Limbo (The Last Humans Book 2) Read Online Free

“Remember how much interest you showed in the rejuvenation nanos that are dormant in your body? Well, once you went to sleep, I scanned you with my newly enhanced senses, and I found many more nanos that are meant to be generally beneficial. They also seem to have been developed before Oasis was formed, and like the longevity-enhancing rejuvenation nanos, it looks like their effects were never turned on.” She scratches her cheek. “I examined the ones that were safe and simple in their operations, and when I felt confident, I turned one of them on. It seemed like such a terrible waste of potential…”
    As she speaks, I feel blood drain from my face. “You said you wouldn’t mess with me without my permission.”
    “No.” She steps backward. “I said I wouldn’t tamper with your mind. What I enabled has nothing to do with your brain. Well, not exactly, anyway. I guess it gives your brain steady oxygen.” She scratches her neck this time. “Basically, what I did will make your body work more efficiently. This nano does what a regular red blood cell does, only better.”
    I look at her, unblinking, debating whether she’s kidding around with this nonchalant discussion of manipulating frightening ancient technology inside my body . I vaguely recall reading that red blood cells carry oxygen and take carbon dioxide out.
    “Exactly.” Phoe seems to be examining my shoes. “These devices are called Respirocytes. They work better than red blood cells ever could. With them enabled, you should be able to survive for hours without breathing. They’ll allow you to run much easier and sprint longer distances without getting out of breath. That’s why I took the liberty of activating them, given all that running you did yesterday. I thought you’d be pleased.”
    I remember all my huffing and puffing yesterday, and some of my anxiety gives way to curiosity. Not needing to breathe for hours? That’s impossible.
    “There you go,” Phoe says, her smile reappearing as she looks up at me. “That’s the spirit. Respirocyte is the earliest nanocyte ever invented. Its design was put forth as early as the late twentieth century. The ones in your body were simple enough in construction and function that I could verify they were safe beyond a shadow of doubt, even with my limited resources. I never would’ve enabled them otherwise.”
    “Fine,” I subvocalize. “Just ask me before you enable anything else next time.”
    “Deal,” Phoe says. Then she adds quickly, “With the exception of special situations, such as when you’re in mortal danger and enabling something might save your life.”
    “Agreed,” I subvocalize and look back at the unconscious Owen. “Now can you explain to me how the extra oxygen made me stronger?”
    “Oxygen definitely makes your muscles perform better, though I didn’t think the effect would be that significant.” She looks at Owen’s vitals again. “It is conceivable that, in addition to your punch, he also lost consciousness due to shock. After all, he probably hasn’t been hit in over a decade, if ever—”
    “Oh, he’s been hit. I remember when Liam punched him in kindergarten.” I smile at the memory. “He didn’t get knocked out, but he did cry—profusely.”
    “There you go.” Mirth enters Phoe’s gaze. “This confirms my theory that bullies are secretly pussies.” She glances down at Owen. “And sometimes not so secretly.”
    Though I’m still a little mad at her, I can’t help but chuckle.
    I gesture to snap a photo of Owen in his unconscious condition and bring it up on my Screen. I debate sending it to Liam but decide against it. The Adults could easily intercept and correctly interpret what happened, which would lead to a Quietude of legendary proportions.
    “They can even access it this way,” Phoe says.
    “Can you delete it then?” I subvocalize.
    “You never actually took the picture.” She winks. “I intercepted the command and put that image on