I’ve been writing books since 2013. Since then, I've learned a great deal about writing and storytelling! That’s why I’m going back and reworking all of my books.
So far, I’ve completed work on all three books in the Alban Saga: BEATRICE, BLACK GROTTO, and my newest novel, VORTEX. I’ve also completed the first book of the Rooms series: ROOMS.
As of today, I've finished reworking and republishing the second and final book of the Rooms series: THE CHOSEN. This latest version can now be ordered on any Amazon site around the world. If you decide you want a copy, it’s available in the U. S starting today. If you live outside the U. S., I would recommend waiting until the fifth of February to ensure you receive the new version.
All my books are available digitally for the Kindle Reader as well as in paperback on Amazon.
I only have one book left to rework, and it is MERLIN & ARTHUR: THE AWAKENING. Once I’ve completed that, I’ll begin writing my next novel.
Description
Earth had been laid to waste and abandoned over five hundred years in the past by The Chosen, an elite and powerful corporate upper-class. Over time, their descendants had spread out across the galaxy in order to survive, and their original society and culture had been lost and forgotten.
Lost and forgotten everywhere, that is, except on one planet—M-78. On that rich and resource-laden world, The Chosen’sway of life had remained intact ever since leaving Earth, and Harlequin and the Visionaries, through the use of reboot technology, had continued as their leaders. Their philosophy: “The Chosen must survive, and Profit, above all else!”
But The Chosen were not satisfied with one planet. They were determined to spread their influence across the galaxy and had been searching for another Earth-like world to exploit. They eventually discovered Loon, but the humans on that rich and verdant planet were nothing like The Chosen. This set up a galactic conflict that would influence human evolution one way or another for eons and eons to come.
Chapter 1
The Tower
The rounded, transparent covers of the growth capsules radiated a warm bluish-white light in the darkened hall. Inside each lay a naked body attached to a ghostly face. Affixed to the control panel of every capsule were lines containing air and liquid nourishment, pumping and maintaining the lives within, while creating a constant hum that vibrated faintly throughout the room. The scientists shuffled among them, speaking quietly and checking the ever-present dials, blinking lights, and graphs, constantly monitoring the life signs of the valuable occupants inside each chamber.
Mallory, the lead scientist, was tall and completely encased in a red bio-suit. It was awkward to work in—but essential. The room had to remain DNA sterile. He stood alongside the raised capsule at the very center of the hall. It was the only one set apart on an elaborately decorated pedestal, featuring an ancient inlaid gold leaf design created more than five hundred years ago. He looked down at the person inside, knowing that he must not fail to bring this latest copy to its full and desired age. It was the job of his team; it was what they did. However, this particular case was completely his responsibility.
“How much longer do you think we’ll need to monitor her?” The voice came from Mallory’s assistant, Yolanda. In the quiet, busy room, whenever someone spoke louder than a whisper, it felt a bit startling.
Mallory looked at Yolanda disapprovingly and whispered back, “I’m not sure, Yolanda, but I’m watching the cell and brain development very closely. This is the fifth clone for her, and from our records, I know the requirements. She is always released from the chamber at the biological age of twenty-eight—no sooner and no later. I think we have about seventy-two hours left before she’ll be ready. I’ll be able to tell you more in about two to three hours.”
Yolanda, in a much quieter tone, interjected, “I’ve seen pictures of all her copies. It seems that in each one, her features are a bit more striking and she’s a few centimeters taller. Do you know if she had any significant alterations this time?”
“Her hair is slightly more auburn, and her eyes have been adjusted to an even more brilliant green. Also, she requested the latest strength, anti-aging, and memory enhancements to be included. Other than that, there weren’t any additional changes.”
Yolanda had another question. “How old is her living copy?”
Mallory thought for a moment and then said, “She’s about a hundred and fifty, I think. It’s her longest life span so far.”
“I’ve heard she usually comes to look at her new copy before the release. Do you know when that will be?”
“The latest word is that we will probably see her sometime tomorrow. I’m sure she’ll show up unannounced. She usually does. We’ll just have to be ready.”
***
The top two floors of the Visionaries’ Tower were off-limits to everyone except the cloning scientists and the thirteen Visionaries. The one-hundred-floor building was located at the very center of the newly built Lifeglobe on M-78, its opulent, multi-colored zed-glass coating shimmering in the morning sunlight.
Harlequin walked up to one of the building’s four entrance lifts, feeling somewhat older than usual today. Even at the age of a hundred and fifty, she still carried herself with arrogance and pride. The augmentations she had added last time were still functioning and supplying her with the necessary support. She was tall and remained a very intelligent, handsome, and commanding woman, but she knew that her days were numbered. Every day, it was becoming more and more difficult for her to function.
She gazed into the security eye and heard the sonorous beep, granting her clearance to enter. Being the leader of the Visionaries for as long as anyone could remember gave her access to every part of the tower, and today she was headed to the top floor—the growth chamber. Her memory told her that she had performed this same act four time before, but this was her first in this new building. In her mind’s eye, she could vividly remember each of those past events, especially since she had viewed them just the night before. As with the rest of her body, her memory chip had begun to malfunction and slow down—she was simply doing her best to keep going until the day of her reboot.
Stepping into the entrance lift, she rose smoothly along the exterior of the building within a transparent cylinder. This new way of entering the tower was still unsettling to her. However, now at least, she was able to keep her eyes open and gaze straight through the swirling waves of colors in the zed-glass across the vast surface of the planet. The architects, she was told, had not only designed the building to function well and be beautifully distinctive but also to create a unique experience for its inhabitants. She felt they had succeeded.
Her thoughts about the building were a welcome distraction, but today’s meeting and the future were still uppermost in her mind. Even though she knew her body would soon die, she also understood that her copy would live on. She was anxious to see her next incarnation. Mallory had told her that it was almost ready and had been prepared exactly as she had requested.
Eighty-eight, eighty-nine—the floors clicked by, just like the seconds of her life. Ninety-nine, one hundred. The lift slowed to a stop with a muffled swish. Harlequin stepped out onto the brilliant black floor, hit once again by the overpowering view of her planet. It was a sight that no one could get used to.
She then turned away from the windows and saw the entrance to the growth chamber—a single red door. Walking towards it, she turned the handle and opened it. A voice greeted her, saying, “Please take off all of your clothes and place them in the bin to your right. Then you may proceed to the decontamination shower.” For some reason, the request amused her today. She stripped down, put her clothes in the bin, and calmly crossed over the threshold into the shower. The bursts of liquid and aromatic gas only lasted a minute or two.
After her shower, she entered the dressing area and was greeted by a female android who dried and fitted her with a special red suit, covering her from head to toe. When the robotic assistant was confident that Harlequin was ready, she allowed her to leave. The exit door hissed, and she walked through one last cloud of sterilizing gas. It coated her suit and allowed her one-hour of access time inside the hall.
Her eyes took a moment to adjust to the dimly lit room, but as they did, she observed several scientists moving almost silently between the glowing capsules. The only sounds she could hear were the slight ticks and hums from the growth capsules and the soft murmuring of the dedicated workers. It was quite mesmerizing, actually; however, Harlequin’s reverie was interrupted when she suddenly noticed Mallory and Yolanda standing beside her.
Harlequin’s taut and barely wrinkled face transformed into an eccentric smile as she asked, “Mallory, so how is my copy doing?”
“Very well, Harlequin. She is now within about forty hours of being released. Would you like to see her?”
“I would, but first I’d like to look at the copies of my other twelve friends, if I could.”
“Please follow me,” and Mallory escorted her forward to view each of the other capsules.
They walked together through the maze, and Harlequin glanced at each one of the twelve faces that she knew so well. These people had become her closest confidants and advisors. They had made up the Visionary Council that had left Earth hundreds of years in the past. They had been kept alive through their exact copies, just as she had, although, with a bit less attention to detail. Their existence, and hers, had provided continuity to their culture and had permitted their unique vision of human existence to be carried forward into the future. She named each of her friends silently as she walked past them before finally reaching her own capsule.
“Here we are, Harlequin.” Mallory noted with a hint of pride in his voice.
“Yes…” and there she was. Only a year before, she had met with Mallory to discuss her options for this new clone and had made very few adjustments. She felt that after all of these years, her current specifications were optimal. However, she did make a few minor adjustments, adding whatever packages Mallory felt would allow her next iteration an even longer and more productive existence.
“When can I meet with her? I know that she’ll be empty, of course, except for basic language, but I’ve met all of my other incarnations before the reboot. I have something particularly important that I’d like to tell this one in person.”
“Of course. I think you’ll be able to meet with her in approximately a day and half or so. I’ll contact you when she’s ready.”
“Good. Could you open her eyes for me before I leave?”
“Yes.”
Mallory walked over to the control panel and pressed a button. As he did, the copy opened its eyes. The ethereal blue-white light inside the capsule tinted them unnaturally; even so, the startling green was still obvious. Harlequin was happy with the result, knowing that in intimate conversations her eyes had always added to her ability to control and dominate. She then glanced over every inch of her new, lithe body. She was very pleased and felt almost ready to be done with it.
“Three days, Mallory. Prepare her well, and then contact me. Please have her meet me in my office on the ninety-ninth floor. We’ll sit on my soft cushions and have a chat.”
“I will, Harlequin.”
***
Harlequin watched as her copy walked into her office. The first thing she noticed was how fluidly and gracefully this new iteration of herself entered the room, already possessing a commanding and dominant presence. It pleased Harlequin a great deal.
She began their meeting by having her copy sit down on the couch and asked, “Are you comfortable?”
“Yes.”
She was polite but a bit stiff, though she could adequately function and converse. Her memory chip had been placed inside her brain very early in her growth cycle; she had everything she needed to begin to learning and remembering. Harlequin knew that the copy would not be able to add much to the conversation today, but that didn’t matter. The only thing required of her right now was her memory. What she would be told today simply needed to be heard and taken in, not discussed.
“Would you like some water or anything to eat before we begin?”
“No, thank you. I just consumed my first real meal.”
Harlequin smiled at the phrasing, and as she stared at her, she became cognizant of the fact that everything she had ever known or thought would soon be inside this person. She was so young and strong, so tall and striking. Her scintillating eyes, glowing skin, and rich auburn hair only added to her appearance. This copy would certainly be an extremely formidable leader.
“Alright then… I know that you feel disoriented and empty right now. I remember how I felt just after they brought me out of my capsule. It’s unsettling, but in tomorrow’s Reboot Ceremony, everything will become clear. You will know and have every memory that I have, as well as every memory that all of the other copies of me had since the time our original left Earth.”
The copy simply looked at Harlequin and listened very carefully. It was obvious that she was taking in the information, but it wouldn’t mean a great deal to her until after the reboot.
Harlequin tilted her head, gazing carefully into those startling eyes, and continued, saying, “Now, since you will be me, you can be trusted to hear some new and extremely important information that I’ve just recently acquired. It’s something we have been searching for ever since the day we left Earth, but you must not say a thing to anyone about it until after the Reboot Ceremony.” She knew that her copy would follow her commands without question; she had been programmed to do so.
“We’ve finally tracked down a pulse signal that we believe might have come from an experimental ship that we created and sent out from Earth over five hundred years ago. The Ship, as it was called, was designed to find another Earth-like planet. When that was accomplished, it was programmed to release space beacons that would notify us. It would also start colonizing the planet with humans who were to be conceived, raised, and educated within The Ship. These humans would then live on the new planet and prepare for our eventual arrival. However, we’re not absolutely sure yet that this signal was transmitted from our vessel. We did receive a message, but the signal had deteriorated and was garbled. It will take time to determine if it’s really the right one. If it is, we’ll then need to reassemble and decode it to finally learn if the mission was a success.
“If it was the correct signal, then a planet much like Earth has been discovered somewhere in our galaxy, and we’ll know its approximate location. Then, we can send out a small reconnaissance party to investigate and confirm its existence.
“This is what we have dreamed about and longed for. If the pulse signal did come from The Ship, then we’ve finally found our new home. Are you taking this in? Are you comprehending the words I’m using?”
The copy nodded and simply answered, “Yes, I am.”
“I’m telling you this because it’s extremely important. I want it to be one of your very first memories, and I think it’s essential that it come directly from me.”
Harlequin’s copy looked straight into her predecessor’s eyes and continued to listen. “Immediately after the reboot, you must find out if this signal is from our ship, and if it is, you must follow through and determine if the planet it found is habitable. If all of that proves to be true, you must follow our doctrine and use our security forces to secure it and begin to exploit it for our gain. The Chosen must continue to lead and create new avenues of profit for our corporations. For thousands of years, Earth was a lucrative and valuable asset, but it was used up; we had to move on and find others in the galaxy. The Chosen must survive, and profit above all else—must continue!”
The copy again nodded in affirmation and sat waiting for more, but Harlequin was almost done and said, “I have one last piece of advice to give you. As the leader of the Visionaries and The Chosen, you will have to be steadfast and sometimes brutal in order to protect our way of life and our assets. Those beneath and inferior to us will do everything they can to disrupt our vision of the world and to gain their own freedom. But I tell you this: they are not our equals; they are simply here to work for us. We are The Chosen, and they are no more than our workforce. Never forget who we are and who they are.”
The copy looked coldly into Harlequin’s eyes and said, “I will not forget.”
