Ascension: The Interscission Project, #5

By Arshad Ahsanuddin

History is a Lie.  One final battle will decide whether Humanity will survive to tell the tale.

Welcome, to the End of Days.

Jacob Atkins was eighteen years old when he lost his best friend, Mark.  Since then, he's tried to move on with his life, building a career in the Hourglass Corps.  Then an unexpected convergence of events threatens to expose the Hourglass, and destroy everything they have tried to accomplish.

Martin Atkins thought he was perfectly happy as a relatively unremarkable Captain in the Confederation Marines, until a terse message landed in his inbox from a man he thought was the love of his life.  Now, all the secrets his family has inherited are at risk, not only from humanity, but from an insidious threat that he has only glimpsed until now.

Calvin Teague has been Michelle Atkins's obsession since the Janus Incident.  But the fugitive traitor is much more than he appears, and at long last, all the misshapen puzzle pieces fall into place as the mystery of his role is finally unravelled, leaving her with no option but to wage a desperate war against the most implacable and terrifying enemy humanity has ever faced:

Its children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arshad Ahsanuddin
• Release date: May 31, 2019
• ISBN: 9781927528723

Arshad Ahsanuddin

Arshad Ahsanuddin is a practicing hematopathologist, a physician who specializes in using microscopic and laboratory data to diagnose diseases of blood, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, such as leukemia and lymphoma. Yes, a blood doctor writing about vampires. The irony is not lost on him.  For more information about Arshad, or for more information about the series, check out his website at http://pactarcanum.com and leave him some feedback. Social Media: Website:  http://pactarcanum.com/ Blog:  http://pactarcanum.com/blog/ Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/pactarcanum Facebook Page:  http://www.facebook.com/pactarcanum Goodreads Profile:  http://www.goodreads.com/pactarcanum Twitter Handle:  @pactarcanum

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Iteration Timeline

Iteration Two (I–2):

Gifford Sutton mines the Alpha Centauri star system, 2176

Iteration Five (I–5): 

Trinity Spacelines Flight 273 shot down by Gifford, 2176

Iteration Six (I–6):  

Edward Davenport infiltrates the Interscission Project, 2176

Iteration Seven (I–7): 

Martin Atkins and Charles Davenport murdered, 2178

Iteration Eight (I–8): 

Edward Sutton infiltrates the Hourglass Corps, 2178

Iteration Nine (I–9):

Admiral O’Dare kidnaps Martin, Charles, and Jacob, 2164

Iteration Ten (I–10):

Hourglass Corps prevents Janus Station Disaster, 2153

Principal Cast

In order of native iteration:

Iteration Seven:

Annette Sutton: born 2178 (I–7) — daughter of Charles Davenport and Jennifer Donovan, raised by Trevor Sutton and Jennifer Donovan after death of Charles Davenport (2178, I–7), leader of I–7 Traveler community, wife of Marley Sutton (I–9)

Edward Sutton Atkins: born 2178 (I–7)—son of Charles Davenport and Jennifer Donovan, raised by Trevor Sutton and Jennifer Donovan after death of Charles Davenport (2178, I–7), husband of Martin Atkins (I–8)

Iteration Eight:

Governor Martin Atkins (primus): born 2143 (I–8)—leader of Chiron Colony Executive Council

Charles Davenport (primus): born 2138 (I–8)—Member of Chiron Colony Executive Council, husband of Jennifer Davenport (I–8)

Jennifer Donovan Davenport: born 2142 (I–8)—Member of Chiron Colony Executive Council

Jacob Atkins-Knox (primus): born 2143 (I–8)—brother of Martin Atkins, husband of Thomas Atkins-Knox (I–8), Director of Chiron Security

Thomas Atkins-Knox: born 2141 (I–8)—Admiral, Chiron Defense Forces

Henry Bradford (deceased): Commander of the Hourglass Corps after death of Admiral O’Dare (2153), replaced by Matthew Davenport (I–9)

Sophia Wu (deceased): Second-in-Command of Hourglass Corp after death of Admiral O’Dare (2153), replaced by Christopher Davenport (I–9)

Iteration Nine:

Christopher Davenport (aka Martin Atkins secundus): born 2143 (I–9) – Captain of the Hourglass cruiser Mercury, Second-in-Command of the Hourglass Corps

Matthew Davenport (aka Charles Davenport secundus): born 2138 (I–9)—Commander of the Hourglass Corps

Marley Sutton (aka Jacob Atkins secundus): born 2143 (I–9), Fighter Pilot, Chiron Defense Forces

Iteration Ten:

Jacob Atkins (tertius)

Martin Atkins (tertius)

Henry Bradford (secundus): CEO of Starfire Manufacturing

Sophia Wu (secundus): Professor of Engineering, Stanford University

Captain Thomas Knox (secundus): Captain of Starfire research vessel CSS Ascension

Lieutenant Commander Charles Davenport (tertius): Commander, Starfire Corporate Fleet, First Officer of Starfire research vessel CSS Ascension

Lieutenant Alice Neville: Chief Communications and Automation Officer of CSS Ascension

Admiral Michelle Atkins: Director of Confederation Naval Intelligence, mother of Martin and Jacob Atkins (I–10)

Patrick Atkins (deceased): CEO of Adiamant Space Construction, husband of Michelle Atkins (I–10), father of Martin and Jacob Atkins (I–10)

Calvin Teague: former Admiral, mastermind of Janus Station Attack (2153, I–10), fugitive from justice, leader of the Shepherds

Gabriel Black: Journalist, leader of the Watchers, paternal grandfather of Charles Davenport

* * *

By character name:

Martin Christopher Atkins:

Iteration Eight: Martin Atkins (primus)—Governor of Chiron

Iteration Nine: Christopher Davenport (secundus)—Captain of the Mercury

Iteration Ten: Marty Atkins (tertius)

Jacob Franklin Atkins:

Iteration Eight: Jacob Atkins-Knox (primus)—Commander of Chiron Defense Forces

Iteration Nine: Marley Sutton (secundus)—Fighter Pilot, Chiron Defense Forces

Iteration Ten: Jake Atkins (tertius)

Charles Edward Davenport:

Iteration Eight: Charles Davenport (primus)—Member, Chiron Executive Council

Iteration Nine: Matthew Davenport (secundus)—Commander of the Hourglass

Iteration Ten: Charles Davenport (tertius)—Commander, Starfire Corporate Fleet

Thomas Knox:

Iteration Eight: Thomas Atkins-Knox (primus)—Director of Chiron Internal Security

Iteration Ten: Thomas Knox (secundus) Captain, Starfire Corporate Fleet

Henry Bradford:

Iteration Eight: (aka Henry Bowman) Former Commander, Hourglass Corps (deceased)

Iteration Ten: CEO, Starfire Technology Group

Sophia Wu:

Iteration Eight: Former Second-in-Command, Hourglass Corps (deceased)

Iteration Ten: Associate Professor of Engineering, Stanford University

Jennifer Donovan Davenport:

Iteration Eight: Member, Chiron Executive Council

Annette Sutton:

Iteration Seven: Leader of I–7 Traveler community

Edward Sutton Atkins:

Iteration Seven: Director of Chiron AI Project

Alice Neville:

Iteration Ten: Lieutenant, Starfire Corporate Fleet

Michelle Atkins:

Iteration Ten: Admiral, Director of Confederation Naval Intelligence

Calvin Teague:

Iteration Ten: Former Admiral, Leader of the Shepherds

Gabriel Black:

Iteration Ten: Journalist, Leader of the Watchers

Prologue:

Three’s Company

August 2155

Do not put off until tomorrow what can be put off till day-after-tomorrow just as well.

-Mark Twain

Fort Hamilton, New York, Amerizone

Two years after the Janus Incident

Ten-year-old Mark Connors reached out with a stick and poked the enormous bullfrog. It hopped, but not very far. He considered his options, then whacked the stick against the water just behind it. The frog jumped almost a foot in surprise, before resuming its usual expression of boredom. Mark dropped the stick and raised his arms, doing a little dance. I am the champion frog-herder!

Who the heck are you? asked a hostile voice.

Mark turned to see two boys his own age, both with identical green-eyed scowls and floppy black hair. They were dressed in matching blue bathing suits, and the one on the left carried a couple of fluffy red towels.

Mark wasn’t impressed. "Who the heck are you?"

I asked first, said the first twin. And they were in fact twins, Mark saw. They looked identical in every way. Well, it will be interesting to figure out how to tell them apart at least.

So what? he said, striking an aggressive pose.

The other twin, the one who’d kept silent until now, stepped forward. This is our pond. He pushed Mark into the cold water. No one gets to play here without our permission.

Mark bobbed to the surface, sputtering. He glared at the second twin and spat a mouthful of water in his face. Then he lazily paddled in a circle. Then I guess I must have permission, since I’m playing in your pond.

The dry twin sniggered at the wet twin. He has a point.

The wet twin sighed. Them’s the rules.

The dry twin waved at Mark. What’s your name, Lawyer Boy?

Mark splashed the dry twin for good measure, so they’d match. Mark.

The newly wet twin stared at him. I’m Marty, and this is Jake. And you’re going to pay for that.

Mark laughed. Come and get me.

Marty cannonballed into the pond, spraying all three of them with cold water.

Jake dumped the half-sodden towels on the bank and ran headlong into the pond after his brother.

The three of them spent the rest of the day horsing around in the pond. When they finally climbed out, they shivered in the cool breeze of late afternoon.

Jake silently handed Mark his own towel. Mark smiled in gratitude and dried off.

Do you live around here? Marty asked, as Mark handed it back.

Mark pointed. Behind the hill.

Jake paused in the act of toweling off. That’s the Connors place. They don’t have kids.

Mark dropped his gaze and shuffled his feet. I’m adopted.

Oh, said Jake, That makes sense.

Mark raised his gaze. You don’t think that’s a problem?

Marty shrugged. Nah. Everyone comes from somewhere.

Would you like to come home with us? asked Jake. My Mom makes great snacks. For some reason, he was blushing slightly.

Mark shook his head. I should get home. He watched Jake’s expression fall. But I could probably come over tomorrow, once I get permission.

Jake brightened considerably. Great! See you tomorrow then!

Mark waved and began to wander back to his house. In the background, he heard Marty speak in a loud whisper. "You liiiiiiiiike him!"

Shut up, said Jake in a whisper that was equally loud.

Jake and Mark, sitting in a tree... chanted Marty in a singsong voice.

Mark smiled to himself. He couldn’t resist the urge to whistle as he walked home. Step 1: Make Friends—check.

Part I: Lamb’s Blood

May 2161

"The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere  

The ceremony of innocence is drowned."

-Second Coming, W. B. Yeats

A picture containing outdoor, grass, tree, sky Description automatically generated

Chapter 1

Eight years later

Eighteen-year-old Jacob Atkins saw the slap coming a moment before it landed. He rolled his head with the blow, but it still stung like hell. Blinking away a tear, he turned to face her.

Vanessa scowled at him. Please don’t ever speak to me again. She strutted away with a haughty spring in her step.

Jacob rubbed the cold glass of his drink across his throbbing cheek. Well, that could have gone better. Noticing the half-hidden smirks of the other girls in Vanessa’s clique, he slunk away in defeat before the episode could be any more humiliating. Even though he was surrounded by friends, the social dynamic of high school dictated that he be politely ostracized until another suitable target for their gossip presented itself. Wouldn’t be long. Someone’s got to have snuck in a little booze to the last party before graduation.

Suddenly, the press of teenage bodies and loud music seemed less inviting, so he headed for the door of the dance hall and wandered outside. The automatic doors opened with a touch and slid closed behind him, cutting off the driving bass of the sound system. He breathed in the summer air, closed his eyes, and luxuriated in the echoing silence. A light breeze ruffled his shoulder length black hair.

The music blared again momentarily as the doors opened behind him, but he didn’t bother looking. Then a warm weight dropped around his shoulders.

That looked like it hurt.

Jake chuckled. No kidding. He opened his eyes to glance at the young man standing next to him. He was dressed semi-casually, his bleached blond hair a stark contrast to his dark skin and eyes. I should have listened to you.

The other youth grinned and playfully squeezed the back of Jake’s neck. Of course you should have. You ought to get that tattooed somewhere: ‘Always listen to Mark’.

Jake laughed and took a sip of his soda. Sure. Like I’d tramp tatt your name on my body.

Mark pouted comically. You know you love me.

Jake was silent for a moment, considering.

Mark frowned at him. Uh-oh. Serious face.

Jake shrugged off his best friend’s arm and walked to one of the park benches next to the dance hall. The crunch of gravel beneath his feet was the only sound, until he dropped onto the stone slab. I think we need to talk, but I don’t want it to affect our friendship.

Mark sat on the bench next to him. Is something wrong?

No, nothing like that. Jake shook his head. It’s just something Marty said to me a while back, something that I’ve tried not to think about.

Mark sighed. Your brother’s always had his eye on me about something. What is it this time?

Jake licked his lips. He thinks that, well... He dried his palms on his slacks. "He thinks that you want me. He glanced at Mark, noting the other man’s blank expression. That you want to be more than friends."

Mark set his drink on the bench and turned to give Jake his full attention. Would that be a bad thing?

Jake shook his head stiffly. No! Not at all. Just, I’m not sure what to think about it, if it were true.

How long have we been friends, Jacob? asked Mark, his voice quiet.

Eight years, I guess, but it feels like forever.

And are you sure you want to have this conversation? Now?

I ... I just don’t want to give you the wrong impression, or lead you on.

You didn’t. Mark smiled at him. You don’t. The smile slipped slightly. I did that all on my own. I take it you’re not interested.

Jake’s mouth was dry. He swallowed, trying to loosen his voice. I never said that.

Mark raised his eyebrows. "Then what are you saying?"

It’s just ... you and me ... we’re tight, aren’t we? You’re my best friend. Maybe I don’t want to mess with that. Jake dropped his gaze.

I’ll always be your best friend, Jake. Mark covered Jake’s hand with his own. Nothing will change, whether we’re together or not.

Is that what you want? For us to be together?

Mark sat back and grinned. Again, would that be a bad thing?

Jake took a deep breath and let it out. You know my Mom’s been transferred to Fort Kepler. He swallowed again. We’ll be moving off-world in less than a month.

Mark said nothing, just waited.

It’s just that we won’t have much time before I leave.

Aaaaaand? asked Mark, in a long drawl.

Fuck it, said Jake, under his breath. Then he leaned forward and kissed his friend.

Mark wrapped his hand around the back of Jake’s head, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss as he responded to it. After a moment, he drew back, his lips curled up in an eager smile. Tell me what you want.

You, whispered Jake. I want you. Tonight. Before it’s too late.

Mark ran his thumb along Jake’s cheek, sensitive to the touch of his friend’s shaven jaw. You know, it’s been a while since I climbed the tree in your yard to get to your room. He stood. Maybe you should leave your window open tonight.

* * *

Hourglass Headquarters, Luna

Matthew Davenport woke slowly, awareness seeping gradually into full consciousness as the bright light hit his bleary eyelids. When he opened his eyes, the harsh sunlight reflected from the lunar landscape was softened by the sheer blind drawn over the window. He rolled onto his side, automatically reaching out to pull his lover close. His hand came down upon empty space and sheets cool to the touch. Matthew forced himself to focus on the bedside clock. Hmmm. Chris is up early. Wonder why he didn’t wake me?

He slid out of bed and rummaged in his top dresser for clean clothes. Opting for a simple pair of shorts and a T-shirt, he dressed silently before padding out of the bedroom toward the kitchen.

Christopher was sitting at the table, wearing a short blue robe and munching on a croissant as he flipped through the morning reports on his tablet. His face split into a wide grin as Matthew entered. Morning.

Matthew bent down to brush his lips against Christopher’s before taking a seat at the table next to him. Morning, Love. He glanced at the titanium band around Christopher’s finger, the twin to his own ring. Happy Anniversary.

Leaning over, Christopher stroked his knuckles along Matthew’s cheekbone. Happy 4th. Care for some breakfast?

Matthew nodded. Sure. He watched his husband get to his feet and putter around their kitchen.

He treasured these quiet moments of domestic harmony, free from the demands of daily life. It was only a matter of time before their responsibilities as acting leaders of the Hourglass Corps would come knocking. But for now, it was just the two of them, together.

Christopher set a plate of toast and jam in front of him. I wish we had more time, today of all days. He sighed as he took his seat.

Matthew ruffled the short spikes of Christopher’s unruly hair, laughing when his husband batted his hand away. Don’t worry about it. Family is important. Tell Jake and Marty congratulations for me, and ask Marley to come visit more often.

Christopher nodded. I had hoped to spend the day in bed with you: no worries, no Hourglass crises, just us for a while.

Matthew smiled lazily. How soon do you have to leave?

Three hours.

Well, there’s a lot you can do in three hours.

Christopher sat back in his chair, his heated gaze roaming over Matthew’s body. Did you have anything specific in mind?

I can think of quite a number of things, actually, but I’ll let you surprise me.

Christopher chuckled. What are we waiting for?

* * *

Jake’s eyes snapped open, catapulting him into wakefulness just as he passed the point of no return. His hips bucked as he came violently, gasping for breath. Mark pulled his lips off his friend’s cock, giving the tip a playful last swirl with his tongue, and then crawled up Jake’s body, leaving a trail of feather-light kisses in his wake.

When they were finally eye-to-eye, Jake smiled at him. Good morning.

Mark snorted, and then kissed him on the lips. Is that the best you can do?

Oh, my God, you’re the greatest cocksucker in the world! Jake wrapped his arms around Mark and rolled over on top. Smirking, he touched his forehead to Mark’s. Then again, I thought that part went without saying.

A likely story. See if I ever wake you up with a blowjob again.

Jake kissed him again. Not if I wake you up, first. He lifted his head slightly to stare into Mark’s steel-gray eyes. What’s the occasion?

Well, I woke up naked in bed with my best buddy, and I was just checking to see if it was a dream. Mark shrugged, and then licked his lips. Apparently not—by the taste of it.

So, are we boyfriends now? Jake tenderly brushed his thumb along Mark’s cheekbone.

Damn straight. If you want to be.

Jake rolled to his side. Propping his head on his elbow, he raised one eyebrow and ran his other index finger down Mark’s chest. So where do we go from here?

Mark climbed out of bed, reaching for his clothes. Well, right this second, I have to go home and change.

For a moment, Jake admired his friend’s chiseled body. Then he caught sight of the wall clock behind him. Ten o’clock. Shit! He threw aside the covers and scrambled to his feet.

Mark laughed. It’s your own fault for not setting an alarm. He tucked his shirt tail into his pants. Hurry up and get dressed. Your brother stopped by a few minutes ago, inviting you down for breakfast.

Jacob paused in the act of pulling on his own pants. Did he, uh...

Mark frowned. Yeah, he saw me. He gave Jake a piercing look. He knows about us. Does that bother you?

No! Jake answered, a little too sharply. He walked to the closet and deliberately pulled out a white linen shirt.

The two of them finished dressing in silence. I’m not ashamed of being with you, Jake said softly. It’s just weird keeping a secret from him. We used to tell each other everything.

Well, your secret’s out, buddy. Mark leaned in and kissed Jake lightly on the lips. Now, get going before your folks send out a search party. See you at Graduation. He clambered out of the open window and shimmied down the sloped roof toward the street.

Jake turned away from the window and grabbed the tie he’d laid out earlier. He’s gone.

The door opened immediately, and his twin walked in. Martin glanced at the open window, and then back at Jacob. You and Mark? Really?