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Chapter 113: King
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
Genetically Modified Chapter 1: Marinah
The plane's engine rumbles beneath my feet and the white plastic walls shake like a 9.0 earthquake. All I can do is hold my stomach and fight the urge to vomit. Why me? I ask myself as I swallow back the sour taste of bile and inhale through my nose and exhale through my mouth. Somewhere, years ago, I read this relieves queasiness. Ha. Just another reason I don't miss the internet.The cabin of the plane is a stripped-down passenger jet that's seen better days. Scratch that, this plane has lived through a world of hurt and somehow came out the other side. Its ability to stay in the air is questionable, yet somehow the pilot got it off the ground. The original rows of seats were pulled out and now there are only two rows facing each other from opposite sides of the center aisle. The old cracked vinyl of my seat pokes my bare skin below the stupid black skirt I'm wearing, making a miserable experience worse. The powers that be assured me the older aircraft offered the best chance of sur
Genetically Modified Chapter 2: Marinah
Shadow Warriors are elite fighters-larger and stronger than humans. They're the polar opposite of hell's spawn because they think and strategize, making them a more formidable enemy. Because of fear, bigotry, and thinking the Shadow Warriors might overthrow the new government, the Federation almost started another war when the threat of the hellhounds receded. Thanks to the government's screw up, I have this nice advancement in office and I'm on a mad dash to repair relations with the good monsters. It's basically a suicide mission.King, the reigning leader of the Shadow Warriors, requested a female liaison. That's King as in Cher or Prince. He provided no other name, so I'll work with it. The question is: Will King work with me?After the president swore me into office, he said roping in King is my number one priority. I'm not personally responsible for the mistakes made at the end of Hell's War, but my orders are to apologize-a.k.a. beg, plead, or do anything else to get them back
Genetically Modified Chapter 3: Marinah
The seat belt digs into my belly during the loud and bumpy landing. After we stop rolling, I release the armrests and rub my sweaty palms against my skirt. I don't care if I leave stains on the material, this outfit is ridiculous. If I had something to change into, I'd do it. King's rules were strict-one female liaison, no weapons, no luggage, no men besides the pilot, who is not to leave the plane. No explanation.Sun shines through the small windows of the cabin, the ocean I just evaded in the background. A group of Shadow Warriors waits on the black tarmac showing no signs the heat bothers them. Even in human form they're huge-large black straps crisscross their bare chests accenting each uncovered muscle. Adding to their intimidation stance, the straps hold enough weapons to take down my plane. Even without the weapons, their sheer intimidating power works its magic on me and I quake in my heels.Lovely.I guess I should be happy they're clothed from the waist down. According to
Genetically Modified Chapter 4: King
Beast slithering beneath my skin is not a good sign. No human should affect me this way. I know who she is and that's not who I expected. My control among Shadow Warriors is legendary. With the smell and taste of her father in her blood I shouldn't react this savagely. Church was a good man who I owe a great debt and there's no reason his bloodline should spike my anger. If anything, it should calm me simply because she's female. I grind my teeth and force Beast to recede. It matters not that she's Church's daughter. Our kind judges a person on their own merit. If the U.S. government thought to sway us by sending her, they're wrong. Maybe it's the Federation's never-ending manipulations that have Beast on edge.The woman follows at least ten feet behind me. It does not speak well for her backbone. I glance at the soldiers waiting by the vehicle. Even though they remain stoic, I know they're disturbed about my interaction with the woman. All accept Beck. He displays his displeasure by
Genetically Modified Chapter 5: Marinah
The temperature inside the vehicle rose ten degrees in the seconds before King jumped out. I've heard that when angered, a Shadow Warrior's body temperature elevates. I think my father mentioned it once. Feeling the heat sweep through the car is different from hearing about it. King's reaction when learning I'm the new secretary of defense is entirely unexpected. Laughter would have been more understandable.I fear the U.S. government withheld the key pieces needed to solve this riddle. Bottom line... I'm expendable and I knew it before I took the oath of office. One brave moment in my life is turning into the nightmare I feared it would be.The driver stomps his foot on the gas and takes off, leaving King behind. Neither man in the front seat acts like I'm in the car. I'm left alone to ponder the situation with nothing but questions. I give it a shot by asking something simple. "How long until we reach our destination?"They ignore me and I sink back against the upholstery of the o
Genetically Modified Chapter 6: King
Beast eventually settles. Nokita stays far enough away to avoid a fight but close enough to do his job, which is protect me. When I'm calmer, I wave him over."Shift and run with me," I rumble from enlarged jaws and elongated teeth. "Adjust my gear belts first."Our military fatigue pants consist of tough stretch material that expands with our form. The waist belt and crisscrossing leather chest straps do not stretch, though. They have only enough give so they don't snap when we morph. When we're in this form, our claws are incapable of fine motor skills. Now that I'm calmer, I notice the discomfort of my gear. I want the ability to breathe comfortably while I run off more energy. I stand still as Nokita adjusts the straps and then fine-tunes his own.Our beast form resembles no real or mythical animal. We could never pass as anything but your worst nightmare. Our entire body undergoes changes when we transform. Bones crack and reshape and our jaw elongates while our teeth expand to
Genetically Modified Chapter 7: King
I cut the engine on the motorcycle and roll to a stop in front of the citadel. It's a facade. My main residence is much cozier and fits my farm boy roots more. If the woman leaves here, we want her superiors learning as little as possible about us. Two guards open the doors and I enter. The sun is an hour from setting, so it's the warmest part of the day indoors. We prefer heat over cold due to the K-5 that is always just beneath the surface.I glance over my shoulder. "Boot and the woman?" I ask."Boot is in your office," Knet's angry tone follows me.Knet isn't happy with his current duty. It's his punishment for repeated transgressions against my authority. Nothing major or he would be recovering from a sound beating. I head toward my temporary office. The door is slightly ajar and I push it open and enter the ten by ten mostly bare room.Boot is at my desk with his son, Che. My ire rises and they both look up."Hi, Che," I say as I ruffle his hair. "Go find your mother and tel
Genetically Modified Chapter 8: Marinah
I'm alive, I tell myself.Pissed off but alive.My head hurts, I have muscle cramps in my legs and arms, I'm starving, and I'm exhausted. Oh, and I look like hell. My hair, which is a tangled mess around my head, makes it appear as if I've grown Medusa's snakes. The whites of my eyes are more red than white and my face is tanning-bed orange.I turn on the shower and tear off my crappy clothes, tossing them on the floor. A good stomp on top of them does nothing to alleviate my anger or headache. My head pounds with each solid stomp and I feel no better for the small display of temper. Nothing about today went as planned.I step under the cool water while rubbing my arm where the IV went in. At least I don't remember the needle. Those I hate. I do a rundown in my head of other things I hate and King is on the list every other item.I hate roaches and King.I hate military rations and King.I hate my period and King.A whoosh of cold air fills the room after the devil himself open
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Genetically Modified Chapter 113: King
Marinah is working with Ruth, who's making incredible progress. There hasn't been a complaint about the child in weeks. She follows Marinah around like she's her personal guard. The sword Marinah gave her always on her hip and her hand on the pommel daring anyone to threaten her instructor."King," Beck calls. "We have urgent news from the northern outpost."Here we go. It's been too quiet. "I'll grab Marinah. Have the men join us in the conference room in five." I don't ask what the news is because it's Marinah's job. Beck should have gone to her first, but that's something she needs to deal with. Eventually things will fall into place. When I took over after my uncle's death, it was the same way. Shadow Warriors expect a leader and sometimes knocking heads is the best way to lead them.I enter the gym, and Ruth is holding her sword with trembling arms, sweat rolling down her brow, and a stubborn set to her jaw which reminds me of Marinah's determination when she first trained. The
Genetically Modified Chapter 112: Marinah
They were laughing at me, and I don't blame them.I simply can't lead hundreds of men, scratch that, Shadow Warriors. I have no idea what I'm doing. I replay the entire meeting in my head. They're like children, and I can't believe I need to point them in a direction and tell them what to do.Stupid.And King's gone through this for years.Labyrinth mentioned Cosway, and it reminded me I need to check on her. I begin my search and eventually give up and ask one of the door guards. He points me to the outside courtyard. I find her there, playing with the kittens."Pretty butterfly," she says when she notices me.She's a rather pretty butterfly herself now. Soap, water, and good food make her look younger. Someone also took a chisel to her teeth. I'd place her in her mid-twenties. "Hi, Cosway. Do you mind if I join you and play with the kittens?"She pushes the calico in my direction, and I grab him before he scampers off. "He likes the pretty butterfly.""I like him," I say, cra
Genetically Modified Chapter 111: King
Marinah's avoidance doesn't bother me. She needs time to think this through. What she doesn't understand is, she's a leader and she's strong enough to lead the Shadow Warriors. I remember my doubts in the beginning. They ate me alive. The difference is Marinah has me at her side. I won't let her flounder.Axel begins testing the whistles after I give him Marinah's orders. I inform my guard that Marinah doesn't have meetings or training planned for today."You told her?" asks Beck."She took it as well as expected.""That bad?""It could have been worse." And the earthquake that took down San Francisco in 1906 could have been worse too."You want us twiddling our thumbs?" asks Labyrinth.The man's a lummox and I don't count dexterity as one of his pluses so I doubt he could. "Until we have our orders, go for it."He nods, lifts his hands, and twiddles those monstrous thumbs. That's when Marinah walks into the conference room. The men come to attention immediately, and it hits me
Genetically Modified Chapter 110: King
She handles it better than I expected. It's been three days, and she refuses to mention a word about it. Like I said, better than expected. Before coming here, Beck asked if she understood what's happened. He laughed when I asked if he was planning to tell her. His exact words were, "Throw me in a pit of hellhounds first."Wise man.It's four incredible days of bliss before she decides to voice her concerns. We're in bed in the early afternoon, after enjoying uninterrupted adult time. "I can't be a leader," she says with her head lying on my chest and her body half on mine. "I've just commanded my first unit. Leaders need experience.""They do.""How the heck do I gain experience? No, wait. I don't want that kind of experience. They're your men, King. Don't do this to me. You can't." Her fingers dig into my hip.Very softly, I tell her the truth, "They're your men now.""It won't work." She slams her fists on the bed beside me. I fight a smile. Now is not the time. "You can't pos
Genetically Modified Chapter 109: King
It took hours to get everything in place. I enter our room, and Marinah is sleeping. I quickly pack a bag for us both. She sleeps through it. I'm tired, but nothing will keep my alone time with Marinah from happening.Beck is attending the funerals in my absence. It's the only thing that made me hesitate with this mad scheme.Beck put me straight. "You take this time with your mate. You have more problems than simple mating rage. When you come back, you get the hellspawn, and I'm taking Missy away."I hope Marinah will forgive me when she misses Ryan's funeral. His loss hit her hard. I still remember the first Shadow Warrior who died under my command. It doesn't get easier.I collect everything we need and wake her. "Remember I told you I'm kidnapping you," I say when I'm sure she's awake."I think," she mumbles groggily.I scoop her into my arms. "It's happening."With the two bags tossed over my shoulder, and my mate in my arms, we leave the room. "I need clothes," she finally
Genetically Modified Chapter 108: Marinah
King places his arm around my shoulders, and we walk back to the outpost together. He tells me none of the humans in the outpost died, so I know Ruth and Missy are okay. But Ryan. He took my place and died because of it. Was he right? Should I have gone instead? I'll never know that answer, and it will haunt me forever.This is what King deals with. He takes every Shadow Warrior life personally. Now I know what it feels like. I lift my shoulders. It won't be easy, but I'll learn to live with it. We walk through the outpost gates, and Ruth spots me and starts running.Two feet away, she comes to a dead stop. "You're... huge. And bloody, cool."From beautiful to huge. This isn't looking good. "Yeah, I guess I am.""Are you meaner?"Oh, this child. "I hope not."Her lips curve downward and her eyes go stubborn. "Then it's not that cool.""She stabbed the general with her claws until there was nothing left of his face," Labyrinth tells the unimpressed child."You did?"I hope the
Genetically Modified Chapter 107: King
I lose track of Marinah after she takes off for the vehicles holding the rotary guns. She figured out what Smythe had planned. My men are ready to enter the fight. We circle the area where Marinah is taking on the rotary guns and leave our position. We've flanked the enemy on all sides. Many begin running toward Marinah, trying to get away, but I don't have time to think about the danger she's in. Beck's men are inside the outpost now, holding back the hellhounds. There are a few stragglers, and my men draw their swords and cut them down.The Federation soldiers realize they aren't winning and begin laying down their weapons. A hellhound about twenty feet from me grabs one stupid man. His muffled screams stop when the hound chews his face off. I charge three hounds with my sword, cutting them down as I run. Half my men point their rifles at the surrendering soldiers who have decided being shot is a quicker way to die than being eaten by hounds. They are no longer placing their weapons
Genetically Modified Chapter 106: Marinah
I lift my glasses again. Now I can see Beck and Cabel moving. I turn to the outpost and for the first time see General Smythe. I lick my lips. He won't be getting away this time. To hell with questioning him. If given the chance, I'll take his throat.Humans are stationed along the high wall on the inside of the outpost. The hellhounds will easily go up and over. Missy will have those unable to fight secured underground in one of their bunkers. Beck and his men will go against the hellhounds to stop them. Labyrinth's job is to take on the Federation soldiers.Knowing some Federation soldiers are here by force unsettles me.Kill, Ms. Beast whispers at my reticence. Yes, kill. If they are willing to kill civilians, including women and children, they won't be leaving here alive. My resolve is set, and I'm impatient to fight. Everyone is in place, and nothing is going on that I can see.The Federation waits ten more minutes, and then everything happens at once. The hellhounds are unl
Genetically Modified Chapter 105: Marinah
Cabel meets us outside the outpost walls and leads us to a large group of Warriors. The tension in the air is thick. Missy told us that more than a thousand soldiers have joined the Federation camp about two miles away. This morning, the soldiers began collecting their belongings. They are leaving or attacking, and the former doesn't seem likely.King speaks in hushed tones so our voices don't carry in the still night. There isn't a breeze, but it's chilly. I prefer warmth. It's times like this that I really miss our island. Pushing the thought aside, I listen to King. I need my head clear and thinking of home won't help.We have close to four hundred warriors versus a thousand Federation soldiers. If it weren't for the hellhounds, this would be a piece of cake. There's no way Smythe isn't leading this force. Is he unaware the Shadow Warriors have aligned with the outposts? Spying in the new world isn't as it once was. You need eyes now, not satellites. The Federation is building up
