Castle High

7. The Lost Ark - II

“The Cubik, a modified GPS navigation system developed by the US army – to counter incoming ballistic missiles, and to monitor unauthorized nuclear activity.” Stephen’s voice was audible over the cool, brisk air. He was trailing silently behind with Joey by his right and the rest of the group consisting of Shelby, Roxanne and Benjamin ahead.

Joey scoffed, expressing distaste. “Is that even legal?”

Stephen chuckled slightly, slipping his phone back into the right back-pocket of his pants. “To what direction is your enquiry directed to? Is it the fact that such device should be non-existent because of its ability to spy on other satellites, or the fact that such device shouldn't be in J.C.’s custody.”

“The fact that you have your phone with you of course,” Joey pointed out, irked at Stephen’s folly. “And definitely, you’re not stupid enough to think that such device would be in J.C.’s custody anyway.”

“Who knows,” Stephen shrugged. “Accidents happen, one mishap leads to another and–”

“A device like God’s eye in the fast and furious, gets into the hands of a high-school Jungle facility program,” Joey completed, sarcastically. “Sure, accidents like that happen all the time.”

Stephen’s askance was visible in his icy, cold stare directed at Joey. “Now you don’t have to make me sound so stupid, I was only trying to lighten the mood and you know it.”

“Seriously; Steve,” Joey shook his head, narrowing his eyes at their team-mates ahead. “These days you’re gonna have to sacrifice being funny and humorous, just so you can sound sensible again.”

Before Stephen could respond with something snide and offensive, Shelby cut in. “And one of these days Joey, you’re also gonna have to sacrifice being critical and annoying – just so you could be helpful in situations like this.”

Joey chuckled, amazed at Shelby’s hearing abilities. “And one of these days Shelby, you’re also going to sacrifice your Vulcan hearing abilities, just so you don’t get into serious trouble someday – when you hear something classified.”

“Classified as in, some vital details about the assassination of the president of a country?” Stephen cut in. “Sure, accidents like that happen all the time.” 

Stephen’s quip was valid enough to evoke laughter from Shelby and Joey, however arousing curiosity from the rest.

“What are you guys laughing about?” Roxanne asked, reducing the speed of her strides – so as to ensure the rest of the group catch up with her. “Do you realize no one has contributed so far to the progress of our mission?”

“Oh please, conscious efforts are the worst.” Stephen drawled, dragging his feet on the forest floor. They were all moving on a straight horizontal line now, save Ben who was a few inches ahead. “Let’s wing it, let the ideas flow. Have some fun doing this.”

“Clearly I can see why your grades turn out the way they are,” Ben commented finally, unable to keep his bottled up frustration to him-self. “With that sort of attitude, having fun with such activity which amounts to a huge 25 percent of our C.A., I finally get the issue behind your grades.”

“Hey, jerk-face,” Stephen clenched his fists in anger, but made no aggressive move whatsoever. “No one asked you for your comments okay, just keep talking to yourself like you’ve been doing all day and all school year also.”

“Uhm, we’re kind-off in sophomore year now – so your jab isn’t exactly–” Joey began.

“Oh, just shut-up.” Stephen growled, almost throwing Joey a punch.