Probe Predators by Saxon Andrew Read Free Book Online Page A

survival is twenty five percent higher than yours.”
    “Well aren’t you just a cup full of optimism.”
    “I think realism is the appropriate term. Once you are reduced to small chunks floating in space, she can direct me to find another Caretaker.”
    Trip put his head on his hand and rubbed his forehead, “And people wonder why I drank so much.”
    The woman smiled, “This does shed some light on that issue.” Trip looked at her and she said, “No offence.”
    “None taken; I deserve it.” Trip sighed and looked at the woman, “I’m Andre Ian Montgomery.”
    “I know who you are; you’re not exactly unknown on Euclid. I’m Violet Denise Montgomery.”
    “Why haven’t I ever met you?”
    “I’ve been able to keep a lower profile than you.”
    “Everyone has kept a lower profile than me.” The woman simply shrugged. Trip stood up and motioned Denise to the chair. She came over and sat down. “Once you enter the codes to unlock the vaults, you can enter a new code of your choosing.” Trip pointed to the dial on the panel and said, “To activate the panel to accept the code, you have to enter three numbers using this dial.” Denise nodded. “The first number is 01.” Denise turned the dial to 01 and Trip said, “Now depress the dial.” Denise pressed the dial and the number appeared on the panel. “The next number is 21.” Denise moved the dial and pressed it again. “The last number is 48.” Denise entered the number and as soon as she pressed the dial the control board illuminated.
    “What now?”
    “Use the keyboard and type in D,D, I, V, dash, dash, dash, Live for the Union.”
    Denise smiled, “Who selected this code?”
    “I did.”
    Denise stared at him and then looked at the lights flashing over the ten vaults as an alarm sounded. The force fields disappeared, the alarm stopped, and the lights above the vaults turned green. She turned to him and said, “Marilyn, I will not be changing this code until something happens to Trip. He should have access to the vaults.”
    “Order accepted, Caretaker.”
    Dense looked at Trip, “Why did you choose Dee’s birthday as the activation code?”
    Trip stared at Denise and sighed, “I’d rather not say. I need to go and complete my training. Good luck and please have Marilyn update you on what’s coming.”
    Denise stared at Trip and said after a moment, “I will.” Trip nodded and shuffled over to the elevator. Andrew was inside and said, “May I be of assistance, Sire?” Trip shook his head and then nodded.
    Denise watched the elevator door close and said, “Why does he shake his head at Andrew and then nod?”
    “Andrew always addresses him as Sire and he knows Trip hates it. Trip shakes his head to let Andrew know.”
    “Does he know?”
    “Of course, but he will not allow Trip to ignore his standing in the Genetic Ranking. Do you mind if I ask you a question?”
    “No Marilyn.”
    “Why did you say your name was Denise when everyone who knows you calls you Dee?”
    Dee sat in the chair and said, “I’d rather not say.”
    “I suspect you and Trip have the same reason.”
    Marilyn’s comment startled Dee as she stared at the ten vaults.

Chapter Five
    T rip jumped in to the site where Cole and Andi had been practicing maneuvers and Cole said, “Well look who’s here! Are you ready to learn some lessons from your old pilot?”
    “Cole, I was always too drunk to fly anything.”
    “I know and I’ve got to say that detox has done wonders for you.”
    Andi laughed, “You do look a mite healthier.”
    “One tends to forget drinking when suffering from the effects of high G’s.”
    “Oh, you’ve been practicing behind our backs? We’ll try to go easy on you and not hold it against you.”
    “So how do the two of you want to handle this?”
    “Well, since you had Andi’s father fired, she should have the first shot at ya.”
    “Cole, you know he’s been reinstated.”
    “Even so…you deserve the first shot,