Free HASH: Human Alien Species Hybrid by April M. Reign Page A

voice was all but oozing.
    “They’re children. Let them go.” Dr. Stevens kneeled down next to us from a location where we could see over a few boxes directly at Startech’s goons.
    “They are not people, Stevens! They are extraterrestrial beings that could cause havoc if they’re released into the world.”
    “Jade is human!”
    “Jade is contaminated! And you’re aiding and abetting which might be considered treason by the government, should this attempted escape action leak out past Startech.”
    Dr. Stevens glanced at Aric and me and then focused back on Professor Ahern. “This is inhumane.”
    “There you go with that humane stuff again. You’ve let your emotions become vested in a project, Stevens. You’re destroying your credentials and career because of two subjects that should have been terminated long ago. We don’t need them anymore and knowing that, you’re willing to throw away everything?”
    Em now flickered near us, her hands on her hips. “Hey, what does she mean she doesn’t need us? I thought they wanted you two for breeding.”
    My heart was racing and my eyes wide when I responded to Em. “Yeah, you showed me the emails and documents that said they needed us to have a baby?”
    Em shrugged.
    Dr. Stevens reached over and grabbed my arm. “Jade, Startech had a breakthrough last night. They were able to find a way to clone Aric using his DNA and so, they don’t need you two. The only thing they need is the metal from your back and the metal from Aric. I read the email just after you left my office. This is why I thought I should get you out today .”
    “They’re not taking either one of us,” Aric said.
    “So, what’s it going to be, Stevens?” Professor Ahern yelled out. “You want to come out and do this the peaceful way, or are we going in there to get the subjects that Startech paid good money for?”
    “Doctor?” Aric said. “Where’s the vial of my blood? Where is the room where they discovered they could clone me?”
    “It’s on the other side of the facility. It’s under maximum security and lockdown. You’ll never get it.”
    “I’ve no choice. My DNA map holds more information than you humans realize.”
    Em maneuvered to Dr. Stevens’ other side. “He’s right. It’s dangerous and deadly for them to clone Aric. They don’t have certain elements from our planet that would make the clone compassionate and obedient. Aric has to get that vial of blood and any other blood that the Institute might have.”
    “That’s impossible! That’s sixteen years of testing.” Dr. Stevens glanced from us back to Professor Ahern.
    “Then we destroy this place and everything in it.” Em flickered again.
    Aric stood up. “No, my ship is here. It’s the only way we can get back.”
    I stood, upset that he was so quick to think about leaving. “Get back where? You grew up here. This is where you belong.”
    Dr. Stevens stood. “We need a game plan. We can worry about the semantics of all of this later, but right now, if they capture either of you, they will kill you.”
    Aric stepped closer to me and pulled me into his arms. Comforted by this familiar place against his chest, I wasn’t sure what happened when I heard a shot ring out.
    All I know is that I watched Dr. Stevens body fly through the air and hit the wall hard, leaving a trail of blood as she slid down the wall to her butt on the ground.
    Slow motion. Everything moved so slow that I heard another bullet whiz past our heads and I heard Professor Ahern’s voice in contralto yell, “Cease fire! Cease fire. Tranquilizers only!”
    Aric already had me to the ground, was covering my body when a sharp-pointed tranquilizer hit the stuccoed wall.
    Aric’s voice was rugged and angry. I saw the metal on his arm flowing like a river of silver contained in the walls of his arms. I even heard him growl, but I was too scared to look up and see what was going on.
    I could hear Em next to Dr. Stevens, assessing her