Free Codename Summer (Undercover Embassy, Book Four) by Aubrey Ross Page B

and ensured their physical connection. “Can we do this every morning?”
    “You’ll get no argument from me.” He started to kiss her again then suddenly tensed and jerked his head to the side, squeezing his eyes shut.
    “Are you all right?” She disentangled their bodies and sat beside him, reaching for his face. He caught her wrist and warned her off with a stiff shake of his head. Silence stretched on as his features twisted into an unreadable mask.
    “Fuck.” He released her hand and crawled off the bed, running both hands through his hair.
    “What’s the matter?” Her confusion was rapidly turning to fear. “What just happened?”
    “Inwatta’s replacement has arrived. I’ve been summoned to sector three headquarters.”
    * * * * *
     
    It was like looking into a mirror. Malik stood in front of the stately oak desk with his hands clasped behind his back. Though also housed within the Pentagon, sector three headquarters was in an entirely different section of the massive building than the Hub. Malik had known what to expect when he was ushered into Fibarre’s office. But knowing the Gathosian leader intended to inhabit the first clone and actually conversing with the creature were two entirely different things.
    “You’re the best judge of our success,” Fibarre said. “Will this body pass for Bartonese?” The clone’s voice sounded odd, almost synthesized, but his physical appearance was uncanny. And damn creepy.
    “I didn’t realize passing for Bartonese was one of your objectives.” He tried to sound calm and nonconfrontational, but he wanted to lunge across the desk and beat Fibarre to an unrecognizable pulp. Thanks to his unique physiology, Malik was now the face of the Gathosian high command!
    “Without the limitations of our humanoid hosts we intend to become more proactive. Far too many of our recent challenges should have been preempted, or at least dealt with before they escalated beyond our control.”
    “I understand, sir. How can I assist you?”
    “Scan my mind. What do you sense?”
    Malik hesitated. Was this some sort of trap? Seeing no option but compliance, he lightly scanned the clone’s mind. Energy saturated his receptors, the rhythm hauntingly familiar. “You scan Bartonese. In fact, your energy pattern is identical to mine.” That was an exaggeration. Even with only the lightest of touches he could sense Gathosian energy as well. But Fibarre still seemed subdued. Apparently his showdown with Inwatta had resulted in a lasting weakness. Still, there was no telling how long it would take for him to recover. The next time Malik saw Ra’jen he would reemphasize the need for haste.
    “That’s wonderful.” Fibarre grinned and Malik’s stomach knotted. “With just the two of us it will be possible for others to keep track of our whereabouts. But once there are hundreds of us moving freely throughout the sectors, no one will be sure if they are being observed by one of us, or you.”
    Once there were hundreds of copies of him running around there would be no reason to keep him alive. Well, they might put him in stasis or cryogenic suspension in case they needed to refresh the template, but he wasn’t a fool. The prototype appeared to be operating flawlessly, which meant Malik’s days were numbered.
    “Congratulations on your progress.” He even managed to produce a stiff smile. “May I ask a question?”
    “Regarding?”
    “Your host body.”
    Fibarre’s gaze narrowed and Malik thought he’d refuse. Then the Gathosian said, “Considering your contribution to the project, I suppose curiosity is understandable.”
    “How functional are the clones when they are not occupied?”
    Fibarre paused to stroke his chin, a gesture Malik frequently employed when he was contemplative. “When not occupied the clones are only able to obey rudimentary commands. They are not sentient beings. They are biological containers, nothing more.”
    “I see.” Diffusing his signal,