Battle Harem 2
Page 21
“It wouldn’t matter if we sent word or not,” Jason replied. “Reinforcements would never arrive in time.” He tapped his lips. “Bokerov told me something earlier.”
“What?” Aria said. Her voice was filled with dread.
“He told me the aliens have been in contact with him,” Jason said. “They say they’re ready to give him their technology. They’ve promised faster-than-light travel, wormhole weapons, and more. Anything Bokerov gets, we do, of course.”
“What’s the catch?” Tara said.
“All we have to do is go to this rift, and fight at the side of the Tyrnari for the next few weeks,” Jason said. “Reveal the weaknesses of anything the remaining Earth militaries throw at them. Basically, help them secure the planet for the Tyrnari. Bokerov promises that they’ll leave the western hemisphere alone.”
“But it won’t really matter, if the Tyrnari intend to terraform the planet to produce bioweapons for that empire of theirs,” Aria said. “We all share the same atmosphere.”
“That’s certainly true,” Jason said. “Bokerov wanted to offer the remaining humans the chance to convert into Mind Refurbs, so that they could survive.”
“And you want to offer this?” Xin said.
“I don’t know,” Jason said.
“How do we know the Tyrnari will live up to their end of the bargain?” Sophie said.
“We don’t,” Jason said. “I’ve already talked about this with Jerry, Jones, John and Julian. They’ve agreed to follow whatever course of action I decide. And Bokerov of course will obey. I need to know that all of you will back me.”
“I’m with you,” Tara said immediately. “Whatever you decide.”
“I, too,” Sophie said.
Lori lowered her gaze, and when she looked up, she was crying. “I’ll help you. Even if you want to destroy humanity. Though I hope you don’t.”
“I’m yours,” Maeran said.
“I’ll decide when the time comes,” Iris said.
“As will I,” Cheyanne said. “I’ll stay with your team until then.”
He glanced at Aria and Xin. “And what about you two?”
Xin shook her head. “I will stay with you, but if you ally with the aliens, I’ll do everything I can to stop you.”
He looked at Aria.
Her eyes dropped. “I’m with Xin on this one. I’ll fight you, if you join them.”
Jason nodded. “I’ve instructed Bokerov to mobilize his troops. He’s traveling to the rift site, located in the middle of the alien bases. There isn’t enough time to mobilize all of Bokerov’s forces in the region, but certainly a sizable portion will arrive. John, Jones and Julian will also meet us there, along with their War Forger copies. You’re all coming. Even you, Aria, and Xin.”
“You should banish us,” Aria said. “Xin and I. Because we already told you we’d attack you.”
“I probably should,” Jason said. “But like I told you, I still haven’t made up my mind. And I probably won’t until I’m standing there on the field of battle. I’m leaning towards joining them, however, and if you do attack me, I’ll have to subdue you. You’ll forgive me for this, someday.”
Xin pressed her lips together, and shook her head slightly. Aria’s eyes only glistened.
Jason smiled wanly. He wondered vaguely if the fact that he hadn’t slept with either of them factored into their loyalty. Probably not.
He logged out.
Jason stood before the tallest and widest rift he’d ever seen, spanning from horizon to horizon, and reaching to the heavens. From that rift, a yellow mist flowed out, indicating that while the atmospheres were relatively equal in terms of pressure, with the alien gases coming in at only slightly denser, the actual contents were definitely different.
Huge floating ships passed through as he watched. Along with ground troops. Beyond the rift, he could see those armies blackening the ground as far as the eye could see. And the floating ships were just as dense in the sky.
It was definitely an invasion army.
Behind Jason was arrayed the entirety of the forces that Bokerov was able to muster in time. Cataphracts. Tanks. Artillery. Mechs. Combat robots. All arrayed in neat rows and columns by division. Jets and bombers circled far overhead.
The five teams of War Forgers were also present. None of them had combined, yet.
The Rex Wolves stood close-by. They had become such tall, massive beasts, on par with the mechs. Jason wondered if they would ever stop growing. He supposed it depended on the meat supply.
Jason had temporarily taken away Aria’s company of tanks and reassigned them to Bokerov. Jason took her threat seriously, and he wasn’t about to further arm her until he could be sure of her loyalties.
He continued surveying the troops at his command a moment longer. While a hefty group, the size of his forces paled in comparison to the sheer number of invaders now passing through the rift, and those yet to arrive. Especially when it came to air support.
Bokerov had assured Jason the aliens wouldn’t attack if the War Forgers transmitted the “friendlies” signature the Tyrnari had taught him. Jason and his team were emitting that signature at this very moment, and Lori reported similar transmissions coming from Bokerov’s many units. So they were safe.
In theory.
Up until that point, Jason still hadn’t chosen sides. In fact, he was considering walking away entirely, and simply letting the humans deal with the invading force, rather than joining either side.
But as he surveyed the countless alien ranks, he came to his decision.
“There are too many of them,” Jason said. “I’ve made up my mind. We’re joining the Tyrnari.”
Aria and Xin attacked him.
To be continued...
I don't like leaving readers hanging, which is why I've decided to publish all three full length novels in the series at the same time. That's right, book three is available now (or will be shortly). Find out what happens next without having to wait.
Continue the adventures in Battle Harem 3
Afterword
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About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Isaac Hooke holds a degree in engineering physics, though his more unusual inventions remain fictive at this time. He is an avid hiker, cyclist, and photographer who sometimes resides in Edmonton, Alberta.
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Acknowledgments
I’d also like to thank my knowledgeable beta readers and advanced reviewers who helped smooth out the rough edges of the prerelease manuscript: Nicole P., Lisa G., Gary F., Sandy G., Amy B., Karen J., Jeremy G., Doug B., Jenny O., Bryan O., Lezza, Noel, Anton, Spencer, Norman, Trudi, Corey, Erol, Terje, David, Charles, Walter, Lisa, Ramon, Chris, Scott, Michael, Chris, Bob, Jim, Maureen, Zane, Chuck, Shayne, Anna, Dave, Roger, Nick, Gerry, Charles, Annie, Patrick, Mike, Jeff, Lisa, Jason, Bryant, Janna, Tom, Jerry, Chris, Jim, Brandon, Kathy, Norm, Jonathan, Derek, Shawn, Judi, Eric, Rick, Bryan, Barry, Sherman, Jim, Bob, Ralph, Darren, Michael, Chris, Michael, Julie, Glenn, Rickie, Rhonda, Neil, Claude, Ski, Joe, Paul, Larry, John, Norma, Jeff, David, Brennan, Phyllis, Robert, Darren, Daniel, Montzalee, Robert, Dave, Diane, Peter, Skip, Louise, Dave, Brent, Erin, Paul, Jeremy, Dan, Garland, Sharon, Dave, Pat, Nathan, Max, Martin, Greg, David, Myles, Nancy, Ed, David, Karen, Becky, Jacob, Ben, Don, Carl, Gene, Bob, Luke, Teri, Robine, Gerald, Lee, Rich, Ken, Daniel, Chris, Al, Andy, Tim, Robert, Fred, David, Mitch, Don, Tony, Dian, Tony, John, Sandy, James, David, Pat, Gary, Jean, Bryan, William, Roy, Dave, Vincent, Tim, Richard, Kevin, George, Andrew, John, Richard, Robin, Sue, Mark, Jerry, Rodger, Rob, Byron, Ty, Mike, Gerry, Steve, Benjamin, Anna,
Keith, Jeff, Josh, Herb, Bev, Simon, John, David, Greg, Larry, Timothy, Tony, Ian, Niraj, Maureen, Jim, Len, Bryan, Todd, Maria, Angela, Gerhard, Renee, Pete, Hemantkumar, Tim, Joseph, Will, David, Suzanne, Steve, Derek, Valerie, Laurence, James, Andy, Mark, Tarzy, Christina, Rick, Mike, Paula, Tim, Jim, Gal, Anthony, Ron, Dietrich, Mindy, Ben, Steve, Allen, Paddy & Penny, Troy, Marti, Herb, Jim, David, Alan, Leslie, Chuck, Dan, Perry, Chris, Rich, Rod, Trevor, Rick, Michael, Tim, Mark, Alex, John, William, Doug, Tony, David, Sam, Derek, John, Jay, Tom, Bryant, Larry, Anjanette, Gary, Travis, Jennifer, Henry, Drew, Michelle, Bob, Gregg, Billy, Jack, Lance, Sandra, Libby, Jonathan, Karl, Bruce, Clay, Gary, Sarge, Andrew, Deborah, Steve, and Curtis.
Without you all, this novel would have typos, continuity errors, and excessive lapses in realism. Thank you for helping me make this the best novel possible, and thank you for leaving the early reviews that help new readers find my books.
And of course I’d be remiss if I didn't thank my mother, father, and brothers, whose wisdom and insights have always guided me through the winding roads of life.
— Isaac Hooke
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