They moved in silence. Mostly. Iziqa did ask about Bree’s injuries. Ipeshe had examined her and tweaked the nanotech to speed the healing process; not quite good as new yet, but certainly better than she would have been without the help of alien tech. Bree nearly choked on her thoughts.
Shit! Was that gratitude she was feeling for the fucking alien shit in her head? She hadn’t… wouldn’t forget that they’d put it in her head without her consent. On the other hand, seeing what Ipeshe had done to save her brother softened the edges of her distrust of the Kusharians. At least a few of them, anyway.
However, Bree still didn’t trust the General and suspected she was up to something shady. She didn’t know what yet, but she planned to find out.
Please keep that thought to yourself, Bree. You must not express that to the General. If you follow my lead, I’ll get you out of here. You must not lose your temper or question her integrity. Please!
Eavesdropping in my head again, are you?
You need to learn to shield your thoughts better. Especially in front of the General. This is very serious, Bree. You must maintain pure thoughts.
Right. Pure. I can do that. She sent that directly to Iziqa. Pure bullshit.
Please make an effort. Perhaps think about something neutral, Izzi grumbled.
Bree harnessed her mental energy and focused on hiking, then entered the General’s office.
“Welcome, Ms. Jackson. I was informed that your brother will make a full recovery. I’m pleased to hear this as I’m sure you are too.” Shiruvu held her right hand out to indicate that Bree and Iziqa should take seats. “Please, join me.”
The General’s pleasantries unnerved Bree. Iziqa’s chair molded to her form. A pang of fear fluttered through Bree at the thought that her chair might do the same, revealing to the General the extent of her treatment. They still didn’t know how much the General knew about what Ipeshe did to - er, for Bree. She pushed the thought to the chair to remain unresponsive. It worked. When she sat the chair didn’t respond.
“Commander Zuhl and I have discussed the events from earlier today. She persuaded me to refrain from issuing any Karmic Justice for your behavior. She explained that Kozeb exploited your emotions and love for your brother to manipulate you. I’m inclined to overlook the situation and move forward. Kozeb caused a great deal of damage, and I want to see that come to an end.”
“Yeah, well, since you shot the rat bastard, I’d say you’ll get your wish.” Bree stared at the General.
“Unfortunately, he left a great deal of destruction that we are currently dealing with. He murdered Alrishiel. He used that facility to experiment with ways to cause severe aggression in humans. Many of them were damaged beyond repair. We have placed them in stasis until we discover a way to repair them or…” Shiruvu paused.
“Or what? Kill them? You talk about them like they’re machines. These are human beings for fuck’s sake,” Bree blurted out.
Iziqa slid a look of warning to Bree, reminding her of the dangers of angering the General right now.
“We’re here to assist your species and your planet. If we allow these altered humans to roam freely they could jeopardize your entire planet. Kozeb was attempting to create a method for the altered humans to incite others to violence and we don’t know how far he had progressed with that goal. Our search revealed the remains of hundreds of humans. Many were forced to fight each other to the death as part of their training and his experiments. He used a combination of psychological manipulation and advanced technology to alter them.”
“It seems to me you could ask Commander Wise-ass about some of this. Unless she’s escaped your custody?”
“Commander Wythul remains in our custody. She is fully cooperating. However, she apparently was rather ignorant about Kozeb’s experiments. While she was involved in recruiting Kozeb and Alrishiel, she had little knowledge of or participation in the execution of this horrendous endeavor.”
“Why don’t you let me interview her, I’ll get the information out of her,” Bree snapped.
“That’s neither necessary nor appropriate. Wythul voluntarily allowed a complete mind scan. We know the full extent of her participation and her intentions. I assure you she will be thoroughly rehabilitated.” Shiruvu maintained eye contact with Bree.
“Well, you’ll have to excuse my doubt, given the incompetence, ignorance, or outright cooperation that led to Kozeb’s escape from your custody. Twice! How did that happen? Who was helping him? Wythul? The T’Lalz? You?” Bree leaned forward and pointed at Shiruvu.
“Bree, that is inappropriate!” Izzi went pale.
“My team and I saved your asses by stopping one of yours, and we kept quiet about it. Kozeb tried to fry my brain and my brother nearly died, so I think you owe me the truth,” Bree demanded.
“Let me be perfectly clear, Ms. Jackson, I owe you no debt. We both know that your efforts were in service to your own people, not mine.” The General raised a hand to stop an interruption. “I am feeling magnanimous, so I’ll entertain your questions. I do recommend you exhibit some control as my patience is waning.”
Bree bit down on her lower lip to keep a retort from escaping. She had to get back to Jase. She couldn’t risk getting k-snagged for mouthing off.
“We don’t know how Kozeb managed his escapes. Some of the technology involved is foreign to us. However, because the T’Lalz collect tech from the planets they consume, we aren’t always aware of their full repertoire.”
“Then how can you be sure Wythul won’t escape? Or that the T’Lalz won’t find other Kusharians to run the experiments? If you don’t mind my asking, General.” Bree forced a polite smile.
Shiruvu’s gaze turned intense, boring a hole in Bree’s soul. “Because Commander Wythul cooperated with us, she is no longer a valuable asset to the T’Lalz. In addition, we are currently requiring a scan and re-affirmation of the Primary Protocol of all Kusharians here on Earth. This should prevent further betrayals. I admit our naiveté blinded us before; however, we will remain vigilant as we proceed. Now, this is far more information than you have the right to know. I shared openly out of respect for Commander Zuhl’s trust in you. I expect you to act with honor and keep these details private within your team.”
Sensing she’d worn out her welcome, Bree decided on one last question. “Is Jason still in danger?”
“We haven’t detected any threats to the welfare of Mr. Jackson. We believe Kozeb fabricated that as part of his manipulation. Your brother’s safety is important to us, so we’ll change his nano-tracker signal. We can assign a protective duty to accompany him, if he desires.”
“No. We’ll protect him.” Bree wanted to get the hell out of the General’s cross hairs and get back to her brother.
“If you, your team, or your family need anything, please feel free to ask. We’re grateful for the assistance that you provided. With your help, I believe we’re back on track with our mission to save Earth.” The General smiled at Bree.
“Thank you, General Shiruvu. I remain in deep gratitude for your understanding and your generous forgiveness.” Izzi stood, put her left hand to the right side of her chest, and then turned it out toward the General. “I give you my honor that I will remain loyal to our mission. I’ll escort Ms. Jackson back to her brother’s healing suite.”
“Commander, your loyalty to our mission is not optional. And please see to it that the Jacksons remain peaceful and without complaint.” With that, Shiruvu’s chair spun around and away from Iziqa and Bree.
Bree slid a questioning look to Izzi and tilted her head back toward the KG.
Zuhl didn’t answer. She turned toward the wall and triggered the door to open. Bree followed Izzi out of the office with a flash of joy when the KG didn’t follow.
As they got into the transporter, Bree let out a big sigh, exhaustion hitting her like a mac truck. She could hardly wait to get to her bed and sleep. Once she knew Jason was awake and on the mend, she planned to sleep for days o
n end.
“Do you understand the risks you took in there?”
“No bigger than all the risks we took to do her fucking job and catch Kozeb.”
“Can’t you see that she is honorable? She didn’t need to answer any of your questions, especially because you were so rude. I don’t understand why you can’t trust her.” Izzi’s leg bounced and she clasped her hands behind her back.
Bree leaned against the wall of the transporter, waiting for the doors to open. “I still think she’s hiding something. I know Kozeb was a piece of shit who would’ve said anything to fuck with me, but I can’t shake the feeling that something is off about the General. But I’ll let it go for now because Jase needs me. That’s the best I can do.”
43
Max sat in a chair watching Jason when they returned to the healing suite. Bree stopped just inside the door, her body rigid, fists clenched, nostrils flared as she glared at her incompetent idiot uncle.
“Bree, please don’t do anything to bring the Guards back. We promised the General that you wouldn’t cause any trouble.” Izzi put her hand on Bree’s shoulder.
“You promised Shiruvu. I didn’t promise anything.” Bree spoke through a tight jaw. She took a deep breath before continuing. “But I’m not going to risk getting k-snagged. Obviously, I shouldn’t have trusted this piece of shit to protect Jason.” Bree’s muscles quivered from the effort of containing her urge to pummel her uncle. Max had a lot of explaining to do, but right now she didn’t know if she could even tolerate being in the same room.
“Bree, I’m so sorry. This is my fault, and I feel like crap. I know you’re angry. Hell, I’m pissed at myself.” Max’s voice cracked. He wiped the back of his hand across one of his red-rimmed eyes.
“What the fuck were you thinking?” She wanted to say so much more, to yell at him, but that’s all that came out. She’d never seen Max like this. That didn’t mean she’d let him off the hook. He’d fucked up bad and Jason had been gravely injured because of it.
“This conversation shouldn’t take place here,” Izzi interrupted. “Let’s go to the conference room.”
“How about you just take this dickhead outta here and I’ll stay with Jase.” Bree crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“I believe you two should discuss this now and allow me to moderate.”
“Ha! You mean keep me from smashing his face in?”
Iziqa smiled. “Exactly.”
As much as Bree wanted to refuse - both the conversation with Max and the supervision from Iziqa - she’d have to talk to him at some point. Perhaps it’d be better to get it over with now so she could focus on Jase.
“Fine, let’s go,” Bree said.
In the nearby conference room, Izzi and Max sat down. Bree remained standing. “Talk,” she ordered.
“We were taking heavy gunfire from humans at the front of the building. We couldn’t breach their defense.” Max’s voice was hoarse. His eyes fixed on a spot on the table in front of him. “The coms went down and I didn’t know what happened to you. The situation was FUBAR and I slid into my command mindset - complete the mission at all costs. That’s the reason I got out, Bree. I had become a pawn for the powers that be. I barely recognized myself after awhile. Nothing mattered to them except the results. It didn’t matter how we got it done, we just had to get it done.”
Max looked at Bree, anger flashing in his eyes. “I told you I didn’t want to get involved. I’m broken. That’s why I left the Unit, damn it!”
“Are you going to blame this on me?” Bree snapped.
Max took a deep breath and his gaze shifted back to the table. “No, I’m sorry. It’s not your fault.”
“What the fuck happened, Max?”
Please, allow him to continue. He’s in great emotional pain. And he’s being truthful, Iziqa sent silently to Bree.
Tough shit. Jase’s got a hell of a lot of physical pain to deal with, Bree sent back.
“The humans that were firing at us were in some type of trance or something. They didn’t seem to care about their own safety. They were coming at us hard. Spyder caught one guy and tried to get intel from him, but he wouldn’t talk. He kept fighting until Spyder knocked him out. We were outnumbered and outgunned. No way to talk with them to get them to stand down. I made the call to toss a grenade. Coms were down. We used hand signals to spread the word.” Max shook his head. “I guess Jason didn’t get word in time. I should’ve waited. I should’ve made sure he was safe. I’m so sorry. I vowed to protect you both and I failed.” A lone tear streaked down Max’s cheek. He looked up at the ceiling. “Steph, please forgive me.”
Shit. Why’d he have to bring her mom into this? Bree’s chest tightened at the memory of seeing her mother while she was passed out. “Okay.”
“Okay, what? Okay, you forgive me?” Max’s eyes widened.
“Okay, as in thanks for telling me what happened.” Bree turned to leave, but remembered she was trapped until Zuhl opened the door. “Let’s see how Jase is when he wakes up. That’s all I can say right now.”
“Bree, from what I know, I believe that Max’s tactical decision might’ve actually saved the entire team,” Zuhl said. “Perhaps he should’ve made sure your brother had reached safe cover before launching the grenade, but without the explosion, the small army of Kozeb’s altered humans likely would’ve killed everyone.”
Deep down, Bree recognized the truth in Izzi’s words, but she needed time. She wasn’t ready to let Max off the hook yet. In reality, she should never have let Jason be there. Or at least, she should’ve kept him close to her. She’d let her brother down. Again. The dark, empty hole in her chest threatened to consume her.
“The General decided not to invoke Instant Karma on any of you and she offered to provide protection for Jason,” Izzi said.
Bree paced back and forth in front of the table while Izzi filled Max in, an odd buzz in her brain. Worried that something was wrong, she contacted Ipeshe through the mind sync. I’ve got a strange buzzing in my head. Is something wrong?
After a few moments, Ipeshe’s reply came through. No, nothing is wrong. Your brain is still adjusting to the brain comp. It will take time for complete integration. And you ought to rest and continue to supplement your diet with Lhox to assist the process.
I’ll rest once I know Jason’s okay.
Will you at least drink some Lhox for now?
Yeah. Okay. Thanks, Ipeshe. And, thanks again for saving Jason’s life. Bree took a deep breath and added, thanks for saving my life. I suppose I could use your help to figure out all this new stuff going on in my head and body. After Jason gets back on his feet and I get some sleep.
You are most welcome, Bree. It would be my honor and privilege to assist you further.
A whoosh sounded as Ipeshe sent a mug of Lhox through the small opening in the wall. Bree grabbed it and sat down at the table, tuning into the conversation between Max and Izzi.
“We don’t know the origin of some of the tech Kozeb used. The T’Lalz collect ideas and objects from the planets they consume,” Izzi explained.
“Are you sure that Shiruvu doesn’t know about the tech Kozeb used?” Bree interjected.
“The General is not in Moghefe.”
“You and Ipeshe admitted that you can’t know that for sure without probing her mind, which neither of you are willing to do,” Bree challenged the Commander.
Izzi’s eye swirls stuttered and she tugged at her ear. “I trust her and even if you don’t, I wish you’d trust me. Haven’t I proven myself to you?”
“It sounds like your meeting with Shiruvu went well. What’s bothering you, Bree?” Max asked.
“No offense, Zuhl, but you’ve got your nose too far up Shiruvu’s ass to see clearly. My gut says something’s hinky about your precious General.”
“I’ve learned to trust her gut,” Max said.
Bree ignored his attempts to kiss her ass. Dickhead.
“I do take offense. However, I’ll sp
eak to some contacts to see if anyone has noticed a reason to question the General’s motives. Will that satisfy you?”
“That’s a start. Thanks.” Bree dipped her chin. “How about you tell me - I mean us - about Instant Karma Phase Two?”
“Phase One, as you know, was intended to stop the most violent behavior in as short a time as possible. Kusharians came to Earth in the beginning of this century to begin the planning with your people. A group was formed to represent the major Earth populations along with Kusharian consultants. This group named themselves the Earth United Council. They operated in secrecy and behind the scenes of your governments to plan and eventually put the Instant Karma Judicial System into place.”
“Blah, blah, blah. We know that. I asked about IK phase two.”
“Phase Two will focus on increasing positive and peaceful behaviors. It will involve changes in the economy system to include rewards for targeted behavior and sanctions for undesirable behavior. The goal of IKJS is to create a new society, not merely devoid of violence, but one that is infused with kindness, gentleness, and peace. This will ensure the safety of the human race. The T’Lalz will lose interest in your planet if they detect a consistent and deeply rooted change toward peace.”
Jason is waking up. Please come quickly. Ipeshe sent the thought with force.
From the look on Iziqa’s face, she’d received the message as well.
“Jase is awake,” Bree said out loud for Max’s benefit as she stood up.
“Don’t try to move, baby bro. You’re okay, but you are in the Kusharian medical center and hooked up to a shit-ton of equipment.” Bree held her brother’s foot in her hands and looked at him with a big smile, so happy to see his eyes fluttering open.
“Wh… hmm…,” Jason mumbled.
“He needs to rest more, but I thought you would want to see him and talk to him before we issue more medicine to allow him to rest and sleep the rest of the day.” Ipeshe smiled.
Mind Sync Page 32