Counterattack Read Free

angry, but I knew Dad well enough to know when he truly was mad. Who was he trying to fool?
    Finally the old man released my arm.
    I looked at my skin and saw blood. How had the old man managed to break skin? So many questions. And none that I could ask.
    â€œTyce,” Dad ordered, “take the note. Time matters a great deal. When you read it, you’ll understand why.”
    I ignored the tiny drops of blood on my arm, pulled the paper loose from Dad’s chest pocket, and slipped it into my own pocket. The robot backed away, holding me safely.
    â€œI have also arranged for you and Ashley to have a radio linked by satellite to a radio that will be provided to me,” Dad said. “Use it to speak to me only when necessary. Remember, we need to keep our communications to a minimum, because I’m sure we will be monitored. Also remember it’s important that you report to me every half hour.” He smiled grimly as he continued. “Without those reports, this gentleman here is in serious trouble.”
    The old man’s frown deepened.
    â€œYou are his lifeline,” Dad explained to my puzzled look. “As long as I know you are safe, he is safe. If they send anyone after you, if they stop you in any way—”
    â€œNo need to explain,” the old man interrupted. He hadn’t said a word to this point, and the calm deepness of his voice was a surprise. “If the kids get hurt, I get hurt. The Combat Force commander knows this very clearly. All your conditions have been met. But I warn you now—their deaths will be in your hands.”
    â€œIf anyone in the Combat Force harms them—,” Dad began.
    â€œIt won’t be the Force that kills them, you young fool.”
    I’d never heard anyone speak to my father this way. More surprisingly, Dad accepted the rebuke. Who was this old man?
    â€œSending them out into the swamps of the Everglades will kill them as surely as any military command,” the old man went on.
    Everglades?
    â€œAnd furthermore, young man,” he told Dad, “exactly how long do you think you can stay awake?”
    Dad didn’t answer. At least not to the old man. “Tyce,” Dad replied, “he’s right. All I can guarantee you for a head start is the length of time that I can sit here. When I fall asleep …”
    He didn’t have to finish that thought. I understood. When Dad fell asleep and the knife fell from his hand, he’d no longer have a hostage.
    â€œI won’t leave you,” I blurted. “Send Ashley by herself. I’ll help you. We can take turns staying awake and keeping him hostage while she—”
    â€œGo,” Dad insisted. “Later, when you read the note, you’ll understand.” He gave me a look I couldn’t interpret.
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou’ll have to trust me,” Dad said gently. “I’m your father.”
    â€œNo,” I said. “I won’t leave you.”
    â€œYou have no choice.”
    Dad lifted his eyes from mine and stared directly into the front video lens of the robot that held me. “Ashley, take him away.”
    The robot began to roll back toward the door, with me still helpless in its arms.
    â€œNo!” I shouted at the robot. “Ashley, let me stay!”
    My desperate plea did no good.
    The last view I had of my father was of him sitting on the bunk. With a solemn expression on his face.
    â€œYou need to succeed, Tyce. You have six days. And the countdown begins now.”

CHAPTER 4
    With soldiers following, the robot approached the main doors of the Combat Force’s prison.
    I now knew why they had not fired any shots from their neuron rifles. Dad was protecting me by holding that old man hostage. But only for as long as he could remain awake.
    At that instant I hated like I’d never hated before. I hated the fact that I was being carried. I hated the fact that the operation on my spine