Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33658 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“Look what these men brought me,” she says, grinning and holding up the bottle, her prize.
“We know how you like to take care of your grandmother,” one of the men says, his buzz cut flat against his skull.
“Kind of like your father took care of his family,” the other man states, a clone of the first one. They have to be Army or government. Fuck me!
“The resemblance between the two of you is amazing,” the first man says, picking up a picture of my father from the end table. It’s my favorite photo of him, him standing in front of a helicopter, his blond hair longer than the average enlisted dude, because he wasn’t average. He’d been Special Forces, working undercover all over the map. He’d died serving his country when I’d been barely out of diapers. The man sets the picture back down on the coffee table.
“They’re the spitting image of each other,” my Grandmom declares, her gaze lifting to me, her voice with it. “But Jensen ain’t got no clue who his daddy was. Man was never here. Neither was his mama.” She slugs a drink. “They died. Didn’t they, Jensen?”
One of the men focuses on me. “We think you’re a lot like him. For instance, you both showed an interest in official government business.”
Stab me in the fucking gut, I think. I’m busted. Big-time freaking busted and going to jail. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say in full denial mode. I’m not admitting shit. I won’t go down without a fight, not with my Grandmom dependent on me.
“You know,” the second man drawls, “there’s a lot that can be forgiven if you serve your country. Enlistment’s favorable to other options under certain circumstances. I’m Captain Sherman, son.” He offers a sideways nod to the second man. “That’s Captain Moore. We served with your father.”
“What do you want from me?”
Sherman answers. “Your father was part of a Special Forces unit where certain ‘skills,’ say, computer expertise, can be useful.” He wraps his arm around Grandmom’s shoulders. “In exchange for service in this unit, your grandmother will be well taken care of. It’s time you enlist, son. Be all you can be, like your father.”
Grandmom gulps from the bottle, and I become aware of the flowers in my hand—flowers that weren’t going to erase my problems any more than the wad of cash sitting in my pocket.
“And if I say no?” I ask cautiously.
“I don’t remember asking,” Sherman replies.
“I’m not soldier material,” I say, because damn it, I’m just a kid in a trailer park who self-taught myself to hack.
“You’re your father’s son,” Sherman replies. “Mark my words, boy. You have soldier in you. I’ll make sure of it.”
My Grandmom gulps another swallow, her teal green eyes that match my own, the only familiar thing left in her. We aren’t alike. We were never alike, but we are family. But she looks at me now with blame in her eyes. I killed my mother. As if I really did. She thinks I did, and that guts me over and over.
The booze could never quite kill her contempt.
Realization washes over me with an acid burn. I’m literally her problem, and that’s not a flippant side note. The best thing I can do for her is to leave and give her a chance to heal. To get as far away from her as I can and stay there.
My gaze meets Sherman’s. “She’ll be taken care of?”
“You have my word.”
“I’ll expect that in writing.”
A hint of respect flickers in the man’s expression. “As well you should.”
“Don’t suppose you’d wait until after tomorrow night to sign me up and ship me off?” They gave me deadpan looks in reply. “No. I didn’t think so.” My date with Layla’s officially cancelled.
The State of Things
There is a war raging with humanity’s existence in jeopardy…
Five years ago, General Powell told a large group of soldiers stationed at Groom Lake they were updating their immunizations. Instead, they were given alien DNA and converted into super soldiers, or GTECHs, as they are called. All GTECHs can windwalk, heal rapidly, and possess super strength, while some developed unique additional skills. Some also developed an X2 gene mutation that created a violent nature.
Caleb and Julian Rain are twins. Caleb is loyal to his country and humanity. Julian believes humanity is now the weaker race. He plans to rule the world and overthrows Groom Lake with every intent of driving toward his goal.
Julian is positive for the X2 gene. Caleb, to date, is not. They are two brothers pitted against one another. Caleb remains the good guy, the leader of his followers, whom he calls the Renegades, protectors of humanity. The Renegades stand with the US government.
Julian’s followers are the Zodius, a dangerous and well-enforced group that humans must fear. Though there are many humans who will pay to be on Juilan’s good side and plenty of wealthy people who will pay to become GTECH. This allows Julian resources and money.