Light of the Reaper: A military Scifi Epic (The Last Reaper Book 13) by J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon

Author:J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon [Chaney, J.N.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2022-03-13T00:00:00+00:00

19

Evantros assured us that his people could keep everyone safe until there was an obvious threat to the sanctuary. When Elise left the Archangels on guard duty, our guide became angry for the first time and insisted that everyone rest.

“What good is such a place if there is no suspension of worry and fatigue?” he asked. “Or does sanctuary mean something different to you? Please trust us. Your lack of confidence damages our value.”

I consulted the language cheat sheet X-37 provided in my HUD. “We’re cautious.”

“Clearly,” he said. “Now rest. Spend some time together. If you need food, we can provide it and a fire to cook it.”

I gave him a thumbs-up. “Thanks, Evantros.”

He examined my cybernetic fist, then bowed before backing away.

Elise gathered the team for a meeting, then sat beside me on a low retaining wall as we waited. Neither of us lowered our guard despite the assurances of our host. “We should split up and send half the team back to the surface to search elsewhere. I’m actually thinking about breaking into pairs to cover more ground.”

“That would put the Archangels on their own. Not a great idea,” I said. “They mean well, but…”

“Jag relates to Billiam and Sykes. He could take the Archangels. Naaman and Decima could contact the Triumvirate again and search the territory they control. You and I could decide if Evantros and this village are worth more time,” she said.

“I could go solo like normal.”

“Not a chance, Reaper. I haven’t decided yet. Exercise patience,” she said.

“Is that what you’re doing?”

She raised one hand to acknowledge my point.

Jag and the others arrived, downed most of their gear, and started eating ration bars and bits of bread the locals had given them.

“General Elise is considering some new options,” I began. “Thoughts?”

Jag motioned for Naaman to go first.

“My best theories have been disproved many times. I know the lay of the land, but my approach has a poor success record,” he said, then looked to his cousin. “Someone else should decide the way forward.”

Decima shrugged. “I don’t see what we’re doing here. None of the locals want to share anything, much less a secret antidote.”

“Pass,” Sykes said.

“I’ve got nothing,” Billiam said. “Unless you want to hunt Obsidians. Got lots of ideas about how to do that.”

“Save that for later,” Elise said. “We’re missing something.”

“She is correct,” X-37 said. “The most likely explanation for Naaman’s failure to find the secret is that he has been looking in the wrong place or for the wrong thing. We are likely making the same mistake.”

My body ached, and my stomach rumbled. I gulped fresh water and ate some of everything my friends had gathered during our hike through the subterranean village. The locals were generous, and their food was packed with both tart and spicy flavors. “As much as I’d love to split up and do some solo work, I vote we stay together.”

Elise paced. “Agreed. When Scheid makes his move, we’ll be outgunned. Teamwork is the ticket.”

Sykes and Billiam repeated the phrase like it was a mantra of the Maglan fleet.

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