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

hard, sweet drag on Carl’s blunt and held the breath for as long as he could. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet surrender.

“Your father is on Callisto, the Jupiter moon you wrote about, the Jupiter moon that you were investigating.” Dr. Cross paused, waiting for a response.

Drew wasn’t going to oblige her.

“I’ve read all your work, Drew. You were right. Your father and his cronies were a pack of dirty liars, who had no intention of evacuating the human population to Callisto. If only we’d listened, Drew. Your work was ground-breaking. Brilliant. Worst of all, true.”

Drew leaned back against the wall. She could praise his work as long as she liked. He knew he’d been right about his father, but it was good to hear someone else admit it.

“I’m with what’s left of the American government. We’re the ones who didn’t go AWOL. We’re on your side, Drew.”

Drew fought himself not to say, “You mean, you were the low-ranking cabinet members who weren’t offered a ride?” He snickered. She was a nobody. He could chill.

“We’re trying to piece some things together and need your help.” Her desperation seeped under the door.

Drew shifted on the cement floor. It was hard being a hard ass.

“And, we have a problem. A major cataclysm is coming our way. We are about to exit the holocene age, also known as the interglacial age, and we need to get you and several prominent geniuses to safety.”

Drew snorted, grinning at Carl. “She means me,” he whispered.

“You’re our future—if our race can survive. I think you know about the earth cycles, correct? We’re moving from a warm climate to a colder climate, or in other words, we’re moving closer and closer to another ice age.”

Carl and Megan each shot Drew a look. He knew what they must be thinking: who the hell are you, Drew Avera, and how did your father find himself on a Jupiter moon? Well, I am a grade-A genius and my father is a grade-A traitor who had my mother murdered before fleeing the planet. He couldn’t think about it. If he did, he’d be forced to do something. And Drew didn’t want to do anything. He wanted to sit on the basement floor and forget the world. He rolled his eyes and circled his ear with his index finger, suggesting the woman behind the door was a little cuckoo.

Carl and Megan weren’t buying it.

Drew felt his buzz threatening to buzz off. Damn.

“Okay,” said Andrea. “When you’re ready, my team and I will be waiting upstairs.” Dr. Cross took a step up a stair. She stopped. “I almost forgot. We are also here to protect you and everyone else in this city. And, I don’t know if you know this, but when you come upstairs, don’t be startled. There is a dead purple creature at the top of these stairs here. It’s disgusting.”

She made her way up to the bar. They heard a chair squeak and slide across the floor. Dr. Andrea Cross was taking a seat.

“Who the hell are you, Drew?” asked Megan in a whisper.

Drew didn’t answer. He thought of his mom. Why she wasn’t perking up with any suggestions. She’d been mouthy enough before. And Mya. Where was the little girl? He hoped she was okay and that her father was keeping her safe and alive. Drew hadn’t talked to Mya or even seen much of his little buddy in a while.

A blast shook the building. It was close. The basement lights flickered off and on. Carl jumped, then settled back down. The marijuana kept him in a happier place.

“I have a bad feeling about that woman up there.” Megan eyed the ceiling. “That bitch better not be taking any of my alcohol.”

Drew stood, his hand out toward Carl. “Another hit?”

Carl shook his head, squinting his eyes, giving his best Clint Eastwood impression. “I don’t trust you.” He reached for his rifle, but it was too far away and he shrugged. He brought the joint to his lips, took a deep puff, held it in, then slowly blew out.

Drew slumped against the wall, eyes closed. It was only then that he saw his mother, her arms folded, her mouth a straight line, her eyes boring into him. She’d been talking to him all along, albeit without actual language. She had been giving him her trademark silent treatment. She had faked dementia to keep Drew’s father from interrogating her to find Drew and ruin his life; and finally taken a bullet when Dear Old Dad worked out she and Drew were in contact. No wonder she didn’t approve of him sitting on his butt with a faux-buddy and a wet blunt.

“Message receive, Ma. Loud and clear.” Drew stood. “I’m going.” If this Andrea woman was telling the truth, then he was needed in some way. If she was full of shit, then no harm no foul. If she wanted to kill him and was part of some government group who wanted to obliterate him from existence, then she could have ended him already, but hadn’t.

Megan pointed her rifle at Drew. “You’re staying.”

Drew walked over to the door and picked up a bag. “Put these bags back when I’m gone. Don’t worry about me.” He dropped a bag to the side, then picked up another, dropping it to the floor.

Megan puffed up her chest. “Don’t remove even one more, Drew.”

Drew hesitated and thought for a moment. He shook his head. “I’m sorry.” He threw another bag aside. “You shoot me, then you’re a dick.” He gave Megan a wink and a smile. “And I know you’re not a dick.”

Megan remained quiet until Drew removed all the bags. She held the gun steady. Drew touched the door knob.

“Don’t do it, Drew.”

He slowly turned the knob. “Like I said, cover the door back up when I leave.”

Megan took a step toward him. “I’m coming with you.”

Drew glanced at Carl. The big guy’s eyes were closed and his head was resting against the wall. The guy was asleep. “Alright, but put