Zan did not actually say ‘crap.’

He did say, “What is it?”

“What you see before you, Ranger-Knights, is the fruits of our labors over the past couple of days. Well, longer, actually… we began building this before the Command Center went to sleep and we only remembered it recently. The timeline is not important! What is important is this is a transportation device. If properly used, it will act as a reliable means of transportation both inside of the Backroads and outside of the Backroads. Though using it inside the Backroads will be pointless unless you discover more lodestones,” Sigma-Prime said.

Approaching the table to get an up and close look, Zan saw the ‘pile of crap’ gain definition. The ‘crap’ were, in fact, bikes!

Looking the bikes over, they were blocky. Thin. And shiny.

“Why are the bikes so…” Silence. “strange?” Zan asked, but Jiehong finished.

“Good question,” Jiehong followed up. “Nothing like the bikes my family has ever seen. Not to nitpick but these are not the most fashionable pieces.”

Laughing in good spirits, the Screen Master said, “You are correct. These bikes are not fashionable. They are tools to assist you in your martial prowess. Their unique appearance is due to their unique construction. Unlike a typical bike, which is cumbersome to transport and store when not in use, this bike — as you can see by its block-heavy design — can fold in on itself. When not in use, you can easily store the bike on your back through a handy storage strap.”

Zan and Jiehong looked over the bike again, but even more closely.

Both boys grabbed a hold of their respective bikes and tested them out. They folded in up, unfolded, then re-folded. Sigma-Prime urging them on to practice several times to ensure mastery. It was as the Screen Master said. The bikes were easy to use, easy to fold, and Zan thought these bikes were just the thing they needed to really move.

“I think these are just what we need, right, Jiehong? If we can’t ride horses, we can ride these, right?” Zan asked.

Picking up on what Zan was referring to right away, Jiehong said, “We can’t use these bikes in place of horses! We could never keep up with the rebels. They are bikes!”

Unsurprisingly, the Screen Master spoke up: “You should know by now, Jiehong, these are no ordinary bikes. Created from ever lasting minerals which might not even exist anymore, these bikes will last for life and beyond. These bikes are also magically recumbent. Meaning, you can augment their speed and control using a small but steady input of your magical energy.”

Looking at one another, each boy had the same idea and whistled, impressed.

“What is the typical speed?” Jiehong asked.

“Because of its unique construction, the bikes will be faster than your average bicycles. However, not by much. A fraction of a horse at a gallop. Which is by half, if not more, of your average bike. With magical input efficiency, something not yet mastered by you and Jiehong, unfortunately, you will gain speeds, at least on par with a horse. Does this make sense?” the Screen Master asked.

Considering it — Zan finally shook his head after one too many ignorant noises.

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The Screen Master explained it again.

At last, Zan said, “Okay. Got it. Sorry… I am so tired!”

Running the Screen Master’s explanation through in his head once more, Zan understood the bikes. He genuinely was tired. It slowed down his processing. The bikes were easy, though. And Zan grew the inclination in him how, even without magic, the bikes would serve them well enough in their mission to help the rebels attack the series of enemy outposts near the Western Way.

More receptive to the physical output needed for a mission like this, Zan now had a conception in his mind for the toll of war on his body. Zan thought of how he would need to do a lot of pedaling to keep up with the horses. Which would hurt his feet and cause even larger blisters than he already had; which would necessitate magical use to help heal his feet, which would mean by extension less magic to use on his bike. Zan thought it exhausting just to think about! I can’t help the rebels without seeing the Slipstream, Zan told himself. Otherwise I and Jie will done for.

“I need sleep. Can we finish this chat another time?” Zan asked.

The Wardens said nothing against breaking off for the day. Zan and Jiehong returned to their respective quarters and slept a profound while, not waking until the late morning the following day.

Partaking of their usual routine, they eat by the hand of Jean Paul-Paul, then reported to the war room to continue their conversation with the Wardens.

“Shall we continue our conversation from the night before?” the Wardens asked.

“Yes. You were saying?” a much better rested Zan said.

“Regarding the bikes, I only had one point left to make. With these bikes ready for use, we will expect a higher level of engagement.”

“Engagement?” Zan asked.

“Correct. Both of you are doing great in your new roles. Improvement is to be made with both of you, however. Examples of these improvements: Zan, a higher focus of long-term goals. Jiehong: a higher retention to the chain of command. With the introductions of these bikes, we will expect both of you to continue using the Order’s technology in a comprehensive way. Otherwise, the life-forms within you will expire and with their deaths also come your deaths.”

“WHAT?!” both Zan and Jiehong shouted.

Stepping forward, Jiehong raised his voice and said, “Neither of you ever told us about our performance being linked to our lives! This is bullshit!”

Zan was not happy either and said, “You know, Wardens… maybe my decision to join this Order would have been different had I known my life would be tied to this ‘performance’ stuff.”

The Screen Master replied calmly. “We know this is upsetting for you to learn. In Sigma-Prime and I’s defenses, however, we only recovered the information about the crystalline life-forms recently. At the time of your initiation, we did not know because of memory damage.”

Everyone argued for a while. Shouts, curses, but it all gradually went away. Once the boys realized the Wardens were truthful, what more was there to be done? Especially if the Wardens were telling the truth, then if they didn’t give it their all, they would die. What else could they do but resume their normal flow?

Ending the conversation, Sigma-Prime said, “I don’t know if it helps, Ranger-Knights, but consider this: you are already fighting in a war. You have said repeatedly, you do not intend to stop your participation in the war until the enemy is driven out. By itself, this is dangerous. Really, as long as you continue to fight for your homeland, the crystal lifeforms within should not pose any more a threat than the automotrons you battle. The creature inside of you is not hostile. It wants to help you grow.”

Cooling down after their justifiable dramatic outburst, Zan and Jiehong did find a degree of comfort in Sigma-Prime’s words. They were fighting in a war, right? Their lives were on the line every day.

“That helps some, Sigma, thank you,” Jiehong said.

“I will continue to improve myself as the leader. We have only been at this for what, a week? Slightly longer, if that? Lots of improvements still left to do,” Zan said, defending his leadership.

Jiehong stepped forward with words of his own. “I will improve as well. I have been off-putting of late, I fully realize. Not anymore, though. I will put as much effort into my commitment to the Order as I have with other aspects of my life. That’s a promise.”

“I am glad to hear this, Ranger-Knights. Once more, do not take my criticisms as hostile. They are anything but. My role as your advisor and artificial life form is to help guide you on this journey, whatever course the journey takes. What is your next step, Zan?” the Screen Master asked.

With all eyes turned to Zan, he said, “How about lunch?”