Paradise: An Apocalyptic Novel (16 page)
Read Paradise: An Apocalyptic Novel Online
Authors: Nicholas Erik
Tags: #Fiction/Science Fiction/Post Apocalytpic
Elevate yourself and
be a part of Ambrosia Team
, the posters read. The man had a self-assured grin across his lips, salt and pepper hair waving in the wind—every part the cool, collected leader of a new tomorrow.
Maverick saw Bebe
fall as his craft snuck out from behind the yacht. He’d hidden another one on the island, just for moments like this. One contingency was never enough when everyone knew where it was. And Silver’s goons had their hands on it.
This was good. It meant he didn’t have to deal with Bebe himself. That bitch was crazy. Leave it to Cole to hire a psycho.
The water chopped behind the powerful motor as he revved the engine and tore off towards the mainland.
Everything hadn’t been smooth.
But four years ago, out in that forest, something had changed. And once he’d seen the animals, that was when the gears started to turn. He could evolve the human race. Make them perfect, the genetic marvel they were meant to be.
Those who survived, they’d be the perfect humans he’d always strove to create.
But he needed a cover. Someone else needed to take the fall. Ambrosia Team, after being betrayed, they could be convinced to be the poster child for revenge. They’d be glad to take the credit. They’d be glad to kill him, too.
Sure, Silver had been bitter at first. But Maverick won him over. Promised him great things. A chance at immortality, history. He went along with it. Maybe the Ambrosia had made him a little unstable, sure, but he’d delivered: stirred the other survivors up with hatred and rhetoric, drawn Cole in, made the virus, gotten that stupid old bastard to distribute it across the world. Maverick didn’t have to do anything besides tip the one domino.
And well get punched in the jaw.
But that was only so Silver could jab him with the vaccine while Maverick was under.
Maverick had to commend Silver’s performance. It was top notch. But then, so had been his own—even if he was unsure, at times, whether he’d make it or not. That was the risk—and with big risk always came big rewards.
Too bad Silver couldn’t join him. But that was for the best. The military, they were unexpected wrinkle. But they could be dealt with, once he got to the mainland.
Sacrifice. Everyone had sacrificed.
17
Aftermath
“My fellow citizens,”
Maverick said, chest vibrating with a thick, well-practiced rumble, “twenty years ago was the dawn of a new era.”
The crowd roared.
“Thank you. Rising from the ashes of an old, broken civilization, we are now the fittest, the smartest, the best equipped to usher the human race into the next stage of its evolution. It has come at great cost…but we are all equal, for the first time in history. We are all survivors.”
The crescendo grew so loud that it almost drowned out the video broadcast, which was being simulcast around the world.
“Together, we have shed the boundaries of the old humanity and transcended our animal roots.”
The supports shook from the raucous cheers. Somewhere, out of reach of the camera’s eye, a young man crept through the shadows. Maverick continued his sermon; even at over sixty, he spoke with the conviction and energy of a twenty year old. Those who had been dosed with the just revised—and far more stable—Ambrosia had an incredible vitality, and he was no exception.
“And remember: every day, elevate—”
A shot rang out. Just one, one that caught him in the throat.
The figure came into the camera’s focus as the crowd went silent. Bobby stepped on to the podium and whispered something to Maverick.
“Amanda and the others say hello.” Maverick’s eyes were wide—with fear and sadness, deep pain—but Bobby didn’t stop for long. He took the microphone and smiled.
“Every day, elevate yourself.” He paused. “Isn’t that right, Father?”
He dropped the silver pistol on the ground, next to Maverick, and stared at the camera.
It lingered there a long time before blinking off.
Maybe a new era was dawning.
Or maybe it was just the same story as always, old as the tale of humanity.
The End
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ASHES OF THE FALL: When the western territories of the North American Circle are buried in ash, con man Luke Stokes must navigate a dangerous factional landscape - a totalitarian regime, a church of true believers and a group of rebels - to survive what remains after the fall.
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Novels by Nicholas Erik
KIP KEENE ADVENTURES
A series of standalone adventure novels starring space pirate turned treasure hunter Kip Keene, who saves the world from threats both ancient and mythical with the help of his partner Samantha Strike. (sci-fi/adventure)
The Emerald Elephant (Book 1)
:
after Kip Keene crash lands on Earth, he finds an old ally in pursuit of an ancient Incan artifact that can take them both home. If they leave, the Earth will be destroyed.
The Ruby Rattlesnake (Book 2)
:
when a wounded genetically engineered soldier stumbles into Kip Keene’s office with an encrypted thumb drive, he and Samantha Strike must trace the contents back to Atlantis - and a long-dormant weapon.
The Silver Songbird (Book 3)
:
when a former ally turns on Kip Keene and tries to erase history, he and Samantha Strike must travel back to 19th century China in order to keep themselves - and the world - from being obliterated.
The Diamond Dragon (Book 4)
:
after finding a leather journal from another dimension in the basement of his newly inherited mansion, Kip Keene must enter the portal to the mythical land of Shambhala before a 2,000-year-old prophecy is fulfilled.
The Jade Jaguar (Book 5)
:
when Kip Keene’s sister is kidnapped by an off-book government organization, he’s blackmailed into finding the truth about Area 51 - but a familiar face wants whatever is in Roswell, too...
The Golden Gazelle (Book 6)
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Kip Keene travels to a lost Aztec city with ties to the Knights Templar in search of his greatest treasure yet - but when he and his companions are trapped within the ancient walls, he must find out a way to destroy the city and keep the artifact from a familiar foe’s grasp.
The Kip Keene Box Set: Books 1, 2 & 3
The Kip Keene Box Set: Books 4, 5 & 6
ThE REMNANTS TriLOGY
When the western territories of the North American Circle are buried in ash, con man Luke Stokes must navigate a dangerous factional landscape - a totalitarian regime, a church of true believers and a group of rebels - to survive what remains after the fall.
Remnants: The Complete Trilogy (Books 1, 2 & 3)
THE SHADOW CONSPIRACY TRILOGY
Private Investigators Kurt Desmond and Cassie Atwood find a 10,000-year-old cave painting hinting at the stunning interstellar origins of civilization - while also warning of its imminent destruction. (sci-fi/mystery/adventure)
The Complete Shadow Conspiracy Trilogy (Books 1, 2 & 3)
STANDALONE NOVELS
The Rapture
:
a man trapped in an endless time loop by his former employer must break free to save the woman he loves. (dystopian/time travel)
The Last Dreamer
: when Devin Travis dreams, he enters the minds of others - but when outside forces discover Devin’s ability, they will stop at nothing to use it for their own ends.
Vanishing Midnight
:
a century after the Earth’s destruction, the survivors live in sky cities rigidly separated by social caste - until Mathias Harris decides to escape the sky. (dystopian)
Paradise
:
a group of island vacationers desperately fight for survival against the elements and each other when a viral outbreak cuts them off from the mainland. (post apocalyptic)
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About the Author
Nicholas Erik is
the author of over a dozen science fiction and post apocalyptic novels. His series include the The Remnants Trilogy, The Shadow Conspiracy Trilogy and six adventures featuring treasure hunter Kip Keene.
He currently lives on the East Coast.
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