Scorched Earth: (The Human Chronicles Saga Book #16) Read Free Page B

wouldn’t be good press if Clark Kent went and got himself killed, now would it? Like I said, I’ll consider a rescue mission. But not with you—or Riyad, for that matter—and not in the Mark VII…which for the record, doesn’t exist.”
    Adam’s shoulders slumped. What could he do? He couldn’t let Sherri and Arieel end up like Andy.  
    Hollingsworth placed a hand on his shoulder. “Adam, you’ve had one hell of a past twenty years. You’ve saved the planet and the galaxy more times than Captain Kirk, and helped make the Union what it is today. Isn’t that enough for one lifetime? Let the rest of us take over from here. Take my advice: Relax, and let the President parade you around as a symbol of Human superiority. Bask in the glory, son. You deserve it.”
    “And Sherri and Arieel?”
    “Let me worry about that. I’m not going to forget about them.”
    Adam smiled wryly. “Yessir. Sounds like a plan. I just have to get my Superman cape back from of the dry cleaners.”
    Hollingsworth wasn’t buying Adam’s sudden change of heart. “I know you’re being sarcastic, but I’m serious, Captain. Don’t let me find you sneaking around behind my back. The President will let me do what’s necessary if it means keeping you alive and well on good ol’ Mother Earth.”
    Adam saluted the Admiral before spinning on his heel and leaving the room. He was in a hurry. He had to talk with Riyad.
    There was no time to lose.
     

 
    Chapter 2
     
     “What the hell is a Mark VII anyway?” Riyad asked. He and Adam were slinking along a shadowed wall of an isolated hangar on the vast testing grounds of the Union Technology and Development Division. It was a little past midnight on the night of the war briefing. Adam was in full uniform, just in case.
    “It’s like the Mark IV we had, only more advanced. Ever since Panur made his changes to the Pegasus , T&D have been trying to duplicate the feat.”
    “And they’ve done it?”
    “Not completely…shush, we’re coming up on the sentries.”
    Adam came around the corner of the building with his chest pumped out and walking with purpose. The two guards at the hangar door jumped to attention and saluted. Even if the set of four gold bars on his shoulder boards weren’t enough, they recognized Adam immediately.
    “Captain Cain!” one of the E-5s stammered. “Good evening, sir. What can we do for you?”
    “Mr. Tarazi and I need access to the hangar. Please open the door.”
    The other guard was frantically scrolling through his datapad. “Sir, I don’t see your name on the authorization list. Either of your names.”
    “Of course you wouldn’t, sergeant. Datapads can be hacked. Our schedules are not to be broadcast. Now open the door.”
    “But sir—”
    Adam smiled. “Sergeant, are you trying to tell me that I’m not allowed inside? What do you think I’m going to do, steal the Mark VII.” The two guards looked at each other. “That’s right. How would I even know about the ’Seven if I’m not authorized to enter the hangar?”
    “I’ll have to make a call—”
    “And wake up a junior officer who doesn’t have the clearance to know about our orders? Do think every officer is privy to such classified information?”
    “C’mon, Bill, it’s Captain Cain.”
    The first guard looked at the second. He hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Of course, sir.” He grinned. “I’m sure there aren’t very many places you can’t go,” he said with a nervous laugh.
    The other guard had already tapped in the security code for the door. Adam walked through the doorway while Riyad grasped the enlisted man’s shoulder. “We’ll only be a minute. And hush-hush, sergeant. Top secret stuff. You understand?”
    “Yessir, Mr. Tarazi. And I’d like to say it’s an honor to meet the two of you.”
    Riyad smiled, flashing his impossibly white teeth at the guards. Then he winked.
    “Hurry up, Mister Tarazi, we don’t have all night,” Adam said