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

moved in unpredictable—dare I say it—physics-defying ways. Even out in space.”

The admiral took a deep breath. “How did you maneuver the way you did, Jaxx? How were you so accurate with every plasma bolt, with everything you targeted?” He pointed to a screen on the wall. “Every starfighter has a camera placed on it. It reviews every weapon’s fire and every direct hit, amongst several other things. The only weapon’s fire in which you missed were when we think you purposely did so.”

Jaxx remained silent, not knowing what to say. He was just as baffled as Gentry.

“Who trained you?” asked Fox.

“I was trained just outside Gliese Space Station in Libra quadrant.”

Fox frowned. “Yes, that’s where you learned to pilot. What I’m asking is who trained you to do what you did out there?”

“Just the instructors at Gliese Space Station. Do you want actual names?”

Fox and Gentry gave each other a look. Gentry rubbed his hands together and eyed Jaxx, a grin plastered on his face. “No. Not necessary. Have you ever heard of planet Taiyo?”

“Planet Taiyo? I’ve never heard of it.”

“The Taiyonians,” Gentry added, “are an evil group. They have taken resources and stolen a planet from the Kelhoon. They renamed the Kelhoon’s world, Taiyo. So in response we have aligned with the Kelhoon to help them take back their world.”

Jaxx put his hands on the desk. “What does this have to do with me?”

Gentry, steely-faced, replied, “You’ll be under Captain Rivkah Ravenwood’s command from this point forward. You’ll be going into Taiyo’s quadrant. Only the best of the best pilots are allowed on this mission to liberate the Kelhoon world. We’ll be drafting you a formal letter in a half an hour. You’ll be leaving immediately.” He thumbed over his shoulder. “Captain Richard Fox will act as leader of this mission.”

Jaxx didn’t get a choice in the matter, so he responded like any good Lieutenant would. “Yes, Sir.”

Gentry stood and walked out of the room, Fox in tow.

“If you don’t have any questions, Lieutenant Jaxx, then you’re dismissed,” Rivkah said. Clearly blind-sided by this, she bit her lip. She did her best to hold in her anger.

“Why are we going to go to Taiyo’s quadrant?”

She crossed her arms. “Didn’t you hear what the admiral just said?”

“But, why would we help this Kelhoon group?”

Rivkah’s shoulder’s drooped and she shook her head. “I don’t know. Taiyo probably has precious minerals and ore that we can extract from their planet. The Kelhoon are a pretty ruthless group. The only reason we’d align with them is if we’re profiting from them...somehow.”

Jaxx was surprised at her honest response. She wasn’t the normal type of captain he’d been used to—dull and by the book. “But, the Taiyonians stole that planet?”

“I doubt it.”

Jaxx rubbed the back of his neck. “Can I back out of this?”

“No. You signed up for this and so did I. We follow orders. We do the job we are paid for, Lieutenant.”

“And we’re going to fight alongside this Kelhoon race?”

“Yes.”

Jaxx wanted to reach out and touch her, if only on the arm; get her to mellow a little, see who she really was. “Who are they? What do they look like?”

“A once threat to our race. They’re a mix of human and Drakonian. By the way, you were fighting the Drakonians out there. The Drakonians are a lizard bi-ped species. Our race and the Drakonian race don’t get along. Anymore questions?”

Jaxx looked down. “Probably. But, not right now.”

“Dismissed.”

25

June 5thPlano, Texas

The light grew in size and a horn blared, almost toppling Drew over. He didn’t know if the horn went off because the person driving the colossal monorail had seen him, or if it was protocol.

The monorail was an abomination of all monorails, and in fact, was more of a dualrail that took up two rails, instead of one.

The tunnel was long, but the monorail’s speed reached Drew’s position in seconds. Drew’s hair pushed back as the wind of the rushing titanic zipped by, pulling monocar after monocar, all the size of small cruise-liners.

He took a picture and ran, jumping through the doorway that led him to the monorail tunnel. The monorail came to a whining halt. He hoped it wasn’t because of him.

Drew ran past the offices and underneath the spaceship. He eyed the doorway that separated one portion of the warehouse from the other, and bolted faster.

“There he is!” yelled a man.

Drew looked over his shoulder. Men in military garb, rifles in hand, ran in his direction. Trouble. Big time trouble. “Shit.” Making it through the doorway, he pressed the elevator button. “Stupid idea, Drew.” Waiting for an elevator would get him caught, or worse yet, shot.

He twisted around, hearing the elevator ding open, disregarding it, thinking he was too late to enter. Instead, he looked for places to hide, and hurried past the luggage and food until he found the dune buggies. They were good and bulky. Ideal. He ducked behind one. He curled his hands around the roll bar, and peeked his head just above the seat.

More than a dozen men filed through the doorway. One pointed and gave orders. The elevator dinged and they all turned, watching the elevator’s doors close.

“He’s in the elevator!”

Drew crawled backward, bumping into a tire, then rolled around to another buggy. He peeked again. The men spread out, searching for him. Obviously, they had ascertained that Drew wasn’t in the elevator.

Shit, what do I do? He crawled toward the back of the warehouse, moving by small aircrafts.

“Shoot to kill!” roared a man.

Drew’s head shot back stiffly, not believing what he just heard. They’re going to kill me? For trespassing? He always wanted to uncover a horrible conspiracy, and his wishes had come true. He wasn’t ready to die.

Drew crawled faster, knowing he was about to run out of room. Soon, he’d be stuck and out of options.

A loud bang sounded across the room. At first, he thought a rifle had gone off until he saw the garage-like doors opening and dozens