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Real world stuff today:
First off, my publisher, Howling Wolf Books, has decided to hold off on releasing anything new until they can find a new print on demand service for paperback printing. So neither of my books originally scheduled to come out this year will be release as originally planned. Anything already released will continue to be available in paperback on Amazon and in ebook other places for now. I'm told that, once they do find a new service for paperback printing, all the old books will be getting new editions with prettier covers. So I'm looking forward to that. The thought, which I briefly discussed with sister author B. Heather Mantler, is creating a Facebook group or other (semi) private forum for the purposes of beta reading and sharing other writing. If anyone would be interested in this, either as an author or as a potential beta reader, please let me know in a comment on this post. Somehow, it's now 2022. Happy New Years to everyone. I hope this year brings each of you something you need.
My current plans for this year include: Two new novels published, one of which my publisher tells me is nearly ready to go and the other needs proofing yet. Edits on several of my completed first drafts from the last couple years. i know some of these are going to be harder than others. I'm pretty sure some of those drafts are as rough as first drafts could possibly be. Three to four new first draft manuscripts and some 'tales of'... maybe enough for a new collection. We'll see how things go. All of this being dependent on my having the time to sit and work and be able to concentrate. We shall see how it goes.
Never trust a mad scientist. Thinking about it now, if someone had told me that fifteen years ago, I probably would have agreed with them. But nobody told me and, of course, I didn’t stop to think about it.
The offer looked really good back then: A child, trained in all the fighting styles and other skills I would find helpful in my work and raised to be obedient, in exchange for an errand or two. I completed the errands early on even though I knew it would be a wait when the promised child had yet to be born. I was even given progress reports over the years as the child grew. Until I ‘took delivery’, as the aforementioned scientist put it, it never occurred to me he might have overlooked a few basic points of child rearing. I was expecting a person, a teenager I could work with, perhaps train further; someone who could eventually be my partner and later, my successor. I got a living, breathing automaton. I can’t fault her training. She’s at least as good as I am, if not better, at all the skills I specified and she fights like a demon. She also promises to become a very attractive woman in a few years. She has long, blonde hair with just a little curl to it; big, light blue eyes; flawless fair skin; and the lean, lightly muscled figure of a trained fighter. It’s too bad there’s no personality to go with all that. At least she’s intelligent and has some common sense, so maybe, just maybe, there’s hope for her yet. I was informed, when she was presented to me, she was designated F086. It’s a mouthful when I’m in a hurry, but she doesn’t answer to anything else. I’ve tried any number of nicknames and once I even sat down and attempted to explain a few concepts to her, and she still won’t answer to anything except that cursed designation. I get ignored when I call her ma fille, which I keep doing just because I can’t stand to not have any name or nickname for her at all. But for what I'm doing tonight, I don't want or even need her along. I leave her seated in a meditation pose. She'll remain that way unless, by some really unfortunate accident, someone finds their way into our home. I pity anyone so foolish. La Grotte is quiet, with very few people out in the streets. I don't mind. Quiet streets mean less likelihood of attack before I reach my destination. Whether I find trouble on reaching it... well, that's an entirely different question. La Grotte is the largest of the cavern cities remaining on this barren lump of rock we call l'Enfer. The surface has been unlivable since terraforming failed, but the underground rivers allow us to survive, if barely. La Grotte surrounds the widest, deepest of the rivers, l'Eau. L'Eau enters clean from the geological north, but exits far from clean to the southeast. Fortunately water regulations have remained strictly enforced despite the unstable nature of a governance by strongest. Le Laboratoire du Genome is on just about the farthest edge of la Grotte from my home, which means a long walk for me tonight. And since it is headed up by a mad scientist, the security measures run on the far side of paranoid. To the point where the employees have figured out how to subvert them instead of going through protocol every single time they enter or exit the building and grounds. This works nicely for me because they've sabotaged the integrity of the system and, for someone of my skill, getting in is très simple. He also runs things flat out at all times. There's no quiet in the halls or anywhere else. Fortunately there's a staff change room not far from the door I enter by. The single male employee inside goes to sleep without a sound and I'm soon walking the halls dressed as Pierre, docteur. Even better, his identification card is high enough clearance to get me into everything except the private laboratory and quarters of the head scientist. * * * The day F086 left le Laboratoire was the happiest day of my life to date. Of course anything which makes mon père, le salaud Docteur Sebastien, that upset is a good thing in my books. F086 is the one girl he least wants to let go, but she's also the one he promised to some city mercenary in exchange for a series of errands. I've lived in le Laboratoire du Genome as long as there's been a le Laboratoire. Which is to say not quite as long as I've been alive, although I don't remember our home before this. Before the death of ma mère and the beginning of this insane experiment of Sebastien's. But, having lived here as long as I can remember, I know everyone else who lives and works here. Same as I know every crack and cranny of both sides of the complex. So to pass by the records room and see someone dressed as Docteur Pierre, who is clearly not Docteur Pierre, tells me we have an intruder. Moreover, this intruder is so engrossed in whatever he is reading he doesn't seem to notice me creeping up on him I have a new Cemen Colony novel coming out August 2, 2021. The ebook is currently available to pre-order via Smashwords and should be coming soon to your preferred ebook retailer. To pre-order a paperback, contact Howling Wolf Books. This is the first book in a new set of Cemen Colony novels, which take place towards the end of and after Experiment Redemption. The second book in this set is slated to be my Camp Nanowrimo project this coming July, so it could be a while before that is ready for publication. President Donovan Gayre achieved a major political victory when Angelita, Crown Princess of Estorika, handed over her birthright and acknowledged his government. But the new Republic of Arawn remains a devastated land, barely able to support its citizens. There is hope for the land itself in the work of one young scientist and Donovan Gayre has been planning big changes behind the scenes for years. Provided the newly recognized government can maintain the ground they've gained thus far. Brevon, 14-09-48-06-04sm
The sky outside the classroom window is clear blue. No clouds to be seen and a brightly shining sun. Inside the classroom, a girl in her early teens with short blonde braids and eyes as blue as the sky stares out. "Rain!" The girl makes a sour face as she drags her gaze from the window. "Finish your work. This is class time." Rain scowls at the workbook open on the desk. Absently, her fingers toy with her pencil. Her eyes remain on her book only as long as she can feel the teacher's eyes on her. Then her gaze returns to the sky out the window. Twice more, the teacher attempts to recall the girl's attention to her work before finally dismissing the whole class. Rain is slow to replace her books and supplies in the drawer which she then carries to a cabinet in a corner of the classroom. The others have already put their drawers away and left. The teacher watches with a mixture of frustration and impatience as Rain slowly slides the drawer into place and closes the cabinet doors. Then the girl slips from the room and encounters her mother in the hall outside. "Rain," The woman looks both reproving and resigned as she reaches out to brush a stray strand of hair from her daughter's face, "There's something I want you to see." "Okay." The girl trails her mother out of the building and along the street. When they reach the building known as town hall, Rain finds herself ushered into a large conference room crowded to standing room only. The girl quickly works her way into a corner where she can only just see the projection on one end wall. For the moment, it's nothing more than a rectangle of light. Then a woman in a lab coat whom Rain absently identifies as Doctor Rosalia Aurick, who is in charge of Brevon, steps into the light. "This recording was made earlier today and sent out to all corners of the world. We want to share it with you because it means changes to the way we've been operating as well as affecting your options once you're finished here. Once you have seen this, I will do my best to address any questions you may have." Doctor Aurick steps out of the way as images begin to appear on the wall. What appears to be an open air auditorium is crowded with people wearing a nearly equal mixture of business suits and uniforms of various kinds. The camera pans across the assembly before zooming in on the platform where various dignitaries are talking to each other and taking seats. Among them is a young orange and white striped winter tiger, which settles at the feet of one man once he is seated. Rain studies the tiger curiously until the camera moves away from it. And then the camera settles on a man in a suit standing at the podium and audio finally kicks in. "Good morning and welcome to everyone here," The sound system squeaks and crackles, "Donovan Gayre, president of our provisional government has an announcement to make." The man at the podium steps back so the man accompanied by the winter tiger can take his place. He surveys the crowd for a moment before speaking, "Yesterday I was invited to attend a meeting of great importance to this country's future. A meeting requested by Angelita, the last crown princess of the monarchy of Estorika. In the presence of witnesses representing the other monarchies and the Pleasure Society, Angelita granted me this," He holds up an old gold locket on a chain, "The birthright locket of the monarchs of Estorika..." The crowd erupts. Some are cheering. Others look angry. Many are calling out questions. Aides on the platform indicate for everyone to settle down and allow President Gayre to finish. "In doing so," He tucks the locket away, "I am granted the power to declare this government no longer provisional, but permanent. The other powers of this world must now treat with this government as an equal. We will eventually be able to open our borders to trade and travel. We are now the Republic of Arawn." There are far more cheers from the crowd at this. "In the coming days," President Gayre continues, "Many things will begin to change. As these changes take place, they will be announced to you. One thing I want to make plain now: There is not, nor will be, any attempt made to reestablish a monarchy in this country. There is no need for continued anti-monarchy activity now." Evidently not everyone in the crowd agrees, but the aides on the platform are quick to signal for silence again as President Gayre bows his head and returns to his seat. Now another man steps up to the podium. This one has a much more regal bearing. "I am Malcolm Burren, official heir to the Pleasure Society Chancellor, speaking on behalf of the current Chancellor." The crowd doesn't appear to know what to make of this. "A representative of the Pleasure Society Chancellor was present as witness at a meeting between Angelita Regina of Estorika and Donovan Gayre, president of the provisional government. At that meeting, the birthright of the monarchs of Estorika was handed over and the monarchy of Estorika declared to be history. We of the Pleasure Society look forward to many years of mutually beneficial dealings with representatives and citizens of the Republic of Arawn." Malcolm Burren returns to his seat as the camera cuts out and the screen returns to being a rectangle of light. "A representative of?" Someone in the crowded conference room sounds puzzled. "Natalia Burren," Doctor Aurick steps in front of the screen again, "Along with Monarch Reginald of Norsecount. There is no question as to the legitimacy of this announcement." "So Experiment Redemption?" Someone else queries. "Quite likely will be phased out as current participants complete the program and graduate. But nothing has been announced for certain on that score." "They're certain it was really Angelita?" Yet another person sounds skeptical. "Angelita's presence as a participant in Experiment Redemption was confirmed two years ago," Doctor Aurick looks bemused, "But kept under wraps for her safety. Even now, I cannot tell you which group or location... beyond not here at Brevon." Others have questions, but Rain slips around the edge of the room and out into the hall. From there, she walks over to the staff quarters, to the suite she shares with her mother. Knowing her mother had remained in the conference room, Rain goes into her bedroom and picks up the novel from the night stand. Opening it, she curls up on her bed to get lost in the story. I never knew we had an actual attic. I've been down to the basement many times because the laundry machines and root cellar which I use for pantry space are down there. But I've never even considered there might be usable space above the bedroom ceilings.
But as I'm sweeping the ceiling in the upstairs hall, evicting spiders who have probably lived here for generations unnoticed, the broom pushes up a section of the ceiling. Frowning, I push a little harder and as the section of ceiling rises, a ladder slides down. I hop back out of the way, somewhat startled. How did I never know about this? Setting aside the broom, I venture up the ladder, testing each rung carefully as I go. It's sturdy enough. Once my head is through the hole, I survey what I can see by the very dim light. It looks like some kind of storage. It also looks extremely dusty and likely to only get darker. I retreat for the moment, although leaving the ladder down, to finish what I had been working on and consider what I've discovered. Once I'm finished my cleaning of the upstairs hall, I go down to put the broom away. Washing my hands thoroughly, I prepare and eat some lunch, since the clock is claiming it's midday. Then I gather a pile of clean rags and check the batteries in the flashlight I keep on hand for emergency blackouts. Feeling more or less adequately prepared, I carry the rags and flashlight upstairs and up the ladder to set them on the attic floor. There is a pounding on the front door. I frown warily, since I'm not expecting company. But I descend first the ladder, then the stairs and go to see who it is. Through the ornate window in the front door, I can see two of the men in the stiff, stark suits standing on the porch. I slide the door chain, a mostly useless security precaution I rarely bother using, into place before opening the door as far as the chain will permit. "Can I help you?" The two men exchange what looks like a surprised glance before dropping down to one knee and bowing their heads. "Your highness." www.smashwords.com/books/view/1049506 Coming Monday, November 30, 2020
The local library is so well known for odd occurrences that Cora never considers how a glowing, vibrating old tome could possibly have consequences beyond making a mess of the shelf. But then strange men arrive and shut down the library. And in the wake of their arrival, nothing about Cora's quiet world is quite the same again. Available as an ebook via most ebook retailers and in print via your local Amazon |
AuthorAlexandra A. 'Lexa' Cheshire is the author of numerous novels and short stories published through Howling Wolf Books. Lexa is a wife, mother, cat owner, and music lover. Archives
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