The Phelb (Ashes of Eternity) by Derek Ash & Jeremy Spires

Author:Derek Ash & Jeremy Spires [Ash, Derek]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Downstar Productions, LLC
Published: 2022-07-28T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

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Peter and Olivia met three times a week. There, deep in the tunnels below the Texas moon they read from the archives, practiced combat training and studied the various avenues for their paths forward.

Both were instructed to keep their individual paths from the other. This was a way the S.D. kept relevant information from the Phelb in the event of a capture of a high value person.

Neither of the two liked keeping the other in the dark, but they both understood.

They also began training using all the various weapons found. Peter was headed into the military, which meant he needed to become a master of various blades, fighting techniques, military jargon, the penalties for disciplinary infractions as well as the promotions available to ensure he would move towards being special operations, or as they were known Marauders.

Olivia’s training seemed odd to Peter. Her combat training was brilliant and didn’t need as much work as Peter.

It catered to her smaller size and reduced strength, but was direct, fast and lethal in a way Peter longed to mimic.

But he needed to look like a soldier, adept at his training, but a soldier none the less. Olivia was more of a syringe in the neck assassin than a fighter.

Through that he noticed that much of her training was watching exchanges between people, reading body language and mimicking that behavior until the computer gave her a passing grade.

This confused him, night after night until he finally asked.

“Olivia, why do you practice facial expressions and conversations so much?”

Olivia looked Peter over then gazed into his eyes when she said, “Because of my autism, those are the things I need to practice most.”

“I don’t understand,” he responded.

“Nor do I, but the S.D. seems to think that my lack of eye contact and my mannerisms are not consistent with those who are neurotypical. From my observations, neurotypical people are also quite curious in their mannerisms.” Olivia looked at Peter, he was very tired. The accumulative effect of learning and training so much was beginning to take its toll. Her daily duties were mostly cleaning, kitchen duty and time in the nursery. They had so many nuns that she was easily able to sneak in a few naps when she grew too tired.

Peter was going through what was the equivalent of a junior boot camp with educational classes then training for the S.D.. Olivia noticed now, he was nearing his end and graduation and final exams for Peter were only a few months away. She needed him to slow down or he would burn out before then.

“Peter,” she began, tentative as she was unsure how he would respond.

“Yes, Olivia?” his voice sounded so soft, as he put the training dagger down and turned to face her.

“You are seeming too tired. I think we need to focus on more mundane training and rest to ensure you can make it through testing.” She forced a small smile in an attempt to soften him, as his posture was instantly tense at the words.

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