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

than a measly Kelhoon’s tech.” He stepped back and looked Jaxx up and down. “And, who would have imagined that a Being would be a key to the network, let alone a Being’s very own DNA. It’s very clever.”

Okbak’s scales raised on the back of his head, his nostrils flaring. “You insulted me.” He cackled, pressing his hand on his stomach, calming down an instant later. “I like you. You don’t fear me like the Atlanteans and humans.”

“Fear doesn’t exist in my world,” responded Taz. He turned back to Jaxx. “With you in hand, I can manipulate the pyramid network as I please. I will be the decision maker. I will determine who enters the network, where in the galaxy they are transported, and how much they pay me in order to access the network. And, don’t worry, we’ll treat you like a king, because without you, the Agadon controlling the network wouldn’t come to fruition.”

Jaxx dipped his head. “You could even sell weapons to those asshole races that want to take over peaceful cultures. I mean, what’s stopping you?” He patted his chest. “Oh, yeah, me.”

Taz’s smile diminished and he straightened his gray lips. “You couldn’t stop me, Jaxx.”

Jaxx winked, the same way Slade always had—with contempt; as if he had something devious up his sleeve. “Over my dead body. Literally.”

Taz tilted his head. “You’re thinking of killing yourself?”

“If you think you can use me to control the galaxy, and in a negative way, then yes, death would be my only resort.”

“You die and your wish to close the pyramid network will die with you.” Taz twitched, his head cocking to the side a few times. He nodded. “Good.” He bowed to Okbak. “I just transferred my abundant storage of galactic credits to your storage.”

Okbak leaned into a guard. “Verify, please.”

The guard knocked his fists together and exited the hut.

“And, Jaxx,” came Okbak. “Once the funds are verified and in my storage bins, I’m handing you over to our new friend and galactic ally, Taz, here.”

A faint whisper entered Jaxx’s mind, “Anata no kai o kidō shi, junbi ga dekite iru.” It was Kiyo-zan. Had they come? Had they answered Jaxx’s calling? Was Rivkah with them?

He closed his eyes, searching the area outside the hut. Three energy signatures were nearby, hiding behind a Kelhoon hover vehicle at the camp’s entrance. It was Zara, Kiyo-zan, and Fox.

Fox actually did his job and found them.

Jaxx opened his eyes and brought up his Chi. Taz tensed, sensing something change in the room.

Taz went into a defensive stance, grasping his phaser and glancing around the room. “Who’s there, Jaxx?” His lips upturned. He was ready and wanting a fight.

Jaxx played dumb. “Who’s where?”

Kaboom!

The hut rocked back and forth. Jaxx stood planted to the ground while Okbak and his guards were tossed backwards. Cement-like material splattered against Jaxx, covering him with gray debris. A cloud of dust formed in front of him, coming from a giant hole in the wall—a hole big enough for several people to fit through.

Taz stood, unhurt, unflinching. He growled like a bear. “Come and get it.” He raised his hands, energetically lifting a fallen hunk of the blasted wall, and threw his hands forward, hulking the chunk at the hole. The chunk broke in half, hitting something hard on the other side of the fog.

The smoke cleared. Kiyo-zan was standing at the opening with his shield up; Fox and Zara behind him.

The energetic bars surrounding Jaxx zipped off. Jaxx crouched and jumped toward Taz, wrapping his arm around Taz’s neck, putting him in a choke hold. He raised his energy even more, and tightened his grip.

Taz grunted, slamming his elbow into Jaxx’s side, pushing him against a wall. Taz turned and swiftly backed up, readying for a swift punch, then paused. A moment later, thick, blue liquid spewed out of his mouth. He grabbed his throat with his hand, gasping for breath. He looked down. The side of Kiyo-zan’s sharp shield had sliced through his spine and stuck out of his chest.

Kiyo-zan pulled it out, disgust all over his face.

Taz dropped to his knees and then landed face first into the floor. Fox leaped beside Kiyo-zan, pulled out his phaser and squeezed the trigger several times, poking holes in Taz’s back, making sure the prick was dead.

And he was.

Jaxx spun around. Okbak and his guards were stirring, awakening from the sudden blast that had knocked them sideways.

“We need him,” said Zara, rushing over to Okbak. She picked him up, sliding her furry arms under his scaly armpits. “I’m pulling him to the transport.”

“Transport?” inquired Jaxx.

“Yeah,” replied Fox. “And we need to hurry. The Kelhoon will be coming in hordes.”

A laser whizzed through the hole in the hut and struck the far wall. Kiyo-zan’s back hugged the wall and he poked his gun out of the opening.

Wapooo! Wapooo!

His phaser sent bolts at Kelhoon warriors. “San-ri no senshi.”

“Only three on their way?” Jaxx picked up Okbak’s rifle and slammed the rifle butt on the back of the two Kelhoon guards’ heads, knocking them out cold. “More will be on their way in a matter of minutes. Let’s go.”

Kiyo-zan lifted his wrist in the air. And out of his gold wrist band materialized his shield. “Yuko.”

“Yes, let’s go,” replied Jaxx.

Kiyo-zan jumped through the opening, his shield up. A Kelhoon laser bolt hit the shield, sizzled wildly, and branched around the face of his shield like lightning.

Darkness had started to set on the moon, which was good, and for better cover. Jaxx and Fox crept to the opening. They targeted two Kelhoon and popped a few shots off, downing the alien bastards.

Zara pulled Okbak through the hole, dragging the prime chieftain on the cold, snowy ground. “Up ahead we have a Kelhoon transport ready.”

Jaxx and Fox continued firing, riddling everything in sight, and followed Zara through the hole. They shot wildly, missing Kelhoon after Kelhoon, but hitting them wasn’t necessarily their goal. Keeping them away, was.

Jaxx targeted a hover vehicle, and shot