The Modified (The Biotics Trilogy, #1) by C.A. Kunz Page B

our bands go off at the same time, interrupting our conversation. “I sense a change in your vitals. Are you okay?” our AIs say in unison. We both laugh nervously. He attempts to cover his bangle while I try to hide mine behind my back.
    “So…I kind of feel we started off on a weird foot,” Landon says hesitantly. He pauses. I look at him and smile at his obvious nervousness. “I just don’t want you to think I’m some kind of creep because of that atrocious line I used on you when we first met. In retrospect, that probably wasn’t one of my finer moments.”
    I tried, but I couldn’t hold back a giggle. “I kind of found it cute. In a bad pick-up line kind way, but still cute nonetheless.”
    “Really?” he asks, sounding unsure of himself.
    “Yeah, just don’t do it again though, okay?” I joke.
    “Deal,” he replies.
    As we approach the training room, I see my dad through the large glass window. He’s standing at the podium at the front of the class and his name is written really big on the white board behind him. The room doesn’t have any desks when we first enter. As if queued, bright white posts slowly rise from holes that appear in the floor, and blue light forms the seat and tabletop of each desk upon each post.
    “So, your father’s our teacher as well, huh?” Landon asks as we take our seats.
    “I guess so,” I reply as I flash a confused look at my dad.
    “Please, everyone take a seat, and we’ll begin shortly,” he announces and then sends me his I’ll explain later look.
    After the last few cadets filter in and take their seats, my father begins to speak again. “I want you all to look around the room and get to know these faces, because for the next month or so you’ll all be training together.”
    I look around the room and see our group is a mixture of all the continents represented at the academy.
    “Now, here at the Magnus Academy there are three divisions that each and every one of you will train in. There’s Strike division, which are considered the attack experts. The Tactical division, who are the war strategists, and then there’s the Fortification division, who are the main line of defense. All three of these divisions must work together to ensure victory. At the end of the month, you will each be assigned to a division based on which one you excel in most. During the course of your training, you will do things that no other mortal would ever dream of being able to do. For example…” he pauses as he scans the room. “You, in the back row. What’s your name?” he asks the girl four seats over from me.
    She stands, “Jamie Warren, sir,” and finishes with a salute.
    My dad chuckles. “At ease, Jamie, this isn’t the military,” he jokes, causing the whole class to laugh. Jamie smiles and proceeds to relax. “Come on up to the front of the class, I’d like you to demonstrate something for us, please.”
    Jamie moves quickly to the front.
    “Now, I want you to stand right here and face the class. Then raise your arms straight out in front of you, and clench your fists. A little higher, please, so your arms are at shoulder height. Good. Okay, I want you to concentrate and focus on something that makes you very angry.” Jamie’s face becomes strained as she concentrates. A hush falls over the class as Jamie’s hands begin to glow with a blue light. A little blood begins to trickle down her nose, and I hear a few gasps erupt from the people around me. Her AI chimes in, telling her that her levels have risen significantly.
    “Okay, don’t overdo it, Jamie. Just relax,” my dad says in a soothing voice. “Now open your eyes and look at your hands.” Jamie opens her eyes and they fill with surprise.
    “I want you all to imagine being able to use this energy, that you see right before your very eyes, in combat. Because over the next month that’s exactly what you’ll be doing. Thank you, Jamie, you may return to your seat. Oh, and don’t worry, with