Until We Break by Scott Kinkade Read Free Book Online Page B

Upton.”
          
    “Why wasn’t I informed of this?”
          
    “We planned to bring it to your attention when we had more information. Currently, we have no idea how to use this new fuel source, if it even is that.”
          
    Lambda steepled his fingers. “So you believe this Zero Grade wants these…what did you call them… Hot Zones… for themselves?”
          
    “We believe it to be a strong possibility,” Hinsom said. “I don’t see any other reason to attack a small town or an isolated site like Stonecroft last year. They have no strategic value whatsoever.”
          
    Lyra pointed out, “Not to humans, anyway. There’s no telling with gods.”
          
    Haig rolled his eyes. “Mr. President, I still believe we’re dealing with fanatics with chemical weapons who want to strike terror into the hearts of small towns everywhere. Think about it—if a small town isn’t safe, no place is. They want to prove they can attack us anywhere.”
          
    Crossing his arms, Lambda said, “We have to assume we’re dealing with a worst-case scenario, that we’re up against gods. The Murnau military couldn’t make a dent in the giants that appeared in Stiftung, and our weapons aren’t much better. We need some sort of defense should they appear in Morovia.”
          
    “Let me send in the 103 rd Batallion. We’ll put a swift end to these bastards,” Haig said.
          
    “But if they really are gods, it won’t matter how many soldiers we send,” Lyra said.
          
    “What do you suggest?” Lambda asked her.
          
    She sighed. “There’s no easy way to say this, Mr. President. If they really are gods, then our only option might be nuclear if all else fails.”
          
    “You’re suggesting we detonate a nuclear bomb on Morovian soil?” he said, dumbfounded.
          
    “That’s outrageous,” Haig said. “If we start launching nukes at bogeymen, we’ll make this country uninhabitable.”
          
    She insisted, “If we’re dealing with hostile deities, we’ll have to stand strong and deliver a powerful message: ‘We won’t bow to you.’”
          
    Lamba sighed. “At this point, nukes are off the table. I need something else, something that will give us an edge but limit civilian casualties and environmental impact.”
          
    It was then that Cid Larson, the Secretary of Technology, finally spoke up. “Mr. President, I think there’s something you need to see.”
     
    * * *
     
    Maya and Jaysin arrived at Freya’s office that evening. “Thank you for coming,” she said from behind her desk.
     
    Maya’s face was still marred by fresh tears. “Have you heard from Ev?”
     
    Freya leaned forward, hands folded. “I’m afraid not. Please, sit down.” They did so. “I’m sure you’ve heard by now, but earlier today his hometown was attacked by Zero Grade. We believe he went there to fight them off.”
     
    “We already figured that out,” Maya snapped. “Where is he now?”
          
    Freya replied, “Maya, I’m not going to insult you by pretending everything’s OK. It’s not. Right now, we fear the worst. We have reason to believe Ev may have had a run-in with a member of the Flawless Few. We haven’t heard from him at all since the attack.”
          
    Maya found her self-control disintegrating. “No! He’s not dead! He can’t be! Why aren’t we out looking for him?”
          
    Freya explained, “Bethos has decided to wait until we have reinforcements before going to Upton.”
          
    “That’s easy for him to say!” she said, hot tears rolling down her face. “There isn’t anyone he cares about in Upton, no one who saved his life and means everything to him.”
          
    Jaysin tried to put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “It’ll be OK, Maya.”
     
    She swatted him away. “No, it won’t! Didn’t you hear her? Ev could be dying in