Prologue

From her tiny office, Anya Stroud was on her ninth cup of coffee and up for more than thirty-two hours, catching a breather before shutting down her computer for the night.

The woman moved some long blonde hair from her shoulders and lazily glanced at the reports that she was cleaning up off her email from the server. She admitted that she had to keep better track of them, but there were so many attacks recently that manning the command center came first. Besides, who had time for email when everyone had radios? She could just call whoever she wanted and they would come running.

It got better when she was put into armor and trained to hold a gun. Then she could find whoever she needed and be prepared for whatever came her way.

Glancing through the emails, she saw one that intrigued her and began to read. It looked like a report that had been lost between the cracks. Glossing over it, the word Imulsion caught her attention and then she opened the file.

There was a PDF file attached, along with two other attachments that looked like names.

Curious, Anya opened the report and was devastated to read what it contained. The fact that it was a secret laboratory was no surprise to her, but the fact that they were messing with Imulsion in humans was something repulsive. After hearing first hand about the Locust and the glowies, she was horrified to find her kind were experimenting with stuff that should be left alone.

She forced herself to read the entire report and then looked at the file on the individual that was named.

It was a girl named Rose Lithral, who couldn't have been any older than 16 at first glance. Something about her face said that she had seen more of her fair share of troubles, even if she was smiling in the picture. Her raven hair was pulled back and the eyes staring back through her spectacles commanded an air about her.

Her history was complex and Anya knew she would have to forward this over to Colonel Hoffman. Maybe he could use a sharp mind like hers to help with what was going on. Her dossier did state she was an expert with Imulsion.

She damned Prescott for taking Adam Fenix away and knew Hoffman may want her solely as an upper edge for what the Chairman did. However, she'd have to clear it with him before doing anything.

The warrant on her stated crimes against humanity but Anya could guess it was bullshit. They tagged Adam Fenix and let his own son think he was dead for years before showing them an encrypted disk, followed by how he had been alive on a secret base.

Anya couldn't imagine hearing something like that and knew Marcus was torn up about it but couldn't voice it to anyone.

Before leaving her desk, she made a quick email to Colonel Hoffman and sent the files his way, sending a quick note inside the body of the email.

"Someone sent these. Unknown but figured you should see. Be in tomorrow morning."

After sending the email, Anya made the computer shut down, pushed in the chair and moved out of the room before considering working some more.

Her body protested against the movement, but she needed to get some sleep. There was a briefing tomorrow about a new mission that would take place and she had a feeling that Delta would be involved. Apprehension coursed through her like always when she was alone, worried for her boys.

Surprised followed next when she got to her door and saw that Marcus Fenix was waiting there with an irritated look on his face.

"I got caught up in something," she said.

Marcus grunted. "You said that an hour ago. When's the last time you slept?"

The silence while she thought wasn't a good answer.

He opened the door and ushered her inside. "It's not the best, but at least there's room to sleep inside."

She wished he wouldn't be like this all the time. Just once she'd like him to sweep her off her feet and be a little romantic. But that wasn't Marcus at all. Just the fact that he cared about her was more than enough. "Thanks." Anya started to head inside, ready to collapse on her feet.

"I ah—"

Anya paused and saw a little color on his cheeks. "You don't have to ask. It's not like everyone doesn't know, already."

"Hmph." His arm awkwardly went around her neck. "Debriefing's tomorrow. Hope you're ready for your first mission."

Hearing that surprised her and she gazed at him. "You're doing that thing again."

"What thing?"

Her hand touched his face. "We're off the clock." She took out his comm piece and shut it off. Then moved to do her own. "And if you're staying here, I don't think you want the children hearing everything we're doing."

Marcus cracked a little bit of a smile. "Baird and his wiseass jokes."

"I found a file, Marcus."

"Thought you didn't want to talk shop."

"It may come up tomorrow and they may make me stay behind. Figured you should know." She ushered him inside.

"What kind of shit is it?"

Anya started taking off her armor. "Stuff no human should mess with. Imulsion experiments on humans."

His eyes turned dark. "That's brutal."

"Yeah, and there's a girl who's been pinned for it. Can't be any older than 16."

Marcus sighed. "Damn. Young."

When her armor was stripped, she put her hands on her hips. "I'm not hugging you with that on you, Marcus. Take it off."

Slowly he shrugged out of it and let it hit the floor, then reached over for her. When they had nights together, they were usually rushed and lustful. But she could tell tonight was different and he only embraced her close.

If she asked what was going on, Marcus would shut down. So she left it alone and just basked in the warmth for now, hoping that the next day would go alright for them. Just being on the same squad for a mission soothed her nerves a little.

But her in his arms was more than just relief. Despite their facade, it let her know Marcus still cared.