Read an Excerpt
Evil Rising
The Children of Enoch Series Book Two
By D.C. Claymore Abbott Press
Copyright © 2014 D.C. Claymore
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4582-1814-8
CHAPTER 1
Mendor, the Second Moon
Alone man carrying a three-foot case crept through a maze of solar panels on the rooftop of an apartment building two blocks from the Education Center. When he reached the retaining wall facing the Center, he opened the case and carefully removed a force-laser rifle.
He checked the plasma batteries to make sure they were fully charged. Without making himself too visible, he peered over the wall, his gaze directed at the front Center doors in the distance, where the children would exit. His target wasn't a group of kids. Only one kid. Biron Coomra.
The death of one kid and he'd be seven silver bars richer. He felt no remorse. It was a job. The Cedo and his bizarre abilities had caused an unwelcomed ripple among certain powers that be.
The assassin leaned into the corner. He placed the rifle on the wall and comfortably positioned himself. A wind gust blew the man's dark brown hair as he peered through the digital zoom scope at the Center doors. He had a clear shot.
The blue-collared man slumped back to safety. He rested against the wall, waiting patiently for the day's learning cycle to end. Periodically, he checked the chronometer on his wrist to verify the time.
Right on time. The Education Center Transport drove to the front of the building, where it would wait to take the students home. He aimed his assassin's weapon at the main entrance.
He pressed the com-link behind his right ear. "Yancy speaking. Project Retribution is a go. I'm in position."
"Excellent," came a reply. "You'll only get one shot. Maybe two. After that, run like hell. Use the invisabelt, if needed."
The assassin chuckled. "You worry too much. I only need one shot."
"One shot was all Klister took. The brat lived through it."
"Klister aimed for his chest. I'm planning a head shot. See if the little Cedo can survive that!"
Griness, the Fourth Moon
Inside an office on the fourth moon of Griness, part of the underground crystal mining complex, Maddox Felds leaned back in his chair. A light flashed on a datalink box on his desk, indicating that his com-link was active. He inhaled deeply and sighed. He waited.
"Biron Coomra is more resourceful than you think. Don't take any chances. Take his whole head off—whatever it takes. For what I'm paying, I want that brat dead. Once and for all."
Mendor
On the roof, the lone gunman switched to autozoom on the rifle scope. He wanted to scan all the doors along the front of the Center. A partial squeeze of the trigger activated the zoom feature for a tighter shot once the target was located.
"It's your silver. Just make sure it's waiting for me when I'm done. Yancy out."
Yancy shifted his position one last time and waited.
CHAPTER 2
Rylaxon
Life on the planet ebbed and flowed in its natural rhythm. On the surface nothing appeared out of sync. But undercurrents of malcontent had somehow seeped into the atmosphere. No one could put a finger on any particular reason for the growing restlessness. But it was there, wavering and invisible for now.
A long time ago across the gulf of space, on the edge of the Ursa Major cluster, lived an offshoot of mankind. It was the Year of Our Father Enoch circa 2036. Rylaxon and its six moons entered the first segment of their Hypora Timpero orbit when the planet began its orbital trek closer to the sun.
Nearly a year and a half had passed since Rylaxons had been saved from a diabolical scheme to overthrow the government. Takeover efforts by the rich, powerful would-be dictator Maddox Felds were successfully thwarted.
For his crimes, Maddox was exiled to Griness under threat of death if he left. The Rylaxon military ordered a blockade around Griness. Once orbital monitoring satellites were actively in place, the blockade was withdrawn. The show of unified force was not much of a deterrent. Maddox would stop at nothing, absolutely nothing, to rule the system.
The Governing Body, the system-wide seat of power, controlled Rylaxon and five of its six moons. Authorities had seized the crystal mines that had fallen under Maddox's control, preventing him from implementing a stranglehold on nucleotide crystals, which fueled their civilization. Only Griness, the fourth moon, remained under Maddox's power. He owned and controlled it.
* * *
Maddox Felds wasn't the only threat against Rylaxons. A group of purists known as Zealots were obsessed with ethnic cleansing of Cedos, a segment of society whose only crime was their physical differences, genetically unsound, according to the purists' dogma. The Zealots viewed themselves as divinely-appointed controllers with a duty to save society from genetic pollution by mutants like Cedos. To cement their stance, over time, they had gained considerable power and influence.
Political posturing launched the Zealots' second rise to power—The Resurrection. Almost 20 years of patience, planning, and manipulation. They were now poised to topple the Governing Body and the entire Rylaxon system. The mission was crystal clear: genetic purity at any cost.
Mendor
On the second moon, on the central west side of Wynabrite City stood the four-story Education Center. Children as young as five attended individual social training classes after four years of in-home learning on holoprojectors.
Secluded in a four by four foot booth, each student received special customized computer lessons. The computer projected three-dimensional holograms to instruct each child, using images directly related to the subject matter, thereby increasing memory retention.
On the second floor inside learning station Tetra-Four, nine-year-old Biron Coomra studied. The cognitive abilities of this young boy were far more advanced than other children his age. His natural physical strength was ten times greater. And his body was occupied by millions of silver-encrusted micro-brains or Adaptoids, which kept him alive.
The Adaptoids had replaced Biron's blood cells, which had been destroyed in an explosion inside his home lab. The foiled assassination attempt caused his blood to turn acidic. The liquefaction gas that nearly killed him had rendered him blind, deaf, and almost mute. The Adaptoids used themselves to restore both sight and hearing, and gifted him with a new voice.
The miracle that saved his life also branded him a Cedo. His altered genetic structure caused him to grow fangs and other specific traits of the lushkin, which bit him before the explosion. His young life was wracked with catastrophic events. It might have been too much for him to handle psychologically, if not for his mastery of Magik and the disciplines it taught. Although only nine, Biron had achieved the high acclaim of being a thirteenth level witch.
The day's learning cycle drew to a close as Biron wrapped up an in-depth course on subatomic particle theory.
"Very good, Biron," the computer voice droned. "Tomorrow we will explore the history of the vamaddo process, used to turn lifeless planetoids into vibrant lifesupporting biospheres."
A slight smile appeared on Biron's face. His bright green eyes lit up with interest. "That's the process that was used to transform Sigro, Mendor, and Vernix."
"Yes. It was also used on Griness and Crixto."
Sigro, Mendor, and Vernix were Rylaxon's first three moons. The climate on each of these planetoids was stable, quite pleasant compared to Griness and Crixto. Tough and grim, Griness faced frozen precipitation almost year round. In contrast, Crixto was an arid wasteland, hard, dry, rock soil. Its surface temperature made it impossible to survive without enviro suits.
"What caused Griness and Crixto to develop so differently?"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Coomra, we don't have time to explore that question. I've noted your query and we will seek the answer together during tomorrow's lesson. Have a pleasant day."
The learning station powered down. Biron removed the sensor cap from his head and placed it on the wall holder. The station door opened. Time to go home.
Outside his booth, a beehive of activity signaled the close of another day at the Education Center. Kids chattered and rushed excitedly to the lifts. As Biron moved toward the door, an eight-year-old redhead, in a white collar, blocked his path.
"Where do you think you're going, Mr. Cedo?" she scowled. "You're not like the rest of us."
Biron folded his arms and smiled. "Neither are you, Myia Montaro."
The girl's eyes widened playfully. "Oh, really?" She forced her way into his booth, grabbed his arms and pushed him against a back wall. "If you ever say that again, I swear, I'll kiss you."
A sly smile shaped his lips. "Myia Montaro, Queen Cedo!"
She grabbed his right hand and directed it toward his face, pointing out the silver bracelet he wore. She raised her right arm beside his to show its matching counterpart.
"I guess that makes you King Cedo."
The two first met four years ago to confirm their prearranged betrothal. Myia was only four, Biron five. After a huge initial misunderstanding, the two finally hit it off. The bracelets were a visible symbol to everyone that they were promised to each other.
Myia leaned closer and gently pressed her lips to Biron's. A blue-collared group of boys approached the doorway, crowding around the opening. Lisalray, Dungrew, Jebeme, and Grip — the Education Center's infamous gang of bullies.
"Are you two at it again?" Lisalray interrupted their cozy moment.
Myia rolled her eyes and faced the boys. "What's it to you?"
"You have four more years before you can join," Jebeme reminded them. "Think you can keep your public expressions to a minimum until then?"
Myia glanced fondly but teasingly at Biron. "You had to make friends with them, huh?"
Lisalray boldly strutted outside the door. "Biron needs someone to watch his back. Who better than the toughest guys around?"
Biron chuckled. "There's your answer."
Myia smacked him on the chest. The boys burst into laughter.
"Come on, lover boy," Grip directed. "We'll guard you 'til you reach your transport."
Biron took Myia's hand and led her away. The four boys surrounded them like bodyguards, heading for the lifts.
* * *
Although Biron and Myia were popular, the other kids kept their distance. Myia was the daughter of Nebrino Montaro, Chairman of the Governing Body, powerful and influential. Biron, unlike any other Rylaxon, was different and feared. The kids felt uncomfortable around him. He was betrothed to Myia. And the bullies were always nearby. Biron was one of only two thirteenth level witches in existence. Gilda, his mother, was the other. Their bodyguard entourage was in fact, a gang of bullies. Biron knew it was mostly a front for Grip and Lisalray. Their tough as nails reputations kept everyone at a distance. No one could get close enough to learn their secret shame. Biron accepted them; they accepted him. Biron listened, sympathized, and helped where he could. Grip and Lisalray had confided in him. They knew he really cared about people.
Over a year ago, the escort service started as a joke. Lisalray and his cohorts mockingly walked Biron to his transport. The prank became a daily routine. Their predictability made Biron feel safe and less lonely. It was such a small thing but meaningful. Society was more accepting of people with differences. Biron and his radical views had something to do with that. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.
Biron and his mother were outspoken critics of Rylaxon's social class system. The three-tiered social structure included Preferred, Intermediate, and Residual classes. For more than a thousand years the caste had been a part of Rylaxon's history. Blue, green, and red collars indicated a person's social standing, implemented soon after the class system began. The outcasts or Cedos belonged to no class. They were written off as refuse, not people.
Biron, determined to change the mindsets of this closed-minded society, continued to speak against the social class system whenever an opportunity presented itself. He defied society's expectations by wearing only white, a definite slap in the face of normal customs. He wasn't afraid of being labeled a dissident. He was fond of saying, "People are people. Life is precious, as is everyone, if given a chance. We are not all the same. Each of us deserves the same opportunities to fail or succeed."
Because of his antisocial rhetoric, many in the Preferred Class dubbed Biron the Dissident of Mendor. The Zealots rudely called him public enemy number one. Biron's open defiance sparked anger and outrage from this select group of powerful, influential members. But more people liked Biron than hated him. Discussions concerning Biron Coomra usually opened a can of worms, further dividing the populous.
As hated as Biron was, it had been nearly a year and a half since an attempt had been made on his life. That would soon change.
CHAPTER 3
Griness
In his office, Maddox watched the light on his desk fade to black. He'd hired Yancy to do what Klister had failed to do a year ago. Yancy was skilled and confident, so was Klister.
Maddox remembered the holographic feed from Biron's eighth birthday celebration. He'd witnessed the force-laser blast to Biron's chest. The boy's body slid to a stop nearly thirty feet away. That should have been the end of it.
Maddox felt uneasy. What made him think killing Biron would be simple? The boy was a by-blow between two tribes of man. Jesson, his father, a native Rylaxon, and the boy's mother, Gilda, an Earthling. Long ago it had been written that judgment would come upon the people if the two cousins of mankind intermingled.
Biron may not be the Judgment, but Maddox sensed the boy was somehow part of it. If Biron was indeed connected to this supernatural devastation, what made him think he could change destiny and kill the boy?
The more Maddox thought about it, the more nervous he felt. He rubbed his slightly pointed chin to calm himself. He couldn't shake a niggling sense that something was wrong. He pushed the com-link button to contact Yancy.
Mendor
Atop an apartment building, Yancy watched as kids exited the Education Center. From his vantage point, it would be easy to recognize his target—the boy with the bright green eyes, wearing an all-white suit. The boy's differences and defiance made him an easy target. Limited genetics left Rylaxons with eyes in shades of blue, brown, or some color in-between. Biron would stand out like a beacon.
He was always in the company of the girl, Myia Montaro. The Chairman's daughter could easily be spotted by her red hair, another genetic oddity. Everyone else had brown hair in variant shades, the only hair color deemed socially acceptable.
Yancy knew he'd have no problem targeting the two Cedos once they left the building.
* * *
"Hey, Biron?" asked Lisalray. "Doing anything in particular tonight?"
Biron shrugged as they headed toward the main entrance. "I plan to help Myia study after feasting on a fresh zenba. Mmnn!"
"Zenba, again?" Dungrew gagged. "You only eat consumables. Why not try a mouthwatering Lowsha meat patty?"
Just the thought made Biron queasy. "I can't eat that stuff anymore. My taste buds changed after my body mutated."
"Oh, come on, Biron," Lisalray countered. "Don't tell me you wouldn't want to take a big, juicy bite of a luscious, steamy ..."
As Lisalray mockingly continued, Biron's stomach roiled. He stopped walking. Pale and in pain, he placed both hands on his churning midsection.
"Lisalray!" Myia cried.
The bully stopped talking and looked at Biron. "What's wrong?"
Biron glared at his ignorant so-called friend. "Just the thought of eating meat makes me ill."
"Come on, Lisalray," Grip said. "He's not our enemy anymore. Stop teasing him."
"Fine," Lisalray protested. "I didn't realize just the mention of a Lowsha meat patty would make you sick and weak."
Biron bared his fangs and growled at Lisalray. The boy jumped behind Dungrew.
Grip chuckled. "Now who's weak?"
"Shut up, Grip!" Lisalray snapped.
The queasiness passed. Biron inhaled fresh air. "Myia, let's go home."
The group neared the doors, leaving Lisalray standing alone. "Look," he told them, "it was a joke."
"It wasn't funny," Jebeme retorted.
Lisalray looked away, trailing behind the group as they left the Center.
Blue sunlight kissed Biron's face. It felt good to be outside. A gentle breeze swept over the group of misfits.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Evil Rising by D.C. Claymore. Copyright © 2014 D.C. Claymore. Excerpted by permission of Abbott Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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