R.D. Hale's Blog, page 6
November 11, 2014
Sky City: The Rise of an Orphan - Deleted Scene
The following scene was reluctantly deleted from Sky City: The Rise of an Orphan after careful consideration. I may recycle it in a future book:
WARNING VIOLENT CONTENT
Tension increases as we march through the crystalline village to the execution arena situated below the Sky Elevator. Rigidly, we descend into the crater where an atmosphere of mercilessness is engendered by the murmurs of bloodthirsty spectators sitting on steps.
As we take our seats and await the culmination of undue process, the sense of anticipation renders me mute. A dozen Samarian guards line a tunnel entrance as four traditionally iron-clad executioners lead out a shackled prisoner, naked except for a loin cloth and barbwire crown. An elite marches out in an undulating red cloak with chin held high. A gold and sapphire diadem generates a blinding aura and her serpentine staff almost seems to hiss in her hand. The elite stands on a platform lined by carved snakeheads and she addresses the crowd:
'Thomas Arkenhead was yesterday found guilty of blasphemy. The prisoner proclaimed that Samarianism was a compilation of outdated ethical philosophies and fanciful mythology. He said the Orientis was self-contradictory and he was baffled by the gullibility that allowed it to propagate. He rejected the reincarnation of Samaris...
There can only be one penalty for such profanity and that is execution, the manner of which can be decided by the crowd. But first a word on why such punishment is necessary. The love of the goddess Katona is found in all of us, although it is often suppressed by materialism, intolerance and egotism. The principle of revelation is to resurrect this understanding in our minds, but our tendencies corrupt this knowledge. This is why we need prophets to speak the mind of the goddess. Those who reject faith will be punished with appalling agony now and in the afterlife.
And now for the punishment. You can choose one of three options. The first, death by stoning... The second, death by burning... The third, death by quartering...'
The first two options drew unenthusiastic murmurs, but the third brings a blood-vessel bursting roar from the crowd and their unquenchable desire for suffering sends tremors through my bones.
'It's unanimous. Death by quartering it is.'
'But I'm a good man, this is wrong. Pl-ea-se!' Thomas Arkenhead screams and his words are met with howls of derision. Knees buckle to baton blows against his ribcage, adding to the bruises and scratch marks which cover his vulnerable torso.
'You are not a good man. Savour this moment while it lasts, for it is going to get a whole lot worse in the hereafter. Mount him,' the elite commands.
The rattle of chains is drowned by fervent blasts as once again the crowd roar. Broad-shouldered guards grip the prisoner's limbs which hopelessly resist being mounted to the gallows. 'Please, please!'
Thomas Arkenhead's gaze darts disbelievingly but there is no escape route, no straw to clutch, no saviour. As they suspend this fretful convict he already looks dead despite vigorous animation. He is not of this world, not worthy of life, it has been decided, pre-ordained. And I should feel pity for him, but hundreds of prisoners are executed every day; it would be a waste of tears.
'Nobody imagines when they start out in life, it'll end this way,' I mutter.
'He knew what the punishment was before he committed the crime,' Eyris hisses, correcting her posture.
'How can another human being can do such a thing?' Thomas Arkenhead screams, vomiting into his beard. The elite draws her ritual dagger and the curved blade gleams as she approaches the condemned man who leans away with a grimace of terror.
The blade tip is placed against Thomas Arkenhead's trembling groin and he screams but it is a gentler, more pitiful scream. A scream of resignation, of hoping for a swift end to the torment. A flood of red pours as the elite's hand crosses his abdomen and his bowels spill, dangling. Colour drains from his greying flesh and he squirms as gore taints the brilliant floor.
'I can't watch a man being cut to pieces! Tell me when it's over.' Mila turns away with face buried into palms and Eyris rubs her shoulder-blade.
Thomas Arkenhead's crown of barbwire falls as the gallows are tilted backwards to suspend his body with arms and legs at full stretch. Executioners stand at each limb and they unsheathe swords so visibly sharp they could slice through individual dust particles in the air.
'On the count of three... One... Two... Three!'
The deafening roar makes me sway in my seat as four swords simultaneously sever Thomas Arkenhead's limbs, causing his torso to slump to the ground. And the carving of human flesh seems not dissimilar to the butchery of a farm animal. This scene of ruthless injustice makes me feel ashamed for not being more horrified than I am.
'Sword.' A guard hands a sword to the elite. 'Hold him up.'
The same guard holds Thomas Arkenhead's limbless body by his crusted hair and as I wonder whether he remains conscious a swish of the elite's sword severs his neck. Once again his torso audibly thuds and a decapitated head stares into the crowd as the last modicum of life slips away with the dripping of blood.
'Prepare the pigs!'
The severed head is dropped, rolling along the plateau as the executioners stroll out of the arena without displaying a hint of unease. Warthogs are released, scurrying over to tear flesh and their ravenous, shaking faces are soaked by Thomas Arkenhead's vital fluids. A living, breathing person is reduced to animal feed and I cannot avert these awestruck eyes.
Want a Free Copy of Sky City?
Sky City: The Rise of an Orphan currently has 102 Amazon.com reviews with a 4.6 star average.
The book occupies a middle ground between commercial sci-fi like Hunger Games and hard sci-fi like Snow Crash or Neuromancer. It contains scenes of graphic violence late on, but the sexual content is mild. It is a dark, but humorous story set on the distinctive world of Eryx. If you want to checkout the preview sample, here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I21QZUI
You can request a copy by commenting below or via direct message.
First of all, you will need a Smashwords account so I can provide a download code. (Amazon UK doesn't allow gifting.) You will need to be willing to post an honest review on Amazon.com (US store) and Goodreads.
You will need to start your review with the following line: "I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review".
The book occupies a middle ground between commercial sci-fi like Hunger Games and hard sci-fi like Snow Crash or Neuromancer. It contains scenes of graphic violence late on, but the sexual content is mild. It is a dark, but humorous story set on the distinctive world of Eryx. If you want to checkout the preview sample, here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I21QZUI
You can request a copy by commenting below or via direct message.
First of all, you will need a Smashwords account so I can provide a download code. (Amazon UK doesn't allow gifting.) You will need to be willing to post an honest review on Amazon.com (US store) and Goodreads.
You will need to start your review with the following line: "I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review".
What is Transreal Biopunk?
Biopunk is a sub-genre of science fiction which focuses on the misuse of biotechnology and a breakdown of the social order against a backdrop of mega-corporations and oppressive governments. Biopunk differs slightly from cyberpunk which places its emphasis on computer technology and cybernetics.
The Sky City series can best be described as transreal biopunk. The literary transreal element relates to the seemingly magical properties of the technologies and the paranormal events which have a (pseudo)scientific underpinning.
The series also incorporates the poetic transrealism concept of uncertainty in which the universe imposes its changes in the perceptive and imaginary capacity of the brain, which this assumes as reality. The first person narrative is used to explore the relationship between the protagonist's mind and his universe.
The biopunk element comes primarily from the genetically modified creatures which have been created by mega-corporations such as Reay-McCabe Laboratories. On the one hand you could say Sky City is an exploration of the consequences of the misuse of biotechnology and nanotechnology, but firstly and most importantly these elements are an excuse to provide some spectacular action!
Transreal biopunk is an almost fantasy-like approach which breaks through science fiction conventions, creating a unique reader experience in which our imaginations are able to take flight.
What is Transreal Biopunk
Biopunk is a sub-genre of science fiction which focuses on the misuse of biotechnology and a breakdown of the social order against a backdrop of mega-corporations and oppressive governments. Biopunk differs slightly from cyberpunk which places its emphasis on computer technology and cybernetics.
The Sky City series can best be described as transreal biopunk. The literary transreal element relates to the seemingly magical properties of the technologies and the paranormal events which have a (pseudo)scientific underpinning.
The series also incorporates the poetic transrealism concept of uncertainty in which the universe imposes its changes in the perceptive and imaginary capacity of the brain, which this assumes as reality. The first person narrative is used to explore the relationship between the protagonist's mind and his universe.
The biopunk element comes primarily from the genetically modified creatures which have been created by mega-corporations such as Reay-McCabe Laboratories. On the one hand you could say Sky City is an exploration of the consequences of the misuse of biotechnology and nanotechnology, but firstly and most importantly these elements are an excuse to provide some spectacular action!
Transreal biopunk is an almost fantasy-like approach which breaks through science fiction conventions, creating a unique reader experience in which our imaginations are able to take flight.
Why Sci-Fi is too Conservative
This may at first seem like a crazy suggestion. We think of sci-fi and we envision aliens, cyborgs, lazers, and dystopian megalopolises that all seem to be the product of over-active imaginations. Yet, the third law of Arthur C.Clarke states: 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.' Does sci-fi really embrace this principle?
Let's break this down:
In the future humans may no longer be recognisable due to genetic modification and cybernetics. Who wouldn't take advantage of a technology to make them smarter, stronger or fitter? Our evolution would be accelerated at such a rate that our appearances would change dramatically. We'd be taller, more muscular, maybe we'd change the colours of our eyes and skin. The least tasteful element may come from people wanting to adopt the appearance of whichever race was most powerful at the time (possibly Chinese or Indian judging by current economic growth). Or maybe race would no longer be relevant and we'd become more creative in our body modifications. Look at what people are doing today with tattoos, piercings, implants and hair dyes. Imagine a time where we could take a capsule to turn our skin blue or green! Some (weird) people may think it's fun to grow horns or a tail! The possibilities are endless.
We wouldn't age, we'd require less food and water and we'd probably be able to convert inedible materials into food. Maybe we'd be able to breathe underwater or survive the vacuum of space and the intense radiation. Maybe we'd be able to set foot on Venus without a protective suit because our new bodies could survive the heat and atmospheric pressure! Maybe there'd no longer be a typical human form. We may be so good at surviving that our biggest threats become overpopulation and conflict.
Lazers are the stalwarts of any sci-fi armoury, but this technology is currently available, albeit in crude form. In the future weapons will probably come in very different forms to what we have today. In fact there may be no need for weapons at all. Once we have cracked the code of the human brain, mind control will be a reality and we'll all be puppets. But let's suppose we are still at each other's throats a century from now.
Weapons will likely be microscopic. Nanite plagues could incapacitate you, turn you against your allies or break you down at the subatomic level. Maybe they could induce hallucinations, make soldiers cry like babies and run in terror. Maybe they could target the DNA of ethnic groups and infect them like an artificial plague. The key element is we wouldn't see them coming and wars would be won by whoever struck first without any fighting taking place. There'd be no defence and no-one would ever be truly safe. Imagine a terrorist with a nanite plague at his disposal.
Aliens, if we ever meet them, probably aren't remotely anthropomorphic. Their natural physiology would match the conditions of their environment, but they could also be body modifiers. Or maybe they'd go a step further and have mechanical bodies. Why have two arms if you can have four? Why not give yourself wings? Aliens may have given up any attachment to their natural design and built artificial bodies purely for practical purposes. Maybe they have a different design for every task they perform. Maybe they are shape shifters. Maybe we will be too and will be unable to distinguish aliens as a separate species because the concept will become irrelevant.
To be continued...
Let's break this down:
In the future humans may no longer be recognisable due to genetic modification and cybernetics. Who wouldn't take advantage of a technology to make them smarter, stronger or fitter? Our evolution would be accelerated at such a rate that our appearances would change dramatically. We'd be taller, more muscular, maybe we'd change the colours of our eyes and skin. The least tasteful element may come from people wanting to adopt the appearance of whichever race was most powerful at the time (possibly Chinese or Indian judging by current economic growth). Or maybe race would no longer be relevant and we'd become more creative in our body modifications. Look at what people are doing today with tattoos, piercings, implants and hair dyes. Imagine a time where we could take a capsule to turn our skin blue or green! Some (weird) people may think it's fun to grow horns or a tail! The possibilities are endless.
We wouldn't age, we'd require less food and water and we'd probably be able to convert inedible materials into food. Maybe we'd be able to breathe underwater or survive the vacuum of space and the intense radiation. Maybe we'd be able to set foot on Venus without a protective suit because our new bodies could survive the heat and atmospheric pressure! Maybe there'd no longer be a typical human form. We may be so good at surviving that our biggest threats become overpopulation and conflict.
Lazers are the stalwarts of any sci-fi armoury, but this technology is currently available, albeit in crude form. In the future weapons will probably come in very different forms to what we have today. In fact there may be no need for weapons at all. Once we have cracked the code of the human brain, mind control will be a reality and we'll all be puppets. But let's suppose we are still at each other's throats a century from now.
Weapons will likely be microscopic. Nanite plagues could incapacitate you, turn you against your allies or break you down at the subatomic level. Maybe they could induce hallucinations, make soldiers cry like babies and run in terror. Maybe they could target the DNA of ethnic groups and infect them like an artificial plague. The key element is we wouldn't see them coming and wars would be won by whoever struck first without any fighting taking place. There'd be no defence and no-one would ever be truly safe. Imagine a terrorist with a nanite plague at his disposal.
Aliens, if we ever meet them, probably aren't remotely anthropomorphic. Their natural physiology would match the conditions of their environment, but they could also be body modifiers. Or maybe they'd go a step further and have mechanical bodies. Why have two arms if you can have four? Why not give yourself wings? Aliens may have given up any attachment to their natural design and built artificial bodies purely for practical purposes. Maybe they have a different design for every task they perform. Maybe they are shape shifters. Maybe we will be too and will be unable to distinguish aliens as a separate species because the concept will become irrelevant.
To be continued...
Orphans of the World
Not saying I'm a poet, not saying the point is original, but I thought I'd make it anyway:
Geo-politicism, competing religions
Feeding ignorance, weakening the people's resistance,
The wealthy elite only feel indifference...
Ghetto children ostracised by a wealthy nation,
Still, to some, embody a great Satan,
Suicide bomber fodder their designation...
Palestinian children throw rocks at Israeli tanks,
Roaming bullet-riddled buildings in the West Bank,
Who the hell have they got to thank?
Pakistani children hear a hum in the sky,
Point and watch a US drone flying high,
And tremble upon the realisation they're about to die...
Nobility and evilness blur into shades of grey,
We say there's no other solution, no better way,
Then ask a child to pay a price we're unwilling to pay...
Geo-politicism, competing religions
Feeding ignorance, weakening the people's resistance,
The wealthy elite only feel indifference...
Ghetto children ostracised by a wealthy nation,
Still, to some, embody a great Satan,
Suicide bomber fodder their designation...
Palestinian children throw rocks at Israeli tanks,
Roaming bullet-riddled buildings in the West Bank,
Who the hell have they got to thank?
Pakistani children hear a hum in the sky,
Point and watch a US drone flying high,
And tremble upon the realisation they're about to die...
Nobility and evilness blur into shades of grey,
We say there's no other solution, no better way,
Then ask a child to pay a price we're unwilling to pay...
10 Facts about R. D. Hale
1) R. D. Hale was the world's first attempt at a test tube baby. It went wrong.
2) R.D. Hale is allergic to soap, puppies and a place called Sunderland.
3) R. D. Hale is fluent in 17 languages, none of them human. Incidentally, his English is appalling.
4) R. D. Hale once ran a marathon. Today he can't walk five yards without getting cramp, or pick up his child without putting his back out.
5) R. D. Hale masquerades as a crime fighter, despite his decrepitude. The truth of the matter is, he likes the feel of spandex.
6) R. D. Hale is still convinced that one day he will marry Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Don't tell his wife.
7) R. D. Hale is wanted by Interpol for allegedly penning the scripts to The Chipmunks movies, and other crimes against humanity.
8) R. D. Hale is entirely imaginary, so the above facts can be disregarded. His book was 'written' by a chimpanzee mashing on a keyboard. PR people labelled this nonsense 'experimental'.
9) R. D. Hale's lack of existence means he is unable to count.
2) R.D. Hale is allergic to soap, puppies and a place called Sunderland.
3) R. D. Hale is fluent in 17 languages, none of them human. Incidentally, his English is appalling.
4) R. D. Hale once ran a marathon. Today he can't walk five yards without getting cramp, or pick up his child without putting his back out.
5) R. D. Hale masquerades as a crime fighter, despite his decrepitude. The truth of the matter is, he likes the feel of spandex.
6) R. D. Hale is still convinced that one day he will marry Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Don't tell his wife.
7) R. D. Hale is wanted by Interpol for allegedly penning the scripts to The Chipmunks movies, and other crimes against humanity.
8) R. D. Hale is entirely imaginary, so the above facts can be disregarded. His book was 'written' by a chimpanzee mashing on a keyboard. PR people labelled this nonsense 'experimental'.
9) R. D. Hale's lack of existence means he is unable to count.
The Origins of Sky City
For my first ever blog I thought I'd tell you guys about my book Sky City: The Rise of an Orphan, and how it came to be.
When I was a teen, the cyberpunk aesthetic of Final Fantasy 7 imprinted itself onto my mind. Not long after completing this epic videogame for the fifth time(!), I began listening to hiphop and scribbling down poems which were semi-autobiographical and covered themes of social injustice.
I felt a desire to write a book and the budding concept was to express my own experiences in a Final Fantasy style setting. Many years passed and I got to scribbling until eventually I felt I was finished. [I'm not sure a book is ever truly finished!]
More than one reviewer has pointed out my story takes the structure of a videogame. This is a great observation and the structure is one of my favourite elements of the book. As well as following the main adventure, the characters will run off to complete other tasks - subquests if you will.
Events in the book are OTT but have a (pseudo)scientific underpinning. I once read an article which pointed out how science fiction is far too conservative, how future technology will be more magical than what we can currently imagine. I took that article as a challenge.
The end product is the world of Eryx: a world where anything is possible but almost everything is out of reach to the silent majority. The protagonist, Arturo, inhabits the slums of Medio city which acts as a microcosm for the world we live in and the problems so many of us face.
The characters in the book, Arturo included, are very much products of their environment. As such, I wanted to avoid the good guy / bad guy cliche. Few things are as they initially seem, and this was my main reason for using a first person narrative: to demonstrate how flawed our perception can be.
Without wanting to divulge too much, Arturo is a drug-ravaged and traumatised individual inhabiting a world where even science cannot be trusted. As such the only thing that is real is what appears real to him. Arturo's high intelligence often leads to internal conflict as he struggles to figure out the truth and is forced to question his own motives. One thing he quickly identifies is his own hypocrisy.
Aside from the philosophy and introspection, there is a lot of action - initially tame but graphically violent in some later scenes. The characters maintain a sense of humour in spite of adversity, but being teens this often comes in the form of banter and bickering. Early on we see how the teens are losing their innocence. The changes they go through are far-fetched in the way events in a Marvel comic are far-fetched. The main goal was drama and excitement, but I still tried to maintain an air of believability via consistent internal logic.
The aspect I am proudest of, and is mostly highly praised, is the world building. I spent a significant length of time creating Medio city prior to writing the book and the end result is a living, breathing Dystopian nightmare.
I plan Sky City to be an ongoing series and I am already in the very early stages of two spin-offs which you can check out on Wattpad. My username is Riksta10001 if you wish to follow me.
If someone was to ask the question:'Who exactly will like Sky City?'
My answer would be: Fans of Manga and videogames like Final Fantasy, Deus Ex and Akira; fans of the author William Gibson who are looking for an accessible approach to hard sci-fi; and fans of dark superhero comics/movies.
When I was a teen, the cyberpunk aesthetic of Final Fantasy 7 imprinted itself onto my mind. Not long after completing this epic videogame for the fifth time(!), I began listening to hiphop and scribbling down poems which were semi-autobiographical and covered themes of social injustice.
I felt a desire to write a book and the budding concept was to express my own experiences in a Final Fantasy style setting. Many years passed and I got to scribbling until eventually I felt I was finished. [I'm not sure a book is ever truly finished!]
More than one reviewer has pointed out my story takes the structure of a videogame. This is a great observation and the structure is one of my favourite elements of the book. As well as following the main adventure, the characters will run off to complete other tasks - subquests if you will.
Events in the book are OTT but have a (pseudo)scientific underpinning. I once read an article which pointed out how science fiction is far too conservative, how future technology will be more magical than what we can currently imagine. I took that article as a challenge.
The end product is the world of Eryx: a world where anything is possible but almost everything is out of reach to the silent majority. The protagonist, Arturo, inhabits the slums of Medio city which acts as a microcosm for the world we live in and the problems so many of us face.
The characters in the book, Arturo included, are very much products of their environment. As such, I wanted to avoid the good guy / bad guy cliche. Few things are as they initially seem, and this was my main reason for using a first person narrative: to demonstrate how flawed our perception can be.
Without wanting to divulge too much, Arturo is a drug-ravaged and traumatised individual inhabiting a world where even science cannot be trusted. As such the only thing that is real is what appears real to him. Arturo's high intelligence often leads to internal conflict as he struggles to figure out the truth and is forced to question his own motives. One thing he quickly identifies is his own hypocrisy.
Aside from the philosophy and introspection, there is a lot of action - initially tame but graphically violent in some later scenes. The characters maintain a sense of humour in spite of adversity, but being teens this often comes in the form of banter and bickering. Early on we see how the teens are losing their innocence. The changes they go through are far-fetched in the way events in a Marvel comic are far-fetched. The main goal was drama and excitement, but I still tried to maintain an air of believability via consistent internal logic.
The aspect I am proudest of, and is mostly highly praised, is the world building. I spent a significant length of time creating Medio city prior to writing the book and the end result is a living, breathing Dystopian nightmare.
I plan Sky City to be an ongoing series and I am already in the very early stages of two spin-offs which you can check out on Wattpad. My username is Riksta10001 if you wish to follow me.
If someone was to ask the question:'Who exactly will like Sky City?'
My answer would be: Fans of Manga and videogames like Final Fantasy, Deus Ex and Akira; fans of the author William Gibson who are looking for an accessible approach to hard sci-fi; and fans of dark superhero comics/movies.
October 30, 2014
Deleted Scene
The following scene was reluctantly deleted from Sky City: The Rise of an Orphan after careful consideration. I may recycle it in a future book. WARNING VIOLENT CONTENT:
Tension increases as we march through the crystalline village to the execution arena situated below the Sky Elevator. Rigidly, we descend into the crater where an atmosphere of mercilessness is engendered by the murmurs of bloodthirsty spectators sitting on steps.
As we take our seats and await the culmination of undue process, the sense of anticipation renders me mute. A dozen Samarian guards line a tunnel entrance as four traditionally iron-clad executioners lead out a shackled prisoner, naked except for a loin cloth and barbwire crown. An elite marches out in an undulating red cloak with chin held high. A gold and sapphire diadem generates a blinding aura and her serpentine staff almost seems to hiss in her hand. The elite stands on a platform lined by carved snakeheads and she addresses the crowd:
'Thomas Arkenhead was yesterday found guilty of blasphemy. The prisoner proclaimed that Samarianism was a compilation of outdated ethical philosophies and fanciful mythology. He said the Orientis was self-contradictory and he was baffled by the gullibility that allowed it to propagate. He rejected the reincarnation of Samaris...
There can only be one penalty for such profanity and that is execution, the manner of which can be decided by the crowd. But first a word on why such punishment is necessary. The love of the goddess Katona is found in all of us, although it is often suppressed by materialism, intolerance and egotism. The principle of revelation is to resurrect this understanding in our minds, but our tendencies corrupt this knowledge. This is why we need prophets to speak the mind of the goddess. Those who reject faith will be punished with appalling agony now and in the afterlife.
And now for the punishment. You can choose one of three options. The first, death by stoning... The second, death by burning... The third, death by quartering...'
The first two options drew unenthusiastic murmurs, but the third brings a blood-vessel bursting roar from the crowd and their unquenchable desire for suffering sends tremors through my bones.
'It's unanimous. Death by quartering it is.'
'But I'm a good man, this is wrong. Pl-ea-se!' Thomas Arkenhead screams and his words are met with howls of derision. Knees buckle to baton blows against his ribcage, adding to the bruises and scratch marks which cover his vulnerable torso.
'You are not a good man. Savour this moment while it lasts, for it is going to get a whole lot worse in the hereafter. Mount him,' the elite commands.
The rattle of chains is drowned by fervent blasts as once again the crowd roar. Broad-shouldered guards grip the prisoner's limbs which hopelessly resist being mounted to the gallows. 'Please, please!'
Thomas Arkenhead's gaze darts disbelievingly but there is no escape route, no straw to clutch, no saviour. As they suspend this fretful convict he already looks dead despite vigorous animation. He is not of this world, not worthy of life, it has been decided, pre-ordained. And I should feel pity for him, but hundreds of prisoners are executed every day; it would be a waste of tears.
'Nobody imagines when they start out in life, it'll end this way,' I mutter.
'He knew what the punishment was before he committed the crime,' Eyris hisses, correcting her posture.
'How can another human being can do such a thing?' Thomas Arkenhead screams, vomiting into his beard. The elite draws her ritual dagger and the curved blade gleams as she approaches the condemned man who leans away with a grimace of terror.
The blade tip is placed against Thomas Arkenhead's trembling groin and he screams but it is a gentler, more pitiful scream. A scream of resignation, of hoping for a swift end to the torment. A flood of red pours as the elite's hand crosses his abdomen and his bowels spill, dangling. Colour drains from his greying flesh and he squirms as gore taints the brilliant floor.
'I can't watch a man being cut to pieces! Tell me when it's over.' Mila turns away with face buried into palms and Eyris rubs her shoulder-blade.
Thomas Arkenhead's crown of barbwire falls as the gallows are tilted backwards to suspend his body with arms and legs at full stretch. Executioners stand at each limb and they unsheathe swords so visibly sharp they could slice through individual dust particles in the air.
'On the count of three... One... Two... Three!'
The deafening roar makes me sway in my seat as four swords simultaneously sever Thomas Arkenhead's limbs, causing his torso to slump to the ground. And the carving of human flesh seems not dissimilar to the butchery of a farm animal. This scene of ruthless injustice makes me feel ashamed for not being more horrified than I am.
'Sword.' A guard hands a sword to the elite. 'Hold him up.'
The same guard holds Thomas Arkenhead's limbless body by his crusted hair and as I wonder whether he remains conscious a swish of the elite's sword severs his neck. Once again his torso audibly thuds and a decapitated head stares into the crowd as the last modicum of life slips away with the dripping of blood.
'Prepare the pigs!'
The severed head is dropped, rolling along the plateau as the executioners stroll out of the arena without displaying a hint of unease. Warthogs are released, scurrying over to tear flesh and their ravenous, shaking faces are soaked by Thomas Arkenhead's vital fluids. A living, breathing person is reduced to animal feed and I cannot avert these awestruck eyes.
Tension increases as we march through the crystalline village to the execution arena situated below the Sky Elevator. Rigidly, we descend into the crater where an atmosphere of mercilessness is engendered by the murmurs of bloodthirsty spectators sitting on steps.
As we take our seats and await the culmination of undue process, the sense of anticipation renders me mute. A dozen Samarian guards line a tunnel entrance as four traditionally iron-clad executioners lead out a shackled prisoner, naked except for a loin cloth and barbwire crown. An elite marches out in an undulating red cloak with chin held high. A gold and sapphire diadem generates a blinding aura and her serpentine staff almost seems to hiss in her hand. The elite stands on a platform lined by carved snakeheads and she addresses the crowd:
'Thomas Arkenhead was yesterday found guilty of blasphemy. The prisoner proclaimed that Samarianism was a compilation of outdated ethical philosophies and fanciful mythology. He said the Orientis was self-contradictory and he was baffled by the gullibility that allowed it to propagate. He rejected the reincarnation of Samaris...
There can only be one penalty for such profanity and that is execution, the manner of which can be decided by the crowd. But first a word on why such punishment is necessary. The love of the goddess Katona is found in all of us, although it is often suppressed by materialism, intolerance and egotism. The principle of revelation is to resurrect this understanding in our minds, but our tendencies corrupt this knowledge. This is why we need prophets to speak the mind of the goddess. Those who reject faith will be punished with appalling agony now and in the afterlife.
And now for the punishment. You can choose one of three options. The first, death by stoning... The second, death by burning... The third, death by quartering...'
The first two options drew unenthusiastic murmurs, but the third brings a blood-vessel bursting roar from the crowd and their unquenchable desire for suffering sends tremors through my bones.
'It's unanimous. Death by quartering it is.'
'But I'm a good man, this is wrong. Pl-ea-se!' Thomas Arkenhead screams and his words are met with howls of derision. Knees buckle to baton blows against his ribcage, adding to the bruises and scratch marks which cover his vulnerable torso.
'You are not a good man. Savour this moment while it lasts, for it is going to get a whole lot worse in the hereafter. Mount him,' the elite commands.
The rattle of chains is drowned by fervent blasts as once again the crowd roar. Broad-shouldered guards grip the prisoner's limbs which hopelessly resist being mounted to the gallows. 'Please, please!'
Thomas Arkenhead's gaze darts disbelievingly but there is no escape route, no straw to clutch, no saviour. As they suspend this fretful convict he already looks dead despite vigorous animation. He is not of this world, not worthy of life, it has been decided, pre-ordained. And I should feel pity for him, but hundreds of prisoners are executed every day; it would be a waste of tears.
'Nobody imagines when they start out in life, it'll end this way,' I mutter.
'He knew what the punishment was before he committed the crime,' Eyris hisses, correcting her posture.
'How can another human being can do such a thing?' Thomas Arkenhead screams, vomiting into his beard. The elite draws her ritual dagger and the curved blade gleams as she approaches the condemned man who leans away with a grimace of terror.
The blade tip is placed against Thomas Arkenhead's trembling groin and he screams but it is a gentler, more pitiful scream. A scream of resignation, of hoping for a swift end to the torment. A flood of red pours as the elite's hand crosses his abdomen and his bowels spill, dangling. Colour drains from his greying flesh and he squirms as gore taints the brilliant floor.
'I can't watch a man being cut to pieces! Tell me when it's over.' Mila turns away with face buried into palms and Eyris rubs her shoulder-blade.
Thomas Arkenhead's crown of barbwire falls as the gallows are tilted backwards to suspend his body with arms and legs at full stretch. Executioners stand at each limb and they unsheathe swords so visibly sharp they could slice through individual dust particles in the air.
'On the count of three... One... Two... Three!'
The deafening roar makes me sway in my seat as four swords simultaneously sever Thomas Arkenhead's limbs, causing his torso to slump to the ground. And the carving of human flesh seems not dissimilar to the butchery of a farm animal. This scene of ruthless injustice makes me feel ashamed for not being more horrified than I am.
'Sword.' A guard hands a sword to the elite. 'Hold him up.'
The same guard holds Thomas Arkenhead's limbless body by his crusted hair and as I wonder whether he remains conscious a swish of the elite's sword severs his neck. Once again his torso audibly thuds and a decapitated head stares into the crowd as the last modicum of life slips away with the dripping of blood.
'Prepare the pigs!'
The severed head is dropped, rolling along the plateau as the executioners stroll out of the arena without displaying a hint of unease. Warthogs are released, scurrying over to tear flesh and their ravenous, shaking faces are soaked by Thomas Arkenhead's vital fluids. A living, breathing person is reduced to animal feed and I cannot avert these awestruck eyes.
Want a Free Copy of Sky City?
Sky City: The Rise of an Orphan currently has 92 Amazon reviews with a 4.6 star average.
The book walks a middle ground between commercial sci-fi like Hunger Games and hard sci-fi like Snow Crash or Neuromancer. It contains scenes of graphic violence late on, but the sexual content is mild. It is a dark, but humorous story set on the distinctive world of Eryx.If you want to checkout the preview sample, here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I21QZUI
You can request a copy by commenting below or via direct message.
First of all, you will need a Smashwords account so I can provide a download code. (Amazon UK doesn't allow gifting.) You will need to be willing to post an honest review on Amazon.com (US store) and Goodreads.
You will need to start your review with the following line: "I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review".
The book walks a middle ground between commercial sci-fi like Hunger Games and hard sci-fi like Snow Crash or Neuromancer. It contains scenes of graphic violence late on, but the sexual content is mild. It is a dark, but humorous story set on the distinctive world of Eryx.If you want to checkout the preview sample, here it is:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I21QZUI
You can request a copy by commenting below or via direct message.
First of all, you will need a Smashwords account so I can provide a download code. (Amazon UK doesn't allow gifting.) You will need to be willing to post an honest review on Amazon.com (US store) and Goodreads.
You will need to start your review with the following line: "I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review".
