Prevail (The Pike Chronicles Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

“I’m sorry,” he whispered to Denney, tears streaking down his cheeks.
    “Good. I prefer it this way,” said the interrogator.
    He turned and bit down again, tearing another chunk out of Denney’s thigh. Denney continued to scream in terror while the interrogator chewed. The interrogator took one more bite, then looked at the two Kemmar guards and nodded. The two fell upon Denney with snarls, tearing off fresh slabs of flesh with their teeth.
    Denney eventually stopped screaming. Kevin hoped that he was dead. Hoped that he wouldn’t have to endure anymore pain. But he couldn’t look at the horrid scene to confirm it. He couldn’t block out their grunts and growls though. Nor could he block the slapping sound of their chewing, and gulping. All along he continued to beg Denney for forgiveness.
    The Kemmar took their time with the body, eating their fill. Every once in a while he heard the snapping sound of breaking bone, followed by slurping as the marrow was sucked out. When they were done they let Kevin sit alone for a few hours, with Private Denney’s mutilated body lying at his feet. He had thought that the anticipation of torture was the worst, but he was wrong. There was nothing worse than this. As the shock of what had happened faded, Kevin focused on only one thought.
    Escape.
    His mind cleared and he focused on getting his men out of this nightmare. He thought about the interrogator and the guards. None wore combat suits. They were large creatures, and they looked strong, but Kevin didn’t think they could hold up against a Marine in hand to hand combat. Their only real advantage was their teeth, and those shouldn’t be too hard to evade.
    The Kemmar hadn’t realized that Space Force had pumped each Marine full of counter agents to offset the effect of drugs an enemy might use, which was an advantage. If they thought the Marines were drugged up they would lower their guard some more, like they did with the combat suits. They needed to be ready to take advantage of any opportunity. Time was running out.
     

Chapter 10
     
    Kevin inched his way down the long hallway, a guard just a step behind him. The restraints on his ankles made walking almost impossible. On both sides of him were prison cells, Marines in all of them. He hadn’t seen any sign of the Reivers. Were any still alive?
    Relief washed over him when he saw Sergeant Henderson. During the attack on the prison, he thought Henderson and his men had been killed. The Kemmar had captured Kevin with an EMP weapon. They must have captured Henderson’s team the same way.
    Henderson stood when he saw Kevin and walked up to the bars. He looked healthy enough. Still strong. His eyes fierce. He was like a caged tiger. The two made eye contact and Kevin said two words, “Be ready.”
    That was more than enough to get a reaction from the guard. He punched Kevin in the back of the head making him fall onto the cold, hard floor. He tried to get up, but the guard hit him with his baton. Like the other batons, this one carried a powerful electric charge. Kevin collapsed.
    “Chief? You ok?” said Henderson, concern and anger mixing in his voice.
    “I’m ok,” Kevin gasped. He tried to move but the guard clubbed him again sending voltage through his body like a burning pitchfork. He fell back down onto the floor, his teeth clenched together, body convulsing.
    “Leave him alone, you son of a bitch,” yelled Henderson, his powerful hands gripping the bars of his cell.
    The guard swung at Henderson, but Henderson pulled his hands back and the baton harmlessly hit the cell’s bars. He growled at Henderson, baring his teeth. He looked down at Kevin and said, “Get up.”
    Kevin lay on the floor trying to catch his breath, but was winded and could barely move. The guard swung a powerful kick into his ribs.
    “Get up,” the guard snarled.
    This time Kevin moved his arms quicker, trying to avoid another heavy boot to the ribs. He pushed himself to get up until