by Stu Jones
OTHER BOOKS BY STU JONES AND
GARETH WORTHINGTON
It Takes Death to Reach a Star, Book One of a Duology.
OTHER BOOKS BY STU JONES
The Action of Purpose Trilogy
Through the Fury to the Dawn
Into the Dark of the Day
Against the Fading of the Light
OTHER BOOKS BY GARETH WORTHINGTON
The Children of the Fifth Sun Trilogy
Children of the Fifth Sun
Children of the Fifth Sun: Echelon
Children of the Fifth Sun: Rubicon (2020)
AWARDS
It Takes Death to Reach a Star
2019 IPPY Bronze Award Science Fiction
2019 Feathered Quill Gold Award Winner Science Fiction
2018 Cygnus Award First Place Ribbon Dystopian Science Fiction
2018 Dragon Award Nominee Best Science Fiction Novel
2018 New York Book Festival Winner Science Fiction
2018 Readers’ Favorite Honorable Mention Science Fiction
Children of the Fifth Sun
2019 Eric Hoffer Award Honorable Mention Science Fiction
2019 Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Shortlist
2019 Eric Hoffer Award First Horizon Finalist
2018 London Book Fesitval Winner Science Fiction
2018 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist Science Fiction
Children of the Fifth Sun: Echelon
2018 Hollywood Book Festival Winner Science Fiction
In The Shadow Of A Valiant Moon
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2020 Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or to be invented, without written permission from the publisher, except where permitted by law.
ISBN: 978-1-944109-97-4
Published by Vesuvian Books
www.vesuvianbooks.com
Self-made gods with only the laws of physics to keep us company,
we are accountable to no one.
—Yuval Noah Harari, Sapiens
For my father—a pillar of unshakable faith and fortitude, standing amidst the storm.
– Stu Jones
For Dominica—for the girl who holds the hand of this
often-distant man.
– Gareth Worthington
Table of Contents
NAMES FROM BOOK I
TERMS FROM BOOK I
PROLOGUE
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
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Epilogue
Acknowledgements
About the Authors
NAMES FROM BOOK I
Bilgi [Robust, Logosian]. Mentor and father figure to Mila, Bilgi is also the stalwart and capable head of the resistance (see Opor).
Denni [Robust, Fiorian, deceased]. Resistance fighter and friend to Mila and Demitri. Killed four years ago in the battle for the Gracile Leader’s rocket.
Demitri [Gracile, missing]. Former Gracile experimental physicist, tormented by another voice in his head: Vedmak. Demitri believed quantum entanglement allowed him to connect with Vedmak’s ‘coherent information’ following the madman’s death. Upon teaming up with Mila and the resistance to defeat the Gracile Leader, Demitri suffered a catastrophic injury that allowed Vedmak to take control of his body.
Evgeniy [Gracile, deceased]. A Gracile scientist and friend to Demitri. Killed by the Gracile Leader for dealing with the Robust resistance.
Faruq [Robust, Baqirian, missing]. Musul turned resistance fighter, stepson to Kapka and older brother to Husniya. Faruq is believed to have been killed four years ago during the battle for the Leader’s rocket when he confronted Kapka on the launchpad. His body was never recovered.
Ghofaun [Robust, Zopatian]. A Lawkshaun monk turned resistance fighter. Ghofaun is one of the only Chum Lawk practicioners who can regularly best Mila. His fierceness is only matched by his wisdom and absolute composure under fire.
Giahi [Robust, Fiorian]. Resistance fighter and constant thorn in Mila’s side. Strong-willed and capable, Giahi believes he should be leading the resistance and he’s willing to do anything he can to see that goal achieved.
Gil [Robust, Velian, missing]. Drug addict and Mila’s former information broker. No one has heard from him since the fall of the lillipads.
The Leader [Gracile, deceased]. Former head of the Graciles. Four years ago, he set a plan to accelerate the evolution of the Gracile kind by encoding their species information on the event horizon of a black hole—but not before orchestrating the genocide of all Robusts living in Lower Etyom. Conspiring with the Baqirian warlord Kapka, the Leader’s plan fell apart when Mila and Demitri rallied the Robust resistance against him in a desperate struggle to prevent annhilation. Demitri killed him on the Asgardia space station.
Husniya [Robust, Baqirian]. She is the little sister of Faruq and daughter of Kapka. Rescued from danger by Demitri four years ago, she was found to share the biology that connected Demitri to Vedmak. Her companion spirit, Margardia, is benevolent who tries to shepherd and protect Husniya. Mila is currently her guardian and teacher. Now fourteen years old, Husniya, displaced from her people and angry at losing her brother, has grown into a troubled and defiant teenager.
Kapka [Robust, Baqirian]. Known as the Tyrant of Baqir, Kapka has long held the Musul people captive to his violent extremism. Kapka survived the blast during the battle for the Gracile Leader’s rocket four years ago. Part gangster warlord, part terrorist, Kapka will go to any length to destroy his enemies. He has a particular hate for Logosians.
Mila [Robust, Logosian]. Tough and uncompromising, Mila is a true survivor. In the four years that have passed since the Fall of the Gracile empire, Mila has gone from reluctant freedom fighter to war-weary leader of the resistance. In a desperate bid to cling to her faith, she tries to follow the path of the Ligh
tbringer and protect the people of Etyom. It is a task that keeps her from what she truly desires—finding and rescuing Demitri and Faruq.
Mos [Robust, Kahangan]. Resistance fighter, Opor’s head of security, and long-time friend of Mila. Of all those who stand with her, few are more loyal than Mos.
Nikolaj [Gracile, deceased]. Demitri’s neobrother. Killed by the Gracile Leader.
Oksanna [Gracile, missing]. Robotics scientist and former mate to Demitri’s neo-brother, Nikolaj. She is missing along with all other Graciles.
Vedmak [Unknown entity, missing]. Believed to originally be a Bolshevik soldier who died during the Red Terror of Russia in the early twentieth century. His spirit/information became entangled with Demitri. Seizing a puppetmaster-like control of Demitri’s body, Vedmak has only one aim: to bring back the glory of Russia and watch the world burn.
Yuri [Robust, Fiorian]. Bilgi’s most trusted friend and advisor. One of the founders of Opor, he is known for his skill in the ways of deception and cloak-and-dagger tactics.
Zevry [Robust, Logosian, deceased]. Mila’s older brother, who died attempting to sabotage the Gracile Leader’s plan long before the Resistance knew of it.
TERMS FROM BOOK I
Asgardia* – a project in the early 20th century to create an independent space nation.
Ax’d – an honorable death for Graciles who have outlived their usefulness to society.
Black Hole – a region of spacetime exhibiting such strong gravitational effects that nothing can escape from inside it.
Chiori – guinea-pig sized rodent commonly found in the slums of Etyom, it is the primary source of meat for most Robusts.
Chum Lawk – a martial art with roots in ancient Chinese Kung Fu. Mila, Ghofaun, and Bilgi are all master practicioners.
Creed – robotic, Geminoid, peacekeepers utilized by the Graciles, mainly to ensure the Robusts do not encroach on New Etyom. (See also Geminoid).
Enclave – one of seven walled communities in Lower Etyom: Alya (Musul), Baqir (Musul), Fiori (all religions), Kahanga (Musul and Tribal), Logos (Logosian), Vel (all religions) and Zopat (all religions).
Event horizon* – a region in space–time beyond which events cannot affect an outside observer, most commonly associated with black holes. of the Vapid.
Geminoid* – fully automated robots whose outer appearance is designed to replicate individual humans. Originally created by Dr. Hiroshi Ishiguro*.
Gracile – genetically engineered human, considered the epitomy of evolution, living in New Etyom.
Grov’ler – derogatory term for a follower of Yeos.
HAP – Habitable Aerial Platform. Nineteen HAPs used to sit 5 miles above Lower Etyom, before the war.
Ilah – the monothesitic god of the Musul Robusts.
Jacked – Adjective referring to a Robust’s biology being enhanced with technology.
Jackbag – derogatory term for Robusts who have used dodgy modifications to emulate Graciles.
Krig – Thick, black, caffeinated drink reminiscent of strong old-world coffee.
Lillipad – slang for a HAP (see HAP).
Logosian – the term for Robusts who are born in the Logos enclave, but also used to depict those who follow Yeos the Lightbringer, a religion stemming from Judeo-Christian beliefs.
Lower Etyom – the collective name for the seven enclaves in which the Robusts live. Formerly a Gulag turned mining community called Norilsk in Siberia.
Musul – follower of Ilah, whose religion stems from Islam.
NBD – New Black Death; bacterial plague that wiped out most of humanity after WWIII. Outbreaks still occur in Lower Etyom.
Neuralweb – internet connected directly to the brains of all Graciles and some jacked Robusts.
Norilsk* – gulag-turned-mining town in Siberia.
Opor – the Robust resistance originally formed to overthrow the Graciles.
PED – Personal Electronic Device, used to communicate off the neural web.
Ripper – Robust humans. These criminals and outcasts have been exiled to wander the frozen wastes
Robust – non-engineered humans who survived the NBD and live in Lower Etyom.
Sard – vulgar slang used alone or as a noun or verb in various phrases to express annoyance, contempt or impatience.
Stim – drugs used by Robusts to elicit feelings e.g. relaxation (Easy) or intense power (Red Mist).
Vestals – the oldest organized remnant of Logosian faith, the wise and faithful sisters of this order can frequently be found offering relief to the weary traveler, the sick, and the wounded.
The Writ – also known as “The Holy Writ of Yeos”. Given to Mila as a gift years ago by Demitri, this tome may well be the last known copy in existance.
VTV – Vertical Take-off Vehicle. Used by New Etyom peacekeepers, the Creed.
Yeos – the monotheistic god of the Logosians.
*real place, person, term or object as of 2019
PROLOGUE
MOSCOW, MARCH 1938
In the darkness behind my eyelids all other senses are heightened. The murmuring of the witnesses seems deafening. Damp air clings claw-like to the nape of my neck. The stench of fear and evacuated bowels wafting from the other stalls, threatens to choke me. But above it all, the pain of betrayal, cold and fatal, stabs like the piercing edge of a blade in my heart.
I open my eyes to search for my accuser, but he does not make his presence known. He pretends he is too important to attend the last of these three trials. Of course, he is here. Hiding in the shadows, watching in silence as the charges are read. I’m accused of wrecking, espionage, Trotskyism, and conspiracy. These crimes are not mine. Just as they are not the crimes of the twenty men who stand here with me today. Nor were they the crimes of the men in the two preceding show trials I myself led for him. For this coward.
Twenty years ridding Mother Russia of the Tsarist regime, their pathetic White Army and every bourgeoisie man, woman, and child I could root out of hiding. His damn precious canals were built under my direction, with men—slaves—trained in my gulags. The Order of Lenin was bestowed upon me, a hero of Communism.
Yet, it was for nothing. His paranoia has driven him to madness. His power over the people is fading. I tried to tell the stupid kozel—to warn him. And for my loyalty, I—deliverer of the Purge—now stand trial. Stalin, you bastard, I know you are watching.
"I appeal to you. For you, I built two great canals!" My voice echoes around the great hall.
A flicker. The momentary flash of a match behind a muslin curtain in a window on the second floor. The outline of a pipe, now gone. The hall is eerily silent. My comrades in chains remain mute. Resignation carved into the pallid skin of their pathetic faces.
Stalin will not save me.
Not even Yahweh can save me from this.
And why should He? The blood of ten million souls stains my hands. White officers tied to planks and slowly fed into furnaces. Women and children, scalped and flayed. Dirty Christians given communion of molten lead. Filthy peasants buried alive or turned into living statues as ice-cold water was poured over their naked bodies in the winter-streets of Orel. Yes, death is my reward for these acts, for loyalty to the cause—but my soul will know no peace. And if that is my fate, then every dirty goat and pompous peacock will feel my wrath from the grave.
The bailiff pulls at my arm, leading me away from the podium to my doom. To be shot in the head. Perhaps, I deserve this providence. But what of Ida? Without my protection, my dear wife will be hunted down and murdered—or worse. I have confessed to all but espionage in hopes she will be spared. Yet, in my heart, I know this will not save her.
As I leave the court, some observers watch with disgusted stares, while others give pitiful sighs. They all should die. Every last one. Red. White. Tsar. Communist. It makes no difference anymore. No one understands. Only my Cheka brethren know what it means to be Bolshevik. To do whatever is needed.
I raise my gaze to the windo
w where I know he is skulking and spit on the floor in defiance.
“Menya zovut smert’, i ad prikhodit so mnoy!”
Yes, my name is Death and Hell follows with me.
Chapter One
THE RUINS OF ETYOM, NOVEMBER 2255
MILA
The young man in the brown jacket spins, arms raised high, a blood-curdling scream issuing from his lips. A few awkward steps and he falls, sprawling headlong across a pile of slush and rubble. A crimson fan spreads out under his corpse, staining the snow red. Another death, another friend of the cause, gone.
He was seventeen.
All around the pop-whizz of gunfire followed by deafening explosions from detonating grenades reminds us all the Kahangan stronghold of Nazal will not fall easily. I slide farther into the frozen mud of the ditch and scrunch into a ball.
"Mos." Where the hell is he? "Mos, you with me?"
"I'm here, Mila." The barrel chested Kahangan with midnight skin crawls up next to me, careful to keep his bulk below the rise. "Who’s hit?"
"Mauricio."
"Is he dead?"
"He's not moving."
"Sniper?" Mos jerks his head in the direction of the building before us. Politsiya in faded Cyrillic letters adorns the ruined facade.
"Knows what they're doing too." I pull a small mirror from the arm pouch on my leather jacket and slowly raise it to get a better view. In the reflection is the form of a person, prone on the roof of the palace—if you can call it that.
A glint of light bounces off the glass.
I snatch my hand down and pinch my eyes shut as a chunk of earth explodes from the rim of the ditch, showering us with wet clods of cold mud. The lingering crack of a rifle follows. He’s got a sarding scope and a good, stable position. Guy definitely knows what he's doing.
"There's a way up to the roof on the back side,” Mos says. “I can flank his position and approach from behind if you can keep his attention." He cocks his head. "That's probably stupid, huh?"
“It's only stupid if it doesn't work."
Mos, already shuffling away, motions to a few others hiding in another ditch to follow.