Copyright © 2016 Nicole MacDonald
Cover copyright © 2016 Nicole MacDonald
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author.
First Edition: December 2016
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
MacDonald, Nicole, 1982-
Prometheus, A New Dawn
a novel / by Nicole MacDonald. – 1st ed.
Book Layout ©2013 BookDesignTemplates.com
To the original action heroes of my life,
Mum and Dad
Table of Contents
Chapter One Unfriendly Eyes
Chapter Two Betrayal
Chapter Three The Tunnel
Chapter Four Laboratory
Chapter Five Serendipity
Chapter Six Holi
Chapter Seven Reality
Chapter Eight Fresh Air
Chapter Nine The Garage
Chapter Ten Human Threat
Chapter Eleven New Friends
Chapter Twelve Doubts
Chapter Thirteen Kill Switch
Chapter Fourteen Unwelcome Discoveries
Chapter Fifteen Raiders
Chapter Sixteen Extreme Stakes
Chapter Seventeen Eerie Calm
Chapter Eighteen Escape
Chapter Nineteen Off-Roading
Chapter Twenty Quarantine
Chapter Twenty One Home
Acknowledgements
About the Author
1 Unfriendly Eyes
The air hung thick, humid, and sticky. Dashing around the striking couple, children shrieked with laughter as they chased one another, oblivious to the stillness that struck the adults who spied them.
Staring at the eyes that met hers then dropped, Alyssa rolled her shoulders under the weight of the canvas pack that pressed unpleasantly against her sweat soaked back, fighting a growing uneasiness.
‘Easy as, Ally,’ Eoin said quietly beside her, his long fingers giving her hand a quick squeeze. ‘Keep your veil up. Just through the marketplace, the vehicles will be on the outskirts. Don’t worry, no one will look twice.’
The blatant lie passed his lips with an easy confidence that caused his wife to shoot him a look of exasperated amusement.
‘Uh-huh. Right. Let’s move then.’ Ally tucked the veil firmer behind her ear, arching a dark auburn eyebrow at him, her violet blue eyes looking a deep purple in the shade of the gauzy mottled green fabric wrapped over her head and around her neck.
Walking with a forced sense of ease, Eoin met the gazes of those bold enough to stare, nodding and smiling pleasantly as they moved through the teeming crowds of humans. Like sharks startling schools of fish, the humans moved away with speed as they walked by, clustering in doorways and behind stalls, their dark eyes watching, teeth flashing against their skin as they whispered amongst themselves while watching the couple.
Ally bared her teeth beneath the hand woven silk scarf, the constant pinprick sensation of unfriendly eyes hitting her flesh making her hunter instincts ache to be released. Only the occasional glance felt warm, a tentative expression even though their bodies tensed in alarm if her gaze met theirs.
Distracting herself by studying the architecture, Ally let her eyes roam the rough plastered walls that rose high on either side. This village was one of the originals that survived the outbreak. The humans who lived here were descendants of those who managed to live through the superbug epidemic that struck almost five thousand years ago. Humanity swiftly reduced to a scant percentage of their once booming numbers.
Her father estimated the current population at fifty million. Eoin thought it closer to double that.
This town alone would be four or five times their hometown of almost twenty thousand. And this was a small human town. They’d avoided the capital city, Delhi, with its population of almost four million. While they might get away with passing through a town this size, a capital city posed a variety of problems, the least being the sheer overwhelming number of humans.
Ally breathed steadily beneath the veil, nostrils trembling as scents bombarded her; spices, cooked food, unwashed bodies, feces and urine. A motion from the corner of her eye caught her attention and with the slightest turn of her head she watched a man squat on the side of the street and relieve himself. The blatant disregard for basic sanitary conditions, given human susceptibility to disease left her bemused. Eoin gripped Ally’s hand tighter, feeling her agitation. He reached to adjust his pack, giving it a jiggle while glancing to check no one hung off the back. Ally met his eyes with an amused quirk of her lips. As if she’d allow a pick-pocket. It would take a very skilled human to get away with that.
They kept pace, walking deeper into street. The paved street sloped down at the center to allow an easy run off for rain and all other sorts of muck, the locals flinging rotting food scraps toward it, and emptying toilet buckets into it with a casualness that made her shudder. The high stone walls of the dwellings on either side of the market lane were pierced with open windows and doors, balconies on the second, third, and fourth stories all hung with freshly washed clothes that undulated in the gentle breeze. The vibrant colors helped to distract her from the smells. She stared up then out ahead, looking across the fabric roofs of all the different stalls, a sea of color and patterns that rippled in the breezes blowing through as they headed down the sloping street. Everywhere people called out, begging for customers, declaring their goods the best, the very best. On either side wagons with large trays were piled high with goods; fruits, nuts, brightly dyed and patterned lengths of fabric. Wedged in between them were men and occasionally women manning sizzling hot plates perched on tripods, fanning the sheltered fires beneath as they bared their teeth in smiles, sweat running down their soot stained faces. The smells of humans vanished behind the inhalations of those spicy, savory scents, punctuated occasionally with sweet cloying notes. The loud cries for buyers quieted as they drew near, but took up again the moment they passed. Ally’s head rung from all the sound. No one seemed to just speak, everyone shouted. Clanging from the food stalls, rattling from the nut sellers as they shook and gestured at their wares, and the children running afoot, shrieking and yelling while adults shouted at them and scolded. It was like nothing Ally had ever experienced before.
Eoin snuck a glance at his wife’s face. The contrast of the green silk scarf she wore against her olive toned skin with the hint of auburn brown curls peeking out and her striking eyes made many look twice. Ally ignored the stares but Eoin noticed expressions of fascination, and desire on more than one human face they passed, men and women.
Those in the market place gave them space, something no one else received, but not due from respect. Fear, as always with humans, inspired them. Eoin mentally shrugged it off, and made the effort to keep smiling, his body relaxed and calm. Ally, with her hunter instincts, wasn’t able to relax and she kept her eyes moving, avoiding deliberate eye contact. The hunters of the Promethean race found it hard to mingle with large groups without giving away their natural instincts. It made him thankful for his scientific mind. He, at the very least, found towns like this one fascinating glimpses into cultures so foreign to theirs.
As they passed another food vendor, the human’s hot plate piled high with crispy delicacies, Eoin paused. Ally stiffened, eyes staring through the heat waves shimmering above the tripod, to the food that smelled tantalizingly good.
‘Hungry?’ he asked with a smile before turning to bargain with the m
an. The human hurriedly piled the steaming hot bundles of fried noodles into a multi-colored container created from gently melted sand that was molded over a rectangle shape. The old human race’s obsession with petroleum based products had left its mark on this world. It was rare to find sources of sand un-littered with tiny grains of plastic. Glass, once so common if the shards found everywhere were anything to go by, was now a precious commodity. Clapping a flat lid on top, the human offered the container.
Accepting it, Eoin passed some coins over.
The human stood frozen with the coins in hand as they continued on, but Eoin heard the sudden rush of movement as the man hurriedly checked the coins. The soft sigh of relief as he added them to his tin made Eoin snort in amusement as they walked. Humans rarely trusted Prometheans; old habits die hard.
Ally relaxed when they passed through the last of the market. The streets were still narrow, bordered by the high stone buildings in various states of disrepair. Occasionally a building front showed care, fresh plaster and mended cracks and holes, even occasionally a lick of paint. Against the others it stood out. Eoin led them on then veered to the right, down a narrow alleyway. From windows and doorways humans watched them, their dark eyes varying from wide and alarmed, to suspicious and narrow. Ally ignored them but walked behind Eoin, her ears pricked. The whispered murmur of ‘Promethean’ brought unwanted anxiety up. But they wouldn’t be here much longer.
‘Here,’ Eoin passed the open container back as he munched on one of the fried morsels. ‘Try one, you’ll love it.’
Ally took the container and stared at the little crisp bundles of fried noodles. Beside it was a sauce, clear but orange tinged with small chunks of red floating through it.
‘What is it?’ Ally asked dubiously.
‘Try it.’
Half watching where she walked, half watching the container, Ally plucked one of the bundles, bits crumbling into the sauce as she dipped it then popped it in her mouth.
Eoin turned back to see Ally’s dark brows shoot up, eyes wide. A laugh from one of the human’s watching them made Eoin smile.
‘Like it?’ he asked.
Ally’s eyes flicked side to side as she slowly chewed. She finished the mouthful and nodded, a rare smile breaking out. ‘Yes! It burns my throat, but it is good!’
He reached out to grab two of the crispy bundles, laughing as Ally eyed the remains.
‘They’re all yours.’
They continued down the narrow street then turned left. Eoin knew where he should find them. Anyone wanting to be rid a vehicle at a decent price would hang near the outskirts, far away from the market where they might be spotted and charged tax.
The closer they got, the lower the buildings. From four and five levels in the center of the town, to three and two then only one and the occasional taller, two levelled dwelling.
He could see them already. Men clustered in small groups stood near an open section, their eyes locked on the two of them as they drew closer.
‘Doesn’t look like we’ll have much choice,’ Ally said quietly. Eoin gave a short nod.
‘We don’t need much. As long as it has wheels and runs.’
Ally huffed at that but said nothing.
One of the men waiting stepped toward them as they reached the group. He extended his arms low with an open gesture though his smile was forced. The words he called were a peculiar mix of Hindu, English, and Chinese. Back home they also spoke the English and Chinese pidgin, heavily punctuated with Swiss German. It was familiar enough for Eoin to understand the greeting.
Avoiding any German words, making the effort to recall what Hindu he could, Eoin greeted him and began to explain. They wanted something small and easy to run. Preferably solar powered.
Silence greeted him.
Eoin inwardly sighed then reached into a pocket and flashed three gold coins.
Any hesitation vanished as the men rushed forward, seizing his arms to tug him in varying directions. Knowing the reaction it’d provoke, he twisted and met Ally’s eyes that had begun to glaze over to her calm, dangerous look.
‘It’s fine, Ally,’ he said, raising his voice enough to catch everyone’s attention. The men released their holds, giving nodding bows to him and Ally. Her eyes lightened and the pasty sheen to her olive skin vanished as she took a breath.
‘Please sir, this way.’
‘Here sir, see mine.’
‘Sir! Sir! This is best! Very best!’
The chorus of cries made Ally wince and she motioned at Eoin that she’d hang back. He nodded, allowing himself to be led to where the varying vehicles sat in the open dirt section.
The four different vehicles had two or three people enthusiastically selling its virtues; best condition, very best! Eoin let them talk while considering. The first car had small wheels, the rubber worn smooth. Eoin crouched on all fours beside it and peered underneath.
This provoked the seller to do the same from the opposite side, a bright smiling dark face with white teeth gleaming. ‘Good! Very good!’
‘Hmmm,’ Eoin said noncommittally, not pointing out the loose panel and wiring sticking out beneath it. If it ran he’d be impressed, any vibrations would finish the job off.
The next two vehicles were more suited to the jungle terrain, but in varying levels of disrepair. He could fix both, but that would take days. Eoin had more important tasks at hand.
The fourth vehicle however, had almost no storage, but as they had very little gear and didn’t expect to bring anything of size back, it could work.
Eoin circled the trike, aware of Ally’s presence seconds later.
‘Really?’ she murmured as he studied it.
Eoin smiled but didn’t reply, eyes absorbing the various intriguing details. A two seater, the trike had large wide set back tires on high suspension, the front tire set a hint higher for balance. Steel wrapped clear tubing coiled around the seat, flowing alongside to create protective sides to the back seat and the front before it merged into the battery, hidden in front of the front wheel beneath a detailed steel cover. Within the tubing a silvery liquid flickered in the sunlight.
‘Solar liquid?’ Eoin asked though he knew the answer.
‘Yes sir! Very best.’
This time the claims weren’t entirely exaggerated. Solar liquid was only produced in the human city of Eden, built on and with the remains of a city once called Rome. Eden was a place Prometheans rarely returned from, if they had the misfortune of entering its gates. The hub of the righteous, Eden was home to the highest echelon of those of the Mother Gaea religion many humans practiced.
Eoin’s back tensed as he flicked his gaze to the smiling face of the owner. The man looked of this region. But for him to have such a vehicle.
Eoin frowned and the owner leaped closer, a hand on his upper arm.
‘No sir! I give you very good price. Very good.’
Eoin appreciated the effort the man made to avoid Hindu words and grinned at him in spite of his concerns.
‘Do I speak Hindu that bad?’
All the men gathered close laughed hard at that, while the owner frantically waved his hands.
‘No, no! I am polite!’
Ally made a sound of amusement, but Eoin knew she’d picked up on his anxiety. Acting swiftly Eoin bargained with the owner, making the appropriate gestures and exclamations as they argued over the price. It ended on three gold coins. Just what he’d meant to pay, and no less than the owner would accept.
Ally helped him push the trike away from the other vehicles.
‘What is it?’ she asked under her breath.
‘This sort of solar power is made in Eden.’
Ally stiffened and Eoin nodded. ‘Hmmm. Raiders. Hopefully long gone.’
‘Let’s get on our way,’ she said.
The back seat pulled up to reveal a space to store their bags. With those stashed away, Ally climbed onto the seat. Feeling a rush of excitement at trying out a machine he’d never used before, E
oin straddled the front seat and peered at the dash. The round coin-like key he’d been given slotted in, just the indented edge sticking out to make for easy removal. The engine started almost silently, vibrations running through the trike. He eased the gear knob out of neutral and into drive. The pull as they set off was noticeable. Eoin grinned as Ally gave a whoop. Easing on the acceleration, they rapidly left the town behind, heading along the laneways bordered with farm lands as they aimed for the distant forest and the impressive mountain range that loomed above it.
2 Betrayal
Ally sat back in the seat, enjoying the breeze that whipped past. The electric motor was so quiet she could hear bird song drifting across the fields and through the slowly thickening trees. The smells out here were green and fresh, almost no scent of humans at all.
Watching the haphazardly fenced fields vanish, they entered the forest track. Mainly a foot track, it was still easily wide enough for the trike. Ally lifted her head, staring up the heights of the oaks and conifers they zipped past then smiled in pleasure at the bursts of color the occasional rhododendron bush offered. Tiny birds zipped past overhead, the screeching cry of a hunting hawk silencing the bird song momentarily.
In that sudden moment of silence the softest hum made Ally twist, eyes searching, ears intent.
‘Ally?’
Eoin didn’t slow, and Ally didn’t answer, wanting to be sure first. Nothing revealed itself so she relaxed back into the seat and reached out to give Eoin’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
‘Nothing.’
They moved swiftly over the rough track, the large tires easily navigating the dips and bulges of tree roots and rocks. The track began the gentle climb into the foothills of the huge mountain range.
The birds had gotten over their fright and began to sing again. Ally followed the flight of a tiny green bird that tracked a dragonfly, both of them flashing overhead and beyond. Laughing, Ally looked after the bird.
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