Free Phantom Universe by Laura Kreitzer

Paige’s hand’s about to make contact again when Gage seizes her wrist. “That’s enough, Brooks. If you want me to pull the rank card on you I will. Do you want to be Paige around here, or Brooks? Cause I can make your life a living hell, eh?”
    Daggers fly from Paige’s glare. “I’ve been in the League longer than you, Appleton. Don’t you start throwing last names around like you’re something special. You’re nothing but splash beneath my shoe!”
    “ I don’t care how old you are, I am still your commanding officer, and you’ll do as I tell you. You are not to lay a single finger on Summer. Got it, Brooks?” Gage’s angelic voice darkens and roars with authority.
    “ Yes, Lieutenant Appleton,” she replies reluctantly and a little sarcastically.
    He releases Paige’s arm, and she backs away, glaring the whole time.
    “ Gage, they could still be Outlanders,” a male says unwillingly.
    Gage lands on his knees in front of Summer again, sweetly checking her cheek for any permanent damage. “Are you okay?” His breath tickles her cheek.
    She nods, though she doesn’t want him to stop touching her cheek. Her face flushes at the thought, and she’s glad the burning slap mark conceals it.
    “ Gage,” the male’s voice says again in warning.
    “ I heard you, Bruce.” He sighs. “What year is it?” he asks Summer, again using his hypnotic green eyes to stare into her soul, seeking the answer.
    “ Did you lose your calendar?” Jaden asks, confused.
    “ Just—tell me what year it is.”
    “ It’s 2010. Duh.”
    “ No it’s not sweetie,” Cameron says and steps into Summer’s view. Her face is much softer than Paige’s, and her dark eyes are kinder, too.
    “ Cameron—” Gage begins, but is cut off.
    “ They have a right to know,” Cameron says softly.
    “ They don’t have rights at all,” snaps Paige.
    “ Will someone tell me what’s going on?” Jaden folds her arms.
    Cameron places a tentative hand on Jaden’s stiff arms. “Honey, it’s 2210.”

CHAPTER 10: IMPLANTS

     
    16 years old
     
    “ Real funny,” Jaden says with a laugh. “You must really think we’re stupid, don’t you? We were slaves, not slow.”
    “ It’s not a lie,” replies Gage, his voice unfaltering.
    “ And next you’re going to tell me the Canadians have taken over.” She goes into a fit of giggles. “And instead of the mounties riding horses they now ride unicorns!” More laughter.
    Humorless silence greets her.
    Jaden’s laughter trails off as she meets the eyes of everyone around her. “What? There really are unicorns?”
    Summer is curious—unicorns are another one of those mythical creatures she believes in that Landon tells her aren’t real.
    “ Hardly.” Paige snorts arrogantly. “The Canadians have taken over.” Her hand rushes through the air in welcoming. “This is the Canadian Federation. It has been for a hundred years after we fought those Yankees.”
    “ Except New York,” adds Bruce.
    Jaden can’t speak; she mouths a few words, but nothing comes out.
    “ Why is it that all of the Outlanders find this so unbelievable?” asks Cameron as she takes a seat in the sand next to Summer.
    “ Oh, I don’t know,” says Jaden sarcastically. “Could it be because the Canadians are neutral and have no army? They just aren’t territorial!”
    “ Of course we have an army!” disagrees Cameron.
    “ Hah! Not one that could take the U.S.” Jaden sits in the sand across from Cameron.
    “ When the American’s were destroying the world, one stupid bomb and war after another, we had to stop them,” Paige jumps in crossly. “World War Three? Disastrous! Add in the Fourth and Fifth and we couldn’t take it anymore! Everyone’s eyes were so focused on the U.S. that they didn’t even see us coming.” She places her hands on her hips with a huff, towering over Summer, Jaden, Gage, and Cameron.
    Summer looks to Gage for answers.
    “ It’s true,” he admits. “We took