The Zenith

Part 3

Private Network

-Mother

-Griffen

The limo stopped in front of a massive mega structure like four skyscrapers had been used to glue their tops together to create a platform that would make an aircraft carrier green with shame.

Their group of fifty, twenty adults and thirty kids, joined another equally youthful group. Red and her contingent of big and hairy older brothers lingered near.

Sakura, who'd yet to leave Kate's side, acted as a barrier her flamboyance warding others off. It was funny, there was great chance the boys were looking at Sakura, the half-naked and overdressed bouquet. That made the somewhat chubby Kate look alien. One would have thought Sakura was prepping her to be a fur coat.

Awkwardness surrounded Kate, Mother upset because Red's recordings had surfaced in the conversation. The Simmons kids had become lunatics who literally played in traffic. That had made things incredibly awkward even Mother didn't have the room to be furious with so many execs around.

Bing.

The elevator doors opened and revealed a miniature country! There were literal highs, lows, peaks and valleys. Kate had expected wide flat land, astro turfed to eat the dirt off their shoes for morning recyc. Not artificial heat! And there was no humidity, it was California, no, it was Africa, the beaches of the Cape. There were even the cooling winds that could cut through the skin. Just ahead was coarse, chunky beach sand, it dragged her into a freefall of memory, a two hour drive to feel cold water on one side and warm cooling water on the other.

And it all couldn't have been unilateral because, in the distance, was a hill of ice, massive enough to climb, near was a beach with a wave machine. To the side, a forest of cherry blossoms, spilling pink like confetti. There were even gambling tables there.

Surrounding the tiny nation were massive tentacles. Long metal arms with three fingered claws they waved about.

A hand on the small of her back propelled her forwards.

"Keep it moving danger girl."

That was her mother, the sarcasm like nails on the chalkboard of her soul.

"Mom, it's not what you think."

Mother kissed the side of Kate's head.

"I'm positive you have no idea what is screaming through my mind. It's like I've nurtured, the most amazing artificial intelligence system with a kind heart and a sharp mind. And it's first choice is to pour gasoline over itself and hug as many bonfires as it can. But I can't even be mad. It might be exactly what you need. But it could get you killed. I don't know. All I know is that I'm terrified. Your only mission is to look after that boy."

Her mother literally shoved her aside, smashing through her into the mass of adults who pulled ahead to the waiters holding Champaigne glasses swarming in like a hug at an airport.

The trays were picked cleaned and, soon after, fresh trays appeared. Kate had yet to move.

"Ey, crazy girl."

The voice was deep, but feline. Kate turned and found the lady spaghetti Viking in front of her, arms crossed. She really was a Viking, Kate wanted to bash shields just looking at her.

"Riley, right? It's Kaitlyn."

"Okay crazy Kaitlyn."

"Um, no, but how can I help?" Kate's 'what do you want' smothered in politeness.

The viking eyed her up and down and… was disappointed. Not sneering but frowning. They'd literally just met and already some image the woman had of Kate was ruined.

"You…"

Whatever 'Riley' wanted to say was clearly appalling. If 'hey crazy girl' was polite enough to say, then whatever was stuck in Riley's throat was going to hurt.

Huh…

Likely hurt Kate…

The bitch was going to say something about her weight. She wasn't fat!

"You… normally skate?"

Kate wasn't fat! Unfit? Sure! But what was wrong with that?

"No, I just stopped,"

Urgh, Kate's mind cried out. She tried again.

"It's mostly my brother."

"You Coach?"

"Bodyguard."

Riley made a grunting noise that was clearly meant to be her laugh. At that the trilogy of twins saw something and took off running. The look Riley gave was that of resignation.

"Your vid." She said, gave Kate 'the nod' and left.

Kate just blinked while Griff ignored the world.

He still played that same slingshot game. He'd win or die trying. Stopping him would require folding him like origami or offering a better distraction. She was more inclined to the first option.

The buzz of multiple drones filled her ears. The elevator behind her binged open and a wave of new faces filled their little nation, it had a wider child to adult ratio. There were dozens of drones overhead, and a few of the kids from her group produced drones.

Between them a tall dark handsome man spoke to his drone with a casual boyish air. He was clearly 'reporting' but with his hands pockets and leaning back. Compelling points naturally oozed out of him and it was the world's gift to receive them. He was a faded caramel prince whose hobby it was to tease others with the taste.

And shit, they'd just locked eyes!

The grin that burst out of him was one of someone he recognised. She was not some old friend, but also why her? He never lost his flow. One of the five drones turned to her. That was her cue to drag her bother away. Kate saw a dense wall of flesh and red hair coming their way.

Kate was beat, she sighed, tapped on her wrist and raised her brother's.

Two metal tentacles glowed from the borders and shot into the air, bent in half, the second half thinning before it shot down, grabbed their wrists and spilled iron, like a pulled skirt being let go.

Millions of spit flakes engulfed her arm, spilling over her shoulder and tickled her tailbone. Then it contracted. They were pulled screaming in pleasure as they were launched into the air. The world blurred and spun, her sense of up and down spiralling until they were let go, flung like lint, into a wall of air that hugged and nestled them to the earth.