Operation Phoenix Book 5: Against Time

By Don R. Budd

After saving the fleet from the Invasion, Gen Richards is left in a coma. The Enhanced Troops fall into the same coma while searching for his remedy for survival. Believing the cause of the comas affected only the Enhanced who took the alien substance, the theories took them in the wrong direction. Despite the alternate views, they found the only one left. They had to find Earth food FAST!!! The highly processed food used for the prior ten years is killing all humans.

Both Richards boys struggle with their Dad's situation and challenges growing up in an uncertain "World." Jonathan must let go of his bad habits to grow into the SEAL life. In contrast, Jacob must overcome his childhood insecurities to face life without his Dad.

The clock ticks for everyone, thus forcing all to march to its beat. No one can stay the same; they're changing or dying. In the end, the clock runs out. Who survives the Eternal Clock?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Don R. Budd
• Release date: Jul 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005069582

Don R. Budd

Don R. Budd studied Science Fiction and literature while studying for his degree in International Business at California State University at Sacramento. He has traveled and lived overseas in 14 countries. He has studied 20 languages and interpreted 11 of them while in the US Army. As part of his duties in Germany with Military Police Customs, he interpreted for NATO officers heading for the United States.He still enjoys meeting and corresponding with people around the world. Although his language skills have deteriorated over the years from lack of use, he still would enjoy corresponding with people from all over the world. So don't be afraid to contact him.PLEASE, NO SEXUAL PICS!! I DO NOT RESPOND. WOMEN WHO SHOW BREASTS DO NOT GET A RESPONSE. TOO MANY ARE PRESSING THEIR BREASTS INTO THE PICTURE. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO THIS BEHAVIOR!!PLEASE, DON'T KEEP TYPING ON SKYPE OR OTHER SERVICES AND NOT ALLOW ME TO RESPOND. I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR GAMES, ESPECIALLY SEX GAMES. YOU WANT A RESPONSE, BE SERIOUS, NOT JUST TAKING UP TIME.

Book preview

Operation Phoenix

Book 5

Against Time

Don R. Budd

Operation Phoenix

Book 5

Against Time

Copyright © 2022 by Don R. Budd

Cover Design by Laura Shinn

Formatted by Don R. Budd

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, reproduction, or use of this work in whole or in part in any form by electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author.

Operation Phoenix Book 5: Against Time is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously; any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, locations, or events is entirely coincidental. A few historical persons are mentioned as they relate to the story. Thank you for respecting U.S. and international copyright laws and this author’s work.

Special Thanks to:

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Contents

Chapter 1 The Most Unlikely Places

Chapter 2 Pandora

Chapter 3 Free!!

Chapter 4 Perception, Perspective, Personality

Chapter 5 Preparations

Chapter 6 You Can’t Run

Chapter 7 Picking The Wrong Ally

Chapter 8 Who Is The Chosen?

Chapter 9 Tick, Tick …

Chapter 10 The Darkest Hour

Chapter 11 The Mother Of All Storms

Chapter 12 Answers, Answers

Chapter 13 Wonder Of Wonders

Chapter 14 The Sand In The Hourglass

Chapter 15 The Valley Of Death

Chapter 16 Journey To Romasu

Chapter 17 Romasu Or Earth?

Chapter 18 Stranded

Chapter 19 Who Am I?

Chapter 20 They Came?

About the Author

Connecting with DON R. BUDD

Other Novels by DON R. BUDD

Coming Soon

Operation Phoenix

Book 6

Them

CHAPTER 1 The Most Unlikely Places

Mitchell watched as the USS Washington docked at the station. The crew went through their docking procedures quickly as their relief staff entered the bridge. Then, with all the handovers completed, the team followed the captain off the bridge.

As the captain led a team to the marketplace, Hunter and Jacob met them. Jacob looked up at Tom and walked alongside the captain.

Do you think they’ll have someone there to help my Dad, Tom? Jacob tried to keep in step with the much taller man.

I hope so. Tom glanced down as he slowed down a bit for his young friend. I have some leads we’re going to evaluate. I hope some will pan out and give us a good doctor for at least knowing what is wrong with your Dad, okay?

Jacob shrugged as he wrapped an arm around Tom’s waist.

The captain held the boy close and led the team to a wing of offices through the marketplace. There they entered a lift with numerous others from around the Empire. As they were whisked away, Tom received a message on his radio. Then he looked at Jacob, holding on to the captain’s leg. The captain showed the text to several team members close by him. Each nodded as they read.

They exited the lift with the boy when they reached their floor. The group went to the railing overlooking the marketplace as they awaited someone. Tom didn’t have to wait long because the new group came directly to his group. Both groups nodded to each other. However, Jacob looked more perplexed.

Let’s see a local ‘Doctor’ about what to do for your Dad, okay, Tiger? The captain held the boy close as they went around the crowd toward the right to the next tunnel. Walking down the tunnel, Tom noticed some people were eying the boy. Tom bent to Jacob. Stay very close to me. Will you do that for me?

Sure! What’s wrong? Jacob looked up at his friend as the young Richards wrapped his arm around Tom’s massive thigh. The friend put an arm around the boy.

The strangers started to follow them into the tunnel. But, as the strangers mingled with the crowd, they vanished before entering the tunnel. The mouth of the corridor became a solid wall. The Troops behind the captain and Jacob checked the wall as others radioed for help. Finally, more Troops arrived with equipment to examine the wall and what was behind it.

Meanwhile, Mitchell and his Troops led Jacob into a strange office. They glanced around the room as they checked for any signs of the occupants.

Who did you hope to meet? An eerie female voice seemed to bounce off the walls.

We are newcomers and in need of a medical practitioner who can help with a special need, Tom called out in Lorena. He glanced around as he awaited a response. Hello? His gaze came to rest on a transparent ball of light that went through the wall before them. The humans backed away.

The light became the humans’ old friend, Dradic. He stood before them with his hand raised. May Dusya bless and provide all your needs, Captian. He lowered his hand. His gaze turned to Jacob. You have certainly grown, Jacob. You don’t need to fear me.

Jacob clung to his friend.

May Dusya bless and provide all your needs, Dradic. It is certainly wonderful to see you again. It’s been a while. Tom put his arm around Jacob again to calm him. We need your help to save the general. Some kind of energy field hit him. He’s aboard ship, barely alive.

I know, My Friend. Dradic stepped closer. He’s under judgment by Dusya. His life is now in the balance between life and death. Mike has a journey to take before his time runs out.

What journey? How long does he have to complete it? Mitchell seemed more concerned than his usual nature.

I can’t tell you his journey because that is up to Dusya. As for his time, as with everyone, he is only a heartbeat away from Eternity. There is no way to know how many heartbeats Dusya has allotted Mike. Mike dare not waste even one heartbeat. Dradic came to Jacob and placed his hand gently on the boy’s head.

Who can we go to for help? Mitchell watched as Jacob looked back at him, worried. We must do something while this ‘Journey’ continues.

Dradic looked at Tom as he stepped away from the boy. There is nothing for you to do, Tom. That’s the whole point of the lesson for the journey Mike travels. Dradic moved away from the humans as he became a ball of light again. Do not interfere, or your people will pay dearly.

Jacob turned to his friend. What happens now, Tom? We have to do something, or Dad dies!

Tom squatted before his young charge. Jacob, we can’t do anything right now. But, as Dradic said, We will all pay dearly for interfering with your Dad’s journey. The captain hugged the boy and led him out to the marketplace again.

In the marketplace, they met the other Troops as they tried to find the tunnel. Mitchell stopped in front of them, confused. What are you, Guys, doing?

We’re trying to find out what happened to the tunnel. Hunter lowered his equipment as he read it. The tunnel disappeared the moment you Guys stepped into it. Corey looked at Mitchell and showed him the readings.

As the captain studied Hunter’s readings, he sighed heavily and walked toward the center of the marketplace. The others followed. Tom turned to face his Troops. I don’t think we’re really on a station at all, Boys and Girls. We’ve been had! Mitchell high-tailed it back for the vessel.

On the bridge, Mitchell dashed for his command chair. All ships, prepare for emergency departure!

Sir! Several vessels report missing passengers, Sir! Russell scanned his screens.

Why can’t those ships follow protocols?! Mitchell slammed his fist on the armrest. Tell them, ‘We’re leaving now! Catch up when they can. Next time do their jobs!!!’

Aye, Sir! Russell relayed the message, which did not go over well.

Those vessels that were ready departed. Unfortunately, this situation left four ships behind, scurrying to locate their wayward passengers.

Russell reported to the captain the number of vessels in their formation. Then, Russell took a double-take as he realized the numbers could not be accurate. Sir, I’m receiving reports from 40 vessels, Sir! That’s impossible, Sir! We started with 40 and lost five while we slept to the Bohinans’ attacks, Sir. Therefore, it would be impossible to have 40 vessels still, Sir.

Check which vessels are reporting in and verify who they are! Mitchell scanned his screens for the vessels still back at the station.

Russell reported all the fake ships and those still back at the station. But unfortunately, as he did, more fake vessels appeared along with them. More problems, Sir! Our verified vessels are now duplicated with more fakes appearing among us, Sir. Russell looked worriedly at his superior.

Sir, multiple stations just appeared across our trajectory, Sir! The helmsman looked back at Mitchell.

Hunter came to Rocky and whispered in the sergeant’s ear. The sergeant checked his displays rapidly and called the captain to his station.

As Mitchell arrived, Klein explained the situation. Sir, Corey noted a planetoid in a nearby system with a small population, Sir. He showed the captain his charts. They've some kind of shaman who could help the general, Sir.

That would be great! Mitchell’s eyes lit up as he turned to the helmsman. Set course for T’Rok. It’s on our way about three days away.

Aye, Sir! The helmsman passed the message to all vessels.

That evening, Corey entered Jacob’s bedroom and went to Jonathan’s old closet. He stripped off his gym attire and lay on his bed. Jacob strolled into the room and plopped on Hunter. Corey looked back at his admirer sitting on his bum.

Have a rough day with school? The Marine started with his push-ups on the bed with his charge still seated on him. I take it as a ‘Yes.’

Jacob placed a hand on Corey’s back as he felt the muscles tighten while the Marine did his push-ups. What are we gonna do now? The station was a fake.

Hercules froze his push-up halfway to the bed. After my shower, I’ll take you to see your Dad, and then we’ll go to supper, okay?

Okay. The boy half-heartedly responded as he laid on Hunter’s massive back.

Let me go for my shower, and we’ll go see your Dad. Corey stood as Jacob kept clinging to Marine’s neck and wrapped his thin legs around the waist of his new idol.

As they entered sickbay, Jacob went on ahead to his father’s room. He stood in the doorway in shock. The space was empty. By the time Hunter arrived, Jacob was in tears. The boy turned and grabbed Corey around the waist.

Hercules wrapped his arms around the boy. He’s in a new room now. Don’t worry. Your Dad is a fighter. Hunter led his charge further down the hall, where he showed Jacob his father’s room. He needs more specialized care now. But he’ll pull through this. Just don’t give up on him.

Jacob went slowly to his Dad and held his hand. Corey followed him in, carrying a nearby chair. Have a seat, Jacob.

The boy refused the chair and laid his head on his father’s chest. He felt Corey’s gentle hand start to rub his back. However, it did not soothe his troubled spirit. Instead, the 12-year-old’s tears began to run down his cheeks.

The sound of footsteps came up behind them. Captain Mitchell had entered the room.

I’ll take over. Mitchell rested a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. We have some leads on the planetoid below. Take your team down and see if any are creditable.

Yes, Sir! He patted Jacob as Corey started to leave. Sir, he hasn’t eaten yet, Sir.

Alright. Thank you. Tom turned his attention to the boy. He lifted Jacob and laid him on his father’s body.

Jacob cried softly on his Dad’s chest. He clung to his father’s gown. Why can’t he wake up?

He’s in a coma, Tom whispered into the boy’s ear. It is believed that your father can still hear you, just not able to respond.

A couple of aides entered. One came to Mitchell and whispered.

As Tom lifted Jacob once more, We need to go now. The staff needs to take care of your Dad. He stood the boy on the floor. Let’s get something to eat. Then, we’ll come back here.

Meanwhile, Hunter and his team were traversing a dark cave. Each wore a helmet with a miner’s light. Hunter had them spread out in two’s to search each branching tunnel. Finally, Carter and Corey reached a boulder in the middle of their tunnel. Hercules, the stronger of the two, set his pack aside before he rolled the large object out of their path. Then, with it out of the way, they found another. Hercules moved it also. As he turned to his companion and brushed his hands, Carter shook his head.

Carter handed Corey the pack. No wonder they call you ‘Hercules.’

Hunter smiles. Of course, I’m almost as big as the enhanced Troops. He looked around the empty tunnel. Let’s get moving. Then, Corey led the way while Carter patted the strong man on the back.

The duo soon reached a cavern filled with many rock formations. Unfortunately, there seemed to be no exit or any other room. After staring at the pond in the middle of the room, Hercules disrobed, except for his lighted helmet.

Keep watch, Carter. I’m going to check this pool for any underground passage. Hercules waded into the water and then dove beneath the surface.

As Jordan awaited his friend, he looked around and gazed at the formations coming from the ceiling. Then, he heard the strong man resurface. When Carter looked at the pool, he watched his friend dripping wet as he stretched his muscles.

Corey stepped onshore. It’s much deeper than I thought, but there is a cave with old canisters. I need to go back and bring some out to have our people examine them.

Is that wise? Jordan followed Hunter back to the edge. We don’t know what dangers that may cause. Removing them from their underwater depository may set off something we can’t handle. On the other hand, we’re not exactly in our backyard.

We don’t have much choice. Hercules’s massive form soon submerged again.

As Carter awaited Hunter’s return, Corey’s radio sounded. He picked it up. Hunter’s radio. This is Carter, over!

Mitchell’s voice echoed in the cavern. Where’s Hunter?

He’s under the water, Sir. He found a submerged cave with containers of something, Sir. So he went back to get some to bring back to the ship for our people to examine, Sir.

He’d better have them examined BEFORE he brings them on board, Carter! Mitchell’s voice echoed again.

Yes, Sir! Jordan watched as his partner resurfaced with several large bottles of liquid. He’s on the surface, Sir! I’ll pass on the message, Sir! He watched as Hunter knelt by his bag and rearranged things. He’s packing the bottles, Sir. There are four of them, Sir.

Return to the rendezvous and have sickbay preexamine the bottles BEFORE popping up! Mitchell bellowed before he cut off the communications.

Hercules took another bag and put his clothes in it. Then, the two headed back down the tunnel as Corey let his body airdry.

Along the way, they stopped where the boulder was. It had been put back in their way. Hercules sat his things down and again used his incredible strength to heave the obstruction out of the way. Carter shook his head in amazement at his friend’s strength. Every muscle of Corey’s body was summoned into action.

As Hercules stood, he spun the rock around to form a trench, making it harder for it to roll back in their way again. When