Dead of Veridon

by Tim Akers

  The Mother Fehn was waiting. I vomited her children up on the floor as that globe of light watched impassively. Camilla lay on the metal floor, bewildered.

  "Where are we?" she asked.

  "Central Processing," Mother answered. "Servitor colloquially known as Camilla. Welcome."

  "That didn't make sense," Camilla said.

  "I'm glad to see you just as baffled," I said. "I think so, at least. This thing is very old."

  "Time frame relative. Iterations occur regularly, central fragmentation makes referencing source dates irrelevant. There were many of us. Now there is one. This unit is still getting used to its vessel."

  "What is that thing?" she asked.

  "This, my dear monster, is the Mother Fehn. She knows a lot about you."

  "I would know more," the Mother answered.

  "Which is why we're here," I said, standing up. "Initiate your subteens, you crazy old bitch."

  The globe turned to face me, then strobed its attention over Camilla. The pillar of slugs slithered forward.

  "Jacob, what's happening?" Camilla shrilled. I smiled.

  "She's about to know more," I said. "Put yourself in my shoes, Cam. Live my life for a day, or a year, or a brief, mortal span. What would you do?"

  The carpet of squirming Fehn-slugs surged across the room like a tide, covering Camilla. She was screaming when they got to her mouth, and then there was silence. The Mother was still processing when I let myself out.

  About the Author

  Tim Akers was born in deeply rural North Carolina, the only son of a theologian. He has been recovering in Chicago ever since, where he lives with his wife, his German Shepherd, and a healthy respect for an internally consistent narrative.

  Find out more at www.shadoth.blogspot.com.

  HEART of VERIDON

  TIM AKERS

  Jacob Burn: pilot, criminal, and disgraced son of one of the founding families of the ancient city of Veridon. When an old friend delivers a strange artifact, Jacob finds himself on the run from both the law and his former friends. But even as an array of strange creatures and devices stalk him through the streets of Veridon, something yet more sinister and dangerous makes its move against him, an entity that will make him question everything he thought he knew about himself and the city.

  ISBN (ePUB): 978-1-84997-275-8

  ISBN (MOBI): 978-1-84997-276-5

  Title

  Indicia and Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  About the Author

  'Heart of Veridon' by Tim Akers