Warrior Chronicles 5: Warrior's Curse Read Online Free PDF

orders were already in place. I just confirmed them. Your abilities had already been noticed by your current superiors.”
     
    “Yes, sir. Thank you sir.”
     
    Turning to Suze, Cort said, “I probably won’t see you or your husband before you leave for Solitude. I will see you there, though. Please convey my thanks to him, and tell him his investigation is still on schedule. If you will wait outside for Corporal Faulks, I need to have a brief word with her.”
     
    Suze Thorn stepped forward and kissed the unmarred side of Cort’s forehead. “Thank you, Cort.”
     
    “You’re welcome. Thank you for letting us borrow your husband.”
     
    When Suze Thorn was gone, Cort said, “You make sure they have everything they need. I will cover it. And you find her cousin and personally inform him that Suze and her husband will be my personal guests on Solitude should they need to be reached.”
     
    Faulks smiled when she realized what Cort meant. “Yes, sir. It will be a pleasure.”
     
    She saluted and retreated to the door, where she paused and turned to Cort. “You are an absolute joy to work for, sir.” Then she was gone.
     
    After reading a message from Bazal, Cort called Ceram to his room. “Doc, I’ve got to be combat-ready on Earth in three hours. How are you going to make that happen?”
     
    Ceram clicked, “I’ve already been working on it. You are nothing if not predictable, General. I have a small backpack reservoir for you. It is filled with concentrated synthetics. We can move your port to the subclavian vein by way of your chest. You will however, need to wear a CONDOR, as your FALCON’s power supply will interfere with the reservoir.”
     
    “Thank you. What do I need to be careful of?”
     
    “Bombs,” the insectoid replied.
 
    Cort laughed, “You and I are going to get along just fine, Ceram. Are your broodmates as insubordinate as you are?”
     
    “Two of them are. The rest are more like Supreme H’uum.”
     
    “I would like to meet them someday, Ceram. Now let’s get me ready for combat.”
     
    --
     
    Admiral Jade “JJ” Jones was in her office when Rear Admiral Kate Williams walked in unannounced. “I have our volunteers, JJ.”
     
    “Good. Where are they now?”
     
    “They are prepping for surgery. They should be ready to leave for Earth in four hours.”
     
    Jade looked at her clock. “That’s cutting it close, but I’m glad you got it done. Cort will appreciate it.”
     
    Kate looked at JJ. For Kate, intelligence was a game. A deadly one, but a game nonetheless. Timing could make or break an operation, and for this one she felt rushed. Especially with Bazal working on the bombing. “I do not like it, JJ. We could have let one more group of people be taken and been more ready next time.”
     
    JJ appreciated Kate Williams. The head of intelligence was thorough and methodical. She missed very little and seldom made mistakes. But these traits also made her somewhat heartless. “Would you feel the same if it was your mother who was being taken, Kate?”
     
    JJ saw her point hit home. Kate was almost angry when she said, “I understand that, sir. I am just saying that I would have liked to have had more time.”
     
    “General Addison is the only one of us who seems to have the time he wants, Kate. Can I offer you some advice?”
     
    “Do I have a choice?”
     
    “No, because lives depend on us.” JJ waited for what she said to sink in, then added, “You are the best at what you do. And considering that your second is a telepath, that’s saying something. But you get caught up in what you are doing. Remember that Intelligence is just one cog in the machine that makes up the Ares Federation of Species. I have Liz Thoms working around the clock to make sure she has ships ready to jump if we get a signal. Even Supreme H’uum is working his people outside of their comfort zone.”
     
    Kate relaxed. “I know, JJ. But...”
     
    “Don’t interrupt me,