Midnight Zone: a Cade Rearden Thriller by JK Franks

Author:JK Franks [Franks, JK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: JK Franks Media LLC
Published: 2020-07-20T16:00:00+00:00

52

“It is a genuine possibility, Cade,” Doris answered.

“Aliens…more aliens, ancient aliens.”

“It would seem unlikely that an advanced alien species would resort to a very human style artwork to communicate,” Doris continued. “Especially if it was that long before your human’s ancestors had crawled out of their burrows. I think any conclusion at this point is likely to be premature and incorrect. Whoever the artist was, they've seen some sort of alien planet and alien life. I think that's a natural conclusion. It's at least the direction I'm leaning.”

“What are your thoughts, big guy?” Cade asked, looking over at Alan.

“I don’t know, that wasn’t what I was thinking we would find back there…not sure what I expected, but not artwork.”

Cade nodded. He made eye contact with Alex a few rows back. She nodded politely but sat with her hands in her lap. As the team’s medic, she had checked all of them and the prisoner when they boarded. Then she’d filled him in on Maratelli’s condition and offered some polite and even humorous words about McTee. Cade still had to deal with the loss, he knew that. He just wasn’t good at that; he was really hoping Gus or one of the others might take over for that. His own body felt like it might shut down at any moment. The hike out of the valley, the cold, his injuries, all seemed to have taken a toll. He needed rest and knew he was no longer mission capable. The anger, the sadness, and now the confusion over what they had found—it was all just too much.

He sighed, “Alan, I owe you my life. Thank you doesn’t really fucking cut it but…thank you.”

Alan started to speak, but Cade stopped him. “I know what you’re going to say, but you’re wrong. It was not what anyone would have done, it wasn’t just the first thing you thought of. It was brave, it was smart, and it was heroic. We…I have to stop thinking of you guys as kids. I’ve seen how quick your minds are but also how capable you are in so many other ways. I’m sure your mom wouldn’t approve of your actions, but I sure as hell do.” He pulled the young man over in a tight hug and Cade saw the tears in the boy’s eyes. His were flowing as well.

“I’m sorry…” Alan tried to get it out but failed. “He…I’m just sorry I didn’t get there sooner. Maybe…you know.”

“Maybe you could have saved McTee, too? Don’t think that way, never second guess yourself. We are soldiers. Dying is an occupational risk. We were there to keep you safe while you did the important work. We told you to stay back. Thank God you didn’t listen.”

Alan nodded. “He was a good man. I really liked him. I just hate it. I hate all of this.” His eyes fell on the reclining form of the girl. She looked far less intimidating now. Truthfully, she looked like an innocent college student just resting up for a finals cram session.

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