Rise of Ansea: The General's Mark

By Amanda Schmidt

AJ’s life before arriving at the United Forces base with her sister lays dormant in her mind, surfacing in flashes that she hasn’t been able to piece together. In her efforts to satisfy her desire to protect and help defend the galaxy from the Zang, AJ excelled in her training as a cadet. The end of her formal training only months away is cut short when she takes a personal interest in one of her sister’s instructors.

As their relationship deepens, AJ finds herself thrust into the middle of a battle which no instructor could have prepared her. With the discovery that an unexpected enemy has infiltrated the base, her reality becomes forever changed. This presence unravels her sense of self, revealing a part of her forgotten past and putting her in danger of a more deadly enemy than the Zang - a Trozan General who has been hunting her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amanda Schmidt
• Release date: May 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370032983

Amanda Schmidt

I graduated from Eastern Michigan University and live in Rochester, Michigan. I am a single mother of three amazing children who have helped me rediscover my love of writing. I started writing in 2009 and discovered there were many stories within me that I wanted to share. With the help of my family, friends, and fans, I have gained confidence in myself and in what I love, allowing me to live my dream to be an author who finds inspiration everywhere: my past, listening to music, in laughter, and even random moments while out hiking or practicing Tai Chi.I discovered the hard way how important it is to believe in yourself and your dreams. With each story I write, I hope to take my readers into a world that will captivate their imagination. I hope my stories remind you to believe in your dreams, allowing you to think outside the box and become more than you thought you could be.

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Rise of Ansea: The Genreal’s Mark

By Amanda Schmidt

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Cover Art by:

Amanda Schmidt

and

R.E.L. Kaiser

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Rise of Ansea: The General’s Mark

Published by Amanda Schmidt at Smashwords

Copyright 2017 Amanda Schmidt

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold 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, then please return to smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Dedication

I’d like to take this moment

to thank my heroes:

You my readers. By taking a chance on my books, for telling others about my stories, for rating, reviewing, or sending me an email, you’ve helped me more than you could ever know. I hope you enjoy the adventure ahead!

Patrick, Robert, and Alivia for giving me adventures and love worth living for.

Marie Schmidt, Chemaine Hamelin, and Larissa Waltman for making time in your busy lives to help me make my stories better, but especially for allowing me to make my dreams a reality!

R.E.J. Kaiser for finding time to create the foundation I needed to breathe life into the concept of my cover.

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Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

ChapterEighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty~One

Chapter Twenty~Two

Also by Amanda Schmidt

Connect with Amanda

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CHAPTER ONE

I’m sorry, you’re a bit too young for me, Greg finally managed to say.

There was no way he could know that. Every race ages differently, and he hasn’t been an instructor here long enough to know who I was. It doesn’t have to be a date, I informed him. I really could use some help learning to shoot the newest T—

Help? he interrupted. "You’re just looking for some help? he inquired as though he didn’t believe me. You’ve never been in any of my classes."

Well…umm… No, I haven—

Then why are you looking to me for help?

I was told you were the best, I replied with a smile so that he didn’t think I was disappointed he had turned me down.

So you figured you…

I was just going to ask for some assistance with the TH4. I watched you teaching the newest recruits and you… Don’t tell him he’s good looking, don’t do it. I like the way you teach.

So why did you ask about a drink?

Because I would like to have a drink with you to talk about you, maybe, teaching me.

His brilliant blue eyes briefly surveyed my body. I will give you one lesson, but it will have to be at twenty two hundred Zulu. Is that a problem?

I shook my head.

You don’t think it’s too late for you? he asked.

His tone told me he knew it wouldn’t be easy for me to get there at that time. I clenched my jaw, and forced a polite smile. No.

I won’t wait fifteen seconds for you.

I wouldn’t have asked for a lesson if I wasn’t going to show, I stated as sweetly as I could. I was beginning to think he wasn’t the guy I thought he was.

See you then, he replied, giving me a lopsided grin before he turned away.

My shoulders slumped and all my frustration vanished. Why did he have to smile like that? It just made him look sexy, and… Wait. He didn’t think I’d be there. I clenched my fists, staring intently at his back until he disappeared through the mess hall door.

So what did he say?! Carri asked, failing to hold back her excitement. When are you going out?! That was a smile he gave you! I saw it!

Yea, it was a smile, I answered, attempting to force my irritation away. One that says, I know you’re a recruit and I know the Confines are locked ten minutes before I asked you to be there.

He’s going to meet with you though, right? Carri inquired with confusion, but not losing her cheerfulness.

He’s going to teach me how to use the TH4, I replied, lacking Carri’s excitement as I continued to stare at the now closed door he had walked through.

That was not what you were supposed to ask, Carri stated with disappointment. "You made me join his battalion so that you could get a better look and I did. You’ve been watching him every d—"

You. I’ve been watching you, I corrected.

"No him. Don’t think I haven’t noticed your attention is on him."

I just like the way he expects a lot from the recruits, but neither berates anyone when they have questions, nor minds showing them what he expects or how to do it properly. Plus, he takes the time to demonstrate the difference between what you’re doing and what he wants you to do.

Like I said, your attention is on him, she smugly replied.

I rolled my eyes as I shook my head. He’s a great instructor.

"Yes. You have bragged about him all day, every day since I told you I was interested in following in my big sister’s footsteps."

I’ll bet he’s ten years older than me. I really had no idea, nor did it matter. However, I didn’t need Carri’s attitude right now.

And…?

He said no.

But you said he was going to meet with you.

To teach me. I asked him to join me for a drink, and he only hesitated a moment before he said I was too young. So my rapid firing brain asked him if he’d help me with the T— Oh no… I whispered as put my hand over my mouth for a moment.

What…?

Of all the weapons, I had to say that one. How am I so stupid?

You excel in weapons, AJ.

"Not that one. And now, at twenty two hundred Zulu, he’s going to think that I am too young and inept with weapons."

It’s not like you’re going to be able to get there anyways. So you won’t be able to make a fool of…

I’m going to be there, I confidently stated.

What?

He just challenged me, I replied. I’ll show him.

"No. He said twenty two hundred, AJ. I think he was telling you no. Again."

I shook my head.

AJ, you can’t get out of the Confines after lockdown. You’re not allowed.

Like that’s ever been an issue.

You can’t—

"Yes, I can."

No, no, no, no.

I nodded. I’ll show him that he’s not as clever as he thinks.

AJ, please don’t do this. He’s an…

I glanced down at my watch. The armory was ten minutes from my Confines - normally. However, I’m just going to have to circumvent the patrols and video cams. Plus, I was obviously not going to be using the front door, which would save me some time.

Circumvent?

Yea, evade the patrols and outwit the programmer who thinks the video cams are untouchable.

You know no one uses that word, right? Circumvent.

So, I’ve been told.

***

I glanced at my watch again. I bet he doesn’t show up because he believes that I won’t be here. I growled at myself. Carri was right. He was telling me to take a hike. Ugh. Why did he have to have such an attractive smile? And broad shoulders. Not to mention those brilliant blue eyes that seemed so exotic with his dark brown hair and goatee. How could I think that his way of teaching was in any direct relation to his personality?

I glanced down at my watch. Twenty-two hundred on the dot.

I glimpsed around for him, but he clearly wasn’t going to show. I growled again and walked to the practice range. One of the nice things about being here when I wasn’t supposed to be was that there was no one else around. I lifted the TH4 with one arm. It was fairly heavy – people who weren’t used to guns usually used two hands. I preferred to use one arm. Mostly because I could, but more so because it left the option of using a second weapon.

I prepared my body for the recoil, took aim, and fired.

I rolled my eyes when I saw that I didn’t hit my target. I focused on the target and pulled the trigger again and again and again. I clenched my jaw in frustration. I was determined that I would get it right tonight. I continued to practice, changing my stance, the way I aimed, closing one eye and then the other. I even switched hands. How could one gun be such a pain in my—

I see you made it.

I turned my head to see Greg staring at me in disbelief. You’re late, I nonchalantly stated. I would have been happy to see him if I wasn’t so annoyed with the TH4. I should have hit at least one target.

I didn’t see the need to be on time when you’re supposed to be in lockdown.

Keywords: supposed to be, I informed him as I turned to face the targets.

Not a big follower of rules.

I follow rules that make sense to me, I replied with a shrug as I took aim again.

And if they don’t.

I fired and missed again. Grr. I glimpsed over at him. I…work around them.

He gave me a lopsided grin and nodded, causing me to smile back. I hastily focused back on the target that was eluding every shot.

I see your skill with a gun is way beneath your ability to circumvent the security systems.

My brain froze, and I glanced back at him.

He lifted an eyebrow. What?

You know no one uses that word anymore, I blurted out. Ugh. Really, AJ? You couldn’t have said anything else?!

Well, at least you know what it means.

My sister is always telling me that I need to stop using it, and I keep telling her that I like the word.

Greg tilted his head with interest, and I quickly shifted my attention back to the target.

You’re too tense, he casually commented.

Well I don’t want to land on my back.

That’s one of the nicer things about this newer model. It’s calibrated so that you can use it head on and it won’t rip your arm out of its socket.

You say that, but if I don’t prepare for the recoil, it—

Do you want some help or not? he asked with irritation.

I glimpsed over at him and nodded.

"Now, the problem is that everyone is accustomed to having to take a side stance to handle the other versions of the TH. No one around here listens when I tell them that it’s actually built to be used head on. Look, he said as he walked over to me. He grabbed my hips and turned me to face my target. He pulled my left leg back half a step. Now fire. I’ll stay right here."

I thought I was too young.

"You are, Recruit, but I’m not going to catch you because there won’t be a reason. I’m just here to make you feel better."

How did you know I was a recruit?

You just told me.

I clenched my jaw and focused on my target.

Relax. I know what I’m talking about.

I took a calming breath and fired the TH4. To my surprise I hit my target and the TH4 didn’t knock me out of my stance at all. I quickly moved through each target that was out, hitting each one of them almost perfectly.

I guess the rumors are true, I commented in awe.

That I’m the best.

With arrogance to match.

Comes with the territory.

Well, umm, thank you, I said as I turned to face him, hiding my excitement. I imagine I’ve held you up long enough.

Have to hurry before they catch you?

No, I replied. I’ve covered my tracks, thank you very much.

Not well enough. How do you think I knew to get over here?

"Yea, right. You expect me to believe that you knew I was here and you came here instead of sending in security."

I watched the cameras re-route to a previous feed, a constant charge being sent to the alarms so that the patrols will never know if the trigger is disturbed, and a code entered - I’m assuming - will allow control of all the command centers in the building.

I stared at him not saying a word. I was careful. There was no way that he could have seen me do any of that. He must want me to incriminate myself.

There aren’t many that know what they’re doing, he continued when I didn’t say anything. You were close. If I wasn’t at this base then you’d be in the clear. The only reason I came down here was to see who you were with, but apparently it is just you. So, now that you’ve got my attention, let’s see your other weaknesses.

He un-holstered his weapon and held it out. I looked at him like he was nuts. If I had to use a gun, a personal firearm was not what I would choose. It was so beneath what I preferred.

What? I figured since you were not that good with the TH4, maybe this was more your…

He shut up as I took his gun, turned, and hit the targets perfectly, multiple times until his ammo was depleted. I turned and held it out to him with an innocent expression. He raised an eyebrow and re-holstered his gun.

I’ll be right back, he stated as he turned away from me and hurried down the corridor.

I smiled to myself. If I didn’t find him so attractive, I would have left. Instead, I lifted the TH4 and fired off a few more shots, making sure that I understood how to fire it. I bit my lip and took a side stance again. As awesome as it was to be able to use the TH4 head on, it wouldn’t always be practical. After tweaking a few things, I fired the TH4. I missed, but I realized that it could be done. I had to adjust my stance, the way I was aiming, and keep my body relaxed. After five more attempts, I did it.

Okay, that is impressive.

I turned to see him throwing another weapon at me. I caught it and turned instantaneously, firing off ten rounds. I’m not a big fan of guns, but this used to be my favorite.

Used to be? he inquired after he hastily hid his shocked expression.

Yea. I think if I was on the battlefield, I’d take the TH4.

He gave me a crooked smile and I knew I had his complete interest.

So, if you’re not a fan of guns, what do you prefer?

Bows are cool, but I’m more of a knife girl.

Why is that?

I don’t know. They’re versatile and personal, I guess. I glanced down at my watch.

What is the look of surprise for?

I didn’t realize it was so late, I admitted.

Your window of opportunity is over? he arrogantly asked.

No, but if I don’t hurry I’m not going to be able to have a drink to celebrate my achievement. Again, thank you for your help with the TH4, for not getting me in trouble, and… I hope that I didn’t ruin your night by showing up, I stated as I hurried toward the exit.

CHAPTER TWO

I walked down the street to my favorite pub. It was a hole in the wall, but the owner was a kind man from the outskirts of the Orala system. He and his wife, Julia, came here after the war against the Zang broke out, barely escaping. The Zang were beings whose only purpose seemed to be to move from one planet to the next destroying all sentient entities. The Zang were slowly making their way inward, until they had reached Ronth where they have been fighting there for the last four years.

AJ! As always it is nice to see ya, Henry greeted me as I walked in.

Hi Henry, I replied with a smile. It’s not too late, is it?

For ya? Never.

How’s Julia?

She’s doing great. Go sit down. I’ll bring ya yar drink in a moment.

I moved to the shadowed table I always occupied when I was here and sat in the booth. I glanced around the pub and was relieved when I didn’t recognize anyone.

Snuck out again, did ya? Henry said as he set my drink down.

I smiled with a look of innocence.

That’s what I thought. Julia is warming up some of those chocolates ya like.

She doesn’t have to do that.

She knows ya love them.

Thank you, Henry.

So, what’s the occasion tonight?

I learned how to proficiently shoot the TH4.

After hours practice? he asked in mock surprise.

No one watches that place at night, I assured him. They’re too confident in their computer system.

Umm… I think they were watching tonight, he quietly stated as he leaned his head down.

I stared at him in confusion.

There’s a man over… Umm, there was a man over by the bar, Henry said with confusion before shrugging his shoulders. I should have known he was talking about ya. He’s been upping the security systems that ya’ve been so good at decoding. He doesn’t appreciate your ability to manipulate the computer systems. Nice guy, but ya better watch yourself. He’s…

Behind you.

Henry straightened up and faced Greg.

Warning the criminal of her status, Henry? That’s not really fair to me.

She’s no criminal, Greg, Henry replied, sounding a little anxious. She is…

Out after lockdown.

He was going to tattle on me?!

Greg, why don’t ya sit with her a moment and enjoy my chocolates, Julia suggested as she pushed him into the booth with me.

I’m… Greg began as he started to get up.

Stay, she sternly stated.

Yes, mam, he replied as he sat back down.

I stared at Greg, surprised that he did as she commanded.

He glanced over at me. There are some women that you just don’t make angry, he informed me.

You’re going to turn me in? I blurted out in disbelief.

You broke out of lockdown. Huge offense.

I scowled at him. "You told me to meet you aft—"

Now now. There will be no more talk of such trouble, Greg, Julia stated. Her intense glare shifting from Greg to me and back to Greg. Ya two are to sit here, eat, have a drink, and work out yar differences.

I—

"AJ, not another word. Unless it is to Greg without hostility, she informed me before her intimidating stare shifted to Greg. And the same for ya, Greg. It will do ya some good to have some female company that has a brain," Julia stated with finality before she turned and walked away.

Sorry, but ya oughta eat the chocolates and save yar arguments until ya leave, Henry quickly apologized. Otherwise Julia is going to close this pub.

Greg and I both nodded.

I’ll be back with another drink for ya, Greg. The usual?

That will be fine. Thank you, Henry.

Greg and I stared at the chocolates on the table, not saying a word until after Henry brought Greg a drink.

I…ah…don’t think I’ve ever seen Julia angry before, Greg remarked. I don’t like it.

Me either. She’s usually so timid.

You did see her growing while she was angry, right? That wasn’t just my imagination.

No. I saw that too.

He glanced at me and then back at the tray of chocolates.

They are the best thing on base, I remarked as I grabbed one. I immediately took a bite. The chocolate melted in my mouth, coating my taste buds with the best flavor…ever.

I can’t say that I’ve ever had one.

I came here after my first week of classes, I began as I stared at the chocolates on the plate. I was confident from the way the pub looks on the outside that I’d get killed. However I couldn’t have been more wrong. I was only sitting here a few minutes when Julia brought me these to cheer me up.

Hoping you’d get killed?

My teacher was horrific, I replied, not really wanting to think about my first year here.

I don’t remember you.

I glanced over at him. Sorry, it wasn’t you. It was a woman.

Ah, my ex-wife.

What?

Well, your first year would have been… what… two years ago?

Five, I smiled, trying not to laugh. I couldn’t decipher if he was trying to be funny or not.

Then it wasn’t my ex.

So you were married?

No, he replied with his crooked smile as he shook his head.

I nodded and took a drink. He was trying to be funny? It was borderline flirting. No. It wasn’t. It was me wanting it to be.

So, if you’re in your fifth year, then you should have been in my class.

Nope. Unless you used to be a woman.

Definitely not.

You weren’t an instructor here when I enlisted.

Well, you seem to have survived, he replied after quickly hiding his surprise that I knew he wasn’t on base yet.

Yep, mostly thanks to Henry and Julia. I was the outcast my first year, and they kinda took me in, I replied.

Greg glanced over at Henry who immediately busied himself. An outcast for rule breaking? he slowly inquired as he returned his attention to me.

Sort of. So… how do you know more than everyone else about the TH4, and why aren’t you teaching how to use it.

The TH4 is more of a prototype, and no one wants to listen to me, he replied, taking a long swig of his drink. I mean I only built the thing.

I almost spit my drink out.

Built it? I inquired with disbelief. The TH was originally built by the Trozans. It wasn’t until fairly recently that they were even accessible to non-Trozans.

Yea.

Why are you teaching?

What’s that supposed to mean?

You have to be above entry-level intelligence to have built the TH4 – a TH that you don’t need a side stance for.

He smiled. A United Forces instructor needs to know how to keep the new comers from becoming another body on the ground.

I took another drink so that I’d stop staring at his vivid blue eyes. Why aren’t you teaching an engineering or combat class? Are you not good in combat? Is that why you’re here, why you’re teaching the new recruits? It would make sense. Usually a man with high intelligence isn’t very good in the field.

"You seem to be good at both."

Yea, but I’m a woman.

So, because I’m a man I have to be one or the other?

Yes.

He turned his body so that he was facing me. Care to test that theory?

I ate the last chocolate and downed my drink. Yes.

He lifted his eyebrow at me with intrigue. "We’ll have to circumvent the facility."

I shrugged. You claim to be smart enough.

I am, but are you?

I smiled haughtily. Let’s go, I stated as I pushed him out of the booth.

What’s your hurry?

It’s already past midnight.

So?

I stared at him, questioning his intelligence. It’s almost on the other side of the base.

What? Do you think we’re going to run?

How else are we going to get there?

I have a way.

I turned to pay, but he had already thrown more than enough on the table. I glanced up at him in surprise.

Come on, he said mischievously as he walked toward the door.

I followed him for half a block, a few steps behind him. I could not believe that he went from not wanting to have a drink with me to wanting to spend his night with me. This was so… I froze as I watched him straddle a Harley. No. This was so not fair. Attractive, great smile, and a Harley? I had never seen one outside of my studies and research, but everything I had read and watched had me completely mesmerized. I had been wanting to see one for what felt like forever, and there he was sitting on one… I didn’t even know you could get one here.

I thought you wanted to see my combat skills, he stated

Is that yours? I inquired as I shifted my eyes to his face.

Yep.

I didn’t think—

I never travel without one. They’re the best made bikes. These are built to last, and—

I know, I stated in awe. Who was this guy?

Harleys were amazing. There was no sound like them in the universe. You could customize what you wanted on them, but that sound was the one thing that never changed. I was most impressed by how this machine of power came from a tiny planet in the middle of nowhere. How, even though the people took forever to make it off their planet, they could build something that people everywhere craved.

I still prefer the ones with wheels, but these are nice. For the most part they adapt quickly to the different atmospheres. The power in these is adequate, but there are—

Wheels?

Yea.

So, you prefer the antique…I mean, ancient… older than… You’re right. You are too old for me.

Are you afraid to ride? he asked in a taunting manner.

I laughed. No way! I ran over to him and straddled behind him.

You’re going to want to hold on.

I wrapped my arms around him and he gunned it. I let out a shout of delight as he glided in and out of the cars that were hovering too slowly. This was an awesome experience! The Harley was even better than I had imagined.

Greg pulled into the Combatant Zone and turned off the engine. I got off the bike and just stared at it. So not fair.

You want to see my skills? Show me yours, he stated. I tore my eyes away from the Harley to see him gesturing to the Combatant Zone.

What? I asked, not following.

Get us in there.

I smiled. No problem.

I walked over to the hidden system box, and punched in a code to disarm the sirens and cameras. I re-routed the circuit to the explosives and electrical fence so that the energy would go elsewhere and not set off any warnings to the security office. I closed the box and pushed the gate open.

How… did you do that? he asked in disbelief.

I told you, I’m an outcast.

We entered the training area and he led me to the practice daggers.

You’ve been here five years?

I’m in my sixth.

You ought to be able to adequately fight with one of these then.

Yep, I confidently answered.

He handed me a twelve inch dagger and walked into the pit. I followed after him with a smile. This was going to be fun. He had better be as good as he thinks he is or he’s going to get hurt.

He attacked me the moment I set foot in the pit. I blocked and shoved my other hand into his sternum, knocking him away from me. His face filled with an expression of interest as he began stepping to the left. I kept the same distance between us until I was bored. I attacked again and again. Each time we ended up in a stale mate.

I finally maneuvered through the attack and disarmed him, but he still proved to be a worthy adversary. After several more attempts of me trying to kill him, he had me on my back.

You’re good, he said between deep breaths.

Yes, and you’re better, I replied. I was not nearly as impressed as he sounded. I was annoyed. I hardly ever lost. Especially not when I disarmed my opponent, and after my first year here, I never ended up on my back.

I think I’d like to take you up on that drink, he said, not moving away from me.

What? I asked as I gazed into his blue eyes, searching for the sarcasm.

Maybe, this morning, he whispered, and pressed his lips against mine.

His hands let go of my wrists and moved to my face. I couldn’t believe the energy that filled my body. Every ounce of exhaustion was completely gone. I slid my hands on to his sides as his lips moved to my neck. His lips abruptly moved away from my skin and he lifted me up. I was standing in front of him and he had moved a few feet away.

What just happened?

Sorry, I… he began.

Ready for round two? I asked, not wanting to dwell on the fact that he kissed me and I didn’t knee him between the legs.

Absolutely, he smiled, lifting an eyebrow.

I attacked again and he maneuvered around me, picking up his blade. I shifted my body to the side, turned, and hit his forearm so that his blade missed me. He smirked and spun the other way, forcing me to block. We