J. S. Lewis - Invasion

INVASION

INVASION

A C.H.A.O.S. Novel

JON S. LEWIS

2010 by Jon S. Lewis

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Jon S. Lewis is represented by the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920, www.alivecommunications.com.

Publishers Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Lewis, J. S. (Jon S.)
Invasion / J.S. Lewis.
p. cm.

Summary: After his parents are killed in an automobile accident, sixteen-year-old Colt McAllister moves to Arizona where he is recruited by a secret organization to join the battle against malevolent, supernatural creatures from another world.

ISBN 978-1-59554-753-8 (hard cover)
[1. Secret societiesFiction. 2. Adventure and adventurersFiction. 3. SupernaturalFiction. 4. ArizonaFiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.L58662In 2011
[Fic]dc22

2010038942

Printed in the United States of America

10 11 12 13 14 QG 6 5 4 3 2 1

For Nana, who taught me that
giants could be slain .

CONTENTS

I ts a military academy.

Colt McAlister looked at his dad sideways. They were in Washington, D.C., on what was supposed to be a summer vacation, but this didnt look like the kind of place tourists would visitespecially a sixteen-year-old tourist like Colt. I thought you said this was a camp.

Its more like a prep school.

Are you thinking about sending me away?

Dont worry, Dad said, and reached over to tousle Colts hair. Youre just taking a tour, thats all. Besides, they wont admit you until youre eighteen.

So why am I here?

Because you were invited.

By who?

The same people who invited your brothers. This is an elite school. You cant even applyits strictly invitation-only.

What if I dont want to go into the military?

Thats up to you. As Colts dad rolled his window down, a panel opened up on one of the brick columns. A mechanical arm unfolded with a sphere like an eyeball attached to the end. Then a green light flared to life before it scanned Colt and his father. Moments later a buzzer sounded, and the gate opened up.

Is this place owned by Trident Industries or something? Colt asked as the red beam shone in his eyes. He was referring to the multinational conglomerate that had its hand in everything from weapons manufacturing and robotics to capital investment and biotechnology.

I doubt it. Why?

You know what they say, Trident is watching, Colt said with a shrug. I mean, if scanners like this exist, I wonder what kind of spy equipment is out there.

Youve been listening to too many conspiracy theories.

Maybe, but I want one of those for my room, Colt said as they drove through the opening and down the winding drive.

It might be a little out of your price range.

I was thinking you could buy it for me.

Ill have to talk to your mother. Dad didnt hide the sarcasm in his tone.

It wasnt long before they pulled up to the front steps, but when his dad didnt get out of the car, Colt frowned.

Sorry, but this tour is for potential cadets only, Dad said. Trust me, its more fun that way.

Is there something youre not telling me?

Ill be back to pick you up this afternoon.

Colt hesitated before he opened the car door. He stepped onto the sidewalk, shut the door, and then stood there until his dad rolled down the window. Why arent there any signs?

Its a top-secret facility.

What kind of school is top secret?

Youll be fine, son, I promise.

Colt looked over his shoulder at the massive building and felt his chest tighten.

Look, if this is anything like the tour your brothers took, youre going to spend most of the day playing video games, Dad said. I hear you even get to watch a movie.

Seriously?

Have I ever lied to you?

When I was six you told me it wouldnt hurt when you pulled my tooth out.

That was different.

How?

Pain is relative.

What does that mean?

Youre just stalling.

Dad?

Yes?

Youre coming back, right? Colt knew that didnt sound very macho, but something felt off.

Of course. And make sure you say hello to Lieutenant Lohr for me. Dad rolled up the window and pulled away.

After the car disappeared behind a bank of trees, Colt took a deep breath and walked up the front steps. Another buzzer sounded, followed by a click that released the lock. Colt pulled on the handle and walked inside.

The foyer was stark, reminding him of an office building or maybe a bank. There was no art on the walls, the floor was covered in large marble tiles, and a man in a military uniform stood behind the reception area.

Name? he asked, his voice monotone as though the answer didnt matter.

Colt McAlister.

The man pushed a button, activating a metal sphere that rose from the countertop. It flew over Colts head, where it hovered. There were no strings holding it in the air, and once again, he was distracted by thoughts of Trident Industries spying on the entire world with their top secret network. The Internet was filled with rumors about how they were using it to gather intelligence so they could become the most powerful entity in the world. Sure, Colt thought it was ridiculous. Still, if technology like this hovering scanner existed, then anything was possible.

What is that?

Stand still, please, the man said as he looked at a monitor.

Its flying.

An aperture opened beneath the belly of the sphere, bathing Colt in a green spotlight as the sphere spun slowly in place. A dimensional replica of Colt flickered to life next to him. It reminded Colt of an X-ray. He could see his skeleton, as well as the change in his front pocket.

How is it doing that?

The man ignored Colts question. Do you have a phone, camera, or any other type of recording device? he asked.

Colt shook his head.

The man pushed the button once more, and the holographic image of Colt disappeared. The aperture closed and the sphere returned to the desk as the man picked up a duffel bag from the floor and handed it to Colt. You can change in the locker room at the end of the hall.

Thanks. Colt paused, looking at the sphere, then at the man, who didnt return his gaze. He had all the warmth of a robot, and there was clearly no point in asking more questions.

Colt walked down a long corridor before reaching the boys locker room. He was expecting more science-fiction gadgetry, but there was nothing extraordinaryat least nothing that stood out. There were walls of stacked lockers, hooks filled with towels next to open shower stalls, and long benches. A dozen boys about his age were in various states of undress as they changed into black T-shirts with matching cargo pants and combat boots.