“I’m going to break more than your nose, you suck-ass. Tell me who you’re working for!”
The Kusharian didn’t bother answering. Instead he struggled to free himself.
Pain ravaged her body and warning signs flashed. Her vision tunneled. Crap! She couldn’t pass out now.
“Who.” Punch. “Are.” Punch. “You.” Punch. “Working for?” Punch.
“General Shiruvu. You already know that,” Alrishiel said, his face bloodied and swelling.
Bree panted. “Did the General tell you to lock me up?”
“She did not…” Alrishiel stopped and his eye opened wide, revealing a faster swirl. “No! Please do not…” His eyes stopped swirling, then closed.
“What the hell?” Bree shook Alrishiel. What the hell just happened? “Wake up? Wake the fuck up, assface!”
35
The transporter opened and Iziqa, Ipeshe, and General Shiruvu rushed out to find Bree still straddling the unconscious Al.
“What’s going on here?” the General bellowed.
“Bree! You are injured.” Ipeshe rushed over to Bree.
Bree’s muscles slackened at the sight of two of the three females joining her underground. She didn’t allow the relief to show on her face. She rolled off of the unconscious Kusharian and grimaced as the pain in her forearm, as well as most other parts of her body, flared. “Your timing sucks.”
“We were having trouble tracking you.” Iziqa looked back and forth between Bree and Alrishiel. “What happened?”
“This asshole tried to stuff me in some deep dark hole and leave me there. I didn’t like those plans.” Bree sat up and kept her broken arm close to her body, careful not to aggravate her ribs. Fighting to remain conscious, she barely felt the tingles indicating an incoming KG.
The Guard handed Ipeshe a mug.
Ipeshe handed the mug to Bree. “Drink this quickly. You need the protein and nutrients to provide your brain much needed energy.” The healer leaned over to examine Alrishiel.
Bree nodded to Ipeshe and gulped down the cool liquid. It tasted different than the hot Lhox she’d had before, despite similar flavor profiles. Probably more alien meds, but she didn’t have the luxury of caring. She needed relief from the horrendous pain in her head before she passed out.
She focused on drinking while the Kusharians spoke in the background. When her eyes came into focus, she saw Shiruvu looming a few feet in front of her, staring, an expectant look on her face. “What?” Bree grumbled.
“I instructed Alrishiel to take you to see Kozeb,” Shiruvu said.
“So you say, but someone told him to get rid of me instead.” Bree stood up and moved closer to the General. “What do you know about that?”
“Bree, the General would never do that. You need to step back,” Iziqa implored.
“Who the fuck else would have ordered Assface Al to get rid of me?”
“Ms. Jackson. I sincerely apologize for your trauma. I most certainly did not order Alrishiel to bring you here or to lock you up. I’ve already told you, I mean you no harm.” The General did not back away from Bree, nor did she avert her eyes.
“Alrishiel is in the same condition as Kozeb. His brain comp has been overloaded, causing severe brain damage.” Ipeshe stood after examining Alrishiel.
The three female Kusharians looked at Bree.
“Don’t look at me. I sure as shit didn’t do that. I might have punched him a little.” At the change in Iziqa’s expression, Bree added, “Ok. I did punch him.” Izzi’s glare darkened. “Fine. I pounded the hell out of his face. But he was still conscious and ready to answer my question about who ordered him to bring me here. Then he looked past me and yelled out ‘No! Please don’t’ before he passed out. I’d guess someone didn’t want him to rat them out.” Bree tilted her head in the General’s direction, her accusing glare speaking volumes.
“We need to get you to medical so I can address your wounds and get Alrishiel to a med pod.” Ipeshe walked over to stand beside Bree. “We can sort through the details after that.”
Two KGs popped into the hallway.
A memory flashed in Bree’s mind. “Um. In addition to this dickwad, I might have taken down a few KGs on my way out.” She shrugged and offered half a smile.
“You did what?” Shiruvu’s eyes bulged and her voice went up in pitch. “How?”
“Where are they?” Iziqa asked.
“I left three of them in the hell hole that was meant for me.” Bree pointed down the hall. “Thirty paces down that way, on the left.”
“Please take Ipeshe, Alrishiel, and Ms. Jackson to the med center. Iziqa and I will check on the Guards down the hall.” Shiruvu stormed down the hall. Iziqa looked at Bree and shook her head before following the General.
“I’m not going anywhere but to Max’s. I need to get the fuck out of here,” Bree whispered to Ipeshe as the General and Izzi walked toward the room where she’d left three KGs.
“Bree, you are injured and my equipment is in the healing center. Please allow me to help you. The ulna bone in your forearm is broken. Your body has already begun the healing process, but it will take time to heal completely. I can use our equipment to speed the process, and then you will not need a cast to immobilize your arm. You also have a few broken ribs and some lacerations.” Ipeshe paused and let out a big breath. “You suffered many serious injuries, Bree. You are lucky that you were not hurt worse. Kusharians are very strong. He could have killed you.”
“It’s not like I went out looking for a fight. No way in hell I was going to let the little prick lock me up forever,” Bree hissed.
“We would not have allowed that.” Ipeshe said. “We would have found you.”
“I tried to contact you through the mind sync, but it didn’t work. Besides, I can take care of myself.” Bree started toward the transporter.
“I know you are very competent and you obviously have enhanced physical abilities now, but it was still dangerous. I am happy that you are safe now. We will find out who Alrishiel was working for.”
“It was the General. She fucking set me up.” Bree pointed down the hall at the General.
“No, Bree. It was not General Shiruvu. She would not harm you or any human.” Ipeshe whispered. “She assisted us in our search for you.”
“You can stay here or come with me, but I’m outta here.” Bree willed the transporter to open. When it didn’t respond, she turned around to convince Ipeshe to help her get out of there.
One of the goons scooped up smarmy Al and popped out. The other KG grabbed Bree and Ipeshe. He transported them to a spot behind Max’s house and then vanished.
“You’re so lucky. I’d have had to kick your ass if you took me to the Kusharian healing suite again.” Bree walked through Max’s back door. Ipster followed. “I’m back!” Bree yelled as she entered the kitchen.
“I wish you would allow me to assist you,” Ipeshe pleaded.
“I didn’t refuse your help, I just refused to stay in the Kusharian building. If you’ve got something in that little bag of yours that will help, we can talk about it.” Bree headed to the living room. She stopped by the secret entrance to the underground bunker and pushed the intercom button. “I’m back. Get your asses up here.”
Bree laid down on the couch, keeping her broken arm tucked in close to her body and her teeth clenched to keep from crying out in pain.
“Are you alright?” Max and Jason asked at the same time, exploding into the room.
“Jesus, Bree! What happened?” Max demanded.
“Motherfucker tried to lock me up in a hole!”
Jase’s brows came together, shocked. “Who?”
“The General’s assistant, Alrishiel,” Ipeshe replied.
“So much for a peaceful mission,” Max murmured.
“I think the General was in on it. The dickhead was about to confirm that when someone put his lights out. Just like Kozeb.” Bree slid a hostile look at Ipeshe.
Ipeshe shook her hea
d. “I wish you would believe me that the General is a good leader. She is honorable and acts with integrity. Now, can I please address your injuries?”
“I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree about Shiruvu, but go ahead and see what you can do for my arm.” Bree moved her good arm to give Ipeshe access to her broken arm.
“How did this happen?” Max sat down, clearly ready for the long version of the story. “And how did you get injured?”
Bree filled them in on the details of her latest kidnapping while Ipeshe worked on her. The healer interrupted a few times to get feedback from Bree and to give instructions.
“As I said earlier, you have a broken arm, three fractured ribs, and a deep laceration on your cheek. No internal bleeding or significant injuries to your organs. The nano-tech, combined with your enhanced healing abilities, are working to repair the injuries. I could help speed the healing process, but I do not have the equipment here.”
“I’m not going back to that Kusharian rat trap again. It’s not gonna happen. No fucking way, no fucking how.”
“I agree. I don’t think that’s a good idea either,” Jase seconded. “Can’t you do something to help her here?”
Max dipped his chin, indicating his agreement as well.
Warmth radiated from Bree’s chest at the support of her family.
“I am very sorry that Alrishiel has caused such trouble.” Ipeshe’s expression deflated. “Most Kusharians are good, unlike Alrishiel or Kozeb. I am stunned by their behavior. We truly are here to help.”
“You and Zuhl might be here to help, but we don’t know who else we can trust at this point,” Bree retorted. Her stomach tightened as she realized the significance of that statement. She’d begun this mission hating Instant Karma and the freaking aliens enforcing it, but after spending time with Ipster and Izzi, they’d earned a certain level of her trust. Perhaps not all Kusharians deserved her anger. And according to Izzi, the EUC had at least an equal share in the development of the IKJS. She didn’t know what the hell to think of the KGs at this point. Were they humans? Or some freaky clone aliens? And whose side were they on?
“I do have something that can help your arm. It won’t be as fast as the healing chamber or the crystals at the medical center, but it will be better than nothing.” Ipeshe pulled a black band out of her shoulder bag. She wrapped it around Bree’s forearm.
Bree flinched at the pain, but didn’t resist. A prickly sensation radiated through her arm, then more pain. Bree reached for the band.
“I apologize for the discomfort.” Ipeshe said. “It will not last too long.”
“Is it supposed be this tight?” Bree grimaced and clenched her good fist to keep from tugging on the healing band.
“It is not tight, that is simply your perception. Please allow it to work.”
Bree let her left hand fall back to her side. “How about some tequila? That’d help.” She looked over at her baby bro with a raised brow.
“More Lhox would be better. You need the nutrients. Your body is working extra hard to heal and that requires a lot of energy. The Lhox will provide the necessary fuel. I will go fix some for you.” Ipeshe stood up and headed for the kitchen.
After drinking sixteen ounces of the hot Lhox, Bree’s headache disappeared and the fuzzy feeling in her head cleared. Even the pain of the broken bones had eased. She repositioned herself on the couch, back against the arm rest with her feet stretched in front of her when Iziqa was transported into Max’s living room.
“We found the link between Kozeb and Alrishiel. Our security experts discovered that Commander Wythul was helping them. We’ve captured Wythul and she’s been extradited back to Kushari for rehabilitation and reconciliation with the Prime Protocol.”
“So it’s over?” Jase asked.
“Almost. We’re currently questioning Wythul to determine who else was involved. The General wanted me to offer her sincere apologies again to you, Bree. She said to let you know you will not receive Instant Karmic Justice for your attack on Alrishiel.”
“My attack?” Bree scoffed. “I was fucking defending myself.”
“She understands that, Bree. That’s why you won’t be held accountable for the violence. However, you’re going to need to be more careful in the future.”
“Ha! You can tell the General to go fuck herself! And while she’s at it, she can shove Instant Karma right up her ass! You do have assholes don’t you?”
“Maybe we should just be thankful this whole mess is over,” Max said, using his calm voice.
“It all seems a little too convenient for me. You searched for Kozeb’s accomplices and found nothing. Suddenly when the General’s assistant is involved, you find more people? Does anyone else think that’s a bit weird? I still think Al was about to confirm that it was the General who ordered my kidnapping. I could see it in his eyes.” Bree ran her hand through her hair. A thought that’d been niggling at the back of her mind came forward. “Speaking of eyes, I’m guessing that rat bastard was using helium like Kozeb. How are we gonna know if a Kusharian is lying when they can just use helium to cover up the Mogert thing.”
“Moghefe,” Iziqa and Ipeshe said in unison.
“Whatever. Your General could be using helium too.”
“Bree, we have not seen the General do anything inconsistent with our mission here.”
“Except kidnap me,” Bree said.
“You were able to tell that Kozeb was in Moghefe even though his eyes were normal. How did you do that?” Max asked Ipeshe.
“I could tell from his brain waves,” Ipeshe answered.
“Can you detect anything unusual with the General’s brain waves?”
Ipeshe looked at Max like he’d just murdered a kitten. “That would be totally inappropriate. And rude. She is Tzich Gahnek. That would be equivalent to a human stripping their most respected mentor naked and doing a cavity search.”
“Well we actually do strip prisoners and do cavity searches,” Bree said.
Jason giggled. His face reddened and he looked at the floor.
“The General is not a prisoner. She has done nothing to warrant such a violation of her mind. I would lose all respect and my standing if I even attempted to do that.” Ipeshe shifted on her feet and wrung her hands. “I checked the records myself. I am certain that we have found the leader of this group. We will identify any others involved and make sure that they are removed from the planet. I give you my honor that this is over.”
“I’m sorry, but I don’t buy it. And now that I’m feeling a little better, how about you tell me what’s up with the KG? Are they human?” Bree demanded.
Iziqa and Ipeshe looked at each other for a few moments. Probably in mind sync.
Iziqa broke the silence. “The simple answer is no, they’re not human. They’re Harbexi - a highly intelligent species who can access other dimensions in order to transport from one location to another in the third dimensional space-time continuum.”
“And why do they look exactly like humans? And do they all look the same? The three that I saw were identical. What the fuck is up with that?”
“Those questions require a more complicated answer. I don’t know their full history, but I’ll share what I know. The Dralins are actually a small worm-like being that annexes a host body. Many-”
“They stole human bodies? Like body snatchers?” Jason blurted.
“No, Jason.” Ipeshe chuckled. “It is different. They acquire DNA and then engineer body types to suit their needs. They used human DNA to produce the Karma Guard body-type. While the containers are DNA replicas, the being inside each KG body is a unique individual.”
“I still don’t get it. Are there people trapped in there? I mean human people?” Jason looked pale and started pacing.
“No, they only use the DNA to create a container. In the past, they infiltrated bodies and commandeered the host, causing the original consciousness to die. As their species evolved, they discovered ways to manufacture their own bod
ies without having to kill an existing entity. They believed that a human-looking body would be best suited for this assignment.”
Bree opened her eyes when she realized the room had gone silent.
Ipeshe smiled at Bree. “We can continue this discussion at another time. Bree needs some rest.”
36
“Bree. You must wake up, immediately.”
Confusion. Pain.
“Bree!”
Bree’s eyelids fluttered as she struggled to wake up. Shit. The overhead light flooded in through pupils not yet adjusted for the brightness. “Wha…what the fuck is going on? What time is it?” Her brain comp answered with a clock display that read two twelve in the morning.
“Please, I need you to wake up.”
“Listen, Zuhl, I don’t know what you’re doing in my bedroom, but I have to tell you I’m just not that into you.” Pain from her injured arm and ribs pierced through the veil of grogginess as Bree sat up. “Ow! Son of a dick!”
“I’m here because there’s an urgent matter that I must discuss with you. Please come out to the living area and I’ll inform all of you at once. I have bad news.” Iziqa turned and walked out the bedroom door.
Despite a desperate need for sleep, Bree pulled on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. She grabbed her phone and shuffled into the hall on her bare feet. She collided with a groggy Jason.
“Oh, sorry,” He grumbled.
“Huhuh,” Bree mumbled in return and did her best not to wince with the pain of being jostled.
Max, Iziqa, and Ipeshe were waiting for them in the living room. Iziqa and Ipeshe looked grim. Max’s jaw twitched and his breathing was too fast. Adrenaline shot through Bree’s system, waking her up.
Bree eased herself down on the couch. “What the hell is wrong?”
“I apologize for waking you.” Iziqa’s posture was rigid and her eyes were swirling fast. “We have very serious news that couldn’t wait until a more reasonable hour. Kozeb and Alrishiel woke up and have escaped our custody.”
Heart pounding and muscles taut, Bree slammed her left hand on the arm of the couch. “What the holy fuck is wrong with your security?”
Mind Sync Page 27