And Jake didn’t know if he had bought himself more trouble than he could handle with his defiance. In the long run, Jake didn’t think it mattered ...ow he treated the investigator. Based on what he knew of the Council from his father and from Grubb, he didn’t think he would ever allow himself to submit to it. He would just as soon submit to the Coxes.The flight had been taxing, and the hotel bed was very comfortable. Jake drifted off.He woke when the bedroom door burst open and Kara and Julie. The black and white clarity of the picture captured every crack and stain on the pale cement as well as the words written across it in a demented scrawl. The lettering was black, but Lori knew as everyone else did that in the world of color it had been a crimson red. ‘Oh Jesus,’ Lori gripped the arms of her chair, ‘Oh Jesus.’ Four names had been spelled out across the wall in thick blood. Some of the letters had dribbled and ran before they dried, but the language was clear and concise despite. They whispered I love yous and Youre amazings back and forth before Josh leaned in for a kiss. A quick peck on the lips was all he could sneak in as the teacher was again hovering around them. Josh looked over at Katie and Alex, seeing that the boy was staring deeply into his dates eyes. Josh barely saw him move his lips closer before Katie turned her face down, resting her head on Alexs shoulder, trying to play off the rejection. Josh couldnt help but snicker quietly, which caused Ashley to. If there’s resistance, you have my permission to use any means necessary to subdue the enemy. Don’t make too much of a mess though. Remember, you have to live with those janitors.”The aliens chuckled under their full-faced combat visors, green HUDs flaring to life through the dark glass as they activated their onboard computers. Moralez drew his XMH handgun from its leather hip holster, twirling it in his polymer fingers. It was considerably heavier than any model that an unaugmented human.