Breaking Point: Alpha Core Saga, #2

By Vikki Romano

Sierra Mason has landed the career of a lifetime, becoming a special agent for a firm run by the best in the business. She has proven herself more times than she can count and has given herself to her job... and then some.
 
But everything isn't always as it seems.  
 
When the truth is uncovered about her firm's investors and who they are tied to, the team is thrown into turmoil. Her partner, Calder McKenna, becomes embroiled in a conspiracy that is weaving itself through their lives and finds his own life in danger. 
 
Helpless, the team is in need of a hero and they are running out of time. Will Sierra realize what they need lies within her or will the journey send her reeling past her breaking point?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chaotikinetic Press
• Release date: Jul 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781522959694

Vikki Romano

My love for sci-fi goes way back to my childhood. I mean, who didn’t love movies like Tron and Terminator when they were a kid? Or great oldies like WarGames? I grew up in the advent of technology and rode the wave of the dot com lifestyle in my 20s. It was a wonderful time to be alive, to see where tech could go. Being involved in the field as a database admin and then later as a hardware tech and web designer, I had my fingers in all of it and I loved what it was all about. In college, I was a true cyberpunk and gloried over works by Gibson and Dick. I reveled in the hackers manifesto like a warrior and actually prayed for a world like BladeRunner. They were very cool, hyper-energized times we were in and it gave me scores of ideas and hands-on experience to dump into my work. Now, years later, I am still amazed at what technology and science have continued to churn out.  Dystopian worlds are not far off, and with my techie past, I have more than enough ammo in my brainpan to fill many more books.  And many more shelves.

Book preview

DEDICATION

To all the nerds, geeks, and hackers in my life, past and present, who have made me who I am. You have pushed me to see past the ordinary into the extraordinary. You have challenged my knowledge and piqued my wanderlust.  I thank you all and say again, with much technolust...  Stay 1337

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This is a work of fiction.  Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s broad and genius imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living, dead, augmented or cybernetic, or any actual event is highly unlikely… and purely coincidental.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

To Chris, Brandi and Diane – Beta readers extraordinaire.  You’ve done it again and have come through to the final page.  Thank you for all of your insight and pointed… comments.

To Ian – I continue to come to you for military and advanced overlord 2.0 ™ advice because, let’s face it, you’re the best qualified.   Keep up the good work and carry on.

To Souza - Your concise and eerily technical calculations of space trajectories, weapon velocities and various astrophysics put you in my #1 seat for evil galactic overlord 1.0™.  I have my eye on you… and so does the FBI, I’m sure.

To Zac -  Our late night chats discussing the male psyche have been... stimulating.  Who knew the male brain was so complex?!  I look forward to more research in the future.

To the ladies of PJWWG – You continue to be my support, my backbone and my sounding board.  I couldn’t have asked for a better group of friends to have at my back.  Oh, and brainstorming while we party is the bomb.  :)

To Derek Kolstad and Skip Woods – Thank you for continuing to make this genre as expansive and exciting as it is.  You are my newest heroes.

To my Dad – My first tech teacher and electronics mentor.  If it weren’t for your work bench and soldering irons that I was allowed to used at a very young age,  none of these stories would have been in my head.  Thanks for giving me my love of all things techy.

To Dougie - See, they finally get some.  ;)

Chapter One

The scream split the darkness, fraying the edge of sleep until the murky light poured in on a long, ragged breath. Sierra sat bolt upright, clutching the damp sheets to her chest as if to contain her pounding heart.

It had been a week since Calder left to go on his mission, but it felt like a year. The dreams had gotten worse, more visceral, each one shredding her nerves beyond repair. Getting by on very little sleep, she went through her days in an obscure haze. Memories, thoughts and emotions melded and swam in her head, confusing and tormenting her. She had no one to turn to, no one who truly understood like he did, and the dreams would only get worse until he came back.

And the pain. Debilitating pain. She didn’t know if she could survive it.

Wiping her face in her hands, she took a deep breath and tried to calm herself. The dreams weren’t real, she had to keep telling herself that, no matter how real they seemed. No matter how real the pain felt. Blinking and taking another deep breath, she slid out of bed and made her way to the bathroom.

His bathroom.

She stared at herself in his mirror, her brow furrowing at the haggard face she saw there. The dark circles, the pale skin. This wasn’t who she was used to seeing. Her hair, once a beautiful mass of auburn shine was now disheveled and dulled, hanging ragged against her face.

Waving a hand over the faucet, she dipped her palms into the cold water and splashed her face, repeating the action until the salt of her tears mixed with the water that poured through her fingers. Sinking to the floor, she allowed her sobs to consume her.

She clutched her head as she curled into her knees, the lump of the scar at the back of her head sickening her, making her flinch and pull her hand away.

At least one part of her was healing. She doubted the rest of her would ever catch up.

Knowing what was beneath that scar sent a tremor through her, made her nauseated. So many mornings she sat there, thoughts of carving the augment out of her own skull so strong she didn’t think she could stop from mutilating herself.

But she was already mutilated, wasn’t she? Forcibly deformed, made into something she feared. Her mind flashed back to that moment when she looked into Calder’s darkened eyes, knowing he was a shell, a slave to his augment. That was what she’d become, and it terrified her.

Calder was a man of focus, of determination. She had never known him to falter when it came to facing danger. In fact, he would always be the first to step up, seemingly oblivious to it. It didn’t make him irrational or foolish; it made him courageous and strong. She could see why he would have made such a great soldier. Now, his augment made all that arbitrary.

That day at his apartment when she saw the vacancy in his eyes and knew he was no longer there, she knew he wasn’t in control, and that was what she feared the most now. Especially with him gone. There was no one who understood what the signs were, apart from him. No one who knew how to set her fears at ease. And perhaps she had lost sleep not only because of the dreams, but because she feared losing control of her mind. Giving it even the slightest chance to take over and command her. Anxiety paralyzed her.

She felt panic rising in her throat, suffocating her to the point of choking. Grasping the sink, she pulled herself to her feet, slid open the mirror and snatched the bottle from the bottom shelf. She stared at the label, considered the ramifications of numbing herself and, gritting her teeth, decided against her better judgment.

It was time. She needed rest.

Fumbling with the lid, she managed to get it open without spilling the contents all over the counter. She picked two pills out of her palm and tossed them into her mouth. Dipping her head to the faucet, she filled her mouth with water and swallowed, feeling the pills scrape down her throat.

Bracing herself against the sink, she hung her head and mindlessly watched the water drip from her hair into the drain.

Get a hold of yourself.

After several minutes her muscles, having been a mass of tightly strung cording through her body, began to loosen and her lungs relaxed, steadying her breathing to a bearable rhythm. The ketamine washed through her system like a warm ocean wave, and she sighed at the relief it brought her. This was what her body and mind begged for. A respite, even if it was a fraction of what she needed.

Straightening, she made her way to the bedroom and lay back on the end of the bed just as the drug kicked in. Her mind became pleasantly numb, detached from the world, detached from her thoughts. And that was what she needed most. Detachment. From everything.

She hasn’t been around much since you left, Gage said as he turned in his chair and leaned toward the monitor. I haven’t said anything about her not being here because I know she needs the time to adjust.

Calder’s gaunt face, now covered with a growth of stubble, did nothing to hide the trepidation of being where he was. Gage knew he’d rather be home, with Sierra.

Have you checked on her to make sure she’s OK? Calder asked, the concern evident beyond the look on his face.

Yeah, when I can. Steve went over as well. She’s staying at your place. She looks tired, but she’s doing OK, all things considered. I know she’s not sleeping well.

Yeah, Calder said on a sigh. I didn’t think she would. Can the doc give her something?

He did, but I don’t think she’s taking it. I just think she’s petrified, you know? None of us have any idea what she’s going through, and all she does is ask about when you’re coming back. I tried to get her to see the psychologist, but she refuses.

Calder dropped his head into his hands and rubbed his forehead. Gage felt his exasperation pouring through the screen, and knew there was nothing he could do or say that would help.

How are things up there? he asked, trying to get Calder out of his current headspace.

Calder ran a hand through his already disheveled hair and looked up at him with a resolute nod.

Good. I should be docking with EPAC in two days. I had hoped to get there yesterday, but there was a lot of interference from that solar storm two days ago and it tripped up my telemetry, put me off course.

How far off course? Gage asked, and got a grimace from Calder.

Two days.

Gotcha. How are you on supplies?

Fine. Not like I’m going to use up everything in a week. I have enough on board for a month. Fuel needs to be reserved a bit, so I’m charging power pods when I have that option.

How about you, are you getting any sleep? Gage asked, knowing from the look of him that he wasn’t. Not at all.

When I can. A few hours at a time. I’ll manage.

I know I don’t have to tell you that you’ll need to be on your game when you get to the target location.

No, you don’t, Calder said with another nod. I’ll be ready.

OK, well, ping us if you run into any trouble.

Calder twisted his mouth into a smirk and tilted his head. What will you do, come up and help me?

I’ll talk to you later, Gage said, shaking his head as he swiped the screen, erasing Calder’s face.

But he was right. Not like any of them could help Calder. The resources on their end were limited, and until Calder got to EPAC, he was on his own. They couldn’t do a thing.

What Gage could do was make sure Sierra was well. She was not only important to Calder, but to the team, and he needed to make sure she knew that.

So many missions in the past had gone sideways, and they couldn’t afford to lose anyone, not now, not when they were so close to finally closing GenMed down. The thought of it made something deep inside him shudder.

Leaning back in his chair, he slid a side drawer open and flipped over the frame that was inside, facedown. The woman in the photo was smiling, her head back as her laughter took over, her dark hair braided and draped over her shoulder. The small boy in her lap was grinning, making a funny face, and Gage’s large hands were on each of their shoulders, the joy on his face evident as he laughed behind them. His face was younger, lacked the weathered marks of time, stress… and loss.

Yes, this mission needed to be completed. The sooner GenMed was brought to its knees, the sooner he could put the memory of his wife and son to rest. The sooner he could forget what had happened all those years ago. Or could he? Would he ever rest?

Putting the photo back and slamming the drawer shut, he stood, signed out of his comm and stepped away from his desk, grabbing his jacket on the way out the door. He needed to clear his head. This was no time for him to become emotional.

The ride to the Calder’s condo didn’t take very long, and soon enough he was being let into the gate. He was happy to see that their security contracts were paying off, as they should. These were top-notch units, and would probably cost a fortune if they hadn’t been a trade-off. He would have to express his thanks to the head of the firm the next chance he got.

Calder’s rig sat silently at the curb nearest the stairwell. It was a beast of a machine, all carbon steel and dark glass, its wide body low to the ground, its lines like a prowling cat. Gage saw the dash light up as he neared, and felt the prickle of its security held at bay. This was a serious vehicle, made to withstand intrusion, much like its owner. Considering that thought, he headed up the stairs to the door of the condo and knocked.

He waited for a few moments, but didn’t get a response. Flipping his wrist, he noted the time. It was after two. Sierra could be asleep, but he doubted that. She never slept these days. Maybe she was out on the beach?

Gage tapped the bud at his ear and called her. It rang through, but there was no answer. Happy that he’d remembered to get a bio link before Calder left, he held his thumb against the lock, heard it click and pushed the door open.

Mason? he called out, and received no response. The condo seemed empty, and eerily quiet. It was a nice unit, as he had expected. Casual, beachy furniture filled the living room and looked like something from a home blog. Passing through the room, he stepped out onto the balcony. It had been a cool day and the water was choppy beyond the breakers, so the sandy beach was deserted.

Back inside, he checked the guest room and the bathroom, but again, they were empty. Making his way to the back of the condo to the master suite, he slowly cracked the door open and poked his

head inside. It was dark, the shades had been drawn and the bed was disheveled in a manic sort of way, but no one was in it. This room was more masculine, and though Calder had only lived there a few

weeks before he left, it screamed of his style. Clean lines, dark woods and brushed chromes. The closet on the far side of the room stood

open and empty. A few boxes and a duffel lay in the middle of its polished floor.

Hands on his hips, he gnawed on his lip a moment until he noted a dim light beneath the bathroom door.

Mason? he said against the door, but there was no answer. Mason, you in there?

His blood chilled as bad thoughts raced through his mind. Grasping the knob, he turned it and opened the door a few inches. There was clothing on the floor, but no noise or movement beyond.

Mason, I’m coming in, he announced, and opened the door fully.

She was in the tub, her supple, naked body stretched out beneath the water. One foot was propped on the ledge next to the faucet, one arm dangled over the edge, a glass of wine spilled just out of reach. Her head was tipped back against the edge of the tub, her dark hair spilling in waves, a sharp contrast against the crisp white rim.

Jesus! Gage leapt at her and his hand went immediately to her neck, his fingers eager for a pulse. When he found nothing, he sliced his hands into the water and lifted her out. The water was lukewarm, so he could only guess how long she had been there.

Racing to the bed, he dropped her, tilted her head and immediately started CPR. Her lips and skin were cold. Too cold. After breathing into her, his palms went to her breastbone and he leaned into her, willing her lungs to inflate.

Come on! he barked. Breathe!

He leaned into her harder, then tilted her head to breathe into her again.

And again.

And again.

Nothing.

He tapped his ear as he continued chest compressions.

Base.

Base, this is Condor One. I need a med unit sent to this location immediately.

Affirmative.

He leaned down to breathe into her again.

Jesus Christ, if she died, Calder would lose his fucking mind, and Gage would be the one to blame. That was a hard pill to swallow after all he had been through. He couldn’t stomach another death.

Breathe! he bellowed.

After several agonizing repetitions, she finally sputtered to life, gasping loudly before she rolled to her side and vomited violently onto the floor.

Gage grabbed a handful of towels from the bathroom and tossed them over the mess, then grabbed a washcloth.

Her wide eyes screamed of her panic. That she didn’t say a word concerned him.

Shhhh, he said as he wiped her face, then shifted to pull the comforter over her with his other hand.

Her eyes moved over his face, then looked out at the room, as if she had no idea what planet she was on.

Better? he asked, setting the washcloth aside, but the look in her eyes stilled him. Sent a chill through him. He’d seen that look before. He’d seen it that night on the roof with Calder.

She didn’t answer, but continued to look lost, unfocused.

As quickly as he could, he cleaned up the floor, balled up the dirty towels and dumped them into the now empty tub. He stood there for a moment on shaky knees and took a deep breath before he returned to the bedroom. She hadn’t moved a muscle and the expression on her face hadn’t changed. Sitting beside her, he brushed the damp hair from her face.

Everything’s going to be fine. I’m getting you some help.

And when her eyes finally came to him, he could see that they were void… and he wondered if he was too late.

Chapter Two

After stowing the last of the bins that he’d pulled out over the past week, Calder slid into the pilot's seat and began making preparations for docking with EPAC. EPAC, or Elliptical Perigree Astronautic Center, had been launched in the spring of 2060 by a group of scientists and entrepreneurs with the backing of some very prominent businesses. It had been used primarily for experiments by both the scientific community and by several universities, and as a waystation for travelers like Calder, who were handling sensitive contracts for its owners. As one of the major contributors to EPAC was the same holding firm that had sent Gage on his original mission to GenMed, it was a no-brainer that they would back the team to complete the task.

Calder tapped his ear as he keyed data into the deck to begin the landing sequence.

EPAC base, this is Ghostwolf, Alpha two two four on approach to airpad 3B.

Ghostwolf Alpha two two four, you are clear for airpad 3B, maximum forward speed, no trim required.

Roger, EPAC. Touchdown in T-minus three minutes.

He watched as the HUD lit up the windshield, the targeting hash marks now visible there as he neared the platform that extended out into the blackness ahead of him.

He had only landed a shuttle a couple of times before, and though he was a good pilot, it still made him anxious. Landing in space was a whole different ball game, with its odd convections and solar winds that could send you off course and into the void without warning.

Most shuttles had on-board guidance, but as in all things, the lack of control never sat well with him. He also didn’t want to panic and find his augment uplinked to the EPAC, either. He couldn’t even begin to imagine the enormity of that thought.

Keying in the guidance, he sat back and held the stick in his hand as the shuttle glided forward then jolted when EPAC’s guidance

took over the task of calculating trajectory. Moments later, he felt

gravity take hold as he dropped onto the solid deck and the bay door

was closing behind him. EPAC was one of the few stations that had begun using GEM inducers. Much like the inducers on his shuttle, it produced enough magnetic gravity to allow you to walk as if on land. Of course, the GEM unit on EPAC was much, much larger.

Welcome to EPAC, Ghostwolf. Decompression will be completed in two minutes. Please de-board on green.

Roger, EPAC.

He unbelted himself, stretched his legs a moment then gathered up his gear from the cockpit before heading back to his cabin to gather the rest of his things. After stuffing everything into a duffel, he shrugged on his jacket and made his way through the cargo hold, waiting by the door until the green lights clicked on.

Airbay 3B was large and clean. Not that the bays back at base were a shithole, but in comparison, these were pristine.

Mechanics rushed in on carts to check and refuel his shuttle as he departed through the exit door. Coming into a long hallway, he

was met by a young woman carrying a tablet and looking to have

some authority.

Mr. McKenna, she said, holding out her hand. Dani Langstrom. I’ll be your liaison while you’re here.

He took her hand and shook, noting the blush in her cheeks. Shit, not another one, he thought with an inward groan. He needed a distraction, but not another woman. The one he had was distraction enough.

I probably won’t be here too long, but thanks for the offer, he said