Readers Of The Mind *Book 1*

Chapter 9

We redid the whole apartment. The sofas had changed to a black and we made the cushions red. Michael changed his room like mine, having the main coulors black and red, but left the walls white and change the furniture to black. I was in my room sitting in my grey armchair by the window. I thought about my parents and what the Queen said.
What was wrong with my parents that she didn't like. And what did my dad ever do to her?
The apartment was quiet. We ate about two hours ago. I had unpacked my bag and changed into confortable clothes from my cupboards. I checked the time on my Band. 11:45pm?
Oh right. We not on earth anymore. We must have gotten here at half past seven.
I stood up and walked out my room to the kitchen. I got a glass of orange juice.
Who knew that orange juice was so popular in the universe? Blugensal's environment is probably the same as earth's.
I tapped my Band and scrolled through the code of conduct. It was quite different to my old school's code. We still had lessons, but they were more on military type of things. We would go to class in two days.
"Study of the universe looks interesting... Oh and training in space looks fun too."
I say quietly to myself.
Can't sleep?
I jumped out my seat and screamed. "Michael you scared me!"
He chuckled, "Sorry." He took the seat next to me. We sat there in silence.
"Calico, you okay?"
I sighed, "I don't know..." I looked at him, "You called me Calico."
He smirked, "Sorry."
I laughed, "No it's okay. It will be something I will have to get used to."
He smiled and looked at the couch, "Let's sit on the couch and see if we can figure out how to watch something." I nodded and hopped onto the couch. Michael tapped his Band and found the lounge's settings and commands, "I can't seem to find anything... wait here is something."
I looked away from my hologram to his, "A dancing game?" He looked at me, "You want to try?"
I switched off my hologram and stood, "May the best dancer win."
And that will be me!
"As if."

~~~

"Calico?"
"Hmmm?"
I heard a chuckle, "I think it's time to get up."
I opened my eyes and looked around the light filled room. Michael was leaning over me, resting his arms on the back of the couch and his blue eyes staring down at me.
I rubbed my eyes, "What is the time?"
"8:30."
I moaned, "I could have slept in!"
"Miss Kline."
I shot up and stood up straight, facing General Alexander.
"Morning sir." I squeaked. He gave a stern nod, "I will give you twenty minutes and both of you better be done. I will wait outside."
He marched out and we stood in silence. I looked at Michael. "Wipe that smile off your face before I do it for you, Ladybug."
He chuckles, "Sure thing Coco." I look down. He walks over, "Hey, sorry I didn't mean to make you feel bad. Is... is that what your dad called you?"
I nod and smile sadly, "Don't worry about it."
He smiles, "I will find a name for you."
I smile, "Good luck Ladybug. We will see how it goes." I walk past him and to my room.
She so hot.
I roll my eyes, "I HEARD THAT!"
"YOU WERE MENT TO!" he shouts back. I laugh and get ready to shower.

~~~

We had flown back to Ething with Beck and Alexander and greeted the queen.
"Calico, come with me. Captain Beck and General Alexander, please take Michael to the armory where Sam and Rico are. I will send her there when we are done and then you can send Michael and the boys over when you are done with them." Queen Georgia said and walked off. I looked at Michael then followed after Queen Georgia.
We arrived in a white room with a chair in the middle.
" Go sit on the chair and take your Band off. "
I obeyed and took my band off and sat in the chair.
" Now I am just putting these on to moderate and make sure everything is going as planned."
She put thin silver disks on my wrists, the side of my neck and my temples.
It seems that everything is silver here.
"So what are we doing?" I ask as she steps away from the chair and taps a circle on a control board.
"We are going to kick start your other abilities."
I frown at her, "Other abilities? Like what?"
"Just close your eyes." she commands.
I did as she told me. I felt the circles slightly vibrate.
"Okay, this might hurt a little..."
I feel this whole shock go through my body. I screamed from the pain that shot through my body. I was struggling to stay awake. I felt my strength die out quickly. Then the pain stopped.

Thank you.

"Miss Kline are you alright?"
I think I am fine but I don't think I will be able to make it to wherever I am supposed to go next. I thought, not having enough strength to talk at the moment. I opened my eyes and watched as Queen Georgia tap things on the hologram controls.
" Well, it seems that you are good to go. I will call one of the chambermaids."
A few moments later a girl my age will grey skin, small horns and blue hair walked in with a floating chair.
"Thank you Skyler , I just need to talk to Miss Kline quickly."
Skyler bowed and walked out.
Queen Georgia looked at me, "Now, Calico. What I said yesterday was not completely true about me disliking your father. I had to say it because General Alexander and Captain Beck were in my presence. They believe that your father is a fowl man because where he comes from. Your father's family has a low status. They dislike how he became highly ranked. But I was proud of him, but never showed it."
I looked up at her," Why? Why were you so proud of him. "

" Because he loved and protected your mother. And your mother was my starling. " she smiled.
"Sorry but what is a starling?" I questioned.
"I was her guardian. Her parents were my greatest friends, they had died when she was thirteen, so I took her in."
I looked up at the Queen.
"I... what..." I stuttered.
She smiled at me and handed my Band over, "You don't need to say anything, Calico. Now climb into the hover chair so Jess can take you to the armory. And don't tell anyone what I have told you."
Skyler came in and helped me in the chair. Strangely my body felt weird. I looked back at Queen Georgia and heard the sad thoughts of her missing my mom.

We approached the armory doors.
" This is as far as I can go, Miss Kline." Skyler spoke.
I turned and smiled at her,
" Thank you Skyler. And if we meet again you can call me Calico. "
She nodded, bowed and walked off. I smiled and pressed the circle on the wall and scanned my Band. The door slid open and I move forward, somehow.

Sam looked up and smiled, "Hey Kai. Nice ride you got there."
"Thanks. So where is Rico and Michael?"
Sam's brow creased, " Not sure. They should be here. Come, I will help you to the rooms we were in.

He pushed me down the wide passage and into a a big room, lined with glass boxes with shiny things inside.
" Hey, Sammy." I said gazing at the boxes, "What are those things in the glass cases?"
Sam pushed me to one and I took a look inside.
"Well they are armor. They connect the Bands. So one tap-" He taps his Band, "and boom! There is your armor."
My eyes widen, "No way."

Sam's body was covered in a suit that looked easy to stab through. I punched his stomach. I winced, "Wow that thing looks soft but is as hard as steel."
Sam smirked, "Even harder and way stronger."
I laughed, "You look like a super hero."
He smiled and pushed me across the big room.
"Why are you in this thing anyway?" he asked.
I sigh, "Queen Georgia did something with me and I ran out of energy, almost blanked out."
We turned a corner and we saw Michael and Rico. They were still trying on suits.
"Hey guys." I chirped.
Then I felt something wiggle underneath me. I screamed and jumped out the chair.
"Cal!" Michael ran over, still in a suit,"you okay?"
"No! Where did it go!" I screamed and looked around while I was on the floor.
"What are you looking for?" Rico asked.
"I don't know! Something like a snake!"
I was helped up by Michael. I turned and heard Rico scream.
I look at him, "Did you see it?!"
Um... Kai, you have something behind you. Sam thought. I turned and found nothing, but something had touched my leg.
Michael looked at me, Cal. You have a tail.
I looked behind me again.

I screamed out. "How and why do I have a tail!"