concrete next to me. I try to decide whether or not to move over to it when I hear the clanging noise again, and look up to see the ship closing. It hovers for a few seconds afterward before flying off in the direction of the Empire's missionary buildings.

With the aircraft gone I turn my attention back to the canister that lies by my side. I stare at it from where I am, debating as to how safe it would be to get closer. Just as I'm about to move I hear a high pitched beep, and the color drains from my face. I wait out another two, counting the seconds between the beeps.

I get up from my spot and run, knowing that I have close to seven seconds to get out of the way. I sprint over toward the door back inside and hide behind the structure, making the split second decision that it would be safer out here than risk structural damage inside. I pin myself against the brick wall and put my hands up, covering my ears.

I wait a second before the canister explodes, making the ground shake beneath me. I see various pieces of rubble fly past me and off of the edge of the building, crashing to the streets below. My ears ring, my head spins. I stay where I am until I'm sure that the bomb won't go off again before I peer around the corner.

I see the metal casing of the canister laying on the floor around the circumfrence of the black, sooty circle that marks out the area of the explosion on the floor. In the centre of the circle lays a suspiciously shiny object that I estimate to be about the size of my palm. I walk over to it carefully, leaving footprints in the circle.

"What the fuck what that?!" The door behind me bursts open and Andy, Megan, Benn, Hayden, Dave, Brandon and Brent emerge out onto the rooftop.

The object at my feet makes a noise and I look down, finally identifying the object.

"Sam, don't go near that." Andy's voice is cautious and pleading. I bend down and pick up the object, looking for a button on the side.

"It's a VMS. It won't explode." I say in an attempt to calm him down.

"A what?" Hayden asks. I take the VMS over to the group, who all look at me like I've gone crazy.

"A VMS - virtual messaging system. It's Empire technology." My calmness rubs off on the group and they collectively calm down a little. I examine the object as I talk. "This one is different, though." I look over the metal surface, searching for any difference in the texture of the metal. "This one," I find the small section of metal that I was searching for and press my thumb against it. "Is for a specific person - it needs a thumbprint to open." It beeps at me and a red light flashes, telling me that the message isn't for me. I hand the thing to Andy, presuming that he would be the person it was meant for.

"What on earth happened up here?" Benn addresses me, confusion etched into his features.

"I was out admiring the view, when the Empire decided that they had to give our friend, Andy, here a very obnoxious message." The object beeps a higher pitch in Andy's hands, and everyone stares at it dumbfoundly.
I take the VMS from him and place it on the ground before pressing the button that has now appeared on the side and stepping back.

It sits still for a second before projecting a blue light upward, which then morphs into the shape of the Raven's face.

"Mr. Leo." He bows mockingly and chuckles. "I want to inform you that I was not very impressed with your little 'Runway' act." I look over to the group. Andy glares at the projection, his jaw set with anger. "Because of this, I have decided that enough is enough. The Empire will not hold back in burning your little rebellion to the ground, starting with it's elite members." He pauses for a few seconds, and I resist the urge to jump through the machine and strangle him. "Be prepared, Runaways. The end is near."