The Acolytes of Crane (Theodore Crane, #1)(59)

A silence filled the room.

Zane continued, ‘We have the technology. We have this nanocom, as Theodore already experienced. We give you the power and strength. You are the most perfect fit of any species we have ever encountered.’ His voice was animated, yet hushed.

‘Okay,’ Mariah frowned. ‘That makes sense. But—why did you recruit—’ Mariah pointed to me, herself, and Lincoln—‘three fifteen-year-olds…’ She further pointed to Dan, then Liam.‘…a sixteen-year-old, and a seventeen-year-old? Why didn’t you recruit some career soldiers from Earth? Or our most brilliant scientists and engineers?’

‘We need willing kids who are not entirely set in their ways,’ Zane said. ‘Adults with a significant skill in demand by a powerful nation will likely resist leaving Earth, and they may also have children of their own that they cannot leave behind. Our resistance to the Dacturon Empire is mapped out over the next several years. This isn’t going to be an overnight victory. So if you are not willing to devote some of your own time to saving your world and the existence of Sephera, then your journey can end now, and you will be sent home. If anyone feels like this is the end of their journey, please speak now,’ he said, waiting for a moment to observe any quitters. ‘Ah, no one speaks. Good! The success of your training will be a reflection of the effort you put forth. Thank you for your time.’

From my observation of the room, I could tell my team wasn’t satisfied with the explanation of why Zane was recruiting teenagers, and they were just afraid of challenging him.

Dan started to speak up twice, then backed down each time. Finally, he asked, gesturing with his hands, ‘If the Dacturons are so powerful, then why would they need Travis? He is only a teenager, like us.’

There was a few seconds of what I assumed to be quiet pondering and Zane projected his voice, ‘Dan. Travis is not a teenager, I assure you.’


My colleagues looked at each other in puzzlement. Lincoln burst out, ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. Travis is the same age as Ted, and—’

Zane cut him off, with a tone of impatience. He was signaling his time with us was up soon. ‘Theodore knows. I repeat, Travis is not a teenager anymore. Theodore will fill you in on that I presume.’ He then stepped through the sliding doors.

My teammates were now murmuring among themselves in confusion.

Nezatron took over the situation. He sounded off through the intercom. He said, ‘Hello, feel free to ask questions at any time, if you don’t understand something. The key in working together well is to know what your brother or sister is capable of, on your left and your right. Liam’s strength and size are his advantages. Daniel’s amazing display of agility makes him unpredictable and thus formidable in battle. Lincoln’s attribute is his state of mind. He can prescribe what a correct course of action is, and he will be important in the decisions that you make together. Mariah is graceful and athletic. She outran every boy in her class this year. Three of you have been chosen for your physical skills, and one for his mind, two if you include Teddy. It is important for you to know that you are not limited to these skills. Every one of you is capable of becoming great in mind and body. However, I want you to sharpen your unique skills every day and advance those that need work. Theodore was chosen for scientific reasons too difficult for your young minds to understand. Regardless, you must follow his guidance. One by one you will be taken to the Chamber of Rafal to be fitted with the same telepathic devices that Theodore uses. Teddy-boy will give you a lesson in working these devices after we are done with the insertion.’

‘Wait! What? You are going to put something in our heads. No way, not me man,’ Dan said.

‘You will not feel a thing, Dan. We have been at this for a long time,’ Nezatron said.

‘But what makes you think we want something in our heads?’ Liam asked.

Nezatron said, ‘We are all equipped with nano technology, so don’t be concerned about us trying to control you. It will help you communicate. The Multiversal council mandates regulations that prevent anyone from using a nanocom to relinquish a person's rights. We will respect these regulations. The procedure isn’t painful. It is exactly what you need to ensure an advantage in this war. I will be your eye in the sky when you are in the field, and I will be your on-board computer. I am sure your training on computers has been limited to video games and to surfing hundreds of websites. We are going to take your current experience to the next level. If you are truly willing, I will evolve you into a band of human warriors in the Chamber of Rafal. Then you will rest, because tomorrow your training will begin, and believe me when I say this, or anything: you will always need your rest. If you don’t rest when you have been given the opportunity to do so, bad things might happen, and people can sustain injuries because of it. Okay, that is enough talking for now.’

‘I get it now,’ Lincoln said. ‘The reason you need teenagers—’

“That’s what I thought too,’ said Mariah.

‘—is that it doesn’t really matter what age we are. When this implant is done, we are no longer teenagers in our minds.’

‘Whoa!’ said Liam.

‘We’re practically like adults when this is done,’ asserted Lincoln.

Dan piped up, ‘I’m not sure I want to change! I like being a teenager.’