Remember Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker #3)(37)

Tyson gave him a weary once-over and grudgingly shook his head. “No, but—”

“Aren’t you glad that you have other PACs with you?” Major Wilks turned his gaze to me. “Aren’t you relieved to know that you’re not alone? Don’t you think others out there might want to meet you, too? Have your support?”

Neither Tyson nor I had a good answer for this. We shared a look that said so much. We were both extremely relieved to have each other, and we both wanted to search out others like us. But that didn’t mean we trusted the military with that task.

Major Wilks understood our hesitation. “If we had that software, you could be in charge of that program,” he said, his eyes shifting back and forth between Tyson and me. “Abiodun too. The three of you could contact and recruit, or simply let them know we exist and are there to help if they ever need it.”

Tyson and I exchanged another glance. The offer was tempting. Plus, we really needed Geek. I raised an eyebrow at Tyson, and he gave me a slight nod. I turned my attention to Major Wilks. “No one uses that program without us, and we don’t even open it until after we get our friends back from Donovan.”

Major Wilks didn’t hesitate for even a fraction of a second. “Agreed. The project is yours, Angel. And Donovan is our top priority. Will you join us, or not?”

I looked around the large command center and then at all of the soldiers I’d met so far. Each of their faces was hopeful and encouraging. I had to admit, a part of me wanted this, even if I was afraid of it, but I wasn’t quite ready to trust. “That verdict is still out, but you can have the microchips. Just know that if you ever misuse any of the data you gain from it—assuming you can crack it at all—this place will end up an empty crater to match the one I made in Las Vegas.”

Major Wilks’s eyes flashed at the threat, but he kept his mouth shut. After a long, tense moment he gave me a terse nod. “I understand.”

“Good. As long as we’re clear.”

I turned back to Geek, once again holding up the microchips. He held out his hands to me, palms up, fingers curling in a frantic “give me” gesture. “Fair warning,” I told him. “You might not be able to crack these. Teddy is more than a genius. His brain is overly developed or something. It’s why he has the power of telekinesis. His mind can do things that most humans can’t. I’ve seen him with a computer—all electronics, really. It’s almost like he can speak to the technology. Even if you’re the best in the world, you might not be able to break his encryption.”

Geek shook his head, letting out a scoff of envy and awe, but his eyes gleamed at the challenge. His eagerness made me smile. Computer hackers were all the same. “Lucky jerk,” he said, blinking down at the microchips now in his hand. “That has to win—hands down—for the coolest superpower ever. No offense, Angel.”

I laughed, allowing the opinion, and dropped the pouch into Geek’s waiting palm. “Have a ball, my nerdy friend. Let me know if you crack it.”

Geek immediately took the small chips over to his workstation. I stopped him before he could insert one of them into his computer. “You may want to use a laptop or something that’s not connected to your mainframe. I’m sure those things are booby-trapped with all kinds of nasty viruses. Teddy has a twisted sense of humor.”

Geek pulled his hand back and grinned at me with sparkling eyes. “Thanks for the tip, Angel.”

“Good luck.”

Major Wilks frowned at me. “Do you really think Geek’s chances of cracking those microchips are that low?”

“Yes.” I cringed, and then waved an apologetic hand in Geek’s direction. “Sorry, Geek. No offense.”

Geek only grinned. “None taken, but I’ll be happy to prove you wrong.”

“Hope so, bud.” I liked Geek.

“Then we’ll need a backup plan,” Major Wilks decided, bringing me back on topic. “I have an idea I’d like to run by you, if you’re up for a mission with the team?”

I nodded. “If it will get Teddy and the other PACs back, I’m in. I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Major Wilks nodded, pleased. “Thank you, Angel.” He turned to Eyes. “Gather the team. Debriefing room in twenty minutes.”





My tour was cut short and we headed straight for the gym. “How come you’re all so sure Ryan will be in the training room?” I asked as Johnny G and Tyson gushed about how awesome the place was and how much I was going to love it. “He doesn’t strike me as the workout-all-the-time meathead type.”

“Nah, that’s Smut,” Shortstop said, causing the others to laugh. “He’ll be there, too. Ryan’s just trying to catch up, I think.”

I didn’t understand. “Is he behind?”

Shortstop shrugged. “All of us were plucked from different elite military squads. I was a Ranger.”

“I was Special Forces,” Johnny G added.

“Romeo went through basic boot camp and then came straight here. We brought him on because of all his experience with you and Teodoro. Plus, he had Tyson and Abiodun with him, and they wouldn’t come without him.”

“He’s a good kid,” Major Wilks said. “Works hard. But he’s inexperienced. He doesn’t like knowing that.”