Avenging Angels (The Seraphim Chronicles Book 1) Read online

  They left the restaurant and strolled in silence around the entertainment level to walk off some of their meal. After their carefree chatter during dinner, Evangeline wanted to enjoy peaceful time next to Jack before the loud and chaotic battles they would play at his arena. Jack’s mind was racing ahead to some last-minute adjustments he wanted to make in the simulation system that he had been wanting to test out.

  They boarded a lift that would take them down to the gaming levels. Just as the door was closing behind them, Evangeline noticed a couple of Angels, a male and a female, dash to squeeze through the closing doors. They seemed a touch out of breath, which struck Evangeline as odd. Angels never had to rush to catch a shuttle or lift. They always preferred to wait in patient serenity for the next transport to come along. Evangeline dismissed the atypical behavior; perhaps they had an urgent appointment for which they did not want to be late.

  “What are you staring at?” Jack asked, following her gaze toward the Angelic couple. He saw nothing out of the ordinary about them worth observing, so he returned his attention back to his wife. Evangeline, on the other hand, had a mental itch she could not scratch.

  “Have you ever seen Angels run for the lift, before?” she whispered to Jack as the lift descended.

  A news bulletin scrolling across the display above the window had distracted him. She nudged his ribs with her elbow. Still half-watching the news bulletin, he peered at the couple through the corners of his eyes. The Angels stood smiling at those around them, making typical pleasant conversation.

  “No, I can’t say I have,” Jack replied, returning his attention to the newsfeed. “Maybe they were just running late.”

  “Maybe,” she said, shrugging it off. “Oh, well, first time for everything, I guess.” As the lift descended further, Evangeline looked up to catch Jack staring at her, smiling his boyish grin.

  “What?” she asked, unable to keep the grin from escaping her lips. “What are you staring at?” she asked, trying to be coy. He gazed into her eyes while brushing a few stray hairs from her face. Then he leaned down and gave her a long, lingering kiss. As he pulled back, he took a deep breath.

  “Sometimes, I just can’t believe you chose me,” he sighed. “Of all the men vying for your attention, you chose me.” Evangeline melted. He leaned down to press his forehead against hers. She loved the feeling of peace she always felt when he was beside her. She had learned to depend on him as the rock her river of emotions could not wash away.

  The next several minutes raced by as they clung to their own microcosm of joy. The lift slowed and approached their destination’s level, prompting their return to the real world.

  As the doors opened, she reached up, pulled his head down to her own, and kissed him hard on the mouth. Before she released her grip, she pulled him further down to whisper in his ear.

  “When we get home,” she cooed, “I’ll remind you why I chose you.” With another deep kiss, she gave Jack a come-hither grin and a saucy wink before she spun around and walked off the lift. Jack’s mind was reeling from her playful promise when he sprinted after her to get off the lift. He bumped into the Angel couple, who apologized for getting in his way.

  He caught up to her at the end of the platform, grabbing her hand and leading her toward Ground Zero. Both were oblivious to the Angel couple who walked with an air of serenity just a few yards behind them.

  NINETEEN

  Ground Zero: Simulated Combat Arena. Repeat customers called it G-Zero. It was the most popular SimCom in both Olympus and the LTZ. Jack was very proud of it.

  Players could join the game in two or more teams of six players, with five players forming a squad on the ground with the option of their sixth player situated in the catwalks above in an observation station called The Nest. Up in The Nest, the sixth player could observe and guide their team from a bird’s eye view throughout the arena.

  The arena was a large two-story warehouse filled with rotating black walls, which transformed the configuration of the maze every day so no team could gain an advantage by becoming an expert of any single configuration. Jack and his partners programmed the walls to rotate in random and unpredictable patterns. Observers watching the teams within the arena also had access to controls that allowed them to create hidden areas and traps.

  In play-mode, the players wore helmets and body armor that was similar to that worn by the modern infantry. Each helmet was wired with a headset, permitting players to communicate with the other members of their team. A HUD built in to the visor streamed instructions during gameplay and projected images relative to the game onto the walls, transforming it from a plain, black maze into a three-dimensional virtual environment.

  The body armor functioned like an exoskeleton with articulated joints, which allowed for liberal flexibility and movement. Sensors built into the most superficial layer of the armor would react to hits, simulating damage from enemy fire. The innermost layer of the armor consisted of small air capsules; when hit by the enemy, the capsules inflate at the impact site, compressing against the player’s skin and restricting movement at the nearest joint. After several impacts, a joint or limb would become immobile, requiring the player to visit one of the medical stations throughout the arena where players could have their suits restored to full strength, or “healed.”

  Throughout the arena were ammunition stations where players could refresh their supply when empty. The weapons used in the arena were compressed air guns, which shot small, ceramic balls one half inch in diameter. The balls would simulate the impact of actual weapons fire, but at less than lethal velocity, activating the sensors on the armor. The force was enough to cause some discomfort, but not enough to cause serious damage. The players carried compressed air tanks on their backs, which fueled the weapon’s systems. The small tanks laid flat against the frame of the player’s utility pack in a double array of six pointed toward each other. Each tank could propel a finite number of ball bearings before the tank needed recharging at one of the ammunition stations.

  The first time Evangeline saw one of the backpacks she thought it looked like someone had balanced a steel tube on top of six metal water bottles, and then balanced another six bottles on top of the tube. A hose then led from the tanks to the butt of the weapon. Below the weapon’s barrel, at the front of the weapon, sat two intake valves.

  One was the air intake valve the players used to restore their air supply. To recharge, the player needed only to insert the valve into the recharge station and powerful compressors forced air into the tanks in a matter of a seconds. The other valve allowed a piston to push a stream of projectiles into the weapon’s magazine, enabling the player to have the maximum number of rounds at the ready.

  G-Zero had a unique ranking system that set it apart from other simulated combat arenas in Olympus. Employees were given the ranks of commissioned officers, while players were given the ranks of non-commissioned officers. The newest employees started as second lieutenants. Only Jack and his partners had earned the rank of General, and they liked it that way.

  Players earned points by the accuracy of hits they fired and the amount of “health” they had remaining at the end of each game. Beginners started out as Privates and moved up through the various ranks until they achieved the highest rank of Master Sergeant. As players advanced in rank, they had access to better weapons systems to use within the arena.

  As Jack and Evangeline entered the main entrance of Ground Zero, Jack glanced over at The Gauntlet, the most recent addition to the arena. The Gauntlet was a shooting gallery where players could test the various weapons systems, even the ones their rank did not yet allow them to use in the arena, in a targeted obstacle course. It had made G-Zero the most popular SimCom game overnight. Being able to handle the advanced weapons in the gauntlet made the players more eager to gain rank in the arena and use them in their simulations.

  Jack strolled up to the counter, where he scanned his G0 ID badge. The badges were another of Jack’s brilliant ide
as that added to the SimCom gaming experience. He liked the idea of having something tangible for players to carry around that showed off their rank and statistics, and the badges proved to be popular among the G-Zero regulars. Most of the times Jack visited G-Zero, he went through the employee’s entrance off of the alley that separated his arena from the neighboring venues. Having Evangeline with him made him want to preen a little, so he led her through the main door so she could witness his proud accomplishment of having the highest attainable rank in Ground Zero history.

  The scanner registered his player ID and the young attendant behind the counter whose badge read Capt. Kiley Swan, snapped to attention with a salute.

  “Welcome back to Ground Zero, General Evans! It’s good to have you with us today, sir!”

  Jack could not repress the smirk erupting on his face. The salute and greeting were just additional features he incorporated in his arena to satisfy the little boy within who still loved to play war. The greeting let players feel the thrill of respect they earned for their rank and achievements in the games.

  “Thank you, Captain Swan,” Jack saluted back. “At ease.”

  Evangeline stood behind him and rolled her eyes. “General?” she whispered in his ear.

  “Yep!” Jack whispered back. “Did you forget that you were really married to a big kid?” he said, the smirk on his face bigger than ever. Evangeline giggled and scanned in her own ID. The display showed her player ranking as a Major. She returned a half-hearted salute to the young woman. Jack clasped her hand and they walked into the changing areas to suit up before they enter the arena.

  Jack often cheated inside the Ground Zero arena. He could access the game system from within his custom suit and feed false data to the other gamers. Sometimes he would make himself digitally invisible to the other teams; he could even trick his opponents’ HUDs into seeing duplicate avatars of himself so they would not know which one to aim at. His very favorite was playing in what he liked to call God-Mode, taking no damage when fired upon while being able to deactivate an opponent’s suit with a single shot.

  The other gamers hated it when he cheated, but since he created the arena, he often took the liberty to do whatever he wanted. However, Jack was a good sport and he always gave the players that called foul free playtime to make up for his indulgences.

  More often than not, whenever Jack and Evangeline played together, she chose to play with an opposing team. Having real combat experience, she knew how to see beyond the HUD and find him in the dark background, and, knowing how much Jack liked to cheat, she felt it was the only way to level the playing field for the younger kids.

  The scenario of the evening was “Capture the Flag,” played with two teams. Evangeline decided to play with Jack instead of against him. She had been enjoying their evening together too much to be separated by keeping him in check; she was looking forward to conquering the arena together. The other players on their team were three young boys, two teenagers and a pre-teen. The pre-teen could have been the twin of one of the older boys, and Evangeline assumed they were brothers.

  The boys’ names were Max, John, and Carson. Max and Carson were the brothers, and John was their cousin. Jack learned that it was Carson’s first trip to Olympus to celebrate his birthday, so Jack used his system access to change the impact sensitivity setting of the three boys’ armor, making them almost invincible.

  “It’ll take a direct hit to a critical sensor to register an impact,” Jack told them with a wink. They were all excited to play their first SimCom battle, but nervous to plunge themselves into the maze.

  Jack walked up to one of the black walls. Behind his visor it appeared to be edged with blue light, and a green squared danced between the four edges. He placed his hand against the wall and made a gesture with his hand. Evangeline recognized the movement as his mother’s maiden name, Brown, followed by the date of their anniversary. The green square exploded on the black matte backdrop and shimmered into a glimmering image of a maze with a green triangle pulsating on the lower right corner and a crimson triangle waving in the upper left.

  Evangeline smacked Jack’s arm with the back of her hand. “You’re such a cheater!” she accused with eyes that betrayed her amazement. The three boys oohed at the picture dancing in their visors as Jack took a knee in front of the image shared only by their little band.

  Evangeline spoke up, almost as excited about the game as Jack. “Tell you what, boys,” she said, giving Jack a conspiratorial grin. “You three stay here and defend the flag.”

  “Max, you go here,” she pointed to a short dead-end corridor on the side of the central path to their base and a blue dot flickered into existence, “and stay hidden until someone passes by you.” The boy hefted his weapon with steeled determination on his face while anxiety radiated in his eyes.

  “John, you take the opposite path here,” she said as her hand touched the intersection of two paths in the maze, “and wait for someone on the other team. Let them see you, and then run past Max. When they follow, you run to the flag. The older boy’s eager grin was infectious and Evangeline could not help but mirror his smile.

  Carson stepped forward. “What do I do?” he asked on bouncing feet. The helmet and body armor fell loose on his body. He had met the minimum age requirements to enter the arena, but his enthusiasm made up for his small stature.

  “Carson,” Evangeline answered with a devious squint in her eyes, “you stay here, and wait to shoot the enemy when John runs in. Once you start shooting at them, Max will come up from behind. It be as easy as falling out of bed.”

  The boys loved the plan. They were all grins, bobbing up and down on the balls of their feet as if it was only the weight of the armor pinning them to the floor. Jack elaborated upon Evangeline’s strategy. He leaned down and gestured them into a huddle.

  “Evangeline and I will go get their flag while you take care of their recon squad. Afterwards, we’ll get some confections out at the snack bar to celebrate our victory. Do we have a deal?”

  Carson jumped up and down. “Yeah!” Max and John tried to play it cool, but their grins betrayed their own excitement.

  “Okay,” Jack grunted standing up. He swiped his hand across the wall back and forth until the maze disappeared and the green square again bounced between the four blue edges. His eyes found Evangeline shaking her head. “What?”

  The snicker that played on her lips diminished the scolding in her voice. “You’re such a cheater!” The clucked her tongue at him, walking toward him. She pulled his arm down, forcing him to lean over before she whispered in his ear. “But I’m so hot for you right now.” Jack’s eyes widened with his grin. The boys, hearing their exchange, stared in uncomfortable bewilderment. Evangeline and Jack looked toward their young teammates, shifting their feet in place.

  “I really need to check the thermostat, huh?” he asked the boys while clearing his throat. Max and John gave Jack a knowing nod, while Carson checked the speed at which he could raise his weapon from a lowered position. The youngest boy seemed unaware of the romantic exchange between Jack and Evangeline, and they were grateful at least one of the boys had not noticed.

  Jack looked up at the game clock and saw that the game was about to start. “Now, remember your assignments,” he said, putting his hand in the middle of their circle, “Green Team on three.”

  Evangeline and the boys all slapped their hands atop Jack’s in the center of their small circle. “One, two, three, GREEN TEAM!” they all shouted. At their cheer, the game clock began to count down and a computerized voice came across the arena sound system.

  “Game commencing in 5…4…3…2…1!” An alarm sounded and the two teenage boys took off in their respective directions. Carson was standing there motionless, looking nervous. His wide eyes darted between Jack, Evangeline, and the path into which his brother had disappeared.

  Evangeline smiled with affection and Jack chuckled, speaking into his helmet’s mic, “Don’t worry Carson. You’re i
nvincible, remember?” With a sudden influx of bravery, Carson turned around and knelt down in front of his flag with a determined look on his face. He was not going to let his brother down.

  Evangeline turned to face Jack. “Lead the way, General,” she said with a mocking salute. Jack took his SimCom seriously; he acted pained at her insincerity. He tried to turn it around on her.

  “Why don’t you take point, Major? After all, you have more combat experience,” he said with a wink. “And by the way,” he added, “have I told you you’re irresistible in a combat suit?”

  Evangeline shook her head and rolled her eyes. She turned away from Jack and Carson and started moving toward one of the corridors leading from their base. They walked with a brisk pace, unconcerned about taking a hit. Few players moved through the mazes at a quick pace, fearful they would give away their position if they did not look around every corner before they proceeded. However, Evangeline’s training and experience made it impossible to be nervous in a game. She knew the reaction time of the other players would be slower than her own. She could dart across their field of vision before they realized she was there.

  Jack and Evangeline had made it halfway through the maze without any encounters with members of the opposing team. Over their headsets, they could hear the boys talking.

  “They saw me! I got hit in the leg. I’m coming toward you, Carson… don’t shoot me!” It was John. The ruse must have worked. Within a few seconds, they could hear the commotion.

  “Shoot, shoot, shoot! John, get out of the way! Max, take them from behind. Max, I can’t move my arm. Carson, shoot with your other hand. Just keep shooting! Yeah, we got ‘em! Four players down, Jack!” Their triumphant glee was intoxicating. Jack and Evangeline raised their hands in the air and gave each other a high-five.