Dead Heroes – Excerpt 1

The WIP that was my November "getting serious" project, is in it's final stages. Part is off to a beta reader, and I'm slowly going through to refine it. The title Dead Heroes has had mixed reactions. Opinion?

I've started the book with a prologue. What do you think of that? I have prologues in many of my books, and I don't know if that's good or bad. Do readers skip over these like they're reported to do with Forewords? Anyway. Here's the précis and the prolog.

PRECIS: The elite ruling class of New Esrii comes under attack by expatriates and dissident citizenry. It is up to a few citizens to sacrifice everything for the good of the whole. Can they do it? And, since a rogue star threatens to wipe New Esrii off the star map, will their actions be for naught?PROLOGUE

03/16/3297 Near the beginning

On the planet Yiven, the Blessing of Regeneration festival ran at fever pitch, with revelers filling narrow streets of the planets six contained cities. The religious aspects of the event were over and now streamers adorned every corner and confetti littered the pale green pavement. Among the many stone alcoves and awning-covered palisades, adults careened from one loud street party to another. Children and the less adventurous hung from balconies watching and yelling their excitement under streaks and bursts of fireworks that had been set on the pod-city exteriors. By next year, the pods could be dismantled. Much of the terraforming efforts on this small continent would be complete. That would be another Blessing of Regeneration.

With the night sky of Yiven alive with real and artificial glitters, a sober marking of the night took place on other continents and in the far reaches of the planet. History elders of the aboriginal Yivenese, those sentient creatures who had lived on the planet for millennia, looked toward the solar fault. Through centuries of oral history and another five hundred years with their written glyph language, they kept the records and could speak of times when this solar fault didn't exist, when the three planets beyond it had not been and only Yiven revolved in the space around their sun. Now the solar fault had created two sectors: inner, where Yiven had always been, and outer. While humans celebrated, Yivenese shamans peered to the heavens and studied a preternatural shimmer at the far edge of the solar system. Before dawn, they gave an ominous prediction: Sougalo, The Warrior star, was returning. By legend, it was Sougalo which had caused the solar fault.


Few humans on the planet knew the legend of Sougalo, nor would they be interested in the Warrior's return, even though it would profoundly change their lives. Regeneration festivities wore on. Women rejoiced if their child was born during this time, and others were ensuring that they would be with child by next year's celebration.


Many influential leaders made their way to a party hosted by Tyus Derkson, the head of state,--the Supreme. Junior Senator Marta Tovich was at home, preparing for her dinner guest. On hearing the door bell, she went to the entrance to her second-floor suite, her gauzy yellow caftan swinging around her; the glowing panels in the wall made her wavy brown hair shimmer with golden light. She opened the door. "Edgar! You're early. Not that I mind, of course."


"I've brought you this," Edgar Jahn said holding out a cloth-wrapped bundle. He glanced over his shoulder and closed the door. Marta sensed tension from him as she took the gift. She carried it to the main room and set it on a console. "It's not quite finished," he was saying. "I'd wanted to add more patina, but..."


She unwrapped it. "It's lovely, Edgar," she said, smiling at the sculpted bust of her and their daughter. She kept her hand on it as she turned where he had paced into the main room.


"We have to talk," Edgar's voice was tense. Giddy laughter wafted from the street through the open window.


"You sound so serious?"


He paced back to her. "There's a good chance the Senate police are looking for me."


"What's happened?" She gripped Edgar's sleeve.


"It's because of Gerren," he said, his voice low and tense. "He became angry that he wasn't involved in any festivities—hadn't been invited to parties. he used his mental skills. Hurled things around. He scared himself."


Marta remembered Gerren Simsun as the toddler she had first seen nine years ago. A beautiful boy with sleek long hair as black as night and green, green eyes. He was still an arresting character as an adolescent.


"Derkson tried to placate him, but after he left…" Edgar drew a long breath. "Well, I decided it was time to explain, so I went to him…started to tell about the differences, about Terms and Sigens. They keep psi sensors on the boy's room, Marta. I hadn't realized."


Marta bit her lip. The differences. Would that ever be forgotten?


"No, I don't think so," Edgar responded to her thought. "But it should be discussed honestly, not avoided."


"There's no need. You and Gerren are the only two—" Marta swallowed and licked her lips.


"The only two Sigen in this sector. Yes. But anyway, Derkson's guards burst in... I'm sure he'll know I was there."


"I'm surprised they didn't arrest you then."


"Well, I wasn't quite there...was..." He sighed, and Marta understood. Edgar had visited Gerren with telepathy—a skill Derkson had outlawed.


"Marta, I'm afraid for the lad. I think Derkson has revenge on his mind, and somehow Gerren is part of his plan."


Marta frowned. "Revenge would mean going into the outer sector--traversing the solar fault." She and others of the governing senate, held an altruistic dream to continue what the war had attempted: free the Terms on New Esrii and bring them here to Yiven so they could be normal.


"It seems you still feel as separate from our culture as does Derkson" he said. "But we're all humans; the outer sector culture is our history. No matter how we began, we're all from the same culture. If the New Esrii leadership could learn the truth about procreation, I'm certain they would--"


"Don't say it!" Marta spun away, her brown curls whipping about her shoulders. "They didn't listen on their hypocritical amnesty visit, and there's no reason to believe they would listen now!"


"You were just an infant at that altercation. How can you hold so much anger?"


"Edgar, don't! You know what they prohibited us. All of us…even you. Look what you have here." She touched the sculpture he had brought, her expression softening.


No matter how she tried, Marta couldn't stop resenting the ruling class of the outer sector.


"Do you resent me, too?" he asked.


"You know I don't, Edgar." She took his hand, kissed the fingertips, sent a silent apology for her prejudice.


A staccato pop of firecrackers jolted into the quietness. A haze of smoke drifted in with its tangy scent.


"I have informants," Edgar said quietly. "Yivenese, who Derkson doesn't attempt to understand. They've apprised me of his communications through the solar fault. There must still be sympathizers on New Esrii who are willing to attempt reconciliation. But knowing Derkson, I doubt he wants a peaceful dialogue." Edgar rubbed his forehead with his fingertips. "I'm convinced all his planning is geared toward the Tal Apex."


Marta searched her knowledge for the term. "You mean when that vagrant star passes close to this solar system?"


He nodded. "In another twenty-five years, the outer-sector planets will be in direct alignment with Tal, causing great stress. Derkson probably plans to hit them while they're hampered with environmental calamities."


"That might be his dream, Edgar, but even if there were a way to do it, the young people here won't allow a war. Their lives are comfortable! Without needs!"


"The young don't control the Senate, Marta. It's the Senate Elite, whose memories, like yours, go back to the Amnesty visit. I'm sure he'll issue an severe reprimand for tonight, but I don't know how long Derkson will consider me useful." He squeezed her hands. "I won't let him use Gerren or destroy the civilization of our progenitors! And if what I suspect is true, I'll have to go back to warn them."


"Go back?" Confusion crowded her thoughts. "Derkson would never allow you--"


"I have a special way to travel, Marta. Another option."


She stared at him, realizing what he meant and appalled by the thought. Thought transference, remote viewing, they could all do that, although the talents were forbidden by Derkson; but those of Sigen genus could do more, such as telekinesis. And someone as precocious Edgar...


"You don't mean you'd attempt strellics?" Just saying it seemed to take her breath. She shuddered and pressed her hand on her chest. "It's so dangerous! You told me once that the most advanced students have little control of the procedure. Gerren's mother tried and it led to her death."


"We don't know that for sure—she might have gotten home."


"Nonetheless, strellics are freak occurrences with no guarantees."


"I have no choice but to attempt it. I have to warn the outer-sector people."


"But who will you warn? So many years have passed, and many of the Sigen were involved in the attack here."


"I know of someone. Gerren's other parent. I'm certain he'll be receptive."


Her doorbell rang. They both stared toward the foyer. Someone pounded on the door. "Professor Tovich," came the call from the corridor.


"I'll protest this," Marta said with a whisper, her anger rising. "It's not fair."

"No. It would only jeopardize your standing in the Senate. You're needed there."


The doorbell rang. Neither she nor Edgar moved, staring into each other's eyes, longing for more time, for different times. He embraced her and whispered, "Watch out for Gerren. The boy's potential is magnificent for either vice or virtue."


He pulled away and headed for the open window. The pounding came again. "Professor Tovich! We need to speak with you."


Tears stung her eyes. "Be careful, my love," she whispered.

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