Project Solaris 2: Hero Rising by Chris Fox Read Free Book Online

I knew nothing about the city we were about to visit. "If we need to buy new clothes, we'll do it here. I imagine we'll be fine, though, at least in the short term. There are bound to be a ton of tourists here to see the pyramids or the Sphinx. If we keep to touristy areas, we're probably fine."
    "How are we getting down there?" Kali asked, still studying the holographic representation of the city. 
    "Jillian, how many people can you 'port?" I asked.
    "I've been practicing. I can probably manage four people in addition to myself," she said. Her tone was confident, but I could see a little doubt in her eyes.
    "That means leaving two behind. Kali, are you okay with remaining here and monitoring communications?" I asked, knowing she'd be looking for a way to avoid going anyway. She rarely left the ship.
    Before I'd have chalked that reticence up to her being self-conscious her all-black eyes, but Osiris' words rang in my head. Was there really a spy? Were we really compromised, and if so, was Kali the spy? Just what had the grey men changed when they'd modified her? 
    "Yeah, I'm fine with that. Janaki, do you want to stay behind as well? I could use your help going over the data Mohn provided." Kali brushed a lock of hair from her forehead, turning to face Janaki. I'd almost forgotten the quiet Indian woman's presence.
    I didn't need telepathy to see that there was something going on there beneath the surface. Janaki blushed, and she avoided Kali's gaze when she replied. "Sure. I mean, if you think I'll be helpful."
    The exchange filled me with relief. If Kali was the spy, why ask someone else to stay behind? Unless that was also a ruse.
    "Okay, that's settled. Everyone, group tightly around me," Jillian ordered. I did as instructed, wrapping an arm around her waist. She gave me a wink as Marcus and Summers moved to join us. "Can you give me a visual on where we're going?"
    I mentally ordered the ship to zoom in on the city below. The view centered on a two-story building with a wide, flat roof. "That's our hotel. If you can get us to the roof, we can drop into the alley and just enter the front door. Our contact should be waiting inside."
    "Everyone ready?" Jillian asked.
    "Let's do it," Summers said, giving a tight nod. She wore her blonde hair in a simple ponytail, and had donned a pair of large sunglasses similar to Kali's.
    Marcus just nodded. Jillian pulled me a little closer, then there was a brief feeling of weightlessness. When it faded, we were crouched atop an adobe rooftop. After the perfectly controlled climate of the ship, the heat was sweltering, and sweat immediately drenched my shirt. I fished out my own sunglasses, and found myself squinting even through them. The rooftop was so hot, I could feel it through my shoes. 
    The other thing that struck me was the noise. There were car horns, a jet flying above, church bells, and hundreds of voices yelling in at least two languages I didn't understand. This place was every bit as large as Los Angeles, and a whole hell of a lot more confusing. Buildings towered around us, and the streets were clogged with the same kind of vehicles we'd have seen back in the states. I was damn glad Mohn was supplying a guide, because I seriously doubted I'd be able to navigate the tightly packed streets.
    "Okay, into the alley," I said, moving to the edge of the roof. I scanned it to make sure it was empty, then hopped down to the top of a dumpster. Jillian landed next, and the other two a moment later. I moved to the mouth of the alley, scanning the traffic.
    I walked casually into the crowd, pushing my way toward the front door. The wood was cracked and faded, the adobe caked with dark dirt. The building was a stark contrast to its neighbors, a three-story restaurant, and a ten-story skyscraper. I pulled open the door, gesturing for the others to enter. They did so and I followed, entering a room that was marginally cooler. A ceiling fan swung lazily above us, the breeze