Page 3 of He Is Jensen: Part One

“I’m not soldier material,” I say, because damn it, I’m just a kid in a trailer park who self-taught myself to hack.

“You’re your father’s son,” Sherman replies. “Mark my words, boy. You have soldier in you. I’ll make sure of it.”

My Grandmom gulps another swallow, her teal green eyes that match my own, the only familiar thing left in her. We aren’t alike. We were never alike, but we are family. But she looks at me now with blame in her eyes. I killed my mother. As if I really did. She thinks I did, and that guts me over and over.

The booze could never quite kill her contempt.

Realization washes over me with an acid burn. I’m literally her problem, and that’s not a flippant side note. The best thing I can do for her is to leave and give her a chance to heal. To get as far away from her as I can and stay there.

My gaze meets Sherman’s. “She’ll be taken care of?”

“You have my word.”

“I’ll expect that in writing.”

A hint of respect flickers in the man’s expression. “As well you should.”

“Don’t suppose you’d wait until after tomorrow night to sign me up and ship me off?” They gave me deadpan looks in reply. “No. I didn’t think so.” My date with Layla’s officially cancelled.

The State of Things

There is a warraging with humanity’s existence in jeopardy…

Five years ago, General Powell told a large group of soldiers stationed at Groom Lake they were updating their immunizations. Instead, they were given alien DNA and converted into super soldiers, or GTECHs, as they are called. All GTECHs can windwalk, heal rapidly, and possess super strength, while some developed unique additional skills. Some also developed an X2 gene mutation that created a violent nature.

Caleb and Julian Rain are twins. Caleb is loyal to his country and humanity. Julian believes humanity is now the weaker race. He plans to rule the world and overthrows Groom Lake with every intent of driving toward his goal.

Julian is positive for the X2 gene. Caleb, to date, is not. They are two brothers pitted against one another. Caleb remains the good guy, the leader of his followers, whom he calls the Renegades, protectors of humanity. The Renegades stand with the US government.

Julian’s followers are the Zodius, a dangerous and well-enforced group that humans must fear. Though there are many humans who will pay to be on Juilan’s good side and plenty of wealthy people who will pay to become GTECH. This allows Julian resources and money.

The war continues…

Chapter one

Jensen

Fourteen years later…

Islip into theshadowy recesses of a dark Las Vegas alley, hot on the trail of what is one of the ever-elusive, nearly impossible-to-locate ICE dealers pedaling the newest variety of “sin” in the city. But then, I suppose that when you’re selling top-secret Area 51 military technology laced with alien DNA, you tend to be more careful than the average scumbag drug dealer. ICE being is Julian’s newest attempt to force the city into dependency and grow his “perfect race,” his evolution of humanity.

“Not on my watch,” I murmur, determined to locate the ICE warehouse.

The dealer halts up close and personal in front of his buyer—an ICE Junkie, or “Pledge,” as they’re called on the streets. Twoburly dudes flank the dealer—his bodyguards—their attention hyper-focused in front of them.

It's the break I’ve been waiting for.

“Where’s the money, Charles?” the dealer demands.

“I won’t have it until tomorrow,” Charles replies, hugging himself, his teeth chattering. “But I’ll get you the money. I just need a hit. I’m begging you, David. Please. Give me a hit.” He wheezes, a loud, wet noise that sounds like death barely warmed over. Considering withdrawal from ICE has already produced six dead Pledges this month alone, all of which were found to have organs shriveled up like prunes, I’m pretty damn sure this dude really does need that hit.

If I know this, the dealer does as well, but he doesn’t care. “No money. No ICE.”

“Tomorrow,” Charles promises, his voice quavering. “Tomorrow I get paid. I’ll pay you double. Please, man. Please. I need…that hit.”

“Is this what you want?” the dealer taunts, producing a small vial of clear liquid from his pocket—ICE, which slides down the user’s throat with a subzero effect and creates temporary superhuman speed and powers. Our scientific team has determined it to be a synthetic version of the original GTECH serum, but with unidentifiable components. And identifying those components has proven critical to developing a method of safe withdrawal.

“Yes, please, David!” Charles shouts desperately. “Please! I have to have a hit.”

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