Path to Prominence: Unearthing Revolutions

By M. Robert Katz

In another world and time humans are no longer the dominant species. What remains are isolated colonies and fractured societies separated by vast wilderness. Highly evolved animals roam between land and water, day or night limiting travel. The remaining individuals, families and races with unique traits and skills settle wherever they can find safety.

On a coastal island a young man named Wheel has been working with hundreds of other abductees forced into the territory of deadly predators to gather resources. After five years of planning and aided by his closest allies he unleashes a rebellion that changes the island's power structure. With new control and authority his group must find a way to insure the survival of all who follow them but across miles of swamp other colonies can be just as hostile as the creatures hidden beneath the surface.

In a mountainous forest teams of young hunters must provide for their colony under the supervision of older more experienced leaders. One is a teenager named Harben who's gifted with a rare ability that helps him survive in the wild. If they manage to return home friends and family work and train together to ensure everyone has what they need. Even surrounded by a harsh environment most know what dangers to expect until one day everything changes forcing Harben and his fellow hunters to put their training to the ultimate test.

Two groups are set on missions with their own goals while struggling with personal emotions and conflicting decisions. Everything is connected on a path that may lead to victory or defeat in an unpredictible story of suffering, belief and survival.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gatekeeper Press
• Release date: Dec 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9781662918155

Book preview

Contritum Terram: Blood Mountains Year: 3021 Date: August

In the mountain forest a hunt is underway. Surrounded by tall trees and small shrubs three young individuals follow a dirt path in the shade of the midday sun. The group is made up of two boys of the same age and a girl a few years older all wearing thick clothes with brown and green patterns carrying crafted bows, arrows and metal blades. They stay alert to all the sights, sounds, and smells around them looking for a possible target while trying to make sure they’re not being hunted as well. Although cautious the boy in the center of the group remains confident and the others expect him to reveal any signs of danger. Aside from his training the boy has a unique ability among his people. Born with sensory organs beneath his skin he can sense electric impulses given off by other living things allowing him to feel the presence of those around him. His ability has proven a great advantage in searching the forest and helped him become a hunter. Now he relies on it to protect the rest of his team. The older girl stays in front as leader and although only a few years older has the greater experience and skill with weapons. The last member of the team is only a few months younger and doesn’t have any special ability but always used his skills to support the others and remains loyal.

As they continue through uneven terrain the girl follows a set of tracks in the dirt looking forward for signs of the animal that made them. After a few minutes she signals with her hand for the boys to stay low when they hear sounds up ahead. They carefully plan each step seeing a clearing between the trees a hundred feet away and pace themselves at each other’s sides. Moving closer to the grass clearing the boy’s sense is now within range of the animal they’ve been tracking. It allows him to determine its size and position as the others see the shape of a large four legged creature with its head in the shrubs. The three young hunters silently move into position making sure the wind and their smell doesn’t give them away. Soon the animal looks up revealing its features, almost five feet tall at the shoulders with thick dark hair covering most of its body. Its head has pointed ears and a long snout but its most prominent feature are its long curved tusks capable of inflicting serious injuries. The hunters now recognize the animal as an adult bull Gor, a type of pig that feeds on both plants and meat. As it chews they see long jagged tusks coming out of its upper jaws and a second pair of smaller tusks interlocking with its lower jaw before putting its head back into the dirt to dig for grubs and mushrooms. The three have never gone after an animal this large and dangerous by themselves but the older boy still takes out an arrow and readies his bow. His extra sense gives him a clear view of the pig’s position and where it would be most vulnerable even at a distance. The girl sees what he’s doing and tries to signal for him to stop but even though he can feel her movement he focuses on the target and lines up his arrow on the string pulling it back. Taking aim he stands and releases the arrow sending it flying through the air impaling the pig through its neck. Instantly the beast jumps up and lets out a loud squealing groan as it struggles to keep itself up with the arrow cutting through nerve and muscle. It falls to the ground with its legs kicking continuing to squeal in pain. The hunters know to keep their distance from a wounded animal and stay where they are. It continues to cry out for a few more seconds until the girl steps forward with her own bow releasing an arrow piercing the beast through its jaw into its head silencing it. The boys follow her as they approach the dead pig in the clearing reaching their kill amazed at the animal’s size. The older girl turns to the boy who shot the arrow with an annoyed look.

That was reckless Harben. You know we’re not supposed to take one this big on our own. It wasn’t a clean hit either, it took too long and the sound could have caught something’s attention.

Its fine Luna, it was worth it. There’s enough meat to last for weeks. Just think of what they’ll say when we bring this back.

And how are we going to bring it back? It must be over six hundred pounds. Says Luna.

Harben starts to get frustrated with her attitude believing their goal is to bring back the best prize for everyone but she can’t see the benefit in what they’ve accomplished.

Let’s just calm down and try to take what we can carry. Soleus, the last member of their team tries to break the tension and get them to focus on the task at hand.

Harben and Luna agree as they each disconnect the strings on their bowes attaching them to small packs on their backs and waist before taking out serrated metal blades. Soleus is relieved they’ve stop fighting and helps them find the best position to separate the meat and bone. As Harben stands next to it he feels faint impulses left in the animal even with the activity in its brain almost completely gone. He’s become familiar with this feeling which has allowed him to tell if something is dead or just injured and able to fight back. Certain the pig is harmless he bends down to begin cutting with his knife when suddenly he feels the presence of another living thing within range and immediately looks up into the trees.

What is it? Luna asks seeing his expression and looks in the same direction followed by Soleus who starts to move away from the body.

Harben doesn’t see anything but can feel something moving in the trees large enough to gain his attention other than most birds or tree climbing rodents he’s familiar with. The hunters keep looking up backing away from the dead pig still griping their blades preparing themselves. As they step closer to the edge of the clearing they see a shape through the branches on one of the trees forty yards away high above the ground. When it starts to climb down they can identify it as a large bird over three feet long with a slender feather covered tail, sharp claws on its feet and another pair of claws coming out of its wings allowing it to grip the tree. Its body is covered in a pattern of light and dark red and brown feathers except for its claws and razor sharp beak. The hunters immediately recognize the animal as its binocular eyes look down at them and the carcass. They wonder if they should risk taking the meat when the bird lets go of the tree and spreads out the feathers on its wings and tail allowing it to glide to the next branch. Harben is reluctant to leave their prize but as he feels the movement increase he realizes it’s not just one animal he’s sensing but multiple presence. He feels at least fifteen and probably more.

Run, now! Harben yells.

Luna and Soleus heed his warning running from the clearing back the way they came. Soleus looks back momentarily to see four birds glide to the ground and run on two legs. All three move through the forest struggling to keep from tripping. Harben can still feel the birds sensing ten running into the clearing behind him but after the hunters get over a hundred feet away he realizes they’ve stopped following. Harben tells the others they’re out of danger causing them slow down and take a few deep breaths. The clearing is almost too far away for him to sense but he can briefly feel them gathering around the pig carcass to feed. With no other options they put away their knives and head back the way they came with nothing to show for their efforts. After a few minutes they start to feel safe knowing that anything hungry would probably go after the meat they left behind but still keep close speaking quietly.

This is serious Says Luna. When we tell them what happened they’ll want to keep away from that area until they find out the pack’s territory. Unless you want to say exactly what happened.

She looks at Harben who’s annoyed and embarrassed that she’s giving him a chance to admit his mistake in killing the Gor when the time comes to tell the other hunters.

Doesn’t matter, you can tell them, they’ll find out anyway.

Soleus sees the tension between Harben and his older sister hasn’t diminished but doesn’t take sides remaining silent. The three of them have grown up together and known each other since they were children. Harben and Soleus are both nineteen and have always been close friends while Luna is twenty-one and incredibly focused as one of the only female hunters among her people. While Harben’s natural ability has given him an advantage in hunting it’s also made him overconfident at times, causing him to act without thinking of the consequences. Hunting for meat is necessary in the mountains but the risks have always been high and a single mistake can lead to the whole team’s death. When they chose to become hunters they were made fully aware of the dangers and taught how to survive in the forest but no matter how much training and skill the animals remain unpredictable and loss of life is inevitable.

Knowing they shouldn’t stay in one area for too long Harben, Luna and Soleus head back towards their base camp. On the way they continue to keep looking for possible targets but can’t find anything large enough. After walking for ten minutes they see movement up ahead as Harben senses they’ve found another team of hunters. They see three young hunters carrying the body of a large hoofed animal called a Slender Ungulate. They’ve tied it’s long legs together to help keep it leveled but at eight feet long and a few hundred pounds they need all three to hold it. Despite the size it’s still only a juvenile with adults standing fifteen feet tall using their long necks to reach tree branches. As the two groups come together they stop a moment to rest and put down the carcass as the oldest leader of the team approaches them. The young man’s name is Flint, he’s well known for his skill and strength among their people as one of their most successful hunters.

You couldn’t find anything, what happened?

A whole pack of Blood Talgons took our kill, Luna answers. We should get back to base.

You were lucky just to get out alive. Flint says. As long as you’re here we could use the extra help. We’ve been carrying this for a while

They agree as Harben and Soleus take the place of two hunters in carrying the ungulate. Looking closer at the body they see a pair of small horns coming out of its head only found on males. There’s a small hole with a blood stain between the ear and eye where the arrow hit.

How did you make this shot? Harben asks.

Just be patient and don’t let it suffer if you can.

Flint’s answer leaves Harben embarrassed over his own kill. At Flint’s instruction Harben and Soleus join him in lifting the carcass together and start walking while Luna and the other two hunters stay by their sides. At twenty-four Flint is admired by most young hunters for his determination and ability to remain calm and focused in difficult situations. Even though he wasn’t born in the same colony he was accepted at a young age and allowed to train. Working with them he acts as leader during most hunts. Carrying the ungulate carcass at a steady pace the six continue to the base camp staying alert and hoping they won’t have any problem keeping their prize. After almost fifteen minutes they see the two story building that serves as their base camp. Left out in the open, it’s been abandoned for as long as anyone can remember and overgrown with plants and weather damage on concrete and metal. The building is one of a few structures around the mountain used as bases when hunters leave the safety of their colony. Every few weeks when a hunt is planned they choose and inspect a different site to spread out from. The method provides the best chance of success so predators can’t predict their movements. The base is watched by the oldest hunters called elders who teach the younger generations. During their first years of training elders accompany them on hunts until they’re satisfied with the results. The group approaches seeing a few elders and some younger hunters who’ve already completed their hunts standing guard around the building. They come to help them carry the carcass into the building where it’ll be skinned and gutted. The meat will be sealed in a container keeping animals from following the smell until they get it back to the colony. When they enter the building others take the carcass with their blades and weapons to be cleaned as Flint, Harben and other arrivals go to a small room where they can rest. Sitting down they pass out metal canteens of fresh water to drink trying to relax but Harben looks over at Luna dreading the moment she tells the elders his mistake. With his ability he focuses on where everyone is around the building and when they might be coming to see them.

How many Talgons were there? Luna asks. Before they attacked could you tell?

Fifteen, maybe more, it happened too fast. Harben answers.

Soleus discusses the subject. Think it could be a new pack? There are already three packs we know about. It could just be one moving into a new territory.

He gains the attention of everyone in the room. Hunters try to track the movements and territories of the most dangerous predators in the mountains. Any new movement will greatly affect all of them.

Whatever it is we’ll find a way around it. Luna says.

It won’t be easy, Flint replies. Everything is trying to survive out here, not just us.

All hunters are taught to respect their environment and only kill or take from the land when it’s necessary. While some younger ones have trouble understanding the wisdom in their teachings Flint takes to heart. Suddenly Harben feels movement as four elder hunters enter, three men and one woman all ranging in ages between thirty and fifty. They wear the same types of clothes and equipment as the younger hunters only they’re allowed to carry more powerful weapons such as long metal guns that use chemical ammunition only used when left with no other choice. The young hunters stand up in front of the elders but they allow them to remain seated as they join them. The one in charge of coordinating the hunt is a man named Yate. In his mid-forties he’s one of the few to survive long enough to reach the age where he could be called an elder and was chosen by members of the colony to lead other hunters. After every kill they need to address each group to identify what animals they’ve encountered and learn what impact it may have on the future.

Its good to see all of you came back safely. First of all any injuries, bites or cuts you didn’t notice?

Yate makes sure of their safety since the smallest injury could lead to infection. The group takes a moment to check for any rips in their clothes. Once they’ve finished Yate continues his review.

Now the leaders of each team will tell us what they and each fellow hunters saw. If any other team members feel they want to say something they may do so afterwards. Flint, Luna which one of you would like to go first?

They look at each other for a moment and Luna declines to let Flint speak first as Harben continues to feel uneasy. Flint goes into detail how his team traveled from base camp and followed a trail to a small herd of Slender Ungulate. According to him there were maybe ten or more with large adults reaching into the trees and he choose a younger male separated from the group. While he speaks about the positions of his team Soleus sees Harben’s anxiety knowing he can’t change his story. The reviews and talks with teams are designed so they learn the truth of each hunt immediately and the elders are familiar with any signs of deceit. Flint finishes with how they met Luna’s team who helped them carry the carcass. Yate asks the other two members of his team if there’s anything they want to say but they just seem glad they didn’t encounter any problems. Yate is satisfied as he and the other three elders take note that a small herd was seen in the area, information they’ll need to share. He turns to Luna ready to hear about her team’s hunt. Luna doesn’t try to hide the fact that they failed their hunt telling events exactly as they happened, from Harben killing the Gor to them escaping the pack of Talgons. Harben listens wondering what everyone is thinking of him.

Is there anything the two of you want to say about the hunt? Yate asks turning to Soleus and Harben who shake their heads. This is important news, if the Blood Talgons are part of a new pack it could affect hunting for years to come. We won’t know until we get back home and are better prepared to investigate, Yate speaks to both elders and young hunters. When the last team arrives I want to be ready to leave as soon as possible. Check on the meat and make sure it’s ready to go. I want everyone to stay at lookout points and keep your eyes on the forest. Following his instructions the hunters and elders leave the room finding their clean weapons left for them but before they leave Yate speaks. Harben you’ll come with me.

Following the elder he starts walking away from the group. Harben leaves his teammates and heads up a set of stairs to the second level with feelings of embarrassment and anxious as he goes to stand watch alongside his father. After reaching the top he sees Yate talking to an elder with another team of hunters and after explaining the situation they head for a section of the building to stand guard. Yate goes to a room with an open space that provides a view of the forest and sits on an old branch. Harben enters the room as Yate takes his long gun from behind his back attached to a strap around his arm and checks the chamber. In the years that Harben’s accompanied his father on hunts he’s never seen him fire his gun. Instead he chooses to use a smaller crossbow which most of the elders carry. Even though it has the power to kill a small animal with little effort the risk of the sound and the smell of chemicals could lead the largest predators betraying all attempts to stay hidden. He stands behind Yate focusing on the surrounding forest for signs of movement, feeling a swarm of insects and small birds.

You can sit down if you want. You kids always think I’m judging you on how strong you can be. Yate says to Harben’s surprise and he sits at the edge of the log across from his father facing the same direction. You know what you did wrong don’t you? You chose a target that was too dangerous at close range so you took the shot from a distance because you knew you could. I’ve seen you make those hits before but you didn’t think about the consequences. You were lucky that pack found you before you started carrying that load.

He understands but still defends himself. How could I have known they were out there? We had no reason to expect them and we might have been able to bring something if we had more time. Isn’t that why we’re out here?

I’m not questioning your intentions. I know you were thinking about feeding the Sanctum but that doesn’t mean you have to take something just because it’s there. You were fortunate, not many would have made it back unharmed without your gift to warn them. I’m grateful that you were given the best chance to survive out here and I want to make sure that you’re grateful as well. It’s not only to help you gain the best prize. I know you have good intentions and you helped save your teammates but one day you may find an even greater use for it. Just remember you still have a long future ahead of you.

Yate’s words stir up mixed of feelings in Harben. Ever since he was little and learned of his ability he was expected to use it to help those around him. He thought he’d fulfilled his purpose by becoming a hunter. His parents and others still encouraged him to explore more possibilities. After training for years Harben finds it difficult to think of another future aside from what he’s been doing. He’s heard stories of the trials his father went through when he was younger and sometimes felt unable to live up to the expectation of becoming an elder like him. Despite his personal conflict he realizes Yate is right, he acted just because he could and not because he needed too.

It won’t happen again.

Good, never forget this world is unpredictable. Yate replies putting his arm into the strap and places his gun behind him.

Hunters continue to stand guard at base camp waiting for their last team. Each is required to return to base camp after a few hours depending on the territory’s known dangers. Few last the night in the forest and must return before the sun sets. As time passes the hunters grow anxious over the thought of getting back before dark. After another few minutes Yate leaves the room as Harben hears him talk to another elder close by.

We’ll have to search for them. Get another team ready, I’ll be going with them and the rest will stay here. If we’re not back in-

Something’s coming! Harben says.

They quickly turn their attention to the forest as two members of the last team come into view. Yate and Harben go back down to the first floor as Flint, Luna, Soleus and the others gather. The two rush into the building and collapse to the floor out of breath. The elders and other hunters help them up and ask if they’re injured. They get two canteens of water as they’re helped to the resting area where they lay down as the group wonders where the last member of their team is. Once they’ve had water and start breathing normally Yate and the elders question them as the hunters listen.

Tell me what happened to Joal. Start from the beginning.

They look unsettled as they recall the events of their hunt. He was… we found some Lagom west from base. Joal shot one with his bow and the rest hid underground. He figured we could wait around to see if they would come back up. I don’t know how long we stayed near the burrow looking for another opening but then we saw it, a Tyrant.

The elders immediately know the gravity of the situation and the other hunters feel a sense of dread. Tyrant Talgons are predatory birds similar to the bloods only much larger and the most dangerous animal known to any colony.

We didn’t see it until it was right in front of us. Joel threw the Lagom he caught to distract it but it kept coming. I could feel the ground shaking as we ran and the sound it made was… Joel shot an arrow into it and ran. It followed, we saw it catch him. There was nothing we could do so we kept running. It took us a while to find our way back to camp.

Yate asks the important question. Are you sure Joal is dead, there’s no chance he could have survived?

We heard him scream as its jaws closed around... no, there’s no way he made it.

Yate starts giving orders. Get everyone ready, we’re heading back to the Sanctum in a few minutes, He walks out of the room as he speaks. Make sure the meat is sealed and everyone make sure their weapons and tools are cleaned. No blood stains or smells on clothes or equipment, understood.

They follow his orders getting their supplies ready. Even though he doesn’t show it Harben can tell his father is affected by the death of a hunter under his command. He doesn’t know what to say and helps his teammates prepare to leave. Within a few minutes they’re ready with the supplies packed and the meat in an air tight container carried by three hunters on each side. Yate asks Flint and his team to make sure the two boys who survived the attack can keep up. Luna, Harben, and Soleus will stay in the center of the group to watch for signs of danger. The elders stay around them in a circle formation for protection. Prepared as best they can be all twenty hunters young and old head into the forest going north towards their colony.

An hour after leaving base camp the hunters keep in formation at a steady pace getting closer to the colony. Yate and another elder stand at the front while two stay at the sides and another pair in back. The younger hunters take turns carrying the container while the rest watch the woods around them. In the center Harben uses his ability to sense for danger trying to keep focused. He feels the movement of the hunters while searching for signs of life outside the group. Although none of them speaks each has many things on their minds but focus on getting back home. As much as they prepare and take precautions deaths still occur and before Yate become an elder he lost teammates and friends while on assignments.

Keeping in large groups is the safest way to move on foot but it also allows many of the animals they use as food to see and hear them before they can get close. Dividing into smaller teams is the best way to effectively catch targets. The risks are high and so are the rewards with hunting being one of the only steady sources of meat in the mountains. In the past attempts were made to hunt down predators but the losses were too great and they found that reducing the number of some allowed even more dangerous species to thrive. The worst were the Talgons, a name that identifies different species of large birds that travel through the mountains, forest and plains. Able to hunt down prey and scavenge off the remains of others allows them to spread and become the dominant predator. The largest and most feared are Tyrants that possess an unrivaled sense of smell capable of detecting blood and carrion for over a mile. Hunters know to stay away from their nests but with such a wide territorial range it’s difficult to know where they’ll be found. Because the young stay close to their parents for years they could be alone or in groups. As much as some would like to take retribution for the loss of their people the risks are too great. The weapons and ammunition required to kill predators isn’t worth the risk unless lives are in immediate danger. They’ve accepted that they should only fight battles when they need too. All who become elders learn hard lessons and must accept losses and not put any more lives at risk. Harben, Luna, Soleus and the others in their age group have all gained new found determination, fear and some respect for the outside world since becoming hunters. Harben’s gift has made it less difficult and allowed him to feel a sense of freedom that he never felt before. He now knows it’s made him a little ignorant to the danger he faces.

As they walk Harben feels movement up ahead towards where his father is and prepares to call to him but his father and the rest of the group see it coming and ready their weapons. Making out the shapes Yate and the others lower their weapons recognizing the animals approaching. Five large dogs make their way up to the hunters. The group stands still as the dogs cautiously approach and sniff their clothes. After a moment they head back the way they came allowing the group to walk besides them. After another few yards the hunters exit the forest and enter a huge clearing hundreds of meters wide with small patches of trees and a building three stories tall in the center. In the sunlight and low cloud cover they get a clear view of the high mountains surrounding the forest overlooking the building that serves as the entrance to their colony. The dogs accompanying them are called Kaiyotes, an animal that lives across the country, this breed has learned to live with humans for mutual benefit. They allow a large pack of Kaiyotes to live in a section of the building for shelter and help care for their young and injured. In exchange they often provide warnings when something approaches and protect the area from predators and rival packs of dogs that could enter the colony. What look like trees placed in a pattern around the clearing are actually collectors with solar panels, fans and pipes used to channel light and air beneath the surface. They’re covered with rubber and plastic to make them look like trees while small plants grow around them with energy collectors on the top out of view. The hunters have been seen by the lookouts at the building and wait until they get close to unlock the side doors allowing them to enter. The Kaiyotes run off to another part of the building as the lookouts greet the hunters ready to see if they need help. Some are fellow hunters or workers who take shifts guarding the entrances looking after and repairing machines they need. Yate and the elders speak to some of the men on duty who notice a hunter missing while others take their container to be stored before dividing the meat among the colony. Young hunters look into the garage where they manage the colony’s armored vehicles used for travel and transport. Once Yate is finished explaining their situation, the others understand and let him lead the hunters to their next stop. They walk down a flight of stairs until they reach the men and women’s locker rooms where they remove their weapons, supplies and extra clothes to be washed and repaired and use showers to clean off. After a few minutes they look more casual and less battle hardened. Now finished with their job as hunters they continue down the stairway into the living quarters known as the Sanctum.

Believed to be one of the original colonies that sheltered humans during the last ice age the Sanctum is a huge underground city of metal and concrete that supports a population of over eight hundred. The main entrance is over ten stories of open platforms and passage ways that lead to different sections for habitation, building, learning and harvesting. The collectors above ground are one of the primary sources of power, circulating air throughout the underground. The sunlight is used in many ways such as growing fruits and vegetables in greenhouses and for growing algae. Large tanks of water process algae into fuel for powering generators that control lights, heating and the engines in their vehicles. Fresh water is brought in through underground wells and mountain streams then filtered and heated in a massive plumbing system of pipes that brings water to all residents. Food is carefully distributed among the colonist depending on their age, health and size of their family. Farming and harvesting is essential with greenhouses for crops and sections used to house hundreds of small nesting birds that produce eggs and offer more meat. Some small ungulates are captured and bred for their milk but with space for little more than a dozen they can’t afford to lose too many so they’re rarely used for food. Every person living in the Sanctum chooses one or more positions to fulfill the needs of the colony. Mechanics repair and maintain the various machines and systems. Harvesters tend to the plants and animals making sure they’re healthy. Lookouts generally stay above ground protecting the entrance and caring for the materials needed when leaving the Sanctum. Doctors train in medicines and the human body standing ready in different levels to treat the sick and injured. Historians keep records, stories and artifacts of the past and teach children the basic skills including reading and writing. Hunters risk their lives in the forest to provide enough food. All work is overseen by a council with five to seven leaders from each field of occupation chosen at a certain age by the majority who coordinate and discuss each new assignment and event. Depending on the choices of the colonists and their families, they may choose to live at the Sanctum or leave for other colonies when the time comes. Some raised underground may never leave past the clearing while others travel exploring other available options depending on their skills and goals. Because of the dangerous nature of the outside world colonist can choose to stay where they are or leave at a young age and usually don’t return unless they have family. The Sanctum stands as a bridge between several different colonies that are the only places a human can feel relatively safe in this uncertain