Syn-En: Plague World: The Founders War Begins Read Online Free Page A

not.” He guided her to the elevators. “I want to remind Groat that there’s more to humanity that it appears.”
    “More to him, too.” Even on maximum setting, their scans had barely penetrated the Scraptor’s hard shell. Her nails dug into Bei’s arm. “What do you think they are hiding under that armor?”
    “Their vulnerabilities.” The doors swished open and he ushered her into the elevator. “We do know that under their exoskeleton, they are soft flesh and fragile bones.”
    “Maybe that’s some kind of formless goo and under their helmets, there’s a giant cockroach working the rest of the body.”
    Bei pushed the button to the docking bay.
    “It could happen.” She’d seen it in a movie. “I kinda like the idea of squishing the real Groat under my shoe.”
    “I could crush him as is.” Her husband flexed his arm. The small muscle belied the strength of his prosthetic limbs. “Just say the word.”
    He would, too, if she asked. But she wouldn’t. The Syn-Ens’ fledgling alliance with the Skaperians and Amarooks couldn’t take on the Founders. Not yet. But everyone knew war was coming.
    Everyone knew the Syn-En would be the first on the battle lines. Bei would lead the charge.
    And she would be at his side. She smoothed her tunic over her stomach. Perhaps, now was not the best time to consider bringing a child into the world. The elevator glided to a stop. Perhaps, there wouldn’t be another opportunity. Rising up on her toes, she kissed his cheek. “I love you.”
    “This is just the beginning, not the end.”
     
    #
     
    Nell fidgeted beside Bei. How could ten minutes last so long?
    Two lone Starflight shuttles crouched like sleeping beetles in the far corner of the hangar. The Cardinals Stadium could fit in the rest and still have room for a handful of behemoth recreational vehicles. Gunmetal gray ribs arched over the space. Curvy Skaperian technology mingled with the harsh angles and planes of Earth technology. Security orbs hovered near the ceiling. Blinking green lights indicated they recorded the scene.
    Stationed like fence pickets, two dozen security officers lined the inner bulkheads. The NDA in the clothes and skin camouflaged them and their weapons perfectly. With a whirl of gears, the hull peeled away. Boxy wardens punctured the sparkly energy barrier holding in the atmosphere, before they crawled on spidery legs inside. Syn-En crouched inside the repair drones, preparing to stun the Scraptors with a few blasts from their Torp-67 should the stowaways be discovered.
    The com crackled, then Captain Pennig spoke. “Founders are on final approach. ETA in forty-five seconds.”
    “Roger that.” Bei rolled his shoulders.
    The double doors behind them snicked open.
    “Sorry to be late.” Paladin Apollie adjusted her breast plate as she raced inside. Red marks spattered like blood on the dark green surface as it molded to her torso. The yellow feathers on her head were divided into cornrows, each braid a testament to her kills in battle.
    “I think Groat waited until we were off duty before contacting us.” Nell smiled at their resident Skaperian liaison. With Keyes staying planet-bound until she delivered the first Syn-En baby, Nell slated Apollie to be her new best female friend. The fuzzy muppet with feathers seemed to appreciate the offer even as she kept her distance.
    Of course, Apollie had tried to kill Nell and had taken Bei hostage.
    Apollie extended her velociraptor claw from her middle toe and cracked her knuckles. Her lanky, white arms hung at her side. A Syn-En patch decorated her sleeve just below her Emp Shield badge. “Where is our resident feather-face?”
    Nell closed her eyes. Sensations rippled through her. Elvis the Amarook’s sensations. His thoughts merged with hers. Cold metal under the pads of her feet. The pungent odor of ozone. The hiss of the oxygen scrubbers. The drone of the Founders’ shuttle. Pheromones and—
    Bei gripped Elvis’s invisible