Read The Ninth: Invasion for Free Online Page B

Brent demonstrated how to hold the rifle properly.  The boy eagerly tried to emulate him.  After a few minor adjustments, the boy was standing tall, looking as professional as any trooper of the academy.  Brent smiled and bowed to the boy like the tripods did.  Only as he completed the gesture did he realize he had done it again.  Without warning, he was being pulled back by his collar.  Cassandra was dragging him back into formation.
    “What are you doing? Pay attention,” Cassandra whispered.
    Cain was chuckling to himself.  As the squad continued, Brent noticed the other Protectorates copying the stance of the young boy.  They didn’t look half bad when they finished.  The citizens in the background didn’t seem to know how to respond properly to what they had just seen.  Returning his attention to their march, Brent instantly spotted a large building in the distance.  It was easily three times as large as the tallest of the other structures.  Tyra was clearly heading for it, despite the fact she was dragging her feet.
    She moved through the streets with obvious familiarity.  Every now and then he would notice one of the citizens recognizing Tyra.  They’d pretend to go about their business as if they hadn’t realized whom she was, but they would steal glances at her when they thought she wasn’t looking.  As the troopers reached the large building, Brent could make out another two rows of Protectorates standing to the sides of the main entrance.  The doorway was overly elaborate, probably designed to show off the power of those who dwelled within.  The Protectorates saluted as the squad passed into the building.
    He had to blink as they crossed the threshold.  The interior was completely different from the rest of the world.  Beautiful tile work covered every surface.  It was spotless to the point Brent could see his own reflection in the tiles under his feet.  Tyra shuddered.  As they moved deeper into the building the patterns in the tile got more intricate.  Tyra finally stopped in front of another set of massive doors, more ornate than the rest of the walls combined.  Ronald rested a hand on her shoulder.  She smiled weakly as she resumed walking, the doors swinging open for her automatically.  Behind the doors was a breathtaking room.  Flowing fountains ringed two large chairs.  It was obviously some sort of throne room.  A man sat in the larger of the chairs.  His face was round with a light scar over his forehead as the only imperfection.  His expression lightened as he watched Tyra approach.  If he was her father, Brent couldn’t see any family resemblance.
    “Welcome home!” the man said warmly.  “We’ve been hoping you’d return to us one day.”
    “Returning of my own free will and being ordered here are two different things,” she said irritably.
    “Perhaps, but, whatever the case, it’s good to have you home.  We’ve kept your room exactly as you left it.  I’ll have one of the Protectorates escort you there.”
    “What about my squad?”
    “Who?  Oh the others .  They will be taken to the Protectorate compound.  I’m sure they’ll feel right at home.”
    “I’m not leaving my squad.”
    “Don’t be silly, my dear.  I can’t have my daughter sleeping in the same building as the guards.  What would the people think?”
    “Nothing they haven’t already thought.”
    “No need to be rude.  You’ll see your subordinates tomorrow.  Come now, your mother has been worried about you all day.”
    “She can greet me along with the rest of my squad.”
    “I tire of this pointless argument.  Protectorate, please see my daughter to her room.”
    One of the guards in blue approached her.  In a flash, Ronald blocked the Protectorate’s path.  Surprised by the sudden resistance, the other guards in the room quickly moved in opposition to Ronald.  He stood unwaveringly in front of their squad leader.
    “Tyra does not wish to go with you,”