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

“Yes, but he was. You were too. And even Jaxx.” He took several steps in Rivkah’s direction and leaned in, almost nose to nose, his fury almost palpable. “Stars and stripes comes before family and friends, and other alien races. That’s something no one seems to remember or understand.”

She pushed her index finger into Fox’s chest. “I practically gave my life to the stars and stripes and this Secret Space Program bullshit. And…what’s more…I was instrumental in keeping that program undercover—inventing cover stories: military stealth missions, flaming meteors, blimps, helicopters, Chinese lanterns, you name it…we came up with every ‘explanation’ in the book for ‘unexplained lights in the sky,’ so the public would leave us alone and we could continue to launch our craft into space, unhindered. We’ve rolled out mission after mission, killing countless green and blue, one-eyed freaks. You, on the other hand—”

“I, on the other hand, didn’t turn on the SSP and sell out our entire country, and didn’t try to commit genocide on our own human race.”

Rivkah tilted her head. “What are you talking about?”

“You were just in my head. You know exactly what I’m talking about.”

Years ago, Rivkah attempted to align with Jaxx and the Taiyonians, a Japanese-like race, on a planet called Taiyo. The SSP, in collusion with the Kelhoon, attempted to take that planet’s resources and enslave the Taiyonian race. Jaxx wouldn’t have it, and shortly after Jaxx defected and fought for the other team, Rivkah saw the evil in the SSP’s ways and defected as well.

“All I saw was Slade. Nothing else.”

Fox picked up a clump of earth and threw it to the side. “Slade is aligned with the Kelhoon. He’s set a trap and is steering Starship Atlantis and the entire SSP fleet towards utter annihilation. The people on that ship will be slaves at best, mincemeat at worse.”

Rivkah shook her head, taking a step back. “No. He wouldn’t do that. I know Slade. He’s an asshole, alright, but he wouldn’t do such a thing.”

“I saw it. I saw the transmission.”

“What transmission?”

Fox crossed his arms over his chest. “Before I came back to help with Jaxx’s disappearing trick. That’s why I came back. That’s why I’m here, helping you pricks do whatever you pricks do.”

Rivkah shrugged, giving Fox an exaggerated smile. “He’s setting the Kelhoon up. Lying to them.”

Fox’s eyes widened. “You saw the transmission?”

“No. But I know Slade.”

“The hell you do. I know him better than anyone. It’s not a setup.”

Rivkah laughed. “You don’t use your brain.”

“You’re in on it?” Fox began to tremble and a searing ember of energy rose from his spine and out into his hands. Rivkah’s eyes widened. She’d seen energy with her eyes closed, but not with them wide open. And was he perspiring? “You too? A traitor?” He thrust his hands, connecting his palms to Rivkah’s shoulders.

A blinding light flashed and she toppled backwards, tumbling over boulders and skidding across the top of a ridge until her feet touched nothing. She wrinkled her nose and furrowed her brow. She gasped when she realized what was happening. A cliff. She scratched at the ground. With a grunt, he saw it and reached. Fingers around a thick shrub at the edge of the cliff, she squeezed with all she had. Breaths heavy, she glanced down. A two-hundred-meter drop to the white and gray rocks below.

Gravel crunched under heavy feet as Fox came into view. He kicked pebbles and dirt at her. “You’re in on this, too. I can’t believe it.” He stepped on her fingers. “Bye-bye Rivkah.”

7 E-Quadrant, Earth - Lookout Mountain, Tennessee

The meals came, the empty plates left. With no windows and no clocks, it was only the slight variation in food that gave Drew any clue what time of day it was. Unless they were screwing with him and giving him Kung Po Beef for breakfast.

The guards escorted him through the compound, in spite of his vocal protest, and deposited him in what could only be described as a replica of the Oval Office. Anderle sat behind the massive, Presidential desk, his feet up. “This wasn’t my idea.” He handed Drew a stapled, crisp set of papers. “Just printed these out.”

Drew set the papers on the table. “You have Mya under twenty-four-hour guard. There’s a damn Chinese guy in there with her now, eying her like she’s a POW.” He didn’t dare mention what else he saw, the Christ-like miracle that baffled him to no end that put Mya on the floor, conked out for hours.

Anderle hesitated, his eyes moving to the papers. He shrugged. “For her safety.”

Drew saw the lie in Anderle’s shifty eyes, before Anderle even opened his lying mouth. Plus, it was a crap answer. “What are you hiding?”

Anderle thumbed over his shoulder. “She’s not to leave that room. Not for one minute unless I, or General Yu, gives permission. Understand? And that’s that. Now, look at the documents, please.” He sighed, heavily. Good, that meant he was exasperated. Drew wanted the jerk to be stressed. He’d sold him down the river…

“Enough with the questions.” Anderle was in bark-mode now. He’d tipped into his 'Commander' persona.

Drew scratched his cheek with his middle finger. Anderle didn’t catch the gesture. Drew fought the urge to smile. He glanced down at the papers on the table. “Alright, what is this?”

“Read it.”

Drew read it then closed his eyes while pinching the ridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb, his face pallid. “This is a script. If I don’t comply, you’ll kill Mya? I just saved her, man. She’s only eight-years-old. She doesn’t even know her mother is dead. I told her we were looking for her father…you can’t do this to me.”

Anderle shrugged. “I can and I did.”

He took another glance at the script. “You want me to be your Katnis?”

Anderle nodded slowly, his eyes narrowed. “You like to read dystopia. Hunger Games is a good book to learn from because we’re heading into a dystopian world right now,