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Chapter 191: The Park
Last Updated:
2022-06-15 14:06:31Related chapters
FLUX Chapter 192: Fundraiser
Jack straightened his bow tie in the mirror then smoothed back his newly cut and dyed hair. He still hated it, but it had become part of his new persona. He'd discussed changing it with Zeven but lost the battle. He turned around to the stylist behind him that finished primping him for his debut. After one more smoothed wrinkle, he strode out the door toward the double stairways down into the foyer. His fake name boomed through the room. All eyes turned his way. After a deep breath, he descended into the crowd with a gallant smile on his face. Henry's smiling green eyes met him at the bottom."Great job, you didn't even trip this time," Henry whispered at his side. "It's much harder than it looks when you get to thinking about it."Jack nodded. "I'm more worried about what to say.""Don't look worried about it. Just say positive things. Use the phrases that we coached you on. Once we get to the auction you can relax, but remember, all eyes will be on you tonight."Alexandra appeare
Last Updated : 2022-06-15FLUX Chapter 193: Golf
"No James, here, let me show you how it's done." Henry lined up his golf ball on the tee and pulled back the club. It hit the ball with a thwack. The ball flew up and over the green rolling turf. It landed after a couple descending bounces."It's a little bit different watching you do it than actually swinging the club," Jack said."That may be true, but a lot of deals are done on the golf course. You need to be able to keep up with these guys. So, put your back into it and hit that ball."Jack set the next ball down on the tee."There now relax, bend down, then pull back and just think like you're tossing the ball out into the great unknown.""That just sounds so easy," Jack mumbled."Don't get terse. Just hit the thing."Jack swung back the club, lined up the shot, and then whacked it hard. Turf and the tee flew. The ball actually flew this time, but only about a meter and to the left.Henry tilted his head to the side. "Well, at least it's an improvement. I think you just ne
Last Updated : 2022-06-15FLUX Chapter 194: Debate
Jack fought off the biggest feeling of deja vu he had ever had. He stood with grips, Politions, and consultants milling around him underneath the stage of the International Congress Combouya. This was his big debate, the final one before the election. He nervously twisted his ring about his finger as he fought a bout of nausea.Alexandra put a hand on his arm. "You don't look well."Henry squeezed his other shoulder with a hand. "Just remember your talking points and smile. It's almost your turn."They led him to the line of candidates taking the spiral staircase upward. They released him and at the same time both said, "Good luck.""We're counting on you to win this," Henry added.Jack smiled back at them through gritted teeth. He followed the candidate ahead of him one step at a time until it opened up on the stage. The circular stage was surrounded at its edge with podiums. He smiled and waved from his podium while the others sat their spouses in the first row of seating before
Last Updated : 2022-06-15FLUX Chapter 195: Morning After/Appearance
Jack woke in his own king-sized bed with a nasty hangover. The pink-haired woman and redhead lay naked across the bed. He realized he was unclothed as well and quickly donned a bathrobe. The night was a blur in his mind. He was pretty sure they had slipped something in his drink. He'd remembered seeing Henry and Alexandra in some compromising positions. He wished he could burn those memories out of his mind.At one point, he remembered fending off Alexandra and had instead picked the lesser of the two evils. He ended up sleeping with these two girls instead. He wasn't proud, nor happy about it, but it was better than sleeping with a woman that looked like the woman he loved.He showered the sweat and other dried fluids off of him, wanting to scrape the stench of the previous night away. He slipped out of the bathroom. The two women still lay passed out on his bed. He went to the kitchen where his cook sat grilling up a meal. To his surprise, Alexandra and Henry sat at the table drink
Last Updated : 2022-06-15FLUX Chapter 196: Election
The crowd was smaller than when Henry was elected and there was no big throne to cart Jack around when the final results were announced, but it was still exciting and loud. They sat at tables in his mansion with live coverage plastered all around the walls in the room behind the foyer and the outdoor pool area just on the other side.When the announcement finally hit, Jack couldn't help but be excited. The air buzzed with it. The roar of the crowd surged through him. Deep down he still felt lonely, but on the surface he drank in the praise and tried to fill the emptiness. Henry sat to his right and Zeven to the left. They were the first ones to pull him into a hug. Alexandra was next. She held him a little longer than he felt comfortable."Congratulations," she purred in his ear over the noise."Thank you," he pushed away from the hug and went to shake some hands with the campaign team. His team had been much smaller than that of Henry's, but many of them were the same people.Afte
Last Updated : 2022-06-15FLUX Chapter 197: Date Night
Jack turned another page of the bill in front of him with a flick of his fingers. He blinked his eyes tight to try and relieve the strain from the screen, then rubbed at them when that failed. His cuff buzzed. He twisted it to read the message.It was a text from Dyna that read "Dinner tonight?"Jack frowned. He had been trying to do his best to stay away from her as Henry suggested, but it was hard coming up with excuses to dodge her invitations. He let the message sit while he continued reading through the bill.Most of the bills trying to get passed were vetoed just because they were so complex that most of the Representatives didn't feel comfortable passing them. For instance, this one would allow a human to purchase health care from a hybrid company, but it also allowed pods to use more power, let corporations lower wages, and let insurance companies increase minimum deductions. So, for one good thing that could be had, numerous bad things would get passed along with it. The Re
Last Updated : 2022-06-15FLUX Chapter 198: Winter Holiday, Part 1
"I really don't like you seeing her," Henry grumbled.Jack stood with his hands on his hips in Henry's office. "I don't really think you get a choice in the matter. Besides, aren't you always telling me to network?""Yes, but she's a wild card.""A very rich wild card. I thought you were okay with this?""I never said I was okay with it. I said I would have to make some changes with it." Henry sat back in his chair."Well then make your changes. Put me down for two for the Christmas party tonight.""Why do I have to put you down for it? She's hosting it, isn't she?""I don't want someone to see that as an opening to fill.""Fine." Henry gave a violent flick and Jack assumed the change had been made. "But I want you to be careful. If you let her get too close..." His eyes ran to Jack's ears and he felt like Henry was looking right into him. Jack brushed the notion away."Don't worry. I will make sure it doesn't affect my work."Henry looked as if he would say something else, b
Last Updated : 2022-06-15FLUX Chapter 199: Winter Holiday, Part 2
Jack opened his eyes. The biome he stood in was covered in snow. The last time he had seen snow was the first time he held Alex in his arms overnight. That pang hit his stomach again. He fixed his frown into a smile and looked at the scene. Lights hung across the top arch. Trees dotted the open area lit in colorful lights and sparkling garland. People milled about in coats and hats as they headed toward a giant glasshouse. It was truly a winter wonderland, but all Jack could do was think of the base where he had left Alex."Do you like it?" Dyna asked.Jack smiled. "Of course I do.""Have you ever seen snow before?"Jack thought it an odd question but then realized that most people in the Undersea hadn't. He shook his head."It's great. You can make snowmen out of it and throw snowballs, just like they do in the movies.""Really?" Jack did his best to fake interest."You've seen this before, haven't you?""Not this one. Show me.""You're a hard one to surprise." She grabbed hi
Last Updated : 2022-06-15
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FLUX Chapter 232: Brothers/Set Right
Jack woke with a splitting headache. The white tile ceiling above him looked like that of a hospital room. He gave an inward sigh. The last time had been three months. He wondered how long it had been this time.His fingers felt tight and his hand cramped. He looked over to see they were taped together with someone else's hand. He blinked the sleep from his eyes. As his vision cleared, he saw Alex lying on the cot next to him. Their tactical suits had been removed but the tech suit remained. Both of them were layered in blankets strapped to wires. He racked his brain and remembered the nova they had set off. The third one in a row must have taken its toll.He sent heat into Alex's hand. Her eyes blinked opened. She pulled at her taped hand and then used her free hand to rub her eyes. She looked around. "What's going on?""Wish I knew," Jack answered.She quirked a smile, then pushed the covers back. "It's kind of hot in here, isn't it?""Is it? I can't really tell." Jack sat up, l
FLUX Chapter 231: It Only Seems Right
The rumbling throughout the Sanctuary stilled as the battle above drew silent. Tom turned to Jimmy. Jimmy nodded and the team climbed to the Surface.After the light, the tunnel, and the door, they emptied out onto the street. Their men looked tired but had smiles on their faces. The team leaders directed them on searches to find any survivors, whether they were friend or foe."Has anyone seen Alex?" Jimmy shouted.Several people shook their heads.Jimmy turned to his team. "Let's spread out. Knowing them, they'll be up somewhere high."The team diverged. Tom searched on his own, always keeping at least his pistol at the ready. The sun slipped over the horizon casting the buildings in a deep twilight glow. Tom climbed the stairs on several buildings to the top but didn't find anything except dead bodies and empty bullet casings. After five buildings, the night settled in. The tanks disappeared back down into the tunnel. Jimmy recruited more people to help search. Armor-clad bodies
FLUX Chapter 230: Heat/Last One
Someone was calling his name. At least he thought. There it was again. Tom blinked. The room was black and hazy."Tom?" Jimmy's face loomed above him."What happened?""A fireman got to you. Are you alright?"Tom wiggled his fingers. He could feel the skin pulling across his arm as he moved. "I'll be okay, just a few blisters." He pushed back to his feet, climbing up over the top of the dead Alphas.Their power suit clad soldiers surrounded the room with guns drawn. Bullets covered the floor along with bodies of the Alphas and a few of his team members. His stomach twisted at the loss of good men.Jimmy put a hand on the shoulder of his power armor. "They died saving us. We need to get moving. We've gotten ten so far. We'll finish a sweep and then start clearing the level below."Tom nodded. "Let's go."Jimmy led the way. His team fell in behind him as they jogged down the streets checking building to building. The battle had tightened in around the Sanctuary. The noise of it s
FLUX Chapter 229: Fire and Ice
The three of them sat dressed in black tactical gear layered over Alpha tech suits. Alex's dirty face watched Jack as he tightened down the straps on her suit."We stick together, okay. No running off and playing hero on your own," Jack warned. He looked at Lexi while he said it."I thought you were going to make me stay in the pod," Lexi said."I would but it won't be safe there.""I don't think it will be any safer with us," Alex said in a low tone.Jack turned to Alex. "At least we will be able to keep an eye on her. She tends to always find trouble when I tell her to stay put."Alex's eyes flashed to Lexi. "Don't I know it."Lexi rolled her eyes. "If it weren't for me, you guys wouldn't be together, or maybe you'd even be dead.""Watch your tone young lady," Alex warned.Lexi grinned. "I know you're trying to be all tough, but it's really good to hear you say that." She stepped forward and gave Alex a hug.Alex melted. She laid her head against Lexi's cheek. "You're so ta
FLUX Chapter 228: Swift
Jack reached over and touched Alex's shoulder. "Wake up, love."Alex squeezed her eyes shut and rubbed at them with the back of her hands smearing the soot across her face. "How long has it been?" She looked over at Lexi sleeping in a reclined chair.He reached his hand out and wiped at a smudge with his thumb. It only made it worse but she smiled at the touch. "About six hours," he said."You shouldn't have let me sleep so long. You need rest, too.""I got a few hours. Don't worry so much."Alex looked out the pod screen. "I can't help it. I'm finally free of Henry's terror, but now I feel like we're on the verge of losing it all."Jack's mouth drew down in a frown. "It's not going to be pretty. Ellie messaged me before we left her range. Looks like the Alphas are ahead of us by a few hours. When we get there, we will have to fight through them to get to the base."Alex nodded. "Did you see much of it when you visited? It's huge.""No, I only really had one thing on my mind at
FLUX Chapter 227: Oncoming
Tom sat at the table drumming his fingers. "Does anyone actually know how to work these computers other than Ellie?"The five people working the screen didn't look up.Jimmy crossed his arms over his chest. "Just give them time.""General, the ships are in place.""Good," Janice said, leaning over the tech's workstation. "Anyone have a status on the Alphas?""They're closing in. The ships are taking them out now.""It looks like they are floating topside. Orders?""There's nothing the ships can do up there. Tell them to concentrate on as many darts as they can. Send runners topside and tell them to prepare." Janice turned to Jimmy and Tom. "That's your cue. Do your best."Tom saluted and Jimmy nodded. They turned out into the hall. Their teams waited for them, strapped with weapons and power armor. Tom donned the power armor helmet, gave a nod to Jimmy, and led his team away.As they walked down the halls, they passed locked doors to apartments. Their people, the ones that wer
FLUX Chapter 226: Supernova, Part 2
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him as the gunfire continued to rain down on them. She lifted her chin up. Her eyes connected with his and she smiled.He smiled back. They were going to make it. Somehow, they were going to make it. He tilted his face down and pressed his lips to hers. The liquid electricity filled him. He could feel the energy building in them. He held on to it as he kissed her. She parted her soft lips and he slid his tongue inside. Her tongue moved along his, soft, slow, and passionate. He pressed her against him, gathering the energy they created. He could feel the energy sparkling on his fingertips, asking to be released. He held it back until they vibrated. Finally, he let it go.The white-hot fire burst from them. In his mind, he could feel it like an extra sense. He coated the stadium with it. He could tell it what to touch and what not to. Screams of Alphas pierced the gunshots as the white fire flashed into a nova. He could feel the en
FLUX Chapter 225: Supernova, Part 1
Jack turned to Lexi. "You have to stay here. Got it?""But, Dad-""No. Stay. Promise me that you will stay?""Please let me help."Jack shook his head. "There is nothing you can do, muffin. Please. I don't want to worry about you. I have to get your mother and I need you to be safe. So take the pod and go. I will catch up as soon as I can." Jack flicked at the controls, locking them in place.He held his arms out for a hug. She stepped into it, burying her face in his shoulder. He held her tightly."I love you," he whispered. "You've grown into a fine young lady. I couldn't be more proud of you.""Please don't leave me again," she whispered.His heart sank and he hugged her even tighter. "It will be the last time. When this is all over, I will always be at your side. I promise.""You better."He stroked the back of her head. "Please be safe." He stepped back to look at her."Wait." She pulled the sapphire ring off her finger and stuffed it in his shoulder pocket."What's th
FLUX Chapter 224: Set-up
Alex stood locked in a small empty room the size of a utility closet. The walls lay bare except for the light switch. She flicked at the walls, but the screens were disabled and didn't respond.She paced back and forth, rubbing the Vice at her neck. Her bare feet didn't make a sound as they worked the white tile of the floor. She had to figure a way out of here. She needed to find Brooke and Tom. They had to be free. They were only here because of her. This was her problem, her world, not theirs. She flicked her palm open and drew a fireball. Her insides were still hot, but the pull of energy from just one fireball was tremendous. The amount of focus it took to wield it was much harder than it had been when she was pregnant.Alex pressed her ear to the door. Two heartbeats from the other side. She had no weapons other than the fire. She may be able to take out one Alpha, but not two. She sighed, then moved to another wall. There was no sound coming from that side. She tapped on it. S
