Sorry I've been a little neglectful of the blog the last two weeks, but I'm still hard at work on the third Vindicator novel. Also, I really haven't had anything to rant about lately (nothing that would be interesting, anyway). But since Christmas is this weekend, I thought I'd share a little.
So here's a little peak at the novel I've got in the works. Feedback is CERTAINLY welcome! : )
So on that note... Merry Christmas to all! Enjoy!
PROLOGUE
Where am I?
She woke up in an unfamiliar room. The brightness of the lights burned her eyes, and her nose was assaulted by the odors of disinfectant and recycled air. The space around her was indistinguishable at first. All she could make out was a big, white blur. Then, slowly but surely, things started to come into focus. When they finally did, she was sorry that they had.
As her haze began to clear, she could tell that she was lying on her back, looking up. She noticed her hand was resting on something cold. She looked down the front of her and saw that she was in an examination chair. She could see her wrists were bound to the arms of the chair with thin metal straps.
“She’s coming to,” she heard a deep, masculine voice say. “Get ready.”
She reached her hands out as far as the straps would allow, and was surprised when she felt the hem of a medical gown. She looked down again and saw her bare legs, which were bound to the chair by similar metal straps. The thin cushions of the chair provided no comfort, and their surface was cold against the bare skin exposed by her short medical gown. She let out a gasp as she realized that the gown was all she was wearing. She could feel the cold air on her bare feet, and when she shivered, the thin metal straps around her ankles dug into them.
Her eyes were focusing well now, and she saw that there were two men standing over her, looking down as she looked up. The first was younger, and judging by the labcoat and scrubs he wore, he was a Lab Tech. She’d never seen him before. Aside from the fact that he was making her uncomfortable with his staring, she knew nothing else about him.
The second man, however, needed no introduction. He had a chiseled jaw, dark hair and eyes, and the darkest uniform she’d ever seen. She had no doubts that this was Fleet Commander Straker staring down at her with a satisfied smile on his face. She couldn’t be sure if he was just enjoying his triumph, or if he was getting special enjoyment from her predicament. The thought of either possibility sent a chill through her.
“Where...? Where am I?” The words finally fell from her lips, but they were slow in coming.
“You’re in Dagmar Prison.” Straker’s voice was as icy as the room. “For the last two days, you have been our special guest.”
“What do you want from me?” The words were coming faster now.
The commander sneered. “Why information, of course.”
“What are you talking about?” she stammered. “I don’t know anything.”
“Oh I’m sure you know plenty, my dear.” He leaned in so that his face was almost touching her cheek. “You could start by telling me where the Augustine Resistance is hiding.”
“They’re not hiding,” she said angrily. “Your men murdered them all.”
“That’s what Jace Ryan told me before he escaped from us,” the commander replied. “Why don’t you tell me where he is?”
She felt his breath on her ear, and it made her shudder involuntarily.
“Jace?” The mention of his name focused her mind. “Escaped? I don’t know where he is. And even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
“We’ll see about that,” the Commander replied. “We have something here that may change your mind.” He then turned to the man in the lab coat and nodded. “You may begin.”
The man in the lab coat picked up a large needle and a small vial from his instrument tray. She couldn’t make out the writing on the label, only that it was black and orange. The LabTech drew some serum from the vial, and then started towards her with the needle.
“Wait,” she protested. “What are you doing? What’s that?”
“I’m going to inject you with a chemical called Compound 50,” the Tech replied with a smile. “Although you may know it better as Samathine. But don’t worry. This shouldn’t hurt. Much.”
“No!” She struggled against the straps, but they just dug into her skin as they held her fast. “What the hell is Samathine?”
The Tech none-too-gently jabbed the needle into the side of her neck. Her entire body tensed, and she let out an involuntary whimper as the tech pushed the plunger in and the serum ran into her bloodstream.
“No!” she repeated.
Straker pushed the Tech aside and grabbed her by the throat. “Now my dear. You’re going to tell me everything I want to know.”
“No!” She struggled against her bonds again, but the attempt didn’t get her any further than her first had.
The serum burned as it passed through her body, from her neck down into her chest. Then she could feel the burn as it passed through her heart and out to her limbs. It was getting harder to remember. Harder to think. Harder to breathe. Darkness was creeping into her mind. She was blacking out, but at the same time, she was still awake. Still aware.
She was struggling frantically now, but her arms and legs were growing heavier and heavier. For all the effort she was going to, they weren’t moving very far, until finally, they didn’t move at all.
At that moment she realized that there truly was no escape for her. She couldn’t run. She couldn’t fight. In a final moment of clarity, she realized that there was only one thing that she could do.
So Jade Ryan screamed.
