On a String

Chapter 14

Hurriedly, everyone got into teams and followed Kai's instructions, quickly erecting the course. Kai nodded approvingly as everyone assembled back under the sail. "Right. You will start at the beam and make your way across it by both running and swinging underneath. You should take down the target at the end- how you do that is up to you- and any other targets you get the opportunity to hit. Remember to move quickly because in a real situation, they will be firing at you.

"Next is the wall. You need to get over it while taking down as many targets as you can. Then, run to the pipes and, by both running and climbing across and crawling through them, make your way to the end of the course by the steps over there," Kai finished by pointing at the stairway. "After each turn, we'll count up the number of targets you hit, and you should aim to improve that number. Any questions?"

Jay chuckled. "Sounds simple enough," he commented easily.

"Good. Let's go, then."

The team practiced for the rest of the day, slowly improving their scores. Just as dusk was beginning to fall, it was decided that everyone would do one more round of the course before they packed everything away and went inside for dinner.

Above the deck, Zane's Falcon swooped around the main sail and gently came to rest on top of the mast. Cole looked up at the electronic bird and smiled. "Looks like your Falcon friend has decided to join us this evening, Zane," he commented, turning to face the Master of Ice who was patiently standing in line and waiting for his turn to run the course.

Zane chuckled, following Cole's gaze with his own to where the Falcon was silhouetted against the fading light. "I do believe he is enjoying watching us fall flat on our faces," he replied, smiling gently.

"Well, that certainly would be good entertainment," Cole nodded with a small chuckle.

Kai carefully made his way from the end of the course to the two chatting Masters. "It's unusual to see your bird, Zane," he frowned thoughtfully. "He doesn't usually watch us train,"

"I agree. Although, his company is nice," Zane grinned fondly up at his electronic friend.

Kai nodded. "I see," he replied brusquely, turning on his heel and walking back across the deck.

"Is there something on your mind, Kai?" Cole called after him.

Kai twisted back around, raising an arm to shield his eyes from the setting sun's light. "No," he said, eyes straying back to the bird.

The Falcon continued to sit up there and watch them.

It never normally did that.

Kai's shoulders stiffened as he turned again and walked across the deck. He could feel it watching him. Could feel it.

Feel.

Eyes burning into his back... burning.

Oh.

(Never normally-)

No.

(Something had changed-)

No.

(... changed ...)

No, no, no.

("We lost the Falcon vision in the radio jam,")

No.

No.

No!

(How easy would it have been for The Puppeteers to jam the radio communications and, in the confusion, cut the Falcon off from the Bounty and replace it with another look alike? One carrying a ... a ... (how would it kill them? It would have to be able to do a decent amount of damage; destroy the whole ship-) a... bomb?)