The Cistern Mission: A Short Story

By Michael Dadich

Evolved Publishing presents a wild journey to a sister planet of Earth, in "The Cistern Mission" by Michael Dadich. This short story is a prequel to the multiple award-winning novel "The Silver Sphere." At just under 3,600 words, it's the perfect short distraction from your busy day. [YA Fantasy/Sci-Fi]
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WINNER: Mom's Choice Awards - Gold Label - YA Fantasy
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Captain Rostand knows the importance of his undercover mission. The families of Azimuth’s proud officers have just been slaughtered as a statement by the evil dictator Hideux. But how did Hideux know where Azimuth’s forces were hidden? How could his Nightlander army be one step ahead of the powerful Azimuth Alliance at every turn?

The hard truths he discovers on his quest for justice may mark the incendiary beginning of the war of all wars. Will Azimuth survive the great onslaught?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evolved Publishing LLC
• Release date: Oct 16, 2013
• ISBN: 9781622536030

Michael Dadich

I've been writing since first setting pencil to steno pad at age 8. A year later, I began developing the world of my current series-in-progress, and even created its title, "The Silver Sphere." Now, with the support of years of experience, those early maps and back stories have progressed into what I hope is a fresh and entertaining take on the classic young adult fantasy adventure.Despite my frequent escapes into parallel worlds, I root myself firmly in my very real family and community. When not pacing the yard maniacally after every few pages of writing, I spend as much time as possible hanging out with my studly 9-year-old son, and my inspirational wife Jenna. I also coach several local youth sports teams in Beverly Hills, and alternate between yelling at my two crazy Corgis and hiking with my trained German Shepherd.For more, join me in my favorite fantasy worlds, from "Lord of the Rings" to the creations of C.S. Lewis, Ann McCaffrey and Terry Brooks. Even more importantly, stop by and stalk my website at www.TheSilverSphere.org.

Book preview

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Copyright

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www.EvolvedPub.com

The Cistern Mission

Copyright © 2013 Michael Dadich

Cover Art Copyright © 2013 Mallory Rock

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Published by Evolved Publishing at Smashwords

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ISBN (EPUB Version): 1622536037

ISBN-13 (EPUB Version): 978-1-62253-603-0

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Edited by Lane Diamond

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eBook License Notes:

You may not use, reproduce or transmit in any manner, any part of this book without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations used in critical articles and reviews, or in accordance with federal Fair Use laws. All rights are reserved.

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only; it may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, please return to your eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Disclaimer:

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or the author has used them fictitiously.

Other Books by Michael Dadich

The Silver Sphere

www.TheSilverSphere.org

Dedication:

To all the youngsters who love to read, keep up that magical passion.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

A Special Sneak Peek: The Silver Sphere

Acknowledgements

About the Author

What’s Next from Michael Dadich?

More from Evolved Publishing

Introduction

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Welcome to my short story, The Cistern Mission, a prequel to my novel The Silver Sphere, from my Young Adult series The Kin Chronicles. I’ve been thrilled at readers’ responses to The Silver Sphere, which has now won several prestigious awards.

I really wanted to give not only my loyal readers a taste of what came before in this far-off world of Azimuth, but I also wanted to offer a free* opportunity to give potential readers of The Kin Chronicles a taste of the general style and world I spent so many years building.

This quick adventure tale goes back in time on the world of Azimuth, to their first experience with the evil force of Biskara, when he was considered to be a myth. It provides a little history for what follows in The Silver Sphere.

*NOTE: My publisher, Evolved Publishing, has graciously agreed to publish this story as a free eBook everywhere eBooks are available. The only possible exception will be Amazon, who only lists eBooks for free as a competitive price-match, which we certainly hope they’ll do. At the very most, it will cost just $0.99.

Please enjoy!

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Rostand marched in line with the Nightlander contingent through the hangar of the carrier. The treacherous soldiers were wreaking havoc on his home planet, Azimuth. His stolen garb meshed with the other troops so well that no one paid him any attention.

His mission: to decipher how Hideux and his Nightlander army had acquired such uncanny intelligence of the ongoing war. The once-powerful Alliance of Azimuth stood overwhelmed at every turn, when Hideux’s armies should have been the ones to fall back. The evil dictator had no fear, nor mercy. Yesterday, Hideux slaughtered several wives and children of Azimuth’s proud officers as a statement.

That weighed heavy on Rostand’s mind. How did he find the families as well hidden as they were?

In reaction, the Alliance had moved up his mission by several days. Any information that would shed some light on how Hideux had remained one step ahead of them would be not just invaluable, but perhaps their last hope to turn the tide. Also, he hoped to take a shot at the dictator himself if the chance arose.

Rostand moved with the soldiers, armed with his training in their military nuances. His left hand twitched, a nervous habit he still struggled to avoid, and he steadied himself as they boarded the transporter. The hull resembled a metal armadillo, and the doorway seemed to swallow him as he passed through. At the first open row of seats, he hunkered down beside another soldier and fastened the seat belt across his body.

The craft hummed, and then rose and zoomed toward its destination, the Nightlander base of Cistern on the moon Andromeda.

Resolute, he leaned back into the plastic chair, blending in during the flight. Red lights flashed amongst the dark shadows of the