Mind Sync

by Kirsten Harrell

  “Except for me and my family.”

  “Yes, you and your family will be safe and receive transport to anywhere you choose,” Kozeb assured the fuckwad human.

  Who did she hate more, the Kusharian or the human?

  “And money. We’ll get our money too. Right?”

  Definitely the human. The betrayal of his entire species for money disgusted her more.

  “I will honor our entire agreement,” Kozeb snapped.

  “Do you want me to wake her?” The human asked.

  “No need. The experiments don’t require her to be conscious.” By the sound of his voice, Kozeb had turned away from her.

  Footsteps trailed away from her, and then the door shut, muffling their voices once again.

  Bree waited several moments to be sure they were gone before she risked peeking out of her right eye. The human bastard moved toward a desk while Kozeb and the two Karma goons exited the larger lab room through a door on the far wall.

  Her odds for escaping went up. As long as she could keep the dickhead from calling the aliens back, she had a good chance of getting out intact and alive.

  The shit-slug sat at a desk with a computer monitor and other equipment.

  Time to act!

  Bree rolled to her side and dropped off the table. Her bare feet hit the cold tiled floor, sending another chill through her body. She stayed crouched below the window and duck-walked to the door. Her head continued to hum and burn, despite the fact that her goosebumps now had goosebumps.

  You must wait. If you try to escape they will likely terminate you. The incoming message from Zuhl startled her.

  Bree dropped her hand from the knob and clenched it. Piss off! I thought we’d agreed that you would leave me alone. She closed her eyes and took in a big breath through her nose.

  That was my plan, until you decided upon a course of action that would lead to your destruction.

  For fuck’s sake! I don’t have time to argue with you. I need to get the hell out of here before they scramble my brain, so back the fuck off and let me concentrate! And quit making me yell my thoughts, it hurts like a bitch.

  Apparently you’ve made an impression on Ipeshe. She is with your family and has requested that I intervene. She is honor-bound to you. You have her to thank for my assistance.

  You’ve got some oves thinking I’m gonna accept your help at this point. Just shut up and let me work.

  A sudden flare of pain worked its way through her head like a velvet ant wasp had been loosed in her brain. Bree nearly fell over. Her vision blurred and pulse quickened. At what temperature does a brain start cooking?

  Bree! I need to put a protective field around your brain. Right now, Zuhl interrupted.

  A pressure surrounded her head. What are you doing? Is this a mind clamp? Bree struggled to send the thought. She grabbed her head with both hands. This new sensation didn’t seem to add more pain, just pressure.

  The prickling heat subsided, but the shearing pain remained.

  Bree drew in a quick breath, scrunched her eyes closed, and steadied herself.

  They are trying to alter your brain and I am protecting you. Stop resisting me. Zhe dugai! You are as stubborn as a Biqal.

  Despite the situation, Bree almost chuckled because she’d driven the alien to cuss. At least that’s what it sounded like.

  The pain in her head made a migraine seem like a hangnail, but she couldn’t wait for the pain to subside. She needed to act now, or risk ending up with scrambled eggs for brains. The pain triggered a wave of nausea. All of her instincts screamed danger. She had to get out now.

  Bree swallowed hard against the rise of bile and raised up to peek out of the window in the door. Thankfully, the piece of shit lab bastard stood with his back to her at an instrument panel. He hadn’t noticed her movements. Either that, or he didn’t care.

  Once again, Bree steeled herself for the fight ahead and tested the doorknob. Locked. She’d figured as much, but she had to try. No sense wasting time figuring out how to break out of an unlocked room.

  Do you know where you are being held? Zuhl’s mental voice sounded more distant than usual.

  A plan formed in Bree’s mind. One that involved pushing Commander Intrusive’s buttons.

  Not a clue. How about you tell me, since you are working with the creepy little bastard? Does your mother know what a sleazy traitorous bitch you are?

  Please understand this. If I were involved, you would’ve been neutralized by now. I wouldn’t tolerate your disrespect. However, since I am currently honor-bound to assist you, I will disregard your attempts to anger me. What do you need from me in order to trust that I’m trying to assist you?

  Bree smiled. She loved it went a plan came together. You could shut off my tracker so when I get out of this lab, I can find Kozeb and do what you couldn’t or didn’t.

  Silence.

  Bree crab-walked over to the bed to search for something to use to open the door. She didn’t have much to work with - a chair and the metal table that she’d been on when she woke up.

  If I block your tracker, there could be complications, Zuhl finally answered.

  What type of complications? They can’t be much worse than the complications of being held against my will as they try to liquify my brain, Bree quipped.

  Ipeshe believes that the nano-tracker might be partially responsible for our mind sync. She is concerned that you could be cut off from our help.

  Well, why didn’t she say so before. I’d call that a bonus. Do it.

  Bree tested the bolts fastening the legs to the top of the table. Lucky for her, the stupid thing resembled a folding card table. If she could get the bolts loose, she’d use one or two of the legs as weapons.

  A better option would be for us to keep your tracker active and use that to locate you. We could then send trusted Guards in to get you, Zuhl sent.

  The pressure around Bree’s head eased up. The muscles in her shoulders and neck relaxed as the pain lessened. She sent a snarky laugh through the mental link. Who thought that would be a better option? If you want me to trust you, block my trackers and I’ll rescue myself. Besides, why haven’t you already located me via the fucking tracker?

  A grunt slipped out as she worked the screw loose. She stopped working and looked up at the window to make sure the lab guy hadn’t come over to investigate the sound. He remained focused on his computer, so she kept working despite the pain in her fingers.

  They’re using something in that building to block the tracker signals. It is likely some type of electromagnetic energy shield around the building. Zuhl paused, hesitating. There’s one more possible complication. If I block your tracker, I might not be able to put the protective shield around your brain to keep them from harming you. Zuhl’s mental voice grew louder. They stopped that round of their experiment. I don’t know when it will resume, and without protection, your brain will be vulnerable.

  If the building is shielded, how are you going to find me?

  We are attempting to get through the shield. We are also tracking Kozeb’s movement patterns. With time, we will find you. In the meantime, I will continue to help protect your brain.

  Bree stopped unscrewing the last bolt holding the leg to the table top. She scrunched her eyes closed, trying to think through her options. Could she afford to lose the protective bubble? Her stomach roiled. Could she even trust that Zuhl was truly protecting her brain? Rat piss! She didn’t like any of the options. She shook her head, but that motion caused the pain to ramp up.

  Come on, get a grip. Pull yourself together.

  She still didn’t know about Zuhl. Even if the Commander hadn’t participated in the kidnapping, that didn’t mean she could be trusted. Bree’s finger slid over a sharp part of the nut she’d been holding. She winced at the bite of pain, but continued working.

  Your family wishes you to comply, Zuhl sent.

  Bree ignored the mental intruder and moved to disassemble another leg from the table,
grateful the bolts all seemed to be hand-tightened versus locked down by a wrench. She left the first leg in place, without the bolts, in order to keep the table standing. She stretched up to see out the window and sighed in relief that the asshat remained hunched over his desk, lost in his work. AKA: trying to melt her brain.

  Your friend Conner requests that you ‘use the resources available to you.’

  Bree stopped moving. She and Scarecrow had used that phrase to reassure each other when they were in dangerous situations.

  What have you done to Scarecrow?

  Jason contacted Conner by phone and he requested that we share that message with you. I am your best resource right now, so please work with me. Zuhl sounded smug.

  Bree worked the last bolt loose. Two table legs, ready to serve as weapons. Then the pressure began again. A fraction of a second later, another jolt of pain.

  Mother dick fuck! What now?

  There is another round of ultrasonic waves aimed at your brain. Commander Intrusive’s mental voice strained. I can only block some of the incoming waves. I’m sorry.

  Bree stayed crouched, trying to ride through the pain. Thinking proved difficult, like her neurons had to fight through pea soup to connect. She couldn’t wait around for a rescue; she wouldn’t survive too many of these attacks.

  Okay… Here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to wait until this round of brain frying is done, and then I’m gonna bust out of this room and take down the slug slime of a scientist out there. You need to block my tracker so I won’t get k-snagged. Then I’ll destroy the equipment, hopefully shutting down these experiments. Permanently. At that point, you can send some goons to take out Kozeb’s goons. And I’ll go introduce Kozeb to my fist as I take him into custody. Bree rubbed her temples. That’s my final offer.

  Her gut tightened. Raging pain and brain fog threatened to destroy her ability to follow through on her own damn plan. She had to get out of there before the rat bastard killed her.

  A few deep breaths slowed her galloping heart and settled her nerves.

  Yep, she could - no, she would do this.

  21

  After removing two legs from one end of the table in the room she was trapped in, Bree lowered that end of the metal top to the ground without making a sound. She needed Zuhl to comply with her plan to escape this lab where Kozeb had imprisoned her. Her plan - which may or may not be crazy, and definitely was dangerous - required the Kusharian Commander to block her nano-tracker at the appropriate time.

  With or without Zuhl’s help, Bree needed to act now.

  Without the help, she’d break out of one confinement only to earn a one-way trip to the damn Karma cocoons. That would suck donkey dick, but at least she’d be alive and her family could try to get her back. Waiting around for rescue would leave her with a slurry of brain goop between her ears. There was no coming back from that.

  An easy choice: she had to get the fuck out of there, right now.

  Well, first, she had to survive this round of brain frying. Zuhl’s protective bubble felt like the pressure of being deep under water. It didn’t stop all of the pain, but she hoped it blocked enough of the waves directed at her brain that she’d remember her plan. Her breath hitched at the increased burning and stabbing pain coursing through her head. After this round, I’m busting out.

  Bree, I am reluctant to comply with your plan. However, I am informed by your family that you will likely proceed with or without my help. You are reckless and stubborn and highly disrespectful. Zuhl’s thoughts came through, but were muffled by the protective bubble.

  Well, thank you. I appreciate the compliments, Bree sent back and nearly fell over with the effort.

  I did not compliment you.

  Oh, shut up! I can’t take this pain any longer. It’s going to kill me. If you want to help, follow my plan. Otherwise get the fuck out of my head while I do this. Got it? Anger flooded Bree’s body, providing energetic fuel that she could use.

  With the metal pipes - formerly table legs - tucked under her left arm, Bree crawled to the door. She placed one pipe on the floor. As she reached for the second one, the damn thing slipped. She snatched it before it clanged loudly to the tiled floor.

  Shitballs! Okay. Settle down. Breathe.

  She put the second pipe down next to the first. Her hands shook. Doubt creeped in. Her head dropped. How the hell could she do this when the pain made even the simplest of tasks difficult? She was so screwed.

  Bree, we will find you. Please wait for us.

  Nostrils flared and jaw clenched hard, Bree raised her head. She wouldn’t let doubt take hold. Pulling on all of her inner resources, strength rose from deep inside. She crawled a few feet and reached with still shaky hands to grab the chair. Inch by inch, she worked it closer to the door.

  The protective bubble disappeared and the pain eased a notch. Bree pushed up to a hunched position to the side of the door. She shook her hands out.

  One. Breathe.

  Two.

  Adrenaline surged.

  Three.

  Time slowed.

  Bree grabbed the chair, stood, and swung with with all of her strength at the window in the door.

  The glass exploded. Her instincts sharpened. Head turned. Chin tucked, she avoided any of the glass projectiles hitting her face or eyes. The chair caught in the window and hung by a leg. Bree reached through the opening and unlocked the door. She pulled her arm back in, picked up her make-shift weapons, and flung the door open.

  Glass crunched under her bare feet. Thanks to the pain numbing adrenalin coursing through her veins, she didn’t feel it.

  A half smile blossomed on Bree’s face when she saw the lab-dick’s eyes nearly popped out of his head at the sight of a crazed naked warrior charging him with two metal pipes raised high.

  With the grace of a cat, Bree leapt onto a long countertop and sprung off to land next to the assclown. She swung one of the pipes in her right hand. It made a satisfying thwack as it connected with his left arm.

  He yelped.

  “You mother fucking scumbag! You’re going to do everything I say, or I’ll beat you to a bloody pulp! Do we have an understanding?”

  The piss-ant stood silent with his mouth agape.

  Relieved that no Karma goons showed up, Bree swung again, hitting him in the same spot. Vengeance fueled her muscles.

  “Jesus! Stop hitting me. You’re going to break my arm!”

  “That’s the idea, you piece of shit. I’ll break both your arms and then your legs if you don’t do what I say. Now, sit the fuck down, you sick fuck.”

  The guy just stood there, rubbing his arm, his expression shifting toward anger. Bree raised a pipe to swing again. Finally, he plopped down in his office chair. She grabbed the chair to stop it from rolling away.

  “We’re going to go lock that door and you’re not going to do anything to piss me off. Well, not any more than you already have. Got it?”

  “How are you still standing? I sent frequencies at you that could fry a brain the size of a whale’s.”

  She pulled lab-dick’s chair toward the door that Kozeb had exited through, keeping her body between him and the door. With one pipe aimed at his head, Bree used her other hand to lock the door.

  “Oh, fuck! Not now.” The words slipped out in a whisper as Bree let out a big breath. She gripped the chair tight trying to steady herself as the room tilted and her vision blurred. A line of sweat dripped down her back, despite the room’s chill. She couldn’t afford to pass out now and let this guy run to Kozeb.

  She swung a pipe and hit his thigh. He leaned forward with another yelp of pain. That felt damn good, plus he would find it difficult to walk for a bit. Definitely a win-win situation.

  Despite the stabbing pain and double vision, Bree wheeled the guy back to the desk. “Stand up!”

  A small twitch of the pipe had him on his feet. “Good. Now, take off your lab coat and hand it to me.” Once she had the coat, she nodded to indicate
that he should sit back down.

  He did.

  Feeling better with a covering, Bree rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck. She still needed to find real clothes. She didn’t want to have to kick alien ass in nothing but a lab coat. She eyed lab-dick’s clothes.

  Bree, can you hear me?

  Are you freaking kidding me? I told you to stay the fuck outta my head until I destroy this lab. Bree shot the thought back.

  Zhe Dugai! You are so rude. How are you feeling? Zuhl sent through the mind link.

  Uh, I don’t really have time to chitchat. I’ve got work to do.

  A freaking brain tumor might just be better than having this alien bitch stuck in her head for life.

  Your brain is showing signs of overload again. You’re in danger.

  No shit! I’m well aware of the danger I’m in. Please shut up and let me do this.

  Bree grabbed a thumb drive from the desk and plugged it into the computer. “Download whatever information you just collected from me.” Bree spun his chair so he could see her face. She cracked a wicked smile. “It’s your choice. Do it, or I break every fucking bone in your traitorous body.”

  The disgusting pig’s eyes drifted down to Bree’s exposed chest. Her fist struck out and landed a quick jab to his jaw for his lecherous gaze. “How’s that for Instant Karma, bitch?”

  “Ow!” He reached up and rubbed his jaw as Bree turned him back to the computer.

  Another jolt of searing pain wracked Bree’s brain. She rubbed her temple and bit her lip to keep from crying out. Damn it. She wasn’t in the brain-zapping room anymore. The freaking alien meds from the float tank were supposed to help her pain. Why weren’t they working?

  The medication is wearing off. You need more, or your brain wave frequencies will speed up and become less coherent. We need to locate you and bring medicine.

  Bree ignored Zuhl and stayed focused on the scientist to be sure he downloaded her information onto the USB drive. She needed to get the information so that Nina could figure out what they’d done to her.