Up From The Deep by Vaughn A. Jackson

Up From The Deep by Vaughn A. Jackson

Author:Vaughn A. Jackson [Jackson, Vaughn A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severed Press
Published: 2021-03-11T22:00:00+00:00


Chapter 15

“Lieutenant Greenwood,” General MacPherson barked.

“I’m here, ma’am.”

“Captain Brannigan has been severely injured in the line of duty. You are hereby appointed to lead any and all task forces in relation to Tempest and the ongoing kaiju threat.”

“Ma’am.”

“You are dismissed.”

Greenwood lingered.

“Lieutenant?”

“Will the captain be alright?”

“His new injuries in conjunction with his previous injuries have put him in a bad way. He’s in God’s hands now.”

Greenwood saluted. “Understood.”

“But,” the general added, “the man had an annoying habit of not ever staying down. Dismissed, for now.”

Greenwood gave a slight grin and stepped into the hallway.

“What’d she say?” Devonte accosted her as soon as the door shut behind her.

“Inspector Dehane called in. Brannigan’s been hurt, bad. They had to take him to the nearest hospital instead of bringing him back here.”

“Where is he?”

“No,” Greenwood’s voice hardened. “We need you and your friend here trying to solve our giant reptile problem. Got it?”

“But—”

“No buts. Focus. Brannigan knew what he was getting into. He did his job, now you need to do yours.”

Devonte lightly rubbed at his injured shoulder. “And what exactly can I do?”

“What?”

“Brannigan’s our best soldier, Skylar’s the real kaiju expert, Raymond’s the detective, you’re an all-round badass, and me…I’m a hacker operating at half speed. You can’t beat kaiju with code.” He slammed his good fist into the wall. “What the hell is the point of me in all this?”

“Who found your friend?” Greenwood said without missing a beat.

“What?”

“Who found your friend? It’s a simple question.”

“I-I did?”

“You sure about that? You don’t sound sure.”

“I found Skylar.”

“I thought so,” she said. “And who kept Tempest from getting their hands on the monster summoning device?”

“Me.”

“Mhmm. Now, who’s going to stop whining like a bitch and go make themselves useful?”

Devonte’s mouth hung open while Greenwood stared at him. He cleared his throat and said, “I am.”

Greenwood cupped her hand to her ear.

“I am,” Devonte said louder, glaring up at her. “Thanks, I needed the pep talk.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, I just told you the facts. If you were useless, I’d have told you that and sent you on your way.”

“Oh.”

“The point is, Captain Dehane brought you in because he saw something in you. I’m inclined to trust his judgment. Go prove us right.”

“I did have an idea—”

“Don’t tell me. Work with Skylar.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

#

Randolph Martin read the letter with the same visible apoplectic rage with which he did most everything in his life. Kurtis watched his face redden and noticed the veins sticking out in both his neck and his forehead and wondered whether or not the stress would simply kill him where he stood.

“I don’t understand,” he sputtered.

“I think it’s rather plain to see,” Kurtis said, “in light of your recent failures, the council has decided that your services are no longer worth the risk and you are hereby stripped of your rank as a member of the Hands of Fate.”

“After everything I’ve done for Tempest? I made us billionaires. I’ve served on the council for over fifteen years and—”

“Randolph, you know I’m not one for speeches and diatribes.



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