Operation Atlas Lion by Addison Gunn

Author:Addison Gunn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Publisher: Rebellion Publishing Ltd

ONCE ALL THE parts were in place, it was go time. The preparations had taken two days, including planning and getting Lewis and his men in position. If even one part of the plan failed, the whole scheme was in jeopardy. There were too many pieces to the puzzle.

Back at the library, Miller offered Samantha his hand, which she took. Putting one foot onto the truck’s step, she jumped up into the driver’s seat and strapped herself in. Another Archaean, an older man wearing shreds of a three-piece suit, was sitting in the passenger seat. He grunted his greeting as Samantha adjusted the mirrors.

Her eyes met Miller’s, and for a brief second, her expression glassed over. With a concerted effort, she scrunched her lids tightly, then shook her head.

“Are you sure you can do this?” Miller asked.

Samantha’s face reddened. Gripping the steering wheel with white knuckles she looked away, through the cracked windshield. “Of course we can. We’re people, not animals. If we make a decision, we can stick to it.” There was a hitch in her voice, then she added, “Mostly.”

“If you can’t handle having the pheromones this close, I can get one of my men to drive the truck.”

“A deal’s a deal. We can do it.”

“This is important, Sam,” he reiterated. “I can’t have you and your kind wandering off into the streets. I need you to focus if this is going to work.”

“We understand our part.”

Miller frowned. “Right. And you’re sure the remainder of Swift’s Charismatics and communes will trail after us?”

Samantha pulled in a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “I can’t guarantee anything, Alex. No one can. But given how much the pheromones affect us Archaeans, I doubt Swift’s weak-minded kind will be able to resist. You’ll get what you want, and then some.”

Miller sighed. “All right.” He stepped away from the truck so she could close the door. “I’ll be in the back with my men. Once it starts, get down in your seat until I tap the side three times. After that, get the hell out, pick up the rest of your people, and drive the truck as far away from the compound as you can.”

She tilted her head to one side and narrowed her eyes at him through the dirt-encrusted glass of the window. “You’ve said that three times.”

“After this we’re square.” He adjusted the heavy pack on his back and gave a half-hearted wave. “Good luck.” Turning on his heel, he marched toward the back of the truck.

“Alex?” she called, opening the door and leaning out to speak to him.

He turned to face her.

The look she gave him was one he couldn’t quite place. She was pale, face slack. Could that be fear, or sadness?

“Goodbye,” she said.

Miller swallowed thickly, unable—unwilling—to process the rush of emotions. “Yeah. Take care of yourself.” He moved quickly and jumped into the back of the truck.

Inside, du Trieux, Hsiung, Morland, and a couple of Lewis’s squad sat crouched on the floor, the barrels of pheromones in front of them.

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