Extinction Ashes by Nicholas Sansbury Smith & Anthony J. Melchiorri

Author:Nicholas Sansbury Smith & Anthony J. Melchiorri [Smith, Nicholas Sansbury & Melchiorri, Anthony J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction
Goodreads: 48330228
Publisher: Great Wave Ink Publishing
Published: 2019-12-30T16:00:00+00:00

***

“I knew when we found those locations, there would be a chance you would be investigating one.” Kate’s voice crackled over the satellite phone. “My work is putting your life at risk again.”

Beckham stood in the lobby of the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel, thinking of what to say. Team Ghost was packing up their gear around him and making final preparations for their missions to search for the Master behind the monsters’ resurgence.

“Reed?” Kate said. “Are you still there?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, it’s just… I don’t know any other way. Team Ghost needs help. We lost Mendez, Kate.” He paused, watching the disastrous chopper attack in his mind. “He was there one second, and then…gone.”

A moment of silence passed between them.

“I’m so sorry, Reed,” she said.

“It’s time for Horn and me to really step up and fight in the stead of those who have fallen. Meg, Riley, Davis…now Mendez, Lincoln, Jake, Timothy, Bo, Donna…and so many others who have given their lives.”

The list went on and on, dragging all the way to the first war, and Beckham let his words trail off. “If we don’t step up now, there won’t—”

“I know,” Kate said, cutting him off. “The only way we can live together like a normal family again is to win this war. We all have to be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice.”

Beckham knew this wasn’t going to just be him at risk, but hearing Kate acknowledge that made his heart flip. For that matter, she had put herself in harm’s way to complete her scientific work.

“Are the kids okay?” Beckham asked. “And the dogs?”

“They’re fine. They just miss you and Parker.”

Beckham choked up a bit. God, he just wanted to hug Javier and Kate and Horn’s girls, who might as well be his adopted daughters. He wanted to toss a ball for Spark and Ginger to chase, and sit out on their deck at Peak’s Island to watch the sunrise while enjoying a coffee.

But the only way to realize that kind of future was to face the evil lurking out there.

“Trucks are coming,” called a Canadian soldier from the lobby entrance.

A convoy of vehicles drove toward the circle driveway outside the hotel.

“I got to go, Kate,” he said. “Be safe. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

He almost hung up, but then heard her speak again.

“Wait, Reed, are you there?”

“Yeah, I’m still here.”

“When this is over… I was thinking… Javier could use a brother or a sister.”

Beckham smiled. “Yeah, he’d like that. So would I.”

“Then make sure you come home in one piece. That’s an order, Captain.”

He smiled wider. “I’ll see you soon, my love.”

She hung up and Beckham handed the phone back to the Canadian officer who had lent it to him. Then he walked back to Team Ghost.

“How is everyone?” Horn asked.

“Good. The kids are doing just fine.”

“And Kate?”

“Okay.”

“She doesn’t want us to go, does she?”

Beckham shook his head.

“I don’t blame her,” Rico said. “You guys already put your time in.”

“Yeah, well, things have changed,” Beckham said. “You guys can’t get rid of us that easily.

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