23

By Rosa Hernandez

23 is a sci-fi/fantasy novel about a post-apocalyptic world where aliens and humans live in ever-rising tension.

Shauna Sloane who has been on the run for twenty years. She's survived an alien Invasion. An extraterrestrial war. And eight years of martial law set by the one and only ruling entity for humans on Earth: the World

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pineapple Dreams Press
• Release date: Oct 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798988766421

Book preview

23

Rosa Hernandez

Pineapple Dreams Press

23

Copyright © 2023 by Rosa Hernandez

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Character, businesses, events, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. While the Latin names, military ranks, and U.S. places are real, the context in which they are used are fictional.

Published by Pineapple Dreams Press

Book Cover by Miblart

eBook ISBN: 979-8-9887664-2-1

Paperback ISBN: 979-8-9887664-0-7

Trigger warnings: May not be suitable for younger audiences. Includes scenes with violence to animals, women, and men as well as persons in captivity. And reference to the death of a child.

First edition published October 2023

To Jesse,

A Beloved Brother and Friend.

Rest in Peace.

Prologue

Twenty years ago, the daily life of Earth was disrupted by extraterrestrial life. Histories and ideals erased. Political parties wiped out. Innovation and best intentions were moot. Whole countries extinguished, and continents were forcibly moved to form one giant land mass.

Welcome back, Pangea.

Those who invaded Earth – the extraterrestrials or, as later abbreviated, the Extras, were nothing like the little green men or insect-like figures popularized in movies. Through time, we humans learned the Extras came from a place called ‘Pacem’ and were distinguished into four groups:

Bellātor (The Warrior)

Medicus (The Physician)

Dominus Animalis (The Animal Owner)

Vindex (The Defender)

For the most part, the Extras are easy to spot. All of them have the basic figure and anatomy of a human, but there are differences. A Bellātor, for one thing, has red skin with black clan markings on the flesh. Kind of hard to miss. A Medicus has wings that can retract and expand from the body with silver clan markings and are known to be quite beautiful creatures. The Dominus Animalis Extra has features of the animal or animals it can morph into with blue clan markings. Now, the Vindex Extra is probably the hardest to recognize. They have no distinguishable features, and their gold clan markings only show through when their emotions are high.

As with anything dangerous, humans tried to humanize what couldn’t be human. There were groups of devoted fans dying – literally, to be a part of the new superior race, willing to be prisoners and slaves in hopes of being considered worthy or in the hopes of procreating (although, so far this has been presumed impossible). Then there were those who believed we could find harmony between us. And then some who believed in the total annihilation of the Extras and anybody who associated with them.

It was two years after the initial Invasion that humans found their footing and began to fight back in the most radical way. A group of seven individuals called the Lost had a mission to find displaced beings and give them shelter and hope – whether they were refugees of Earth or of Pacem. The Lost realized those from Pacem were divided. Some followed the Bellātōris lead to try to annihilate every human on the planet, while others followed the Vindices who seemed to be searching for something or someone. We haven’t figured it out for sure, but whatever it was, they’re still here, so I’m pretty sure both groups failed.

Whatever the case was, the Lost were indifferent to this. The group grew and was on a good trajectory until their supposed leader left them. The abandoning act catapulted the Lost into a series of events that eventually dwindled their number to almost zero.

It's been eight years since the War ended between humans and Extras. You’d think by now we’d have some idea of a way forward of cohabitation, but nope. No one seems to be able to get their shit together.

There’s the World Militia, who have become understandably extreme, wanting to control – excuse me – protect humans, and only humans, and are very much for the extermination of any and all hostile (and sometimes not hostile) Extras. Then there’s the Revolt, a band of Extraterrestrials and those fanatical humans who believe those from Pacem are nothing more than cuddly-misunderstood superior beings. In the last few years, the Revolt has been gaining momentum and the world is warily waiting for their next move.

Next, we have the elusive Vindex army, who seem to have retreated from the fray after the War and the disappearance of their own clan leader, Mason. As for the Lost? Well, many still believe they’re working in the shadows. Waiting for an opportunity to rise again.

Of course, these are all just murmurs. Whispered in abandoned subways and conspired with acquaintances over a hot drink. So don’t take my word for it. I’m just a glorified historian.

-Hunter

Historical Architect to the World Militia

Chapter 1

The study starts at 7 .

Why the fuck did we have to be here at 5, then?

Shauna Sloane groaned internally. The ticking of the wall clock echoed in her ear as a rhythmic tapping on her thoughts in a teeth-grinding annoyance. A guy with sandy blonde curls and warm-beige skin with hints of brown twitched beside her. He was hunched over, biting his fingers. His arms covered in scars. Shauna tilted her head at him. His eyes shifted to her and then back to the floor. He twisted his body away, and she rolled her eyes.

The room was puke-worthy. Pale green walls. Orange, plastic chairs. Dust-coated plants in corners beside end tables with pre-Invasion magazines. The covers displayed gossip about some couple or individual from a place called Hollywood.

Shauna locked eyes with the man across the room who was sitting in a wheelchair by the door, staring right back at her. Unblinking. Her feet began to sweat. A cold nervousness washed over her. She leaned forward, her elbows on her knees.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the receptionist – sitting behind a counter that takes up half the room, unwrapping a piece of gum. The lady had pink pixie cut hair and white glasses that curved up at the sides like cat eyes. The receptionist popped the gum in her mouth and chewed it a couple of times. Then she puffed it out between her lips, blowing it up. Shauna watched as it expanded. Reaching the breaking point. And then…

Pop!

Standing up quick, the whole room looked at her.

Isn’t this lovely?

Willing her feet to move, she crossed to the door in four strides and slid out of the suffocating room.

Out in the hallway, Shauna faced a wall of smudge-free glass windows overlooking a meticulous landscape surrounding Independent Labs. She folded her arms as she stood and watched the sun set over the lush green grounds. Her reflection in the window showed the layers of her long auburn hair framing her heart-shaped face. Crinkles around her hazel eyes set in as she frowned. Constantly worrying about something. Sighing, she closed her eyes for a moment.

She willed herself to remember why she was there. Why she was doing the high-risk sleep study at Independent Labs. With Earth re-instating their pre-Invasion currency system, Shauna needed the 2000 dollars Dr. Ryder had promised.

For her mom.

Chapter 2

Astatic sound caught Shauna’s ears.

Turning her head, she looked down the length of the hallway. She moved her feet towards the sound, her arms still crossed. At the end of the hall right outside the elevator, on top of a white marble, speckled desk was a radio. The crackle of the box echoed.

‘With 132 dead, this is a somber morning. The Revolt’s Flag was seen waving in the wind on apartment building 32-SSK in section 49. Every human dead with nothing but the stench of Extras left behind…’

Shauna shut the radio off. She hated reports on the Revolt’s doings. It always pointed back to how monstrous Extras were, but the Revolt wasn’t just Extras. They were crazed humans too. And they were on the rise.

It shouldn’t matter to her what the world does, she hides away from it most of the time. Still, if the Revolt would become less of a threat or nonexistent, maybe the world could finally find some peace between the races.

Plus, being on the run with her mom was exhausting. Maybe it was time for her to step up. To pick a side or make a new one.

A chill shivered up her spine.

Shauna felt an uneasiness settle in her bones and the hairs on the back of her neck rose up. The elevator dinged, and she turned around to see the doors pull apart to reveal Dr. Robert Ryder.

Shauna! His voice boomed in the empty hall. His translucent blue eyes were shockingly bright against his white hair. How are you feeling today?

I’m okay, Doctor Ryder.

Please, his voice altered in tone and depth, and it sounded like there was a melody to it. Call me Robert.

He lowered himself from his 6'2 height to her 5’7 until his face was leveled with hers. His eyes pierced Shauna’s. She kept his gaze, not saying anything. His laugh barked out and it echoed in the space. He smiled and straightened up to his full height. His sturdy frame inhaling and exhaling with a breath.

What are you doing out here? he asked. The melody from his voice was gone.

Just needed some air. That room is pretty packed.

Well, soon you’ll be in your own bed and your own room for the night.

Shauna nodded.

Shall we?

He led her back down the hall and opened the door for her. Inside, everyone was staring. Shauna kept her eyes glued to her empty seat as she made a couple of strides to get to it. She sat beside the man who wouldn’t stop twitching and watched Dr. Ryder as he spoke with the receptionist.

Linda, do you have the forms?

Yes, Dr. Ryder.

Linda, how many times do I have to ask you to call me Robert?

Okay…Robert…

The woman giggled and blushed. Shauna rolled her eyes. She caught the man across the room in a wheelchair watching her, and he put his finger to the opening of his mouth, pretending to gag. Shauna smirked.

Okay! Dr. Ryder turned to the room and brought everyone’s attention to him. He held up a clipboard with the forms Linda just gave him. We’re going to do a roll call.

Jaron Balantov?

Present.

A guy leaning against the wall answered on the other side of Shauna. His arms tense and folded across his broad chest.

Lucy Brands?

A girl who sat on the other side of the door, dressed in a yellow jumpsuit, with ebony skin and some of the longest and luscious braids Shauna’s ever seen, raised her hand. Shauna stared at her. She didn’t seem twenty-one per the age requirement of the experiment, but Dr. Ryder acknowledged her and moved on.

Jensen Colorado.

It’s Jen.

A woman with fiery red hair and pale-freckled skin next to Lucy corrected Dr. Ryder. Shauna noticed the similarities between Jen and her own mom’s. Worn. Dark circles. Frown lines. Shauna guessed Jen was close to her mom’s age of 45.

Good to know. Jen. Dr. Ryder flashed her a smile as he jotted down a note on the form. Okay…Michael Daring?

The twitcher raised his hand, pausing for a brief second from all his twitching.

Gregory Larson?

The guy in the wheelchair lifted his arm.

Just Greg. Gregory is my father’s name.

Shauna snorted at the lame joke.

Got it, Dr. Ryder said. Shauna Sloane.

Shauna raised her own hand, and Dr. Ryder nodded to her. With a flourish of his hand on the forms, he gave them back to Linda. He clapped, and everyone jumped.

Okay, who’s sleepy?

Everyone in the room looked at everyone else and then at Dr. Ryder, who seemed undeterred by their lack of enthusiasm.

Great! Let’s go!

The room made a collective shuffle move towards the door. Lucy held it open for everyone. Greg turned his chair around to roll out of the room first, but Dr. Ryder stepped ahead of the group and began to push Greg out.

No need to do that, Doc, Greg said, trying to take back control. I’ve got to get my workout in somehow.

Nonsense, Dr. Ryder said, leading the way out into the hall. You’re already pretty well-built in your arms, and before I stick some needles in them, you might as well give them a rest.

Can’t argue with you there, Doc.

Shauna shuffled behind the group. Lucy, the girl with the yellow jumpsuit, kept step with her. She slid her eyes over to the girl, who quickly looked away.

Shauna bit her lips, trying to decide if she should be nice, but she remembered all the times she felt alone and wished for someone to show her kindness.

You’re Lucy, right? Shauna asked.

Yeah – I mean, yes, Lucy’s eyes searched Shauna’s face for a moment. Your name is Shauna?

Shauna forced a smile and nodded. Lucy smiled back. They walked in silence until they rounded a corner, and Dr. Ryder ushered them into an elevator.

Shauna, press for basement level three, Dr. Ryder instructed.

Why? Shauna asked. There were rooms on the first floor according to some signage she saw on her way up.

The group looked at Dr. Ryder. He continued in explanation.

Level three is for overnight guests. Levels one and two are for parking because that’s becoming a thing again. Level 3 is the quietest and best for undisturbed testing.

Silence filled the space.

Everyone is okay with that, right?

Ryder’s voice filled once more with a quiet melody and everyone except Shauna, murmured they were okay with going to level three of the basement. Shauna herself hesitated, wondering why his voice changed from time to time and why no one else seemed to notice it, but she shrugged, believing it was just her paranoid mind from being on the run all the time and pressed for basement level three.

The doors closed.

A hum from the fluorescent light above and the whirring of the contraption descending created a white noise for elevator music. Shauna tightened her folded arms to her chest. The sweat made her grasp slippery. She slid her eyes to her left. Michael was swaying next to her with the slightest movements.

Left.

Right.

Left.

Right.

His lips moved rapidly, but no sound came out. He gripped his right arm at the crease of the elbow with his left hand. The nails were bitten down to their bloody stubs. His fingers flexed and grabbed his arm tighter. Trembling. Shauna turned her head to one side as she watched him. His eyes noticed her but darted away as before.

Shauna frowned. She’d seen drug addicts before, but Michael seemed different. He seemed scared. Like he was running from something or someone.

Shauna faced the front as the platform jilted to a stop. The elevator doors opened and Michael and her tried to go through the space at the same time, their hands grazing each other’s by accident. Shauna felt a warmth flow through her, she pulled her arm away. Michael did the same and mumbled ‘sorry’ before he stepped out of the lift first.

What was that?

Shauna and the others allowed Dr. Ryder to push Greg’s chair forward and lead the way down a glistening white hallway. They stopped before two doors, distinguished by silver handles. Jaron twisted and pulled on one of them for everyone to shuffle through.

Shauna brought up the rear, and Jaron caught her eye as they both looked back at the hallway.

There was no beginning or end from the white floor to the white walls to the white ceiling.

Like a straitjacket.

Jaron raised his eyebrows at Shauna who did the same.

At least someone else sees the questionable interior style.

The room the group entered was huge, metallic grey, sterile, and compulsively organized. Every beaker in its place. No haphazard paperwork. Small rooms with hospital-like beds lined the expansive area's left and right sides. Cement blocks created walls encasing the orderly room. At the end was a table with a computer and a machine next to it with wires carefully taped to the floors leading into each room.

Two assistants – one with glasses named Derrick according to his nametag, and one with a tight gray bun and ice blue eyes – Liesel, stood beside Dr. Ryder without a word. They kept their eyes down and shoulders hunched in an almost bow-like stance. Both held a clipboard. Dr. Ryder put out his left hand to Liesel who handed him hers.

He shifted through the papers before returning the clipboard back to Liesel without a word. Then he smiled and clapped his hands.

"Okay! Thank you all for being here. As you know, this is an experiment for a new medicine called MELA23 to help people sleep better. You all have some sort of insomnia, PTSD, anxiety, or something else that hinders you from getting your 8 hours. MELA233 will, in theory, target the neurons in your brain to relax you enough to get some rest.

Of course, with any experimental drug, there are risks. It could work beautifully as it should and allow you to sleep, or it might not. That’s why you all are here. To help us determine side effects – if there are any. Questions?

No one had questions.

Shauna knew the risk. She might not wake up, but that was highly unlikely.

Human medicine had no effect on her.

Chapter 3

L et’s get to it then! Ryder clapped his hands again, smiling at the non-responsive room. There are changing rooms to my left and right.

Shauna sighed and shuffled to the right with Lucy and Jen.

The women entered the changing room and closed the door behind them. Besides three flimsy partitions to change behind, a small brown, rectangular table stood alone on its four legs in the center of the space. It held three sets of sheer-like pajamas with geometric prints on them.

These seem kind of light… Lucy said almost to herself.

Shauna rubbed the material between her fingers and Jen did the same.

They do, don’t they? Shauna responded.

They’re like hospital gowns, Jen stated.

Shauna and Lucy stared at Jen.

Both of you weren’t around much before the Invasion, right? Jen asked.

Shauna and Lucy shook their heads ‘no’.

Before the Invasion, people who went to hospitals and stayed overnight or got x-rays had to wear clothes like these, Jen explained. Except they were like a dress, and the backs were open. At least these are pants and a top. We probably will have to take off our bras and anything with metal.

Lucy looked wide-eyed at Shauna as if wanting a rebuttal to this indecent claim. Jen grabbed her clothes and walked away to a partition to change behind.

It’s okay, Shauna feigned a smile. At least we’ll all be in the same boat, and we’ll be comfy.

Lucy’s nod was slow. Grabbing their clothes, they separated to their own changing space. Shauna removed her purple jeans and black tee. She slid on the pajamas and came back out to find Jen waiting. She set her folded clothing on the table.

There was a knock on the door.

Everybody ready? Dr. Ryder’s voice came from the other side as he turned the knob.

Lucy let out a small gasp behind her partition.

The door opened a crack. Shauna flicked a couple of fingers up a fracture of an inch. The door shut quick and hard. She saw Jen’s eyes shift to her, but Shauna tried to look casual. Dr. Ryder knocked, called out, and tested the knob again, but the door remained closed. Shauna kept her fingers flexed at her side.

Lucy came out from changing, hiding her bra between the folds of her yellow jumpsuit. Shauna relaxed her hand, and the door opened when Dr. Ryder tried a third time.

My apologies, Dr. Ryder looked at the door and the room. Are we all set?

Shauna and the