Monday, February 27, 2017

Sneak Peek into Alpha Class book 2

As I write Alpha Class book 2, fill in many of the small details that make up the series. This is one such aside. Only a small portion of this will actually be in the book. I intended it to only be a paragraph but it got away from me and became a short story instead. Check it out!


Shoot them down!



The American President was livid. His advisers cringed away from his desk as he raged. Papers littered the floor as he tossed things left and right. “Can’t you idiots do nothing right? Those people and their pods pop up everywhere and we just let them! If they won’t give us the technology we will just take it. Shoot them down next time. I’m sure our scientists can find something worthwhile in the wreckage!”

Major General Thomas Vlákas winced at the words, shoot them down. He, unlike his predecessor, actually read the reports and the intel concerning TQB. The US arsenal didn’t have anything that could touch them. Oh, they could fight them on the ground and win if they had to. Overpowering them with sheer numbers was possible. The problem was the pods. None of the missiles would lock onto them. The General had heard of some technology in some of the skunk works that might make a difference but he didn’t have access to it.

“Mr President, none of our planes are a match for them. Look at what they did to the French aircraft. I have a copy of the original report. The pods stayed right of the wingtips of the French fighters. Anything they fired at those ships, pods, or cargo containers bounced right off.” General Vlákas grimaced. “The best we can do is try to contain them. Short of crashing into them we don’t have anything to touch them in the air.”

“They do that! We are talking about the security of our country!” The president shook his head in disgust. “Why my predecessor bowed down to these people is beyond me. I promised on the campaign trail to do something about this so called Etheric Empire and I will. What about on the ground? If they land can we arrest them?”

US Attorney General Adam Mukesh leaned forward in his chair. “Yes, Sir. We certainly can. All of these people have effectively given up their citizenship. If they were loyal Americans they would have turned the technology over to the proper authorities. Only we can use it to it’s full potential to help the world.”

“Good.That is the sort of fire I want to hear! Arrest them if they land. Or if possible, shoot them down. I need that technology… I mean to say the United States needs that technology. Good meeting. Everyone go back to work.” The ruddy faced President stood shook a few hands and strutted from the room. Secret Service agents lining the walls followed him out the door like ducklings following their mama.

The Attorney General was still seated. He wrote several things on the pad in front of him and pulled out his phone typing furiously. General Vlákas barely looked in the lawyer’s direction as he crossed the room. Tyonna Knowles, the current Chief-of-staff had also stayed in the room. She was surrounded by many of the camp followers that populated the current administration.

“Excuse me, Ms Knowles?” The General tapped the youngish looking woman on the arm. She reacted by turning in his direction. Tyonna was not known to be a trusting or even sympathetic sort of politician but he didn’t have much of a choice to go to her.

“Something more to say General? I found your previous comments to be counterproductive and against everything we stand for here.” The woman’s beady little eyes cut right into him.

“I was only telling the truth, ma’am. Our current technology isn’t enough to stop them.”

“Then find something that will! Why else do we spend so much of our, this country's, money on people like you? Fix it. What about that military base that doesn’t exist? Use one of the alien ships you have there to attack them.” The Attorney General’s entire attention was now on Thomas.

“Are you talking about Area 51? The proper name for that particular base is Groom Lake or Homeny Airport. It’s a test facility. All our spy planes and weapons tech comes from there.” Thomas had investigated Area 51 when he finally had the rank to gain access.

“Don’t give me that. Neither I or the President is an idiot! You have alien ships and bodies there. I’ve seen all the movies so I know. Why are we not using the technology?”

“Ms Knowles, there are no space ships at Area 51. Trust me when I say this. I checked the place out myself just last year. No spacecraft. What they are working on is related to TQB but only trying to match their speed and maneuverability. Weapons are useless until we can catch them.”

The Chief of staff only stared. “You are telling me an untruth General. I was an prosecuting attorney for over ten years. I know when people are lying to me.”

“I’m not lying. I did investigate Groom lake. There are no alien spacecraft there. At least there aren’t any now. There may have been something there in the 1950s. The pentagon’s records are a little sketchy about that time period. I did find a report of fighters in 1967 shooting down an unknown craft but there is no trace of it anywhere. I did find one word in our files that many of the conspiracy nuts love to use.”

“What word is that?” The Chief of Staff peered into his eyes.

“Majestic. Any search I do comes up empty. Even the file I originally found it in has disappeared. Like a ghost-in-the-machine this Majestic whatever they are doesn’t leave a clue. As I told you before. We don’t have possession of a spacecraft. Not officially.”

“I do believe you are telling me the truth. Interesting. I will do my own research then. I suggest you do as the big man asks and shoot the damn pods down! He wants results. If you can’t do it, he will find someone that can. Good-afternoon General.” The tall woman strode from the room. Like the president before her a large group of interns and hangers on trailed after her.

“Majestic.” The General said the word again. Too many unanswered questions there.




Tuesday, February 21, 2017

So many Books so little or no time!

A comment was made on the new post of chapter one. What now? That is a good question. I am assuming that Douglas wants to know what to read. I barely have time for books anymore but I can make some suggestions. Some few series by authors that i respect and adore whenever there is a new book out. Their books have molded my own writing for the better. Here is a few. No pressure. Theses are just my favorites and possibly some of yours!



http://amzn.to/2l62qfT 
 This is a good SF series by Mackey Chandler. He is not as quick as i am but his books are really good. April is a good intro to his series. Check it out here. 


http://amzn.to/2lE6Eyv
 
This one is more of a science geek meets industrial espionage story. There are 4 books available now. The author is more well known for his Elle Donsai series but this one is good too. Check it out here.



http://amzn.to/2mk7Rbh





This is one of my GO-To books for Fantasy and Paranormal. Its a series and it's not for the kiddies. The LGBT crowd would enjoy this one but it has lots of vamps, weres, fae, and demons in it. A series like the others it has 13 books in it. More for late night reading if you get my point. Check it out here.




http://amzn.to/2kJT2Cl
If you think I write fast check out this man's books. The first series is 100 books long. He's been bundling them and does have two secondary series as well as stand alones in the pipe. Here are the first 4. 



http://amzn.to/2mjVko7
Everyone needs a good Fantasy sometimes. This is the one I've read 3 or 4 or 12 times. I noticed there was a sequel out in preorder and jumped on it the other day. The author does a good Paranormal series too. Now if only i had time to read it. Check it out here.



I could go on for a while with authors I go too in a pinch for both inspiration and pure enjoyment. Most of my Readers already know Michael Anderle, but do you know Bradford Bates? Or C R Daems? or Kindal Debenham? Or Kennedy Hudner

Happy reading!

Let's try someting new. Here is Chapter one of Space Cadets.

New idea in the form of an experiment. I am going to attempt to write the next Athena Lee Universe Novel in the form of 1 chapter segments in place of the short stories each week. When i get 10 chapters I'll finish the book.
_____

<Unedited>

Space Cadets; Book 2 of the Athena Lee Universe

Chapter 1


“Stay calm. Stay calm.”  Lieutenant Deanna Faber muttered to herself under her breath. If anyone was even listening they chose to not comment. Deanna, Dean to her friends, was a tall, striking, brunette. She was new to Freedom Station and a recent graduate of the Officers Candidate school.

She gripped her carry bag even tighter as she passed a group of Engineering ensigns. Nodding to them she smiled. They returned her smile and started to straighten up to attention. A small wave from her and they stood down. Dean’s uniform tabs showed that she was a bridge officer. It was the tabs themselves that made this task so hard. She was about to betray everything she swore an oath to not do!

In hindsight she got herself into this situation. Going to that party was her first mistake. Getting involved with the Cabal might be her last. It was too late now. You are in too deep. Or at least that is what her subconscious kept telling her.

“Come on Dean, it will be fun! He’s got on of those new Lind Company pod hoppers. You will just love Clark, he’s a blast.”

Dean looked at her friend in surprise. “Mandy, isn’t he married? Why are you messing around with a married man? Your parents will die if they find out!”

Her friend blushed a little. “They won’t die! Mom might get upset a little. It’s not like I’m sleeping with him or anything. Clark just likes younger friends, that’s all. The Kent family are the second richest family on the planet. Just come and meet him.” Mandy looked at Dean and smiled. “He’s got some cute cousins…”

“I don’t know. Don’t you think that a Captain in the Militia who is married is a little creepy hanging out with younger single women all the time?” Dean frowned and looked to her friend. Mandy could get a bit flaky sometimes but they had been friends for years.

“Don’t be like that. He’s a good man. Do you still like those ancient vids you once showed me? The guy that lives in the box and the guy in the red suit flying around are the ones I remember.”

“Did you mean Dr Who? Red suit could be several different ones but I get the idea. Why?” Mandy was never a history buff like I was but she did try to watch with me a few times.

“The Kent family has a huge library of those things. Clark said his grandfather got them from the colony ship. I told him how much you get into historical vids and he said he would dig out some of the really old ones for you.” Mandy smiled at me and I smiled back. She knew exactly what my lure was.

“Fine. I will meet him. Where is he?” I looked around.

“Not here, silly.” Mandy giggled. “He’s picking me up over there with his new hopper. Why don’t you tag along?” She pointed to a nearby copse of trees.

That afternoon was the start of it. One small party led to another one and then another one. Before she knew it she was spending all her free time at the Kent estate. At the time she didn’t notice it but the vid selection became more specific as they watched. Finally, after watching a series on the Cyber wars and the rise of the UN did Clark ask her the question.

“Dean, what is your opinion of the UN?”

Dean’s hand froze in the act of putting a handful of popcorn into her mouth. “The UN? Do you mean the Old Earth United Nations? That UN?” She pointed to the screen with her other hand.

“Yes, that UN. Do you think they had the security of all of us in minds when they took over after the wars?”

The look on Clark’s face was one of seriousness so Dean didn’t laugh at him. “The UN was a political entity on Earth why does it matter what I think?”

“Agreed. You, like I, are part of the military. You obviously enjoy history or you wouldn’t like these vids. What it your opinion of the UN?” Clark turned in his seat to stare at her.

“It was an organization that was needed at the time. Earth was in ruins none of the Nation States could do anything to help. They represented the order and structure that the world at the time needed desperately.”

Clark smiled a huge smile at her. He patted her knee. “That is an insightful answer. Now, how do you think what the UN did on Earth could relate to this world and the other known colonies.”

Dean smiled back at Clark. Geopolitical discussion was her favorite at the Academy. “I have read that the UN tried to assert it’s control of the colonies but lost due to distance and lack of communication. What they did on Earth could work here now. I mean, communications between worlds are faster with drones and comm buoys. Our ships are ten times faster than they were 150 years ago and the weapons are more powerful. The only thing preventing total cohesion is the current political climate. Unfortunately there isn’t any outside force strong enough to step in unless you are thinking about Mars. It was my understanding that they are our allies already?”

“Mars is an ally. What if there was an outside force that could bring all the lost colonies into the fold. One nation would mean universal healthcare, security, and structure. No longer would people have to ask why. Would something like that appeal to you?” Clark peered into Dean’s eyes.

Dean nodded. “It would. But how? There is no such nation or fleet that can do those things! You’re just being silly, Clark.” She gave him a little push.

Clark stood, pulling Dean to her feet along with him. “I have something to show you. Come on.” He pulled the younger girl along with him to a hallway she had never seen in the estate before. “Do you trust me?”

“Of course I do Clark! What is this place?” Dean looked down the hall. It was dark and shadowed.

“This is the answer to all your questions and the solution to much of our troubles.” He stepped forward and the lights slowly came up. Arrayed along the walls were relics from a time long gone. Obvious colony ship relics, Old Earth paintings, and what appeared to be United Nations uniforms and symbols. Clark opened the door at the end of the hall and motioned Dean forward.


Dean gave a little shudder in remembrance of that weekend. So much to know and learn. So much to fear. She didn’t have a choice anymore. It was either bow to the wishes of the Cabal or die. She didn’t want to die. Her one attempt at leaving was cut short when her parents were evicted from property they had spent their entire lives on and beaten nearly to death. Protecting her own was all she cared about now. That is why she was here now.


Shift change was moments away according to the posted schedule. Dean knew that the main induction coils were built into the wall in the storage room just ahead. She had studied the blueprints leftover from the last construction phase. Contrary to regulations the conduits were rerouted through the closet and up into the main propulsion system. This was the only flaw in the engine room. It made her wonder how many others existed. Did Clark or his family have anything to do with it? It was too late to ask them the question anyway.


“Dean! Did you see Clark on the vid?” Mandy Pepperidge plopped down into the seat across from Dean in the Academy library.

“What did he do now? Save some hikers from a nearbear or something?” Dean didn’t even try to hide the derision is her voice. He betrayed her to the Cabal and now they owned her very soul.

“No! He and his entire family were arrested last night for treason! They were part of a criminal organization called the Cabal. At least according to the newsies!” Mandy fiddled with her tablet and pulled up the report.

“… family patriarch, Council member,  and former Militia Colonel Jonathan Kent is shown here followed by his son Captain Clark Kent. Government investigators recently discovered a conspiracy involving the Kent family and the off-world Cabalists. The Cabal is responsible for the overthrow of the Imperial Senate and numerous crimes committed by agents across the galaxy. Former Governor Edward Norton is said to have been a member. More raids are expected.”

“Didn’t you and Clark have a thing once?”

Deanna blushed and looked at her friend. The lie was right on the tip of her tongue so remembering her training she used it. “No. I went to that party YOU took me to, remember? One of his cousins asked me out and we watched one of the history vids. They were too rich and high society for someone like me. My parents raise chickens not credits.”

“That’s what I thought. I was interviewed by military intelligence and told them the same thing. If it’s true I hope he gets the death penalty.”

Dean looked up at her friend in shock. “What did he do Mandy?”

Mandy’s eyes brimmed with tears. “I should have stayed away from him like you said Dean. He tried to have his way with me and then threatened to have me expelled if I talked. I should have said something!”

“Did you tell Military intelligence what you just told me?” Dean stared at Mandy’s face. Some of the training she had received told her Mandy was hiding something. Now was not the time to look for allies so she stayed quiet.

“I did. They are investigating. Do you remember anyone else that hung out with the Kents, Dean?”

“You would know who better than I, Mandy. You invited most of them.” Dean looked at her pointedly.

“True. Thanks Dean. See you later.” Dean watched the blond peril bounce out of the library. She let out the breath she was holding in and started mashing buttons on her tablet. Who else knew she was a Cabal agent?


It all seemed so long ago. The arrest and deportation of the conspirators and the fateful call a week later. Just because the Kents were gone doesn’t mean she wasn’t still apart of the organization. He role in the renewal of the universe was still there. She opened the storage closed and examined the wall. The disguised explosive units looked like metallic patches. They would sit unnoticed until it was too late. She quickly placed four of them on the bulkhead. Shifting some of the stores around they didn’t even look out of place. If only the rest would be so easy. Treason was hard work. The same could be said of bringing down an Empire from the inside.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

The Forgotten Engineer is a Year old!

If you live in the United States here is your chance for a free Book. Only 40 are available! 


Unfortunately, the Giveaway is now over. Here is a list of the winners. I hope everyone enjoyed the book! 

  • Loretta Owens
  • Tom Elrod
  • Tracie Travoli
  • Lori
  • Sarah
  • Rebecca Wodicka
  • Sean Preston
  • Robert S Barron
  • Kimberlee Smith
  • John J Merlino
  • james kurihara
  • Denise Clements
  • C.D. Martin-Rivera
  • Jon
  • andrew
  • Tabitha A Dicks
  • Theresa Barber
  • Thavy Liburd
  • Wheaton
  • john
  • Wayne Tripp
  • Bonnie Mallen
  • Robert Blackburn
  • ladawn
  • Faricha Lewing
  • Dean Agnew
  • Linda Culberson
  • Debbie Nelson
  • Jack W McCoy
  • Marilyn Hastings
  • Christopher Forrester
  • ROBERT GONZALEZ
  • Seth Kuykendall
  • gwen
  • Elizabeth Brightwell
  • diana
  • kellie thomas
  • Lisa Mitchell
  • joseph moll
  • Kat Lind
  • Robert
  • Robert Hobson Jr
  • Nipa Jhaveri
  • Angela Bailey
  • Doug McMillan
  • Deirdrea Macias
  • Jerry Roos
  • DaveMac
  • Stewart Laughlin
  • Carol Ann Duffy Deady

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Fergus has an Origin story!

Ever wonder where he came from or the life he lived before getting involved with Witches? There is a new Anthology that answers that very question. He had a life and a love before it was all snatched away. This answers those burning questions and more!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W2HLDWC

Saturday, February 4, 2017

New Barn for Fergus

Everyone love the little Unicorn and I am constantly looking for inspiration at toy stores and flea markets. Barn's that Moo are a thing of the past. My mother threw mine away a long time ago, so I've been looking for one. The original company that made them doesn't anymore. But I did find this Barn at a local store the other day. I found what I can use as a Fergus (Armor is removable) a few weeks ago, too. Together they make a good model of the Mini Unicorn from my books.

My wife thinks I'm insane for having it on my desk but it gives me inspiration.