Invasion by L.E. Thomas

Author:L.E. Thomas [Thomas, L.E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Max Publishing

Chapter Seventeen

Thoughts of the strange old janitor buzzed around his mind the entire night. Tossing on his bed and twisting the sheets for hours, Nat kept hearing the gravely voice of the elder local. He might have managed two hours of sleep, but even then, he dreamed of the man and his ominous suggestion to check the trash.

Of course, Nat had rummaged through the trash in his quarters on the base. Feeling stupid, he gave up after realizing all he'd managed to do was smear his hands with coffee grounds and a foul odor. He took a shower and went into the office before the sun had started to rise, wondering if he might be able to catch the old man ending his night shift.

But there was no one but the Marine guard outside their office. Nat saluted and went inside the dark building, lights flickering to life as he strolled down the corridor.

Thumux wouldn't be in for at least another hour to begin briefing him on their next series of assignments. He had said they would be flying again tomorrow, so Nat knew today would be the endless series of office work and preparation that seemed to follow him everywhere.

He entered his office, the old man's voice echoing in his mind, "Look closer."

Nat sat at his desk and sighed, looking at the flight manuals and scraps of paper. It occurred to him suddenly that the old janitor might have been out of his mind, and he wondered why he hadn't considered that possibility earlier.

But then he looked at the steel wastebasket underneath the desk. Tipping it forward with his toe, he saw the basket lined with a plastic bag was empty. He sighed, shaking his head and pondering if he was the one who was crazy. Why did he believe the old man and risk an entire night's sleep over it?

He pulled the basket closer and stared at the bag. Wait a minute, he thought. Using his index finger, he separated the plastic lining and peered underneath. He inhaled sharply.

Something was there.

He thrust his hand into the basket and pulled out a silver rectangular card the same color as the basket itself. It had some weight to it like it was constructed from graphite. He twirled it between his fingers, watching as the office lights reflected off the smooth, cold surface. Text appeared and disappeared on the card as the light moved across it. He held the card up to the light, adjusting it deliberately to see if he could get the text to appear again.

There!

He held the card still and leaned closer.

The small rainbow-colored text in swirling cursive comprised two words: Atheron's Pit.

Collapsing into his seat, Nat stared at the card, dumbstruck. Why would an old janitor place what looked like a hotel key card with odd font emblazoned on the surface inside his wastebasket? What was Atheron's Pit, anyway?

A shiver rippled down his backside. Could the janitor be with the resistance? What if the rumors of a

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