Undaunted (Battle Born Book 6) Read Online Free Page B

that his interest in Berlynn was intensely personal, Garin changed the subject. “Are Ashley and Raina still doing well?” They were the first two females to undergo the transformation.
    “All of their scans have been perfect, and Indigo had the first injection this morning. All we need now are more willing females.”
    “I’m working on it.”
    The laboratories and medical facilities were on a high security level, so Kaden and Garin were scanned again before the elevator accepted the voice command. The outside of the Intrepid was intentionally ordinary. The same could not be said of the interior. Transparent walls muffled sound while allowing the labs to feel less claustrophobic. Garin paused as he stepped out of the elevator. Holographic displays and simulators guided the researchers in their various tasks. He couldn’t begin to guess what most of the equipment did, but it was certainly impressive.
    A wide corridor led directly from the elevator to the clinic. Unlike the research area, the clinic had alloy walls to protect the privacy of the patients. The doors parted as they approached and Kaden paused, allowing Garin to precede him.
    Though regular updates kept Garin well informed about progress and setbacks, it had been several weeks since he made a personal appearance on board the Intrepid . Tangible awareness rippled through the room as the crewmembers noticed his arrival. Dr. Darrin Mintell, the senior medical staff member, hurried forward as a hush fell over the room.
    “General Nox. Commander,” Mintell greeted them in turn. “What brings you by today?”
    A hint of defensiveness in Mintell’s tone made Garin smile. “Relax. You’re not in trouble.” He waited until the tension in the doctor’s shoulders eased. “Actually, I need a favor.”
    “Of course. If it’s within my power, it’s yours.”
    Kaden made a sound part scoff and part snort. “He’s never this accommodating with me.”
    “I have to put up with your harassment on a daily basis.” Mintell softened the complaint with a smile. “So, what’s the favor, sir?”
    Feeling rather foolish, Garin held out the hairbrush. “I need a DNA analysis.”
    Kaden and Mintell exchanged knowing looks as the doctor took the hairbrush from Garin. “If you’ll follow me, sir. This will just take a few minutes.”
    Mintell led the other two into an adjoining procedures room. Again, Garin was struck by all the sophisticated equipment. The exam table hovered in midair, allowing unlimited adjustments with just the touch of one hand.
    The doctor put the hairbrush on a small oblong pad and activated a holo-display in front of him. The double helix shared by all humanoid species appeared, rotating in a slow spiral. The doctor zoomed in on one section and then another, pausing to enter commands via the control matrix. “The subject is female.”
    “I’m interested in her ancestry,” Garin admitted, hoping to speed the process along. “Is she pureblood Rodyte?”
    Mintell entered several commands and then studied the display. “How strange.”
    Not words Garin was hoping to hear. “What does that mean?”
    “At first glance, I would have said yes, but now I’m not so sure.” He activated a different function and the DNA strand disappeared, replaced by lines and lines of coded information. “It’s running a comprehensive comparison against our database.”
    Kaden moved closer to Garin and lowered his voice as he asked, “Is this about her abilities or is your interest of a more personal nature?”
    Garin glowered, allowing his impatience to show. “What do you think?”
    “Have you tested your compatibility?” Any other commander would have backed off, but Kaden was a friend as well as a subordinate.
    “Okay, here we go,” Mintell drew their attention back to the display. “Her DNA analyses eighty-eight percent Rodyte and twelve percent…inconclusive? That can’t be right. Let me run it again.”
    Garin made him run the analysis three