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[BOTM] - MOD PICK - Gateway by Brian Dorsey
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Mr. Dorsey sure has a lot of friends. :-) I figured anybody who can muster that many readers to cheer on their book piques my interest.
I am truly honored by your selection...I will check in frequently and answer any questions anyone has before/after reading. You can also learn more about the developing Gateway Universe from my website www.briandorseybooks.com. Thanks again and I hope you enjoy Gateway!
For those that have read, are reading, or are on the fence about Gateway, I thought I would share a character development scene that isn't in Gateway or the second book under development..just a little exercise I did for one of my favorite characters:Cadet Emily Martin felt her skin tingle and her muscles twitch with anxious excitement as she stood in formation with the rest of her company. Despite the nervous energy that consumed her, she stood motionless in the ranks. Three years of studying quantum mechanics, combat tactics, poli-social systems, and putting up with an academy full of misogynistic, privileged, and too often incompetent male classmates was worth this moment.
“Today,” barked Lieutenant Talon Haxus, Martin’s company training officer, “you will find out your assigned branch training billets.”
Martin struggled to contain the anticipation. There was only one option for her, anything else would mean failure.
“Once selected you will spend the next year as a cadet officer within your selected branch,” continued Haxus. “Following that year you’ll be assessed and, if you’re good enough, accepted by that branch and earn your commission. If not, you’ll be released to the civilian occupation bureau for assignment within the civilian sector.”
Martin’s mind raced. ‘Yeah, yeah,’ she thought. ‘Just get to it.’ She hung on each word from Haxus.
“You have been assigned to a branch based on your academic aptitude, tactical assessments, psychological assessment, and of course, your family status.”
‘Son of bitch,’ thought Martin. She had worked too hard to lose her chance at the Elite Guard to some pompous First Family asshole. Martin quickly took a mental note of First Family cadets in her company; Cadet Gius, Cadet Vanari, Cadet Tacitus…. ‘Too many’ she thought as her previous excitement turned to despair. She glanced up toward the ceiling and took a deep breath as her chest became heavy and she felt her stomach tighten.
“The available billets are-”
Martin started to feel sick.
“Fifteen cadets will be assigned to Logistics”
‘Boring,’ she thought to herself.
“Thirty cadets to Aviation”
‘Hell no.’
“Five to Intelligence”
‘Idiots.’
“Seven to Medical”
‘I didn’t join the military to heal people.’
“Twenty to Engineering”
All she could think of was hours of studying electron spin theory and space-time manipulation and how it made her want to gouge her eyes out.
“Forty to Infantry and Air Assault”
‘Like kissing your cousin.’
“Six to Staff”
Martin knew there was no danger in a staff billet; those were only for first sons of First Family.
“Elite Guard…one cadet”
‘Damn it,’ she thought. ‘I’m done.’
Martin struggled to hold back tears she could feel welling up. She had proven herself the best cadet in her company-in the whole regiment-and she was going to be cheated out of the only reason she joined the military-to be the first female Elite Guard soldier. She knew she would get the Infantry or Air Assault but it was it a sad consolation prize. Her father, the dignified but broken former Praetorian Guard, would be proud but that was his job as her father.
Heartbroken, Martin willed the tear in her eye from falling. She would not give them the satisfaction. Instead, she stood erect, with perfect military bearing, as Haxus called out each name and their assignment.
“Cadet Martin-3rd Air Assault.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Hearing it was worse than she thought. Now she would have to wait to see who took her spot. It did not take long.
“Cadet Julius Maxillis- Elite Guard, congratulations.”
Martin gnashed her teeth inside her mouth and tightened her fists white as she stood at attention. She had hoped that being the best soldier would be enough, but it wasn’t.
As Haxus continued to read off the names and assignments, Martin heard the door to the assembly room open. Immediately, Haxus came to attention as did the two sergeants behind him.
Unable to turn in ranks, Martin heard footsteps approaching from the rear of the assembly. They grew louder and soon she could see the figures out of the corner of her eye.
Two men walked to the front of the formation.
Next to Lieutenant Haxus stood two Elite Guard officers. Martin felt her heart drop even further, not only was she never going to be in the Elite Guard, but now it was as if the fates were rubbing it in her face.
Both men were perfect models of a Humani officer-tall and well-muscled. The lieutenant had a shaved head and held a guilty smile as he looked over the cadets. His eyes caught hers and she saw him give her a slow long, look-like so many other men had before-but for some reason she didn’t mind this time. After a second that seemed a week, she turned her gaze away from the Lieutenant. In their little unspoken exchange, she had almost forgotten her world had just ended.
The other officer spoke.
“Lieutenant,” he said, “I was reviewing the selections and I see Cadet Maxillis has been selected for my team.”
Martin could feel the confidence and authority flow from him. She would never be able to serve for an officer like this in the regular service.
“Yes, Captain Stone,” replied Haxus, still at attention.
The name exploded in Martin’s head like a cannon. Captain Tyler Lucius Stone was already a legend. Twice awarded the Senatorial Valor Medal and publicly acknowledged by the ProConsul for his bravery, he was the future of Alpha Humani’s military. He had just been selected for promotion to major and was also rumored to have caught the eye of the Lady Astra Varus, the beautiful daughter of Senator Dominotra Varus.
“I have reviewed the records and it appears there was a cadet who scored higher in every area except family status,” said Stone as he held out a digital recorder holding the cadet records.
“Well-uh-yes, sir,” stumbled Haxus, “but the assignment committee-”
“Doesn’t have to put their lives in the hands of the cadets they assign me,” interrupted Stone.
“Of course, sir,” replied Haxus. ”But the other cadet is-“
“Cadet Martin,” interrupted Stone again.
Martin felt a bolt of energy shoot through her body.
“Cadet Martin,” Stone repeated. “Step forward.”
Without realizing she had moved, Martin stepped forward.
“Cadet Emily Martin reporting as ordered, sir,” she snapped.
“Cadet Maxillis, get up here too,” Stone added.
Martin sensed Maxillis quickly join her in front of the formation.
“So,” continued Stone as he stepped in front of Maxillis, stopping inches from his face. “The assignment committee is saying you are the best choice for the Guard.”
“Yes, Captain Lucius Stone,” replied the confident Maxillis, “and I, Cadet Julius Maxillis, look forward to learning from you and earning honors for myself and increasing my family’s honor.”
“Hmm,” replied Stone as he nodded his head slightly.
“What about you, Martin?”
Martin saw Captain Stone turn toward her. This was her chance but she knew she couldn’t compete against Maxillis’ political influence.
“Sir,” she replied.
“What would you do on my team?”
It was now or never for Martin. She didn’t have family status but was born to be an Elite Guard officer and she knew what she would do. She turned toward Stone and looked directly into his eyes. Coming to attention once again, she spoke:
I will stand strong in the face of danger, for my comrades will do the same
I will be unafraid of death for death comes but once and cowardice is forever
I will go close against the enemy, for my will is stronger than his
I will show courage, for it is the one possession that cannot be taken
I will die with pride, for I am fighting for my lineage and my people
I will face death with joy, for I will become immortal-my shining glory never forgotten
Martin waited for Stone’s response. Over Stone’s shoulder Martin saw Lieutenant-Jackson his nametag read-nod his head in acceptance at her recital of the Elite Guard Oath. Martin had memorized the oath when she was twelve-the first time she read about Stone’s famous ancestor, Colonel Aggripa Lucius Stone, and his exploits during the First Terillian War.
Stone stood silent.
“All I need to do is follow the oath, sir,” she continued. “I was born to be a Guardsman. I will face the enemy, I will take the breath of life from them and gladly give my own for you, Lieutenant Jackson, and any Humani-even for Cadet Maxillis and his First Family elites.”
Martin could feel her heart pounding inside her chest as she waited for Stone’s response. She had either impressed him or pissed him off; either way she would at least leave an impression.
Stone remained silent.
Martin stood like an oak. Staring forward at attention her focus naturally set on Stone’s collar device and the Elite Guard insignia on his chest which she coveted so much.
Martin saw Stone suddenly turn toward Lieutenant Haxus.
“Change the assignment,” he ordered. “Martin is one of us.”
I'll start reading Gateway as soon as I finish my current read
Brian just curious about how many books you plan to do in this series. I've not even read it yet, and I'm all ready looking for sequels
Robin,I am looking at 4-5 books in this direct storyline. My publisher has also voiced interest in a series of novellas as well which I am planning on starting the first of after book 2 is complete (I'm about 2/3 through the first draft). I am thinking the first novella will center on Captain Emily Martin. You can also checkout everything Gateway at www.briandorseybooks.com on the Gateway Universe page. Hope you enjoy.
Really looking forward to the series
@ Brian - would you be willing to answer our SOF author interview questions? If you do, I'll post them under BOTM and send out an annoucement :-)HERE: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Just wanted to let everyone know the paperback copy of Gateway is now available (and currently in Amazon's top 50 New Military SciFi!). Also, if you're in the area, I will be signing copies at the Jet City Comic Show in Tacoma on November 8th. http://www.amazon.com/Gateway-Brian-D...
Popular demand has caught your Borg Queen's attention and piqued her curiosity about Gateway by Brian Dorsey (Christopher Brian Dorsey).
"Tyler Stone has always been a loyal soldier, a good soldier, for the Xen Empire and—based upon recent events in his life—it seems as though the world in which he’s always lived has finally started to pay him back. A promotion, an engagement to a beautiful (and powerful) woman, and the restoration of his family's honor. But this newfound prestige comes with a price, and Stone is soon ordered to carry out a fool's mission by a commander who is unfit to lead. Amidst the decimation of his battalion, his eyes are opened to the truth via a most unlikely source, a woman, from the same people who are his sworn enemies. As he struggles to understand the nature of the war his home planet has been waging for so many generations, Stone must accept that his fate is his responsibility alone. He is willing to die for his country; is he willing to kill for it too?"
Are you reading Gateway? Shout it out in the comments thread below to find out who else is reading it and discuss what you think about the book. Just remember to be kind ...use the spoiler .html (view spoiler)[so you don't ruin the fun for other people (hide spoiler)] or open your own spoiler-filled discussion thread in the Book Buddies Club folder located w-a-y at the bottom of the main community page where you can discuss the book in spoilery goodness.