Read Online The Atlantis World (The Origin Mystery, Book 3) by A.G. Riddle - Free Book Online Page B

warmer with both David and her present. Still, she reached her hand across and touched the cold space where he would have lain.
    At that moment, she made her decision.
    She would spend her last days with David, wherever he wanted. She was doing it for him, as much as for herself.
    She closed her eyes again, and the sleep that came was the best she had had since… she could remember.

    Waiting was a poor strategy. David assumed that the person beyond the tree line knew his general position and might not be alone.
    He was about to dart to the next crate of supplies when a strong voice called into the night, a voice David knew. “It’s nice to see that your instincts haven’t faded.”
    David rose and found Sonja, the chief of the Berber tribe that now controlled Ceuta, emerging from the forest, an amused expression on her face.
    “You could have announced yourself.”
    “Like you, I prefer the element of surprise.”
    David smiled, appreciating her reference to his surprise attack and takeover of the Immari base—with her and her tribe’s help.
    He motioned to the crates. “I think you’ve oversupplied us.”
    Sonja’s playful smile faded. “Not for what’s to come.”
    David glanced at the base. Yes, the lights were more than the usual night watch. They were preparing for an attack.
    “How soon?”
    “Days. Possibly even tomorrow. If the spies are right, the Immari counterattack will be global. A war on every continent.”
    “How? I thought they were finished.”
    “They’ve consolidated their forces. And they’re attracting new devotees. They’ve begun taking power plants and food depots around the world.”
    “You can’t be serious.”
    “Many don’t want the world to return to the way it was. The Immari alternative, their worldview, appeals to many.”
    David scanned the base again. “You’re not planning for the base’s defense. You’re planning for an attack.”
    Sonja nodded. “The Immari have been moving into the mountainous regions, trying to take the high ground where they can prolong the fight. The Spanish plan to drive them to the sea, to within range of our rail guns. We can finish them, force a surrender—assuming we can hold our ground here.”
    David nodded. “Good plan.”
    “It’s part of a larger plan. The Orchid Alliance is contemplating a final offensive to finish the Immari once and for all.” She pointed to a plane waiting on the runway. “I’m traveling to America at first light. I’ll be the representative for Northern Africa.”
    “Representative to what?”
    “A global war council.”
    David had a feeling about what she was working up to. “Congratulations,” he said, turning away.
    “I was hoping…”
    “That I would run Ceuta in your absence.”
    “You could save lives—again.”
    David’s eyes lingered on the dark corridor that led to the ship and Kate. “I can’t.”
    “The woman you came here to save.”
    “Yes. She’s sick. She needs me.”
    “Watching a loved one suffer is the worst torture on Earth. If you stay here, you should take the supplies below. I don’t know how long the offensive will last.”
    “We’ve considered spending her final days in America.” David glanced back at the runway, at the plane he had flown to Ceuta from Malta. “But if you’re taking the plane…”
    Sonja smiled. “I’ll drop you off. It’s the least I can do for what you’ve done for my people.”
    “That’s much appreciated.”
    It began raining, and they both gazed into the distance. The downpour seemed to gather strength by the second.
    “Looks like a big one,” David said.
    Sonja turned her head sharply, as if she had heard something.
    David moved closer to her, his posture defensive.
    She pressed a finger to her ear piece. “There’s an incoming flight. American military transport requesting clearance to land. The person on board identifies himself as Dr. Paul Brenner. He wishes to speak with Dr. Warner. He says she can verify