Terminus (Fringe Worlds #1) by Kevin Hardman Read Free Book Online Page B

that we’ll get it for you. We can try, but frankly speaking, it’s not likely to happen.”
    “I see,” Maker said, not looking particularly happy with her statement.
    “However,” the doctor continued, “you shouldn’t be looking at this in terms of what you can’t do, but see it as an opportunity for what you can.”
    “Which is…?” Maker asked.
    “To catch the one that got away,” she replied, the corners of her mouth turning up into a smile. At that point she had him hooked, and she knew it.
    “Alright,” Maker said. “I’m in.” As he said the words, an odd sense of relief that he hadn’t expected flooded through him.
    “Outstanding,” said the general, shaking his hand.
    “Oh, there is one more thing,” Maker said. “I get to use this .”
    He pressed a button on his wristband, and a nearby panel of wall slid up into the roof with a mechanical whirr, revealing a hidden, coffin-sized cubbyhole. Intrigued, Maker’s visitors walked over to the alcove for a better look at its contents: a suit of battle armor.
    Browing frowned as he looked at the outfit. “This is illegal, you know. It’s a violation and a felony for civilians to possess Marine armor.”
    “This isn’t Marine armor,” Maker countered. “It’s mine. I built it from scratch.”
    “But probably from Marine specs,” Browing insisted, “since it’s the best battle gear out there.”
    “It’s the best mass-produced gear out there,” Maker corrected. “But you can custom-build armor that’s a whole lot better, and I did. I even put my own sigil on it.”
    He slapped his hand on the left pectoral of the armor, where a small image of Erlen was engraved in the metal. Kroner laughed when he realized what it was.
    “Using your own armor shouldn’t be an issue,” the general said with a smile, clapping Maker on the shoulder.
    “If the general approves, I have no objection,” Browing added. “Glad to have you aboard. And if you’ve got an idea of who you want on your team, just tell us and we’ll start making it happen.”
    “For the most part, I don’t know who I want just yet,” Maker said. “That being the case, I’m going to need complete access to the military personnel database.”
    Browing looked stunned. “Complete access? To the entire database?”
    “Yes,” Maker responded. “How else am I going to screen for the people I’ll need? I need to check not only their skill sets, but their entire backgrounds. That means I need full access.”
    “So, you don’t even have names at this point?” Browing asked.
    “Well, I can give you one name,” Maker said. “Chief Master Sergeant Hector Adames.”
    Browing pulled out his p-comp, and then rapidly moved his fingers across its screen, sorting information. A moment later he stopped, then stared at the screen, eyes flitting back and forth as he read what was on the monitor. A second later he let out a harsh laugh.
    “You’ve got to be kidding,” Browing said, looking up. “The man’s a criminal, from a family of criminals.”
    “Hector left his wayward ways behind and severed his family ties when he joined the Corps,” Maker said defensively.
    “Actually,” Browing retorted, again looking at the screen, “it looks like joining the Marines was just a cover to continue his illicit activities. Let’s see…accused of using his position as quartermaster to smuggle goods…implicated in the sale of restricted weaponry to civilians…” Browing looked up. “About the only reason he’s not spending the rest of his life in a military prison is lack of evidence.”
    “So he’s either innocent, smart, or both,” Maker concluded. “And not many dummies make it to Chief.”
    “And neither did your friend,” Browing said. “He’s been demoted twice, so Chief isn’t on his résumé at the moment.”
    Maker shrugged, taking it in stride. “Still, I want him on my team.”
    “We’ll make it happen,” the general said, obviously ready to leave