Ascending Descent

By Johnnie Ruffin

Tyla is a host for an alien entity that has been reborn for generations. In her quest to live her life without being dominated by the alien entity, she attempts to marry a regent and becomes a fugitive.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ruffin Apps
• Release date: Feb 21, 2020
• ISBN: 9781087868240

Johnnie Ruffin

Johnnie Ruffin, M.Sc. is an optimist, a writer, and a Software Engineer. He first published his short story "Khory's Power" with "A Place To Enter" in the early 90's, which introduced his shape-shifting black leopards known as the Caanlin to the world. The second full-length novel about the Caanlin, The Broken Peace, is his most recent addition.

Book preview

Ascending Descent

by

Johnnie Ruffin

Cover Art by Alise Gluškova

This Page Left Intentionally Blank

Copyright © 2020 Johnnie Ruffin.

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN: 978-1-0878-6823-3 (paperback)

ISBN:  978-1-0878-6824-0 (e-book)

Distributed by IngramSpark.

First Printing, 2020.

www.JohnnieRuffin.com

For My Happiness

Table of Contents

We are her

The Trapped Escape

That’s My Dorcuss

Digging Deeper

The Roots Of Disorder

How Many Gin Dulinas Does It Take

Wings And a Tail

Freedom To Follow

Voided

Chapter One

We are her

I understand we were losing the war, but how could the human race agree to such terms? Does this mean the end to what we know to be human?  

--Commentator on News Lucky O.E. 3044

"I

just don’t think the council will approve it, and once you apply, and are rejected, you will be watched, her mother shook her head. Please reconsider. Let things be as they are now. Children will be completely out of the question."

The tall man in the dark uniform bowed politely. I understand what the mother is saying. She must also understand that I am Regent here. A joining between the daughter she loves and myself must be approved by all Authorized Participants.

The tall, raven-haired girl in the black formal dress of the Atcalla raised a hand. If the regent insists, I will do this because I love him. Even so, I believe my mother is correct. Please understand what it means to be what I am. Do not insist.

His dark eyes narrowed slightly beneath perfectly shaped brows at her speech. I am not so believing in the prejudice against this alien species you say you are a part of. Atcalla is at the outer reaches. Never did the war reach this far.

Her mother gave another shake of her head, rattling the Atcalla sequence of characters that changed above her head in a holographic semblance of unbalance. This was why we chose the Atcalla. Months of travel from the Gateway with an infant was no easy thing.

The Regent’s scowl deepened, though the Atcalla sequence above his head only shifted from a steady green to a light grey. Does the daughter not love the Regent? This must be done properly or all are at risk. Step upon the platform.

She sighed before stepping on the platform at the center of the chamber. The Atcalla sequence of characters above her mother’s head began to shake.

If the mother cannot have decorum, she must go, the regent whispered softly.

You are being fools! the characters burst in a show of deep red. I will prepare for our departure, and she left with bursts of yellow and red swimming above her head.

I have never seen the mother so...offensive, the Regent sniffed.

The raven-haired girl offered an apologetic smile. Remember that the daughter loves you no matter.

The Regent gripped her soft hands and pulled her close. I am certain we will be approved. Informal speech is allowed on the Truth Platform. You will be compelled to freely say all. They will know our love as honest and pure. Your…condition…will be overlooked. Prepared?

Yes. Let the judgment fall as it may, she offered softly.

The light was blinding at first, but slowly receded until the holographic surroundings came into sight. A deep mahogany of Old Earth construct made the chamber look antique. Several shadows hinted about the room, but there was no discerning whether man or woman, or alien sat in witness.

A mechanical voice buzzed, the Regent has joined the Public Forum of Authorized Officials. Regent, please state the Intentions of Office.

The Regent will protect and uphold the Atcalla System Protocols above all other concerns. This is sworn, The Regent’s voice boomed with confidence.

This Oath is updated and recorded. Proceed.

I make the request for a Joining with this female.

The mechanical chatter increased as the shadows flitted, shivered and shook. It was obvious that some discussion had taken place and there were more participants in the audience.

She is not of the Atcalla. Her species is not even pure; she is a hybrid of two organisms. The settings on her Companion are not even certain given her control. Is she even compelled to speak on the platform?

The raven-haired girl inclined her head. I knew it would be difficult. I will answer any questions you may have. I love the regent and I would like to join with him…if you will approve.

Love is meaningless, the chatter increased. We compel you to tell us all your secrets.

I am Tyla al Visguard, the raven-haired girl put a hand to her lips, but the words still came. "I am also Sister Gin Dulina. I know, it is very confusing to me as well. Let’s see if I can untangle the web for both of us.

"I should start by pointing out that I am mainly human. My great grandfather on my father’s side was a Delmarian. 

"Shortly after the war, during the Treatise of Integration, my great grandfather met my great grandmother and they made my grandfather and seven other children. They were not the first half-breeds, but they were the first in the Rygas V sector.  Those were the early colonies of half-breeds that eventually bred with other humans and spread throughout the galaxy. 

"Many scientists suspected there would be horrible abnormalities when cross-breeding two alien races, but there was only one and it happened rarely. You can probably already guess that I am that one in a million abnormality.

"You see, Delmarians look kind of like us. They might have shoulders that are a bit broader and tend to be an inch or two taller, but otherwise you could easily confuse them with any other human being at a glance. It’s all that internal stuff that’s a little different. They are stronger for one, and their bone density is ten times a human’s. Their brain also works different. A Delmarian rarely gets emotional.

"Don’t get me wrong, they have emotions, but just not like we have emotions. We didn’t know it at first, but that was why it was so easy to make peace with them. They just didn’t care if they wiped humanity off the galaxy.

"The most important secret I keep about the Delmarians comes in two parts. The first part is that they mate instinctually for life. That means two Delmarians could be walking down a busy corridor and spot each other at half a kilometer away—sometimes even