Under By Treaty (SciFi Romance) Read Free Page B

across the bow then permission denied, General. We’ve agreed to meet with Ambassador Sonil. Put an end to her circus.”
    “Sir?”
    “Thought you’d like a ringside seat, General.”
    Jaden frowned. “Mr. President. What’s going on?”
    There was a pause. “I ’ll explain when you arrive. POTUR out.”
    They ’re handing me over to the Qui.
    A near indecipherable click alerted Jaden a split second too late. He lunged forward and nearly got his fingers chopped off by the bullet-proof partition that shot up, cutting him off from the driver.
    He stabbed the exit button. Nothing.
    A black void opened inside him. Bastards!
    Jaden retrieved the gun strapped to his calf. He sat poised for action before sagging. The transport was rocket-proof. There was nothing more he could do until he reached Central Command. His stomach lurched. What was he going to do when he got there?
    Shoot his own men?
    Fucking Rooster.
    He felt the transport dropping down to land.
    A voice spoke in his ear. “General?”
    “ What?”             
    “Colonel Tennant, Sir. We have orders to extract you from the transport. Alive. Sensors are detecting a weapon.”
    “No shit.”
    “Come on, General, we have orders. You know the score.”
    Jaden leaned his head back and closed his eyes. He ’d gas him. Dammit. Trapped in the transport he was helpless. A gentle jolt told him he had arrived at Central Command. He had one choice. Hand over his gun, or shoot his brains out now. He seriously considered it.
    O ne thought stopped him.
    The Qui would come after Earth. Sonil had made that clear. She had him over a barrel. He couldn’t defend Earth if he was dead. And Earth needed this reprieve. It was the least he could do for the human race, to honor the memory of his mother and father. Trey Jaden, five-star General of the United Regions, had a duty to the human race, and he would face that duty with honor.
    “ Sir?” Tennant said.
    Jaden had to force the words out. “I’ll come quietly.”
    “Thank you, Sir.”
    A seamless drawer opened. Jaden dropped his weapon in. He watched the compartment slide shut. His heart started to pound. Two seconds later, the door opened. He got out and recognized the secure reception area. Colonel Tennant and a security squad entered the room.
    “ Usual drill, General.”
    Jaden clenched his jaw. He ’d written the security procedures. If there was a loop hole in them he’d have closed it. He walked forward several feet to the marked circle, dropped to his knees and put his hands behind his head. He realized that apart from Tennant he didn’t recognize these guys.
    One marched up behind him and cuffed his wrist, pulling it down to the small of his back. A hand pulled his other wrist around to meet it. The cuffs locked with an audible click. Steel bit into his skin. A rigid bar between the cuffs made the chance of escape unlikely. Another guard helped haul him to his feet.
    Tennant approached looking a little gray. “I don’t know what you’ve done, Sir, but I’ve orders to strip you.”
    Jaden nodded. He felt sick. It was really happening. They were following Sonil’s treaty conditions down to the letter.
    “We ’ll start with shoes and socks, Sir.”
    “Great.”
    Having his pants pulled down was humiliating. Of course, that was the point. Stripping him bare was symbolic for what lay ahead. Jaden stared straight ahead. He did not move as they cut off his leather jacket. Minutes later he stood naked, surrounded by armed guards and a man he’d personally mentored through the ranks.
    Tennant could barely speak. “Need to escort you to the medical center.” He coughed. “Dr. Parsons has to remove your implants.”
    Jaden didn’t respond. He couldn’t stop this. Nor could he handle his emotions right now. Mentally, he stepped back, trying to put distance between himself and the situation. They paraded him through the halls of Central Command. He did not speak or look at anyone, but he