Peace Army Read Free Page A

Minith, but he was nice. That was Treel’s big secret around most humans. Almost everyone was scared to be around him. Not his dad or his mom, or even his uncle Tane or his uncle Mouse. They knew Treel well enough. But everyone else left the room quickly when the alien entered. They weren’t used to his size, his large ears, or his green leathery hide.
    Eli knew that was the reason Treel kept to his room. He did not like how most humans acted when they were around him.
    “Again, little one?” The best thing about Treel, though, was he liked to play chess. He was also getting better with each game, which was great.
    “Sure,” the boy eagerly accepted. He loved the game and would play all day if he could. His dad was busy and didn’t have a lot of time to play. His uncle Tane tried playing a few times, but Eli knew he did it just to spend time with him. Uncle Tane wasn’t very good, and that was boring.
    They gathered the pieces and settled them into their places. Eli rocked with anticipation of the next match.
    Treel curled his top lip and snarled. Eli laughed.
    “Don’t even try that tactic, Treel. You’re goin’ down, clown.” He quoted one of his dad’s favorite phrases whenever they started a new game. He didn’t know what it meant, but it sounded funny.
    Treel snarled again. Gave Eli the Minith version of a smile. Led out with knight to F3.
     
     
    * * *
     
    Grant stopped, peered into the window set into the door, and nodded. As expected, Treel and Eli were well into a game of chess. A surge of regret at not having more time to spend with Eli flashed painfully through his core. He shrugged it off, consciously denying it the power to deter him from his duties.
    Grant pulled the door open and entered the room quietly, not wanting to disturb the game.
    Eli would have none of it, though. When he saw his dad, the game was forgotten. He erupted from his chair and quickly wrapped himself around his dad’s legs.
    “Dad!”
    “Hey, son. You kicking some Minith butt?” He smiled and ruffled his son’s reddish-brown hair, a gift from his mother’s gene pool.
    Treel stood from the game. Stretched. “Yes. Your little one is unusually good at this game of strategy. He will make a fine soldier one day.”
    “Don’t tell his mother that, or she’ll never let him play chess again,” Grant only half joked. Avery knew the need for soldiers, but she was adamant that her son would not be among them.
    “Aw. C’mon, dad. It’s just a game.” Eli knew when his dad wasn’t being completely serious. “Besides, I’m gonna be a pilot.”
    “Yes, yes. A pilot, just like your uncle Mouse.” Grant knew where his son’s allegiance resided. “Unfortunately, I’m not sure your mom sees the distinction between a person who fights on the ground and one who fights in the air.”
    Grant picked the boy up and squeezed him in a tight hug. “You know how much I love you?”
    Eli spread his right thumb and forefinger a quarter of an inch apart and held his hand up to his eye. He squinted through the tiny space. “About this much?”
    “Ha. Even less.” They laughed, both familiar with the game they played. The smaller the gap, the more love there was between them.
    Grant put the boy down and pointed him toward the door. “Go see what your mom is doing. I need to talk to Treel for a bit.”
    “But Dad, we’re right in the middle of a game!”
    Grant sighed. Surveyed the board quickly. Shook his head. “Little buddy, looks like you’ve got him set up for checkmate in three more moves.”
    “What?” Treel growled as he scanned the pieces arranged on the table. “I’m ahead on this one.”
    “Ha! That’s funny,” Eli teased as he headed for the door. “Told you you were goin’ down, clown!”

 
    Chapter 2
     
     
    Mouse landed the jet carrier on the runway outside the giant structure formerly known as Violent’s Prison. Tane, the sole passenger on this extended flight, was glad to be back on the