Gabriel shivered when the hands of the soldiers touched him to pick him up. What he didn't expect to come was what happened next.
Thud
Gab was clearly taken aback by this. He found himself cursing under his hot breath, which seemed to now reflect on his hot headedness. He slowly got to his feet, brushing the small pieces of debris off his now slightly ripped pants. He wanted to do something yet what could be done? It was him against the literal government!
He watched as 'Team One' marched up just to be flung away like they we flies being swatted away with a hand. It was funny, in a way, to see people meant to have such high status's being in a situation they do not know how to handle. While Gab stood around, he saw 'Team Two' failing at the task again and Marcus spitting commands.
Wow. This guy really doesn't know how learn from his mistakes? Why send in more soldiers if all they do is get flinged away? Gab thought this while subconsciously moving a few steps closer from where he stood before. He was still quite a bit away though. One second. Why wasn't I flung like the rest of them?
This was a valid thought, though to be honest, he didn't want to ponder on it to hard. Perhaps the shield can sense the danger that comes with the soldiers? Or perhaps it allowed me to touch it because it liked me? A joking grin formed on Gabs face. Suree. Some Who-Knows-How-Old Atlantean tech [or whatever the hell the shield was from] had picked little ol' me over everyone… It was most probably the first reason Gab thought about but even Gab wasn't so sure about it all.
The sounds of groaning and moaning surrounded Marcus as he blew out a puff of smoke and squished the cigarette beneath his foot. He had gone through every single solider that joined his missions and each of them was laid in fetal position on the beach clutching some part or another in pain. "Ah great. He's going to be pissed." Marcus kicked the sand and pulled out his phone, cursing under his breath.
…
"Well boys, clean up the beach. We're having civilian tryouts to get onto the bridge from hell." Marcus rubbed his eyes and sighed. As his soldiers moved around to get things set up, Marcus glanced at the edge of the beach to see a small crowd had formed. Great. This would be fun. Marcus cursed again and took a seat at the table that was set up and waited for the government official to finish giving instructions to the civilians. A loud buzz roared up as the crowd of civilians grew large and larger still.
Gab was still lost in thought when Marcus started calling up civilians. His hands were fidgeting with a broken button from his pants that he kept in his pocket for a while. He eventually broke back into reality when one of the people had accidently bumped into him to get with the group to try to get through to other side. Sorrys were exchanged but Gab was now more focused on why the crowd of people were there.
Gab walked closer, now more attentive. He heard a small conversation between two people.
"Cant wait to try and get to the Island!"
"Didn't you see what happened to the other soldiers? They were flying around!"
"Oh c'mon. Loosen up a bit! Doesn't hurt to try, doesn't it?"
"You're right!"
That… was the truth. In the few moments that Gab understood what was happening, he doubted weather he should try and take another chance.
Gab slowly walked into the center of the crowd.
But who knows? Even of it were one in one hundred thousand Gab would still try it. He was just a bit intimidated with it all.
As the line of people began to get smaller, Marcus stretched and groaned as he made yet another tally in his file. "Next!" he called, stretching. He glanced up at the next civilian then looked back down before pausing and raising his eyes again. "You? Goddammit son! Can't stay away, can you? Well, have at it, you'll see it's nothing." Marcus said sighing incredulously at Gab's approach.
Back in the floating city, Mavis was using a tool to pry open the window. With a soft pop, the glass fell into her hands. Mavis took a deep breath and her ears flickered with excitement. She could see a strange commotion near where she had met that strange human. She looked down and found the easiest way to drop down.
With a soft rustle, she crouched behind a plant and waited for the coast to clear. Once it was clear, she ran as fast as she could to the city's edge and hid behind another plant, watching as many humans approached the bridge. Some made it a few steps onto the bridge while others couldn't even come close. In the end, all who tried were flung back by some invisible force. That was when she saw that same human. It was his turn to try and make it onto the bridge. Mavis was excited.
The comment Marcus gave to Gabriel did not contribute to the somewhat hesitant feeling that was running through Gabs veins. Gab looked on with a blank expression but shrugged it off. The thoughts from before started flooding his mind once more.
I still have a chance at this- I touched the shield and I wasn't flung- Why wasn't I flung away? What if that was just a one time thing? Anxiety started to creep into his head but the people around Gab watched closely.
One step following the next. Slowly, but Gab was close already. What Gab didn't notice was that he was farther than anyone else who had attempted to get close to the shield. Not just to the people was it surprising. Gab let out a deep breath, reaching out his hand to touch the untouchable to the others, at least. As his hand met the shield, that small shock rushed through his body. Yet he was perfectly fine?
Marcus had another cigarette in his mouth when he glanced up at Gab. it fell out of his mouth and burnt a hole in his pants by the thigh as he watched the man go further up the bridge than anyone else. He grunted and patted the singed threads and stood up, running closer to the bridge. "Boy, you get back here right now and take this here phone with you! We need an inside man and apparently, it is going to be you!" He barked and held up the small device. His boss was going to be upset, Marcus almost wished he could run headfirst into the bridge so that he would get launched. at least that way he would receive some pity.
Mavis watched as the human got further up the bridge than the others she saw had. A feeling of excitement bloomed within her with each step he took. She waited until she was sure he could see her and waved, making sure none on the beach could see her.
Gabriel turned around, wanting to smugly smirk but didn't want to act rude. He looked at Marcus and raised an eyebrow while walking back toward the land. Gab slowly walked up to Marcus, looking around at the large handful of eyes that were on him. He awkwardly gave a thumbs up and turned back to the general.
"I understand that you are giving me this phone due to the fact that you want me to communicate but…" Gab stopped for a short moment to get his thoughts straight. "How are we even sure that the phone will be working on the other side of this barrier?"
"I-" Marcus frowned and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's a fair concern. How about this, take it anyway and if it doesn't work, you come back and we go from there. This here is government property son. You best treat it that way." Marcus responded. He walked back to his table and called his superior to explain.
