Ashlyn Chronicles 1: 2287 A.D. by Glenn van Dyke, Renee van Dyke Read Free Book Online

It is more than sufficient. Steven, you and Ashlyn are more than my creations. You are my children. To know that you are alive and that you have a glorious future ahead is all that a parent can ask for. The universe is yours, my son, and I wish you well on your journey. The game is afoot.”
    The doctor smiled and bowed goodbye.

Chapter 3
     
     
     
    Steven noted that even as Tynabo ordered the recorder to save file , and turn off , he picked up two pills sitting on the desk beside him.
    “What did he mean, the game is afoot?” said Hitch.
    “Sherlock Holmes,” said Steven. “It means the clock is ticking.”
    Perfectly timed, the facility’s computer announced, “Self-destruct countdown has begun. T-minus 20 minutes and counting. A verbal update will be given every 5 minutes.”
    “And who is Sherlock Holmes?” said Hitch.
    “Screw Sherlock Holmes, what in the hell are you going to tell your wife?” said Moore. “Hi sweetheart, there is someone here I want you to meet. She’s my personal goddess and the doctor ordered me to sleep with her or I’ll die.”
    “Dammit, Moore,” said Stratton. “I’m going kick you in the balls so hard that the next time you open your mouth, you’ll be spitting out sperm. Sorry, Admiral. It’s my fault for picking his sorry ass for this mission.”
    “It’s okay, Stratt,” said Steven. “He’s just saying aloud what all of us are thinking. But, you’re right. It will be a problem. Therefore, I am ordering all of you to keep this quiet. If any one of you whispers a word of this, I will have you flushed out the nearest air lock. Is that clear? And I warn you not to put me to the test.”
    Everyone gave a verbal acknowledgment that they understood. Steven’s unusually sharp tone requested it.
    “Besides, I’m not quite buying into all of this yet. I had parents. They died in the attack same as all of yours did. But, if somehow it is true, I have no memory of it,” said Steven, wondering if he was only trying to convince himself.
    Two quick chirps sounded, signaling an urgent incoming message.
    “This is Sherrah. Go ahead, Sea Base.”
    “Admiral, this is Ensign Aaron Williams at Challenger Deep. Commander Brooks asked me to inform you that we just received an emergency update from our Sirius satellite. It shows a fleet of eighteen ships gathering in preparation to open a jump gate. The time stamp shows the data is thirty-two days old.”
    Out of the frying pan and into the fire!
    The team, listening in, all spoke over the open comm, commenting on the terrible timing. Avenger was planetside rather than at battle stations. They all knew that if the invasion fleet arrived now, the last surviving humans on Earth would be defenseless.
    “Thank you for the update, Ensign. Tell Brooks to do a status check on Project Terminus. Let him know that we are at the signal’s target location and expect to be headed back shortly.”
    “Time till self-destruct is T-minus fifteen minutes,” announced the computer.
    “Robbie,” said Steven over his comm. “If that door isn’t open in ten minutes, pick up Stratton’s team and clear the area.”
    “Aye, aye, sir. Ten minutes,” answered Robertson.
    “Tomlinson, Hitch, Paris, wait here. If the countdown gets close, increase your dampeners to maximum. There’s a chance it might be enough to protect you.”
    “You might need us down there,” said Hitch.
    “It’s safer for you to wait here. Tynabo said it had to be me.”
    Not wanting to worry the team, Steven hid the fact that their armor had one major weakness. Its nearly inexhaustible energy core would quickly freeze in subzero temperatures, rendering it useless.
    Steven locked his helmet into position. “Stratt, you’re in charge up here.” A clap of thunder shook the small building. “And keep me updated on the storm.”
    “Sir, the vial,” reminded Tomlinson.
    “He’s right, sir. The doctor killed a lot of people to protect the two of you,” asserted Stratton.