Gabe: Scifi Alien Invasion Romance (Hell Squad Book 3) by Anna Hackett Read Free Book Online Page B

the screen.
    “Doc. One of Santha’s team found the Genesis Facility.”
    Emerson gripped the comp screen. “You’re sure?”
    “Saw tanks with human bodies floating in them. Sounds like the right place.”
    “You’re heading out?”
    “Yeah. And I need you to suit up. We might have survivors who need medical attention, and you wanted to see the tanks.”
    Her chest tightened. “I’m on my way.”
     

Chapter Six
    Emerson strode toward the Hawk landing pads. She was in her black body armor, with her small black backpack full of medical supplies slung over her shoulder.
    The landing pads were always busy. Mechanics bustled around the Hawk quadcopters, while other Hawks were landing or taking off. They’d lost one on the mission to rescue the final lab survivors and that had been a serious blow. They were obviously impossible to replace.
    She saw Hell Squad milling near a Hawk, checking their weapons.
    As she walked over, her gaze went to Gabe. His head lifted, his face impassive. She looked away. God, it hurt to look at him.
    “Doc.” Marcus stepped forward.
    “I’m ready.”
    “Good. Hell Squad, let’s move.”
    Marcus helped her into the Hawk. She settled into a seat and strapped in. Cruz sat nearby, looking alert and ready.
    “You are such a moron.” Claudia Frost swung her carbine over her shoulder, her hot gaze on the team’s sniper.
    Shaw rolled his eyes. “Will you get off my case, Frost? I don’t need your bitching today.”
    “Bitching?” Claudia’s tone turned Arctic.
    Reed was watching them, grinning. He looked ready to grab a tub of popcorn.
    Marcus took a menacing step forward. “Not now. You can both bitch at each other when we get back. Right now, I need you focused.”
    Gabe was standing near the back. He finished checking his carbine, then grabbed a handhold dangling from the ceiling.
    “Hold on, Hell Squad.” The pilot looked back from the cockpit. From what she’d heard, Finn Eriksson was the best Hawk pilot they had. He’d broken his arm in the Hawk crash and he hadn’t been happy that she’d had him on restricted duties while he healed. But he was back in fighting—or rather flying—form, now.
    The quadcopter lifted off. They ascended through a vertical tunnel of rock. Out the window, she just caught a glimpse of the overhead doors retracting. Once they were airborne and clear of the tunnel, the Hawk spun, the four rotors tilting, and they flew east toward the city.
    The sun was shining and it was such a beautiful day. Emerson really needed to try and get outside a little more. They had set times people could head topside, with an armed patrol. But she did have a few who were too afraid to leave the safety of the base and needed vitamin D boosters.
    Marcus had left the Hawk’s side door open and air rushed past. As they reached the outer limits of the city, her chest tightened, like it always did when she saw what had been done to her home.
    Rubble and ruin.
    That was pretty much all that was left of the once-bustling capital of the United Coalition—the union of several countries including Australia, the United States of America, India, Canada and several European nations. Sydney had thrived, been a place to share knowledge, do business, holiday and see amazing culture. She’d always loved that it was such a melting pot of people of different backgrounds and histories.
    She sighed. Gone . And it wouldn’t be coming back. Just like the shining career she’d had before the aliens came. She’d had such grand plans, had wanted to help so many people.
    She set her shoulders back. She was still helping people. The world was changed, different, but the core values were still there. Every day, she saw courage, tenacity, hope and love.
    Her gaze strayed to Gabe. A lot of things weren’t what she’d planned or thought she’d want, but it didn’t make them any less real.
    “Okay.” Marcus stood, his tough, muscular body silhouetted by the sun streaming in the door.