Formerly an on-site educator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC, Andrew Gates is now a Virginia-based science-fiction writer and magazine contributor. He is best known as the author of the
Color of Water and Sky series.
Gates has always been fascinated by science-fiction and fantasy ever since he was a kid. His writing style has been compared to that of Isaac Asimov, author of the Foundation series. Gates's multiple POV writing style focuses on world-building and large scope politics. Though his stories take place in a fictional world, his characters are realistically portrayed and grounded in reality.
When Andrew Gates is not writing, he enjoys running competitively and watching films.
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About the Book
Kholvaria has been attacked. Its greatest city destroyed. A cloud of debris now covers the void once filled by Vigilant Behemoth. In the wake of this unexpected assault, the Chiefdom’s leadership is promptly evacuated to a fallback shelter beneath the surface. But the horrors of the Behemoth’s destruction cannot be forgotten. Here in the grimy confines beneath the Earth, Kho Veznek, second-in-command of the Chiefdom, will stop at nothing to claim vengeance on those responsible for his city’s destruction… even if that means going through his own people to do it. As tensions mount between the ranks of humans and Kholvari alike, the fate of the world comes to its ultimate tipping point.
Author’s Warning: This novel contains scenes of graphic sexual trauma and physical torture and is intended for mature audiences. Reader discretion is advised.
Veznek is the third book in the
Color of Water and Sky series by Andrew Gates.
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Keep reading for an excerpt:
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| Veznek |
The biochemist held the stopped vial in his right hand, staring at the vivid color as it gleamed in the light. It looked so pure, like a cloudless sky on a sunny day. It was hard to believe this small sample of liquid could be the key to saving humanity.
It had been too long since there had been any hope.
“It’s beautiful,” Carla added, leaning in over David’s shoulder. She pressed her human hand against his back, comfortingly. “Now just don’t drop it.”
“Very funny, Carla. You know if I dropped this thing, that’s years of research down the drain.”
David carefully placed it back
in the tray. Good, he thought, it’s secure.
“I know, I know,” she replied. “I’m just giving you a hard time. I know how much this moment means to you, to the world.”
“It means a lot. That’s why I made a backup. I put it in that case over there,” he said, motioning to a black box on a rack.
“And here you had me worried.”
David removed the safety goggles and turned to face her.
As always, Carla’s robotic left arm was first to catch his eye. It extended well past the sleeve of her lab coat, almost a full hand’s length longer than her natural right arm. The metallic prosthetic came in handy when working with hazardous or heavy equipment. If resources had been what they used to be, David would have gotten the same procedure for himself.
Today Carla wore a lab coat with a pink t-shirt underneath. He always liked the way pink looked on her. It complimented her rosy cheeks and thin lips. Carla’s short brown hair appeared unkempt, suggesting she had gone without a shower for far too long. David guessed his own hair did not look much better.
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| Vigilant Behemoth |
“Now doctor, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you were eyeing me up,” Carla noted.
David smiled as he stood to join her.
“Tracking my eye movements, are you? I know you have enhanced vision, but it’s not that good.”
“Oh, you can’t be so sure, mister.”
They leaned in and shared a kiss. Her lips felt soft against his. They held this moment for a few seconds. For the first time in a long time, David felt truly at peace.
“You did it,” she said, congratulating him as they pulled away. “Your formula… it’s done! It’s all done.”
“Mostly done,” David admitted. “Testing on squirrels is one thing. A live human is…” He shook his head. “Very different.”
“It’ll work,” Carla said, reassuringly. “I know it will.”
“It had better,” he replied. For all our sakes.
