Hothouse by Stephanie Mylchreest

Author:Stephanie Mylchreest [Mylchreest, Stephanie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-08-13T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

It’s a cool night and the wind whistles through the forest and causes small waves to form on the surface of the water. Yanx has assumed the role of tactical commander and is organizing the divinity and forest people into groups. Apollo stands by her side, watching the going on with the usual sneer plastered on his face.

The groups will split up and approach the fuel stockpile facility from different directions to undertake a synchronized attack. It’s shocking seeing Yanx direct the forest people, but the uneasy truce seems to extend to uneasy cooperation.

Mother is busy talking to the others. I wanted the opportunity to talk to her before we carry out Ben’s plan, but her allegiance to Commander Rothman and her sense of obligation to the people on the station is too strong to risk confiding in her.

I walk casually over to where our people from Martha’s Vineyard have deposited their packs. I find my mother’s pack in the pile and take the short note I wrote to her and tuck it inside. It tells her why we’ve done what we are about to do, asks for her trust and forgiveness, and asks her to meet Rich and me at Morris and Prue’s winery. Carl is lingering on the periphery of the group. He spots me, and stares until I disappear behind a tree.

The forest is dark and oppressive. Bats screech and soar above the canopy overhead, huge, flying beasts of the night. We are all moving about quietly, but there is a low hum that’s unavoidable when tens of people gather. Whispers become magnified, layer upon layer of unavoidable sound. Feet, stepping carefully, crunch the ground. But it’s not just one set of feet, and the snapped twigs and kicked stones are louder still.

I find Ben in the darkest corner, at the very edge of the group.

“Have you got it?” I ask him, glancing furtively over my shoulder.

“Yes. Someone might realize it’s missing so you need to act quickly. Here, take it.” Ben carefully passes me a small package. He handles it gingerly. “Don’t drop it,” he says.

“It won’t go off in my hand, will it?” I ask. I hold the package gently, as far away from my body as I can.

“It should be okay, as long as you are careful.” He flashes me a grin in the dark and I can’t be sure if he is joking or not. When he continues, it’s in a low, hurried whisper. “There are two bombs in there, just in case one fails. One uses a detonator which is a button you can press remotely, and the other can be set off with a timer. It’s all very easy to use. You can decide which one will work best.”

Ben gives me a quick explanation as to how to set the timer on the second bomb.

“Will one bomb be enough?” I ask after he finishes.

“Yes, one bomb will be sufficient. I haven’t seen the facility, but these are very powerful. Be sure you are well clear before anyone presses the detonator or sets off the timer.

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.