Resonance 4th Edits - Bleeding Worlds Bk 3 by Justus R. Stone Read Free Book Online Page B

flat plains were at first enthralling, he now found their sameness boring. Lacking hills and other geographic features, the wind whipped along without a break, gaining speed and dropping in temperature with every mile. Reaching these northern areas, the cold and speed reduced the carpets of green grass to straw in the best places. Dead, barren ground, covered the not-so-best places.
    Caelum hovered over a shortwave radio, headphones pressed against his head. He was entranced, like the machine was spouting religion.
    “The Aesir are bombing South Sector Five,” he said.
    Brandt shook his head.
    “Damn. That’s the third subjugation assault this month. Woten’s upping the pace.”
    “Because he knows he has us by the throat,” Marie said.
    Caelum pulled the headphones off and clicked the power switch on the radio. He stuffed the gear in his pack.
    “It seems wrong, just sitting out in the middle of this field, staring at a Bifrost fragment, when those people need help. We don’t even know for sure if it leads to our Earth.”
    “Are you saying you don’t trust her?” Jason asked. “Because I’m risking our lives on her say so.”
    Caelum put on his pack and got to his feet.
    “I’m just saying we’ve spent seven years on this planet, and I don’t think we’re any further ahead. How many more people will we listen to die? How many more will we actually see? I’m tired of never moving forward.”
    Jason tore a piece of the dead earth and chucked it violently.
    “You know that’s why we’re here,” he said. “Right now, we barely have an army. And the army we have can hardly stand.”
    “We could just stay home and forget this place,” Brandt said, his arms folded tight across his chest. He stared at the Bifrost fragment stone faced.
    The words hung in the air unopposed—even considered.
    “I won’t stop you if that’s what you want,” Jason said. It came out so weak, he wondered if they’d heard. If any of the three did, none said so.
    After another minute of silence passed, Brandt groaned, stretching his arms up and behind his head.
    “Whatever. At least we know the assholes on this planet.” He nodded toward the Bifrost. “Who knows what they’re like over there.”
    “Still, a way home,” Marie said. “I’d given up hope of ever finding one.”
    “Is it home anymore?” Jason asked. “I think any idea of home stopped existing the second we entered that bleed through.”
    “My parents might still be alive,” Caelum said.
    Jason moved to him, placing his hand on his shoulder. He worried Caelum might shrug it off, but he didn’t even flinch.
    “I’m sorry,” Jason said. “I sided with Fenrir because Katsuro sacrificed himself for us. I just thought we could help them while we searched for a way home—a way back to the people…we left. After the first two years, this just became my life. Sometimes I forget maybe you guys aren’t like that. I’ll say it again, I won’t stop anyone who wants to stay there.”
    Caelum shook his head. “No. We chose to join Fenrir too. And it wasn’t because you forced us or guilted us—it was because it seemed right. We’re just as bad as Woten if we abandon these people now.”
    Marie and Brandt both wore weak smiles, but nodded their agreement.
    “Do you think Woten even knows about this fragment?” Marie asked.
    “Probably,” Jason said, “There was the rumor Woten had operatives on Earth. I wouldn’t be surprised if they used this fragment.”
    “So…” Marie turned her head, scoping out the area. “Where are the guards? Woten wouldn’t leave a way onto Asgard unprotected.”
    “No, he wouldn’t. Maybe that’s the handiwork of our benefactor,” Jason replied. “Which means we’ve got a short window of opportunity. When those guards fail to check in, this place will be crawling with Einherjar.”
    “Which begs the question, why are we still waiting?” Caelum asked.
    “That would be my fault,” a newcomer’s voice said.