The Ascendant Wars: Hellfire: A Military Sci-Fi Series by Rhett C. Bruno & M.B. Vance

Author:Rhett C. Bruno & M.B. Vance [Bruno, Rhett C. & Vance, M.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aethon Books
Published: 2023-03-06T16:00:00+00:00

29 RYLAN

Lilith’s private estate, Lakshmi Colony

Rylan hobbled behind Markem toward a boxy black and chrome vehicle. An Enforcer detached from the truck. In a voice approximating a lion gargling blood, the Warden ordered Markem, “Get him in. Now.”

Almost tripping over his feet to obey, the burly man lifted Rylan by the armpits to carry him aboard. Rylan gasped at the pressure on his fractured ribs. He wondered what the Wardens would do to Markem if they thought he was squeezing too hard.

Before Rylan could feign being injured, Markem hauled him up the short ramp and dropped him onto a metal seat. Before the doors fully shut, the truck lurched away.

The machine said, “You may now communicate securely with your people. State your desired contact.”

It took several beats for Rylan to pump enough oxygen through his brain to think. Why were the Wardens helping him? What was their plan and how did he fit into it? They seemed responsible for the chaos engulfing Mu Arae.

But he couldn’t hide anything from the bots, let alone fight them. Humanity had become gladiators in the Wardens’ arena with no choice but to play.

He considered asking to speak with Giles. If the V.A. hadn’t been found, it might be able to connect him with whoever was in command of the Lucian military at Soondar.

“I need to speak with the commander of SOCOM Fleet. On a secure channel.”

“Connecting,” the Warden said. Ten seconds later, it told him, “Encrypted link established. Roundtrip lightspeed lag is one point seven seven seconds.”

A middle-aged woman in a helmet appeared in a rectangle on the Warden’s face shield. It was only then that Rylan realized anyone on the other end was enjoying a full-body video of him. Despite his sore muscles, he crossed his legs self-consciously.

“Commander Rylan Holt reporting, ma’am,” he said. His emotions threatened to spill at the sight of a friendly face. To distract himself, he added, “Sorry I’m not in uniform.”

She studied Rylan’s injuries, all colored darker shades of the rainbow.

“Commander Holt,” she said, “I’m Captain Paulson of the LSV Audacity. It’s good to see you. I apologize, but we need to authenticate you. Claire?”

The V.A.’s avatar appeared in a corner of the screen. “Commander, please tell us what is significant about the spring of 4375.”

Rylan had updated his personal authentication questions before deploying to Lakshmi. Eyes misting, he said, “Anya discovered unicorns and Kambrey invented the Peach Kiss.”

“Authenticated, ma’am,” Claire said.

Paulson blew a sigh of relief.

“I have a lot to tell you, Captain,” Rylan said.

“Then you may be the best news we’ve had today, Commander. The last time I was briefed, you’d been taken prisoner. We didn’t know you were alive until the Wardens announced your immunity a few minutes ago. Are you safe now?”

“I believe so, ma’am. I’m in a Warden vehicle. Alone with an Enforcer. It says the line’s secure.”

Paulson absorbed Rylan’s small sentences. “I don’t know if that counts as safe, but we’ll take it.”

Rylan would have laughed but for his exhaustion and worry. Fighting off tears, he rasped, “My wife and daughters were on Zeus when it was hit.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.