Reckoning

By Adam Kruz

The "Reckoning" picks up right where book 1 "Rebirth" ended. The motley crew of international experts must extract Mannix as he aims to release a powerful mutagen across the globe. Anne and FBI agent Abbot search for the elusive Innes to help increase their odds of success. In a secret ocean facility, a man battles to rediscover his identity and regain his freedom. Everyone must choose who they trust. The clock is ticking as mysteries are revealed, plot lines twist, and secret villains come out of hiding.

Dive into the second instalment of this intelligent thriller series that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. A rich storyline of science, faith, philosophy, psychology, literature, and history come together to create a multi-dimensional story that is ever-evolving in its dramatic surprises. Traverse across continents, oceans, as well as beautiful locations both real and imagined. Explore this brand-new world in the adventure of a lifetime.

All book profits received by the author will be donated to Ukraine's Humanitarian Aid.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Mar 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781777276638

Book preview

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Dedicated to my kids Faithe and Matt

© Adam Kruszynski 2022

All rights reserved.

No part of this book can be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of reviews.

ISBN: 978-1-7772766-4-5 Soft Cover Print

ISBN: 978-1-7772766-3-8 Digital Ebook

Portions of this book are works of fiction. Any references to

historical events, real people, or real places are used

fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are

products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblances to

actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely

coincidental.

www.metamorphosisbookseries.com

Written by Adam Kruszynski

Edited by Natasha Kruszynski & BookBaby

Illustrations by Lia MacBean

Table of Contents

Book 1 Recap

Chapter 1 Prometheus

Chapter 2 The Motley Crew

Chapter 3 Awaken

Chapter 4 The Nautilus

Chapter 5 The Briefing

Chapter 6 Awaken again

Chapter 7 Assessing Mr. Manning

Chapter 8 Recruiting the Enemy

Chapter 9 Prometheus Beginning

Chapter 10 Preparations

Chapter 11 In the Belly of the Beast

Chapter 12 Prometheus Evolving

Chapter 13 The Island

Chapter 14 Following the Light

Chapter 15 Van Gogh’s Starry Night

Chapter 16  Severed Ties

Chapter 17 A Distant Dream

Chapter 18 Infiltration

Chapter 19 The Altercation

Chapter 20 In the Belly of the Beast

Chapter 21 Drifting

Chapter 22 Prometheus Endangered

Chapter 23 Surfacing

Chapter 24 Rushed Exit

Chapter 25 New Agenda

Chapter 26 Weapons Free

Chapter 27 Friend or foe?

Book 3 Teasers

Uncertain Future

Guten tag mein Warden

King’s Gambit

The Mutation

The Bunker

Artwork Acknowledgements

Other Acknowledgements

Interview with the author (synopsis)

Where to find Book 1 Rebirth

Book 1 Recap

For those of you that for some unfathomable reason were unable to read Book 1 of this adventure, here is a quick recap.

First, we discover the wondrous genetic scientist Mannix developed the method to cure sickness, evolve human abilities, and overcome violent tendencies. Second, we journey with Genne as he undergoes a procedure to genetically enhance himself. Third, FBI agent Glenn Abbott pulls us into a murder investigation surrounded by government secrets. All these pieces connect in an unexpected climax.

Here are a few highlights:

Mannix Haldanne is a genetic genius, billionaire, and idealistic post-humanist captured by the vision of genetically evolving humanity from the worst of us to the very best of us. For the last few years, he has partnered with various governments to experiment on dying and death-row prisoners to reform them and re-integrate them—a noble endeavour but one with far too many problems and secrets. Oh yeah, he also cured cancer and has a secret facility in international waters.

Innes is one of Mannix’s first subjects. This protege has a very dark past. She grew up in Japan and served many Yakuza families as an assassin. As a reformed agent, she serves as an informant to the FBI & CIA while also working for Mannix trying to repay her life debts. She is determined. She is resourceful. And she discovers she has feelings for her boss.

Anne is the devoted wife of Genne who Mannix selected as the candidate for the first historic public genetic upgrade. She is searching for her own identity and purpose while deeply aware of her weaknesses and insecurities. Eventually, as her husband turns against her, she stands firm overcoming his physical strength with her newfound conviction and confidence. Genne disappears from her life.

Glenn is an FBI agent with a troubled childhood filled with rebellion. He excels in his 20’s and joins the agency trying to create a better world. After his divorce, he is questioning his life’s direction when a bizarre case drops in his lap. How do you find a murderer among deep government secrets? His multiple interactions with Innes turn to a final confrontation when he discovers an unlikely truth … and he pays dearly for it.

JHJ is first a scientist, and second a mother. When Mannix reforms her son, she in turn, chooses to serve his cause. As a secular humanist, she has deep clarity and conviction when making difficult choices. She is an expert advisor to Mannix and handles the most difficult cases including Genne’s enhancements, his recovery, and unfortunately also his extraction. JHJ’s past and even her name is still quite a mystery.

For more information on the book and characters, please go to:

www.metamorphosisbookseries.com

Book 1 is available on sale via Amazon, Google, Goodreads, Target, and other retailers worldwide.

Chapter 1

Prometheus

Mannix was looking out of a large window of The Palais Des Nations in Geneva. While waiting just outside the Council Chamber in Section C of this vast building, he admired the unique sculpture located in front of the building. It was the largest and arguably the strangest sculpture created by Michelangelo Pistoletto, a late Italian artist. Made of almost two hundred large stones, each approximately the size of a small chair, it spans forty-two-meters long and twenty meters wide to form three connected circles. He knew the name of the sculpture, ‘Rebirth’. Its meaning was well rooted in the reconfigured infinity sign, typically consisting of two circles, but altered to include a third one signifying a rebirth of humanity and creation of a new society.

Not far from it stood another sculpture, a large armillary sphere. This unique celestial model had earth at the center of the universe with the sun and other planets rotating around it. However, instead of planets, it incorporated Zodiac, Chinese, Greek and Latin symbols. This four-meter art piece weighed close to six thousand kilograms. Although functional and rotating during its official inauguration in 1939, it has been stationary since 1942. Mannix reflected on the irony … the only time the sphere did work, was during the height of the Nazi regime in Europe.

Reflecting on these two sculptures, the first was a reminder of the infinity of human potential. The other, a reminder of human arrogance opposing science.

An attendant approached, Dr. Haldanne? he queried. He was a clean-shaven man in his 30’s formally dressed in a black suit with a white shirt, a dark navy tie, and a name tag bearing the UN insignia.

I am, Mannix answered.

The attendant continued, Sir, the United Nations and World Health Organization are awaiting you in the Council Chamber. They are eager to hear your proposal on Project Prometheus. He pointed in the direction of a large two-door entrance, then led him in saying, Right this way.

The entrance to the Chamber was guarded by heavy bronze doors created by the legendary craftsman Raymond Subes. Mannix entered confidently and scanned the hall. Multiple rows of tables and chairs were arranged in a boxy semi-circle all facing the large front table where a committee of international representatives were sitting impatiently. This large square space was known for its remarkable life-size murals by the Catalan artist José Maria Sert. The chamber features a balcony that was currently being vacated by various visitors and media, no doubt from the previous session.

Mannix walked up to the main table to greet each UN and WHO representative. He placed a small metallic container on a table nearby, then moved to the open area in front of the committee.

Thank you all for agreeing to meet with me, he started. Then, scanned their faces watching which of them were paying attention. Today I wish to present you with a new hope for humanity. I call it ‘Project Prometheus’. He paused, then walked to his container. Opening it and removing a large spherical gadget, he then placed it on the floor between himself and the committee.

Mannix paused dramatically, then exclaimed, This device is your key to overcoming the global population crisis, poverty, and the world education gap.

After a moment, Mannix continued, Here is why nobody has been able to solve any of these three key global crises—because they are all related to each other and affect one another. You can’t resolve them independently. Population growth commonly decreases as poverty is alleviated. One of the key ways to address long-term poverty is education. Globally, various organizations including yours currently invest billions of dollars to gradually improve these three. My solution will resolve all three crises within a few years.

The Indian representative rudely interrupted I’m sorry … I thought you said you can remove global poverty, substantially decrease global population growth, and raise the global education level in the next few years. Is this a joke, Mr. Haldanne?

Mannix smiled in response. I assure you this is no joke. I would not waste your time or mine on a joke. This is real.

The Kenyan representative added, I’m sorry Mr. Haldanne but we fail to understand how a device can feed the hungry and prevent population growth. Please enlighten us, he said sarcastically.

The British representative addressed the room. I wonder if some of us are unfamiliar with who you are, Mr. Haldanne. I personally have been following your career and genetic engineering advances for some time now. I am certain a man with your stature, fortune, and influence would not come here under false pretenses.

The French representative interjected. Before you explain to us exactly how you intend to do this … I would like to ask the obvious question: ‘How much will this plan of yours cost us?’

Mannix provided his answer with charm and confidence. Not a dime. I’ll cover all the costs.

The UN committee members exchanged some looks, then glued their eyes to Mannix. The Kenyan delegate invited, Proceed Mr. Haldanne. You have our full attention. Though admittedly, we are expecting there is some kind of … how you say … CATCH … to this.       Mannix smiled and began, There are three components to this plan. First, in approximately four weeks I will finish manufacturing a million of these Prometheus devices. They will be air-deployed throughout the world focusing on developing and underdeveloped countries. There are enough of them to reach 99 percent of the population currently living in poverty.

And what exactly are these devices? The Indian representative jumped in.

Mannix interpreted the inquiry as genuine interest and responded. Essentially, they are self-powered Internet-enabled education terminals. They provide a self-adaptive educational curriculum on everything from how to read, to how to make deep-water wells, to building houses, to electrical engineering, and all the way to nanotechnology. Content is served in over two thousand of the world’s most common languages. I will be providing them and shipping them at no cost. After a pause, he added, This is simply a small piece of my legacy to this world.

The Russian delegate interrupted. Many of these people will simply be unable to use the device … they don’t have that level of intelligence or even motivation.

Mannix was expecting this line of questioning. That’s precisely why I’ve developed the second component of this plan. Approximately a week before deployment of Prometheus devices, I’ll be releasing a genetic mutagen I call Accendo. It has the ability to progressively alter human DNA to increase their overall intelligence, focus, logic, memory, recall, comprehension, and other brain enhancements. It is otherwise harmless to the human body and the rest of the world’s organisms.

The World Health Organization representative responded somewhat shocked. I’m sorry … Did you just say you plan to release an untested DNA-altering mutagen to the world’s general population?

Mannix smiled. Yes, I will be releasing the mutagen. However, you are incorrect in assuming it has not been properly tested. Mannix touched his comms device and in that same moment, all the committee members received both information on the mutagen as well as details of human testing trials.

The British delegate responded, We will need more time to investigate this information. I am certain we will also need to involve the larger scientific community to verify these tests. He checked his comms device for time, then continued, Perhaps in the interest of time, we should allow you to finish describing the last component of your plan. Could we—

Mannix interrupted, It will take the mutagen about two weeks to reach and alter 99.9 percent of the world’s population. This will increase everyone’s capacity to learn and change. At just the right moment in that process, the Prometheus devices will be air-dropped around the world. This will give our new humanity the answers on how to evolve. Mannix paused dramatically before providing the last part of his plan. The third component is the new communication network used by Prometheus allowing all members to communicate with each other, share their ideas, and form communities. It also monitors and reports on the progress of each person using it.

The French delegate asked curiously, You’re using the Internet?

Mannix grinned again. Nope. I’m replacing it. The current Internet is a highly regulated grumpy antique money-pit … Prometheus will provide a new way of communicating and collaborating, one the current Internet is simply not capable of. It’s an ancient dinosaur whose time has come. This is its ice-age event.

The American representative interjected. Yet, you independently control this new communication technology. I guess this is your catch.

Mannix fully