Any advice? Not for dead people. Don't send ghosts.

In this scene from Bringer of Chaos, Ahjdaya, a human tech agent, is speaking to one of the immortals who’s been deemed “safe”. In other words, a traitor to the other Ultras.

30 Days of Chaos: Day 10

To celebrate the launch of Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas I’m sharing 30 Days of Chaos. Each day during April, I’ll post one excerpt from the book, along with a poster of a quote by Pietas. On the final day, members of my Romance Lives Forever Reader Group will receive a full color book containing all the quotes and posters. Unlike my website, the book posters will have only a quote and a beautiful image. Look for a giveaway at the end of this post.

Dead People Fighting

Ahjdaya ran a hand through his hair. “We were so sure Pietas would get in the pod.” He chewed his lower lip, and then shot the advisor a sharp look. “You didn’t think he’d do it, did you? You knew he’d refuse.”

“I counted on it.”

“That’s why you’re so dead set on us jettisoning the module they’re in. You wanted us to terminate him. If you hate him that much, why didn’t you kill him yourself?”

“It has nothing to do with hate. Pietas is more dangerous than you can imagine.”

“Who is he, anyway? I mean, I know he’s the head of the Ultra Council, and everyone freaked when they heard he was coming here, but… What has he done?”

“He’s killed more humans than any known Ultra. He doesn’t negotiate, and he doesn’t show mercy. You’ve heard of the Rroglyn?”

“Cat people from the edge of the galaxy. Striped fur and huge claws. They eat humans. Who hasn’t?” He shuddered.

“He created them. He designed other races of non-humans. You don’t hear about them because they haven’t come here yet, but they will. Pietas will use them for war, and they’ll swarm like insects once he sets them free. His parents are both scientists. His father created the Fire-Eyes. Remember them? Warriors who can kill by looking at a person? Mahikos enhanced Pietas and his sister before they were born, and then added more enhancements for years after. Pietas is more lethal than whole armies. Dessy is a tactician unlike any the galaxy has ever seen. Their mother is a scientist who single-handedly made it possible to terraform entire planets. That history lesson should suffice. Do not free this man.”

“I’ve seen war all my life. His entire family is a threat, not just him.”

“As long as the ap Lorectic family is alive, humans will not be safe, but Pietas is the worst. Kill them while you have the chance.”

“I can’t do anything without clearance.”

He took a deep breath, let it all out. “All right.” He rubbed his brow, and turned away. “Send in more than four people. At least twice that many. They won’t land one blow. He’s fast. No human has ever hit him. When they open that door, they’ll be facing Death. I don’t mean the risk of death. I mean Death incarnate. He’ll confuse them by using emotion against them. He can take the fear of one and broadcast it to the others. He’s a strong empath. They don’t call him the Bringer of Chaos for nothing. And remember, he can project illusions. Don’t turn off the cameras. Cameras don’t lie. Believe the cameras before you believe your eyes. He doesn’t have much air, but he might try illusions.”

“We’ll do that. Thank you.” Ahjdaya’s earpiece buzzed, and he listened a moment. “You’ll be happy to know, they’re sending in a team from Ghost Division.”

“You can’t be serious. You’re sending in recycled ops soldiers. Ahjdaya, they’re dead people.”

“They’re not dead. Special ops soldiers who die are reanimated for short-term missions. Ghosts are better than cyborgs. They can go without air for a time, like Ultras. Sure, they have a short life but their sole objective is to kill. People are terrified of them.”

“People, yes. Pietas? He’ll laugh. You can’t send ghosts against him. He’ll take them apart with his bare hands.”

“Not this team. They’ve been reanimated before, and they’ve been on the front lines. They’ve fought Ultras. They’re the best fighters we have.”

“Had.”

“Excuse me?”

“Might as well start using the past tense. They’re going to be dead. Again.”

The voice in Ahjdaya’s ear prompted him, and he repeated what he was told to say. “These guys are good. You’ll see.”

“What you’ll see is slaughter. You’re sending dead people to fight the strongest Ultra in the galaxy. He will–literally–eat them.”

Ahjdaya tapped his earpiece, listened, and relayed the message. “They want to know if you have any other advice.”

“Not for dead people. If they were alive, I’d tell them to say their prayers.” The Ultra said nothing more.

Ahjdaya tapped the earpiece. “Good to go.”

The Ultra started to walk away, but then turned back. “One more thing.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t send in reinforcements. You’d have to open the door. That’ll give him air. He’s going to make you want to do that.”

“How?”

With those glistening, solid-colored eyes, his smile looked like a mask on a demon’s face. “By killing everyone you send in.”
—
Bringer of Chaos: the Origin of Pietas
Immortal. Warrior. Outcasts. Traitors took everything. Except their honor.
Preorder on Amazon http://amzn.to/1R8DAbb (Out May 1, 2016)
Read now in print on CreateSpace http://bit.ly/boc-origin-csp