Hell Divers IX: Radioactive by Smith Nicholas Sansbury

Author:Smith, Nicholas Sansbury [Smith, Nicholas Sansbury]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781504731621
Amazon: 150473162X
Goodreads: 70324205
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Published: 2022-07-19T07:00:00+00:00

eighteen

Michael opened his eyes in darkness, jolted awake by another nightmare about an attack on his family. It seemed to hit him every night now, and each time, the same armored knights came to their home to slay his family.

He still didn’t know why, or who these men were, but every time, the dream seemed so real. Tonight was the most extreme yet, and he suspected it was due to the stone that Oliver had given Layla.

Michael sat up, running a hand through his thick hair.

“The same dream?” Layla groaned.

“Yeah.”

Michael looked at the closed hatch. In the dream, it was ripped off its hinges, and the knights were pouring in with their axes and swords.

“It’s just a dream,” Layla said.

“I know, but . . . it seems so real every time.”

He swung his legs out of bed, only to feel Layla touch his arm.

“Don’t get up,” she said. “You need your sleep, Tin.”

“The sun will be up soon.”

He pulled gently away and crossed over to the cribs where Bray and Rhino Jr. slept peacefully.

Seeing them lying there in the moonlight streaming from the open window brought a fleeting sense of peace.

Still, he knew he wouldn’t be able to go back to sleep. It was already five, and he needed to be up in a half hour anyway. He spent that time modifying Cricket at his desk. The work helped keep his mind off all the worries, which was a good way to start the day. When he finished, he dressed quietly and put on his baseball cap.

Grabbing his pack and rifle, he went back to Layla to kiss her goodbye. She reached up as he leaned down, pushing his bill up so she could see his eyes.

“Please stay,” she said.

“I’ll try and be home early, okay?”

“Wait . . .” she said as he turned away. “How are you going to handle the opal?”

“I haven’t decided yet.”

She bit the inside of her lip—an old nervous tic.

“I haven’t dived in years, Michael, but I’m still the same person I was before I gave birth to Bray, maybe even stronger.”

“Definitely stronger. You know I think that of you.”

“But do you?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then you should also know I’m more than capable of helping you plan whatever you’re going to do.”

Michael sighed, seeing where this was going.

“Okay, tonight when I get home, we’ll talk.”

“Thank you.”

Michael finally left to find Victor in the hallway, wide awake.

“Good morning,” he said in his heavy accent.

“Good morning,” Michael replied.

Ton walked over from the other end of the passage. He took Victor’s seat, assigned once again to protect Layla and the kids.

“Thank you,” Michael said.

Ton nodded.

Yawning, Michael made his way down to the command center. Inside, Lieutenant Wynn slept with his head on the war table, next to a burning candle. The glow from computer monitors and radio equipment illuminated the wiry form of Pedro, who sat in front of the bank of electronics wearing a headset.

He turned and stood as Michael shut the door.

“Chief,” Pedro said.

Michael nodded. “Any word about the Hell Divers?”

“No, I moved location of drone, but the storms are .

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