Free The Portal (A Delphi Group Thriller Book 2) by John Sneeden Page A

in the 1990s, but they were three of the most uneventful years of his career.
    “I was only there for—”
    “The Americans have found something in Brazil, north of the Amazon.” He raised his eyebrows and said, “We don’t have all of the details, but we believe it may involve alien technology.”
    Zheng’s eyes widened. “Aliens? As in extraterrestrials?”
    “Is there another kind?” Kong asked pointedly.
    “Surely we don’t believe it’s true,” Zheng asked. “The Americans are known to chase all sorts of silly things.”
    Kong drew in a deep breath and said, “Whether it’s true or not doesn’t really matter. What matters is the Chairman of the Central Military Commission thinks it’s important, and if he thinks it’s important, then we think it’s important.”
    Zheng stiffened at the mention of the chairman. “I understand. But how could there be alien technology in the middle of the jungle?”
    Kong shrugged. “The chairman believes a craft may have crashed there, something like that. He believes we could find some sort of new metal, new propulsion system… who knows what.”
    “Interesting.”
    A phone vibrated on Kong’s desk. The general picked it up and stared at the screen. “That is the chairman. He probably wants to make sure everything has been communicated.” Kong rose from his seat. “You will now go to see Lieutenant General Huang, who will brief you on the details of your operation.”
    Zheng stood, a frown forming on his face. “My operation?”
    Kong fixed his gaze on the colonel. “You’re leading a team to Brazil, Zheng. You’re the highest ranking officer with experience in that part of the world.”
    Zheng felt a rush of panic. He hadn’t been out in the field in years, which had suited him just fine. “Do we know the dates?” he asked. “I want to make sure I’m back from my vacation in time.”
    Kong frowned. “Vacation?” He gave a brief chuckle. “There will be no vacation, Zheng. You can take it when you get back. Your mission begins in two days.”
    “Two days. I—”
    “That will be all, Zheng.” Kong nodded toward the door.
    Zheng turned slowly, scarcely able to believe the strange turn of events. It would do no good to argue. If the chairman had appointed him as team lead, then there would be no way out. He grabbed the knob and turned it.
    “Oh, and Zheng,” Kong said.
    Zheng turned back toward the general.
    “You should feel honored to lead this operation. You’re going to have a special guest.”
    Zheng’s brow furrowed. “Someone I know?”
    “You’ve probably heard of him.” He paused for dramatic effect then said, “Ho Chen.”
    Ho Chen. Where had he heard that name before? Zheng searched the recesses of his mind but was unable to bring anything to the surface.
    Seeing his confusion, Kong smiled. “You may know him better by his other name, Jùrén.”
    Zheng’s pulse quickened. The Giant. So, all the whispers were true. He did exist. The man, if he could even be called that, was said to stand seven-and-a-half feet tall with arms the size of tree trunks. Some believed he was an anomaly of nature, while others believed he was the product of genetic manipulation. Whatever his origin, he was said to be the most powerful man on earth. Those who believed he’d been cooked up in a lab said that he was likely a forerunner to soldiers of the future, massive men who could move as quickly as a leopard. One officer had even told Zheng that Ho could lift the end of a car as easily as others could lift a coffee table.
    “I guess he wasn’t just a rumor after all,” Zheng finally said.
    Kong smiled. “I can assure you that Jùrén is quite real, Zheng. In fact, you’re going to meet him tomorrow morning.”

CHAPTER TEN
    Manaus, Brazil
     
    AMANDA HIGGS LET out a long sigh as the cab driver used his nicotine-stained fingers to count out her change for the third time. Could this get any more frustrating? The last twenty-four hours had been