It looks like I missed this week’s Weekly Roundup. I blame the holidays, but don’t worry! I’ll make up for it. Here is an excerpt from Lucius Sinclair. Want to read the full thing? It is now FREE to download from the iBookstore and Lulu!
Elrond and Captain Kirk gearing up for New Years Eve.
Gentlemen, it is not for another two days!
Excerpt from Lucius Sinclair
The following is (c) M.L. Crabb 2013
The anthem trickled through the speakers built into his flat screen television. Lucius Sinclair ignored it even though he was grateful for the sudden interruption. His pale hands were clammy, but they had finally stopped trembling. Vocational school was supposed to be different, he thought as the empire’s proud melody attempted to break through his concentration. Remus is in security, and I’m far away with the artisans…He swallowed and ran his fingers through his short hair.
Wisps of blonde fell in front of his eyes when the anthem was silenced by The Great Seal. Lucius gazed at the silver eagle; its downcast eyes were a reflection of the pain in his own. Did it have a twin brother whose only purpose in life was to-
“Good evening, citizens!” Ron and Barbara, the empire’s most popular news team, appeared on his TV. Their maroon business jackets complemented the khaki undertones of their skin. Barbara’s straight teeth glistened in the camera lens. “As you all know, the Annual Noble Treaty Festival is just around the corner!”
“That’s right, Barb,” Ron smiled. “In just two weeks, the streets will be paved in celebrations!” he winked. “But you and I both know that the unofficial partying has already gotten underway. Emperor Deigo Clinton is especially fond of the pre-festivities festivities.” Ron and Barbara placed their hands to their hearts, “as all citizens should be. The Noble Treaty Festival is an annual celebration that marks the birth of our great empire.” There was a pause. “The schedule of events has been released, but first to you, Barb.”
“Thank you, Ron. Before we can release the schedule, I have some sour news to report.” The cheesy grin that had been plastered over her face was replaced with a sullen frown. “A creeping twelp was captured yesterday.” A square of video footage appeared on the top right corner of the screen. A voke in a green beret with a face no older than his own stared from it, eyes wide.
“Vocational student Miles Cunningham was arrested for creeping the thoughts of his instructor. He has been found guilty and is scheduled for termination.” The image shifted. The same young man was sitting on a steel bench in a prison cell. His eyes seemed hollow, lined with circles, and his skin was a deathly shade of white. Lucius shuddered and glanced away.
“Just eighteen years old,” Ron sighed. “Let this be a lesson to our viewers: this is what happens when parents don’t do the right thing upon infancy.” Lucius rose and walked to the back of his dorm room. It wouldn’t shut out the annoying broadcast, but at least he could plug his ears, close his eyes, and pretend it wasn’t happening.
He could always step out into the hall, but the TV at the end of it would only be blaring the same thing. The young man frowned. So much for a welcome interruption…At this point, he wasn’t sure if he preferred the nasty spam of messages from his brother over Ron and Barb’s eerie story. His brother’s latest antic was showing off his stupid hemp tattoo and saying that Lucius better remember it—“Else, I’ll pound your face into the wall on my next weekend pass. Hoorah! The Prowling 42nd!”
It was a ridiculous and hideous thing. On his forearm was a bulky omega symbol with two dots and “42nd” beneath it. Remus was waving it around in his last message like it was some sort of macho ritual. Ugh… never mind him. Keep your head low. Don’t be an idiot like Miles Cunningham…Don’t get caught.
