The Next Chronicle (Book 1): Next by Joshua Guess Page B

exterior. My guess is you'll be sending in an even mix of human agents and Next, am I right?”
    Deakins shook her head. “No. We can't. If the Charmer gets control of one of us, it could get really bad. Quickly.”
    “ And I'm guessing you don't have a lot of people that can resist psychic intrusion, do you?” Kit asked.
    “ Not counting you, we have three Next we can send in. The telepaths are resistant, of course, but they don't do entries. The other three aren't physical Next, though they can handle a gun just fine.”
    Kit let the data spin around in her head. The idea came together without effort.
    “Okay,” she said. “Then you should count me. I'm here, this kind of thing is my specialty, and this guy can't get into my head. If you're willing to listen, I have a plan.”
    Archer smiled.
     
     
    Ten minutes later, the team gathered in the sheltered parking lot. Kit stood next to Archer as he addressed the crowd.
    “ All right, guys. You all know what we're looking at here. It's a situation we've dealt with before. You know how messy this can get. We lose people every time we go up against one of these guys. Today we're going to try something new.” He stepped to the side and gestured to Kit. “This is Agent Kitra Singh. She's my new partner, which means you're once again blessed with two people who can tell any of you what to do.” There was a quiet ripple of laughter. Nervous and tight, but genuine.
    Archer's eyes scanned the assembled group. “Normally I wouldn't do this. In fact just a short while ago I asked agent Singh to sit this one out. She's new. She doesn't know how we work as a group. I was worried that if we didn't operate normally it would put you all at more risk.”
    Across the crowd there were thoughtful looks, people nodding their heads in agreement. There was fear.
    “ But let me tell you something. This woman just came up with a better plan in ten minutes than anything we had for dealing with this Charmer, given our current staffing. She volunteered to take point on the entry. Rather than risk a bunch of you, she's risking herself.”
    A babble of comments followed, but Archer cut them off.
    “I'm handing this over to Agent Singh. She deserves your attention.” Archer stepped back into the group.
    Kit stepped forward.
    “I'm going to keep this brief. None of you know me, and I understand if you're concerned about what we're going to do. In just a moment Director Archer and Agent Deakins are going to give you your assignments. Our success is going to depend on timing and teamwork. I have no doubt that you'll all work as a unit. I'm told you're very good at that. If all goes as planned, this will all be over in twenty minutes. Hopefully with no lives lost.” She tried to get a read on the agents in front of her, but they didn't give her much. “Are there any questions?”
    There weren't. Or at least no one was willing to ask one.
    “Good,” Kit said. “Break into your groups for assignments. Whoever is in charge of managing our gear, come over to me.”
    A lanky woman with large glasses and sharp eyes darted toward Kit as everyone else dispersed. The tall woman stuck a hand out, and Kit shook it.
    “Agent Tipton, ma'am. I'm our quartermaster. What can I do for you?” Tipton didn't wear makeup, her hair was pulled back in a bun, and she wore a suit like most of the others. But Kit couldn't help smiling; the woman's voice was like music. Clear and melodic.
    “ Nice to meet you, Agent Tipton. It's a laundry list, I'm afraid.”
    Tipton's eyes lit up. “I do enjoy a challenge.”
    Kit smiled. “That's good. Because I need a tac vest, several flash-bangs, a heavy nylon harness if you have it, and a good look at your non-lethal weaponry.”
    “ No problem,” Tipton said. “Come with me.”
     

Chapter Seven
     
    This is probably a bad idea , Kit thought, but look at that view .
    She watched carefully as agents moved into position five hundred feet below. There were two