||Blackout||

[||Megs||]

Blackout
Chapter One—Questioning



Introduction

There was no time to explain as I shook Kya awake, helping her sit up and put her vest on. She took my offered hand without question as we darted out of the small room, where alarms suddenly started to shout their warning. I listened closely as other people began to emerge from their cubicles, hurriedly putting on their vests and running along with us. If one listened hard enough, there was a pattern in the alarm.

Kya gave my hand a squeeze as we both figured out the pattern at the same time. We were being attacked by a government ship. I let go of Kya's hand, knowing she was fully awake now and able to be guided on her own. My twin sister ran equally at my side, her brown hair whipping out behind her.

As we darted down a smaller hallway, there was a change in the alarm. It was such a small change that anyone who wasn't trained to hear it, didn't. I darted a look at Kya as we slowed down.

Intruders had forced their way in.

The small crowd behind us was silent, as were Kya and I. The alarm cut off, as did the lights. But still, all of us were silent and kept running. We knew this place by heart, and had confidence in our step.

But that changed as a scream lit the air, a scream of pain. I skid to a forceful stop, as did the others. Silence once again dominated. But something was wrong...very wrong.

"Kya...? Kya!"


Chapter One—Questoning


“Jake? It’s your turn.”

The morning sun glinted brightly off the polished table, and Jake shook his head and covered his eyes with one hand. It had happened again, that same odd dream. He had only just closed his eyes…

“Jake?” Jake removed his hand and looked across the table to his twin sister, Kya. Her dark, liquid-brown eyes watched him intently with concern as she sat up straighter in her chair. “We can change spots, if you want?” Jake smiled, brushing his brown bangs away from his eyes.

“No, it’s fine. My turn, huh? Let’s see…Right, left, dodge.” The little computer-programmed person, clad in heavy armor, wove his way through the maze into a curtain of mist. And, as Jake had expected, his character was attacked from something inside the white swirls. But, because of Jake’s command, he dodged it.

“Oh, nice one! Okay…left, left, crawl.” At Kya’s voice, the screen zoomed in to her character—a small girl with a flashlight—who was getting closer and closer to Jake’s character. The little girl approached a brick wall that had a hole in it, and crawled through. But the screen flickered, and then went black. The table’s surface shimmered for a moment, but then returned to the appearance of mahogany wood. Neither Jake nor Kya were surprised—this always happened in this level. They would make it to level twelve before they hit the glitch.

Jake sighed and glanced around the spotless kitchen, feeling strange. That dream had been bothering him for quite some time now…but what was it? It seemed so real, but he knew better. There had never been a time when he and Kya had been on a space ship. It was strictly forbidden until they turned twenty-two. He glanced over to Kya, who was gazing distantly over into the living room. And, like always, he felt the familiar feeling of confusion. And for just a moment, he could see her in that blue vest, her eyes unclouded by her sickness. Had there ever been a time when she was completely well? Jake put a hand to his right cheek, and his index finger traced the very faint scar.

There was something more, but he had not the thoughts or proof to confirm it…yet.

“It’s time for our appointment.” Kya said, breaking them both from their thoughts. They both looked at each other, and couldn’t help but share a feeling of dread. At the end of every week, they had to go to their doctor and receive an injection that was supposed to suppress the sickness they had. Kya had it worse, so she got a larger dose…and it was never fun. Jake hated this day of the week! He could recover after a few days, but Kya would become more fuzzy-minded and weak every time.

“…What if we didn’t go?” They both knew the answer to that, but they went through this routine every time. Somehow, it made it seem like they had more of a choice. And today, it was Jake’s turn to ask the question. But this time, Kya gave a different answer. It almost broke Jake’s heart.

“Please, can we just hide? Or run away?” Tears began to brim in her eyes, and for a moment the cloudiness of her sickness left their depths, and once again Jake could envision her in that blue vest. “I don’t want to go; it only makes me feel worse!”

“I know,” Jake said as he got up, quickly walking around the table and embracing her as she stood up. “You can see it, can’t you? The blue vests, the space ship?”

“…Yes. But Dr. Bales always makes it go away, just when I start to remember. Then I forget…but it always comes back, and then I can remember seeing it the week before.” She took in a slow, deep breath, and Jake felt her shudder. Jake closed his eyes and held his sister close. After a few moments of silence, he spoke.

“Kya, I don’t think that we are sick—“

“Mister Jake? Miss Kya? You’d better hurry along before you are late for your appointment.” Jake looked up and around to the doorway to see the short house maid, Darla, enter with a cautious smile. Jake nodded, holding Kya’s hand as he led her out of the kitchen, keeping silent. When they got to the front door and pulled open the closet, he helped Kya shrug on a light wool jacket, and then he pulled on his dark blue sweater. Jake paused, for Kya was staring at him.

“Kya?”

“There it is again, Jake. The blue vest, the wristband. The darkness.”

[||Megs||]

Jake knew he had to do something, and it had to happen before they made it to the hospital. He had questioned about the wrist band, but Kya had lapsed into painful silence as her skin grew paler. As they rounded the block to the hospital, Jake automatically reached for Kya’s hand, his heart beginning to pound. Kya gently squeezed his hand in return, trusting him to lead her to safety. Ahead, near the hospital doors, two doctors were walking toward them, smiling and calling out greetings, as they always did. For a brief moment, Jake closed his eyes, preparing himself. As if sensing what he was about to do, the doctors began to hurry their pace. Then, without warning, Jake turned around and began to run, pulling his sister along.

And then he was running through the ship again, Kya equally running at his side. The pounding footfalls behind them were different, however. They were trying to gain ground, not follow diligently. Fear gripped at Jake as he realized what they were doing, and who was chasing after them. All at once the scenery melted to the commotion of screeching cars and the darkening of the sky. Together he and Kya sprinted across the street and made it to sidewalk, then began to run full-throttle through the thinning crowds. The cold air burned in Jake’s lungs, and he noticed that Kya was beginning to slow. He grasped her hand yet again, willing her to trust him…even though he did not know where to go.

Then, without warning, a large man stepped in front of their path and caught them both in each of his arms, crushing the wind right out of them. In a flash he dragged the twins into the nearest building, which seemed to be a craft store. Both Jake and Kya currently did not have the energy to put up a fair fight, and found them being led to the back of the store, where they finally stopped.

“Lieutenants Jake and Kya, do no be alarmed. You may not remember, but you were on a space ship that was attacked by the government fleet. And since then, you have both been captive and treated to a drug that would attempt to erase that part of your life. Sorry if this seems sudden, but—“ He tapped a blue wrist band on his left wrist. The last thing Jake remembered was Kya’s gasp of realization before they were enveloped in a red, luminescent light.

[||Megs||]

Chapter Two—Welcome Home

"They were last seen being dragged into a craft store, but upon further investigation…they were gone.”

The silence was almost too much to bear, and the tall man shifted his weight from one leg to the other as he awaited a reply. The woman who sat before him in a polished desk tapped her long nails on its shiny surface, staring at him with a glare.

“Do you remember why we took them in the first place?”

“So that they would no longer be a part of the war, because they were young enough to be voted as unaccountable for their actions.”

“Very good. And why were they given injections weekly?”

“So that the story of their sickness would be true, that injecting the virus into their systems would not only tamper their memories but also put them out of action.”

“Yes…so why did they skip out this time around, even though they always came time and time again before?” the woman snapped, rising to her feet and walking up to the man in one fluid movement. “We need them! Don’t you realize that we did all that for more reason than just saving two kids? They are an asset to this war! Every time they came here for their injection, we were able to take many ideas from them that were, at one point, going to be used against us. The President and the Senate are not happy, Josh!” Josh gulped, but held his ground.

“We are doing everything we can to find them—“

“Idiot! Can’t you see that it’s too late? They have the twins back, and won’t fall for our ploy twice. You’d better assemble a plan, Josh, before this day is over.” The man nodded, and then hurried out of the room, muttering to himself once he was out of ear shot.

“Mood-swinging, sharp-clawed female!”

[||Megs||]

“Are they going to be okay?”

“Yes, at least I think so—“

“Nicolas, don’t you dare start that.”

“Sorry, sorry! Here, Jesse, go find their old uniforms so we can see if they still fit.”

Jake listened carefully, trying to decide if the voices sounded more hostile or friendly. But from the sound of it, they were friendly and seemed to know them. Them…Kya! He forced his eyes open, and slowly sat up, realizing he was on a comfortable hospital-like bed. A brown, very spiky-haired person looked over to him, bursting out into a smile as he hurried over to his side.

“Jake! It’s been so long…I’m sorry, do you even remember me?” Jake slowly shook his head, and then looked around. It was a decently big room, dimly lit but appeared friendly and organized with many hospital beds and uncluttered counters. On a bed next to him was Kya, and he reached over and gently shook her arm.

“Kya, it’s all right…we are safe.” Slowly her eyes opened, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“I’m glad…but I feel odd.”

“Yes, and you will for a while.” Nicolas said, coming to stand between the two beds. “Your dose was heavier than Jake’s, so there will be temporary side effects.”

“What were they giving us?” Jake asked, trying to get himself to relax, for he felt they were in good hands.

“Bacteria that was making you ‘sick’, as it were. It messed around with your brain’s function to remember past events.”

“But we remember some of it, anyways,” Jake said quietly to himself.
“What did you remember the most?” Nicolas urged, looking between the twins expectantly.

“Blue vests,” Kya said.

“Running through the ship before the blackout, hearing a cry of pain and calling out to Kya.” Jake added, settling back on his bed, suddenly feeling drained of energy. Nicolas nodded, looking a bit sad.

“Yes, that would make sense. But rest be assured, everything will be explained. But for now, please rest, and know that you are back home.”

[||Megs||]

Jake found himself standing in the hallway, where all was quiet and dimly lit so that the people in their quarters would be able to sleep. Instantly Jake knew where he was, but wondered why it was not like it had always been. Running with Kya, the sound of the alarm blasting in his ears, the blue vests. Was this an actual dream, for once? Curious, he began to walk forward, and then jog as quietly as he could. The comfortable material of his blue vest moved with him, making not a sound as he rounded the familiar corner. He passed the spot where he had heard the cry of pain, and continued on to the control room further on past the security doors.


The door to the control room slid open, admitting him without a fuss. A few people were up and about, checking the navigation system and their current speed and time of destination. Destination…to where?

“Sir, we are picking up an unfamiliar on the radar.” A small woman said from her seat near the back of the room. Jake frowned and went over to her, looking at the screen she was focusing on.

“It’s a government ship,” he said, but the woman did not seem to hear him, or just couldn’t hear him.

“Their speed is increasing and heading right for us.” The woman suddenly reported, jumping to her feet and passing right through Jake. He blinked, and turned to watch the woman join the captain. What an odd dream, indeed! Or was it…?

“Prepare to enter hyperspace,” the captain said, but even Jake knew it was too late. The ship was over them within seconds, and there was a sudden, tremendous shake. The lights flickered, and then all was suddenly and eerily silent.

“They have us in some sort of…beam!” another voice reported from across the room near the captain. “It’s a government ship, and they are forcing entry!”

“Sound the alarm!” the captain shouted, getting to his feet. At once the alarm sounded, encoded with its secret message. “Why are they here? We are registered as a friendly ship!”

“Someone must have given us away,”

Jake felt his heart begin to pound as he realized what was about to happen, and began to walk toward the door with a hastened step.

“They have forced their way in!” the alarm slightly changed its tempo, and Jake began to run as fast as he could. Out the control room door, down the corridor, through the security doors…Jake skid to a stop, watching with quickened breath as he saw himself and Kya leading a group quickly his way. The lights went out then, but Jake still heard them approaching. Jake ran for them as fast as he could, suddenly realizing where a possible attack would come from…from behind. Even though it was dark, Jake could suddenly still see enough to pick up every detail. Why was that?

The approaching group’s pace slowed slightly, and were about to pass him when Kya turned her head and made a sudden movement, and pushed someone next to her out of the way. Jake quickly looked at the end of the hall where they had run from, and saw a few men with guns and an odd luminosity to their eyes crouching. Those weren’t ordinary guns…! All at once Kya screamed out in pain, clutching her arm and collapsing. The other Jake skid to a stop right next to him, and the advancing group stopped as well. The silence was cautious, expectant.

“Kya? Kya!”

At the other Jake’s cry, the men at the end of the hall quickly advanced, followed by more armed forces. Jake watched with caught breath as he and his fellows were easily over taken, but watched in amazement as Kya suddenly got to her feet, running with full speed toward the security doors. She flipped open the control panel and had clicked in a commands in less than a few seconds with her good hand, even though she could not see a thing. She was roughly pulled away by her hair and thrown carelessly to the side by a couple of men.

“Dang it all! The control room has dispatched from the rest of the ship!” Jake saw Kya grin before she was hit upside the head with the barrel of a gun. He twitched, but knew there was nothing he could do about any of this. But he was impressed…Kya had known exactly what to do. It was in the ship’s design to be able to detach itself of the control room, which was actually a separate but small ship all on its own, but contained all of their information. Jake looked back to see himself sprawled on the floor, bleeding from the head. He walked near, and knelt down. There would be a nasty scar just above the ear…

Jake reached up and felt the scar above his left ear, then looked back over to Kya. She had never said anything about having a scar, but then…

“Jake?”

Jake jumped to his feet, for Kya was standing right next to him, even though she was lying unconscious a few feet away.

“Jake, it’s time to come back now.” Kya said softly, holding out her hand. Without hesitation, Jake grasped it.

[||Megs||]

“Jake?”

Jake jumped to his feet, for Kya was standing right next to him, even though she was lying unconscious a few feet away.

“Jake, it’s time to come back now.” Kya said softly, holding out her hand. Without hesitation, Jake grasped it.




He awoke slowly, confused and disoriented. He felt a squeeze to his hand, and moved his head to see Kya standing next to him, smiling. Jake slowly sat up, realizing they were still in the same place they had woken up in before. Nicolas was gawking at them quite openly, struggling for words, as was a girl beside him. But Kya spoke first.

“What you saw, Jake, was my memories of that day.”

“But…the control room? How was I able to see everything during the attack?”

“Because I saw it, brother. I was still conscious. As for the control room…I was dreaming about it before you woke me up.”

“Amazing,” breathed the girl next to Nicolas. “Just amazing! I, I knew there was more to it! That’s why they wanted you…” she murmured, suddenly strolling out of the room. Nicolas shrugged at Jake’s and Kya’s questioning glances.

“So what happened to the rest of the group? And what happened to the captain and the rest of the people in the control…ship?” Jake asked. Nicolas held up a hand to stall any further questions, but a grin was tugging at his lips.

“Unfortunately, that is confidential. But, however, you will be informed as soon as your memories are back and in check. Agreed?”


(To Be Continued)