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An Excerpt From: ROGUE THETA
Copyright © BERNADETTE GARDNER, 2007
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing,
Inc.
“This kind of thing isn’t supposed to happen.” The words
slipped out unbidden as Lilliana Jarmok reached across the stark metallic desk and
accepted the mission data chip from Sub-Commander Veros.
The sour expression on the man’s face told her he had little appreciation
for her opinion on the subject at hand.
“No, it’s not supposed to happen. That’s why your job is
to make the problem go away before Central Command finds out. Or worse,
before the news webs get wind of it. Do you think you can handle that
without a litany of snide remarks, Lieutenant?” Veros’
slate blue eyes were as cold as the artificial hand that held the data chip
out to her. His thick lips pursed in a disapproving sneer.
Lilliana sighed and tucked the
chip into her scanner, then let the boxy piece of equipment drop to dangle
from its shoulder strap. “Yes, Sir. Not a problem, Sir.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Lieutenant. It’s a very big
problem. The Theta Series Infantry are unbeatable. At least, that’s how
they’re designed. You’re going to have to destroy your target to stop him.
This isn’t a rescue mission.”
An icy tingle settled at the top of Lilliana’s
spine. She didn’t need to ask Veros for
clarification of his orders. He’d just told her to kill the rogue Theta.
Her stomach clenched a little at the thought. Of course
she could do it. She’d taken out a Beta last year when its programming had
been compromised by a Resectionist terrorist
group. She’d practically trained the Gamma Series soldiers herself, though
none of them were capable of independent thought.
The Thetas were different, though. They weren’t fully
cybernetic like the Gammas, and thus they were supposed to be harder to
kill.
She held the Sub-Commander’s gaze for a moment longer
and silenced her inner monologue long enough to give him the reply he
wanted. “Understood, Sir. I’ll take care of it.”
“Use any means necessary, Lieutenant.”
“Yes, Sir.”
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