Cassie's Troubles: SkyRyders: Seeds of the Future, #2

By Liza O'Connor

The SkyRyders are no longer the best-skilled fliers in the sky, and MAC is determined to rectify the situation by breeding better fliers. However, the introduction of an exceptional flier into the project brings an underlying cancer to light. Convinced the Corp removed a maneuver so a female could pass the flight exam, the male cadets in the Academy revolt. Sensing chaos and mutiny at the Fort, the enemy cartel gathers a force to annihilate the entire West Coast forces.

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Authors Online
• Release date: Nov 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393052135

Liza O'Connor

   Liza lives in Denville, NJ with her dog Jess. Having an adventurous nature, she learned to fly small Cessnas in NJ, hang-glide in New Zealand, kayak in Pennsylvania, ski in New York, scuba dive with great white sharks in Australia, dig up dinosaur bones in Montana, sky dive in Indiana, and raft a class four river in Tasmania. She’s an avid gardener, amateur photographer, and dabbler in watercolors and graphic arts. Yet through her entire life, her first love has and always will be writing novels. She loves to create interesting characters, set them loose, and scribe what happens in a myriad of genres. http://www.lizaoconnor.com/   

Book preview

Chapter 1

April 2236

Cassie Brown believed women of the twenty-third century to be inherently flawed. They lacked ambition. Their only inspirations were marriage and having virgin-birth babies.

Even as a little girl, Cassie wanted more to her dreams. The other little girls would dream about finding a fairy tale prince of a husband. Cassie dreamed of being the first female president of the Americas, or a great scientist.

As a young woman, she now knew becoming the president was impossible in the chauvinistic male-oriented society that had taken root since the Czech Terror Wars began. However, being a scientist remained possible as long she could continue her education.

Recently, the Czechs had discovered a way to escape the high winds of their country and reach the Americas. And while our SkyRyders killed swarms of them daily, there always seemed to be more of them on the horizon. She feared how her father would react to this new danger.

She mulled over the situation as she lay on a blanket stretched out on the campus grounds. Convincing her father that she was safer at school became more difficult every month. Honestly, he saw her education as a type of ‘finishing school’ before marriage, not as the first step to a meaningful life.

She lost her train of thought the moment a squad of SkyRyders dropped from the sky and landed twenty feet to her left. She noticed they wore combat gear. Two of them were young women, and both were armed to the teeth, same as the men. She liked that.

A male SkyRyder, slightly older and rather easy on the eyes with his chiseled looks, approached her as the others folded their catchers into small bundles.

If you were going to buy drugs on this campus, where would you go? His lips turned into a seductive half-grin.

She smiled in return. I’d go have my head examined. She nodded at the frat house on the corner. However, idiots who have no appreciation for their brain cells go over to the green house on the corner, but somehow I suspect you already know that.

I always like to get a local confirmation whenever possible and especially if it means talking to a pretty young woman.

She smiled at his compliment. Normally, such a line would piss her off, but not when it came from those lips.

You wouldn’t happen to know whether they conduct their business in the cellar or the attic, would you?

Cassie gave this some thought. "I’ve never been in the house, but I have lectured a few girlfriends after they’ve gone there, and I noticed they had cobwebs from the Andillous family on their clothes.

Cobwebs can be found in both cellars and attics.

Not troglobiont cobwebs. They are only found in moist areas such as the Cully River canyon and on rare occasions, basements, if they’ve been extended deep into the rock of the cliffs behind the house.

He smiled appreciatively at her observation. That is most helpful. He returned to his crew.

She watched as they disappeared right before her eyes. She had heard the Ryders had suits that made them invisible. She had thought it was bullshit, just something to scare little drug-dealers out of a life of crime. Now she saw it was true. Her mind turned to working out how they did that.

A few minutes later, she heard the low rumble of a concussion bomb from within the building and the cliff behind it. Silence followed. Except for a few people near the building running like hell to get away, no one came out of the house. She worried about the Ryders. She should have mentioned the frat house might be well-armed, but then shouldn’t they expect that?

The Ryders reappeared in front of their gear. The captain, however, materialized beside her. He knelt and studied her with his intense blue eyes. Lots of guys took notice of her, but this was different. He seemed to be measuring her worth as an intelligent human being. What’s your major?

Quantum Physics, and Mathematics.

He nodded with approval and handed her a card. Keep this card in case you ever want a career with the Corp. It will exempt you from years of screening.

Thanks, but I’m going to finish school and become a scientist.

He smiled and stood up. Good for you. We hire scientist, you know. Then he rejoined his group and latched into his catcher. Upon his command, the squad soared into the sky as if they were puppets yanked from the story.

Just as they disappeared, a ping sounded from her laptop, alerting her she had mail. Cassie glanced at the email. It was from her father. She opened it, expecting him to explain why the funds for this semester had yet to arrive into the school’s account. She had already received a second notice. Upon reading the email, she understood why the money had not arrived. According to her father, her education had gone on long enough and it was time for her to take on adult responsibilities. A car would come for her at three today, and tomorrow she would be married to some man she had never met in her life.

She fingered the card in her hand. A life in the Corp sounded a hell of a lot better than her current future.

CASSIE CALLED THE NUMBER on the card. The man who answered invited her to come for an immediate interview. When she arrived, the recruiting officer was both respectful and enthusiastic about her possible careers within the Corp. Because rank was decided by MAC, the non-biased computer that ran the Corp, women could advance up the ranks of the Corp, same as a man. The Corp had a proud history of great women officers, including several Generals. He told her about General Alisha Kane and her meteoric rise.

He then explained the Corp would invest more in a soldier who was willing to make a serious commitment in return. If she were willing to commit the time, they were willing to foot the bill for the special training required to move a soldier from good to great.

Focused on the goal of becoming a general, Cassie enlisted as a SkyRyder with a twenty-year commitment, which placed her on the fast track for training and promotions. She signed the contract, making her safe from her father, her unknown fiancé, and the countless lawyers her father would unleash to get her back.

She was headed to her new base two hundred miles away before her father’s car arrived on campus to retrieve her. She knew she’d never see her family again. But given the choice of the life her father offered to the opportunities of the Corp, she never wavered in her conviction she had made the right decision.

LIKE ALL RECRUITS, she entered as a first-year cadet. Being a cadet was hard, but she expected it to be hard.

While she wasn’t treated noticeably different from her male counterparts, she did notice all the captains, lieutenants, and every other officer she saw were men. Looking around her, twenty percent of the cadets were women and some of them were damn good fliers. So where were they going? Why weren’t any becoming captains?

Her captain, Captain Dan Torres, told her to stop worrying about the other women and just focus on herself. She had talent, and if she applied herself, there was no limit to how far she might go. He’d tell her these words of encouragement when she lay in his cot at night. During the day, he bellowed and threatened her much the same as he did the other cadets in his squad.

She resented the dual relationship at times, and by the end of her year, she preferred the bellowing to the praises, because when she really started to show progress, their relationship turned downwind, and the sweet praises turned sour, more like belittlements disguised as praise. What her captain didn’t realize was that the more he bellowed, the harder she worked to prove him wrong.

The day she successfully completed her test on the glide maneuver was the happiest day of her life. It wasn’t just that she’d move to a better squad and captain. It wasn’t even that she had learned a maneuver that only a small percentage of fliers ever mastered, and it had taken her one month, not years, to do it. The reason this was the best day of her life was for the first time, she felt real hope. Cassie Brown knew without a doubt she could and would become a general of the SkyRyders’ Corp.

Chapter 2

Twelve months later , Cassie glared at the grey walls of General Adams’ waiting room. Of all the betrayals in her life, this was the hardest slam, and because of her twenty-year contract she signed, she didn’t see how she’d get out of it.

What angered her most was she hadn’t even seen it coming. Yet, she should have. The signs were there. She had noticed the absence of women captains, yet she let her captains distract her with lectures to focus on herself: Apply yourself and you’ll go far.

Well, she applied herself, and look where it got her, in some Ryder’s version of a medieval harem. She had flown herself right into the Corp’s dirty secret that no female recruit ever heard about.

Dare to exceed and the Corp turns you into a breeding cow to make future fliers.

Cadet Brown, the general will see you now, the male admin announced.

Cassie stood up and tugged at the ridiculous short skirt she wore. She longed for her fly-suit.

General Adams surprised her. He was both younger and better-looking than the general at Dix, and the expression on his face, she had never seen on a general’s face before. He looked at her with an expression of kindness. It still didn’t change her resolution not to be part of this breeding program. She had not signed up for harem duty.

Sit down, Cadet Brown, the general ordered.

Cassie sat in the chair on the other side of his desk and tugged at her skirt.

He smiled at her sympathetically. It’s just a uniform, cadet. I find all this braid about the neck quite irritating, myself.

If you want to trade uniforms, sir, I’m game, she replied.

He gave her a slight smile and walked around the desk. Leaning against its edge, he studied her. You aren’t particularly pleased with your new assignment.

No, sir, I’m not, she replied curtly.

I remember when I first became general here. My supply chain was an absolute disaster. Everyone I put in the job hated it. Each flier I tried to put in the role was worse than the one before. Finally, a wise old general suggested I appoint someone to the job who actually liked logistics. I did, and I’ve never had a supply problem again.

That is a very inspiring story, sir.

What did you find inspiring about it, Cassie?

The change in his voice and the use of her first name in such a familiar manner threw her off-guard for a moment, but she rallied.

It inspires me to inform you I find my new assignment insulting and belittling, and I will be extraordinarily bad at it.

The general laughed softly. Everyone feels that way at first. Come back in six months and if you still hate it, I’ll get you transferred into a regular Corp unit.

Six months?

A cadet as determined as you—you can survive anything for six months, can’t you?

Yes, sir.

You’re not still a virgin, correct?

Cassie felt her cheeks warm. No, sir.

Generally speaking, did you enjoy your sexual experiences?

Cassie was certain she was now beet red. Yes, sir, they were okay.

Well, I hope you will find them better than okay during your six months. After all you should get some reward for sticking it out. You were explained the rules of engagement?

Yes, sir.

Could you tell me what they are, so I can be certain you’ve understood them all?

There are to be twenty-four men on my list. I am to couple with no less than two a day until the medic certifies I’m pregnant. No one can force me or take me if I’m not properly stimulated. However, I must allow the men the right to touch me so that I can be stimulated. I think that was all. Cassie finished through clenched teeth.

You seem angry now, he observed.

I am. I get angry every time I think about this ‘job.’ You know, back before the Terror Wars, women had equal rights. Now, we’ve fallen back to medieval ways. I joined the Corp, so I wouldn’t be sold into a marriage with a man I didn’t even know, so I could breed him children. And yet the Corp expects me to do the same damn thing, except now I’ll have twenty-four damn men to please!

Now you see, there is a difference. The Corp doesn’t expect you to please twenty-four men. It expects twenty-four men to please you. You have the upper hand, Cadet Brown. You get to select the twenty-four men you want on your list. You get to decide when and where you want your pleasure. You are the one in control, because you are part of the Corp’s most important project.

Cassie stared at him in disbelief.

I can see you don’t believe me yet, but I give you my word, if you sincerely try to do this job, then in six months, you can have a transfer if you want out.

In six months, I could be pregnant, she muttered.

If you are, once the child is carried to term, you will receive a promotion of one rank and a transfer.

Cassie was shocked. A promotion—that would be worth six months of torture in itself. I’ll try it for six months, sir.

I hope that means you’ll try with the same dedication you’ve applied to flying.

Yes, sir. She stood up, tugging down her skirt.

Then, let me help you get off on the right foot before your commanding officer comes in. Underwear is not part of your uniform.

Cassie blinked in confusion. Are you saying I’m not allowed to wear underwear, sir?

No bra beneath the jacket and no panties beneath the skirt. Both impede the objectives of the program, he explained. You might want to get rid of them quickly, or you’ll start your new career off with a hundred demerits when Arial sees you.

Could you turn around, sir?

The general smiled and did as she requested. He remained turned around when Arial knocked and entered the room.

Arial. He smiled and kissed her affectionately. This is our new cadet, Cassie Brown. Cadet, this is General Arial Logan.

Call me Arial. Both my mother and father were ‘General Logans’ as well. Too many generals and too many Logans.

General Adams kissed her on the forehead. But only one Arial. She was the highest ranked flier in the Corp until this year when two of her children managed to out-fly her.

Arial sighed and looked at Cassie. The painful part of the story is the two little flybirds are only seven and eight. To be out-flown by children is down-right embarrassing.

"You’re the General Logan who fought the Broadtown battle?" Cassie asked.

No! That was my mother, she replied with a slight frown.

Arial is responsible for moving our flying skills to new levels. She invented the glide which you recently passed with high marks.

I thought we stole that from the Cartel, Cassie said and immediately regretted her words. Pissing off your commander was always a stupid idea.

Fortunately, Arial didn’t seem pissed. Actually, the Cartel stole it from me. Unfortunately, at the time, we had very few fliers with the raw talent to learn the move. The Cartel recruited and trained scavengers who had a higher degree of natural talent. All they needed was training, and the Cartel invested the time.

Adams nodded and approached her. There were a few years where the entire country was in danger of falling to the rule of the Cartel due to our lesser talent. MAC created the Breeding Project to ensure we never face that crisis again. The first generation of the program is showing tremendous promise.

Adams smiled at her. You are part of MAC’s most important project now. Arial is your commanding officer. She’ll be glad to fill in the details of your responsibilities and see you settled in.

Cassie had been holding her underwear behind her back. When Arial told her to follow her out, she had no idea what she was going to do with them. To her surprise, General Adams gathered them out of her hand and slid them out of sight.

Do your best, Cadet Brown, he encouraged and gave her a conspirator’s smile.

Once out of his office Arial placed her hand on Cassie’s shoulder. At ease, Cadet. This job allows us a lot more freedom. We are not required to walk around like little tin Soldiers in battle gear all day.

I like wearing battle gear, sir.

Officers in the Project are referred to as ma’am. Female officers not in the Project, and there are some, are referred to as ‘sir.

Sorry, sir...ma’am, Cassie replied.

Arial smiled and handed her a list. Now this is the list of twenty-four men MAC has pre-selected for you. I’ll take you around to meet them now.

General Adams said the selection would be my choice.

Arial’s hand gently massaged her shoulder. It is your choice. However, there are over three hundred qualified candidates in this academy, and you don’t know any of them right now. It’s better if you have a list to start. As you meet various Ryders you may go on your web page and remove names and add others. Just remember the list must remain at twenty-four. I cannot tell you how many requests I get to have the list expanded.

Expanded?

Arial laughed. I know you find that hard to believe now, but yes, a majority, including myself, would like to have it expanded to thirty, but for some mathematical reasons, MAC wishes it held to twenty-four.

Cassie frowned, wondering what would be driving a twenty-four limit.

Does the length of the list worry you, Cassie?

Cassie looked at her in confusion.

You look concerned. There is no need to be. You are only required to partner with two each day, although most of us prefer a higher ratio. It provides better results.

Cassie couldn’t imagine she’d be going for higher ratios. Actually; I was trying to figure out why MAC wanted twenty-four. I’m rather into numbers.

That’s right you were a mathematics-major in college. Flying skill and brains—no wonder MAC is so keen about you.

MAC is keen about me? she asked in amazement.

Very much so. You see, Cassie, some of the women in the Project, MAC believes have capped out on their own progress, yet the level they have reached justifies them to be in the project. Others, like you, have not yet reached your full contribution, so MAC ensures that even while you contribute to the Project, you’ll receive further training and education.

Cassie stopped and stared at her. This was the first promising point about this project she had heard. What does that mean?

Well, in your case quite a lot. Since MAC feels both your flying and intelligence levels have not fully developed, you will continue your flight training here until you are in your fourth month of pregnancy. At that point, you will switch to an intense education training through the remainder of your pregnancy and until you can resume flight. This dual investment in your skills will continue as long as you continue to show improvement.

Cassie smiled.

Arial stroked her cheek. MAC sees great potential in you. Take this opportunity as far as you can run with it. There is nothing in your way.

Arial continued to speak as they moved toward the main compounds of the Fort. Now since your future looks so promising, let me discuss ranking within the Project. MAC assigns our ranks just as it does for all the Corp. However, our ranking is a little more complex. Before I go into the details, simply put: You are ranked on the total contribution of yourself and your offspring.

That means the more children you have, the higher your rank. However, if you make outstanding contributions on your own, and you have that potential in two fields, then that increases your rank as well. Additionally, all children are tested yearly, and ranked within their age category. Their rankings impact your score as well.

"MAC also gives higher scores for successfully breeding with a variety of men. Initially, some women in the program would choose two of the twenty-four men and ignore the remainder. It is their right to do so, but it drops their score and thus, their overall rank. Just like in any part of this Corp, rank does matter. You’ve never been anything but a private, so for you, you’ll actually experience a positive improvement here at the Academy, but when someone in the project rest on her laurels too long and loses focus as to the goals of this project, then a