Domination (A C.H.A.O.S. Novel) - By Jon Lewis Page 0,61

no time to celebrate. The gun turret took aim at the transport in the sky and unleashed a second blast of energy.

“Nice shot,” Rhane said as he watched it hit. Bolts like lightning danced across the bulk of the transport. The engines sputtered before they failed, and smoke trailed as it started to fall.

“Let’s go find us some prisoners,” Rhane said, taking off at a trajectory that led them toward the path of the falling vehicle. Its hull struck the top of the trees and then crumpled when it struck a trunk. There was a crash of splintering wood and snapping trees, followed by an explosion.

Rhane and Colt were first on the scene, and they watched as the engine spit flames of red, orange, and gold as smoke rose through the canopy of trees. There were sounds like people pounding against the wall, and Rhane didn’t hesitate. He grabbed a blowtorch from the back of his vehicle and lit it midstride as he raced toward the wreckage.

The other Soldiers of the Grail weren’t far behind, and they joined Rhane as he cut open a doorway in the metal husk of the transport. His soldiers entered with weapons raised, but they didn’t need them. There was no resistance from Koenig’s men as the prisoners from Earth were led out.

Colt didn’t recognize anyone at first and was giving up hope when he saw Oz, followed by Danielle and Pierce, who had a massive gash on his forehead.

“That’s my squad!” he cried, just as Oz said, “Look! There he is.”

Before Colt could reach them, a pair of Soldiers of the Grail stepped in front of him with guns drawn.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the first one asked.

“They’re with me,” Colt said. “They’re part of the mission.”

Rhane led them all through the remains of what had once been a city.

Pierce was walking with a noticeable limp. Though he insisted that he was fine, Colt was fairly certain that his squad-mate’s ankle was broken and found a walking stick to help support his weight.

They could just make out the rough shapes of buildings beneath the creeping vines. Some were sagging and others had fallen over. Trees grew out of windows and pools of stagnant water covered the streets, creating the perfect breeding ground for insects.

“I don’t understand why tourists don’t like this place,” Oz said. “I mean, look at that.” He pointed at a spider that was the size of a bicycle tire. It was black and hairy with bright yellow stripes and was clinging to a web as thick as a rope.

“That’s disgusting,” Danielle said.

“Vrolek spiders are a delicacy,” Rhane said. “They taste a bit like chicken, though the consistency is more like porridge.”

Danielle crinkled her nose. “Double disgusting.”

“How much farther?” Pierce asked. The cut on his head had stopped bleeding but it looked infected, and sweat was beading on his forehead.

“We’re here.” Rhane pulled back a curtain of vines and revealed a metal staircase that led up to the second floor of a crumbling building. Strange phosphorescent fungus clung to the exterior walls, and water trailed down the surface like tears.

“What is this place?” Colt asked.

“Nowhere important,” Rhane said as two of his men stood guard at the base of the stairs. He led the remnant of Phantom Squad through a door and down a hall until he came to an empty apartment. Other than a table and some broken chairs, there wasn’t much in the way of furniture, and the only light source was a series of windows buried under thick vines.

“Then what are we doing here?” Pierce asked, his voice weak, though his words were sharp. He glared at Rhane even as he leaned against the wall, chest heaving. Each labored breath produced a sound like rattling bones. Before anyone could react, his eyes rolled up in the back of his head and he fell over.

“Pierce!” Danielle rushed over and placed her head against his chest. “I don’t think he’s breathing.”

“He’s infected,” Rhane said.

“Can’t you do something?” Danielle asked.

“Possibly,” Rhane said. “But I’m not making any promises.”

Danielle stroked Pierce’s forehead while Colt and Oz, at Rhane’s command, went in search of the driest wood they could find. When they got back, Rhane started a small fire right next to the window and soon had a small pot of water boiling on the open flame. He pulled out a pouch and added what looked like dried herbs and tea leaves. The concoction smelled like a wet towel that had been sitting