α to ζ: Commencement

By Sylvan Scott

Three teens, in the final months before High School graduation, are faced with a huge decision: to use the meta-natural powers they recently gained to become heroic "costumes" or proceed with their life's plans as if nothing had changed. But before they can decide, they become embroiled in a conflict with an organized crime ring bringing into question all of their previously-held ideas and plans.

“α to ζ” (“A to Z”) is my name for a story setting that encompasses magic, super-science, and costumed, powered individuals. The world is populated by humanoid animals in addition to humans. And although humans are the most numerous type of people, they comprise only one of roughly sixteen-hundred different, intelligent, mammalian species dating back to at least the last Ice Age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sylvan Scott
• Release date: Oct 20, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463082140

Sylvan Scott

I wrote about robots. When I was a kid, my first story was about robots that looked like people: the only survivors of a world-wide nuclear war. What can I say? I grew up in the 70's. Since then I've sculpted all manner of stories about all sorts of topics. Science Fiction and Fantasy still remain favorites of mine and, usually, what I can express in speculative fiction I'd rather not express in other formats. I love short stories and am working on making this writing bug that I've harbored for so many years finally work for me. Here goes nothing.

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L. Frank

The world-setting (containing Bayfront-Canal Park, Cheyenne Metanormal Holding Facility, the Hide-Out, Kanatta, Mizhakwad High School, Nickaboine’s, Otawatapolis, Superior Harbor Bay, Superior Technical (College), Terrnova, Vespuccia, and other landmarks within this story’s context) as well as the characters of Blitzine (aka Shanda Haight), Brute (aka Ivan Dvorak), Anton Arthur Brain Mulligan, Deosil, Marcon Matthew Moose Mulligan, Plague (or Outkast aka Simi Sheyre), Quill (aka Spike aka Nicholas ‘Nick’ Sauer) Dr. Shadowbane (aka Dr. Ishari Cohme), Superior Forces, The Superior Squad, Tao (aka Taylor Prust), The Waterway Bastards, and others are owned by Sylvan Scott/David J Rust. This story may not be shared or edited without the express written permission of the author.

α to ζ:

Commencement

©2019 Sylvan Scott

Spring seemed powerless over the retreating season. The ice still piled up in Superior Harbor Bay even as hepatica and trillium blossomed along the Bayfront-Canal boardwalk. Winds as cold as January blew inland from Superior while echoing booms of ice-breaking heavy freighters reverberated through the streets. Superior was the largest settlement in eastern Cheyenne. Repatriated nearly a century before, twenty-some years after the first World War, it was a part of the First Nations of Cheyenne. Capital of Ojibwe Province, it had grown with the Great Lakes trade. Its harbor’s annual, thunderous dirge signaled the city’s procession out of winter no matter how hard the season resisted.

Taylor—tufts of his white fur shedding—nimbly hopped from post to post. His long, vulpine tail caught the lake wind like a flag. Despite the wooden pylons being eight feet apart, he didn’t slow down or miss a step. His bright, blue eyes sparkled as his friends kept pace on the adjacent path.

We should use the small-sized path, Nick complained. "Not on this ... giant ... highway." He fumbled to describe the route where medium- and large-size pedestrians walked. Bundled in several layers of goose-down winter wear, he shivered with each gust of wind. Several quills jutted through his frayed stocking cap.

No one’s gonna step on us, Shanda said. You just want to go home and hibernate.

Porcupines don’t hibernate, he muttered.

Neither do badgers, she replied. And you don’t see me complaining about the weather.

Who’s complaining about the weather? Taylor asked. He was wearing his typical pink, short-sleeve shirt and denim cut-offs.

You’re a fox, Nick said. "An arctic fox, I might add. You wouldn’t have trouble if you went naked in Antarctica."

Taylor flipped acrobatically and landed in front of his friend. Swirls of amber energy followed. He gave the porcupine a quick kiss on the nose. Ooh, you want me naked, now?

Nick rolled his eyes. "We tried that