Sean Ryanis and The Brink of Oblivion: The Adventures of Sean Ryanis, #2

By Josh Kilen

Sean Ryanis faces his toughest enemy yet! A mysterious and relentless killer is out to put a blaster beam through Sean Ryanis, and nothing will deter him from his mission. Out of tricks and with nowhere to hide, Ryanis must uncover the killer's identity and risk his neck to save the lives of his friends. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cantonfield Publishing
• Release date: Sep 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781502262073

Josh Kilen

Josh began writing books at age 8 and hasn't stopped telling stories. He has written more than 30 books across several genres, from children's books to business non-fiction.  

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Josh Kilen

Published By Cantonfield Publishing

Copyright © 2014 Josh Kilen

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author.

DEDICATION

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To Our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus,

You have made my talent and gifts and caused them to spring forth. I love you and praise you for your goodness. Thank you for the inspiration.

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For Megan,

None of this would be happening without you. You make my life story amazing and worth living. Thank you for your love, patience, and all of your help.

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For Sean,

Thank you for being my inspiration and part-time guinea pig. This wouldn’t have started if you didn’t keep asking for more stories.

Episode 1

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ean Ryanis, interstellar space explorer and onetime savior of the universe, peaked around the corner of a half-lit hallway to make sure the guards weren’t following. The Royal Hound of Grantham stuck its nose out of Ryanis’s coat to have a look as well, but Ryanis shoved the dog back inside the jacket. The hound wiggled and squirmed in response, generally being a nuisance. The dog was almost more trouble than it was worth, he thought. Then Ryanis remembered how much the Prince Regent was paying to liberate the pooch from his brother the Archduke. He beamed at the thought of a large payday.

Ryanis, are you out yet? Shaker’s voice hissed through the communicator Ryanis wore in his ear.

Ryanis cupped his ear to muffle the noise. Come on Shaker, it’s me. Of course I’m out. Mostly. Are we ready to lift off? Ryanis asked as he peaked around the corner once more. Two guards lumbered down the hallway, their hard boots echoing down the length of the hall as they conducted a thorough search of every door, nook, and cranny. Ryanis knew he didn’t have much time.

We’re ready. The cloaking device is still engaged and the primary thrusters are on standby. As soon as you are aboard, we can lift off. How far away are you? Shaker said.

Ryanis ignored the question, That cloaking device came in pretty handy huh? he asked rhetorically, a smirk cracking his lips, Aren’t you glad we upgraded? He kept his voice down to a whisper so the guards wouldn’t hear him.

Shaker rolled his eyes, this was not their first conversation on the subject, No, I’m not glad that we upgraded. I would have preferred to spend the reward King Jupiter of Martosis gave us for rescuing him, his daughter, and the galaxy in general on retirement, not fancy toys for the Tiberius.

Don’t forget the cool secret base we bought, Ryanis teased as he stepped back further into the alcove, hiding himself from the patrolling guards. As he pressed himself against the wall, he accidentally squished the dog, who let out a royal squeak of indignation.

Ryanis reached into his coat to pet the dog, hoping it wouldn’t make any more noise. The sound of the guards’ boots had already stopped. Ryanis was so focused on his surroundings that he missed what Shaker had just said.

Are you even listening to me? Shaker asked again, a little louder than Ryanis would have liked with the Guards so close. He pulled the dog out of his coat and quickly formed a plan.

The two guards jumped in front of the alcove, weapons drawn. Ryanis stood still, holding the Royal Hound in front of him, grinning from ear to ear. Finally, there you are, he said, I was just taking this little rascal for a walk, and I need a baggy for his, ‘business’ if you know what I mean. Can you lend a hand?

The guards were not fooled for minute, Hand over the dog and we might not kill you. The larger of the two said with a growl.

Ryanis glanced at the sides of their blasters, then said, Have it your way, and tossed the dog at the face of the smaller guard.

The Royal Hound, not used to aerial acrobatics of any sort, yelped in a high-pitched scream as he flew through the air, paws extended toward the guard. The guard was equally shocked and brought his arms up to defend himself.

The larger guard, distracted by the flying pooch, noticed too late Ryanis’s foot kicking his hand toward his partner. He tried to shoot Ryanis, but his hand was already moving toward the other guard. As his finger pressed the contact on the blaster, he watched in horror as he shot his partner in the foot, causing him to crash to the floor.

Ryanis stepped in and punched the larger guard across the jaw, sending him flying to the floor and landing next to his mate. Ryanis scooped up the dog, stuffed it back into his coat for safekeeping, and headed for the closest exit. He figured he had about three minutes before the two guards didn’t check in and someone sounded the alarm.

At that moment, someone sounded the alarm.

Shaker’s voice came in loud and clear through Ryanis’s headset, I hear alarms. Do you hear alarms? He asked.

Ryanis broke into a full run for the Tiberius now, jetting across a green, manicured lawn, his breath came out in puffs. I imagine those must be for someone else. They couldn’t have detected me yet, he said.

There he is! Stop! Five guards came running around the corner, chasing after Ryanis, Stop and return the Hound! One of them shouted.

The sirens aren’t for you huh? Are you sure? Ryanis, let me ask you a question... Shaker said. Ryanis imagined Shaker leaning back in the Captain’s chair and crossing his arms behind his head as he spoke. He rolled his eyes as he pressed the dog harder into his chest. Do you know what the weather is like on the ultimate vacation world of Rylix Prime? Do you? Shaker continued.

Ryanis vaulted over a hedge and looked back to see the out of shape guards stumbling over the topiary. He answered between breaths, The weather on Rylix is dull... with a chance of boring... later in the afternoon. Who wants to live there?

I WOULD Ryanis! Shaker exclaimed, I would. Yes, we have a bunch of cool toys but we’re still doing the same old thing. We should be heroes, leading parades, and being loved by the people and their perpetual gratitude. Shaker said.

Ryanis said, You want to be in a parade? What for?

Shaker’s voice softened, No. I mean it would be nice, but, he sighed, ... never mind. How close are you? 

Just a few minutes, Ryanis said, his voice straining from exertion, When I give the signal, open the hanger and punch the engines.

Copy, Shaker said, Just don’t lose the dog.

He and I are best friends now, I would never... Ryanis started to say but blaster fire made him dive for cover. He rolled behind a stone statue and saw that more guards were coming from another direction, firing their weapons at his general direction. The Royal Hound yelped as a laser bolt struck the statue next to Ryanis’s head. I know boy, he said as he scratched behind the dog’s ear and looked around for inspiration, some way of escape. He was almost to the Tiberius.

Ryanis saw more guards running across the very bridge where the Tiberius was hiding. They are trying to cut off our escape, he said to the pooch. His eyebrow cocked to the side with an idea and sprinted  toward the bridge. One hand firmly on the pooch; he unholstered his blaster and fired on the approaching guards. They dived for cover as Ryanis said into his mic, Shaker, deploy a tractor beam at mark 6, point one two. Do it now!

Deploying now, Shaker said as the cloaking device disappeared