United as One by Pittacus Lore Read Free Book Online Page A

know who Daniela is, but I nod along anyway. “The Entity knew the world needs protecting in a hurry.”
    â€œHuh,” Sam says, mulling this over. “So, it’s something to do with electronics.”
    He turns back to the TV and thrusts his palms at it. He succeeds in emitting a telekinetic burst that knocks the TV off its stand and to the floor with a loud crash.
    â€œOops.”
    â€œWell, you’ve got the telekinesis down at least.”
    Sam turns to me. “If you’re right, how do I get it to work?”
    Before I can tell Sam that I have no idea, we’re interrupted by another knock on the door. A second later, one of the twins’ muffled voice reaches us.
    â€œUh, whatever you guys are doing in there, could it wait? General Lawson told us if we didn’t round everyone up by oh-nine-hundred, it’d be our asses.”
    I exchange a look with Sam. “We’ll talk about this later,” I say.
    He nods, and we open the door to join the two sullen military cadets. As we head down the hallway, Sam stares at every overhead light like an enemy that needs to be conquered.

CHAPTER FIVE
    NOT MUCH FOR CONVERSATION, THE TWINS LEAD us through the twisting corridors of the subbasement. Soon we’re outside the conference room. Malcolm arrives at the same time from a different hallway and waves to us. The twins dart inside, probably worried about being late, while the Goode men and I linger outside.
    Malcolm puts a gentle hand on my shoulder. “How you holding up, Six?”
    I manage a smile. “I’m hanging in there.” I glance at Sam, and the smile doesn’t seem so forced anymore. “Your son’s helping me keep it together.”
    Sam blushes and turns away from his dad a bit. Malcolm pats him on the back.
    â€œGood, good,” he says. “In times like these, we need to lean on each other.”
    â€œHow’s Marina?” I ask Malcolm. The last I saw of her, he was wheeling her into the cabin on a gurney.
    â€œThe medics say her vitals are strong, and she woke up a little while ago to take some food,” Malcolm replies. “John healed her, yes, but when the damage is that severe, you don’t want to rush anything. She’s resting.”
    â€œSix was asking about Lawson,” Sam says to his dad, lowering his voice. He looks at me. “My dad was with Walker’s people at Ashwood until they all had to evacuate. Then you were . . . where was it?”
    â€œLiberty Base. I met the president,” Malcolm says with an amused smile. “He told me he was a big fan of my papers on intergalactic communication. Quite the skilled bullshitter.”
    â€œThe president, is he here now?” I ask.
    â€œNo, I left Liberty Base in a hurry to reconnect with you guys, but the last I heard they were going to keep Jackson moving. Safer that way.”
    â€œOn the run,” I say. “Yeah. Been there.”
    â€œOne interesting fact I picked up . . .” Malcolm lowers his voice, even though we’re alone out here. “The president’s daughter, Melanie, she’s one of you.”
    My eyebrows shoot up. “Get out. When does she report for duty?”
    Malcolm’s smile tightens. “I don’t think that’s going to happen. But at least it means we’ve got the president on our side.”
    â€œAnd Lawson reports directly to him . . .” Sam brings his dad back to what we were originally talking about.
    â€œAh, right. Well, he’s a difficult man to read,” Malcolm says thoughtfully. “Seems like a straight shooter, although the ruthlessly pragmatic type. A bit old-school, as they say. At the very least, we all want the same thing.”
    â€œYeah, dead Mogs,” I reply, and nod towards the conference room. “Let’s see what he has to say.”
    By the time we walk in, most of our group is already seated around a long, oval table. John sits at one end,