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Crowds annoyed him. From the moment he received his first empowerment at the Academy, he could no longer tolerate crowds. Their\u00a0qi<\/em>\u00a0was overwhelming. It was a flood of random energy that crackled and flowed and combined and crashed into him all at once from every direction.<\/p>\n And there was the small matter of not having time and space to react to an incoming threat.<\/p>\n Focus. Let the<\/em>\u00a0qi\u00a0flow through you.<\/em><\/p>\n Breathing deeply and regularly, he allowed the\u00a0qi<\/em>\u00a0to pass into and through him, fully and completely, leaving nothing behind.<\/p>\n He scanned the crowd in his peripheral vision. The terminal was packed. He saw a team of flight crew in smart blue uniforms pushing company-issue luggage; business people in sharp suits and pressed clothing lining up at ticket counters; tourists and travelers, marked by their huge backpacks and casual dress; a giggling, chatting, noisy mass of schoolchildren in crumpled uniforms, herded by a half-dozen worn-looking teachers.<\/p>\n And there was her.<\/p>\n She was a beacon of focused flame in a blizzard, her\u00a0qi<\/em>\u00a0radiating from her like wings. Her aura was a gentle white blanket of soothing light, covered by a thin but hard shell, her energy warm and soothing and calming. Exactly as he remembered.<\/p>\n Breaking into a brilliant smile, she waved at him. He smiled back and approached her.<\/p>\n \u201cMr Sun, it\u2019s been a long time,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cOnly five years, Ms Liu,\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n She sniffed. \u201cFive years and eight months.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThree weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSix days.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTwenty hours.\u201d<\/p>\n She giggled, covering her mouth. \u201cDid you count the minutes too?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not as obsessive as you.\u201d<\/p>\n They broke into laughter.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019ve grown,\u201d she said, patting his biceps. \u201cYou\u2019ve put on a lot more muscle since we last met.\u201d<\/p>\n Her touch was soft and warm and gentle, and just a little longer than necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cThe job demands it,\u201d he said, looking her over. \u201cYou\u2019ve grown too.\u201d<\/p>\n Raven hair ran down her shoulder, framing her almond-shaped face and high cheeks. Large, limpid eyes glittered in the light, as warm as chocolate and as deep as the sea. Exactly as he\u2019d remembered her.<\/p>\n But in his memories he saw a tomboy. Today she wore a qipao the colour of snow. The one-piece dress clung to her curves and ended at her ankles. Long side slits allowed freedom of movement. A pair of smartglasses perched on her forehead, and she wore a jadeite bangle on each wrist.<\/p>\n And she was taller than he remembered her.<\/p>\n She crossed her arms over her not-insignificant bust. \u201cWei<\/em>, what are you looking at?\u201d<\/p>\n He gestured at her feet. \u201cHigh heels? You?\u201d<\/p>\n She pouted. \u201cI can\u2019t wear them?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou used to hate them.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPeople change.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely. You\u2019ve finally developed a fashion sense.\u201d<\/p>\n She humphed. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t look like a boy anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cTao yan!<\/em>\u201d\u00a0Annoying!<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou don\u2019t enjoy compliments?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou still enjoy teasing me?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWell, it\u2019s fun, isn\u2019t it?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cZhen shi de!<\/em>\u201d\u00a0Unbelievable!<\/em><\/p>\n Humphing again, she spun on her heel, presenting her back to him. Sun leaned over her shoulder and whispered into her ear.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to see you again, Fang Fang.\u201d<\/p>\n Smiling, she craned her neck and looked up at him.<\/p>\n \u201cSame here, Sun Yao. Now that you finally graduated.\u201d<\/p>\n He shrugged. \u201cEmpowerment takes far longer in my profession.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou made me wait. Any longer and I might have given up.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m here now. Do you still\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n A thunderous two-tone siren wailed from the loudspeakers, steadily growing in volume. A thousand rings and chimes and beeps issued from glasses and bands and pads.<\/p>\n \u201cCode black,\u201d the public broadcast system intoned. \u201cCode black. Security personnel, please report to your assigned stations. Guests and passengers, please proceed to the civil defense shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n Civilians paused in their tracks, listening to the announcement. The teachers gathered their children and led them deeper into the building, scolding and cajoling as they went. Nearby, a blue-uniformed cop stiffened, and rested his hand on his holster.<\/p>\n Sun touched the steel utility band on his left wrist and pressed a quick access button. A list of items and images popped into his head. The contents of his interspatial storage.<\/p>\n He selected an item. A flat black circle appeared, hovering above the band. It was a two-dimensional hole in space-time, so thin it seemed invisible from the side. He reached into the hole, wrapping his fingers around a solid plastic frame, and drew his infinity pistol.<\/p>\n Sun\u2019s amplifier gloves warmed. Intricate designs woven into the black leather glowed in his mind\u2019s eye, tracing the meridians and energy pathways of his hands. Circuitry in the palms of his gloves meshed with the weapon’s grip, feeding the infinity gun with his\u00a0qi<\/em>.<\/p>\n He needed a full combat loadout. His personal gear was nowhere near enough. But he had to do with what he had. Gripping his gun in both hands, he said, \u201cFang Fang\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n She was already in motion. Her jadeite bangles glowing brightly, she kicked off her heels and lowered her glasses into place.<\/p>\n \u201cYes?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n \u201cTime to work.\u201d<\/p>\n All around them, civilians dashed for cover. Airport staff directed them to the civil defense shelter with shouts and gestures. Armed and armored policemen raced into position, taking cover behind whatever they could find.<\/p>\n In the distance, monstrous roars filled the air.<\/p>\n The cop Sun had spotted earlier rushed over to them, weapon drawn.<\/p>\n \u201cSir, ma\u2019am, you need to take cover.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re cultivators,\u201d he said. \u201cWe can help.\u201d<\/p>\n The cop visibly relaxed.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you. We\u2019re facing\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n Glass shattered. Shards rained down from above.<\/p>\n A sleek, muscular beast crashed through the skylights. Flapping its huge crimson wings, it landed gently on the floor. Covered in blazing orange fur and black stripes, it boasted a set of wicked claws on every paw and a horn that tapered into a fine point. The creature curled its tail and bared its fangs. A deep growl issued from its powerful chest.<\/p>\n It was a winged tiger. Apex predator of the wildlands.<\/p>\n And it glared at Sun, bloodlust in its eyes.<\/p>\n
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