Spirits of the Earth: The Complete Series: (A Post-Apocalyptic Series Box Set: Books 1-3) by Milo Fowler (paper ebook reader .TXT) 📕

propped against his black and white aerocar, parked beside the government vehicle D1-436 left behind when we had to go chasing Erik on foot.

Dazzling sunlight reflects off the mirrored glass of every domescraper, causing me to squint as my unaugmented vision adjusts. I keep an eye on the surface streets while we land. No signs of anyone running, shooting, or throwing things. Broken windows and doors along both sides of the street are the only evidence that lawlessness existed here a couple hours ago. But like Dome 2, everything is quiet and lifeless now, with citizens confined to their cubes or workplaces.

"Why are we stopping?" Erik seems surprised. "We've got places to be."

We do. He needs to meet with an underworld contact in Dome 10 and pick up some EMP grenades, and then we need to go to our class reunion and meet the Creator, whoever the hell that is. But first—

"He's a good guy." I nod toward Drasko. "Just give me a minute."

Erik mimes tapping an antique timepiece that people used to wear on their wrists in the days prior to neural implants. Just when I think the guy's antics can't get any more cringe-worthy.

The aerocar sets down with a soft bump, and the side door rises. I tell everybody to stay put and jump out, jogging straight toward Drasko.

"So, you are alive." He gives me a wink, the wrinkled skin around his neck scars more pronounced in daylight. "Been hailing you all morning. Figured I'd stop by your cube to check on you." He raises an eyebrow like he knows more than he's letting on.

Probably because of the immobilized security clone he found on the floor outside my place.

"Augments are out." I double-tap my temple. "Been on special assignment."

He looks impressed. Then he coughs into his fist and turns toward his aerocar. "Figured you'd want these guys back." He hits the cargo compartment's manual release, and the door drifts upward.

On the bench seat, belted in like I had them last night, sit Wink and Blink. I could be wrong, but they both seem to light up at the sight of me. Probably their motion detectors recognizing my movement. Without my augments, I'm just a human-shaped blob to them now.

"Good as new." Drasko pats Blink on its flat chassis.

"Thanks, Drasko." I can't help smiling. Haven't been doing much of that lately. "I owe you one."

"Okay." He nods toward the aerocar with D1-436 at the controls. "Tell me what you're up to."

"Can't. It's classified." I unbelt my drones and pick them up, sliding one under each arm. Not sure what I'll do with them, but it's great to have them back. Maybe Erik can sync them with D1-436, and they can go back to keeping me out of trouble. Sounds like they'll have their work cut out for them where we're headed. "Never seen Dome 1 like this."

I pause to survey the silent streets. There's an uncanny resemblance to one of those post-apocalyptic VR games where a virus has killed off the entire population, but every building here is left standing, looking so pristine yet devoid of life.

"I have." Drasko grimaces like he's tasted something bad. "During the plague, martial law was in effect for months. Just as quiet as this. Eerie." He nods to himself, seeming lost in a memory as he follows my gaze to the surrounding domescrapers. Then he clears his throat. "You been in touch with Bishop?"

"She gave me my orders."

He holds my gaze. "Nobody's seen her. Not since the Chancellor went missing."

"You think it's the patriots?"

"Kidnap two of the most powerful women in Eurasia, then make demands." He nods to himself. "Sounds like a terrorist plan." Then he frowns. "But you've heard from Bishop recently?"

"Half an hour ago." I have no reason not to trust him, so I add, "She said the Chancellor is fine. They're in a safe location. Waiting things out."

Drasko exhales, looking relieved. "Alright then." He gestures toward the other item sitting in the cargo compartment: my exo-suit, looking polished up and ready for action. "Want to take this along?"

"Can't." Without my augments filling in the gaps, wearing an exoskeleton would be like learning to walk all over again. "Thanks, though. You've outdone yourself."

He almost smiles. Then he glances at my aerocar before stepping toward me and lowering his voice. "Is Chancellor Hawthorne still giving the clones their orders?"

"I assume so. Why?"

"Law enforcement and the Chancellor's private security have been working together to establish martial law. But there's what you might call a leadership vacuum right now. Nobody has addressed the public. Nothing is on the Link other than conjecture—the usual talking heads repeating themselves with nothing significant to share. But the conspiracy types—"

"Nobody listens to those wackos."

"You'd be surprised. They think there might be a coup in the works. They're claiming somebody, maybe one of the Governors, is trying to usurp Hawthorne's position. The so-called terrorist attack might have been just a diversion, not even led by real patriots."

"Intriguing theory."

He smirks. "But you can't tell me if any of that lines up with your current assignment, because it's classified. Curfew Enforcer Sera Chen on a secret mission. Nothing weird about that at all."

He has every right to be suspicious. But I don't know how much to tell him.

"Minute's up!" Erik calls out the open aerocar door.

"I've got to go." I shift Wink and Blink upward. "Thanks again. Like I said, I owe you."

"Your holster's empty." Drasko nods toward where my shocker should be cased on my hip. "And that guy with you looks a whole lot like last night's dust freak—the jumper. I finally got around to watching the footage while I was fixing your drones."

Erik sees Drasko staring at him and decides to grin and wave. Like an idiot.

Drasko's steely-eyed gaze doesn't falter as he continues, "Then there's the clone I found outside your cube. Somebody rattled that thing but good. And I see you've got two more of them up front in your vehicle. The Chancellor's own security personnel