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    #9 Shades of Gray- Rise Of The Gorgons
    #9 Shades of Gray- Rise Of The Gorgons
    #9 Shades of Gray- Rise Of The Gorgons
    Ebook333 pages5 hours

    #9 Shades of Gray- Rise Of The Gorgons

    By Kristie Lynn Higgins

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    About this ebook

    The Shades Of Gray Series follows the adventures of Kat, a woman with no memory of her past who is called the Pandora Project by those who hunt her, and Kim, a woman leading the life of a legal assassin called a Life Closer. The world they live in is plagued by clouds that prevent the sun from shining down on the land called Dry Clouds, making all who live in Noir forced to live in endless night.

    Kat searches for clues to her past while androids called Un-Men and human bounty hunters try to kill her, and Kim searches for who murdered her mother. The two women's paths collide, and they form a shaky partnership to unravel the mysteries that haunt their lives and they try to protect one another from those who do not wish for them to discover the truth.

    Everyone's soul is marked by a color. Which shade of gray will they hold to?

    #9 Shades of Gray: Rise of the Gorgons:

    The Chimera Strain has been defeated, and the Chairman moves forward to stop the coup. The Council sees a new future and a frightening threat moves into Noir.

    **Shades of Gray Series**

    (STARTING POINT QUADRILOGY)
    #1 Shades of Gray: Noir, City Shrouded By Darkness
    #2 Shades of Gray: From Moscow, With Love
    #3 Shades of Gray: Cerberus Versus Pandora
    #4 Shades of Gray: Sisters

    (ZOMBIE TWILIGHT QUADRILOGY)
    #5 Shades of Gray: Night Of The Twilight- The Chimera Strain
    #6 Shades of Gray: Dawn Of The Twilight- Outbreak
    #7 Shades of Gray: Day Of The Twilight- Patient Zero
    #8 Shades of Gray: Land Of The Twilight- Closing of Days

    (MYTHS AND DESPAIR QUADRILOGY)
    #9 Shades of Gray: Rise of the Gorgons
    #10 Shades of Gray: Woe To The Watcher
    #11 Shades of Gray: Woe To The One Who Has Held His Heart's Tongue
    #12 Shades of Gray: Woe To The One Who Thought They Could Only Hurt

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherKristie Lynn Higgins
    Release dateApr 5, 2012
    ISBN9781476438221
    #9 Shades of Gray- Rise Of The Gorgons
    Author

    Kristie Lynn Higgins

    You can also check out my author page on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/author/kristielynnhiggins

    Read more from Kristie Lynn Higgins

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      #9 Shades of Gray- Rise Of The Gorgons - Kristie Lynn Higgins

      Chapter One

      Rise Of The Gorgons

      The year 32 A.D.C...

      October 32...

      UnDay...

      4:28 P.M...

      Kat's view...

      The screams and moans I had heard since this hellish nightmare began have fallen to silence. It's the kind of stillness that inspires an inexplicable uneasiness within me. I hear the music box in my pants pocket continuously playing Unfinished Melody. It had been placed on a loop and plays even though the device is closed. Even with it, I feel like I'm engulfed in silence, and I feel isolated from everyone for the first time today. What does it mean? I no longer sense the H-Chies. I no longer sense the Chimera Strain. What happened? Did I win? Did I defeat Anubis? I think I did, but I don't remember. I can't remember how the battle ended. Maybe I lost. Maybe Anubis is bringing about the Twilight, and I'm dead. Maybe that's why there's silence.

      I can remember images. I can remember him slowly dying by my hand, but I also remember saving him, not his life, but I saved the man from the monster he had become; and in turn, I saved myself. So did I win? I must have. So where am I now?

      Sheez... I can't seem to open my eyes. I hear things and feel things. I hear someone breathing hard as if they're running. Actually, I hear at least two people running. I feel my body being jostled about as if I'm a rag doll at the mercy of a little girl carrying it. Am I being carried? No, I feel as though I'm sitting. I'm sitting in a chair, and it's being moved. Maybe it's a wheelchair, so who's pushing me? And where are they taking me?

      I do remember Jacob and R.G. talking after I had released the EFP and collapsed. Their voices were mostly murmurs and seemed to be at a great distance. I believe he put me in a wheelchair and rushed me to an elevator, so am I hearing Jacob? It doesn't sound like him. I think whoever I'm hearing is a woman. Oh my gosh... Is it Kimberly? Is she pushing me in a wheelchair? If it is her, what is she doing? Is she trying to get me out of the building? I hear her complaining.

      For Ares' sake! First you wanted me to hurry up to the roof! Now you're wanting me to hurry back down! I wish you would make up your mind, you little tin can!

      Our best escape was the roof, R.G. said in an altered voice. But Orthos' forces are occupying it. If someone would have told me a coup was in the makings, we wouldn't be having this conversation.

      Kim snapped, I was a little occupied with a xombion invasion! I can't remember everything!

      Oh my gosh, it is Kimberly! What's she doing? I try to move, but my body won't respond. It's like I'm trapped inside myself. I try to speak, but my lips won't work either. I have to tell Kimberly she can't take me out of the building. I have to stay here and make sure that the Chimera Strain doesn't spread. I could still be contagious. I have to tell her, but how? How do I...

      Kimberly has stopped for the moment and then I hear R.G. speaking with someone.

      Who is this woman? a man asked, referring to Kat. Is she infected?

      R.G. replied, No, she isn't infected. She only fainted. She's the Chairman's younger daughter.

      And I'm his oldest daughter, Kim replied, glanced at the man's name on his uniform, and said, Daytona, we're in a hurry. Please let us pass.

      Kim and the group had exited through the back of the Third Branch Office after the helicopter pilot who was coming to get them had informed R.G. a rooftop landing was impossible. The pilot said he would pick them up on the ground level. Now all they had to do was get through the Chairman's men.

      The S.C.M. who was speaking with them was one of twenty stationed to guard the back entrance. He checked his H.H.C. and confirmed Ms. Griffin's identity. He and the other S.C.Ms. had sandbagged the area, forming a wall around the exit. There was only one small entrance in and out of it.

      I can't seem to find a picture of your younger sister, Daytona said.

      Kim stated, There wouldn't be one yet. We were reunited only a couple of days ago.

      Try the visitor passes, R.G. said from the Errand Cat. There should be a record of her there.

      Daytona checked and then said, I've found her. He looked at the picture and the one of the woman in the wheelchair. Katharine Griffin. Daytona questioned, Who is this other woman?

      Stephanie couldn't believe it; they gave Kat her last name. Next they would be giving Kat her birth right. Would anything be left for Stephanie?

      Daytona repeated his question, Who are you?

      I'm Stephanie. I'm...

      Kim interrupted her sister, She's my assistant. Please, let us pass. We need to leave and quickly.

      Assistant?! Stephanie couldn't believe it! Kim gave away her birthright!

      Why do you need to leave? the S.C.M. asked. I thought you said she only fainted. Why are you in such a hurry?

      Because she's a diabetic, and she doesn't have any more insulin on her, R.G. replied. For Ares' sake! We need to get her to a hospital. There's the helicopter that will be picking us up.

      Daytona turned as one landed some distance from them in the back parking lot. He turned and eyed the Errand Cat before he questioned, And why should I listen to a bio-mecha? You have no authority here.

      I do, Kim said. Now let us pass before I call my father and let him know what a pain in my asp you've been.

      Daytona looked to another S.C.M. and that soldier shrugged, so Daytona said, I can't, Ms. Griffin. I need authorization; and right now, we haven't been able to reach the Chairman. I'm sorry, but you'll have to go back inside.

      Let them pass, a S.C.M. commanded as he walked up to them from the helicopter. The Chairman wanted his daughters out of the building ASAP. Their ride's waiting.

      Daytona turned to the soldier, noticed his rank, straightened, and said, Yes, sir. Lieutenant Spriggs. Daytona stepped to the side and let Kim, Kat, Stephanie, and the Errand Cat through.

      They rushed toward the helicopter in the distance as Spriggs ran beside them and said, We need to hurry. Currently there's limited communications between the units. Orthos has set up a jamming signal, so Daytona shouldn't be able to contact the Chairman, at least for a little while. We shouldn't have any problems.

      Can I shoot anyone that gets in our way? Stephanie asked.

      No! If you do, I'll leave you behind, Kim said. Let's go. They ran a few moments more, and Kim questioned R.G., How did you get Katharine Griffin in the system so fast?

      I know a man in a van, and he's been working on the task since we left the Main Lobby, R.G. replied.

      A man in a van, huh? Kim stated. We'll have to thank him later.

      Kat's view...

      Sheez... I can't believe it. Kimberly's taking me out of the Third Branch Office. Doesn't she understand she can't, that it's too dangerous, and that I have to stay here? I can't let the Chimera Strain out into the world, but how can I stop her? I'm powerless to do anything. I can hear the helicopter's blades whirling around. Sheez... She's really doing it! She's taking me away from here! I have to stop her. Even as I'm thinking this, Spriggs has picked me up and handed me to another man. It must be his co-pilot. The other man places me in a seat in the helicopter as Kimberly helps him strap me in. I'm still helpless like a rag doll; and soon everyone is in the helicopter, and Spriggs takes off. And as he does, I slowly slip back into the darkness that I had been in since releasing the EFP. As I leave the present again, I wonder. Kimberly, why did you take me out of this place? Why can't you understand? Things can't go back to the way they were. No matter how much you want them to, too much has changed. I'm not your sister. Stephanie is and you need to treat her like she is. You have to understand, you can't save the little girl you cared about in the past. She no longer exists. I pray you're not taking me back to your apartment. It would be too painful. Too painful for everyone. Too...

      * * *

      4:31 P.M...

      Hellenistic Sector, Residential Vicinage...

      The three sisters had half way finished their ice cream by the time the limo arrived at their new residence. The driver quickly got out of the vehicle, ran around, and opened the back door for them. They exited the limo, licking their cold treat and started for the front gate. Medusa who wore a yellow sundress had gotten vanilla; Stheno who wore a red sundress had gotten strawberry; and Euryale who wore a blue sundress had gotten chocolate. The Gorgons appeared to be blonde headed triplets that were about four years old. In truth, they were much, much older. They had been on ice since Adam Greenhouse deemed them a failure many years ago. They had been reactivated once Adam found out Pandora had not been destroyed. He believed they were their best hope in saving the future.

      Ms. Alex Tiresias exited the car behind them and unfolded her walking cane. She turned and spoke to the driver, Thank you. That's all for today. Have a good evening.

      The driver tipped his hat even though she couldn't see him and said, I'll see you tomorrow then, ma'am. He returned to the driver side and soon drove the limo away.

      Alex used the walking cane to find her way to the entrance. She and the girls were soon buzzed in, and they started for the front of the building. Adam Greenhouse had hired Alex to be the nanny and handler for the three sisters. She was a skilled operative and had worked for the Council for ten years. She had long black hair pulled back in a bun, and she wore sun glasses to hide her eyes. She had been blind since birth. Alex wore a white long sleeve blouse and a black skirt that flowed past her knees. She carried a large purse over her shoulder with a rolled up magazine tucked inside it. Alex said, Medusa, you and your sisters are to follow me up to our new room; and once we reach the room, you three will be briefed on your new assignment. You are not to do anything else unless instructed to. If someone says hello to you, you say hello back that's all. Do you understand?

      We understand, Ms. Tiresias, Medusa replied.

      Euryale asked, When will we be able to return to the playground? I enjoyed the teeter totter. It was very fun.

      Fun? Medusa turned to her youngest sibling and questioned her, What do you mean?

      It made me feel happy, Euryale said.

      Happy? What...

      Alex interrupted Medusa and spoke, I'll see if I can put the playground on the schedule for tomorrow, Euryale. Right now, you need to focus on the duties father wants all of you to complete. Let's go inside. And remember girls, you are to harm no one unless instructed to. Is that understood? Do not use your special gift on them. Your first task is to blend into your environment. What did Mr. Greenhouse tell you?

      Euryale replied, Father told us that we can't let what happened the first time we were activated to happen again.

      Stheno said, He warned us he would be very angry with us if we did so.

      Medusa added, That he would have to punish us.

      That's right, Alex said with a smile. It's very important that you remember. If you want to continue enjoying your freedom, you must do what your father and I tell you. Is that understood?

      Yes, Ms. Tiresias, the girls replied.

      Very good, my little maidens. Let's go in.

      The four of them walked through the entrance. Two security guards manned the front desk, and one of the guards said, Welcome. I hope your evening is going well.

      Medusa broke the formation they had created while walking the sidewalk outside. She headed toward the desk where the two men stood. Her sisters stopped and watched her.

      Alex heard Medusa's footsteps as she veered off course. Alex raised her hand and started to say something, but decided against it. It would be a good test whether or not the Gorgons would obey her. It would be a shame if they failed right from the start, but she needed to know. Alex would listen to Medusa's actions and the reactions of the other girls. It might give her a good idea of what they were thinking and if she needed to make any adjustments to her instructions in the future.

      Medusa curtsied to the two men and said, Hello.

      Aren't you adorable, the older guard said.

      The younger guard commented, They look just like my younger sister when she was four. He frowned as he added, My sister did get all the attention from my parents. She...

      Our guests don't care about your dysfunctional family, the older guard told him and asked her, Have you been in the Hellenistic Sector for long?

      Medusa replied, A couple of days now. We were here years ago. The sector has changed a lot since last I remember.

      The younger guard said, Listen to her, she's talking like some old grandmother.

      The older guard said, There you go again and this time you insulted our guest.

      The younger guard's face paled as he stated, I guess it was kind of rude of me. Please forgive me.

      Medusa wasn't sure what her next action should be, so she turned to Alex and questioned, Are you sure you want these two to remain unharmed? They don't seem very capable of their job. Maybe I should omit them from existence and then the Sphinx Corporation can hire suitable replacements for them.

      Leave them alone, Alex replied. You have your instructions. Alex stood very still, so she could hear across the room as she muttered, Come now, Medusa. Do as I say. Do not harm these men. I can tell you really want to, but you must fight your urges. I don't want to see the three of you returned to your tubes. She bit her lip. My job is also at stake here.

      Medusa turned back to the guards and told them, I must leave you two for now. I would omit your existence, but I have been instructed not to omit anyone. Maybe I'll come back later if the instructions are given. Goodbye. She curtsied again. I hope your evening goes well. She walked back over to her sisters and Alex.

      The two guards glanced at one another. They were stunned silent for a few moments, then the younger chuckled, and said, Isn't she the cutest thing you've ever seen?

      Yeah, it almost makes me wish I had granddaughters, the older guard replied. Almost.

      What do you mean by almost?

      I'd have to have kids first and then there's the diapers and college. It's too much of a mess for me.

      The younger guard questioned, Diapers and college? That's what you see children as?

      Ones that I would have to raise, yes. Now grandchildren are another thing.

      The three sisters and Alex walked to the elevator, Medusa pushed the call button, then a cab opened, and they entered. Medusa pressed the button for their floor; and after a few minutes, the four of them exited the cab and walked through the hallway to their new abode.

      Once they reached the room, Alex said, Apartment Computer System, this is Alex Tiresias. Please open the door.

      Voice confirmed as Alex Tiresias. Opening door, the Apartment Computer System stated in a female computer voice. The door slid sideways, the four of them entered, and walked into the living room.

      Once she felt around and got the layout of the living room, Alex motioned to a couch and said, Please have a seat. She waited a few moments and told them, There should be a H.H.C. on the coffee table in front of each of you. Go ahead and pick them up. The H.H.Cs. were colored yellow, red, and blue. Adam Greenhouse had programmed the Gorgons to associate with a certain color. This helped him train them early on in their development. Alex instructed them, Wake up your devices, and you'll see the file for your next target. She's called the Pandora Project. All the data you'll need is on those files. Study them in depth. This information will help you destroy her.

      Medusa started to look over the files and then questioned, Ms. Tiresias, why are we here? Why did we leave the lab? What is the purpose...

      Adam wants you to observe your target before taking her out, Alex replied. We have come to Nexus Apartments, so that we can live across the hall from her. Apartment S will be your home for now. For the time being, your father wants you to study Pandora. He wants you to learn her strengths and weaknesses. She will not be an easy target like the Closers that were sent after the three of you. You must prepare for this next battle, for she's a dangerous and crafty prey. The three of you must come up with a plan; and above all, never engage her alone. Only attack her when all three of you are ready.

      Medusa questioned, What if the opportunity presents itself during the study period to take out the Pandora Project? Can we go ahead and eliminate her?

      No, Alex replied. For now, you're only to observe her. If you disobey this order, you'll be returned to the Sanctum. Is that understood?

      The girls replied, Yes.

      Good, my little maidens. Now let us go over the brief and then we'll discuss ways to get close to your subject, so that you may study her.

      Chapter Two

      The Coup

      4:35 P.M...

      Hellenistic Sector, Business Vicinage...

      Sphinx Corporation Third Branch Office...

      Level 370...

      Two Main Branch Office S.C.Ms. took out a stretcher with the last of the infected who had been in the Main Lobby. The S.C.Ms. had dark brown uniforms, the word PRIME crested the Sphinx Corporation Emblem of their shoulder patch, and they were armed with a MTAR-21. These were a standard issued 5.56 mm assault rifle. They carried the woman out to a Confinement Cell. More of these confinement areas had been set up to accommodate those who had been infected but were now comatose. The PRIME Units were from the Main Branch Office and had been designated to help with the once infected, allowing the Chairman to use his own S.C.Ms. to deal with Orthos. There were still hundreds of people who had been touched by the Chimera Strain on the upper levels. About sixty Furies who were never infected used the existing command base within the Main Lobby. They refortified the sandbag wall that had taken damage during the battle with Anubis. They set up additional radio and computer equipment within the Main Conference Room. Four of the mini-gun two man crews had been pulled forward from the fall back position. They along with two Proto-Androids guarded the Main Lobby. The Third Branch Office no longer feared attack from xombions or those who had been called H-Chies. The enemy who had to be destroyed or at least stopped was Orthos and his Turncoats.

      In the Main Conference Room...

      Our S.C.M. Units are in position, Chairman, Lieutenant Matthews stated. They await your order to attack.

      Mr. Griffin stood on the stage. Tables filled with equipment were set up near the back part of the stage. He asked, Any word on Captain Creed and his men?

      No, sir. We haven't heard from them since the Chimera Strain went dormant.

      It's still only a theory, Dr. Pathos stated as he walked in from the Main Lobby. He no longer wore the bio-hazard full body suit. I'm talking about the infection. We aren't sure what has happened to the Chimera Strain, so some of my colleagues have speculated that the infection has gone dormant. I don't believe that is so. I would have to refer to my earlier findings. It's as if the Chimera Strain never existed. It's almost as if time itself was turned back.

      We need to know for sure. If the Chimera Strain is dormant, then it means it can resurface. We must do everything in our power to prevent another outbreak, Mr. Griffin said to Pathos then told Matthews, We can no longer wait for Creed and the missing Fury members. Send in the S.C.Ms. and take down Orthos and his Turncoats.

      Yes, sir. Matthews activated an earpiece that used a scrambler and commanded, Lieutenant Farnes, Lieutenant Karson, Lieutenant Timms, and Lieutenant Banks, begin your attack.

      Level 346...

      Acknowledged, Lieutenant Farnes replied and then motioned to the K-99 Unit, the Proto-Android Squad, and the two S.C.M. Units with him. Begin.

      The K-99 Unit moved forward and stopped at a corner. The ten Handlers unclipped their bio-mecha dogs from their leashes and commanded the K-99s, Take down your targets.

      The K-99s ran around the corner and started down a hall heading north. At the end of the hall, two units of Orthos' Turncoats had barricaded themselves behind four sandbag walls. The Turncoats had built their barricade in the intersection of two hallways. In addition to the two units, they had a mounted mini-gun aimed down a hall in each of the four directions. The Turncoats opened up on the ten K-99s running their way; and as the K-99s moved forward, the Proto-Android Squad followed to support them. The Proto-Androids took out the north mini-gun's main operator and focused their fire on the Turncoats manning the north sandbag wall that directly faced them. The K-99s paused halfway down the hall and raised a machine gun from their back compartment. Nine of the K-99s successfully deployed their weapon. The tenth was hit by enemy fire, damaging the raising mechanism. The south mini-gun moved to replace the north. The two man crew set up the mini-gun on its tripod. The damaged K-99 ran forward as the rest of its unit fired on the Turncoats. The Turncoats took out two of the K-99s while the damaged K-99 leaped over the wall, knocking over a Turncoat. The K-99 went for the soldier's throat. It sunk its teeth into the man's neck before his fellow Turncoats disabled the K-99. The five Proto-Androids marched forward. They took out the west mini-gun's crew and turned their focus on the mini-gun that had taken over the north position. The east mini-gun crew moved to the north wall to double their fire power. The two mini-guns fired at the Proto-Androids and took one then another down. The seven K-99s and three Proto-Androids continued firing, killing five more Turncoats.

      A Turncoat radioed, Orthos, this is Lieutenant Endis. I have lost a third of my men. I'm requesting backup.

      Backup is on its way, Orthos replied. They should arrive in about three minutes.

      Back around the corner...

      The K-99 Handlers monitored their dog bio-mechas using a specially designed large screen H.H.C. which was linked to their dogs' video camera. They used the devices to command their dogs on which Turncoat to focus their fire. The H.H.Cs. also showed the handlers the status of their dog from energy output to their ammunition count.

      A soldier from among the S.C.M. Units approached Lieutenant Farnes. The soldier had been monitoring motion detector software on his own H.H.C. and he stated, Sir, I'm picking up movement coming up behind our position.

      Farnes pointed in that direction and ordered, Take one other with you and go see what it is.

      Yes, sir. The S.C.M. motioned to another, and the two S.C.Ms. ran to the western end opposite where the fighting was taking place. He used a recently issued experimental H.H.C. with a telescope camera to peek around the corner. The device showed him video of the hall. The S.C.M. viewed the video, activated his earpiece, and reported, Lieutenant Farnes, we have five HAT-Ds moving our way.

      Hold your position. Farnes glanced back to the west where the two S.C.Ms. were. I'll send some backup to you. He pointed to some men with him and commanded them, You five go.

      The five S.C.Ms. rushed through the hall as the two S.C.Ms. at the western corner opened up on the five HAT-Ds. As soon as they joined them, the support S.C.Ms. also shot at the HAT-Ds.

      A female S.C.M. approached Farnes and

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