Revolution of the Gods: The Battle for Sol Book One by W.R. Hobbs Read Free Book Online

Lindherst’s behavior. He had always been an arrogant asshole in Bracken’s opinion but he had never really seen him that unhinged.
    It’s time to get some answers.
    “Bring Hauer in here,” Bracken ordered Osborne.
    Bracken unlocked his door and held it open waiting for Dr. Hauer. The doctor came into his office maintaining eye contact as he passed by the general. Bracken shut the door and relocked it.
    “Sit down,” he said as he walked around his desk to his chair but remained standing. “I’m not sure if I should have you executed for treason or just lock you in a cell for the rest of your life! Explain yourself!”
    “General, Taon is beyond our control. It is better for him and all of us to be free to pursue his destiny.”
    “Taon? I’m guessing you are referring to the escaped GEO by that name. And destiny? His destiny was to be genetically engineered to serve as our next generation soldier. But more importantly, the abilities he has demonstrated thus far are well beyond the GEO Project parameters.” Bracken paused and leaned over the desk toward Hauer, “Doctor, you’re rapidly eroding what little trust I have in you. What have you created?”
    “General, the primary directive and purpose of the GEO Project pales in comparison to Taon’s true potential and purpose. And when you speak of trust, that sentiment is mutual.”
    “Well his so called potential may have already come to a premature end. The XF-50 he took out of here went down about ten minutes ago near Vegas,” Bracken informed as he sat down and turned his attention to the viewer where he clicked through the file system until he found it.
    “So Dr. Hauer, I am asking you to come clean with me. I realize that you have been working on this endeavor for decades. But I had no idea exactly how long until I came across this,” the general remarked as he pointed his finger at the viewer to a declassified file entitled ‘Operation Paperclip’. He ran his finger over the screen scrolling through the file until he reached an old photograph of over 100 scientists standing in front of a gated compound in Fort Bliss, Texas.
    Bracken then used both index fingers to enlarge the photograph and focused on a man wearing large sunglasses standing near the back on the right side. Once the man’s face was almost as large as the entire screen, Bracken tapped a menu item on the bottom and a wire frame model superimposed over the face. It subsequently removed the sunglasses and displayed its extrapolated result. It was Hauer’s younger self.
    “Can you help me understand this doctor?”
    “It would not suffice it to say that I age well?” Hauer flippantly responded.
    “That was over eighty years ago,” Bracken bellowed.
    “There can be certain benefits to working in the field of genetic research - some of them personal,” Hauer answered, attempting to deflect the general’s query.
    Bracken removed his hat and with both elbows on his desk he ran his bald head across his palms.
    “Hauer, who are you really? What is your real purpose here?”
    “General, my purpose is the same as yours – to protect,” the doctor hinted.
    “I’m not sure if we actually do that anymore. Since the C7’s inception we have threatened and destroyed more than we have protected.” Bracken continued, “It’s time for it to come to an end. And that makes it vital for me to know here and now who the hell you are and where your loyalty lies.”
    Dr. Hauer realized the General was probing for his support.
    I know he has been planning some type of a logistical shift – maybe I was wrong to assume it was by direction of the C7.
    The open minded doctor responded, “If the command structure of this base is concerned with the autonomy and sovereignty of Earth’s people, then my support lies here. But, if this command structure is simply interested in restoring the former United States, I suggest there is a larger picture.”
    Bracken and Hauer now understood each other.