Read The Next Chronicle (Book 1): Next for Free Online Page A

all. Our assignments were mostly anti-terrorism, humans only or taking out installations. We even had standing orders to abort if we came into contact with enemy Next.”
    “Why...” Archer began, his eyes going vague as his mind worked it through. “Fuck me, of course. Robinson. He didn't want to make you too dangerous. Kept you in the dark as much as he could, in case one of you went bad.”
    “ No, no, he's not like that,” Kit said. “Robinson recruited me personally. Watched out for me. He gave us a safe place. A home.”
    Archer snorted. “Turned you into weapons, you mean. Withheld crucial information from you. Tell me, what kind of training did you get?”
    Kit wasn't expecting the question. “Uh, the standard Helix stuff. Infiltration, combat training, tactics, mental exercises to control our abilities.”
    Archer clapped his hands in excitement. “Exactly! You're supposed to be something like CIA, right? But you got no training that would allow you to vanish if you wanted to. Nothing that turns you into suped-up versions of Jason Bourne.”
    “No. Nothing like that. Mostly things we'd need in the field to break apart terrorist cells and capture enemies,” Kit said.
    Archer ran a hand through his hair. “Robinson. That old prick has a lot of nerve. If Helix had been allowed to form within the military—and have no doubt, it probably should have based on your duties—then they'd have had accountability. Layers of regulations and red tape. Robinson wanted his own private army, answerable only to him.”
    “No,” Kit said. “I know it sounds weird, but he isn't that way. I've seen how he is with us. He's not...” She paused. “Do you have some personal issue with him?”
    The big man shrugged uncomfortably. “Look, we'll shelve it. It doesn't matter for the moment, and you need your game face on for what's next, okay? You're tough, or you wouldn't have made it in Helix. And maybe Robinson isn't quite the bastard I think he is. He sent you here, which proves he has good judgment.”
    Kit looked up at him with a curious expression. “Oh? How do you know that? I've only been here a few hours.”
    Archer smiled crookedly. “You haven't tried to take my head off. I consider that a must-have quality in any new member of the team.” His smile faded. “I know this is all a lot to take in, especially after leaving the crew you've treated like family, and without any warning. But this next bit, well, if you can deal with it, then you have my thumbs-up should you decide to stay.”
    Kit didn't know how to respond to that, so she rode in silence. Archer was a strange man, shifting from one second to the next, but despite her reservations she found herself liking him.
    Two minutes later, the doors opened.
     
     
    The room before her was small compared to the facility above. Judging by the curving wall, it had to be near the bottom of the huge inverted dome that made up the OSA prison, though unlike what she had seen above, this room had just one occupant.
    A team of technicians in scrubs worked at stations around the patient, some watching monitors closely while others pecked away at computer terminals, a few quietly speaking to one another. The impression of a hospital setting was marred by the trio of soldiers stationed at the patient's right. All three relaxed in reclining chairs, one sleeping as the other two kept watch, assault rifles casually draped across their chests.
    Kit turned. “What is this?”
    Archer motioned her forward without a word.
    She walked toward the bed, all but ignored by the medical staff but definitely an object of attention to the soldiers. Each gave her a small nod, just a jerk of the head, but that one tiny motion said volumes. Y es, you can go forward. You're here, and that means you've been vouched for. But we're watching and no matter how important you are, we will do our duty.
    She stopped on the side of the bed opposite the soldiers and looked down at the patient. His