Attrition: Initiation: Laws of Attrition, #0

By Bronwyn Leroux

Chiara Baschet was only six when her home was invaded by the dreaded monitors of the Cirrian Conglomerate. Chiara thought her world had ended. Then the terrifying man in the suit appeared…

 

But she soon realized the man, Director Cygnus, was her benefactor, the one with her best interests at heart. The only person pleading with the all-powerful Board for her right to see her family after being separated from them and sent to the awful academy where she could finally use her prodigious intellect.

 

As her knowledge grew, Director Cygnus began giving her assignments. Projects all grounded in science. An intriguing world without frontiers. A realm where Chiara could forget her worries and cares and indulge in the blissful ignorance of just inventing.

 

Under this spell, is she even aware of her family's true plight? Can she recognize danger coming before it arrives? Or will she fall, another victim of attrition?

 

Discover the thrilling prequel to the Laws of Attrition series in Attrition: Initiation. Perfect for fans of dystopian science fiction who enjoyed Red Rising and The Maze Runner. Don't miss out on this exhilarating journey, which can be read as a standalone story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bronwyn Leroux
• Release date: Apr 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9781953107206

Book preview

1

Through the interior window of my new office, I survey the glass beakers, test tubes, and flasks sparkling in shiny steel racks above pristine lab workbenches. A burst of flame from a newly lit Bunsen burner draws my attention, briefly bronzing the shiny metal of the expensive, ultra-modern lab equipment nearby. So many machines, so many functions.

When the tech reduces the flame, the metal turns silver again, but her presence reminds me people are also out there. All much older and the group I’m now supposed to lead.

The harrowing thought makes me break out in a cold sweat. My eyes sweep the room beyond for another distraction. The clean room in the far corner of the lab is a marvel of engineering and science, providing endless opportunities for exploring hazardous matter.

But nothing compares to the personal lab that’s all mine now. When I was taken from my family in a nightmarish raid almost a decade ago, I never dreamed I’d end up sitting here. I still can’t quite believe I am. Leaning back in the plush chair (not real leather of course, but close enough), the warmth cocoons me as I rock back, inspecting my surroundings.

My chair squeaks pitifully as I rise. Moving to the window, I peer out sideways and find my little kingdom just a short way down the corridor. How I envied my predecessor’s ability to work in her own private lab uninterrupted. Not to mention the equipment within. Talk about matches made in heaven!

My satisfied inhalation brings the pungent odor of heated metal, reminding me of a project we are working on. One of many. All of which I’ll have to oversee as the new head of R&D for Cirrian Conglomerate.

Me! Chiara Baschet. Teen prodigy under the personal protection of Cygnus McQueen, director of said conglomerate. And the most powerful man on the planet.

What if I fail him?

I’m about to freak out, so I take a few slow calming breaths. There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ve dealt with worse. Overcome so much more.

Equilibrium regained, I grin. Who would ever have thought a short kid from nowhere would rise to this?

Lamentably, I have no one to share this moment with. If only my family were here. We could celebrate together. They could see the wonderful things I play with every day. Just imagining talking and laughing with them like I can’t do with anyone here plunges me into despair. Abruptly, tears spill out.

I turn away from the window, not wanting anyone to see. Bitter memories intrude on a victorious moment. The day my father left our home and never returned. The event which set everything else in motion.

Waiting for Dad to get home. The sudden, overwhelming noise as hell descended on us. Pandemonium as the invading beetles dragged my screaming mom outside. My frantic, wailing siblings, turning to me for comfort when I couldn’t even comprehend what was happening. An armored vehicle’s door opening and the creepy man in the suit stepping out.

He surveyed the scene with undisguised disgust. Then something caught his attention, and a gleam of speculation entered those golden eyes. A harsh exchange with my mother followed, but I was too far away to hear.

My family was shoved into one armored vehicle and me into another, them to go wherever they were taken, me to the sterile intake facility where they did endless tests. Our family irrevocably separated. Only ever allowed to gather when we have something to celebrate.

Abruptly, the tears slow. Al-Li! I have something to celebrate. I should see them soon!

2

Heartened by the thought, I flop back down on my chair, the emotional seesaw of the last few hours exhausting.

However, now I’ve opened the vault buried too long in the darkest recesses of my