Extinction Evolution (The Extinction Cycle Book 4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

had taken the lives of four men. Colonel Wood deserved what he got, but what about the other men? It wasn’t the death penalty for killing an officer that Fitz was worried about—it was the thought that maybe the other Medical Corps soldiers hadn’t deserved to die.
    “You good, bro?” Chow asked.
    The irony wasn’t lost on Fitz. Three days ago, he had asked Chow the same thing. They’d both lost brothers, and they’d killed to protect the lives of the innocent. Men and women like Dr. Ellis and Dr. Lovato. Everyone in this new world needed forgiveness for something, but Fitz had a lot to ask forgiveness for. From the lives he took in Iraq, to the men he killed on the tarmac. In the end, his fate was in God’s hands.
    “Just a bit rattled from last night,” Fitz finally said. He slung his rifle over his back and reached down to rub his thighs. “I’ll be fine.”
    Chow stopped to pat Fitz on the shoulder, but then continued on without uttering another word. The simple touch reminded Fitz he wasn’t alone. Across the room, the doors opened and Beckham entered with Horn. Fitz finished rubbing out the knot in his upper right leg, then stood to greet his brothers.
    “Fitz,” Beckham said. His voice woke several of the Marines and Rangers. Their heads popped up like prairie dogs, all of them still on alert from the night before.
    Beckham whispered something to the Marines and waved at Fitz and Chow. They met on the landing outside the building, where Apollo sat waiting. His tail whipped back and forth when he saw Fitz.
    “Haven’t had a chance to thank you, yet again, for saving our asses,” Beckham said as soon as the doors closed. “You’re one hell of a shot, Fitz.”
    “You’re a hero,” Horn added.
    Fitz shook his head. “I’m not a hero. I couldn’t save Lieutenant Colonel Jensen.”
    Beckham’s eyes darted down to Apollo. The German Shepherd whined as if he could sense his handler’s pain.
    “Neither could I,” Beckham said in a hushed voice.
    A moment of silence embraced them, but Fitz pushed it away. He was starting to hate the quiet.
    “I should get to my post,” he said.
    “Right,” Beckham said, snapping from his trance. “Let’s get moving.”
    “I’ll meet you on the beach, Boss. I need to stop by the medical ward and have Dr. Hill check my arm again,” Horn said. “You should have him check out your shoulder.”
    Beckham shook his head. “Nah, I’m fine, man. Besides, you’re the one that got shot.”
    “It’s nothing. Doesn’t even hurt. The bullet only clipped me. I’m good to go, Boss.”
    Beckham eyed Horn’s bicep skeptically. “Let’s let the doc be the judge of that.”
    “He’s just a physical therapist.”
    “Then have Kate look at it,” Beckham said. “And let me know what she says.”
    Horn snorted and walked away.
    Beckham watched him go, then motioned for Chow and Fitz to follow him to the beach. Apollo ran ahead, sniffing the dirt path. The short walk was a powerful reminder of how low the island was on human resources. Each tower was manned, but Fitz didn’t see a single patrol.
    “You’re really going to let Wood’s men fight with us?” Fitz asked. He still wasn’t keen on the idea of arming the Medical Corps. He also didn’t like questioning Beckham, but the absent troops gave Fitz a bad feeling. He felt exposed, naked. If the Variants...
    “It’s a double-edged sword,” Beckham said. “Without them we’re at risk of another Variant attack, and I’m not sure we could stop it. But with them, we risk sabotage. For now they’re staying locked up until I make a decision.”
    “Maybe Gallagher is right. Maybe whoever is in charge will send some pogues to arrest us,” Chow said. “Or worse.”
    “I’m hoping they have bigger fish to fry, especially with the loss of Central Command,” Beckham replied. 
    Chow pulled a tree branch back to let Fitz and Beckham past. “We should plan for the worst. Wood was in charge of Operation