D.E.A.D. Till I Die: An Action Thriller (GlobaTech Book 1) Read Online Free Page A

was any immediate threat.
    He was lying in a bed, in what appeared to be a very specialized hospital ward. There were no windows. The room was bright and clean, and looked like something out of a sci-fi movie. Every surface he could see was white. An assortment of technology beeped and flashed away on either side of him. He looked down and saw a variety of wires both on him, and in him, that connected him to the machines.
    On the right was a large door, which stood open. There was a man standing casually at the foot of his bed, partially blocking his view of a big flatscreen TV mounted on the wall opposite. He was dressed in a shirt and jeans, and was staring at him with an expression of bemusement and disbelief.
    On Jericho’s immediate right was a nurse. She was wearing a white overcoat, fastened. There was an ID badge clipped to the pocket over her left breast, stating her name was Julie Fisher. She regarded him with a look of professional concern, and her hand was on his forearm.
    “Where… where am I?” asked Jericho, still taking in quick, deep breaths.
    Julie squeezed his arm gently. “You’re—”
    “I’ll take this one,” interrupted the man, holding up his hand as he spoke. He took a step toward the bed. “Jericho, you’re in a medical research facility in Santa Clarita, California. You’ve been in a coma for just over a week. You woke up for the first time yesterday, and you’ve been drifting in and out ever since.”
    Jericho frowned. “California? But you’re… you sound British…”
    The man nodded and smiled. “Yeah, I am—but don’t hold it against me. My name’s Josh Winters, and I work for GlobaTech Industries.”
    Jericho frowned again as the name registered in his brain with a familiarity he couldn’t immediately explain. He knew GlobaTech was one of the largest private militaries on the planet. They specialized in contracted security, as well as research and development in fields such as technology and weaponry. They also worked in conjunction with government agencies, like the CDC, focusing on healthcare advances.
    But the name was familiar to him for another reason, that he couldn’t quite put his finger on...
    Jericho set his jaw with determination and, in what felt like a colossal effort, re-positioned himself in his bed so he was resting upright against his pillows.
    “What am I doing here?” he asked, more alert than before.
    Josh seemed to pick up on the change in tone. “You’re safe, Jericho,” he said, reassuringly. “I promise. I’m not naïve enough to think you’ll trust me, but I need you to believe we mean you no harm. You’re resting, after undergoing an emergency medical procedure that ultimately saved your life.”
    Jericho stared blankly ahead of him, trying to wrap his head around what was happening. He fought desperately against the dark fog clouding his mind, in an effort to recall the events that led to him being there.
    “Do you remember what happened to you?” asked Josh.
    “Mr. Winters, please...” said Julie, interrupting before Jericho had a chance to respond. “I must insist that you let this man rest. He’s been through an incredible trauma. He needs time .”
    “I understand that,” he replied firmly, looking at her, “I do. But time isn’t a luxury we have right now. He’s a big boy, I’m sure he’ll manage.”
    Jericho let out a heavy sigh and closed his eye for a moment, focusing his mind and trying to remain calm. When he opened it again, he fixed Josh with a hard stare.
    “I remember being in Colombia,” he began, sounding a little disoriented. “I was on a... on an airstrip. Something went wrong… I don’t…”
    Josh held his hands up, and gestured for Jericho to take it easy.
    “It’s alright,” he said, his British tone softening. “Relax, mate. I’m sorry to push you, it’s just we have a limited timeframe to work with, and you’ve got a lot of catching up to do. Rest up—I’ll be back soon to see how