Sanders Altered Worlds: In the Beginning; Crucible

1. Auflage 2018
ISBN: 978-1-5439-3292-8
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: PC/MAC/eReader/Tablet/DL/kein Kopierschutz

E-Book, Englisch, 382 Seiten

Takes place on the Planet Dunamis, a Planet on the edge of space. The Planet is in the middle of a war in which there is no clear winner. In this atmosphere an unlikely band of heroes is starting to do things that may shift the balance of power. Will they succeed? Only time will tell.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Sanders, Michael

Leseproben

Forward I know you are lying, let’s try this again from the top -Seer Sometimes I see things. Sometimes I see flashes of memory. I just need to brush against someone and I can read him or her. Sometimes it is easy, other times they are very guarded. The scientists would love to get a hold of me; to experiment on me; I will never let them. I would die first. I have used this ability to get to where I am now. I have a position of some power. When they built the tubes I was there. When the planetoids started to act independent, I was there. When pirates started hijacking the tube system, I was there. I always know exactly where I need to be. No one knows about me and I like it that way. I always chalk it up to dumb luck when anybody asks. If they get too close, I must take drastic action. I know where to strike them and they do not realize what is happening until it is too late. It just takes the right amount of mental pressure, in the right place and it is over before they even know what hit them. No fingerprints, no physical evidence. I have had to do it twice; only twice. This was one of those times. It is very distressing when I have to do it. I had to go somewhere to think. This bridge is one of the few remaining structures from the old World. It is seldom used now. It crosses the river at just the right point for a perfect view of the city. I wear a black robe and hood so that no one notices me in the time of End Phase. If they look too close, I make them forget; that way; I can be alone. I have few friends. Who needs friends? The ones who need my services know how to contact me. No one talks directly to me, they are too afraid. They send their lackeys and feed them false information so I cannot see. It never works. I am Seer, just Seer. I need no other names, just Seer. With Pirates now ruling our Tube system, I find myself in demand. Who else, but I, can find the truth. Who is the traitor they want to know and I will tell them, for a fee. It is a good living, but I want more. I want our World to be like it used to be. Oh well, back to my thoughts; under the bridge; over the water; viewing the city; alone with myself. Sometimes a story is more relatable, if the story is from experience, not just written. We all make our stories, but have you lived them? -Datano It seems that another rotation has begun and life is still here. Sometimes I wonder why? In my line of work, I don’t get to enjoy the Phases on any rotation. I have always had to be ready, even though I never know what to be ready for! You see, people come to me about their “problems”. I secure people and things. I get them to their destination at great danger to whatever my cargo may be and myself. The financial reward is well worth it though. I have much experience in this. I have never failed, not yet. That is why I am paid so well. You see; My World; is just a little different than most. Over two periods ago, my planet,” Dunamis” exploded. It was blasted into four pieces with the main planet being larger than the other three planetoids. Each of the three planetoids had enough survivors to re-build and re-populate. Fortunately, each planetoid has its own set of resources, which were necessary for life to exist in these other pieces. From this, a system of trade was created to allow all of them to co-exist. The most interesting thing here is that you would expect the pieces that were blown out of the main planet to be flung far out into the Solar System. For some reason though, the main planet that was left, captured them and thus a new system was created. The planetoids are now held in near orbit around Dunamis. Hard as it is to believe, it is true. With our limited technology, space travel has been limited to planet to planetoid travel and vice-versa. Trade was very limited and not very efficient, so a contest was commissioned to find a better way to handle trade. In this contest a new company called “Neo Dynamic” was declared the winner. They created a Tube system, linking all of the pieces of this new system together. This system allowed trade to move efficiently between these new Worlds. This tube system was flexible. This was done to allow for movement of the planetoids without snapping them, but stiff enough and safe enough to transport people as well. A new Trade Commission began and is still around now to make sure everything is legal and within reason. This commission controls everything and can be ruthless if needed. Unfortunately this created a problem, as the commission could not reach everywhere and each of the new planetoids asserted their independence, controlling the tubes in their area. In this environment supplies would not get where they needed to go sometimes. This is where I come in. Other pilots like me created fringe transportation services. We became known as the Transporters. We have many fatalities and are not expected to live long. Despite the risks, these services are always needed. The Commissions pay very well, so there is never a shortage of “Transporters”. Sometimes I use the tubes and sometimes I don’t. I have my own methods and they are mine alone. They are my ‘Special Talents’. So another Rotation begins and another commission waits. I better have another cup of coffee, because it is going to be a rough ride. I am Datano Torrent. So I have brains and boobs! What’s your point? -Cree A funny thing about being a woman with a 300 IQ is most men would consider you a geek, without being considered pretty at all; go figure! I guess I’m a rarity in the new rotations. I like to be underestimated, that way when I need to put you out of your misery, I can and you won’t even know what hit you. I can be a diva when I need to be, or an Engineer and fix a Magnetic Engine Core when I have to. By trade I am an engineer and a damn good one at that. I have never had a problem solving a challenge. I don’t think I have ever failed to repair or build anything, when I have put my mind to it. My two favorite forms of Science are Structural Engineering and Astrophysics. If you want your transport to go faster, I am the person who can do it. If you want to build a “special” structure for whatever reason, I’m your girl and your search stops now. I’m called Cree. I have a last name, but it is not important. If your project interests me and the pay is good enough, we have a deal. If you try to double cross me, I hope you have life insurance because you will need it. I’ve been double crossed before and those that have are no longer around; get my meaning? If you are a transporter, I can make you invisible to your enemies. I can increase your vehicles performance or anything else you may need, allowing you to survive. I can create special transport structures and I can do it better than anyone else. I can be nice as a kitten or as mean as a tiger just don’t piss me off. Sometimes I’m in plain view; sometimes I prefer to do business from the shadows. It depends on who the Client is and how they want to pay me. What can I do for you on this new rotation? How did I get it? You don’t need to know. Just give me my fee: Blackthorne. It was child’s play. It took several sections; and by careful maneuvering, I was able to get noticed. After all they thought their security protocols were perfect. I am always up for a challenge and this was definitely challenging, but not impossible. First it was at one of their gathering places. I was able to get in as a possible recruit for their cause and within a section, gained access to their Command Center and left my calling card. My next target was one of their secured Armories. I was able to get into their most secure area with their most powerful weapons. The computers they used were no match for my skill. It must have surprised them to boot up their computers the next rotation, only to find my electronic calling card. Finally, I infiltrated their Headquarters and was able to get into the Leader’s office. Thankfully, he was not there, as his reputation for discovering intruders was legendary. At any rate, I left my calling card on his desk. I am Blackthorne, Thief Extraordinaire. I can get into anywhere, or anyplace if the money is right. If I am needed, my contacts will know where to find me. You need someone who can steal whatever you need, look me up. It will be the best investment you ever made. I am a “Retriever”; I can steal anything that you need. It is but a game to me. Do not think to double cross me. If you do, I will show you that my skills work for anyone, against anyone, including you. I may not kill you, but by the time I am done, you may wish you were dead. If it moves I can kill it, if it doesn’t I can blow it up -Robert (Iceman) Falcon The war has been good to me. I have fought on all fronts. I have battled on the planetoids. I have fought the Trade Commission Soldiers and have survived it all. I now serve whoever pays the best fee. If you need me, you can contact me in the same way all mercenaries are contacted. You can advertise, you can seek me out; it does not matter to me. If the money is right, I will be your soldier. If you want the best of the best, forget the others, just don’t short me my fee. If you do that I will bring a personal war to your doorstep. In...