Chapter 11

THRESHOLD OF TROUBLES

Outside MystTech Creations, West Hollywood, California, United States

It was harder than Gen ever would have expected to part ways with Jack after spending the day with him on multiple adventures. The awkwardness when they both hesitated to say audible goodbyes was not as surprising.

Gen promised to take Jack to the House of Fourteen where he’d have to hunt down Akio Takahashi’s sword, Rakurai. Subner had only said that it was hidden somewhere in the library of the House of Fourteen. That didn’t seem like too much of an insurmountable challenge, but still, Gen was unfamiliar with this particular place since it hadn’t been created back in the day, when she and her father founded the House of Fourteen.

In the meantime, Jack had the loaner sword that Lee had given to him. The assassin baker was satisfied when they’d fetched the Sneak’s Stain Solution for her from Bep, delivering it without the potion maker being the wiser. Now that debt to Lee was paid up, all Gen and Jack had to do was wait until Subner and Bep called in their favors. She had no disillusions that it would be complicated and dangerous, but she’d be doing it alongside Jack, so it almost, secretly, felt like a reward.

That afternoon found Gen standing outside a strange modern building where she was required to start her internship. To say that Gen was intimidated by having to work at an advanced special effects studio in Hollywood was an understatement. She hadn’t even known what special effects were until this morning. Gen still hadn’t watched an actual movie. She felt like she was jumping into the deep end of a pool, not knowing how to swim but even worse, not even knowing what water was.

I’m getting a strange psychic energy from this place, Emperor said in Gen’s head, pausing her right outside the special effects studio.

She looked up at the large concrete building where MystTech Creations was headquartered. What is it? Are you seeing something of the future?

It’s very difficult to read, he replied, reluctance in his voice. I think it’s the technology in the place interfering with my psychic powers.

Yes, but they aren’t reliable yet, anyway, Gen argued. So it just might be that, like in the past when you can’t see things accurately.

This is different, he countered. I sense that there’s something incredibly powerful and also dangerous in that building. It’s…not right. But there’s something else.

What is it? Gen looked around, grateful that no one was around to witness her awkwardly hanging around out in front of the entrance.

Trouble, Emperor answered, a chill in his voice that ran down Gen’s back.

Well, Dwayne sent me on this assignment, so why am I not surprised, she related, blowing out a breath. He arranged this, saying the owner of the studio was a contact of his. Then he followed that up with, “Don’t screw it up.” So why do I fear I’m going to mess things up and get in trouble?

You have to go in there and investigate, Emperor urged.

I have to walk into the belly of the beast, after you’ve sensed something dangerous? she argued.

Yes, he answered flatly. I sense two things. There’s something in there that’s seriously hazardous. But I’m picking up an event involving you that’s full of trouble.

Maybe the two are connected, she offered. And therefore, maybe I refuse to do the internship, avoiding the dangerous thing and the trouble.

No, Emperor said at once, a sternness in his tone. You’ve been required to complete this internship by Dwayne. You can’t give him a reason to fire you or not allow you to progress to a real Rogue Rider.

Gen sighed, looking up at the building which now seemed more imposing than before. So I have to walk into the belly of the beast then?

You have to figure out what is in there that’s so dangerous, he commanded. And yes, you’ll find trouble in the process. I don’t know what, but you can’t run from your fate. If you did, you’d probably find something worse that you won’t get a reward for fighting. At least with this, you will progress in your training. And hopefully you stop whatever dangers are lurking in this place, helping the world as we are destined to do.

Yeah, fine, Gen replied, sucking in a breath, and preparing herself for whatever she was about to encounter. She pulled back the door to MystTech Creations, stepping into a brand new world.