Betraying Nexus

By Richard L. Sanders

Jason is a member of Nexus, a secret organization with a singular purpose: eliminate crime and protect the innocent. As a Nexus operative, he is a Mind Bender and can implant thoughts into the minds of others. It is a dangerous and powerful gift that sometimes has lethal consequences, and forces even the best Mind Bender to see the world through a lens of doubt and suspicion—constantly wondering what's real and what isn't. Within Nexus, Jason is a rising star and he’s madly in love with a ranking member—the woman of his dreams. Life could not be more perfect.

But when he’s forced to take down an old friend and, as a reward, is further advanced into Nexus, he learns its darkest secret and must ask himself what he believes in. And if it’s worth turning against the woman he loves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard L. Sanders
• Release date: Apr 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458059925

Richard L. Sanders

Richard is 34 years old (and holding) and is a Salt Lake City native where he currently lives with his beautiful fiancé Emily and their dogs: June, Bentley, and Mia. (The last of which is technically a cat.) Richard is an attorney admitted to all Utah state and federal courts, but he primarily works as an investigator for the Utah government. He began publishing in 2011 while a first-year law student, and was very prolific with nine publications including eight novels, within five years. In 2016 he took a hiatus from writing, in response to emergent and challenging life circumstances that lasted until 2019. Richard spent these years focused on family, personal growth, and pro bono legal causes. He is excited by his return to the publishing world with several titles planned for release in 2021, including The Gods Who Bleed and Legacy of the Phoenix. In his spare time, he's an avid swimmer, skier, and chess player. (Up for a game? 1. e4 ...)His official website is www.blackoceanbooks.com

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Betraying Nexus

A short story by Richard L. Sanders

Copyright 2008 Richard L. Sanders

Smashwords 2014 Edition

Discover other titles by Richard L. Sanders at:

www.richardlsanders.com

Smashwords Edition License Notes

Thank you for downloading this eBook. It is free for you to enjoy and you are encouraged to share it with anyone you wish. The only restriction is that it may not be resold for profit. I have included no DRM because that stuff is the worst. I hope you enjoy the story.

Jason neared the source of the awful sound.

It was a loud, droning noise that changed wildly in pitch every few seconds. No doubt the sound of a mindbender, one who’d snapped and had become dangerous. Jason moved carefully in the darkness, expecting anything.

A spotlight blinded him. Followed by the roar of a deep horn and a loud rumble. He squinted into the white brilliance and saw a locomotive charging his way.

He leaped off the tracks to escape certain death. But, to his surprise, the train adjusted its path—as if aiming for him. Roaring closer and closer. He looked down. The rails were still at his feet. Where he knew they shouldn't be.

His pulse quickened, and he sprinted off the tracks. But, wherever he stepped, the rails always materialized—the train still bearing down on him.

His heart thumped wildly, and his muscles stiffened. His body believed he would be killed, and every animal instinct urged him to run opposite the train, dart away in a futile effort to save his life. But he stood his ground. And locked his eyes to the brilliant lamp of death closing in. Knowing, deep inside, that none of it was real.

He wrestled with his fear. Trying to doubt the train. But it was hard to doubt several hundred tons of unforgiving steel thundering his way. Especially when the screeching of metal tortured his ears, and the bright, insufferable lamp blinded him.

With extreme difficulty, he visualized a massive wall blocking the path. Made of the strongest material he could think of—solid tungsten. Like magic, the glossy gray metal appeared. As real as the tracks at his feet.

The train collided with the wall at full speed. Jason shielded his face, a knee-jerk reaction, but wasn’t surprised when nothing happened.

The world didn't shake; there was no deafening boom. No spray of deadly debris. Just a flicker, as the train, the wall, and even the darkness vanished. It had all been an illusion, just like he'd guessed.

Jason was left standing there. Where he'd always been. In a rail yard that hadn't been used in years. It was actually dawn, not night, and the source of the illusions stood several yards away. A Nexus agent, someone Jason knew well.

"That was very clever, Kyle. I didn't even feel my mind being probed. But, last time I checked, we’re supposed