Category: Action/Thriller Type: Fiction
Copyright: Mar 9, 2011
A group of super soldiers led by Alexander learn that the main purpose behind going on expeditions around the world was not to benefit humanity, it was to benefit their creator's pocket.
"Prototypes are always defective." The Commander
What is the difference between a hero and a villain?
For Alexander, being a hero is having the courage to turn his back on the life he has always lived. To expose the truth. To take his friends with him. To make sure that this never happens again.
For Hadrian, being a hero means following instructions. It means obeying what you are told. Making sure that those who have turned their backs are brought back to the light.
When guns are involved, it's not always easy to make the right decision. Sometimes, there's not even a right decision to make.
'Betrayals' is the start of a new superhero novel series filled with gun fights, powers, and the search for what truly makes a person a hero.
Excerpt
“I need to go to the restroom,” Alexander told Achilles who nodded in response. It was one of the few times he would be able to break away without having to tell him why. The less Achilles knew about what he planned on doing, the better. If Achilles knew what was going to happen, he would have tried to stop him. If all of his plans worked out, Achilles would come with Boudicca later when everything was safe.
As soon as Alexander made it to a restroom, he continued down the road not stopping. He couldn't stop. If he stopped, he was going to stay. As much as he wanted to look back, he knew if he did it was going to cause him to doubt himself and what he was doing. That was the last thing he needed.
He broke into a run, heading for the outskirts of the town. His rifle hit against his back from the running motion. For a moment he thought of leaving it behind but he was unsure of what was going to happen to him once he left. For all he knew, there could be troops sent after him. He would need to have it with him for the extra protection.
The edge of the city was still a distance from him. If he could make it to there, he would be safe. It would give him a chance to break away forever.
“Alexander!” a voice cried out. It was the one voice that Alexander did not want to hear – Hadrian. He and Attila had been patrolling the area near the outskirts of town. Somehow Alexander had forgot to think about them spotting him on his way out of town.
Alexander stopped for a moment. He debated turning around. It would be hard to tell them all that he knew. They would think that he was going against the entire operation which the Commander was in charge of. They would use that as an opportunity to shoot him for mutiny.
“What do you think you're doing?” Hadrian's voice said loudly. By now, people had begun to stop what they were doing to see what was happening. A small group was forming to watch them talk between each other. The strange soldiers had never behaved this way before.
Slowly turning around, Alexander responded, ”We've all been lied to. None of this is real.” He was hoping that trying to reason with Hadrian would stop this from turning into a major problem. The last thing he wanted to do was to make this an episode in which he would get involved in a shooting with Hadrian in front of the other people.
Hadrian stared at him. He was trying to determine what sort of game Alexander was trying to play with him. Taking a deep breath, he responded in a booming voice, “You are breaking command. As per the rules outlined, you are hereby ordered to return to base to be dealt with by the Commander. You have been relieved of your duty as squad captain.” He raised his weapon and pointed at Alexander. This was the typical way in which traitors were to be dealt with. His punishment would be decided by the Commander.
“You don't want to do this,” Alexander said, feeling for his weapon as well. He didn't want to do this either but if he was given no choice, he was going to act upon his only option.
Hadrian steadied his weapon, ready to fire at any moment. He had a clear shot at Alexander so he wouldn’t have to worry about missing. If Alexander tried anything, he would be ready.
A true page-turner, Jeff Ovall’s futurist work of fiction peers into the history of a world not yet realized, yet ominously closer than most could imagine. A time in which the past has been reborn and humankind, in all its glory and misery, has final
