happy to find Adam there.
“What the hell are you doing back? I thought you’d be
halfway to the rendezvous point by now.” McNeal kept his voice to a whisper but
his gaze constantly flickered over Adam’s as if expecting to be watched.
His original intentions must have been apparent. At least to
the one other person who knew who he really was. His stomach churned with
nervous energy but he refused to walk away. This was right. He could do this. “That
was my original plan but while we were gone I got to thinking about the
mission.”
“Thinking? You got to thinking?” McNeal slapped him in the
head as he spoke. “We don’t have the time or the luxury to be dicking around
right now. Or did it escape your attention that we aren’t the only ones making
a play for the captain?”
“No. I didn’t miss the attack.”
“Then what were you so busy thinking about that you forgot
to complete your mission?”
“I didn’t forget. I came to the realization that we’re on
the wrong mission.” Even as he said the words though, he could see McNeal’s
expression close off. How did he ever think he could sell this?
“You can’t possibly be switching sides.”
He almost laughed at the idea. “No, not me. Her.”
“Are you insane? She’s been in the military for over ten
years, her father is a career politician—and is responsible for drafting most
of legislation that funds this damned war.” McNeal put down the tool he’d been
playing with and stood so they were on equal footing. “She’s not going to turn.”
“She might surprise you.” She sure as hell had shocked him.
“The girl has integrity.”
“And you seriously think a little ‘integrity’ is enough to
throw away our only chance of getting this bill voted down? You do remember
what this little piece of legislation would enable the government to do, don’t
you?”
“It would make it so the military could order a burn off
without presenting its case to a judge first.” He hadn’t forgotten anything.
“And don’t forget about the part that lets the military
start using Subservients to do the burn offs. Assembly-line soldiers who can
read minds, break codes and are virtually indestructible would be burning
civilians out of their homes, no questions asked.”
“I know what’s at stake. But I’m telling you, if she knew
what was going on, she’d be on our side. We could still make the kidnapping
look legit but when we gave her back we’d have an insider with a high rank in
the military.” Hope sparked in his chest as he said the words out loud for the
first time. “We’d end the legislation and we’d finally have someone who could
warn us about the raids. Think of what that’d mean.” His fingertips itched to
touch his scar but he forced them to remain still.
“We’d be able to evacuate women and children before the
burn.” The words sounded as if they’d been given grudgingly, but they’d been
given and that’s all Adam cared about. McNeal stared at him for a second. “To
turn her, you’ll have to tell her who we are.”
“I know.” It was a big risk but a calculated one. “She’s got
a conscience. She’ll do what’s right.”
“She’s a military pilot.”
“She’s turned on the government before. She was the source
for the sex-slave investigations. And she’s friends with the reporter who broke
the Subservient story.” He still remembered where he was when he’d heard the
military had created a sentient life form. As amazing as the story was, that
the story made it out to the citizens was even harder for him to believe. Adam
could only imagine the threats Michael had received. He almost regretted not
telling Michael who he was when he had the chance. But too much depended on him
staying anonymous right now.
“There’s a big difference between turning in corrupt
politicians and turning on the military, Adam. They broke the law. The
government isn’t breaking any laws.”
“That’s because they
“What the hell are you doing back? I thought you’d be
halfway to the rendezvous point by now.” McNeal kept his voice to a whisper but
his gaze constantly flickered over Adam’s as if expecting to be watched.
His original intentions must have been apparent. At least to
the one other person who knew who he really was. His stomach churned with
nervous energy but he refused to walk away. This was right. He could do this. “That
was my original plan but while we were gone I got to thinking about the
mission.”
“Thinking? You got to thinking?” McNeal slapped him in the
head as he spoke. “We don’t have the time or the luxury to be dicking around
right now. Or did it escape your attention that we aren’t the only ones making
a play for the captain?”
“No. I didn’t miss the attack.”
“Then what were you so busy thinking about that you forgot
to complete your mission?”
“I didn’t forget. I came to the realization that we’re on
the wrong mission.” Even as he said the words though, he could see McNeal’s
expression close off. How did he ever think he could sell this?
“You can’t possibly be switching sides.”
He almost laughed at the idea. “No, not me. Her.”
“Are you insane? She’s been in the military for over ten
years, her father is a career politician—and is responsible for drafting most
of legislation that funds this damned war.” McNeal put down the tool he’d been
playing with and stood so they were on equal footing. “She’s not going to turn.”
“She might surprise you.” She sure as hell had shocked him.
“The girl has integrity.”
“And you seriously think a little ‘integrity’ is enough to
throw away our only chance of getting this bill voted down? You do remember
what this little piece of legislation would enable the government to do, don’t
you?”
“It would make it so the military could order a burn off
without presenting its case to a judge first.” He hadn’t forgotten anything.
“And don’t forget about the part that lets the military
start using Subservients to do the burn offs. Assembly-line soldiers who can
read minds, break codes and are virtually indestructible would be burning
civilians out of their homes, no questions asked.”
“I know what’s at stake. But I’m telling you, if she knew
what was going on, she’d be on our side. We could still make the kidnapping
look legit but when we gave her back we’d have an insider with a high rank in
the military.” Hope sparked in his chest as he said the words out loud for the
first time. “We’d end the legislation and we’d finally have someone who could
warn us about the raids. Think of what that’d mean.” His fingertips itched to
touch his scar but he forced them to remain still.
“We’d be able to evacuate women and children before the
burn.” The words sounded as if they’d been given grudgingly, but they’d been
given and that’s all Adam cared about. McNeal stared at him for a second. “To
turn her, you’ll have to tell her who we are.”
“I know.” It was a big risk but a calculated one. “She’s got
a conscience. She’ll do what’s right.”
“She’s a military pilot.”
“She’s turned on the government before. She was the source
for the sex-slave investigations. And she’s friends with the reporter who broke
the Subservient story.” He still remembered where he was when he’d heard the
military had created a sentient life form. As amazing as the story was, that
the story made it out to the citizens was even harder for him to believe. Adam
could only imagine the threats Michael had received. He almost regretted not
telling Michael who he was when he had the chance. But too much depended on him
staying anonymous right now.
“There’s a big difference between turning in corrupt
politicians and turning on the military, Adam. They broke the law. The
government isn’t breaking any laws.”
“That’s because they
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