Ivana

Redundant Phoenix - Part 02

Added 2025-08-06 10:21:43 +0000 UTC

Swaying in place, weight sloughed off my shoulders as Jenna smugly folded her arms across her chest. Pride practically leaking from her like a festering wound. Weight settled on one leg, tongue pressed into one cheek, cruelty glinting off her warm brown eyes.

‘So childish…’ I thought to myself, weathering the petulant woman’s gaze easily. Slipping my hand along the tabletop, staring the shorter woman down.

The Mark I shuddered in place; through the corner of my eye, I counted the charging gauge on my tablet. The heavy device creaking against the bolts in the floor. A low buzzing filled the room as it began spinning up. Jenna faltered, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear as she broke my gaze. Turning towards the device, Jenna slunk away.

“Whatever.” She groaned, prowling towards the emitter. “This ghastly thing will be gone soon, I imagine it’ll be in some bogan’s shed by Sunday.” Peering over her shoulder, she locked eyes with me. “Scrappers are tenacious beasts, I bet they’ll have the thing torn apart faster than the facilities team.”

Bending forward, the little tart posed. Turning her chest towards me, resting her hands on her knees. Chuckling, she turned her attention back to the Mark I. Practically staring down the emitter. “I can't believe you even turned it on.” Shaking her head and practically shimmying her hips, she let out a sigh. “Fiddling with proprietary equipment. Somebody should fire—” She paused. Her body shuddered as she brought her hand to her mouth, stifling laughter. “--Oh, wait.”

The screen of my tablet flashed, the activation button flashing green. The sound in the room fizzled into static, my vision seemed to boil as my hand slid forward on it’s own.

As my fingers fell, tapping the screen, the Mark I squealed. My ears ringing as the snap of electrical discharge shook the room.

Time slowed. Jenna rocked back on one leg, kicking her knee up to shield her deep cleavage. Her hands lifted to her shoulders, a golden-green haze enveloped her body. Electricity arcing and crackling across her skin and clothing.

Staggering backwards, miniature lightning bolts snapped from the hem of her skirt, each wobbly step leaving a bright green sparking footprint on the tile before the energy dissipated.

Jenna paused, breathing heavily. Flexing her fingers she reached up, brushing her temple. My own fingers dancing along the touch screen, putting the Mark I to sleep. Jenna’s knees buckled as she rolled backwards, crumpling to the floor in a heap.

Moving forward, a lump began expanding in my throat, swelling and closing off my airway as I walked up towards the unmoving limey brat. Spots began dancing in my vision as I looked down at her. She looked almost angelic, one arm over her flat tummy with her bun cushioning her head. Her back was to me; my lungs were screaming as she lay there motionless.

Her hands twitched, and she drew a slow breath. Like a burst balloon, I exhaled. My body curling forward as tension released. A grin crept along my face as I observed my rival. The Mark I had done its work, the tile on the floor below her marking the progress of her transformation.

Slowly the tiles expanded, as the seconds ticked on Jenna appeared smaller and smaller against them. Ridges in the linoleum caught her skirt, preserving her modesty as her body contracted. Putting my hands on my hips, I watched as the process slowed, Jenna’s eyes flitted open, locking onto mine.

‘What’s it feel like?’ I mused, grinning down at my rival. Her skin pales as she looks around the room, before slipping into unconsciousness. ‘I can’t wait to ask her…’