Space Runners 2 by Jeramey Kraatz

Author:Jeramey Kraatz
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2018-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

16.

“What’s going on?” Hot Dog shouted.

“It’s a blackout, obviously.” Dr. Bale’s voice came from somewhere in front of them.

Benny stood frozen, unable to see anything. He half expected to hear Drue scream nearby, given how much he hated the dark—but Drue didn’t make a peep.

“The dome,” Benny said into the darkness.

“It hasn’t been compromised or else my helmet would have powered on,” Dr. Bale said.

“I’ll get the generators for you, Doctor,” Todd said.

“They’re in the second trailer,” Mae said. “I’ll help.”

There was a shuffling nearby. It sounded like someone—maybe more than one person—had banged into one of the tables the assistants had set up. Something metal bounced on the cement floor.

“Stay still,” Dr. Bale commanded. “There’s too much sensitive equipment lying around here.”

Pinky appeared beside the man, casting an eerie glow around her.

“Apologies,” she said. “There was a swell of energy in the rock around the Grand Dome that caused it to constrict. I diverted all unnecessary power to the force field, which continues to hold. Backup power should be restored in—”

Crimson lights flickered on around the perimeter of the ceiling. Benny’s eyes adjusted quickly. He looked over to see Hot Dog, who was bathed red. She had her hands balled into fists in front of her stomach, like she was ready to strike at someone, but seemed to relax a bit as she blinked.

“Ah, there we are,” the AI said.

“Keep all our energy on that dome,” Dr. Bale said. “We can wait this out.”

“Of course, Doctor.”

Benny realized Drue had disappeared. He looked around quickly, spotting him making a hasty exit toward the door.

“Drue!” Benny shouted.

“No way,” his friend replied without even looking back. “I’m not staying in here waiting for another blackout.” And then he was out the door, into the courtyard.

“Well, Ricardo,” Dr. Bale said. “You never gave me an answer.”

Benny could see the muscles in the senior Pit Crew member’s jaw bulge out as he gritted his teeth. “I have a hundred EW-SCAB winners to check on,” he finally said. “Let’s go, Trevone.”

He turned on his heel and headed for the side exit that led into the Taj. Trevone glanced at Benny and Hot Dog, and then followed him out.

Dr. Bale turned to his assistants. “We need to finish unloading this equipment. Once backup gets here, things will move very quickly. We’ll need deep space probes and—”

“How are you so calm about this?” Benny asked, taking a few steps forward. “We have no idea what’s happening outside!”

Dr. Bale turned to look at him. “I asked Ricardo about you. He said you came from the Drylands. It’s a difficult place to grow up, I’d imagine. No wonder you have such fight in you.” He twitched his mustache. “But you’ll be a good boy and leave this work space on your own, right? Go to your rooms. Play a video game. I don’t need any more distractions.”

“A good boy?” Benny asked.

“Come on,” Hot Dog said, turning away from the man. “Let’s find our friends.”

Benny took one last look at the weapons and gadgets the assistants were unloading, and then turned to follow her.

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