by Selina Brown
Bone of Contention
Alien Crucible
Old | New
First Trilogy Contention
Alien Anchorage
Fusion Warfare
Nature of Conflict
Ruse of War
Bones of Aryan Society
Log 1
Matter | Antimatter
Copyright 2016 S. V. Brown
Smashwords Edition
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.
Log Notes
This log has been professionally proofread. The author emphasizes that any mistakes found are due to a few changes and additions made after the proofing process.
Please Read
Thank you for reading this soft science fiction log. It contains characters who represent all walks of life and echoes many issues that are currently found on Earth today. Sensual scenes, speckled with comedy, tend to revolve around the main protagonist, Ara, and her love interest at the time.
Table of Contents
(Individual chapter numbers not included)
Log
Red
Dictates of the Righteous
Queen Bee
The Legendary Damned
Natal
Jamie and Ara
Coral
Logged
Hidden File: Access Level 1 Venus
About Selina Valen Brown
Other titles by S. V. Brown
Connect with S. V. Brown
Log 2 Pass | Fail Taster
Log
Maya via CARDINAL Unit (CU)
Logs for the Consortium
54899135745552
Prepare Dictates of the Righteous
Pending
Pending
Approved
INITIALIZE Dictates
PREPARE Sentinel for the Mobile Unit and Vanguard
Searching for candidate
Searching
Located Iota, Lekos Milo
Allocated Control Group Operative - Solaris
PACKAGE data
QUERY for Fabrication | Reconstruction unresolved
ENCYRPTION initialized to secured CU server
ALIEN ACHORAGE initialized
LOG 1 initialized
End
Sub-Log I
Iota
Station: Estancia
Galactic System: Lyon (Spiral Galaxy)
Planetary System: Lyon 3
Office of the Planet of Law
Jamie sat and stared at his hands.
They were strong hands with long fingers.
“You have such clever fingers,” she had whispered as she ran her lips over his sweaty chest and inhaled the smells of sex. Her hands, lips, and fingers touched his flesh before he was ready. She used to blow over his nipple and suck until it was hard while she triggered their neural implants to heighten his response, and her pleasure.
Rape they called it.
Guilt filled him. He was not yet sixteen; under fifty was considered illegal for full sexual contact. For the Pure-Gens it was illegal at one hundred and under. For an Avatara, of the Eighth Race, light play of his choice was permitted after he turned twenty. Shame filled him because he had been groomed and had not realized it. How could he have been so stupid? For the last few months he gave testimony against his teacher.
He had cut his dark hair; she liked it long.
He dressed in dark colors; she liked him dressed like a peacock.
“I love your softness.”
He had lost weight, worked out at least a couple hours every day, and played sports. He was now lean.
Defined.
He was defined now, for this life.
The Planet of Law, a small planet in the Cradle guarded by three warlords with their space fleets, dealt with the case with discretion. Since only Pure-Gens could attend the actual Planet of Law, they had offices on every planet in Aryan Space. Lyon 3 was no different. Eight Lyon planets shared a spiral galaxy and Lyon 3 was the second most populated planet with three billion. He barely noted the marble floors, the columns, and the rich paintings that depicted Aryan history. They were in the child protection courts so color was vibrant, with the laws clearly illustrated in ink and paint. He sat numbly in the small court room for the whole proceeding. It was filled with dark wood furnishings and dark red carpet that acted as a backdrop for when he stared at his hands. He flexed and clenched his fingers, cracking them occasionally. After a satisfying crack on the last day, he heard the judge say, “Leanne Tanner, for engaging a minor in sexual acts and intercourse, we condemn you to death.”
Finally, he looked up.
Leanne stood and sent Jamie a yearning glance that he turned from just as guards dragged her away. He was sure, if she could, Leanne would have sent him a sexual jolt via their implants.
“Jamie, are you alright?” his father asked him softly.
He just nodded, aware he had not mentioned Leanne’s mental intrusions or abuses but they had blocked her ability to communicate mind to mind anyway as standard operating procedures for criminals took effect. He heard a door open and raised his eyes to watch her struggle. She didn’t look like a rapist, a criminal. She had soft, brown hair and large, brown eyes. And yet there she was being handled by two guards to ensure she didn’t try to escape, just like a common criminal. But she wasn’t trying to escape; she was trying to reach him. His parents stood and then positioned themselves between him and her.
Leanne was publically shamed as a lesson to others, but his identity was kept quiet.
“You are worth death.”
That’s what Leanne said to him as he watched the execution but in the end she screamed. He’d been told that they all screamed when the last of the injected liquid entered their blood stream. It wasn’t recommended but he needed to see her die. She was a Fourth-Gen, a higher race than he was, and she’d known if caught or reported it would result in her death. There had been a medical and psych exam first, but nothing was wrong with her. She saw what she wanted and took it. She took it because, as a higher Gen, she had more matter and energy making her strong and powerful. Jamie had thought he craved that attention but now, no longer under her influence, he despised it. If he was honest, he despised women with power. To Leanne’s credit—his father told him not to think of it that way—she did not deny the allegations. She could have had anyone, but she had wanted him. His pride swelled at that, but he knew that was part of his skewed mind now.
Iota
Station: Lekas Milo
Galactic System: Lekaa (Irregular Galaxy)
Planetary System: Githto
His family moved from Estancia Station to Lekas Milo—another station in Iota, or the Horizon as some liked to call it—ruled by one minor regional queen and one province king. His family had nothing to do with the Pure-Gens, certainly not royalty. It was hard enough breaking from the Lyon tradition where the four children of each family consisted of two breeders, an aggressor and a protector. For years he struggled at school; deemed exceptionally bright, he turned instead to competitive sport, males for friendships, and showed aptitude for strategic military thinking, and physical training. He won scholarships with the Aryan Warlords but it was the Aryan Military, Special Forces, he was drawn to. He had offers to play sport professionally but he knew if he was a public figure, his application for covert operations would be rejected.
“Jamie!” Sam yelled, waving his arms as he ran backwa
rds.
Vernon ran past, laughing at him. “Get your head in the game!”
Jamie ran and tackled the current ball holder, knocking him to the ground. Sam kicked the ball to the goals and they won the game. After some manly embracing and arse slapping, they swaggered to the change room and left the sunny field behind them. After the celebration, he and a quiet, academic male, Ryama, walked home to their brick dorm building hand in hand. Jamie was a head taller than the slender, blond-haired male with lovely hazel eyes who was his friend first. It was dark but Jamie made out the leaves on the stone path that crunched under their feet. He hadn’t told anyone that he had been raped. The shame was too great and he felt if he started talking he wouldn’t stop and that would include revealing how he enjoyed it at times. And Ryama never pried.
They had kissed, held hands, but that was all.
Sexually speaking, Jamie had one opportunity to get back his childhood, his innocent years. And that was with males. Women had been ruined for him. He doubted he’d ever be interested in females again. With Ryama he found some ease of companionship as they talked of dreams and life ahead. The night was warm so they both wore shorts, sleeveless tops and carried their shoes and socks.
“You should apply.” Ryama smiled up at him.
“Now?”
“Yes, they like them young.”
Jamie cringed a little. They turned into the building’s main double doors. The lights were on, but dimmed as the night was late.
“That way they can train you, no bad habits.”
Jamie turned his head a little so that Ryama didn’t see his expression. One other reason he liked Ryama was that he was clueless, innocent in many ways, and didn’t try to guard his words. It made Jamie feel normal. At home it was unbearable. Leanne had invited Michael, his brother, to join her and Jamie. That had been the trigger for Jamie to report her; unable to speak up for himself, he could for Michael. For Michael the experience had been deeply traumatic.
Even now Michael’s screams haunted his sleep.
Jamie and Ryama slowly climbed up to the third level and headed down the dimly lit passage. Jamie stopped at the halfway point at a brown door on their left while Ryama squeezed his hand goodnight and walked across the hall. Jamie placed his palm on the GELpad, a touch pad made of Genetically Engineered Lygon used all over Aryan Space and Planetary Systems, and entered the room he’d lived in for some years now. Was it home? It was a small, rectangular room with a bed to his left, while the desk, tiny bathroom, and cupboards were to his right. There was also a sliding door at the end that opened onto a tiny balcony. His eyes automatically locked on to the desk where his monitor was still raised out of it. It was a state-of-the-art Brain-tech desk complete with virtual and holo capabilities. Brain Co.’s products had exploded into Aryan Society, or so said his lecturer in commerce. The door clicked closed as he leaned on the frame and he smiled as he came to a decision. What did he have to lose?
The next morning, a familiar knock on his dorm room door made Jamie smile. He called Ryama in, excited with his news. “I did it. I applied.”
“Good. You have a talent for games and trickery.” Ryama closed the door with a huge smile.
They were both dressed in dark trousers and shirts ready for class. While Ryama had his jacket on Jamie had his shirt sleeves rolled up.
“The reply said they’ll do background checks and then it may take a year.”
“That long!” Rya took his arm. “Then I have you for another year. Tell me about it.”
“There were several roles to look at.” Jamie sat at his desk, with Rya next to him. They studied the data on Jamie’s monitor. “I put my name down for three.”
Rya glanced at him. “My bet is that you didn’t put down for the Sentinel Program.”
Jamie chuckled. “No, I didn’t. That’s more your scene.”
“I suppose if I were to apply,” he teased, “which I wouldn’t.”
“I don’t mind if you do.” And Jamie didn’t mind as Rya was easy to get along with.
“Do you think they want covert farmers?”
Jamie chuckled. “They might, I heard cows are planning a small insurrection against the Province King in Anchorage.”
“That’s right”—Rya pretended to muse—“they wanted to eat his petunias and he wouldn’t let them.”
Jamie nudged him. “Come on, let’s go down for breakfast.”
***
Three months on and they were studying on the floor in Jamie’s room preparing for the mid-year exams. Jamie stretched, cracking his neck and back as he did. Ryama glanced up at him thinking he was popping his knuckles, a habit of his Rya hated listening to.
“You’ll have to stop that if you want to be an operative. Hard to be stealthy when you’re popping your joints.”
Jamie chuckled.
“Come on, there’s a new movie.”
“What about study?” Jamie frowned and stared at his range of tablets and EBrains lying around on the floor.
“I need a break. We can take two hours and support the movie guys; they get graded on their showings, extra credits for audience. Or you can stay and I’ll take a break.”
Suspicious now, he asked, “What are they showing?”
“A school made production and before you complain it’s only for ten minutes. The main movie is ‘The Ghost of Avalon’.”
Jamie tried not to laugh at his “winning” smile and said, “I’ll come.”
The last thing Rya had dragged him in for was a show about a planet called Earth in Estancia Station, and how the Avatara were creating worlds there to determine the best way to rule. Many Avatara had come under some pressure from the other races but it was legal, however Jamie didn’t like the project at all. They made their way down to where students had converted the basement into a massive retro theatre. It was already dark inside. Rya found them two chairs close to the back but Jamie sniffed the air and pulled him away. They found two aisle-side seats halfway down.
Rya said, “I’ll just get some drinks and snacks.”
Jamie nodded, sat, and took time to look around, observing his “world”.
A male sat next to him.
“This seat is taken.” Jamie glanced at the male with some annoyance.
“I’ll be gone before your friend comes back. Tell me what you see.”
Jamie frowned and studied the male properly. He looked military. “I see a military male and I smell that he’s wearing expensive fragrance; sixty-four bodies in this theatre; someone spilt a drink three rows down; unwashed socks two rows behind on the other side; the security guard had an argument with his wife again; just in front the guy has masturbated but hasn’t washed himself so I’ll tell my friend not to shake his hand; someone is arguing in the bathroom; the projector is trying to eat the tape—why they don’t just give up the old ways and accept new tech I don’t know—the popcorn machine was recently refilled; there’s a couple kissing in the back corner on our side and I don’t think she’s enjoying it very much, the—”
There was a chuckle. “That’s enough.” The male stood. “Thank you, Jamie.”
“You should find a seat for the first ten minutes; the movie students get extra credits exam time for visitors.”
“I can spare ten minutes.” He walked to the rear and sat.
Rya passed the military male with arms full and sat down. Jamie took a drink and popcorn.
Rya said, “There’s chocolate too.”
Jamie automatically determined how much exercise he’d have to do and if it was worth it. The students’ movie began and he didn’t give the male a second thought until the end of the production when Rya asked, as he twisted around, “Who was that militaria who was getting up as I came back in?”
“I think they’re considering my application.”
“That was quick. He’s gone now.”
“I asked him to watch the first part, support and all.” He flashed a grin at Rya who threw a piece of popcorn at him. They watche
d the horror film, Jamie’s favorite genre. As the credits rolled across the screen, Jamie could see a few people they knew who looked like they wanted to talk.
“Let’s get back.” Urgency filled him now and the need to stop a fearful gnawing that had been triggered while he had waited for Leanne to be executed. The military would be able to access those records, and Jamie knew they’d be considering how to deal with him. “I don’t think they’ll continue my app if I fail my exams.”
A couple hours after midnight Rya got up off the floor and slapped his e-book closed. Jamie saw him to his room, feeling protective. Rya kissed him with some passion. He released Jamie and said softly, “Listen to me; if they come for you just go, don’t give me another thought. If you are gone, I’ll pack up your things.”
Jamie hugged him and they stood like that for some time, both thinking of Rya’s twin sister who had “disappeared”.
“If you see Diane, if that’s even her name now, give her a hug? Since she’s just a female version of me you’ll recognize her.” Rya moved away and opened his door.
As he stepped in and turned, Jamie noticed his down-turned mouth and glistening eyes.
“I will.”
“What is it about me that those I love leave?”
Startled by Rya’s soft but soulful words, Jamie reacted too late and the door closed.
Love?
Jamie went back to his room a little confused. Ryama had encouraged him to sign up but he reasoned that the reality of separation would be painful. He walked through to the small bathroom and washed his face. He stood staring at the dark grey eyes, so dark they looked almost black. It was a rugged face not quite framed by short, dark hair. A bang caused him to rush back into the main room. The shutter on the sliding door flapped around in the strong wind that roared down the mountains at times. Rain pelted onto his tiny balcony where water was pooling already. He leaned out, loving the feel of the cold drops of water on his face, and saw the stormy skies lit momentarily by a bolt of lightning, thunder following seconds after. Githto was known for its storms and even after forty years he loved the wild weather.