Titan Six Read Free Page B

bloodstream.  They can also repair damage at the cellular level and deliver a number of naturally occurring chemicals to any part of your body, such as endorphins, adrenaline, oxygen, clotting factor, neurotransmitters, nutrients, T-cells to fight infection, and hundreds more.  We even have nanobots that can give you night vision.”
    “How are they activated?” Aiko inquired.
    “Some of them function just like your body’s immune system, which is to say they’re programmed to respond automatically.  But they also transmit information to Titan Global operations centers, where our technicians can remotely activate them to meet a specific need during missions.”
    “You’ll feel different at first,” Hawkeye explained.  “Maybe even invincible for the first few hours — and a little high — but you’ll grow used to the bots quickly.”
    Aiko thought for a few moments and nodded.  “I’m ready,” she said.  “These nanobots have obviously given Titan Six superior tactical advantages in the past when fighting my Dragons.”
    “Then roll up your sleeves everyone,” Dr. Nguyen said.”
    Frowning, Hawkeye and Tank glanced at each other and then at Nguyen.
    “We’ve already taken the injections,” Tank said.  “Isn’t there a saying that you can have too much of a good thing?”
    Nguyen smiled.  “You know as well as I, Tank, that we’re always making improvements.  We now have nanobots that can protect against genetic mutations, whether naturally occurring or those induced by an enemy.  Shooter, Gator, and Pyro have already received their boosters.”
    “I need to get a tattoo on my forearm that says ‘new and improved,’” Tank said.  “You folks in the Armory must not get much sleep.”
    The three soldiers received their injections.
    “Hey, that one stung a bit,” Hawkeye complained.
    Aiko looked at Nguyen and rolled her eyes.  “Men are such babies sometimes, Grace.  They always — ”
    Aiko paused as she grew dizzy and fell from the exam table.  Hawkeye and Tank grabbed her limp body and sat her in the nearest chair.
    “Wow,” Aiko said, shaking off the effects of the injection.  “That syringe carries . . . ”
    She paused again, searching for the right English phrase.
    “One hell of a punch,” Hawkeye said with a grin.
    “Yes,” said Aiko.  “A punch.”
    She took several deep breaths and stood.  “Everything is sharper, clearer.”
    “You’ll have a second round of injections in a few hours,” Nguyen explained.  “And more tomorrow.  As Hawkeye said, your body will become acclimated over time.”
    Dr. Nguyen touched her index finger to her earpiece.  “You’re all wanted by Mrs. Caine in the Gallery.  I believe there might be a mission in the offing.”
    Hawkeye looked at the former Chinese commander and smiled.  “You’re an official member of Titan Six now.”
    “I believe the correct phrase,” said Aiko, “is ‘I’m ready to rock and roll.’”
    Tank gave Aiko a thumbs-up.  “Correct.”
     

The Gallery
Aboard the Alamiranta
     
    The Gallery, where Catherine Caine held most of her briefings, was an area of the ship that caused most people to gasp, as if they had just entered the Smithsonian.  The expansive area was part library, part museum.  It had three levels, connected by glass platforms, walkways, and stairs that seemed to float in the Gallery’s subdued bluish lighting.  Even heads of state marveled at the cultural diversity of the collections, which represented Jurassic Period fossils as much as twentieth century art and technology — and everything in between.
    At the rear of the Gallery was a mahogany conference table, where Titan Six was now seated.  Also present were Titan’s main support personnel. Dr. Joshua Ambergris was one of Titan Global’s chief scientists, a man who had made amazing discoveries in numerous areas of research. David Denton, nicknamed Quiz, was not only a computer specialist but a scientist in his own