Anna and the Three Generals Read Online Free

targeted places and things, not people.”
    “Oh, hellitude,” Kojo cursed. “Why didn’t the Council tell us?” He looked at the other two men. “We are Anna’s protection detail.”
    Anna gaped at him. Protection detail? What? Why…? “How is that supposed to work? You each reside on a different part of the planet. We couldn’t be further apart, and we’re only mandated to get together once every moon cycle.”
    Marco cleared his throat. “The civilian population hasn’t been informed yet, but there are troop movements in motion to increase the military presence here in First Quadrant. I expect the two of you will be getting your new orders very soon,” Marco addressed his last comments to Kojo and Vadim.
    “Why here?” Anna asked.
    Marco met her gaze with concern and maybe even some tenderness in his deep brown eyes. “First Quadrant has the highest population of the intellectual elite.”
    “So?” she whispered, afraid of his answer.
    “The terrorists are targeting scientists,” Marco explained gently. “They rationalize that if scientists aren’t alive to continue researching how to maintain the status quo, then maybe resources can be freed up to support space exploration.”
    Anna felt like she’d swallowed a lead ball. “Oh, shiitake,” she swore under her breath. “My research. I’m a target.” The room tilted as if she were on a ship caught in a solar storm.
    Kojo’s large hand pressed against the middle of her back. “Put your head between your knees,” he ordered. “That’s a girl. Now, deep, slow breaths.”
    Anna did as she was told and grew aware of Marco’s hand softly stroking her head as Kojo rubbed her back in soothing circles. It was the most intimate touching she’d ever received, and…she liked it. It was calming and warmed her center core, and it nearly distracted her completely from the idea that someone might be trying to hurt her. She let herself enjoy it for a moment more before saying, “Okay, I’m better.”
    The men helped her upright with a hand on each of her shoulders.
    “So what do we do now?” she asked, looking at each man in turn.
     
    “ We secure you,” Vadim spoke first to Anna.
    The other men seemed startled by his words as if they’d forgotten he was in the room after their little cuddle with their supposed mate. Once the men realized they were here to protect Anna, not get familiar, they should have developed an appropriate military strategy. Vadim was disappointed in them and their emotional response.
    “Oh, stars,” Anna groaned. “Please don’t tell me you plan to lock me up somewhere.”
    “You don’t value your safety?” Vadim asked.
    She shook her head. “That’s not it… I-I’m slightly claustrophobic. Living this narrow existence between my personal pod and the research lab is restrictive enough. Please don’t confine me further.”
    “You sound like an Open Air Society sympathizer,” he accused.
    She sat taller as she threw a glare at him. “I would never advocate for violence, but I believe in freedom of thought. And yes, I’d like to have the freedom to live beyond the bio-domes, but I don’t see that happening in my lifespan. In the meantime, my responsibility is to continue my research to ensure our manner of living is sustainable, and we thrive.”
    He studied her during her little speech. Her direct eye contact indicated truth as she denied his accusation, and her erect posture and increased volume suggested a passion for the work she spoke of.
    Yes, she was deserving of his protection.
    He disregarded her remarks about confinement and directed his next words to Marco. “Where are the most defensible pods in this quadrant?”
    “No! I said I won’t…I can’t be locked up,” Anna protested.
    Kojo ran his palm down her arm as if to calm her. “We aren’t going to lock you up. We’re going to protect you.”
    His touch must have worked because she turned her attention to Kojo and let Vadim focus on