Chapter 1: Introduction
"Aubrey," General Zara's voice rasped, peppered with mockery, "Let me paint a picture for you." A thick finger pointed to the holographic star map looming above her desk, sending prismatic light dancing in her harsh, angular face.
"You'll be leading a one-woman assault against an army of Giggle-Bots." Her mouth curled around the last words, a cruel smirk.
My heart thudded in my chest like a prison break. Giggle-Bots. Mere mentioning those tickling infantry machines was enough to make me tremble in fear. The army, a legion of mechanical terrors designed for a single purpose: hunting down and tickling enemies into submission.
Zara leaned back in her chair, eyes narrowing at the flinch that must have crossed my face.
"That's right, our little miss ticklish is leading a suicide mission. How does it feel?"
I forced my voice steady, pushing down the inexplicable urge to laugh nervously. "I'll complete the mission, General."
Her fingers drummed against the armrest in an irritating rhythm. "I need more than idle promises, Aubrey. Since you've been under my command, I've made an example of you more than once." With a chilling sneer, Zara came around her desk, getting dangerously close.
Her eyes bore into mine. "Your precious ticklishness proved amusing in the past, but this is the big leagues, and those reflexes of yours are a liability."
Anger swept through me. My hands clenched. "I won't let my friends down, General." I could not—would not—slide back under Zara's thumb again.
She scoffed. "Let me spell it out, soldier. Failure results in a dishonorable discharge and ultimate humiliation."
I refused to be baited. I squared my shoulders.
"General, I know what's at stake."
"Your compliance is paramount, Aubrey." Zara's fingers reached out to graze the sensitive skin of my wrist. A feint brush, testing my resolve. "Prove that you can be more than your weakness. Prove it on the battlefield against the Giggle-Bots."
She walked back to her desk, sat down, and typed furiously on the projected keyboard before her. "Dismissed!"
My mind raced, as did my heartbeat, as I exited her office.