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Confronting the Void [MultiFormat]
eBook by Steve Lazarowitz
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eBook Category: Science Fiction/Romance
eBook Description: Major Jack McDaniel was sent to look for a missing friend. What he finds is something infinitely more dangerous--renegade drug users on the moon, a spaceship that refuses to obey ordinary commands, and ultimately a power far beyond anything human.
eBook Publisher: BooksForABuck, Published: 2004
Fictionwise Release Date: February 2005
Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [842 KB], eReader (PDB) [131 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [113 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [102 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [145 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [159 KB], hiebook (KML) [312 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [219 KB], iSilo (PDB) [92 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [116 KB], Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [176 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [151 KB]
Words: 34557
Reading time: 98-138 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
 
Chapter OneMajor Jack McDaniel was at home when the soldiers arrived. He'd seen the type before--short hair, clean-shaven, stiff as boards and about as much fun as a hernia operation. He had learned over the years to deal with such men, but from where he was standing, they could all use a bit of humanity and gentle humor. The encoded disc they presented him was keyed to his personal computer system and required a retina check before it would reveal its message. The information contained on the disc was minimal, but it was enough. "Code orange. Report immediately to the Security Council." McDaniel's reaction had been almost instantaneous. "There must be some mistake." The first of the soldiers, the larger of the two, shook his head. "I'm afraid not, Major. Your presence has been requested by the general staff." "But I'm a psychiatrist. I have nothing to do with the combat division." "I realize that, Sir. Still, I must insist that you accompany us immediately." "This is very irregular. Look, my wife is out shopping. She'll be home in a few minutes. Surely this can wait for..." "I'm sorry, Sir, but that is unacceptable. My orders are quite specific. If necessary, I'm to bring you in by force. You can contact your wife from the Pentagon." McDaniel stared in disbelief, first at the guard, then back to the code orange on his screen. He leaned forward, pressed the erase button and walked toward the door. "Let's get this over with." The guards flanked him down the hallway, into the lift and outside to the waiting hovercar. Major Jack McDaniel drew a breath, climbed into the back seat and turned slowly to the soldier sitting beside him. "So," he asked, forcing himself to sound casual. "What kind of emergency so desperately requires a psychiatrist's touch?" The guard continued to look straight ahead. "I have no idea, Sir. My instructions were to bring you in. You'll be briefed upon your arrival." McDaniel hadn't really expected an answer. He looked out the window watching the scenery fly by, slowly at first, then faster as the car accelerated. Only once did he turn to see if he could catch a glimpse of his wife returning home. * * * *McDaniel had been to the Pentagon before, but it was his first time appearing before the Security Council. The room was much as he'd seen it on newscasts, except from his current vantage it looked smaller, though it was no less intimidating. He had barely entered when Reginald Terrence, the head of the council, spoke to him. "You're going to be traveling to the moon." "The moon! What the hell for?" In spite of the fact he was surrounded by superiors, McDaniel couldn't keep the edge from his voice. "Sit down, Major." He lowered himself slowly into a seat. He did not, however, relax. "Listen, if you're sending me away, aren't I entitled to know why?" The men in the room looked at each other. In spite of his position, McDaniel was the lowest ranking officer present. Eventually Admiral Edison responded. "Have you ever heard of the Century Drive?" "Rumors only. I wasn't certain it existed." "It does. It exists and has been tested. The results have been beyond our most enthusiastic expectations." McDaniel shook his head to clear it. "So we have the ability to travel faster than the speed of light?" "Not quite yet. We did a test run several months ago with a single human subject. He came through the Void with flying colors, but shortly after, experienced a complete personality alteration. He became taciturn, aggressive, mistrustful ... almost paranoid. He resigned shortly after with no explanation. He moved to New Amsterdam and subsequently disappeared. We've been unable to locate him since. You can see why we need a psychiatrist." "Yes and no. I can see why you need one, but not why you need me. I'm not affiliated with combat division and I was never trained for the mission you describe. I'm certain Intelligence has their own equally qualified personnel." "That solution was discussed, but has not been acted upon for two reasons. First, there is a leak in the Intelligence sector. If there wasn't, you wouldn't have heard rumors about the Century Drive in the first place." "That's one reason. What's the other?" "The first man to cross the Void was Lieutenant Commander Brandon Alexander." McDaniel stood up. "What!" "I see you remember him, Major." "Of course I do. We were inseparable at the Academy. But after he transferred to Intelligence, I've hardly heard a word from him. You mean to tell me he was the subject for the test run?" "That is precisely what I mean to tell you." "I know Brandon. If he doesn't want to be found, you'll never find him." "We know that. Which doesn't mean you won't be able to. You know him as well as anyone alive. He was your partner in psychic studies. The two of you had an almost uncanny rapport. Your instructor wrote several papers on it." "I know. I've read them." "Then you should understand why you're so necessary to this mission. Alexander hasn't made many friends since his academy days. Even back then, he was a loner." "He didn't like people very much." "He liked you." McDaniel nodded. "Okay. I get the picture. I have a few things to pack. I have to contact my wife..." "I'm sorry, but there's no time," interrupted Admiral Edison. "We'll contact your wife for you. The Shuttle for Cape Canaveral leaves at 1600." McDaniel looked at his watch. "But that's less than fifteen minutes from now." "Quite correct, Major. The shuttle will be departing promptly and you are going to be on it."
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