Page 64 of The Misplaced Warrior

Each portal was a gateway to a new part of the area, a new angle of approach. The helicopters and police were left in a state of confusion, their formations scattering like leaves in the wind as they tried to keep up with the darting, disappearing form of the dragon and his rider. But Gen and Emperor were always one step ahead, their movements fluid and graceful as they danced through the portals, their destination growing ever closer with each passing second.

With a final burst of speed and a silent sound of triumph, Gen and Emperor emerged from the last portal, finding themselves perched atop the tower. Just as they’d discussed, the purple dragon clutched onto the top of the transmitter, grabbing it with his talons. However, he didn’t pull like with the one by the ocean. Instead, he simply posed, ready for what came next.

The structure shuddered beneath their weight. Its metal bones groaned in protest as Emperor’s claws dug into its surface. Gen didn’t allow the feeling of victory to unfold in her heart even as she looked out over the city below from her high perch. The helicopters were far in the distance, lured away from their game of cat and mouse or rather portal and helicopter hide-and-seek. Also, the forces on the ground were so confused that they didn’t even see the large dragon atop the structure they had been sent to guard.

Gen and Emperor had done it, outsmarting the defenses and reaching their goal through a combination of magic and sheer audacity.

CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

MONKEY BUSINESS

Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States

As Emperor took off from his perch atop the tower, Gen reached into her pocket, her fingers closing around the small, unassuming pouch that held the key to their victory. The cyber-pixies had been helpful before, in the Santa Monica Mountains. However, they were a bit too destructive to be used in the congested city. What they needed now were cleaners. Something that would get rid of the transmitter without causing collateral damage to the area around it.

With a grin that was equal parts mischief and determination, she upended the pouch. Then watched with delight as a stream of tiny, glinting shapes poured out onto the surface of the tower. At first glance, they looked like nothing more than a child’s toy.

Onto the tower, Gen had emptied a pile of miniature monkeys linked together in a shimmering chain. But as the nano-monkeys hit the metal, they sprang to life, becoming something much more powerful than innocent toys. Their bodies unfolded and rearranged themselves with a fluid grace that was mesmerizing to behold. Although they had been tiny, they were quickly growing into what they were—dismantlers.

The monkeys swarmed over the tower like a living tide, their tiny hands and feet finding purchase in the smallest of crevices and the tightest of gaps. They worked with a speed and precision that was almost hypnotic. Their movements were a blur of shimmering metal and pulsing integrated circuits.

Gen watched in amazement as the monkeys began to take apart the tower piece by piece. It was captivating to witness their jaws clamp down on the metal and their claws tear through the wiring like paper. Some of the monkeys carried the pieces off into the city, their bodies forming impromptu conveyor belts that ferried the debris away to be chewed up and destroyed.

Others simply attacked the tower with a single-minded ferocity. Their teeth and claws reduced the once-mighty structure to a mound of rubble and twisted metal. It was a sight that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying, a reminder of the sheer power and potential of the nano-monkeys.

Again, Bermuda Laurens, Gen’s new ally, had promised to help with capturing the monkeys. But the giantess had said that Gen was doing her a favor. The nano-monkeys, like the cyber-pixies, were growing restless without much of a task at MystTech Creations. This would keep them happy and was, of course, doing a great service.

Even as the monkeys worked their magic, Gen and Emperor couldn’t afford to let their guard down. The authorities were still out there, their helicopters and police cars swarming around the tower, realizing what was happening after being confused by the portal jumps. However, the law enforcement had awoken a little late and were now witnesses to the demolition of the tower. They all looked around in confusion, not knowing where or how to intervene. Even the helicopters were circling haphazardly.

“It’s time to go,” Gen said, patting the side of her dragon, realizing they were about to become a target of attacks after their performance.

Emperor beat his wings, sending gusts of wind and debris flying in all directions as he dodged and weaved through the onslaught of new attacks. Gen clung to his back, her heart pounding with a mixture of exhilaration and fear as she poured all of her focus into maintaining the portal magic that kept them one step ahead of their pursuers. She had opened the refuge to safety, the place they needed to pause before the next phase of their plan.

The air hummed with energy and the sound of gunfire, the smell of smoke and fumes from the many machines in the air and on the ground. It filled Gen’s nostrils as they danced through the chaos. With a final burst of speed and a triumph, Emperor launched them away from the tower, leaving the nano-monkeys to finish their work and the authorities to deal with the aftermath. They soared through a portal and away from any punishments for what appeared like crimes. Gen only hoped that the city would know soon that she’d saved them from treachery, rather than committing sabotage.

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

A CITY IN THE CROSSHAIRS

Rooftop, Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States

Gen worked hard to refuel her low reserves with another candy bar as she learned the critical information related to the next phase of her plan. Alicia spoke fast, sometimes breaking into her native language of Italian, but quickly repeating herself in English. Her attention on the update, Gen glanced up at Emperor who was also listening to the information being broadcast over the speaker of the phone.

“So the Commissioner has set up his headquarters in an unfinished skyscraper in downtown LA?” Gen questioned, looking at her purple dragon perched next to her on the rooftop. “I don’t understand. Why?”

“Because for starters, that helps him to conduct the signal to the transmitters and other places, as well,” Alicia explained over the phone. “I tracked the communication from the transmitters and this construction site is absolutely the location. But also, it won’t feel like an unfinished skyscraper, not after what he’s done to it.”

“Because he’s disguised it using the special virtual reality technology,” Emperor guessed, looking down at the tiny phone, which only made his colossal size seem larger.

“Exactly,” Alicia answered. “Those who enter it, well, I believe they enter his virtual reality of confusion. That’s the best that I can discern after studying all the information. He’s using the VR as a security measure to guard him.”

“So what I see when I enter the building?—”

“It won’t be real,” Alicia interrupted Gen, her voice adamant. “It will feel real. Look and smell and seem like reality. But it won’t be. That’s how powerful this VR is. It will fool your mind.”

Gen nodded, chewing on her lip. “I experienced something similar at MystTech Creations. I thought I was about to be attacked in a jungle by dinosaurs, but they weren’t real. So where’s the danger then?”

Emperor gave her a serious expression. “What the mind believes, the body reacts to. If it feels so real, then you won’t know the difference, even if you want to.”

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