Earthshatter

By Albert Nothlit

Haven Prime: Book One

The world is gone. All that’s left are the monsters.

The creatures attacked Haven VII with no warning. An AI named Kyrios, a nearly omnipotent being, should have protected the city during the Night of the Swarm.

Except It didn’t.

No one knows why It failed, or why It saved eight specific people: the Captain, the Seer, the Sentry, the Messenger, the Engineer, the Alchemist, the Medic, and the Stewardess. They have no idea of the meaning behind the titles they’ve been given, why they were selected and brought together, or what Kyrios expects from them. When they awake from stasis, they find their city in ruins and everyone long dead. They’re alone—or so they think. But then the creatures start pouring out from underground, looking for them. They don’t stand a chance in a fight, and with limited supplies, they can’t run forever. All they know is that the creatures aren’t their only enemies, and there’s only one place they can turn. Kyrios beckons them toward Its Portal, but can It be trusted? In Its isolated shrine in the desert, they might find the answers they need—if they can survive long enough to reach it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DSP Publications
• Release date: Mar 8, 2016
• ISBN: 9781634768252

Albert Nothlit

Albert Nothlit is an engineer who loves thinking about the science behind science fiction. He has been in love with literature ever since Where the Red Fern Grows made him cry as a ten-year-old. Growing up as a gay man, he realized that he had rarely been able to truly connect with the characters he read about in books because almost none of them were like him. He didn’t have any fictional role models to look up to. Now that he is a writer, he tries to convey the joy and pride of being different through his own books and characters, celebrating the fact that each unique voice brings something special to the beautiful chorus that is human artistic creation. He likes to think about what the future might be like with the help of science, but he has always been fascinated by that other, much more elusive corollary to scientific curiosity: the mystery of consciousness. He finds the fact that a mind can think about itself both marvelous and slightly terrifying. His books often explore how people (or aliens) grow as a result of facing hardship, which has also taught him valuable lessons through the tough portions of his life. When he takes a break from writing, Albert loves to cook, despite his varying degrees of success when attempting to make good sushi rice. He loves hearing back from readers, so send him a note anytime! e-mail: [e-mail] Website: www.albertnothlit.com

Book preview

Earthshatter

By Albert Nothlit

Haven Prime: Book One

The world is gone. All that’s left are the monsters.

The creatures attacked Haven VII with no warning. An AI named Kyrios, a nearly omnipotent being, should have protected the city during the Night of the Swarm.

Except It didn’t.

No one knows why It failed, or why It saved eight specific people: the Captain, the Seer, the Sentry, the Messenger, the Engineer, the Alchemist, the Medic, and the Stewardess. They have no idea of the meaning behind the titles they’ve been given, why they were selected and brought together, or what Kyrios expects from them. When they awake from stasis, they find their city in ruins and everyone long dead. They’re alone—or so they think. But then the creatures start pouring out from underground, looking for them. They don’t stand a chance in a fight, and with limited supplies, they can’t run forever. All they know is that the creatures aren’t their only enemies, and there’s only one place they can turn. Kyrios beckons them toward Its Portal, but can It be trusted? In Its isolated shrine in the desert, they might find the answers they need—if they can survive long enough to reach it.

For Lorena and Roberto, my first readers.

Part 1: Swarm

February 21 • 9:55

Fifteen hours to the Night of the Swarm.

Dex and Alain

Psychiatry Wing, Electorate Research Compound

Haven VII

DEX LIKED being in the mental asylum, even if he couldn’t get out.

At least here he was away from everyone else. It had been much harder before, when he’d had to go to school, when his parents had insisted he spend more time with the other kids. They hadn’t understood why he couldn’t be near other people—and neither had he, not until he became older and realized no one was quite like him. Nobody felt the way he did. Nobody saw… not really.

So when Dex’s parents had finally given up and sent him here, he had been glad. He’d been ten at the time. Now he was fourteen. Here in the Psychiatry Wing, he had finally known relief. He was alone most of the time, and that was good. He only spoke regularly with two people: Agnes, the young nurse who brought him his food and medication, and Alain, who visited two or three times a week, depending on how busy he was. Lately he’d been coming less often, though. Maybe it was because most of his time was now spent in the Medicine Sector with the rest of the undergraduates. Or maybe he just didn’t like coming anymore.

Dex shook his head. He knew that wasn’t true; Alain loved visiting. He was the one person Dex could be himself with, and he was certain the feeling was mutual. If he didn’t come as often, it was because becoming a doctor was hard work. Dex had never told Alain, but he suspected the reason his older brother had enrolled in a medical career was a not-so-hidden wish to help find out what was wrong with Dex’s mind.

Dex smiled in his cell. The doctors who came sometimes would have figured it out long ago, too, if they had been willing to accept that there were things their science had yet to catch up with. Just because you can’t explain something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

Dexter Fournier, you have a visitor, a disembodied voice called.

Dex stood up and stretched, smiling. He had been thinking about Alain, and now he was here. Or was Alain here because he had been thinking about him? Sometimes he couldn’t tell the difference anymore.

He walked in small, precise circles around his room as he waited for Alain to come up. It usually took fifty-three steps from the time they announced him to the time he came in. Fifty-one. Fifty-two. Fifty—

The door opened.

Hey, Dex! What’s up?

Hi, Alain.

Hey, you really have to open the windows in here from time to time. What’s the point in you getting the deluxe suite if you’re not going to take advantage of it? The view is supposed to be great.

Suite?

Alain shrugged. Sure, why not? It’s all in the eye of the beholder.

Dex nodded faintly. He let Alain stomp into the cell and open the windows. He did not point out that he would have liked to open them himself, but the latch was set too high for him to reach unless he jumped on his bed, and he didn’t like to do that. Alain was more than a head taller than Dex, though, and he didn’t notice the height problem. He probably thought everybody should be as tall as he was.

Alain gave the glass a shove, and nice morning air filtered through. Outside, the sky was a bright blue. This part of the compound was set right at the edge of the city, and Dex’s window had a nice view of the wastes beyond. Dex sometimes dreamed of running outside in that arid desolation, away from the world. He knew he would die very quickly if he actually did it, but the idea was somehow comforting.

Alain snapped his fingers, smiling. Hey, Dex, don’t zone out on me. I can hardly squeeze enough time out of my schedule to come see you, and I want to make the most of it.

Sorry, Dex said. He sometimes forgot normal people spent most of their time talking, not thinking.

Alain plopped down on the bed and threw him a pillow. No, you’re not sorry. You love to be off in your own little world, and you know it.

Dex grinned. It was so easy to be with his brother. Anyone looking at them would probably think they couldn’t be more different, but that was just on the surface. They looked different, but they kind of thought alike.

Alain was really athletic, for starters. He was only twenty, but he had tried his hand at most professional sports around Haven VII and succeeded at nearly all of them. He was no prodigy, but he had an iron determination that usually got him what he wanted. Once he had even told Dex he had been invited to play in a Torus Racing exhibition match in Haven Prime. Alain had turned the invite down at the last minute, though. He had never said why.

Alain’s skin, though naturally pale, had a healthy tan because he spent so much time outdoors. Dex knew he was popular with the girls, and he certainly had the looks for it. His face was edgy, so well-proportioned it looked chiseled by some sculptor, and his deep blue eyes had a haunting quality about them. He wore his hair at medium length but with an asymmetric style that left it a bit longer on one side than on the other. There were always a few strands falling over his forehead, covering his eyes. His hair was raven black, almost blue when the light was right. Even now, with slight dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep and too much studying, Alain managed to look good.

Dex was his polar opposite in looks. He was thin, frail looking even. His skin had never felt that much sunlight, and he had a deathly pallor that made him look like he had some kind of chronic illness. His hair, when he had had any, had been light brown. Now he always shaved his head—it saved time otherwise spent in combing, and besides, some of the pills Agnes gave him knocked patches of hair off anyway.

Alain had once told Dex he had weird-looking eyes. Maybe it was true. They were a light gray color that could almost look white at times. He had perpetual dark circles under his eyes, but they didn’t make him look interesting like Alain’s. Just tired. And weak. He wasn’t short, and he wasn’t even done growing yet, but he knew Alain was always going to be the taller of the two. Still, he didn’t mind looking the way he did. Dex knew that was the way people expected him to look. The poor, helpless crazy boy. Look at him. He needs help. In truth, he didn’t need anybody’s help. And he was stronger than even Alain suspected.

Uh, Dex? Alain said.

Dex snapped out of his staring silence. He was alone so much it was hard to concentrate on talking to someone else. Sorry.

Alain sighed. No worries. I could use some peace and quiet for a while too, actually. Exams are coming up, and I’ve got to study so many things I think I’m not sleeping for a week.

Is it very hard?

Alain crossed his arms behind his head and stretched on Dex’s bed. More or less. You would ace the tests, I’m sure. You don’t have to cram knowledge into your brain like the rest of us mortals.

Yes, I do.

Yeah, but just once. And it sticks. I’ve had to read this paper on theoretic regenerative tissue properties so many times I think I might puke.

Dex laughed. He seldom did, and only when Alain was around.

Alain smiled and sat up on the bed. Feeling cheery today, huh?

"I don’t know. Maybe. But you are."

What? Cheerfulness incarnate? Nah, not today.

Yes, you are.

Alain blinked. On second thought, I think I am feeling kind of cheery. It shouldn’t be weird anymore, the way you can tell. Right?

The doctors still think it’s strange. They don’t like being around me.

Meh. Screw the doctors. I’m beginning to think I should get you out of here as soon as I get my medical license.

Dex’s eyes widened. No!

He got as far away from the window as he could and sat down on the padded floor, clutching his knees to his chest. He even trembled a little.

I can’t go outside, Dex whispered.

Alain got closer, slowly, until he was sitting next to Dex. He didn’t touch him.

Sorry, Dex. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I know how you get. It’s just that… I don’t know. When Mom and Dad brought you here, the first time, I swore to myself I’d get you out someday. I thought they’d brought you here against your will.

I needed a place. To be alone.

I know, I know. It’s just that there’s this part of me that wants to make it right for you. Not here, surrounded by strangers. Maybe I can get us a place somewhere, later. As far away from everyone as you like. I mean, now it’s just the two of us. Nobody would bother you again.

Dex nodded slowly. That would be nice.

They sat in silence for a while, side by side.

Brother? Dex asked at last.

Yeah?

Do… do you think Mom and Dad loved me?

What?

"It’s just that… I knew they didn’t like coming here. I knew they didn’t like me. They only came on my birthday or when something was wrong, and it used to make me feel bad. Only now, I’ve been thinking a lot, and maybe loving isn’t the same as liking. Maybe they loved me, but they just didn’t like who I was. Only I’m not sure. Do you think they loved me?"

Dex, don’t be stupid. Of course they loved you. They were our parents. They only brought you here because they thought they could make you well again. When that didn’t happen… well, I’ve told you how it got between us, back home. I had some pretty big fights with them over you. But in the end, they did what they thought was best for both of us. And they loved you very much.

Dex nodded. Thanks, brother.

No problem, Dex. Whenever you feel like asking me those things just go right ahead, all right? I don’t want you thinking about the same thing over and over here by yourself. You should be having fun, learning new stuff. How’s the, uh, violin coming along?

Dex pointed at the rough-looking instrument by his bed. It sounds better now. I got Agnes to buy me some of that biopolymer alloy we import from Haven X for the body. I finished modeling the resonance chamber last week.

About time they got you your stuff, Alain said. I pay them way too much for them to ignore your requests.

I had asked for wood, first, Dex said.

Wood?

Well, the originals were made from wood, according to the file. A special kind, and it needed to be prepared in a very complicated way for the instrument to sound just right.

That would be something, Alain said. The whole thing made of wood—I doubt even the Chairman of the Electorate could afford it.

I didn’t know, Dex said. But I think the biopolymer works fine too. The doctors were nervous about giving me the strings and the bow, but I haven’t hurt myself yet.

A shadow crossed over Alain’s eyes, but he replaced it quickly with a bright smile. That’s good news.

Dex stood up and climbed onto his bed to look out the window. He knocked a lamp over in his haste, standing on tiptoes to see out.

That’s strange, he said.

Huh? Alain asked.

There are some Enforcers coming into the building. It isn’t time for their shift change.

Alain shrugged. Someone could have tried to break in or steal something. You know how things are right now over at Haven Prime. Lots of unrest—maybe some people here are getting nervous too.

I know. I saw the news.

Well, whatever. I have to go in a little while, but we still have time for a match. Ready to lose?

Dex smiled. I have won 221 games. You have won 112.

Yeah, but this is my lucky day! I know I’m going to win.

They sat down on opposite sides of Dex’s rounded-corner table. Dex pressed his palm on the surface, and the command console shimmered in front of him. He pressed a few buttons, and the chessboard flickered to life.

I pick whites, Alain said. I lost last time, so I get to pick.

Dex nodded. I know—

He staggered out of his chair so fast he knocked it over and went sprawling onto the floor. Alain bolted upright to help him, but Dex had pressed himself into a corner between his bed and the wall, looking around wildly.

Dex! Dex, what’s the matter?

Dex tried to talk, tried to warn him, but the words wouldn’t come. He only managed to raise a shaking arm and point at the door. They were closer now. Too many. The seizures threatened to begin.

Dex? Alain looked at the door. He opened it and peered out the corridor. It was empty. Dex, what’s wrong?

Dex’s vision was blurring. The seizure was coming. It was too much input, too much to understand. A jumble of conflicting emotions muddled his mind. But he had to…. Alain. Alain. He wanted to speak, couldn’t. And they were almost here!

The pounding of hurried footsteps filled the corridor now. Alain, Alain. Get away. Get away now. But no sound came out, he couldn’t warn him, and then they were in the room, four, five Enforcers storming in with their black boots, black bulletproof vests, black rifles. Too many people. Too many minds.

Alain didn’t have a chance. He was still turning around to look when the Taser prongs hit him. He cried out once and fell like he’d been shot. His brief spark of terror was like a dagger in Dex’s mind. The Enforcers grabbed his older brother, began to haul him away.

Dex passed out.

When he awoke, the sun was going down. He was alone.

Whimpering, he climbed on his bed, activating the control to raise the mattress so he could see out. He watched the empty street. He stayed there for a bit, then stepped back down carefully. He looked at the white walls as if they were threatening him. The table screen still showed a flickering chessboard with all its pieces, ready to start. The only sound in the room was his own shaky breathing.

Dex crawled under the covers of his bed, trying very hard not to cry. He didn’t succeed. After all, it didn’t matter anymore now. They had taken him. Something very bad was about to happen, and they had taken his brother away.

February 21 • 13:13

Twelve hours to the Night of the Swarm.

Rain and Marie

Main Plaza

Haven VII

WHERE DO you think he’s run off to? Marie asked.

Rain shrugged. "He’s your boyfriend. You should know."

Yeah… I guess you’re right.

What? Rain asked.

Nothing, nothing, Marie answered. She was staring off into the distance, past the shoppers walking by.

What is it, Marie? Something you’re not telling me? Rain shifted on the bench, a knowing look on her face.

Marie shook her head. Nothing. Really.

"Okay… but I have noticed something changed. You two have not seen much of each other in the past few weeks. You barely even come visit at the U."

Marie turned to look at her friend. You noticed?

Marie, everybody noticed. There are, what, fifty medicine majors in all of Haven VII? It’s hard not to hear stuff about everybody’s life.

Marie pushed her red hair out of her face. She was nervous, but she was trying to hide it. And what are they saying about us?

The usual jealous gossip, I didn’t pay any attention, Rain answered. She paused. If something were wrong, though, you’d tell me, right? I’m your best friend.

Everything is just fine between us. We didn’t have a fight, if that’s what you’re thinking.

All right, then. Rain looked at her watch.

Marie sighed. You know how Alain is. He’s probably just late.

If you say so.

An uncomfortable silence followed. Marie tried paying attention to the people coming and going through the huge plaza. This was where most of Haven VII’s shops were, and it was a magnet for young people. There were groups of teenagers slouching around by the arcade, skipping school and obviously not caring a bit. Some college undergraduates, like herself, were scattered among the cafés and public benches, most of them studying or discussing something with their peers. Mothers wheeled their babies through the wide, open halls and disappeared inside clothing stores, hair salons, and gyms. The normality of the picture reassured Marie. Everything would be all right. It had to.

But why wasn’t he here? She was every guy’s dream. He should be thankful for being her boyfriend, not—

Marie shook her head and took out a small mirror from her purse. She studied her face, looking for any imperfection. She found none. Her skin was a perfect milky white, with a few freckles in strategic places for effect. Her hair, naturally fire red, fell in a graceful cascade that framed her delicate features, her piercing green eyes. She smiled approvingly. She was not a medical student like Rain; she was a dancer. She had the body to prove it, plus an impeccable sense of style. Her white denim trousers and jacket went just right with the red blouse she wore underneath. Even the boots she was wearing were this season’s craze, imported straight from Haven Prime. Her beauty wasn’t the issue here. Alain was probably late because he had gone to buy some flowers so he could apologize properly.

A cute guy was eyeing her from across the plaza square. She pretended not to notice. Instead she angled her mirror just right so she could check him out. He was all right, even handsome upon closer inspection—but he wasn’t looking at her at all. He was looking at Rain.

Marie quenched a small surge of annoyance. She still had a boyfriend, after all; she wasn’t available to just any guy. Rain was single, having recently broken up with her high school sweetheart. She should be glad Rain was getting some attention for a change, but she wasn’t. This came at the wrong moment. She had always thought she was the prettier of the two, but lately she had begun to doubt it. She didn’t need some random guy to add to her insecurities.

Rain was very attractive in her own right, although Marie didn’t like to admit it to herself. Her long brown curls were something Marie had wanted to have all her life, but she’d had to settle for her plain straight hair. Rain’s deep chocolate skin made a nice contrast with her striking perfect teeth, her intelligent amber eyes. She was naturally graceful. Rain didn’t have the incredible eye-catching body Marie had, but she had a tall, slim figure. After all, she wasn’t a dancer; she was a medical student, top of her class. She could have been a total nerd, but she wasn’t. She could have even made a pass at Alain back in the day, but she hadn’t because she knew Marie had liked him from day one. She was a good friend.

Still, Marie wasn’t feeling all too friendly toward Rain right now. In fact, she wished she hadn’t thought about telling her to come along. If Alain didn’t show….

What are you thinking about? Rain asked. She was sipping her latte, her legs crossed up on the bench.

Nothing.

Do you think your parents will be mad if we arrive late to lunch? You know how they get when it’s an official thing.

Marie glanced at her watch. They had only fifteen minutes left, and her house was on the other end of town, a twenty-minute drive when there was no traffic. Well, whatever. They would have skipped a boring lunch with important politicians and their families, if nothing else.

He’ll get here.

Five minutes passed. Marie began to feel that burning sensation of embarrassment in her face, and she knew she was blushing furiously. He wasn’t going to come. She’d planned on making the big announcement to her parents today, and he wasn’t going to come.

Rain was trying not to give her pitying looks, but she wasn’t being very successful. Marie got angry, at her, at him, at everyone. Rain couldn’t keep a secret if she tried. Soon the whole of Haven VII would know she’d been dumped by her boyfriend, and he hadn’t even had the guts to come say it to her face.

She couldn’t take it anymore. Listen, Rain. I think you’d better—

Shut up, Rain snapped. She grabbed her arm.

Marie felt like she’d been slapped. What? Rain, what—

Be quiet, and pick up your things, she whispered. Try not to draw attention to us.

Marie looked at her friend’s face. She looked terrified of something. When Rain tried to pack her books in her bag, she dropped her cup of coffee, and it spilled all over the bench. Her hands were shaking.

Rain, what’s wrong? Marie whispered.

We have to get out of here. Now.

Marie got her things and obeyed.

They began walking quickly to the parking lot, where Marie’s car waited. Rain was basically dragging Marie behind. The crowd of people kept going about their business for a few more seconds while Rain tried not to run; then Marie looked back and finally saw them. And the peace was shattered.

The robots came running out of the highway with impossible speed, their heavy feet cleaving the pavement with each step. People got out of their way quickly, not afraid yet, just admiring the dull-green blur of grace they were. They looked like man-sized praying mantises but with only two legs propelling them forward, legs that ended in wicked clawlike feet. Their bulky upper bodies were connected to the legs via tiny waists, and insect heads with huge faceted eyes crowned the slender necks. It was the arms, though, that commanded respect and fear. They ended in scythe claws doubled back on themselves, exactly like the claws of a praying mantis. Their metallic glint flashed in the midday sun and hinted at their deadly power.

The Mantids had already reached the plaza by the time the mob attacked. Coming out of hiding from behind storefronts, alleyways, and corners, dozens of armed men and women fired upon the three robots with a simultaneous cry of war.

Chaos broke out.

What is happening? Marie cried through the screams of those around her. Everybody was running as fast as they could, trying to find cover from the shots.

Run! Rain yelled. We have to get to the car!

They ran. They were holding hands and running, then letting go as a grocery cart pummeled past them into the mad crowd. The plaza was suddenly a horrible open space where you could get shot if you didn’t get out of the way. Marie ran until her side began hurting, desperately fumbling for the keys in her purse. The parking lot was impossibly far away now, and she could not think clearly. All she could do was run.

She risked a look back. Two robots had stopped running to face the mob. They were showing a warning light display, not attacking, but readying their blades for self-defense.

Marie stumbled. Her purse clattered to the ground, and the keys fell out of it. There were feet all around her suddenly, legs pushing, kicking, knocking her back down. She was going to be trampled to death!

Then a hand. Marie!

She seized it, and it was Rain, and then they were running again, into the parking lot, past crazed drivers, up a flight of stairs packed with people, and onto the second floor where her car was.

There it is! Marie panted. Let’s go!

They weren’t… they weren’t supposed to attack so soon! Rain gasped.

What?

The Brotherhood, they had planned it for later. My dad told me!

They’re the ones attacking the Mantids? Marie demanded.

Yes!

The car. They’d arrived. There were dozens of screaming people dashing for their own cars around them, ahead of them. The sound of gunfire echoed in the big parking space.

Marie fumbled frantically through her purse.

Come on, Marie!

The keys! I can’t find the keys!

Then she remembered. The keys had fallen out.

She dropped the purse.

What’s wrong? Marie? What’s wrong?

I lost the keys, she said.

You lost them?

I don’t have them!

Suddenly something even worse than the screams: silence. A single car screeched away while every eye turned in one direction.

Rain held Marie’s hand and pointed. They both looked at the single Mantid that had climbed onto the second level of the parking space. It was now sharply outlined against the blue sky. It was less than twenty meters away, and it looked much deadlier close up.

Nobody moved. The Mantid’s head turned quickly with a slight whirring sound until it spotted Rain and Marie. Then it charged forward, blades drawn, crushing a car hood under its metal feet as it sprang.

It came straight at the girls and seized them.

February 21 • 17:20

Eight hours to the Night of the Swarm.

Omar and Kenichi

Bike Racing Torus

Haven VII

WHOA! WATCH it, kid, Omar said. He screeched his bike to a halt.

Sorry. My bike slipped, Kenichi answered. He stopped his own bike, a bit more awkwardly than Omar.

That’s okay, Omar said. Not that many people at this time of day anyway. Are you practicing here too?

I try. I’m still not that good at it, though.

Omar nodded. "I hear you. I’ve been running around this damn racetrack for years now, and it only seems to get harder. The messed-up gravity is what gets to me. I need to have a fixed down direction to function."

Heh. It doesn’t bother me that much, I think. The hard part for me is getting off and riding around town. It’s so weird to ride on a totally flat surface.

Yeah… what was your name again?

I’m Kenichi. Nice meeting you. You’re Omar, right?

How do you know?

Your name’s on last year’s winning trophy list. And your photograph too.

Oh, that.

‘Oh that’? It’s awesome! Your team won the tournament!

Omar shrugged. I’ll let you in on a big secret: I’m listed up there because my team won, sure, but not because I actually did anything to help.

Really?

Sure. I mean, I don’t fall over myself like a dork on the Torus, but I’m definitely not competition material. This thing’s way too hard.

Kenichi smiled. You still won the tournament, though. That’s awesome no matter how you put it. Hey, Omar, can I ride with you for a bit? Maybe you can teach me a few tricks? You know, dangerous pro stuff.

"Sure thing, man. I don’t know about the pro bit, but it will be dangerous."

Kenichi hopped onto his bike, and they sped away. The Torus, true to its name, was shaped like a hollow donut. The racers could move on the inside of the donut in every possible direction due to their speed and the modified gravity gradient on the track’s surface.

I hope I don’t fall like a newbie, Kenichi said. He gathered some speed and took a 360 turn in a radial twist away from the Torus’s center.

That doesn’t look too noobish to me, Omar said, catching up. How old are you?

Thirteen.

Well, keep it up, and you’ll be a pro by the time you’re my age.

How old are you?

Twenty-one.

Kenichi whistled. "By the time I’m that old, I bet I’ll be a pro."

Oh, shut up. Race you once around.

Sure!

Kenichi pedaled as fast as he could, careful to remember his training and look everywhere at once as he went. The Torus was big, and there could only have been three or four more bikers in it with them at that time of day, but a collision was always a possibility.

Omar zoomed ahead. Kenichi tried to catch up but failed miserably. Omar finished a full five seconds before Kenichi did, and when Kenichi finally arrived, he was completely out of breath.

Heh. Guess I win, Omar commented, not even sweating.

This time, Kenichi said with a grin. I’ll get better, though.

I don’t doubt it. You may even beat our team captain’s time if you keep it up.

Alain? Kenichi asked with a funny expression.

Yeah. You know him?

Sort of. Once he… helped me out.

Omar grinned. Yeah, that’s just like him. We’ve been friends since we were your age, I think. Nice guy. He’s the one who dragged me into the competition last year. He more than made up for the awful marks I got on the race.

I’ve seen him train. He’s awesome.

Omar faked a punch on Kenichi’s shoulder. Enough praising Alain. You can kiss his butt directly when he arrives.

Shut up.

They laughed. Although, Omar said, looking at his watch, Alain’s pretty late already. Maybe he got caught up at the U.

You both go to college?

Uh-huh. Engineering and robotics, me. Pretty sweet. Not like Alain, with all that medicine crap. I think I’d throw up if I had to open some guy up.

Kenichi nodded enthusiastically. Yep.

"Now, with Engineering, that’s something I’m good at. You know the HADs?"

The whats?

The HADs. Hovering Atmospherical Drones? They float a few kilometers above us and monitor weather patterns. I designed them.

Really?

Omar grinned. Yeah. My department’s got calls from Haven IV and Haven Prime asking for the schematics to build prototypes of their own. If the deal lands, I’ll be rich before I even finish college.

Whoa.

Nah, just kidding about the rich part. It’s hard to make a living out of science alone. I’ll probably have to get in some boring Electorate Science Advisor position or whatever.

That does sound kind of lame, Kenichi said. Hey, let’s have another go at the track.

Sure. Alain’s probably not showing, anyway.

They raced around the Torus much more slowly this time, so they could ride side by side and still talk.

Is that why you’re dressed like that? Kenichi blurted. For your engineering stuff, I mean?

Huh?

Kenichi pointed at Omar’s clothes. He wore dull kind of light brown overalls with a darker shirt underneath. Several straps of cloth wrapped around the fabric by his arms, his shoulders, around his waist, across his chest in an X and around one of his thighs. There were pouches embedded in each strap, box shaped but smaller than a hand.

Oh, yeah. These are my work clothes, actually. Couldn’t be bothered to change for coming here. I carry lots of stuff in these things.

Like what?

Resistors, assorted wire lengths, capacitors, the usual.

Uh, usual for you, man. All I heard was blah blah wire blah crazy guy comes to work out in overalls.

Oh, shut up, Omar said.

They raced around the Torus twice more, in the end attempting a run that was aptly called the hurler: the objective was to race around the whole Torus in a series of interconnected elliptical trajectories along the inner length of the track. Not surprisingly, few people finished that many turns without parting with their breakfast.

They hadn’t gotten halfway across the Torus doing the hurler when Kenichi grimaced, panting.

No way. I’m going to puke.

Omar nodded, not looking too good either. Make that two of us.

I’m slowing down.

Good idea, man.

They slowed to a halt. Some other racer zoomed past them at an impossible angle.

Like I said before, gravity tampering isn’t for me, Omar complained. I think I’d better get going, actually. It’s already getting dark, and that idiot Alain is not going to show up. Better get some schoolwork done. It was nice meeting you, Kenichi.

Nice talking to you!

Omar left. Kenichi stayed behind and rode around the donut a few more laps. He actually enjoyed the slight feeling of weightlessness he got whenever he raced in the Torus. He tried doing a small trick he’d seen Omar do, flipping his steering wheel in a sharp forty-degree angle right before entering a loop to speed up the cycle, but he couldn’t get it to work. Finally, after several minutes of trying and failing, which only served to increase his queasiness, he gave up for the day. He would come back tomorrow, after school let out.

He pressed a button on his bike, and a small part of the Torus opened up, revealing a downward-sloping ramp that would take him to the flat world. Kenichi left, drove down the ramp, and stopped his bike in the checkout area below. He took off his helmet—and dropped it in dumb shock at seeing what was waiting for him below.

Two huge, towering Mantid sentries stood menacingly in his way, blocking the exit from the Torus. Their yellow insect eyes glowed with inner light, and their gazes fixed upon him as he approached.

He was less than four meters away when he realized he wasn’t the only one trapped by the Mantids. Omar was there, also, sitting on his bike and looking as frozen as Kenichi felt.

Omar looked back. Kenichi?

Yeah, Kenichi replied in a small voice.

Come… I think they were waiting for you.

What?

One of the Mantids stepped forward, making Kenichi cringe. What were these things doing here? None of them had ever crossed the perimeter, not for at least fifty years. If they were here, inside Haven, something very bad had happened. Or was about to. Also, they were really scary.

The robot stooped a little to show Kenichi something it carried carefully in its blades. It was a flat communicator device with tiny slots for the loudspeaker and a simple screen.

The communicator was silent for nearly ten seconds. Then it suddenly sprang to life and, as if through great static, came the message.

You are in danger, the artificial voice warned. Please follow.

The robot turned to Omar, and the communicator repeated its message in the exact same voice.

They turned to look at each other, then at the deadly Mantids. One of them opened the door, and the other one stepped behind Kenichi and Omar. Its blades reflected the light overhead.

Guess we don’t have much choice, Kenichi ventured.

Omar nodded shakily. Guess we’d better go along.

February 21 • 22:02

Three hours to the Night of the Swarm.

Joachim

Main Research

Haven VII

DOCTOR JOACHIM Mauer took off his glasses and rubbed his reddened eyes. He had been staring at a computer screen for the better part of a day, and he was having trouble focusing on the alphanumeric characters that danced around from left to right, showing him endless statistics and text data feeds. He stifled a yawn, reached for his glass of water, and found it empty. Reluctantly he put his glasses back on and walked over to the water cooler. He pressed the blue knob all the way down, hoping the water would pour faster. When his glass was full, he drank deeply and filled it again. Then he went back to his workstation, sat down with a sigh, and focused on the data.

It wasn’t good. Proximity readings from five of the drones deployed along the northern sector of the city were alarmingly erratic. Seismology feeds had been quiet since the previous night’s rumbling burst, but now they were beginning to show up on the screen again. He was no geologist, but he knew what the spikes meant. They were coming. The behavioral paradigm he was building was dependent on the tremors and a dozen other variables, and he was not sure he would finish it on time. He knew the things would swarm—that much was a certainty. He did not know when, though. Or where.

Doctor Mauer, his young assistant called through the intercom. Doctor Strauss on line one.

Thank you, Marguerite, he told her.

Joachim? a raspy voice said through the phone.

Clifford, Joachim answered. Anything yet?

I think you better come and see this.

Joachim’s heart began racing. The call could mean only one thing. Did you catch one?

In a manner of speaking, came the answer.

Joachim left his office and hurried down the hall. Two black-clad Enforcers followed him closely, their faces showing neutral expressions that did not waver. When he reached the elevator, Joachim went quickly inside with the two guards on his heels. One of them punched a code on the pad on the side of the door, and they moved down. Joachim looked at their rifles apprehensively while the elevator moved. He understood the need for the military to be involved in this operation, but he could not help but feel threatened by the extra security. The fact that the Enforcer guards were at least twenty years younger did not help much, either. It just made him feel weaker, more insecure. He tried to stay in shape and exercise whenever he could, but there was no denying the passage of time—the slight graying of the hair on his temples and the bald spot on the crown of his head, which his wife teased him about. Joachim sighed. At least he had the respect and authority his experience entailed. At the moment his work could not be more important to everyone’s survival.

The doors opened, and Joachim stepped out into a huge room bathed in harsh white light. It was bigger than the sports stadium on the southern part of town, but it was full to capacity. Conveyor belts carried scientists, supplies, or scientists holding supplies in every direction. There were workstations everywhere, their screens full of data that all the best scientific minds in Haven VII tried desperately to understand before time ran out. The murmur of agitated conversation floated incessantly in the air, and the hum of all the active robots was like the buzzing inside a beehive. Some of the automated robotic arms moved over chemical synthesis tables at one end of the room, creating compounds to counter the threat. Others were hastily producing upgraded ammunition that the engineers and metallurgists had finished devising not two hours ago. There was a conference room in a corner where about ten senior scientists of the Council were hotly discussing something with a ranking officer from the Enforcer corps. Joachim couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he could guess.

He hurried past all that and walked onto a conveyor belt, not stopping once he was on it even as the belt brought him to the very center of the enormous room. There rose a dome-shaped plastic enclosure that was the epicenter of the frantic activity in the compound. Red biohazard symbols were marked on the outside of the transparent plastic walls. The five scientists inside were wearing full preventive gear, from yellow rubber boots up to the rectangular plastic helmets with transparent visor surfaces and their air filters. They were busily moving around several metal tables that were stacked with surgical and medical analysis gear.

Joachim got to the entrance to the enclosure and stepped inside. His two personal guards stayed on the outside, guns at the ready. Joachim spared them another apprehensive look. Several other Enforcers were positioned around key areas of the compound in case of an attack. Most of them did not even know what they were preparing for. Joachim, sadly, did. It was he who had stumbled upon the first hints of the Swarm.

After putting on the protective suit, Joachim stepped through an airtight hatch and into the experimentation floor itself. One of the scientists looked up from an operating table and nodded.

Joachim, he said. His voice was muffled by the suit.

Clifford. What did you find?

Clifford Strauss motioned for Joachim to come over with one slightly clumsy, gloved hand.

Look at this, he said.

Joachim got closer and looked at the thing on the operating table. Or whatever was left of it. All he could see was a cracked semicylindrical exoskeleton that still had a few legs attached, maybe fifteen centimeters long and a few crushed internal organs partially covered by a thick, clear liquid.

How did we get this? he asked.

AED 127 brought it back a few minutes ago. It was spotted about one kilometer north of our perimeter.

The drone brought it back? How? I thought the AEDs were exploration drones only.

Clifford nodded. Yes, but this creature got stuck in the drone’s locomotion band, and it was crushed, stuck tight. As soon as we realized it, we ordered the drone to return home. A military van picked it up at the north gate and delivered it here.

Has the creature’s DNA been analyzed?

Yes. Your classification was right. It is an arthropod, class Chilopoda, subphylum Myriapoda, order Geophilomorpha. We are calling them Skolopendra following your suggestion.

Have we gained any useful information? Any weaknesses we can exploit?

Not so far.

What about the chemists? We have the boy since early morning. Is the synthetic antivenin done?

Not yet, last I heard, Clifford said. They needed an actual sample of the creatures’ venom to mass-produce the antivenin.

Well, now we have some. Joachim gestured at the remains on the table.

Already sent the samples out to the team. They are analyzing it even as we speak.

Joachim sighed heavily. There has got to be something else we can do. We can’t just wait and see when they come. My latest simulation shows—

Doctor Mauer! a loud voice called.

Joachim turned around, struggling to see out the sides of his suit. Outside the biohazard enclosure stood the same senior Enforcer officer he had seen in the conference room. He tried to remember his name, but it did not come to him.

Doctor Mauer, step outside! he boomed. It sounded like an order.

Joachim gave Clifford a quick glance. Then he stepped out into the decontamination chamber, pulled off his suit, and walked past the hatch when it opened.

The officer was waiting outside with arms crossed over his chest, flanked by the same two guards who had been watching Joachim before.

Doctor Mauer, I am Lead Enforcer Wu Xiao. I am in charge of our perimeter defenses.

How do you do, Joachim said guardedly. He pushed his glasses up his nose. He had no idea where this was going.

I have just come out from a meeting with the Scientific Council, and the status update they have provided is dreary at best.

The Lead Enforcer looked like he was about to punch someone. He closed his fists so tightly Joachim heard a phalange joint pop.

This is a threat that has sprung up unexpectedly, Joachim told Xiao. We are doing all we can to develop a counter to it, in fact we—

That’s not good enough, Xiao cut in. And you know it. The Council tells me you were the one who spotted the threat in the first place.

That is correct.

"We can’t wait any longer for research to have its way while there are innocent people out there who are completely defenseless. If an attack comes, when it comes, I need to have my men where they’ll be needed most. I need a plan. As the senior Behavioral Biologist in Haven VII, you are the one best prepared to tell me where and when those things will swarm."

Well, it is true that I am working on a behavioral paradigm, but it is incomplete. To suppose it will be accurate would be an error, however, as we are dealing with a completely new species of arthropod that was, until a few days ago, unknown. A prediction on my part would be partly speculative in nature and—

"Listen up, Doctor. Kyrios isn’t helping us on this one. The Portal Sage can’t get through to It, so It either doesn’t want to talk to us or It can’t talk to us. Our links to the other Havens have been dead for nearly a day, ever since this Brotherhood mess started stirring, so we’re blind on that front. We’re alone in this, Doctor. I need an advisor, and you’re the one that’ll tell me where to deploy my men and how those bugs think. You’ll tell me when they’ll attack, and how. We’re transferring you to a more secure facility along with the other key members of the research team now. Please come with us."

The guards flanked Joachim and all but pushed him onto the conveyor belt that led to the exit. Xiao followed right behind.

Wait, Joachim complained. My place is here! My files… my office is here.

All your data will be transferred to our destination. You will find workstations with a live feed to what goes on in here, but we need you to be where I am to better coordinate the defense. Understood?

Joachim gulped and nodded. They had reached the elevator, and all four of them got inside. What about the antivenin compound? he asked. Surely that is our best defense possibility.

Xiao nodded. We are transferring the boy too. We have a secure stasis chamber being prepared as well, just in case.

They got off the elevator on the main floor and walked quickly out into the street. A black van was waiting, three more armed Enforcers at the ready.

One of them approached Xiao quickly.

Sir, the riots are spreading. There is danger of fire near this sector.

Damn, Xiao grumbled. Of all possible days. He took out a radio communicator from his belt. López, Armstrong, get your boys to Sector Two. Possible fire threat so suit up. Now!

Yes, sir! a voice crackled over the link.

Now, you, inside, Xiao told Joachim. We’re riding together. You’ll tell me everything you know about those things on the way.

He opened the back door of the van. Two Enforcers got in, and then he motioned for Joachim to follow.

Sir! the van driver yelled.

What is it?

Three Mantids, twelve o’clock!

What? Xiao spat.

The robots came quickly, almost skating over the pavement in their liquid grace. They stopped just short of the van, the night lights of the research compound gleaming on their artificial, dull-green hide.

The lead Mantid looked at all the people assembled in turn, its head whirring softly as it did so. Then it stepped around the van and stood in front of Joachim, followed by the two others. It pulled out a small communications pad and held it for them to listen.

Joachim Mauer. You are in danger, the voice said. Please follow.

We’re taking this guy, Kyrios, Xiao said, stepping between the robots and Joachim. He’ll be safe where we’re going.

The Mantids looked at him, tilting their insect-like heads. Then they turned their attention back on Joachim.

Joachim Mauer. You are in danger, the voice repeated. Please follow.

What do I do? Joachim asked. What is going on here?

Gantz, escort Doctor Mauer inside the van, Xiao ordered. He pulled out his gun from his holster.

One of the Enforcers nodded to Joachim. Doctor. This way.

Joachim began to follow him.

Joachim Mauer. You are in danger, the voice in the pad said again. Please follow.

Xiao pointed his gun at the closest robot. I don’t know what game you’re playing, Kyrios, but you’re not taking my guy. Gantz, get him inside. Now!

The Enforcer grabbed Joachim and tried to push him into the van. He never even saw the bladed arm coming down.

Gantz was out cold and on the ground before Joachim had a chance to understand what had happened. The Mantid with the pad had clubbed Gantz on the head, not hurting him seriously, but rendering him unconscious before anyone could react.

Xiao took a step forward. "Back off, you things!"

He opened fire.

His soldiers copied him, and suddenly it was madness. Deafening shots everywhere, and Joachim dropped to the ground with his hands over his head, praying he wouldn’t be killed by accident. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the two other Mantids quickly form a barrier in front of Xiao and his men to block the shots that might have hit him or the lead Mantid.

Target the heads! Xiao bellowed.

Suddenly Joachim felt cold, razor-sharp blades slide under him with care. The communications pad beeped one last time.

Joachim Mauer. Do not move, the voice said.

Then the Mantid dropped the pad and lifted Joachim off the ground effortlessly. The robot was cold. Joachim couldn’t help noticing that he was less than a centimeter away from the edge of those razor-sharp claws, cradled like an overgrown child in the creature’s arms.

Sir, they’re trying to take him! a soldier shouted.

Joachim closed his eyes. This was it. He would be caught in the crossfire.

Don’t shoot! Don’t shoot! he screamed.

The Mantid pressed him close to its body, but its sharp scythes did not cut him. Then it turned around.

Hold your fire! Xiao yelled. We don’t want to hurt him!

The Mantid took off. It ran so fast the last shout from Xiao blurred with the buffeting wind that hit Joachim on the face, and he clung with all his might to the smooth body of the robot that had just abducted him. He risked a last look back and thought he saw the other two Mantids finally go down under Enforcer fire, sparks flying from their heads. Then he closed his eyes and prayed for his life.

February 22 • 0024

Thirty-five minutes to the Night of the Swarm.

Nikos

North Perimeter Outpost

Haven VII

NIKOS TOOK off his helmet.

He was sweating even in the middle of the night and beginning to feel the first pangs of exhaustion. It had been a long day.

He yanked the canteen off his belt and had a long drink. Back downtown the situation was getting worse by the minute. A dull orange glow, half hidden by the tall Electorate buildings, marked the spot where the fire had broken out. The mob was growing even wilder the more destruction it caused, its members no longer individual, thinking humans. They were acting like rabid dogs.

Nikos put the canteen away and put a hand on his gun holster. The feel of metal was reassuring, even through his leather gloves. He wanted nothing more than to go back into the fray and capture as many rioters as he could, but orders were orders. Even when they made no sense.

A senior officer strode quickly into the Outpost facility. Nikos and three other Enforcers snapped to attention.

You, the officer said, gesturing to one of Nikos’s peers. Get me a com link with the Western Outpost.

Yes, sir, the young man said. He dashed out of the room.

The rest of you, grab night gear, and scan the perimeter. Anything weird shows up, light a flare. Fan out to cover maximum area. Go!

Sir! Yes, sir! they said in chorus.

Nikos rushed to the ammo and gear deposit. He grabbed a night visor, binoculars, and a few flares. David and Charlie were right behind him. He put the gear on as he was going out the big archway that led into the northern wastelands. There were several elevated outlook posts scattered along Haven VII’s thick perimeter wall, some of them linked by narrow walkways like the ones on this side. Nikos ran the few meters to the outlook staircase and climbed with practiced ease. Once above, he stepped onto a ridged balcony that gave him a nice view of the barren terrain sprawling around Haven’s northern side. He scanned the horizon quickly but saw nothing out of the ordinary without his gear. It was too dark anyway.

David pulled himself up onto the balcony walkway, and Charlie came up a second later. They looked at Nikos expectantly.

Anything strange? Charlie asked.

Nikos shook his head.

This is weird, man, David said. We should be back in there, kicking some sense into that damn Brotherhood. He gestured toward the ever-growing fire back in Haven.

I know, Nikos said in a deep voice. But you heard Majar. He wants us here.

Makes no sense, David complained. What, are reinforcements for the Brotherhood supposed to be coming from out here? The closest Haven is more than seven hundred kilometers away. No matter how rich the Brotherhood may be, they’d never get ahold of a flier for private use.

Yeah, Charlie agreed. "What are they going to do? Walk here?"

Nikos grunted. He had thought the very same thing when they radioed him out of the mob-heavy Sector Two zone and back to the Outpost. Still, he knew something bad had to be happening out here. Or was soon going to. The seniors might not have told them much, but Nikos had noticed too much tension at HQ. Something else was brewing beneath the surface, something more important than the hundred or so rioters out there, yelling their heads off for some stupid belief or another. He was sure of one thing only: he was going to need his gun.

I heard Suárez talking about evacuating back at Com Central, David said, almost whispering. When I asked him, though, he told me to mind my own business.

That’s weird, Charlie commented. I saw a pilot squad heading to the seaside flier dock an hour or so ago. Suárez was with them.

Man, how the hell are we supposed to do our duty if they don’t tell us shit? David spat.

Unless…. Charlie began.

D’you think? David asked.

Charlie nodded. It’s got to be.

Oh man. If Kyrios is involved, then….

What else could it be? Charlie continued. All this secrecy, the mobilization. Something’s up with Kyrios.

Last I heard, It was not answering direct queries, David said. Not even from the Portal Sage.

I know, but look at how things stand. The mob mauled down the few Mantids Kyrios sent inside. Maybe they destroyed them all, and now Kyrios is pissed.

It’s a machine, David said. It can’t be pissed.

Charlie shrugged. I’m just sayin’. Maybe Kyrios is retaliating or something. Look at it from Its point of view, man. It built each Haven for us. Now the Brotherhood gets into people’s minds and they turn against It just because It’s a machine. If it were me, I’d like to get even too. Show them who’s boss.

Kyrios’s Mantids are still outside, guarding us, Nikos interrupted. He had switched his visor on, a green miniscreen that covered his right eye, strapped to his head with a small earband. It looked like he was wearing glasses that had been cut in half, and only the right half was left. The visor was able to give him a lot of information, from infrared filtering to relative distance and possible targeting paths for his gun. He had been scanning the area below while the other two Enforcers spoke. Right now, his visor was set to night vision for greater clarity, showing him the darkness in shades of green.

The other two shut up and looked at him.

I can see three Mantids now, about a kilometer away, Nikos explained. They are on attack mode.

You sure, Nikos? David asked.

Nikos nodded. He flicked his visor off. The green screen receded.

But attack mode against what? Charlie said. The rioters are back in Haven.

Nikos was silent, thinking. He knew for certain something was about to happen. He just didn’t know what it was.

You know something we don’t, man? David asked him.

No.

Come on. You can tell us, right, Charlie? We can keep our mouths shut if it’s classified. I mean, everyone knows you’re Ruther’s golden boy. Getting special officer training already, and you’re, what, twenty-three? That’s a very short time in the force, and they’re promoting you next cycle!

I don’t know any more than you do, Nikos repeated quietly. He glared at David until the other Enforcer backed up a step and threw up his hands.

That’s all right, Nikos. I was just saying.

Yeah, we know you’re cool. We just figured they’d told you something, Charlie joined.

Nikos glared at the two of them for a couple more seconds, then turned away. He crossed his arms over his big chest and looked out into the night, trying to pierce the darkness by an effort of will alone. Something was hiding out there. He knew it.

David flicked on his visor and carried out the scouting assignment quietly after that exchange, with Charlie tagging along, no longer so talkative. Nikos wasn’t surprised by their meek reactions. He knew he had a reputation in the force as someone who shouldn’t be messed with, and it suited him just fine. His appearance helped too. He was big, to begin with. A little under two meters tall, and built like a rock. The standard-issue black Enforcer uniform barely fit him. With no helmet on, his shaved head would look like a polished bowling ball in the mirror. His eyes were black, and he knew he had a mean glare. He was young for an Enforcer, but despite his young age, most of Haven VII’s Enforcer crew respected him. Nikos prided himself on the precise way he had of dealing with trouble, like earlier in the day, when he’d disposed of the rioters. Not a broken bone, not a drop of blood on any of them, but they had all gone down cold.

Nikos watched the night with unwavering attention, occasionally resting his right hand on the gun at his belt. It was custom-made, a modified 2.12 Zimmer spreader with explosive sensor-delay bullets. Touching its hard metal surface was reassuring.

There followed maybe five minutes of boring lookout duty. Through the visor, the rocky wastelands around Haven VII were

Reviews for Earthshatter

[montzaleew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Earthshatter by Albert Nothlit is one of the most non-stop, on-the-edge-of-your-seat fantasy/sci-fi books I have read. Every page is filled with action, danger, and nail-biting adventure. By the time I finished the book I felt so tense, I needed a muscle relaxer or a massage! The book is filled with twist, turns, unexpected things happening on every page that you can't get comfortable at any time. Creatures attack Haven, well the whole world really, and Kyrios saves (has them kidnapped) eight certain people, only the AI knows why. When the people come out of stasis the craziness begins. Everyone on Earth is dead, they think. They are hunted by poisonous giant bugs, swarms of them, they are thirsty, hungry, and no idea how long they were in stasis. They start looking for Dex's brother. Dex, the kid, is a little psychic. He is my favorite in the story. Everyone thinks he is crazy. I would love to see this as a movie, wow! The plot is great, dialogue is fun, witty, and true to the characters. The characters are interesting and varied, well developed, and I can't wait to see them in another book. Please? The book is long but I didn't want it to stop, I wanted more and more... The creativity, imagination, the fantasy, the science, humor among the terror, the planning, the details, I can't say enough about this book. Excellent job.I received this book from NetGalley for a honest review and it in no way effected my review or rating. Thank you NetGalley, I might not have found this book without you!

[ellelainey · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Book ? Earthshatter (Haven Prime #1)
Author ? Albert Nothlit
Star rating - ?????
No. of Pages ? 530

Cover ? Awesome!
POV ? 1st person, multi POV (with brief 3rd)
Would I read it again ? Yes!

Genre ? Sci-Fi, Adventure, Apocalypse, Alternative History


** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY DSP PUBLICATION, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine


This was an awesome feat of detailed story planning and world building. There was such a complexity ? from character interactions, events and consequences ? that it had an epic effect, when they were revealed. Yet nothing was ever too far-fetched, too far out of reach or understanding. The fact that we had 7 (really 8, but mostly 7) main characters could have made this confusing to read, except for one thing ? the genius use of 1st person, multi POV. Without becoming omnipresent, each character gets to tell their own story, as and when it?s appropriate. Their POV lasts exclusively for anything from 1 to 8 chapters; as long as is needed.

And that?s where things get interesting.

The story begins with a diary format, with the entire Part 1 in 3rd person. Not only does the time/date format give us a real time build up to 'the swarm' ? the event the entire book is based around ? but we're introduced to the characters in a much more complete way. Thanks to the 3rd person POV, we get to know the ins and outs of each character, who they are and how they act with other people, from a slightly more all-round perspective than 1st person allows. Which is one of the reasons 1st person doesn't really work for me ? it takes so long to learn who ?I? as the character is (in terms of age, gender, build, abilities, personality etc) that it can often take 5-10% of the story to learn who ?I? am. This 3rd person, allowing us to know character first, then letting us since into their 1st person POV, made all of that irrelevant. There was no confusion, no uncertainty, just letting us get to know each character right from the start. By the time Part 2 begins (the end of 3rd person and the start of 1st person POV), we already have a foundation for who these people are.

I love that the bugs (centipedes) are not only a wholly original concept ? being not at all scary in real life, but becoming something monstrous in a believable, entirely possible way ? but they also have a real scientific classification. That is how much attention to detail has been put into this book ? we have medicine, psychiatry, technie stuff, military, scientific and more going on, and the details are never passed off, glossed over or ignored for any of them. Each is explored in the kind of detail required to the extent that matches the knowledge and qualifications of the characters, as well as the requirements of the story.

When it comes to characters, I naturally have my favourites. The top most two never changed for me, though the others fluctuated according to the story and how they treated my favourites. Here's my evaluation of all the characters, to help you understand why they're in the order I place them (favourite to least favourite). I'm going to try to keep spoilers out of it, as much as I can.

Dex ? childlike, sweet, caring
Kenichi ? fun, cheeky, comic relief, smarter than he's given credit for, attentive
Alain ? mysterious, fun, smart, Dex's brother and the unofficial leader
Nikos ? second leader (or the leader when Alain isn't around), strong, dedicated, survivalist
Omar ? techie geek, fun, strong, chubby in a good way (he's not held back or ashamed of how he looks, even when he's teased for it)
Joachim ? doctor, thoughtful, careful, smart, scientist
Rain ? bit of a wimp, self involved at times, flirty, doctor and more open minded than everyone but Dex
Marie ? very self involved, selfish, egoist, superficial, tries to be a leader, teases or underestimates the others often

If I had to rank Kyrios (who is an It not a Who), then he's come just under Nikos. He's interesting, devious, smart and mysterious. I really hated Marie, as you can tell, because she was so dump to what was obvious, as well as close minded. She had no room in her head for anything but her own thoughts and opinions.

For me, Dex was the most incredible character. I hated the way everyone ignored Dex, even after he'd proven himself countless times. Alain humoured him, but never really believed or understood him. Kenichi didn't try to change or understand Dex, but he accepted him as he was and, although made his unofficial babysitter, took up the challenge and tried to befriend Dex, bringing him out of his shell and even teasing back and forth with him. Rain and Nikos eventually redeemed themselves by understand and appreciating Dex, but only after he'd saved their lives by being 'weird'.

Though we didn't see Dex's POV often, I understood him the most. Any time he spoke or acted, I smiled or felt relief or concern, because ? to me ? he's the most important person in the group. He's also the most expressive. No one knows or appreciates him, but he's written in such an open way that we never have to wonder what he's thinking or feeling; he's an open book to anyone who looks at him and although often faces ridicule for it, doesn't shy away from speaking his mind, especially when it's important. Everything is right there in how he's acting or what he's saying.

When it comes to the plot, I loved every minute. I read this on holiday, so I had to put it down a lot in between, which I really hate doing. I love to get absorbed into a story and read it over the course of one day. But, stopping frequently just showed me how good this story was. It never affected my reading, except in a good way. I never stopped wondering about what would happen next, who would be in trouble or who would get the next POV and what it would reveal. I was always eager to get back to reading. The POV format meant that I got just enough of what I needed/wanted to know, but was left in the dark a bout enough to keep my reading and anticipating more.

There were so many twists and turns, but it never felt overdone. Nothing in this incredibly real world felt impossible, ridiculous or unbelievable. Everything had a scientific possibility, even when the 'thing' had a very real chance of being supernatural or extraterrestrial. Everyone was of an age and background to explain their behaviour and knowledge base, that were so vital to the plot.

And, just so you know, there is no love stuff here ? no sex, no real relationship except that of two brothers who love each other and no romance. BUT, it worked. It worked better that way, because it meant the story was entirely focused on the plot and the survival of these characters.
Still, I'm totally shipping Nikos/Alain and Dex/Kenichi, no matter how unlikely they may be or how long it might take. I don't care. I love those two potential couples together; that's when the real sparks fly.
I really loved that there was no romance. The story stayed true to its roots, with life and death situations and no rubbish of wasted time/effort on anything but survival.

The reasoning and cleverness of the trials was quite something. It really had an efficiency and sense that was all Kyrios, but also made sense of everything that came before.

Despite being told a lot in the blurb, I was pleasantly surprised and relieved to get to see it all unfold for myself. I'd worried that we'd suddenly be thrust into this unfamiliar world, in a survival situation. Instead, we got the build up and exploration I wanted, right from T-minus so many hours to the big event and beyond. I loved and appreciated the tension build up, the uncertainty and gradually being told which 'card' belonged to whom, only after we'd been given enough clues to guess for ourselves.

The idea of the advanced tech ? recorders and Kyrios, etc ? meant that we got to experience things our 8 MC's hadn't, in a very real way, while gaining answers at the same time. Even better was how there was no repetition of events when the POV changed. We got to see what was important and if we didn't see something, it was because it wasn't important or we needed to discover that later.

Nothing was left to chance.

Overall

It was a fantastic sci-fi adventure, with steampunk element. Without an obvious romance, the story's focus on the survival of the characters meant that we got an action packed adventure story, full of nervous anticipation and pulse-racing excitement.

I can't wait to read book 2. And, fingers crossed, Dex (or a new favourite) is waiting there to captivate me.

Favourite Quote

"Dex knew that was the way people expected him to look. The poor, helpless crazy boy. Look at him. He needs help. In truth, he didn?t need anybody?s help. And he was stronger than even Alain suspected."

"I screamed. I imagined kamikaze centipedes with guns bursting through the window and pouring onto the streets. I didn?t care if it was insane. I was panicking."

"It was like a nightmare version of a 3D puzzle, with a death threat hovering over my head and a timer to boot."