Read Online Mirrored Man: The Rob Tyler Chronicles Book 1 by GJ Fortier - Free Book Online Page A

on
Tetris. There was a Blu-ray collection with more than three
thousand titles and every satellite channel in existence, though
June had blocked a few using parental controls, causing quite a
protest from Don. They had a well-stocked pantry and refrigerator,
and a cook at their disposal. But the longer they were there, the
more cooking they opted to do themselves. There was a pool, hot
tub, sauna, and the services of a masseuse upon request. All the
comforts of home and then some, just no one else to interact with.
In fact, the original team of nine scientists at McMasters had been
reduced to five: June and Don, Professor Yeoum Chi, Dr. Juan Tiong,
the team’s veterinarian, and Jimmy Bennett.
    Jimmy held a master’s degree in computer
science and electronic technology, and was responsible for
maintaining all of the project’s equipment. He had also written
many of the specialized programs needed for the project, making him
irreplaceable, though the “powers that be” attempted to do just
that on several occasions. Jimmy was a solid team player and
co-worker, but he was also good at what he called “sticking it to
the man.” As a Canadian, he wasn’t thrilled about working for the
U.S. Government, even when it was the Department of the Interior.
So when the DOD took over, he considered sabotaging the project
outright. June had even been willing to go along with that idea,
but in the end Don and the professor talked them out of it. After
all, they had all invested too much time and effort not to go
forward, regardless of who was paying the bills. That, and an
obscene pay increase, had changed Jimmy’s mind. But in the eight
weeks since the move he had ruffled more than his share of feathers
among the “storm troopers” he had to work for.
    And to make matters worse, they weren't
allowed to continue their present research. They had repeatedly
been told that the next phase of the project was forthcoming, and
that the next specimen would arrive soon. It had been bad enough
being on hold for two months in Hamilton where they all had homes
and lives. But being cooped up in this new lab could get nerve
wracking. It was true that the experiment was a success. The
results were clear and the science, barring unforeseen events, was
proving to have longevity with each sample Doctor Tiong
analyzed. But there was no clear answer to the question of the
current holdup.
    “We were supposed to be gone by now,” June
added. “Gone to our new home, away from needles, and sleeping in a
real forest. Not a fake one.”
    “Are you kidding me? The zoologists in San
Diego would give their left arm to have a habitat like we have
here.”
    She knew it was true. She had to give them
credit. They had created an environment in this underground
sanatorium that rivaled anything she had ever experienced. The best
food, the best care, and all of the people who had access to the
animals seemed to genuinely care for them. And the chimps responded
favorably to the team as well. All except for Tiong. But he, above
of all of them except possibly June, had the animals’ best interest
at heart.
    Sometimes Juan gets a bad rap . Maybe I should check on his arm. “What time is it?” June
asked.
    Don glanced at the clock on the wall. “Eight
fifty-nine.”
    “I guess Juan has started his
inventory.”
    “Yeah, I think he coerced Jimmy into helping
him since the mysterious major isn't here.”  Don had often
speculated about the major. Only Tiong had been allowed to meet
him. The others only saw him when Jimmy hacked his way into the
security system. Don conjured a scenario with Greg Mathers as the real person in charge and not an Air Force officer at all.
He was CIA sent there to evaluate them for another secret project
that the government had in mind. This, of course, provoked Jimmy to
outbursts of colorful mixed metaphors and open threats if he found
out that anything of the like was true. In turn, this fueled Don's
imagination to the point that