The Parabiont Invasion Book 3 Read online

  “Two minutes,” Horwood called.

  Kyle spun from his lookout spot on the forward deck and came back to Paige’s side.

  “How are you holding up, Ma’am?”

  Paige straightened up and felt the queasiness subside. The boat had eased into the calmer waters of an inlet bay and she felt better at last. “I’m good, Private.” She looked at the young man. His cheeks were reddened from the cold, but his eyes were as bright as ever. She looked him up and down. He wore the same attire as she did: a camouflage jacket over regulation pants and shirt, along with trekking boots, gloves, helmet, a backpack stuffed with essentials and their rifle of choice: an M16A4 loaded with rounds. Her own backpack had been hung on a hook fastened to the cabin’s wall and she slid it over her shoulders, feeling the weight sink into place. She exited the cabin and made her way to the stern.

  The Gruff Seas settled next to an old dock that had been weathering storms for better than half a century. It was a rickety thing that barely managed to keep itself together but it was miles away from the main one used by the islanders, making it ideal for their use. The Captain had proposed this alternative mooring site, knowing Paige would appreciate its remoteness… and secretiveness.

  The engine noise burbled to a stop. Horwood made his way out of the cockpit and with a sure foot, borne of decades of experience, tied a line to the dock’s tack. He went over to the boat’s stern, checked the underside of the boat and at once satisfied all was to his liking, sidled up to the soldiers.

  “Same procedure as usual?”

  Paige nodded. “Yes, Captain. Keep a low profile. If anyone asks what you’re doing here, just tell them the usual schtick about boat repairs. If they insist, putter away and wait somewhere else. Don’t engage with anyone. We’ll be back by seventeen hundred hours.”

  Horwood rolled his eyes. Paige knew he hated it when she used army terminology instead of the plain old ‘am-pm’ but he would need to get use to it because she would keep on doing it.

  She exchanged a last glance with him and he acknowledged with a curt nod.

  “Let’s go, Private.”

  They climbed over the side of the boat and dropped to the dock. Paige adjusted her pack and gave a last look at the boat. The Captain was making his way inside the cockpit, his job done. She turned and stared at the walking trail that led away from where she stood. The path was a narrow affair, barely wide enough for two persons, with rocks and low bushes acting as markers.

  The island was swept by a continuous wind, especially on the Eastern side, and Paige was glad she’d put on a wool hat instead of the standard one, the cold as biting as ever. De Rozan started up the trail and she followed. The vegetation was sparse near the craggy shore, the shrubs providing no cover whatsoever. Feeling exposed, she accelerated the pace and took the lead. There was no one around as they left the wind-swept shore and made their way inland. Gull Islet was more rock than trees but the center of the island hosted a more varied ecology, with dense woods and low hills. It was this area Paige was interested in. Satellite imagery had shown it hosted a smattering of secluded cabins and cottages, almost invisible from the ground.

  She weaved her way along the trail, mindful of rocks that could cut your leg open as easily as a laser scalpel. Kyle kept pace with her and before long they entered the woods, the wind dying at once.

  They took a breather, sipping water from their bottles, then started up again. The trail went up and around a hill, with, in the distance, a spot of white to indicate the objective.

  “Okay, Kyle,” Paige said, keeping her voice low. “Take the lead and…”

  De Rozan stared, waiting for the words he knew were coming. “… Stay safe.”

  The Private nodded, his eternal grin turning into a thin line. He checked his weapon, tightened a buckle on his pack, then after a last sip, started up the hill. Paige let three seconds go by then followed behind.

  She observed the trees hugging the hill like a bouquet. If she wasn’t mistaken they were of the red alders variety. They loomed over her, some more than eighty feet tall and despite their name, the bark was grayish and white, smooth to the touch. The long and wiry branches, still without leaves, glistened with frost, catching the light with a rainbow of colors.

  Leaving the alders behind, they crossed into a zone of pines, where the underbrush was taller, stuffed with different variety of ferns. She loved ferns. They provided such good cover.

  De Rozan vanished from sight behind a large boulder, one of the few ones around. She saw him re-appear and waited for him to take position behind a thick group of young spruces. He turned to her and gave a little nod.

  She crossed over to him.

  “Look,” he said.

  Maneuvering her way between the sharp needles, she pulled out her field binoculars and scanned the area. The objective was fifty yards out. It was as she imagined: a small cabin made of wood, the boards turned colorless by the weather and the years. There was a screen door, a short porch, and few windows. The roof was covered with needles and pine cones, and a few tiles could be seen hanging over the gutter, a brisk wind away from fluttering to the ground.

  The place appeared to be abandoned.

  But Paige knew better and proceeded to search for hidden surveillance cams, motion detectors, and other signs of what Colonel Graves liked to call ‘recent activity’. She took her time and scanned the windows, the front door, the stairs, even the trees closest to the cabin.

  Nothing.

  She zoomed out and did a wide sweep of the entire surroundings. It was quiet in the woods, with few noises to worry about. Behind her, Kyle’s even breathing reminded her she wasn’t alone but the sensation of being isolated was nevertheless as strong as ever.

  Maybe it had to do with being on a tiny island in the middle of nowhere.

  Deeming the cabin abandoned, she straightened up.

  “Let’s go check it out.”

  De Rozan grinned. “Another wild goose chase, Ma’am?”

  “Apparently so, but you know what the Colonel said.”

  The private nodded and said with an exaggerated low voice: “Leave no stone unturned.”

  It was Paige’s turn to grin. “That’s a passable imitation of our commander in chief.”

  “I, huh, didn’t mean any…” De Rozan stuttered, red in the face.

  “At ease, soldier. I’m just teasing.”

  There was an obvious look of relief on the young man’s face.

  “Come on,” she laughed, clapping his shoulder. “We’ve got work to do.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  6 New Home

  “It’s rather sterile looking, but it’s the best we could do.”

  Beatrice entered the sparsely furnished room. “It’s fine, Colonel.”

  She strolled over to the window and glanced out at the view. Her room looked out to the plant’s parking lot and to a row of low, corrugated steel hangars. Beyond the lot, a wall of trees fenced the area in greenery, the sun filtering between the pines in a diffused shower of white light.

  Foxy examined each corner of the room, sticking her nose out at the few furnishings. There was a single steel-frame bed with a brand new mattress, a small night table with lamp, a three-drawers dresser with mirror and a compact writing desk with chair. The room was not much larger than a cell but at least the bed was a real one, which was way better than the cot she’d ‘slept on’ in the airport’s shelter.

  She stared with amusement as Foxy tried the bed. The Sheltie spun around for a good half-a-minute before finding a comfortable position.

  “Well?”

  Foxy raised her head and gave a soft yelp. There was a quizzical expression on her face.

  “Yes, that’s where we’re going to sleep,” Beatrice said with a nod.

  The Sheltie appeared to ponder the answer and satisfied by the answer went right to sleep.

  Good dog.

  This home away from home would be their living quarters for the next days and weeks o
r possibly even longer. The army had built these rooms for the Amilaki but also for the humans who worked alongside. All the rooms were the same, save for a few larger ones, deliberately kept empty for eventual use.

  “Do you think it’ll do?” Graves asked, observing her reaction.

  “Yes, Colonel. No worries. I’m kind of getting used to bare-bones places. I’m glad, though, for the window. It’s a very welcomed touch.”

  “It is, no? It was one of the main reason why we selected this plant in the first place… that, and also the fact there’s nothing else around quite like it.”

  There was a polite knock and Cornell Williams appeared in the doorway. “Colonel, Miss McKenzie” he said, entering the room.

  “Thank you Cornell,” Beatrice said, grabbing the duffel bag from his hands. “And it’s Beatrice.”

  The young man nodded and pivoted smartly out of the room.

  “Well, I’ll let you settle in.” Graves said, shooting a glance at Foxy. “I’ll get someone to bring bowls and food for her.”

  “Can you point me to where the washrooms are?”

  “Oh, right,” he said. “The bathrooms are up that way. I’m afraid they’re not private but they are spacious and clean and, huh, have all the necessary toiletries you might need.”

  “Thank you, Colonel. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  Graves nodded. “Good. If you need something, don’t hesitate to ask.” He turned to leave then stopped in mid-step. “Dinner is at eighteen hundred hours in the mess hall… but if you prefer to eat by yourself that’s not a problem either.”

  “No, no, Colonel. I’ll be there. I’m looking forward in meeting your crew.”

  “Not all of them will be there, but that’s to be expected with the tight schedule we have going.”

  There was a distant look in his eyes.

  Beatrice watched the play of emotions on his face. The Colonel had a lot on his mind. It was a palpable sensation she could sense even from across the room. His eyes snapped to her and she saw a flicker of distress.

  The moment passed and he turned away from her. “Very well.”

  And on those words, he strolled out of the room.

  Beatrice watched him leave, not knowing what to do. The Colonel had been through a difficult experience. One which still haunted him. She knew what he’d gone through. Having your mind taken over by a hostile force was a surreal and gut-wrenching experience. Maybe he still hadn’t found time to talk about his experience. Maybe he feared sharing his doubts with the army’s medical staff; or perhaps he only needed a sympathetic ear.

  In any case she would be there for him, if he ever came to her.

  Staring at the duffel bag, she wondered if she was at her place, here, in this abandoned power plant.

  Liaison officer.

  Who was she, really, to be considered for such a role?

  What were her credentials?

  She had no clue, but the look in the Colonel’s eyes was enough for her.

  If there’s one thing I can do, is help the man with his mission.

  “Nice room.”

  She turned to where the voice came from.

  Noah’s trademark grin brightened the doorway.

  “Noah!”

  She stepped around the bed and with a grin as wide as his, hugged him in a tight embrace. He returned the hug with a quick peck to her cheek, holding her slim waist with both hands. She took a step backwards and gazed at him with a glint in the eye.

  “Well, look at you,” she said with a smile. “Where’s the scrawny teenager I used to know?”

  His grin widened even more. “That’s all due to Sergeant Garcia’s, huh, teachings. He says I’m too thin for my own sake and ever since, I’ve been stuffing my face with proteins and exercising like crazy.”

  Beatrice stared at the young man with affection. That was her Noah, always so willing to please.

  “Well, don’t let him turn you into a mountain.”

  “Nah, won’t happen. I still have the string bean bug inside me.”

  She guffawed. “I don’t know, Noah. You look more like a robust celery if you ask me.”

  He laughed. “Well you haven’t changed the least, Trish. Except for a few additional worry lines.”

  “Why you…” She punched his arm.

  He sidestepped the playful jab and strolled over to the bed. “Foxy! How are you girl?”

  The Sheltie hopped directly into his waiting arms and proceeded in licking his face with unrestrained enthusiasm. He let her wash the germs away for a full minute before setting her down to the bed, stroking her mane with both hands.

  “I guess she’s happy to see me,” he laughed, straightening up.

  “Oh, she is,” Beatrice agreed. “And so am I.”

  She fixed her stare on him. “I missed you.”

  “Me, too. Things haven’t been the same without you. I was kind of getting used of running away from danger with you at my side.”

  She took the chair and slid it closer to the bed. “Well, it’s kind of amazing how much things have changed.”

  “Tell me about it.”

  “It used to be we were fleeing from Bennett Wynter and the others, and now…”

  “We’re working with them.”

  She shook her head. “Weird, right?”

  He nodded, his grin settling into a straight line. “Colonel Graves says we should learn to roll with the punches. That its what makes us stronger. Not only as individuals, but as a species.”

  “And who are we to argue with the good Colonel?”

  His smile returned. “We’re not even in the army.”

  She glanced at his clothes. He was dressed in olive drab from head to toe, except for a red baseball cap with a logo of a trident. “But we look like we are.”

  He stared at his t-shirt. “Fashionable, no?”

  She nodded in mock acknowledgement. “If you say so.”

  They exchanged a glance then he took a moment to pat Foxy again. “Have you seen Eklan yet?”

  He saw the hesitation in her eyes. “No, I haven’t had the chance yet.”

  She realized with a chill down her back that he had not called him by his former name. By his human name. The realization struck her with dismay. Noah and Asher had become fast friends during the first few hectic days, when everything was still up in the air, when they didn’t know who to trust. For Noah to call him by his Amilaki name could only mean one thing.

  That he believed Asher was irremediably gone.

  That he was now Eklan.

  “I don’t…”

  “What?” he said in a soft voice, pushing himself close to her.

  “I don’t know if I can.”

  He shook his head slowly. “I understand. But you know, just talk to him. Eklan is a, huh, unique guy. I’ve been working closely with him and he’s trying hard to learn our customs.” He shrugged. “I like him.”

  Her stare was full of doubt. “I’ll think about it.”

  He gripped her hand. “Good. That’s all I ask.” He turned to glance at her duffel bag. “So you’re here to give us a hand with the project?”

  She was glad he had the sense to change the subject. “Yes, though I don’t know much about it.”

  “Well, I think I have a general idea of what’s going on but I’m not one-hundred percent sure. I heard that what Asalak is doing is way out there.” His eyes brightened. “It’s fringe science for sure!”

  “I guess I’ll find out soon enough.”

  Noah nodded with a knowing smile. “Maybe. They are rather tight-lipped about the nuts and bolts. Something about loose lips sinking ships.”

  She winked at him. “I have ways of finding stuff out. Don’t worry about me.”

  He smiled. “Oh, I’m not worried at all.” He glanced at his watch. “I better get going. Sergeant Garcia is waiting for me at the motor pool. The damn SuperGoat is acting up again.”

  She was about to ask him what a ‘SuperGoat’ was then changed her mind.
“Ok. I’ll see you later, I guess.”

  “Oh, yeah. No worries. We’re like family around here. You’ll see the same faces over and over again and soon enough you’ll be sick of us!”

  She laughed. “That’ll never happen, Noah. You guys are all I have!”

  It was his turn to laugh. “Perfect! Ok, gotta go. Talk to you later.”

  He scratched Foxy behind the ears one last time then hurried out the door.

  Beatrice watched him leave with her smile still in place.

  The kid was downright likeable.

  And she was vastly relieved that he’d found a role and a purpose in Graves’ unit.

  He deserved it.

  Foxy snuggled her head underneath her elbow.

  “Yeah, girl. You’re right. We’re among friends here.” She plunged her eyes into the warm brown stare of the Sheltie. “It’s good, no?”

  Woof!

  7 Paige

  Jeez, they’re loud.

  Paige hunkered behind a huge boulder on the rocky shore, staring at the gulls screaming overhead.

  “This place ain’t called Gull Islet for nothing,” she said to De Rozan, squatting alongside.

  The private grinned. “You don’t like them?”

  She shook her head. “Too noisy.”

  They had followed the shore for the better part of two hours now, encountering nobody as they made their way among the countless boulders and rocks. The few cabins they had checked out were all deserted, with most having been shuttered for winter. The day had gone as planned and Paige was relieved it was almost over. The tiny island was a forgettable piece of land… and probably the most boring place she’d ever had the pleasure of setting foot upon. It was a rock in a archipelago of other more interesting islands, and if it wasn’t for the gulls, it would be as lifeless as the moon. She couldn’t wait to leave and head back to base.

  But she had one last bay to check.

  She straightened and stared out at the carpet of sizable boulders that adorned the shore like weird chest pieces. They would need to thread their way between the granite giants to reach the bay, the only possible route unless one came from offshore. She was about to step forward and proceed when she felt De Rozan’s hand on her arm.