“What? Are you nuts?”
A muscle jerked in his cheek. “I don’t like it any more than you do. If we are to defeat them, I need to know everything about the Tai-Kok. How they think. Their culture. Their battle strategies.”
“Will the link be permanent?”
“I don’t know, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take to save our world.”
Damn. What was I afraid of? The chances of my living to see eighteen weren’t that good. “Okay. Let’s do this.” I dropped my shields, flinching as the general slid into my mind and made himself at home. I could feel him rifling through my memories until he found my merge with the Tai-Kok.
As he absorbed the knowledge, my curiosity to see how a psychic’s mind really worked, drove me to watch. Oh, my, God the general’s power was off the charts.
“Enough Lexi. I have what I need.”And just like that he was gone from my head.
“Did that answer your questions?”
“Yes.” The general placed a hand on my forehead. “Sleep.”
And I did.
Chapter Six
Becoming a Siren…
It had been eight weeks since Kaelen left, and I hadn’t heard a peep from him. Was he hurt? Dead? Or had the explosion destroyed our link, and the Central Molecular Zone prevented him from contacting me again? Who knew.
Dad refused to let me anywhere near Uncle Ben or the portal. So, General Jones moved me to his very secure ranch complete with an underground bunker to recuperate. He told me to call him Uncle Saul and introduced me to his nieces. Kaylee, Sarah, Samantha and I became instant best buddies. We had some wild parties and a lot of good times. They taught me how to ride a horse, herd cattle and psychically track the Tai-Kok.
Once I learned how to search our solar system with my mind, I was drafted into becoming a Siren. The Tai-Kok fighters don’t show up on our radar, and we are the early warning system that keeps the human race from becoming an all-you-can-eat banquet for the Tai-Kok.
The one good thing that resulted from the Tai-Kok's attacks was that they unified humanity. For the first time in recorded history every country on Earth joined forces to fight the alien invaders and Central Command was born with General Saul Jones at the helm in the United States.
With the loss of so many ships, the Tai-Kok retreated to the moon and changed their method of attack. They began hitting us with an electromagnetic pulse that knocked out the power and our communications. After that you had about ten minutes to find a hiding spot before the Marauders unleashed their stunrays. Anyone caught out in the open woke up to a monster chowing down on their innards.
To counter that, Central Command immediately started building underground bunkers for civilians to take cover in when the Tai-Kok attacked.
After three months of convalescing, Quinn Jones, the head of the Siren program, called me. “The doctor has cleared you to return to duty.”
“Great! I can finally take out that Tai-Kok ship hiding behind the moon.”
“No. You have been assigned to me. You will continue your Siren duties and your education at my bunker.”
I scowled. I had my GED and had been taking online college classes. “I can be a Siren anywhere and I’m really good at killing monsters.”
“You are still a child, and you will do as you are told.”
I wasn’t a stupid kid, I was a warrior, and he needed to realize that.
“Pack your bag. I’ll pick you up in an hour.” Quinn disconnected before I could respond.
An evil smile curved my mouth. When the jerk arrived, I would be long gone. Dad would be pissed, but what the hell. The Tai-Kok needed killing. I quickly packed my stuff, grabbed my Glock, and strapped on the gun belt Uncle Saul had given me.
Stopping in the kitchen, I helped myself to some bottled water and trail mix. Since Uncle Saul had been a great host, I left him a note on the counter and headed to the garage.
It took me five minutes to hot-wire Uncle Saul’s old Ford truck. I calmly drove it up to the guard at the front gate. “Hey, Bill, I’m heading into town for some female hygiene stuff. Need anything?”
“No.” Bill blinked and frowned. “You’re not sensing any hostiles?”
“Nope and I’m armed if anyone is stupid enough to attack me.” I gave him a big smile. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
