Page 112 of Blue Arrow Island
“We use the names of Greek gods as our radio call signs,” she says. “Never, ever use your real name, or anyone else’s over the radio. Never say anything that gives away security information. If you aren’t sure if something is safe to say, don’t say it. We speak in code as much as possible.”
“Amira has to be Artemis,” the blond man says. “I know that used to be Kelsey’s call sign, but I think she’d approve.”
Marcus nods. “Artemis it is. And Briar, you’re Aphrodite.”
A smile tugs on Nova’s lips. “We’ve never had an Aphrodite.”
“So I’m Ares,” Marcus says. “Nova’s Athena, Niran is Atlas. And Briar, I don’t think you’ve met Chance.” The blond guy waves. “He’s Helios. Wyatt is Hades.” A dark-skinned man with a shaved head nods at us. “And Adele is Circe.”
“The call signs—are they top secret?” Amira asks.
Marcus considers. “Not really. We have a Command One channel that we communicate over and then there’s a channel for all command and security team members. You’ll get the hang of it.”
“So what are we doing?” Niran asks, looking impatient. “Kicking some Rising Tide ass, I hope.”
“You guys are going to patrol the edge of our shield area in shifts. Virginia is likely to try to make moves on us while we’re vulnerable.”
“If she even knows we’re at partial power,” Nova says.
Marcus nods. “They know our tower came down. They’re starving and desperate. They had almost nothing when Briar was there, and it can only be getting worse.”
“Why’d you sayyou guys?” Niran asks, his brow furrowed. “Where will you be?”
Marcus sighs heavily. “I have to go do something on my own.”
“The hell you do,” Nova says sharply. “You’re not going out there alone.”
Marcus shoots her a disapproving glare. “It’s never been this unsafe out there.”
“Out there?” Niran gapes at Marcus. “You think you’re going outside the perimeter alone?”
Marcus looks away.
“I’ll go with you,” I offer.
“We’ll all go,” Nova says.
Marcus shakes his head. “Absolutely not.”
“Call for a vote,” Nova says breezily.
“Goddammit, Nova,” Marcus barks. “We can’t afford to lose the entire team.”
Niran slams his fist on a table, making Amira jump. “Drop the martyr shit. Shan just died. Shit’s really fucking real, and whatever needs doing, we do it together.”
Marcus runs his hand over his jaw, which is covered in a shadow of dark stubble. “You guys might want to wait until you hear what I’m planning before you vote.”
“I’m in.” Niran grins. “Don’t need to hear it.”
“Me too,” Wyatt says.
Marcus rolls his eyes, then turns serious. “I have good reason to believe McClain is alive on this island somewhere. I’m going to find him, and I’m turning on my aromium so I can work faster and not sleep.”
32
Ever had a roommate who was always short on rent? This week we’ll be talking about parasitic plants like mistletoe, that can tap into the vascular systems of other plants to steal water and nutrients. So give that freeloading roomie a mistletoe plant for the holidays and only you’ll know the true meaning behind it.
- Excerpt from the Introduction to Plant Biology course taught by Dr. Lucinda Hollis
