Fire Strike (with Mike Maden) by Clive Cussler

Author:Clive Cussler [Cussler, Clive]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Thriller
ISBN: 9780593543948
Goodreads: 62121604
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons; Penguin Random House
Published: 2023-06-06T05:00:00+00:00

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Jean-Paul Salan lay on an examination table in the container ship’s small infirmary. An IV-drip bag full of his own reconditioned blood hung from a stand beside the table, a tube snaking from the drip to a swollen vein in his forearm.

The Franco-Algerian’s eyes gleamed with animal energy, and his body tingled all over from the surge of hormones coursing through his body from his enhanced endocrine system.

Hightower’s CRISPR technology enabled his body to produce higher levels of testosterone and inhibit myostatin production, both of which contributed to increased muscle mass and aggression. It also increased epinephrine production, which sharpened his senses and oxygenated his blood. But it was the surging endorphins that blocked his pain receptors, elevated his confidence and mood, reduced stress, and made him unreasonably happy.

Salan also knew it was the endorphin rush that made him crave ever-increasing levels of it.

Hightower’s voice crackled on his encrypted cell phone speaker.

“You sound more agitated than normal. Please tell me you haven’t altered your conditioning regimen.”

“Of course not. You told me not to, and I always listen to my doctor.”

Salan had paid one of Hightower’s technicians a great deal of money to secretly smuggle the new supply to him. Not only was he battling an engineered addiction to both power and pleasure, he was also in an undeclared war against Hightower’s monopoly. As soon as Salan’s undercover scientist on board the Sekhmet could acquire the technology and expertise, he would build his own laboratory and cut Hightower out of the equation entirely. Until then, he had to be patient, something he found increasingly difficult.

“I don’t like the sound of your voice. I’m warning you, Jean-Paul. I’ve taken you to the utmost limit without putting you at risk. If you step over that line, there will be physical consequences. I know it must bother you that you can’t keep up with your super soldiers, but you’ve got to put your ego aside.”

“You don’t have to remind me. I’m well aware.” Salan tried to mask the surging rage welling up inside of him. Hightower had only allowed him and his most trusted lieutenants ten percent of the conditioning his mercenary soldiers received. They needed it to stay competitive with the super mercs under their command. Salan also took the conditioning for his own ego. He wasn’t getting any younger.

“Just one degree over the line I’ve set for you and you could be shortening your life by years, even decades. Your mercenaries might be able to outrun and outfight you now, but in two years you’ll be standing over their graves.”

“Anything else on your mind?” Salan squeezed his fist and relaxed it, trying to get the IV drip to go faster.

“I know how good it all feels. Trust me. But you’d be better off licking tabs of acid for a high than ramping up the protocols.”

“Just stay alert. And call me if there’s any problem.”

Salan killed the call and closed his eyes, enjoying the rush.

He understood the risks. But all of his life he had pushed beyond the boundaries others set before him.

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