Beyond Reach: SciFi Romance
Page 9
The general sat back down. “Just so you know, Daniel did grant permission to be cloned when he was first contracted to Onatria.”
She shook her head, unable to believe the man’s words. Daniel would have told her if he’d agreed to something so significant.
“He actually created D1, before cloning became legalized. He used his own DNA.”
“No.” Was everything she knew about Daniel a complete lie?
“Yes. He didn’t want you to know because the survival rate of the clones in the beginning was less than one percent. Now, ninety-nine percent will go on to serve our government.”
“But Daniel’s been dead for years. Why did you suddenly decide to clone him again?”
General Madison wiped a hand across his face. “Mikayla, the clone in your squadron is the thirty-second clone made with Daniel’s DNA. He’s D32.”
“And you’ve kept them from me all along?” She dug her fingers into the leather. How had she never found out? “What happened to the rest?”
“The early ones didn’t survive. Those that lived stayed in the labs to help Onatria create better and better clones.”
The information left her mind spinning, and she struggled to breathe. “So why is this one out of the lab and in my squadron? Why couldn’t he be trained by someone else, somewhere else?”
General Madison smiled, and she had a feeling she wasn’t going to like his answer. “Because he wanted to be trained by the best. You are our best instructor and have turned out our best pilots. Why would we send him anywhere else?”
Oh, he thought he’d sweet-talk her into compliance, like he always did when he wanted something. But not this time. Mikayla had her own agenda now that she knew the truth. She stood up, resting her hands on his desk. “I’m going to the labs in Geneva to see the rest of Daniel’s kids...brothers...uh, whatever they are.”
“Colonel Jones, you will do no such thing.” His tone grew sharp. “You have a squadron depending on you.”
She couldn’t hide her rebellious grin. She’d been kept in the dark too long. “I am going and I’ll hijack a plane if I have to.” Although she’d always turned down the opportunities to tour the labs, Daniel’s research now affected her directly. She had to find out more, needed to see the labs for herself.
He sprang to his feet, his chair scraping the floor behind him. “I will be leaving for Geneva in two days. You can wait until then.”
His nostrils flared, and she didn’t consider defying him.
“Dismissed.”
Marching from the office, she returned to her quarters to pack for her upcoming trip.
***
He’d expected a reaction from her, but he didn’t think she’d walk away when she saw him. What came as a complete surprise, however, was his body’s reaction to her. He’d seen pictures of his donor’s wife, but hadn’t expected the urge to jump her bones right there on the tarmac.
D32, or Dare, as the other clones called him, was the first “Daniel” clone to be released from the labs and survive basic training. But he’d felt different from the others he’d interacted with on a daily basis. Always had. He yearned to get out and see the world he’d been created to protect, rather than be cooped up in the labs. And as soon as he’d proved mature enough, he’d asked to enlist in basic training. Some of his squadron hadn’t been strong enough and were sent back for reassignment. But for Dare, it had come too easily. He’d pushed his body to its limits time and time again. And after completing basic, he wanted to fly. That’s why they’d all been created in the first place: to protect the space tourists and fight for the planet if the need ever presented itself. He answered the call.
He’d been told his instructor, Colonel Jones, was the wife of the man whose DNA had been used to create him. At first, he thought training under her was a bad idea, but so many pilots told him she was the best. She would teach him everything he needed to know, thus making him the best. And who didn’t want that designation? Even clones needed to prove themselves.
“Oh look, fresh meat.”
Every one of them turned toward the gruff, condescending voice.
“I am Major Thompson, but you can call me “sir,” as in “yes, sir.” I will be your flight instructor now.”
Bile rose from Dare’s stomach, burning his throat. Where had he come from? Colonel Jones hadn’t left more than ten minutes ago.
“I know you slugs have all completed basic training, but that was a walk in the park compared to what I’m going to put you through.” The major’s chiseled face revealed a slight grin, mocking them. “When I’m done with you, you’ll wish those bastards at Onatria had smashed your Petri dishes before your cells began to divide.”
If Colonel Jones was the best, this man wasn’t. He was Dare’s worst nightmare. With clenched fists, he vowed to find a way to get Colonel Jones back. I have to be the best.
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Bibliography
1Night Stand
Beneath the Starry Sky
Celestial Seduction
Unknown Futures
Satin Sheets in Space
Sudden Breakaway
Another Night, Another Planet
His Alien Virgin
Her Alien Hero
An Alien to Love ~ ebook anthology
Intergalactic Heat – ebook and print anthology
Alien Next Door
Alien Adoration
Alien Admirer
Alien Attraction
Alien Next Door: The Complete Series – ebook and print anthology
Galactic Defenders
Bryce
Jager (coming soon)
Jace (coming soon)
The Underground
Never Gonna Let You Go
Never Gonna Desert You
Never Gonna Say Goodbye
Rebels and Romance – print anthology
Single Titles
Accidental Romance
Alien Lover
Beyond Reach
Crash Landing
Hey, Santa
Made For Her
Taken by the Billionaire Alien Next Door
The Power of Three
The Star Princess
Cosmic Desires – ebook and print anthology
writing as Paisley Brown (erotica)
Sexy Suitors from Space
Sex Boot Camp
About the Author
Jessica E. Subject is the author of science fiction romance, mostly alien romances, ranging from sweet to super hot. Sometimes she dabbles in paranormal and contemporary as well, bringing to life a wide variety of characters. In her stories, you could not only meet a sexy alien or two, but also clones and androids. You may be transported to a dystopian world where rebels are fighting to live and love, or to another planet for a romantic rendezvous.
When Jessica is not reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk with her giant, hairy dog her family adopted from the local animal shelter.
Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.
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