The Arrival by CM Doporto Page A

were
smart and without me saying anything, they knew they had to protect us. The
second the doors opened, they turned and strolled down the hallway, chatting
and laughing as if nothing had happened.
    I stepped into the elevator and exhaled
a sigh of relief. The smell of victory rising through the air made it hard to
breathe. Those girls were counting on me. I had to save them. Kate and I had to
do whatever we could to help them. But could I keep it together? I wasn’t sure
if I would make it to six o’clock. That’s when a valid excuse for my appearance
in the lab hit me. I would simply say that the girls were overbearing and
bothering me, and I needed to get away so they would leave me alone. I pushed
the button for the seventh floor and prayed for the best.
    I walked toward the lab, accepting a few
letters and hugs along the way. I rushed past a few girls and nearly collided
with a Leopard Bot. His digitized voice recited an Eslite order about running
being prohibited in the hallways. I held back a smirk and kept going, without
slowing down.
    I stopped in front of the doors to the
Lab Center, typed in my identification number on the digital keypad, and waited
for the scanner to verify my identity. The display showed, ‘Confirmed,
Miranda Mays. ID #6245,’ and the door slid open.
    I passed through a dark tunnel, allowing
the blinking red and green lights from the computer servers behind the glass
walls to guide me. Regardless of the cold air that blasted through the passage,
my blood circulated with a heat that awakened every muscle and alerted every
sense. Before I entered the command area, another ray scanned my body,
authorizing me to enter the war zone.
    The area buzzed with the typical hum of
computers and neon lights. Eslite technologists, along with several female
interns, worked diligently behind holographic computer screens, ensuring
anything controlled by computers in the three facilities worked smoothly. I
volunteered for any opportunity to linger in that main area. It’s where all the
action unfolded and made the hellhole not so bad at times.
    In the middle of the room sat Cyrus, leader
of the technology center, at his command station. He did a double take as I
approached him. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, and I inhaled a deep breath,
reciting my excuse for reporting to work.
    “Good morning, Miranda. You’re not
scheduled to come in today.” His blue eyes narrowed, and he pursed his lips.
    I broke out in a sweat despite the icy
chill in the room. “Hi, Cyrus. Do you need any help today? I wanted to pass the
time before I leave. You received the message that I’m going home for a few weeks,
right?” I stammered for a second before finally gaining control of my thoughts
and words. I frowned when I realized it wasn’t what I had rehearsed.
    “Yes, I did. That’s why I’m surprised to
see you here but relieved at the same time. A few girls didn’t report for duty,
and I can use you.” The tightness around his lips softened, and he gave me a
partial smile. His response put me at ease and relief flowed over me.  I hated
that I watched his every move. From his tanned skin, to his dark wavy hair and
perfectly sculpted nose, and his high cheekbones, he reminded me of a guy on
one of the cologne commercials.
     “Okay, great.” Things were going easier
than I expected. I quickly stopped that thought before jinxing myself.
    He stepped from behind his desk and
faced me. “Are you all right? You seem a little flustered?” Cyrus said, placing
a hand on my shoulder.
    Crap. So much for that thought.
    “I’m fine. Just a little excited about
going home.” He rarely laughed or smiled, and we didn’t talk much. He
instructed me what to do, and I followed his orders. If I had questions, I
usually asked one of the girls or an Eslite technician. I avoided contact with
Cyrus as much as possible, but it was nice to chat with him, even if he did
make me somewhat nervous.
    “I understand. Eighteen-hundred