Ascendant Saga Collection: Sci-Fi Fantasy Techno Thriller Brandon Ellis (ebook reader for comics txt) 📖

Carl didn’t respond, too deep in whatever plagued his thoughts, his lips moving like he was reading something to himself.

Megan placed a bag of flour on top of the bag of rice. She strode over to Drew and pushed the rifle to the side and away from Carl. “He’s just in shock, Drew. He’s never killed a thing in his life but maybe an animal or two before the hunting accident. He hasn’t hunted since. And now he’s just killed some alien Being and it’s haunting him, I’m sure. Carl wouldn’t harm a child.”

Drew brought the gun back up and aimed it at Carl.

Megan put her hand on Drew’s shoulder. Her touch soothing and sensual. “Trust me, Drew.”

Drew lowered the gun. “He isn’t right in the head.”

“Not at the moment, but he’s usually as gentle as a bear.”

Carl wasn’t kind to Drew earlier in the day. “Bears aren’t gentle.”

“They can be.” Megan walked over to fetch another bag.

Carl pulled something out of his pocket and Drew lifted his rifle, then put it down a moment later when he saw it. Was that a cigarette?

It wasn’t. It was a joint.

Carl placed it between his lips and slid a cigarette lighter out of another pocket. He put his hand over the lighter as if he was outside in the wind. Carl took one big puff, sucking in Drew’s salvation, Drew’s everything.

“Do you have another joint?” asked Drew, forcing a smile, setting the butt of the rifle on the ground, leaning the barrel against the wall.

Carl hacked a few times and pulled out another joint. “Always better to smoke with another.” He handed the second blunt to Drew.

Drew put it to his lips, already smelling the marijuana pleasure. He leaned toward Carl, tapping the blunt between his lips, speaking through his teeth. “Fire me up, fella.”

Carl flicked his thumb down on the lighter’s spark wheel and held the flame in front of Drew. Drew sucked in, lighting the joint’s tip. He pulled back and took a deep hit, held it in for several seconds, and let it slowly trail out of his lungs. His muscles relaxed, and his brain stopped doing cartwheels, allowing Drew to descend into Stonerville, where he loved to visit.

“No worries, guys. I’ll just keep piling up these bags in front of this here door.” Megan patted the top bag. They were now piled three quarters the way up the door frame. At least it would be a little more difficult to break in.

Yet, even more difficult to break out.

A fog crept over Drew’s eyes, the weed running like a ghost through his veins and lungs. “Just quit for a moment, Megan. Take a load off and take a hit.”

Megan rolled her eyes, her face showing her disdain. “And I was beginning to think you were cute.” She shook her head. “Last one.” She lifted a bag of flour and placed it on top of another bag. The door was now completely covered.

“Oh my God, Carl,” Drew went over and sat next to the big man, who lounged back against a wall. “Why didn’t you tell me you had this on you? It could have saved us a lot of—”

Knock-knock!

Megan backed away from the door, putting a finger to her lips.

“I’m looking for Drew Avera,” said a female voice on the other side of the door. “My name is Dr. Andrea Cross. I have word that he’s down here.”

14

J-Quadrant, Solar System - East Rise, Callisto

Fox pointed the phaser at Jaxx. “Tell me what’s going on, and now.”

The Kelhoon soldier, following Fox’s lead, aimed his ion rifle at Jaxx. “Ohinjaka.”

Fox twisted on his heels, now targeting the Kelhoon soldier. “Don’t move.”

The Kelhoon moved back a few paces, a confused expression on his lizard face.

Jaxx put his hand up in a halting gesture. “Wait, don’t—”

Whapoo! Whapoo! Whapoo!

The Kelhoon jerked backward and back again as phaser fire after phaser fire riddled his body. Fox jumped in the Kelhoon’s direction and kicked him in the stomach simultaneously blasting the lizard in the chest. The Kelhoon dropped to the ground and slumped over, dead.

Fox shook his head like a dog drying himself off after a bath. He blinked several times. “Don’t what?”

Jaxx rushed to the electric bars, grabbing them without thinking. He yelped in pain, the shock zipping up his forearms, and down to his knees. He shook his hands to get the electricity out of them. He cringed, holding his wrist. “Get out of here, Fox. Find Rivkah.”

“Find Rivkah?” He massaged his temple. “Goddamn, I have a headache.”

“Again, you were mind controlled by the Kelhoon leader. Get out of here and when you do, act like you’re still controlled.”

“Mind controlled? Are you mad, man?”

Jaxx stood, slapping his palm against his face. “Oh my God. Please…just leave, now.” He shook his head. “No, no. When more Kelhoon get in here, they’ll see a dead Kelhoon on the ground. Where are we going to put him?”

Fox went rigid. “Wait a minute.” His eyes widened. “You’re not screwing with me.” He paused, clearly thinking deeply. “I remember. I couldn’t get out of Okbak’s mind control. He had control over everything—” He glanced down at the dead warrior. “Shit.” He looked around, his eyes darting to every corner of the room. “The storage ambry.”

“Where?” Jaxx followed Fox’s eyes.

Fox ignored Jaxx, grabbed the Kelhoon’s arms, and dragged him across the floor to the other side of the room, leaving a long trail of green blood. He lifted a handle against a wall and a clank sounded. Fox pulled the door open, the hinges squealing in protest, and pushed the Kelhoon inside. He slammed the door closed, then pushed the handle down, sealing it shut.

“I’m getting you out of there,” said Fox, walking over to a console on the wall. “I remember the code to dematerialize the bars around you.”

“No, leave. I have to convince the Kelhoon to join our side.”

Fox furrowed his brows. “Did I just hear you correctly? On our side? What