LYCCYX Episode 2: Rise of The Hyans

By Brian Barber

Brian Barber likes to write code and tell stories that thrill. He is the author of the top-selling LYCCYX series and the critically acclaimed short story "A Stormy Night", both now available in eBook and audiobook formats.

Brian enjoys adventure and a good cup of coffee, usually at the same time.

Be sure to keep up with Brian's latest updates by following him on Twitter at the link to the right and sign up to hear about his latest book release as well.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brian Barber
• Release date: Sep 19, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301068807

Brian Barber

Brian Barber (Linux+, MCSE, MCSA, MCP+I, CNE, CNA-GW) works for the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) as a project manager and architect for CDIC's IT service management program. He first started using Linux at home with Red Hat 5.1 and since then he has been a staunch advocate of open source software, belonging to the Ottawa Canada Linux User Group (OCLUG) since 2001 and the Ottawa Python Authors Group. His primary areas of interest are operating systems, infrastructure design, multiplatform integration, directory services, and enterprise messaging. In the past he has held the positions of Principal Consultant with Sierra Systems Group Inc., Senior Technical Coordinator at the LGS Group Inc. (now a part of IBM Global Services) and Senior Technical Analyst at MetLife Canada.

Book preview

LYCCYX

Episode 2: Rise of the Hyans

By

Brian Barber

LYCCYX Episode 2: Rise of the Hyans

By Brian Barber

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013 Brian Barber

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used whatsoever without the express permission of the author except for brief quotation necessary for review.

All characters in this publication are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

To my Kate

and the incredible readers who enable this adventure to continue.

Special thanks to Salt Digital Arts for editing services.

Check them out for all your digital media needs and more at

https://www.facebook.com/SaltDigitalArts

We are delighted to have the foreword written by GxKnight, award-winning author of the incredible Metal Deep series, check him out here:

http://gxknight.com

Table of Contents

FOREWORD

PAIN

THE END OF THE UNITED STATES

PRELUDE TO A WAR

COMMON GROUND

THE LITTLE FOXES

KATE’S JOURNAL: ENTRY 220

A NEW PERSPECTIVE

OR NOT TO BE

MEETING OF THE MINDS

MIXED NUTS

ROUND ONE, FIGHT

ULTIMATE EVIL

TRULY OUTRAGEOUS

DOCTOR’S VISIT

THE COUNCIL OF ORIGEN

E DAY

FINAL FLIGHT

GAME OVER

IN LOVING MEMORY

XANDER KNIGHT

NOT QUITE OVER

FOREWORD

Bromance.

Did you say it like it’s a bad thing? As Brian Barber has taken his journey with LYCCYX, and I with my Metal Deep series, we have borrowed a cue from the Planeteers, and we’ve let our powers combine since our days of running together in the simple halls of Cottonwood High School. Brian has graciously asked me to prepare you, Good Reader, for this next episode of LYCCYX, and so I am humbled to prepare you for the adventure as we all continue together down the LYCCYX road with The Rise of the Hyans.

Friends are great, until they’re not your friend anymore. Then they’re awesome. At least from the reader’s point of view. One of my favorite aspects of Brian Barber’s LYCCYX series is that it’s about a Bromance gone bad. Oh sure, if you’re into drama that will keep you page-flipping; fights that turn your knuckles white; characters so real you expect to find them at your kitchen table as you eat your cereal; and prose that will have you singing the praises of the Muse who sat lithely on Brian’s shoulders and whispered sweet-everythings into his ear then you are going to love LYCCYX. As for me? Give me the Buddy Fights! Who makes a better enemy than your best friend? I’ll tell you who…

Actually, you are going to have to read LYCCYX to find out the answer to that one.

Now, fear not. If you are worried about mine and Brian’s Bromance, thankfully we have been friends for well over ten years. If we were going to start some kind of interstellar incident that would reshape humanity’s future, it would have happened by now. Then again… I’m sure that’s what Xander thought.

Hmmmm?

Perhaps I should prepare myself just in case?

I’m going to reread every episode of Brian’s LYCCYX and then I’m going back through each installment of my own Metal Deep series just to make sure we don’t have a problem. It would be a shame for our characters to battle. Not that I’m worried. After all, my Metal Deep Amalgams could handle his LYCCYX Hyans handily.

…Or could they?

Enjoy Brian’s amazing series, and as you do try not to be jealous of me. Yes, Brian was my friend first, but I’m totally willing to share him with you Good Reader, but only after you’ve read LYCCYX. Trust me, whether you’re still wrinkling your nose when you say Bromance or not, your relationship with this author and his work is a good thing, no matter what you call it.

Now read on, my friends… Read on!

-GxKnight

Award-winning author of the Metal Deep series

PAIN

This morning I awoke to a burning pain in my right leg. The surgery to repair it was successful but it came with a cost: my body knew the synthetic tendons were foreign. Occasionally, there would be some pain as my existing cells had to reacquaint themselves with the manmade fibers - particularly after a time of great strain.

Pain can be an excellent motivator. When I was younger,