Ascendant Saga Collection: Sci-Fi Fantasy Techno Thriller by Brandon Ellis (easy to read books for adults list txt) 📕

Bogle blinked her eyes several times. “Huh?”

“You won’t steer me wrong? Who thinks I’ll let you steer me anywhere? If it were up to me, I’d be off this planet and finding my way back to Oklahoma where I could have a little peace and quiet.” She looked down. “I should never have left.”

Bogle wrinkled her brow. “What are you talking about?”

“You just said you’re the web that keeps me and two others together.”

Bogle snorted. “You were dreaming.”

Rivkah waved her hand in the air. “I wasn’t, but you probably were. Forget anything I said and I’ll gladly forget anything you were saying.”

Bogle rolled to her side, her back to Rivkah. “You don’t like me, do you.”

Rivkah kept her mouth shut.

“Well, it’s okay. I’ll grow on you.”

“I hope you grow off of me. Let’s just stay quiet from now on.”

Bogle leaned back, staring at Rivkah. She closed her eyes, then opened them wide, her eyes set to the distant wall. “You are to protect these people. You’ll take orders from me telepathically while you fight the good fight, while you keep the three hounds at bay.”

Rivkah jumped off her bed and stomped toward Bogle. She grabbed Bogle’s hair and pulled her head back.

Bogle kept her eyes positioned on the wall. “It’s against Universal Law to invade another’s space without permission.” Rivkah’s hand went numb and without her control, she loosened her grip from Bogle’s hair and dropped her hand to her side.

“Ow,” Bogle rubbed her head where Rivkah had pulled. “What’d you do that for?”

Rivkah looked around. Something was up and she wasn’t liking it. She went to the crystal wall, touched it, searched for a door somewhere—anywhere. She had to get out of here. Another escape, another run from the darkness. She walked around the room, doing her best to locate a button or a lever.

The door opened across from her. A man walked in.

“Grenik Star?” Bogle stood from her bed then hurried to him, like a wife to a long-lost husband. She gave him a tight hug.

Grenik laughed. “Well, aren’t you happy to see me.” He motioned for Rivkah. “Captain Rivkah Ravenwood, we have someone for you to see, and Executive Officer Katherine Bogle, please come with me as well. We’re going to place you into the Cultivation Room to get you ready for combat.” He said it matter of factually, as if that’s exactly what they would do without complaint.

Bogle leaned back. “The Cultivation Room?”

“It won’t harm you. It’ll enhance you,” replied Grenik.

Bogle threw her hands out the side. “Not interested.”

Grenik dipped his head and bowed. “I understand.”

Rivkah, on the other hand, would be happy to get out of this trap. “Take me to your leader.”

Grenik cocked his head to the side. “Leader?” His confusion turned to a smile. “Uh, our Master. You’ll see her, but we’re taking you to your friends.”

Rivkah almost laughed. “I don’t have friends.”

“I see. Lieutenant Kaden Jaxx and Captain Richard Fox are not your friends?”

Rivkah’s eyes went wide. “Are they here?”

“Yes, yes. Jaxx, on the other hand, is barely here. He’s covered in blood, doing his best to keep Fox at bay, at which he’s doing a mighty job, by the way.”

Rivkah’s hands went into fists. “What did you do to him?”

“It’s what Fox is doing to him. Please follow me.”

38

J-Quadrant, Solar System - Flood of Dawn, Callisto

Jaxx was in the air, pressed against the wall, his jaw clenched. He was in pain, but not physical, more mental. It was like his mind was being sucked into a black hole and he did everything in his power to keep his mind intact.

Fox laughed. “I like this power thing...brother.” Fox, cracked up at his own joke. “I’m draining you. You feel that?”

Jaxx did. He was tired. He was also getting pissed, fantasizing about throwing Fox across the room, then beating the shit out of him. “Put me down, Fox.” He brought both hands to his head as a new sensation kicked in. Dizziness. He swallowed, keeping the contents of his stomach at bay.

“God, this is going to be easy.” Fox dropped Jaxx and walked backwards a few steps like a bull ready to strike. He was determined with his forehead low and his eyes forward. He turned and brought his fist back in a punch and threw it in Jaxx’s direction. Even though he was several yards away, Jaxx’s head pushed to the side, as if Fox landed a blow to Jaxx’s temple; Fox’s knuckle to Jaxx’s skull.

Fox jumped up and down like a kid in an ice cream parlor. “What the hell? This is awesome.” He focused on Jaxx and threw his arms outward. Jaxx stiffened. An energy grip grabbed him like he was stuck in a straight jacket.

Fox put his index finger up. “Stay there, Jaxx. Let me try something.”

Jaxx fought Fox’s energetic grip, throwing his own energy around to kick this energy off of him. Nothing worked. He dropped his head, sweat dripping off of his nose to his chest, his arms as weak as a baby. He closed his eyes, thinking this was it. Fox was probably going to kill him or worse yet, torture him until he flat-lined. He let go of any attempt to push Fox’s energy off of him, and relaxed every muscle, including his mind.

Immediately, Jaxx fell, slumping to the floor.

“Wait. Stand back up,” yelled Fox.

Jaxx didn’t move, didn’t lift off the ground, didn’t flinch.

Fox took heavy steps toward Jaxx. “I’ll do it the old-fashioned way.”

Jaxx, on the other hand, was regaining his energy. The Chi ran through him like water into a tree’s roots. He stood and took a few steps and thrust his palm on Fox’s chest.

Fox went to bat it away. He yelped and jerked, lifted off of his feet, and was thrown into the air. He dropped to the floor, the back of his head conking on the grass.

Fox lifted his head, then dropped it back down, too weak, too concussed to get up.

“Don’t do that