Rubicon: Tracker Trilogy, #0

By Deven Kane

It was bad enough when the Hoarders — the "one percent" — built their fortified Enclaves and left the rest of humanity to fend for itself. Now, they're experimenting with microtechnology on innocent people, and deploying kill squads of Trackers.

A small group of Runners has had enough.

It's time to fight back.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Smoke Valley Press
• Release date: Oct 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781989509104

Deven Kane

Deven Kane plays a mean bass and loves to tell stories. He writes dystopian thrillers and urban fantasy, which he describes as “supernatural thrillers set on another world.” “Speculative fiction allows me to explore human nature, interpersonal conflicts, the desire to rise above our circumstances, and the obstacles that hold us back,” he says. “No matter the setting—Earth’s near future, the past, or an alien culture on another planet—the most compelling stories are always about our interactions with each other. The good, the bad, the ugly, and our need to transcend.” His novels include the dystopian Tracker Trilogy (Tracker, Dissident, and Scorpion), and the urban fantasies Darkwood and Treehawke. Deven and Wendy live under the benevolent supervision of their bemused dog.

Book preview

Rubicon

RUBICON

TRACKER TRILOGY PREQUEL

DEVEN KANE

©2019 Deven Kane

Smoke Valley Press

Rubicon (Tracker Trilogy Prequel) is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved.

Cover Image by Myriam Zilles (Pixabay)

Author photo by Wendy McAlpine www.lakecitypictures.com

eISBN: 978-1-989509-10-4

Vellum flower icon Created with Vellum

CONTENTS

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

Scene 6

Also by Deven Kane

About the Author

SCENE 1

Are they still following? Sarah clutched the steering wheel as their stolen vehicle bounced over the rut-ravaged road.

Thomas wrapped his fist around the handgrip above the passenger seat, swiveling for a quick look behind. Maybe … I can’t tell. Too much dust. He faced forward, wiping sweat from his forehead. What are Hoarders doing out here, so far from the Enclave?

Sarah shook her head, twice, in short, sharp jerks. How would I know? They’re here — that’s all that matters. The real question is, was there a Tracker with them?

She held her breath as they jolted over the crest of the next hill. Thomas braced himself as the front end dropped onto the downslope with a tooth-rattling impact. Sarah down-shifted to compensate, and the outsized tires found a new grip on the unpaved road. Emboldened, she stomped on the accelerator, and the truck lurched forward, spitting gravel.

The forest closed in on either side as they caromed downhill. Thomas’s mind raced, almost as chaotic as their headlong flight.

We need to ditch the truck. His voice betrayed his tension, and he knew