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

heading to Tanner Springs Assisted Living Center’s only scenic view, a small pocket of trees.

“Mom. I had to see you.”

“Well, that’s good. Do we know each other?”

He pushed her into the shade, parking her chair next to a wooden bench. He helped her out of her chair and onto the bench. “No need to fake it anymore, Mom. They won.”

She shook her head. “Not unless you let them, son. They may have won the battle, but you, my darling, are going to win the war.”

A rocket blasted off across the way, rocket smoke trailing across the sky and into the heavens. It was loud, though not as close as it sounded. Miles away. Another governor or senator leaving Earth to join the other politicians and their families on a starship destined for Callisto. He wanted to scream to the world that he warned them, that he told them so.

The entire government was leaving. It was being reported all over the news. Governors and senators left farewell letters, recorded farewell speeches, and told the citizens that they would be back as soon as they established a civilization on Callisto. They said that everyone would be saved from the global warming cataclysm that was on its way. When was the cataclysm going to hit the Earth? They didn’t know, but soon, very soon.

The politicians wouldn’t be back.

Laura cast a glance over her shoulder. “They’re still here you know. You need to be more careful. You broke the biggest story that this world has ever seen and there are trials to come. They’re going to try to silence you. You have to stay away.”

Drew patted her hand. “I love that you believe in me, Mom. And I love, more than anything, that you’re here and can see me and I get to talk to you again. I missed you so much.”

“They’re coming,” she said. “Game face on.”

Drew looked back at the facility. Sure enough, the clunky, uncoordinated, overly-muscled G-men were padding across the lawn.

“Is that a second rocket, Drew?” His mother pointed to another rocket, a different rocket carrying additional politicians closer to the edge of the atmosphere.

“It’s happening all over the country, Mom. They’re leaving. The politicians are leaving.”

“Not that I mind. What did the politicians ever do for us?” she said. She patted Drew’s hand. “Listen to me, Drew. Your dad didn’t die.”

Drew stared at his mom. “I don’t care what happened to him. He left us. Both. He’s dead to me.”

“Sir is alive.”

Another rocket propelled into the sky. Drew didn’t bother looking. His mom did.

“Why did you come here, Mom? Why have you hidden yourself away all this time? Was it because of him? Sir?”

“Nope,” she said. “Like I said before. It was because of me and because of you.”

Drew shook his head. “Do not lay that on me. Please.”

“I knew if you found out what I know, your life would be in danger. I wasn’t happy with your father’s lifestyle. I left him because he was a fraud, a liar, and part of something black and clandestine.”

“Do you know where my dad went?”

She pointed at the rocket in the sky. “He’s in one of those.”

“What’s his name?”

She gave me a wink. “You talked with him on the news the other day.”

“I...uh…”

“Slade Isaac Roberson, Colonel and once head of the Global Safety Administration. Now flying to Callisto to be a leader there, as well. He always dreamed of living amongst the stars.”

“You have got to be shitting me.”

Laura coughed. “I shit you not.” She coughed again, this time harder. “Hand me my water.”

As Drew reached for her water, Laura pitched forward, out of her chair, and onto the ground. She spasmed and kicked, froth forming at the edges of her mouth.

“Mom,” Drew tried to scoop the mess out of her mouth, to clear her trachea. “Someone, please, help me.” He turned her on her side and tried to perform a Heimlich. “Please,” he screamed. “I need some help here.”

He looked back at the Facility. The G-men were back at their posts, guarding the doors. There was an attendant, banging on the glass, trying to get out, but there was no way around those goons.

Drew looked at his mother’s glass. Had they snuck something in there when the two of them were watching the rockets leave Earth, observing the politicians flee their sworn oaths to protect humanity?

His mother lay in his arms, still and quiet. He looked into the sky, tears wetting his cheeks and his chin trembling.

53

Date: UnknownLocation: Unknown

Jaxx lay on a cold table. A hazy light swayed above him, not blinding by any means. It was pleasant, calming.

He tried to lift his head, to see where he was, but the pain knocked him back. He cringed. It was going to be a hum-dinger of a migraine. He could already tell. He blinked. Vines hung from the ceiling. Green peas. He turned his head, wincing. An ache squeezed his temple. Dozens of long boxes displayed tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. Vegetable planters lined the room’s floor.

God, I feel nauseous.

A warm hand touched his forehead. Startled, he tried to get up. Lightning pain shot through his skull, pinning him back on the table. He bit down hard, clenching his jaw.

“Are you okay?” A woman leaned over, her face blocking out the light. She smiled.

“Who are you?” Jaxx’s voice was weak, barely audible.

She stroked his forehead. “I’m Francine. I’m one of the ship’s med techs.”

“Where am I?”

She averted her gaze. “Just relax. Right now, we need to get you healthy. Let’s not worry about where you are.”

Jaxx sat up, squinting at the searing pain in his head. Windows were everywhere. Stars speckled the sky.

“Please tell me where I am.” He tried to jump off the table, but the med tech held him down.

“I don’t know.” She walked over to the windows. “I only see stars. I’m not a navigator and I don’t know what quadrant we’re in. From what I’ve been told, we are somewhere between Earth and Mars.”

Jaxx rubbed his