Domination (A C.H.A.O.S. Novel) - By Jon Lewis Page 0,62

in the bottom of a gym bag for the better part of a semester.

“I need one of your socks,” Rhane said.

“Don’t look at me,” Danielle said. “I’m not taking my boots off with those spider things running around.”

“Fine, I’ll do it,” Colt said. He removed one of his boots and then his sock and handed it to Rhane, who proceeded to scoop the leaves out from the pan and place them inside the sock. When he was finished he placed it on Pierce’s wound.

“Now what?” Danielle asked.

Rhane shrugged. “If he’s still breathing in the morning, then I give him a better than average shot at surviving.”

“But—”

“He’ll make it,” Colt said.

Danielle wiped a tear from her eye. “I hope so.”

“I don’t mean to sound like a jerk,” Oz said, “but we have bigger issues at the moment.”

“He’s right,” Rhane added. “Koenig knows that Colt is here, which means he’s going to accelerate his plan to invade Earth.”

“I thought he didn’t believe in the prophecy,” Danielle said.

“That’s what he likes to tell people,” Rhane replied. “But he isn’t willing to take any chances. Besides, he needs to attack before his treaties with the Dagon Alliance and the Vril fall apart, just like his treaty with the Black Sun Militia. That was a devastating blow.”

“How long do we have?” Colt asked.

“From everything we can tell, less than twenty-four hours.” Rhane pulled out a metal disc the size of a coaster. He pressed a button, and a holomap of Dresh appeared.

“Why are you doing this?” Colt asked. “I mean, if this world dies, you’re going to die with it, so why are you helping us? Why not invade Earth so you can survive?”

“Because if Koenig succeeds it will only be a matter of time before he destroys your planet, just as he destroyed ours,” Rhane said. “Besides, we don’t believe all hope is lost here on Gathmara. But before we can heal our land, we have to get rid of the man who poisoned it.”

He walked over to a closet and pulled out a black duffel bag, which he unzipped and placed in the center of the floor. “It’s not quite what you’re used to, but it should do.”

Inside the duffel were explosives and detonators, along with goggles, a pair of boots, and guns. There were even magnetic grenades, grappling hooks, pulse charges, and clips for the sidearms.

“Grab what you can carry and then try to get some sleep,” Rhane said. “We head out in five hours.”

“This is it?” Colt said as he pulled out a Luger that looked like it had been used during the Second World War. “What about body armor?”

“Afraid that I’m fresh out,” Rhane said. “After all, we Thule don’t exactly need armor, now do we?”

: :

CHAPTER 45 : :

It was still dark when Colt woke up the next morning to the sound of hushed voices.

He cracked open an eyelid and saw Oz snoring while a red lizard with a bright blue underbelly crawled over his friend’s hand, up his arm, and then up the wall and out the window. Danielle was curled up beneath a thin blanket next to the remnants of the fire, and Rhane was on the other side of the room kneeling next to Pierce.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Pierce was saying as he sat with his back against the wall.

“It’s better that you stay here and—”

“Why are you in such a rush to get rid of me?”

Rhane shook his head. “Then at least drink this,” he said, handing Pierce a mug with steam coming off it.

Pierce brought it to his nose and sniffed. “What is it?”

“Our version of an energy drink,” Rhane said.

“No thanks.” Pierce set the mug to the side and tried to stand, but he collapsed back to the floor, his face contorted.

“That one is going to get us all killed,” Rhane said as he walked over to where Colt lay. “His ankle is broken and he still has a fever.”

“I’ll talk to him,” Colt said. The first vestiges of sunlight shone through the window, and as Colt stood he could just make out Dresh in the distance. Countless buildings created an uneven landscape, and smokestacks belched endless plumes that rose to join vast clouds the color of steel wool.

They ate a quick breakfast as they listened to Rhane’s plan. Pierce relented and drank Rhane’s concoction, and within minutes he was strong enough to pack his gear and head downstairs with the others.

“You’re sure that you’re okay?” Colt said.

“Never felt better,” Pierce replied as he