Welcome to Team Astra

Chapter 10

Welcome To Team Astra

"So, you are saying we could actually win this thing?" Zaylee asked the question we all had swirling around in our minds. After Drakson had seized his uncontrollable laughter, we had all went into the training dome to discuss just exactly what the dark waves Xanth was talking about. We all sat in a circle on the mats as Xanth just finished telling us how my wave-links could give us an edge in the tournament. Xanth looked at Zaylee, his brows turning down.

"As much as I would like to tell you yes, I can't."

Zaylee slumped a little, a frown curving down her lips. "Well, this sucks gowshit." Masha leaned forward, placing her elbows on her crossed legs. Her braided platinum blonde hair, sliding across her shoulders as she intertwined her fingers together. A pensive look, descending over her white serpentine eyes as she asked.

"Then, what are you saying?"

Xanth sighed. He leaned back, resting one of his arms on his bended knee. "What I am saying is that we have a higher chance of surviving. There are two levels to the glacier tournament. Having Mute on our team makes it to where we can actually make it to the last tournament. Mute's Infra-mind ability gives us an edge that no other Genetic Bio has ever had. Communicating to each other telepathically." Silence filled the space between us as we absorbed what he, trying to say. I was still confused, other bio's have mind control mutations. Why was my infra-mind ability any different than any others? I raised my hands and froze when all eyes landed on me. I was used to Masha having the eyes on her as she translated my star sign but having everyone's attention on me had my cheeks warming. I shook out my hands trying to shove away this new feeling.

"Lots of other Bio's have mind control mutations. Why does us, telepathically, communicating make any difference?" Xanth and Drakson exchanged another look. Drakson cleared his throat as he spoke.

"Because those Bios can only communicate to one person at a time or do things that affect the mind. Mute, your Infra-mind ability affects the whole group. I assume that you are able to communicate with all of us at the same time and with no distance limitations, correct?" I slowly shook my head up and down.

"Then, that can help us strategize more easily while simultaneously keeping the other teams from discovering your other plans. Your ability is just the peak of what the rest of you girls can do." It was our turn to exchange looks. Daisha's eyebrows shot high on her face.

"What are you talking about?" Xanth and Drakson smiled at each other. Kira's hands shot in the air. "Would you guys stop it with the secret communicating already? It is starting to piss me off." Her hands slapped back down on her thighs as she huffed.

"Now, you know how we feel," Drakson muttered. Xanth tilted his head down to hide his smirk, but I saw it. He glanced at me, and we made eye contact. He gave me a sweet smile, and I jumped before looking away at something very interesting on the wall. Xanth cleared his throat before commanding.

"Look at me and listen." All eyes shifted on to Xanth as we all tuned in. His amber eyes, serious as they searched around the room.

"Mute is not the only one special here. In my lifetime of training and fighting. I have never seen Bio's do what you all can do. Kira, you literally communicate with plants and phase through trees. Not to mention the fact that you have been trying to grow weapons from them." Kira actually blushed as she played with her hair. Xanth's eyes locked on Masha as he stated.

"Masha you have been attempting to blend light around not just you but other things as well nearly coating them invisible. I have never seen a Bio take fractured sunlight and move it the way you do." Masha snorted, but she could not hide the shy smile everyone noticed.

"Daisha the way you have been trying to morph completely into animals instead of just body parts is inspiring." Daisha's eyes widened as she could only blink.

"Zaylee I have seen the way you have been striving to manipulate electricity fields within inanimate electronics. Just think of the possibilities if you could do the same to living things."

Zaylee rolled her eyes. "Everyone knows I am a tough gowshit, Xanth."

She gestured around each one of us.

"So, what if we are trying to do these things. Neither one of us has succeeded in doing it. These are possibilities, not realities." She crossed her arms across her chest. Her blue hair, cracking and popping. I grimaced. She was right. Xanth finally stood up. His liquid brown gaze, growing hotter at his determination. "You are right these are all possibilities, and right now, we only have one month to turn them to realities. No more hiding what we can do from each other." Xanth's eyes crossed over on all of us. I frowned when they lingered a second or two longer on me. I had a valid excuse for why I couldn't. I relaxed when he smirked at me. I looked at the ground near his feet. Not willingly to meet his eyes. Ancestors above, when did I become the shy type? I blew out a breath where I noticed Zaylee's eye flitting back and forth between me and Xanth. She stared ahead for few seconds before growing stiff. Her neck slowly turning my way as her blue eyes grew wide. Her mouth, dropping as her eyebrows went comically high on her face. It took every ounce of control to ignore her as Xanth started to speak again. Xanth's smile slipped from his face before continuing. "No more secrets. We bear what we have right here, and now, in the open. We push each other and help each other hone the abilities I know are growing inside of us. We can get stronger, but we have to do this together. Are you with me?" Zaylee's eyes grew mischievous, and a dark smirk crept up on the sides of her mouth. "Oh, we are with you after that speech Xanth." She stood up, making her way over to Xanth before putting her arm over his shoulder. Xanth peered down at her arm on his shoulder. She glanced up at him wagging her eyebrows. He shook his head, deciding to ignore her. Zaylee's playful indigo eyes landed on me, and I forced myself to swallow. I stood fast, making my way over to her sending her a silent stare to zip it.

"Sorry Mute, this is just too delicious to let go." She spoke over the link. All I could do was glare at Zaylee as a very warm flush began inching up my face

"I have no idea of what you are referring to Zaylee." I retorted over the link.

"What are you guys talking about?" Kira asked over the link.

"Mind your business and come join the group."

Zaylee demanded.

"I would also like to know what you are referring to?" Xanth's gold and silver link jumped as he inquired. Zaylee fluttered her eyes at him, putting her hand out, palm down in front of her as she added.

"Isn't that right, Mut… oops, I mean everyone?" She spoke out loud this time pretending to be in shock at her mishap. Zaylee's eyes glided at everyone around the room as she again disregarded my glare. I stared at the ceiling, asking my ancestors for patience, before putting my hand on top of hers. Still staring at everyone else, her smile practically turned sinister as she reached down, grasping Xanth's hand before putting it on my mine. Xanth raised a brow as he stared between us. Is it still illegal to float someone? Confused looks and murmurs went around the room as everyone moved to stand. Kira stood up, making her way over to them before putting her hand over ours. And everyone else joined as we made a vow at this moment.

"We do this as a team. We are not going down without a fight." Xanth's strong words swept over all of us.

"We will not give up."

Zaylee shouted an oh, gods no. We all smiled at each other before tossing our hands in the air on warriors scream. We were all laughing and smiling as Xanth made his way over to some crates. The crates had large black letters with the words Bio-trade written on the sides. Drakson jogged over to him while the rest of us walked.

"When did this get here?" Drakson crouched, and Xanth smacked his hand away when he reached to touch one of the boxes. Drakson feigned hurt.

"Let the girls do the honor." Daisha stepped forward and asked.

"What is it?"

Xanth glanced up at us, a wicked light dancing in those brown orbs.

"Oh, forgot to tell you, your new weapons and uniforms are here." He stood up, crossing his large arms over his chest "Welcome to team Astra."