Read Attack on Phoenix for Free Online Page A

bio shows you have, then you know I know we’re not looking for the Key."
    The other defenders gasped. Torsten ignored them.
    Commander Bartok shook her head. "You know so little. All of you. We rescued you as young children. Your parents died, leaving you nothing. You owe the military your lives. We’ve given you everything: food, shelter, love. You owe us."
    Torsten gripped the edge of the table until his knuckles ached from the pressure.
    "I don't understand." Leila’s brow wrinkled. "What do you want from us? Why pretend to believe in the Key?"
    Commander Bartok shook her head, the smile slithering farther up her cheeks. She swept her arm toward the window.
    Torsten followed her gaze. The window stood from floor to ceiling and offered them a sweeping view of Hadar. The tower rose up from the ground where the majority of the citizens lived and toiled. From Torsten's view, the grounders were just ants below them. A vast jungle surrounded the tower, but the other side of Hadar held an endless desert. They had attempted to traverse the great seas of sand, but sandstorms stopped them every time. Eventually, they had decided the planet was barren of intelligent life.
    "Mentioning the Key raises morale among our warriors. It will convince the grounders to rally to our cause. We’ll get more volunteers, which means more defenders to fight our war. Need I go on?" The commander laid her palms on the table and leaned in to the recruits. After all we have done for you, this is but a small thing to give us in return. All I ask is that you disappear underground for a while.”
    “No,” Andessa protested. “The buried are insane. They hide underground worshipping false gods. You can’t ask us to spend even a moment with them. Not even for a morale-boosting mission.”
    “This is absolutely ridiculous.” Torsten challenged the commander. “I won’t go out there and pretend we’re looking for some mystical artifact that will save us from the dragzhi. How does that help anyone?”
    “Would you rather I go on the bullet and tell everyone we’re going to die? That the dragzhi are coming for us? That there is no more hope?” Commander Bartok crossed her arms over her chest. “I would rather give them something to inspire them. You will march out there where everyone can see. You will do as you’re told.”
    Torsten grabbed Leila's hand. "Come on, we're leaving. I won’t listen to this for a moment longer."
    “Torsten, please.” Commander Bartok’s voice was suddenly quiet. She ran her fingers through her spiky blond hair. “What if I told you there is new evidence that the Key is real? What if it could help us defeat the dragzhi? Would it hurt you to go underground and look for it?”
    “It would.” Torsten looked at Mellok. “He’s a brilliant engineer. Why doesn’t he stay and create something to help us? Leila’s a capable fighter. As much as I don’t want her on the front lines, I know she is better utilized in the tower. As for Andessa…” Torsten trailed off. He didn’t know the woman well enough to say why she was more useful here than on a fool’s errand. “I’m sure she doesn’t want to leave the tower.”
    “Wow, thanks Torsten.” Andessa rolled her eyes.
    “The buried are hostile,” Commander Bartok said. “Entering their domain might anger them. That’s why I’m sending Mellok, Leila, and Andessa with you. They are there to protect you, Torsten. Do you understand now?”
    Torsten looked to the others. They stood at attention, ready to fulfill their commander’s orders, no matter how ridiculous they were.
    “Your packs are in the corner. Take them. Search for the Key, even if you don’t believe in it,” Commander Bartok said.
    “And how are we supposed to get underground?” Torsten asked. “We don’t know of any entrances.”
    “Head for the old, abandoned church. You must trust me. Now, please, take your supplies and go. Time is running out. The dragzhi are coming for us.”