At Scales Edge

By S.M. Winter

A modern science fiction two-part novel finds Casandra, a military leader, in a world ruled by women. An Amazonian/Greek fusion utopia spans the world that overnight solved nearly all the world's problems.

But, of course, things are not as they appear. Men are subjugated, genetic experimentation has run amok, and there is a series of terror
attacks that the ruling class (The Uniformity) would rather sweep under the rug than solve.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.M. Winter
• Release date: Apr 24, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463161784

S.M. Winter

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At Scales Edge

Part One

Copyright 2020 S.M. Winter

Published by S.M. Winter at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold 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 are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To the future.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

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

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Letter From the Author

Hierarchy

Historia

Other Books by S.M. Winter

Connect With the Author

Acknowledgements

First, I would like to thank my Beta Readers. Without whom I would not have been able to publish this novel. I appreciate their unfiltered feedback that always brings my writing to the next level. Not to mention more rum in my glass. Megan, Christy, Kane, Nicole, Marc, and Paul; Thank you.

I would also like to thank my editor, Aimee, who has to deal with me on a daily basis on rewrites. She’s very patient and I love her dearly, even when she reads me my own writing in a voice made for horror movies… or romantic comedies.

Finally, I want to thank the readers. Especially the women. Your experiences, while unique to you, follow a pattern of societal misogyny which we’ve all lived through our entire lives. You are powerful, even though there are some who seek to steal that power from you. It needs to change.

I will also state that no, I don’t think the systematic subjugation of men is the answer… but it might be fun.

Enjoy.

The following is an adult novel with the following possible triggers: sexual assault, sex, strong language, gaslighting, brainwashing, non-consent.

An explosion rocked me back onto my heels.

If I hadn’t been expecting it, I would be on the ground like the others.

But this wasn’t my first rodeo.

Advance! I yelled at the greenies as they ducked and covered.

The heat was immense. I watched one soldier pick herself up, grit her teeth and keep moving. Tears were streaming down her face,tracking dirty streaks down her cheeks and neck.

Her legs wobbled, but she remained low as she advanced at the front of the group. I could see her fear and admired the way she pushed through it. She was one to watch.

Blast helmets gleamed in the light of the fires ahead. Vehicles exploded. A building collapsed. I remained watchful, even though I knew this simulation like the back of my hand. You’d never know when someone would throw you a curveball.

I pressed forward from our flank as they moved up the street. They weren't in the formation they’d learned recently, but I held my tongue. This was just a test simulation to see who stood out and remembered their training.

As they moved, I noted two soldiers flanking the one I’d seen earlier. They crouched as they moved swiftly but cautiously toward the checkpoint.

With a rallying yell, men came at the recruits from all sides. I side stepped a rushing man and moved into the shadows so that I could observe the chaos. Some held crude weapons as they charged, others tossed flaming cocktails, their explosions adding to the growing chaos. . One soldier took a knife to the back as she was distracted by everything happening in front of her. She fell and the man moved on as her image wavered and disappeared.

After several minutes, the three I’d initially noted were the only ones left. They stood back to back with their rifles held high, conserving their dwindling ammo as much as possible. They lined up shots and put the enemy down quickly and efficiently.

I saw the smiles of triumph on their faces as the last man fell. All three immediately looked to me, an arrogant air of victory surrounding them. That was their mistake.

With a screeching whistle, the three were thrown apart like rag dolls.

A lone woman she stood in the middle of the road ahead, focused on reloading the RPG she held. They hadn’t noticed her. The greenies had been so focused on annihilating the men surrounding them, that they’d forgotten to look ahead.

In the time it took them to look at me with arrogance, so sure in their victory, she was able to line up her shot and let loose an RPG. Before she could fire again I smirked at them.

End simulation, I sighed.

That wasn’t fair! The leader of the three stomped toward me, ripping off her AV glasses and pointing a finger at my chest.

I didn’t design the simulation, I quirked a brow as she rose on her toes to meet me eye to eye.

She was careful not to touch me. Her posture was threatening, nonetheless.

Rhonda, one of the flankers whispered.

No, she waved the flanker off. I noted that the third was at her side as well, unconsciously moving into the defensive.

Careful, recruit, I cautioned. I didn’t move a muscle as the others in the class turned to watch the show. They knew what could happen to a recruit who threatened their superior.

You just didn’t want us to surpass your record, the girl snapped into my chest. It was the closest she could reach, as I stood nearly two heads above her.

I smiled as she began to gesture toward the screen, giving me an opening.

A lesson you must always remember, quick as a snake I snagged her wrist, and using the momentum of my turn, I pulled her over my shoulder so she tumbled over me and landed on her back. This happened so fast that the flankers just stood there watching, slack-jawed. I continued to hold her wrist and planted a booted foot against her neck lightly, but firmly, as she struggled to regain the breath.

I let the silence hang heavy in the room for another beat.

Even women can join the resistance. Always be on your guard, or you will be lucky to only end up with a boot on your neck.

I released my hold and walked to the wall of silicone busts designed to hold the equipment the class had been using. I refused to let my superiors know that they creeped me out with their absent staring eyes, and blue-clear gel skin.

I placed my AV glasses and sensor gloves in their designated places next to the bust that held my personal equipment. The greenies in the room stepped around the girl on the ground silently as she lay there, her breath slowly returning to normal. One of the flankers extended a hand but she shoved it away and got up to follow the rest of the class. I moved to the door and watched them put their equipment away the same way I had. There were a few whispers of Thank you Hop and I can’t wait for next time as they left. I nodded and held myself at parade rest as they filtered out.

She really is as tough as they say, I heard one of the flankers whisper as the last three left. As they filtered down the hall, I even heard a few reverent Zeros. I shook my head, with a small self-indulgent grin and turned back to the task at hand. It was amazing that such a small nickname could still be uttered nearly twenty years later.

Powering down the machine, I ensured that the equipment was all accounted for. I noted the recruits who had left their helmets hanging messily off the busts. They would start out with negative points during the next class. When I was sure that everything was ship-shape I walked out into the hall, closing the door behind me to the simulation room. The locks engaged and I stood, absorbing the late afternoon light that shone through the wall of windows opposite the classrooms.

The building, and others like it, had been created early in the 22nd century, to be seen as a beacon of light and hope. There were only ten in the entire world, one in every territory on Earth. The reflection of the light in the entirely glass outer walls was to symbolize the new beginning for Earth under leadership that would preserve the planet, and a new way of rule focused on the planet and human sustenance rather than money and materialistic gains. It seemed an impossible task when our foremothers took up the reigns but they’d succeeded; bringing the world back from the brink of destruction, and our race with it. The Universal World Government Authority College was created, a completely free institution that fed both physical and mental aspects of learning. It was completely uniform in what was tested and taught so that every student, regardless of background, would get the exact same education as anyone else. Because of this, the UWGA and its colleges were termed the Uniformity.

I stretched, rolling my neck on my shoulders, and finally let my body relax. If that was the best the Uniformity had to offer, then my record would be safe for another year.

It always surprised me when the recruits who came through here didn’t believe that a woman could betray everything we had created. I shook my head and strode down the glowing hallway to take advantage of the ten minutes between classes to relieve myself. I was back standing at parade rest again when the next set of recruits entered.

Grab the first available set of VR equipment and take your station, I barked.

Their initial hesitance melted away as they rushed to grab their equipment and then to the round raised platforms, arranged in rows of three back and five across. Mine stood front and center, facing the others. I slipped on my gloves, which tracked my movements, then the glasses. They curled around the ear and had noise canceling earbuds attached.

Suit-up! I barked and stepped up onto the platform.

The front of the platform had a chest tall handrail, with the base consisting of a circular tread that moved in sync with your every step. It sat two meters in circumference to compensate for anyone who ended up prone, which they all did at some point. It cut down on the amount of recruits in each class, but that meant I was able to pay special attention to those under my training.

As soon as I stepped onto the platform it began to glow and an administrative menu popped up, hovering in midair for me to see.

Hoplomachos 5-B Casey: Training program 5A : Initiate?

Verify comms, I said quietly, so that only those who had their glasses on and secured could hear.

Every recruit signalled active. I stood at parade rest, just watching. I could see the heart rates of those around me through the administrative menu and waited. Some began to slow, others raced with the uncertainty. Recruits began looking around, as if curious what we were waiting for. There were a few who were crouched inready positions, and stayed that way. My lips twitched towards a smile, it was obvious that they assumed it would be the same simulation the last class had gone through.

Harness up! I barked.

I reached up and attached the harness hanging above my head to the link on my standard issue utility belt. I saw confusion then compliance as they mimicked my actions. From the projected menu, I used hand signals to load the program I wanted for this class. Their heartbeats began to spike as they realized that the program may not be the same as what the last class experienced. When I had the program loaded and ready, I stood still and waited for all of the recruits to relax again.

As soon as all of their heart rates had calmed to a rested rate, I pushed the button to initiate the program.

The scenery loaded around me. This one was one of my favorites. I stood on a small floating platform, in the middle of a large placid lake. Bright green trees surrounded the shores. A large yellow sun in a cornflower blue sky arched high above. The humidity immediately had my shirt sticking to my chest as I stood above the recruits, who sat in three rafts. Each raft contained five recruits. Two on either side and one at the aft for steering.

Paddles! I barked and they picked up their lightweight paddles, holding them at the ready.

A few of the soldiers began giggling. I wasn't sure if it was in relief or anticipation.

North face! I commanded, and the three rafts turned to the north efficiently.

Forward, Paddle!

Quickly and quietly the three rafts moved forward as one. Soon, as I expected, the company began to race. They’d already forgotten that this was a battle simulation and were trying to pull ahead of one another, lost in the simple joy of boating. This would be an important lesson.

As one recruit crowed her triumph at pulling ahead of the other two rafts, she suddenly slumped forward, dropping her paddle. Her form shook, then disappeared.

A zipping sound became noticeable as another, then another, recruit went down. One recruit panicked and stood up in their raft.

ZIP... ZIP ZIP.

The one standing took three hits to the chest and fell into the water.

The rest of the recruits finally realized what was happening. Some abandoned the rafts and attempted to swim ashore, but were picked off one by one. Soon enough there were only two left. They'd managed to overturn one of the abandoned rafts and were using it as a shield. It offered some cover, but the rubber raft was heavy and not bulletproof. The enemy sprayed the raft and eventually their bullets hit their marks. I double checked my administrative menu, confirming that all recruits had fallen.

I disengaged the program and watched the crestfallen recruits wait for their impending verbal lashing.

I would be disappointed, if this wasn’t exactly what I expected, was all I said.

Heads drooping, the recruits moved to the wall and replaced their equipment. When they were finished, I looked at the clock, which logged that only 15 minutes lapsed. They formed neat rows, standing at attention, waiting for me to dismiss them. I replaced my equipment and returned to the head of the class where I stood at attention, facing them and staring over their shoulders.

When I did not dismiss them immediately I could feel the confusion and I waited for the first person to break. I saw one head shift slightly to look at another recruit.

Ah Ten Huh! I commanded, and their backs snapped straight again. The recruit immediately faced forward.

Dismissing you early would be a reward, I barked at them. You will stand at attention until the bell rings and wait for your dismissal.

I studied them as I made the announcement. Not so much as a flicker.

Good, I nodded mentally.

I stood perfectly still while watching them intently. There was a reason I was not-so-lovingly referred to as Sidewinder zero.

One particularly forward recruit once told me they could hear the rattle once. As if the tension and quiet had its own sound. I knew the perception, and did nothing to change it. I didn’t mind the fact that I was left to my own devices more often than not, as people avoided me. The Sidewinder had been added later in my career when people realized I was incredibly hard to read except when I was displeased. Even though my facial expression and posture wouldn’t change, there was a shift in the air when someone challenged me.

The Zero part was a longer story, and one I didn’t especially like thinking about.

A dark aspect of my initiation into the Uniformity.

Ah Ten Huh! I shouted as eyes darted to clock over my head.

My internal clock said there was thirty five minutes left, these recruits needed to learn how to tell time without a wall device.

The time passed slowly for them as they twitched and shifted, and I was forced to call them to attention again and again. Finally the bell rang, and I watched them all relax.

Ah Ten Huh! I startled them and they snapped back to attention. I did not dismiss you, you will wait for my command.

Sweat dripped down their brows as they waited.

Dismissed! I shouted and they all scattered.

I shook my head as they left.

Hopeless, a familiar voice came from the doorway.

My head snapped up at the sound.

Well, Victoria, I shrugged as I once again righted the equipment to prepare for the next class. That’s what you get when you recruit based on name and not ability.

I was talking about you, Victoria leaned against the doorway and smirked.

I continued moving about the room, ignoring her jibe. I knew she would explain it without asking. She flipped her long, straight black hair that fell below her waist. It gleamed with the light at her back. I used to envy her ability to look gorgeous in every situation. Now I just wished she’d disappear.

Always the same. It’s an antique. Victoria sniffed as she stepped into the room to survey her surroundings. Dropping the greenies into random simulations to edge out who’s got good instincts and who show leadership qualities.

True, I stood with my back to the room, but I listened. Though, sometimes, someone reprograms a SIM to... surprise me.

Noticed that did you? Victoria whispered, close.

I knew that she wanted me to react, so I moved slowly and efficiently as I finished closing up the classroom. I didn’t need to answer, because I’d known she had been the one to tamper with my SIMs. I wondered, as I had a million times since we’d broken up, what I’d ever seen in her. Victoria was a beautiful woman, of that there was no doubt. Without looking, I could still describe her perfectly.

Skin the color of roasted almonds, with eyes the same shape but not the same hue. The color of her eyes was much, much darker. Nearly black, and almost as unreadable as my own. At one time, I would have enjoyed sparing verbally with this woman. Now I was just tired. Victoria knew that I could, and in fact had, best her in nearly every competition and test of proficiency. However, because of this, she was hell bent on making my life miserable.

Aww, Victoria smirked as I turned. I thought you liked surprises.

I didn’t and don’t. It’s why I make it my business to always know what’s happening around me, and more importantly, why it's happening, but she knew that.

Did the Grunt complain? I asked calmly.

Oh, you’re no fun anymore, Victoria pouted prettily. Nothing but work talk, Casandra. You need to lighten up. Our trials are over.

Maybe for you. I knew better than to answer so I just tilted my head and watched her, waiting for her to get to the