C A Rudolph [Rudolph - Indivisible

Copyright C.A. Rudolph 2019.

Cover Art by Deranged Doctor Design

Editing by Sabrina Jean

Back cover editing by Felicia Sullivan

Proofread by Pauline Nolet

On the cover: Darja Filipovic of Deranged Doctor Design

Kindle edition 092019

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ALSO BY C.A. RUDOLPH

The hilly pathway on which Butch had chosen to lead Alan and Jade was barely wide enough to travel. All told, it wasnt much of a path of any kind, but the terrain was proving no match for the massive Marauder armored APC. It hobbled about the snow-covered forest in stride, bouncing over everything it stumbled upon while paving its own path. It broke apart low-hanging tree limbs with ease, crushed full-grown fallen trees, and toppled live ones. It even fractured jutted-up portions of rocks it rumbled over. Its suspension system was doing a modest job of managing the ride, giving the impression it was built for this type of abuse, but the interior compartment wasnt exactly providing the most relaxing ride for its passengers.

Alan tightened his seatbelt and arranged himself in the passenger seat while holding tightly to the APCs oh-shit handle, a common nickname for the hand brace typically located inches above the side windows of most motor vehicles, to include exotic armored personnel carriers.

Jades expression carried both looks of excitement and uncertainty. She was thrilled at the prospect of seeing Ken and Walter again after having presumed them dead. Evening had already begun to set in, and the pair had been on the road for hours. Butch seemed to quite literally be leading them along the proverbial path to nowhere, and she was beginning to wonder if the choice to follow him and defer Alans plan had been a mistake. It certainly hadnt been the best-laid plan in Alans case, whom she looked upon with worry between bumps. Hey, are you feeling okay? Youre starting to look really pale.

Alan held his breath momentarily as his body tensed. I dont know. For a minute there, I thought I had ahandle on it. Now Im not so sure. We might have to stop, Jade.

Motion sickness?

Yeah, I thi

Jade pushed hard on the accelerator, forcing the Marauder overtop a thick, petrified stump on her side, causing the enormous vehicle to pitch, then roll hard before leveling. Uhsorry about that, she said nervously. I dont know where we are or how much farther we have to go to get to this White Rock place, but I wish it would hurry up and get here.

From where Im sitting, every rock I see looks white, Alan jested, doing what he could to will his stomach to settle. The ride itself was making him queasy, but Jades nervy driving habits were exacerbating his ailment.

While she piloted the APC through the darkening, hilly forest under falling snow, with one hand on the wheel and barely half her attention, Jade fiddled with a unique digital touchscreen bounded by multicolored buttons. On each button was etched an indecipherable symbol, and the screen itself was mounted to a pivoting steel frame above a duo of ergonomic control levers near the center of the Marauders dashboard.

Every so often, her eyes would jolt away from the screen, to the windshield, and back again, while Alan scrutinized her multitasking efforts, growing more unsettled as time passed. Jade? I dont mean tobug you or add another distraction, but what exactly are you doing?

Why? Isnt it obvious to you?

The only thing obvious is how it looks, Alan said, his stomach churning.

And how does it look, Alan?

To me? It looks like youre struggling.

Looks can sometimes be deceptive. And for the record, Im not.

I wasnt insinuating anything. But it mightbenefit us both if you let me drive.

Jade sent along a snide glance. Really? So soon? After what happened to Butchs other priceless indulgence?

Alan leaned away, recalling the old vets reaction to his accident scene. Yeah, good point. Forget I said anything. He gestured to the device Jade was toying with. What is that?

Its the UI for the Katlanit.

The what?

The UIthe user interface for the remote weapon system mounted to this thing, she explained. The one that runs the big machine gun.

Oh.

Im trying to familiarize myself with the software and Im not having any luck with it, which is frustrating. Ive never seen anything like it beforethe entire operating system is completely proprietary. Im starting to think our new buddy is some kind of evil genius.

You think he designed it himself? Alan asked. As in, Butch might also be a programmer?

Based upon what little we know about him and what hes divulged thus far? My moneys on hacker.

Alan chuckled. He did mention having more surprises. Maybe thats one of them.

Jade raised a brow. Maybe. Anyway, since were sashaying around in this monster, I reason its best we know all there is to know about it.

Yeah, another good point. You never know who or what we may encounter along the way. And a big machine gun could prove useful.

Peace through superior firepower is always useful, Jade mused as they bounced hard over another obstacle. Sorry.

Alan tensed again, reaching for his abdomen. Itsokay.

Im seriously not trying to torture you, Jade said with kind eyes. Theres a first aid kit in that compartment above your knees. I probably should have told you about it earlier.