Author's Note: This is a sample I posted on New Year’s Eve in 2019. I wrote and published my fourth novel and fifth book overall, Bounty Huntress: Invasion of the Keratinians. This book is my first Sci-Fi novel/novella. It tells the story of renowned bounty huntress Cassandra Leif (pronounced leaf) who teams with Sylvester “Sly” Scroggins, the founder and leader of a paramilitary called the Grey Wolves to investigate a string of murders taking place at the famous Ture Park.
This story is used in a format similar to a story going from a movie, then transitioning to a TV series. In other words, I introduced the main character in the story in a novel form, then I will tell her story in a series of blogs. This story also introduces Sly and the Grey Wolves, who will be the main feature in the sequel.
In this sample series, I will provide the first two chapters of the book. I believe this will be a real treat, particularly for major Sci-Fi fans. Enjoy.
Copyright © Edward Anthony, 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic and mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems — expect in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews — without written permission.
Dedication
First and foremost, I’m thankful for the gifts of creativity, writing and storytelling. I thank those who have shown support as I continue to elevate in my writing career. It was not easy getting this book finished; there were a lot of obstacles and stumbling blocks in the way, but I’m glad that it’s finally finished.
Also, I want to thank Jim and John Thomas, the writers for the movie Predator. It was one of my favorite movies growing up, and it’s definitely in my Top Five all-time list. The main antagonist of this story is partially inspired by the Predator. Finally, I thank Dahdtoudi, the artist who created the character, Tia’ Ja, who was a character visual for the main antagonist.
Chapter One
On the distant planet of Keratin resides an extraterrestrial species known as the Keratinians. They can stand upright like humans, and some have the features of the human body combined with their reptilian looks. With their reptilian physiology, they can mimic the traits and abilities or the appearance of reptiles. Combined with their alien form and powers, these abilities are augmented. Keratin is also known for its abundant resource of protein, which also attracts a lot of visitors — and poachers. Sometimes the poachers are “visitors” in disguise.
This has led to their planet being attacked on numerous occasions, namely by the “red-meats,” a name they use in reference to the inhabitants of planet Earth. After the first conquest of some their resources from the earth dwellers, their next move was to colonize. This caused an uproar by the Keratinians, leading to a massive slaughter of a victory against the earth dwellers.
That wouldn’t be the last time the people of Earth would attempt such a conquest, nor would they be the first beings to make an attempt. Years produced some casualties of war, but the sacrifices that was made to defend their planet is part of what sustains the state of Keratin today.
Present day, the Keratinians have just ruled in a majority on a verdict for a trial. The convicted is Ki’ara, who is pregnant with her young, is being charged with the murder of her spouse Shar’iff. Shar’iff was murdered only three months into their marriage, when her pregnancy started to manifest. In the meantime, Ki’ara is sitting on the floor motionless and seemingly staring into space, almost as if in a meditative state.
Cheron, her cellmate, who is imprisoned for multiple counts of murder, walks over to check on her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“The crazy part is, I believe you.” Cheron says. “You’re the most calm death row mate I’ve ever seen.”
“Death row? So you think I did it?”
“Can you look me in the eyes and tell me you didn’t do it?”
Ki’ara stands up; she slowly walks towards Cheron, stopping two feet from her.
“Don’t worry, I won’t tell.” Cheron assures her.
Ki’ara walks closer, leans over to Cheron’s ear. “They promised me everything. A better life for me and my children, they would take care of everything, all I had to do was remove him.”
“Who’s they?”
“The Keratin Division of Family Welfare.” Ki’ara confesses. “They told me they would take care of me if I killed him. I fulfilled my end of the bargain; they didn’t. They double-crossed me to cover their tracks.”
“Do you think they’re afraid you will talk?”
“I know so.”
Ki’ara senses the presence of oncoming guards; she signals Cheron to act as they would normally would. As the whistling guard passes by, Ki’ara and Cheron continue the conversation, this time Cheron sitting next to Ki’ara on the floor.
“All I know is, I have to find a way to get out of this,” Ki’ara says. “When I do, me and the higher-ups have some unfinished business.”
“I don’t blame you,” Cheron concurs. “Well, for me, as you know, I’m in here for life. I have nothing to live for. You know, sometimes I think I envy you.”
Ki’ara gives her a confused look. “Why?”
“I’d rather them just take me out, and get it over with, instead of leaving me here to rot.”
An idea suddenly dawns on Ki’ara. “Maybe there is something you can do.”
“What do you mean?”
“You can shape shift, right?”
“Yes.”
“You can take my place.” Ki’ara suggests. “You won’t only be doing it for me, you will mainly be doing it for my young, for their future.”
Cheron shakes her head. “I don’t know, Ki.”
“Cheron, if they kill me, they will be killing my children, too. You said a moment ago that you’re stuck, and you’d rather die quickly than being left here to rot.”
“No. I’m sorry, Ki, but I can’t do that. I just can’t.”
Cheron stands up, hurriedly walks back to the other side of the cell. Ki’ara walks behind her, placing her hand on Cheron’s shoulder.
“I understand. I guess the opportunist in me just came out.”
Cheron slowly turns around. “I know we’re friends, and I think a friend will do just about anything for one another, but give up my life? That’s asking a lot.”
“I know. That was inconsiderate of me. I guess desperate times call for desperate measures.” She gives a fake smile.
***
The next morning, more specifically, the day of the execution, you can hear the sound of guards storming the corridors like tremors rumbling underground. They stop in front of Ki’ara’s cell, who is sitting on the bottom bunker in a fetal position. The guard slides the cell door open.
“Okay, Ki’ara. Let’s go.” The guard says forcefully.
Ki’ara lifts her head; as she tries to stand up, the guards grab her by arms and forcibly stand her up, carrying her out of the cell. They bring Ki’ara to the dreaded Courtyard of Corpses, an isolated area where the bodies of thousands of Keratinians are executed, then disposed in the nearby sewage system.
They position her in front of a formation of rocks. She takes a hard swallow in her throat as tears run down her face. She lowers her head as the guns are raised. As the Field Sergeant gives the command, the engine of a space cruiser starts revving in the distance.
“Ready! Aim! Fire!”
The soldiers open fire; the plasma-tipped bullets piercing through the flesh and bones of Ki’ara. She slowly falls backwards on the stony asphalt. An officer checks over the body and discovers something startling.
“What’s the matter, Nenning?” The Field Sgt. inquires.
“Sir, we’ve been had. The suspect was Ki’ara’s cell mate.”
“You mean she shape shifted?”
“Affirmative, sir.”
The Field Sgt. is furious; grinding his teeth, snatching his hat from his head. An infantryman rushes over to the Field Sgt., out of breath.
“Sir! Sir! One of the space cruisers has been stolen!”
“What?!” It dawns on the FS what has just happened. “The Commander is not gonna like this.”
***
Evading lasers and plasma gunfire, Ki’ara flies towards freedom. She shrieks in sudden pain, as the first contraction hits. She subtlely dips the cruiser to avoid two cruisers trying to flank her. She navigates the cruiser into a nosedive, then shifting upward, now positioning the cruiser behind the space crafts. She fires plasma rounds into the wings of the two space crafts, forcing the pilots abroad them to bail out.
Just as she navigates to the left, her cruiser is suddenly struck by a missile. This forces Ki’ara to think on her feet, despite battling an angry Keratin military and child birth pains. She remembers the space capsule, which is similar in use for pilots abandoning jets or planes but built to endure oncoming attacks and durable enough to survive the Earth’s atmosphere.
Quickly pressing the button on the dashboard, the capsule envelops Ki’ara, ejecting her out of the cruiser like a jet dropping a bomb. Not wanting to enter Earth, this causes the Keratin forces to turn around and go back to their planet. Speedily entering the earth’s atmosphere, tears run down Ki’ara’s face, clutching her stomach, she closes her eyes and bow her head, in a moment of silence.
Thank you Cheron. I couldn’t have done this without you. I assure you; your death will not be in vain.
***
Like what you’ve read? Be sure to get your copy of The Bounty Huntress by clicking the link below.
Amazon: The Bounty Huntress: Invasion of the Keratinians
Copyright © Edward Anthony, 2019
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