Ch15: Ulterior Motives

Copyright © 2013 by P.A. Lackey

All rights reserved.

No part of this story may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. 

Chapter Fifteen: Ulterior Motives

“Why are you doing this, Dueson?” asked Arius. “Why would you jeopardize the mission?”

“What mission,” Dueson scoffed. “We’re hunting a hundred year old legend that doesn’t concern us anymore. My mission is to the highest payer, and right now you have a large sum on your head.”

“You’re making a mistake,” Brockumus said, feeling Ruekrow’s pistol at his head.

“If it’s Waid you’re working for, then you can’t trust him,” Arius added.

Dueson barked out a laugh.

“Why, because he’s put a bounty on you? I’m not trying to marry his daughter Arius, I’m just expanding my business.”

“And you would sabotage the ship for that! We’re stranded here with no way off this planet.”

“I have faith that things will work out, and for the record, we didn’t sabotage the ship. But I’m sure I know who.”

Their senses perked as something moved outside the warehouse, and the thudding sound of a flying machine could be heard nearby. It was likely the leather clad soldiers heard the gunshot when Dueson shot Brockumus, and they were probably on their way now.

“We have to get out of here,” Brockumus hissed.

“Quiet,” Dueson’s brother barked.

“You tried to kill me Brock, why?” asked Dueson

Arius’ eyes narrowed.

“You’re the one that shot me Dueson,” returned Brockumus.

“After you came from behind me with a knife.”

“What are you talking about?” demanded Arius.

Had Brockumus really tried to kill Dueson?

“Arius, don’t listen to him.”

“Shut up!” ordered Ruekrow, pressing the pistol closer to his head.

“Your friend tried to kill me Arius,” replied Dueson. “It seems he has an ulterior motive.”

Arius looked Brockumus in the eyes whose grimace told too much. Dueson wasn’t lying, and Brockumus had tried to kill him, but why?

“They’re here to kill you Arius,” Brockumus said, realizing his exposure. “He set you up to turn the others against you.”

“But that’s not why you tried to kill me,” Dueson interrupted. “You’re the one that sabotaged the ship, which tells me you have another interest besides protecting Arius.”

“You’re stretching.”

“Am I? I read your background before arriving here, and I know a forged history when I see one. It’s prestigious enough to guarantee your acceptance on this mission, but subtle enough to avoid unnecessary attention.”

“You don’t have a clue what you’re coming against. I was sent on this mission to ensure success, and thus far you’ve done nothing but impede that success for nothing but money.”

“I guess there’s enough guilt to go around then.”    

The sound of the flying machine grew closer, and Arius knew their position would be compromised shortly.

“I’m sorry, but it’s time to end this,” said Dueson. “I’ll tell the others that you were killed by those leather wearing monsters.”

Arius grew tense and he spotted the handgun hidden behind Brockumus’ unzipped jacket. The flying machine outside passed overhead; its lights flashed through the far windows casting their shadows against the surrounding junk.

Brockumus passed through Ruekrow’s hold, grabbing his handgun from behind his jacket, and spun around to shove the muzzle into Ruekrow’s side where he fired a round into his chest. Dueson shouted as he watched his brother fall, and fired at Brockumus who fired a second shot past Arius.

Dueson cried as the round ripped past his right arm while Brockumus remained unscathed. Arius stepped to the side with his rifle passing between the two men. Dueson had dropped his weapon, and cradled his arm as he looked to his dying brother behind Brockumus. Ruekrow was still alive, but coughing up blood which flooded his lungs.

“Kill him Arius!” Brockumus demanded, keeping his gun toward Dueson.

The flying machine could still be heard outside, and Arius thought he could feel dozens of hostiles bearing toward the warehouse.

“Who are you working for?” Arius demanded, finding the muzzle of his rifle aimed toward the man alone.

“I’m not the bad guy Arius,” he returned. “Dueson and his brother were hired to kill you, and they set you up.”

“But you sabotaged the ship.”

“I don’t have time to explain my actions.”

“Ruekrow!” Dueson cried, watching his brother suffocate on the ground. “You’re going to pay for this Brockumus.”

“Arius, kill him now or I will!” demanded Brockumus.

Arius was hesitant to lower his rifle. Dueson was there to kill him, but Brockumus had sabotaged the mission. As far as he was concerned they were both dangerous.

Arius’ eyes glanced toward Ruekrow who reached for his handgun lying next to him. He grabbed the gun, finding a final source of strength, and raised it toward Brockumus who felt it. Both Dueson and Arius shouted as Brockumus stepped back and fired another round into Ruekrow’s chest finishing him for good, but several more shots fired as Dueson had retrieved his weapon.

Brockumus stumbled back, and blood spilled from the three holes in his chest. He nearly collapsed to the floor, but caught himself on a beam before disappearing around the corner where archaic looking machinery rusted away. 

Dueson hurried to his brother as more hostiles began to storm into the warehouse. They were hidden among the vast amount of junk, but soon the leather soldiers would come upon them. Arius grabbed the fallen gas tank, and looked toward Dueson who knelt by his dead brother. The man wept, and Arius felt guilt as he slipped away into the darkness.  

Be sure to check out my book, Ground of Oam, at amazon. You can buy both Kindle and paperback here.

Oam's Cry

Several weeks ago I mentioned some projects my brother and I were working on concerning the new Oam's Cry series. One of those projects was creating a logo for the series, and here we have it at last (or at least the basic version). I hope to have a few different versions as time goes on.

Now, what is Oam's Cry?
Oam's Cry is a series based upon the childhood adventures my brother and I had growing up in Montana and abroad. Encapsulating multiple story lines of multiple worlds, our imaginations developed a world that would soon become the center of our book series.
Oam's Cry centers much around a profound event known as the Great Scatter. This is an event that forced mankind to scatter into the far reaches of space where signs of ancient alien civilization remain as a testimony to something greater that once was. Furthermore, a phenomena known as Oam's Cry haunts the far regions of space driving some to madness who wish to discover its secrets. Reminding them of a past shrouded in mystery, Oam's Cry teases at mankind's search for answers and challenges his very humanity.
My first book, Ground of Oam, takes place ten years before man's great scatter into the stars, and explores the tragic histories that lead the way to the event. The Rebirtha have seized control of Tierikium, once the center of the world, and now suppress humanity under its tyranny. The book follows three characters: Levi, who must discover his true identity, and find something called the Orbule Eye. Matthew, who must decide whether he will pursue the likeness of his father and chase his dreams for adventure, or defend his only home from a new threat. Isaac, a super-soldier who has betrayed the humans and joined the ranks of the Rebirtha. He must prove his new found loyalty by stealing something from the humans, but he is brought to the brink of a new war. A war that will be fought between the Rebirtha, and something even more terrifying, yet Isaac is the one to decide its declaration.
My brother on the other hand, will be exploring the era nearly two hundred years after the Great Scatter. Mankind has long set up his new world among the planets he inhabits, but something new is coming.
I am excited to see his book coming to fruition, and cannot wait until it is out. Check out his book cover which our sister graciously made. (notice the Oam's Cry symbol on the floor).

 
All images are copyright© 2013 by Nicole Lackey, and may not be used or copied without permission of creator. 
   

Ch2: Histories' Legends

Copyright © 2013 by P.A. Lackey

All rights reserved.

No part of this story may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. 

Chapter Two: Histories' Legends  

Arius moved across the wet beach sand as the others pulled out any more luggage that washed ashore. He had on him his private bag which he managed to pull from the ship before it incinerated itself in the water. His other supplies were gone which left him woefully unprepared for their venture. Dread crept up his stomach as he speculated on the future. What was next? How would they proceed?

“Are you alright?” Arius asked, approaching Jayvolni.  

The man sat upon a black rock sticking out of the sand, and wrapped his right arm with a bandage. Arius could see blood running down his rain soaked sleeve. Jayvolni glanced up at him, his two colored eyes glistened in the moonlight.

“I’ll be fine,” he replied coldly. “Caught my arm on the wreckage somehow.”

Arius nodded before he turned back to the others who were now approaching. They were all mercenaries; they killed for a living which left Arius as the odd man. He didn’t know how he got himself into this situation. His allies were cold killers, while he had only known combat for a time shorter than most. Of course, he knew how he got there. His own stupidity was to blame, and he had been tricked into signing up for the expedition. He had no clue what he was getting himself into, but now he realized the treachery that had been done to him.

“It’s time to go!” Thorim ordered, approaching his position. “If anyone picked up the crash, this beach will be swarming with possible hostiles.”

Thorim was their commander, and perhaps the most sensible of them all. The man was often times stern and distant, but at least he didn’t act like a savage like the others did at times. Arius trusted him as a leader, though he distrusted the others. Brockumus, the medic, was his most trusted ally while Jayvolni was just cold.

The group hurried into the surrounding forest which quickly grew dense. Stretches of beach sand fingered its way into the botany, but soon it was choked out by the trees. The rain pounded the tops of the pines and oaks leaving an abundance of water to drizzle off of the branches and onto the ground. The group traveled hard uphill before they reached a worthy shelter.

A rock leaned up against the side of a cliff, surrounded by many other boulders and stones. It sheltered them from the rain, but the claps of thunder roared across the island. The trees trembled under its fury, shaking the water from their burdened leaves. Fire could be seen erupting in the distant clouds whenever lightning struck. It was as if the clouds themselves were fuel for the fire, and whenever lightning sparked the cloud burned hot to heat the falling rain. What kind of world was this, Arius wondered.

Dueson, Arius’ antagonist, cracked the heat sticks over a bed of dry kindling. They gave off a distinct crack before flames consumed the kindling and Dueson fueled it more with some sticks. Everything was wet, but the flames from the heat sticks made easy work of the sticks. The fire was kept small in order to avoid attention and the mercenaries huddled together around its small flames.

Brockumus was beside Arius holding out his palms to the heat. They shivered in their soaked clothing, teeth chattering from the wind which blew through the rock shelter. Arius could no longer think too far ahead as his attention was on keeping warm. He struggled to pay attention to Thorim who spoke to them as a group.

“Remember the call, my brothers,” he said. “Our mission is noble, and hinges upon legend. Do not lose heart, for tomorrow we make history.”

“Our ship was sabotaged,” Rie replied. “How can we proceed?”

“We are not dead,” returned Thorim. “And we do not know the details. Stick together and we will prevail. Any traitor, if there may be one, will be found out soon enough.”

“I say we keep two at watch,” Dueson said. “Just to be safe.”

The men agreed, and they all found rest under the rock. Arius clasped his arms and fought back the chills. His thoughts turned inward, and soon he was drifting to sleep where he explored old memories. Thunder roared overhead. 

Thank you for reading chapter two of my short story. Stop by next Thursday for the third chapter, "Not Mementos," and please leave a comment below to let me know what you think. Also, check out my book.
Buy on Kindle here.

  

Ch1: Stranded

Copyright © 2013 by P.A. Lackey

All rights reserved.

No part of this story may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. 

Chapter One: Stranded

Salt water sucked up into Arius’ nose causing his sinuses and lungs to burn. He opened his mouth to spew out the water, but only managed to take more in as he struggled to breath. He felt weightless as his body sunk; kicking his feet he vainly tried to find ground. His body bobbed back up to the surface where he gasped for air, only to sink back under the icy surface of the ocean.

Arius’ heart raced as he struggled against the motion of the waves. He knew how to swim, but his skill seemed to have left him for the cruel will of the ocean. His head was under again; he knew not where he faced. Bubbles swirled around his face within the dark depth of the ocean. A blue light radiated deep within the water growing brighter as it sunk. Arius knew what it was and tried to propel himself away from it, but it was too late. The light flashed before him, illuminating the dark depths for only an instance. He felt the water surge toward him, and he found himself propelled away from the blast. He surfaced for only a moment as the wave carried him skyward before he crashed back into the ocean.

More salt water breached his lungs, but now he felt a sandy surface beneath him. Kicking his feet he managed to stand up right where the cold wind now stung his skin. A small wave pushed him forward, and he stumbled farther toward the beach coughing along the way.

Shouting could be heard all around him as more figures slopped their way to the beach. Arius glanced around the perimeter to find miles of ocean behind them, and a small island ahead of them. The moon in that place was full but small compared to his home moon. Dark clouds hazed the sky, and lightning flashed miles across the ocean.

Arius stumbled back into the water which was now only a foot high. His fingers sunk into the sand which felt soft. He coughed water from his lungs before someone grabbed him from behind. Arius had little time to react as he was drug farther inland. His assailant threw him onto the dry sand before turning him around to face him.

“Are you all right Arius?” Brockumus asked, slapping him on the back two times.

It caused him to cough up more water before he waved the man off.

“It’s freezing,” he chocked out.  

“Keep moving,” Brockumus said. “We have to find shelter.”

With that the man moved on to assist the others whom were pulling out adrift luggage. They would have to take what they could and destroy the rest lest anyone discover it. The explosion would have incinerated most of their things, but there was sure to be equipment floating around the area.

Arius pushed himself to his feet and fought the weakening in his legs. The place was foreign to him, and now the only way off of the planet was destroyed. He felt a tremor in the sky as lighting streaked across it. Soon the atmosphere came crashing back together to cause a loud bang over the island. Arius’s arm hairs stood on end as he felt it vibrate through the air and sink into the ground. He could feel the entire beach beneath him. The wind through the trees, the waves against the beach. He could feel it all as his senses picked up on the slightest movement.

Turning to face the vast ocean Arius stared into the moon which was slowly disappearing behind the clouds. Its white light caressed the surface of the ocean while lightning flashed around it. A downpour opened up across the ocean, silhouetted by the moonlight. The cold rain roared toward them before the entire beach was assailed by its fury. Arius put his hand over his eyes in order shield them from the rain; his commander barked orders to them. It was time to retreat deeper inland where they could find shelter. They were on a foreign world, and they had no way off of it.

Thanks for reading my pilot chapter, and more will be presented next Thursday. Please leave a comment if you will, and let me know what you think. Also, check out my book.
Buy on Kindle here.

New Book, "Ground of Oam". An Epic Adventure Unfolds.

After seven months of silence, a new book dawns upon the world to change the very nature of science fiction and fantasy. (Warning, this is a sales pitch.) Ground of Oam is now available here on Amazon kindle; buy it now, or borrow it for free on amazon prime. A free sample also awaits on amazon if you wish to test it before purchase. Just click the picture as you would any other book to read the sample.

Ground of Oam is the first installment out of a new, but long anticipated, series called "Oam's Cry". Created by two brothers, my brother and myself, Oam's Cry spans several hundred years. This first installment takes place in the year 2060 upon a series of islands that formed in the pacific around the year 2015. A foul creature known as the Rebirtha now rule the islands, while mankind has been pushed into hiding. The condition of the outside world is unknown.
Meet the three characters of the novel, Levi who has forgotten his past and must search for the one thing that might reveal to him his forgotten memories. Matthew, whose father went missing at the age of fifteen, now must decide whether he should pursue his dreams of adventure like his father, or defend his hometown from a new threat. Isaac Kierken, a bio-engineered super-soldier who previously worked for the now fallen international powers, seeks to join the ranks of the Rebirtha. In order to prove his new found loyalty to them he must steal something from the humans whom he once swore to protect. However, what begins as a simple retrieval mission brings him to the brink of a new war, and it is he that must decide its declaration.
I am excited to finally see this book published, and I hope readers will enjoy it as much as I did writing it. As mentioned before, Ground of Oam, is only the first installment out of a three book series. However, what my brother and I have created is much bigger than that. While I will be covering the early era of Oam's Cry, my brother will be covering the future era taking place over a hundred years later. He still has yet to finish it, but I am excited to see our project unfolding at last. Check out the book on amazon and please leave a review. Now that it is out there I must begin the process of promoting it, and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for stopping by, and I hope to post more on this topic soon.