Extraits

The chopper came slipping out of the sky toward him, coming in low, the rope flying like a slinky tail. Behind him, the forest went strangely silent. No gunfire. He didn't stop. He leapt for the rope, his gloved hands catching hold, the jerk so strong it nearly pulled his arms out of their sockets. Still, his enhanced strength allowed him to hang on while the chopper began to climb.

He was twenty feet up when he felt the sting in his thigh, and his heart stuttered with instant awareness. He glanced down to see a dart protruding from his muscle and knew why the terrorists' weapons had gone silent. They had a sniper, and he wasn't armed with a bullet. He armed with a virus. If Draden went up into the helicopter, he was condemning everyone in it to the same death as those in the village. Without real conscious thought, he let go of the rope, dropping out of the sky and back to earth.

'Virus injection.' It was the best information he could give then, so they would know to leave him behind.

- Every soldier needs a commander and it looks like I’m yours.

- You’re a soldier. You need a commander. What makes you the boss?

- I’m bigger than you are, Draden said, his voice just a little arrogant.

Shylah refrained from answering. What was the point? He was bigger.