Rebound by Joseph Veramu

From there Sofia will get us to the island sanctuary. You keep moving. Bella and I will reconnoiter and engage it.”
    “That’s very dangerous,” Emily said.
    “Can I be part of your team?” Beckett pleaded.
    Before Stella could refuse, Bella said it was fine with her.
    “We have no choice as Bella is the only one who can fly and deal with these drones,” Stella said.
    They moved cautiously with Max leading the way.
    They looked back to see the drone fire a missile at Bella who was airborne. She turned at the last minute and swerved upwards pointing her energy prod at the drone. It exploded in a ball of orange fire. She waited for the missile to swerve back then instantly pointed the prod at the point of swerve. It too exploded in a fiery ball.
    They rejoined the team.
    +++
    They were getting close to the sea.
    Max came to an abrupt halt.
    They all looked at it quizzically.
    “There is a situation,” he said simply.
    They waited for more.
    “I believe there is a tracking device in my system that allows them to be accurately updated on our location.”
    They all looked at each other and then back to Max.
    “I suggest you disable my system. I would have done it myself but the controls are at the base of my neck.”
    They all seemed confused by this request.
    “I’m just a machine. I am expendable. What matters is your safety. By remaining with you I pose great danger.”
    Ryan said that since they were clones they would rather not disable Max. They looked at Mason.
    “Sorry Max. We’ve grown close and I’d rather not disable you. We’d rather take our chances,” Mason said.
    Max looked confused for a moment and then regained his posture. It clearly had not expected this kind gesture and was frantically searching its system for its next set of actions.
    “How very human and very touching,” Max said slowly. “There is another mini drone coming up 12 o clock. I am going to the open to draw it in. Bella, you’ll know what to do.”
    “But that’s suicidal,” Bella cried.
    “We machines never die. We just become obsolete. Perhaps you might dream about me or put me together later!” He made a noise that sounded like a chuckle.
    The drone circled.
    It was momentarily distracted seeing Max in the open.
    It synchronized its bearings and in the same instant that it fired its missile, Bella pointed the energy prod at it. Too late, Max was blown apart.
    They stood there in stunned silence.
    Max had sacrificed itself to save them.
    The force of the explosion threw Bella to the ground. She was now exposed and the drone was turning around for a good shot. As Beckett ran and carried Bella to safety, Ryan ran at breakneck speed diving for the energy prod. He barely had time to point it at the low flying drone. Before it exploded, it let loose another missile that went astray but the force of it threw Beckett into the undergrowth.
    They were relieved that he was not hurt but just rattled.
    Bella had regained her composure and was hovering around him.
    “You are my hero.”
    Ryan stood by and sensed that Beckett was going to go too far. “Don’t say it or I’ll put this prod in your mouth.”
    “Bella you’ll hate me for the rest of your life but I’ll say it anyway.”
    “Don’t say it!” she said as she kissed him.
    Beckett felt like the happiest man on the planet.

Chapter 28: Explosion
    They could see two moored speed crafts that could glide in the sea, move on land and fly at low altitudes, and the outlines of an island in the horizon.
    Sofia had said that once they got into the sanctuary she would provide insights.
    They sensed that the most challenging part was getting to the island.
    It looked so tantalizingly close but they realized that it was an illusion.
    They saw Sofia walking towards them from a distance.
    There was something reassuring about the way she moved forward.
    She wore the same dark skirt and cream-colored blouse that she had worn inside the lair. She looked human and there was nothing