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Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
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Last Son Of Earth – Part 3

One of Them Alden stopped immediately. He knew the only thing a CON Man didn’t enjoy killing was time and he didn’t feel like testing their patience today. Shoot first, ask questions later was CON protocol. They were peacekeepers, Agents […]
Christopher Miller on May 14, 2013
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One of Them

Alden stopped immediately. He knew the only thing a CON Man didn’t enjoy killing was time and he didn’t feel like testing their patience today. Shoot first, ask questions later was CON protocol. They were peacekeepers, Agents of CON, enforcers of the Construct upon which the great CON (Conclave of Nations) was built. They took pride in doing their job efficiently.

Alden raised his arms and faced the CON Men as they dismounted their cycles and approached him with their palm guns aimed at his chest and black capes blowing in the wind. As a mechanic, he couldn’t help but admire the complexity of their mechanical makeup. In fact, to call them men at all was a matter of heated debate among some citizens. At first glance, the only thing remotely human about the men was the skin of their foreheads and the black top hats which perched properly atop them.

Once a man was chosen for the ranks of CON forces he received a series of mandatory “upgrades”. Limbs were replaced with robotic ones, giving them superior strength, speed and height advantages over ordinary citizens. Steel plates were affixed to their skulls for protection. Their faces were muzzled with black leather masks and a pair of round, red lenses hid their eyes from the public. It was the red lenses that had earned CON Men the nickname of Red-Eyes among those who secretly despised the Construct.

“Alden Two One?” The first of the towering CON Men asked as he approached. His voice was amplified and somewhat broken by the static of a radio implanted beneath the muzzle.

Alden nodded, still in awe of their impressive physique.

Without another word, a blast of electricity emitted from the CON Man’s palm. The powerful current connected with Alden’s chest, instantly paralyzing him and causing him to collapse in an unconscious heap beside his cycle.

* * * * * * * * *

The very next moment (or so it seemed), Alden awoke seated in the center of a dimly lit, circular room, on a cold cement bench, slumped over a cold cement table. He had no idea how long he had been out, but his legs were still tingling from the shock of the pulse which meant it couldn’t have been more than a few hours.

Scanning the circumference of the room, Alden was somewhat surprised to find that he was actually alone – no CON Men, no guards, no one at all. The walls were formed of concrete, but artistically cut in crisscrossing, layered angular lines. The only entrance into the room was a rectangular door set back in a double layered archway.

As Alden continued his exploration of the room, his gaze shifted toward the ceiling where a massive winged statue circled overhead, glaring down at Alden. It was Cockatrice, the two-legged dragon with a rooster’s head, the symbol of CON. It’s eyes, though only stone, were mesmerizing and seemed almost alive. Alden grew quickly uncomfortable with the gaze and looked away.

In the same moment, the doorway to the round room opened with a loud crack.

A tall, slender man in pinstripe slacks and a lavishly decorated trench coat emerged from the doorway carrying a leather satchel. His polished black shoes clacked loudly across the stone floor as he approached the table where Alden sat. Alden tried to stand but found his legs still unable to move.

“Greetings, Alden,” the man said in a strangely friendly voice. “Forgive me for the temporary pain you must be feeling. It couldn’t be helped, I’m afraid. It will pass soon enough.”

Alden rubbed his legs in response and stared back at the man who now sat across the table from him. He seemed strangely familiar to Alden. His face was as perfect as a poster – his skin unblemished, his raven black hair neatly trimmed and combed just-so, and his teeth were as white and straight as any Alden had ever seen. Clearly he was somebody important.

“Do I know you?” Alden asked, boldly.

“You should,” the man insisted, pulling a file folder from out of his satchel. “I am Lord Langley.”

Alden’s stomach dropped, how could he have not known. Lord Langley was the man who would soon decide his place as a child of CON. At sixteen, Alden’s abilities would be assessed and considered by the Lord. A decision would be made based on his abilities and the needs of the District. The Lord’s decision, if approved by the District Master, would be final. If he chose Alden.

“Forgive me, my Lord,” Alden said, bowing his head in reverence. “I didn’t recognize you in person.”

Lord Langley waved a hand dismissively at the boy and turned his attention to reading over the contents of his files.

“What matters is that we know you.”

Alden glanced nervously across at the papers. “Am I in trouble?”

Langley looked up from the reports and smiled.

“Should you be?”

Alden shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. The last thing he wanted to do was incriminate himself.

“We’ve been watching you, Alden. We have great interest in your, how should I say it…”
– – – – – – – – – – – –

Sorry! This is where I have to leave off the writing today. I’d love to hear comments on where you think this conversation should go between Langley and Alden. There are any number of directions I’m considering. Does Langley recruit Alden to be a Red-Eye? Or how about joining some kind of mechanic corp based on his skill set. Or perhaps this meeting has nothing to do with his placement, but with CON’s desire to track down Alden’s father – and they believe Alden might know or have a way to lead them to him? Or maybe you are seeing something else in the works… I’d love to hear YOUR ideas. Thanks for joining along in this writing adventure with me. ~ Chris

Christopher Miller
Story matters. As the balder half of the Miller Brothers writing duo, Christopher is convinced that his receding hairline is actually a solar panel for brilliant thought. While the science behind this phenomenon is sketchy (at best) one thing is undeniable – his mind is a veritable greenhouse of crazy story ideas. Oh, he's also the co-author of three award-winning youth fiction novels (The Miller Brothers) and newly released novel based on a video game and a pair of children's books. Their books are written for kids and adults who aren't afraid of adventure. His hobbies include dating his wife, raising three children and providing for his family through copywriting, web design and launching a free to read platform for novelists called BookJolt.com. One day, Chris and his brother hope to delve deeply into the realm of interactive fiction.
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  1. Galadriel says:
    May 14, 2013 at 4:12 pm

    I’m thinking something to do with his mechanical skills.  If you can’t crush them, recruit them–old enough strategy.

    Reply
  2. Bladebearer says:
    May 14, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    I’m really thinking mechanical skills. However, I feel this meeting might be a warning dealing with his stunt. Perhaps that Alden is valuable, and this Lord doesn’t want anything to happen to Alden. Maybe a slight hint about his past and Alden’s father, but nothing outright. Maybe a “remember your original father” sort of talk. Maybe tie in that his father wasn’t careful or something and the Lord doesn’t want Alden to end up like him.
     
    I’m not sure about red-eyes. feels a little cliche. Maybe Crimson Horrors? (wonder if anyone will get the DW reference).

    Reply
    • Christopher Miller says:
      May 14, 2013 at 9:55 pm

      DW? Is that Door Within? Which reference are you thinking?
      I agree that the dad reference needs to be subtle. 
      I’ll update with the rest of the chapter this week. Keep the ideas coming. 🙂

      Reply
      • Bladebearer says:
        May 15, 2013 at 9:06 am

        DW means Doctor Who in this context. 😛
         

        Reply
    • Leanna says:
      May 15, 2013 at 12:13 am

      I don’t think it makes sense to mention the dad at all unless CON has some kind of evidence that the dad somehow left a valuable piece of information with his infant son.  The setting of the world is based around keeping people disconnected from each other. Any kind of warning connected to a relationship seems bizarre to me in that context. 
       
      I vote he gets recruited because of his mechanical savvy (and his recklessness!) for a risky mission that involves space travel.
      Also, what if CON knows about his connection with the Tin Man and will be sending the Tin Man along as a helper (with some sneaksy spy tech added to his matrix because the boy obviously doesn’t have appropriate respect for authority).
       
      With breaking up families every few years, how far removed geographically do they end up? Like do they also move people to entirely different cities as well or are they mostly mixing up neighbours into different family groups? Or something in between the two extremes?

      Could you put links to the earlier instalments at the beginning or end of each new portion? It would make it much easier to follow the progress of the story without having to go hunting in the archives. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Clint Hall says:
    May 15, 2013 at 1:04 pm

    Christopher – nice stuff. I’m enjoying what you’re doing here.
    This is a really interesting world you’re building. Did you have any specific inspiration for this story? 

    Reply
    • Christopher Miller says:
      May 21, 2013 at 12:44 am

      My only inspiration was the colonists who came to America. I thought to myself, “what must it have been like to get on the Mayflower and set sail for a distant land you were told was there to colonize it?” The answer that kept coming to mind was the black sea of space and the commitment it would take for us to reach out in hopes of colonizing a distant “new world” out there.
      That’s the start. But the rest is up for us to explore. 🙂
      I didn’t want it to be a “sci-fi” story as much as it is a fantasy story which is why I’ve chosen to go more steampunk. Technology is there, but is limited in this world. I like it that way.

      Reply
  4. Evan C. says:
    May 17, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    I like it. I think he should be chosen and then… maybe escape or rebel with Red Eye equipment

    Reply
  5. Evan C. says:
    May 17, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    also what age group is this for

    Reply
  6. Speculative Faith Blog — Last Son of Earth: Part 5 says:
    June 4, 2013 at 8:02 pm

    […] Chapter 2 – One of Them (Part 1) Chapter 2 – One of Them (Part 2) […]

    Reply

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Lorehaven helps Christian fans explore fantastical stories for Christ’s glory: fantasy, science fiction, and beyond. Articles, the library, reviews, podcasts, gifts, and the Lorehaven Guild community help fans discern and enjoy the best Christian-made fantastical stories, applying their meanings to the real world Jesus Christ calls us to serve. Subscribe free to get any updates you choose and to access the Lorehaven Guild.
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