Title: Prime
Author: Windsor
Harries
Genre:
Science-Fiction
Since birth, Toch has prepared for his destiny: to become the Prime, the being who would save his race from the oppressive Spidon. Perfected over uncountable generations, the genetic power that will free them lies dormant until he reaches maturity. Until then, with the help of his friend and Protector, he needs to stay hidden—and safe—from the Spidon.
Everything goes according to the Plan, until a traitor reveals the truth about Toch, putting the future of their entire race in danger . . .
Since birth, Toch has prepared for his destiny: to become the Prime, the being who would save his race from the oppressive Spidon. Perfected over uncountable generations, the genetic power that will free them lies dormant until he reaches maturity. Until then, with the help of his friend and Protector, he needs to stay hidden—and safe—from the Spidon.
Everything goes according to the Plan, until a traitor reveals the truth about Toch, putting the future of their entire race in danger . . .
Author Bio
Windsor
Harries was born and raised in Toronto, Canada in the heady years between TV's
heyday and the internet revolution. He has been writing ever since he can
remember. His early influences include Edgar Rice Burroughs and Doctor Who (Tom
Baker, of course). For his mild-mannered secret identity, he works as a
marketer in the financial services industry. He had written numerous books, but
Prime is his first published novel.
Links
Book Excerpts
“Just keep
cool,” Luqas reminded him unnecessarily.
Together
they walked toward the guard, knowing any abrupt change in direction would draw
its attention. As they walked, Luqas nudged ever closer to Toch, to the point
where they might have risked tripping over each other’s feet had they not been
so practiced at walking side by side like this.
The guard
stood alone amid the sea of people crushed against each other, a small cushion
of space around it on all sides as citizens made a conscious effort to avoid
getting close enough to brush against it. Ignoring the surrounding crowd,
towering above their heads, the guard was focused on the scanner console it
held, circling slowly, scanning the crowd for any anomalies.
Blending
into the milling crowd, the boys shuffled past the guard, giving it as wide a
berth as they dared, trying to time their pass to coincide with the guard
turning its back to them. Their timing was impeccable, as always. As they
passed, they both relaxed slightly, and Luqas moved away to give his friend
more room.
“You there,
ants! Stop!”
There was
absolutely no doubt in Luqas’s mind as to whom the guard was calling, and as
Toch came to a stop beside him, he knew they had both reached the same
conclusion. The crowd around the boys dispersed as if commanded by some secret
telepathy, leaving a wide swath of empty space around them. It was simple
self-preservation on behalf of every member of the crowd, secretly thankful
that it wasn’t them under the guard’s scrutiny.
The boys
slowly turned to face the guard, craning their necks to look up, Luqas returning
to his place almost glued to Toch’s side, almost as if he were trying to climb
inside the boy.
The guard
stood looking down at them, scanning them both. If its face could register any
emotion, it would have displayed confusion. It looked to the boys, who
immediately dropped their eyes—not only out of respect, but also because the
sight of the guards made them uneasy.
“What’s
your purpose?”
Luqas spoke
up, trying to hide his fear. “Just collecting, sir.”
The guard
glanced back at the scanner readings. “Show your identity chits, ants!” Despite
the guard’s flat tone, it was still able to spit out the last word like venom.
The boys
both rolled up the sleeves of their tunics and held out their left arms. The
guard grabbed Toch’s wrist, pulling his arm toward it to scan the inside of his
forearm. As the guard’s slimy pincer touched Toch’s bare skin, Luqas saw a
shiver of disgust rock his friend’s body. After checking the reading, the guard
repeated the action with Luqas, who was better at masking his disgust.
“You’re too
young to be in the registry,” the guard announced, like this was news to the
boys. “What’s your pattern?”
Toch froze.
“Well, ah . . .” Luqas watched as Toch’s mouth struggled to find
words, but he couldn’t seem to form any intelligent sounds. He was about to
speak up on his friend’s behalf when the guard interrupted, impatient.
“Enough,”
the guard barked. “Let me scan you. Now.”
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