The Excisionists: Book 1 Read online

  THE EXCIOSIONISTS

  Book 1

  Author: Rebecca Jensen

  Readers: This series was inspired in part by another of my book series, Jewel Eyes. I greatly enjoyed creating these worlds and used concepts from them as the basis for the planets and character classes. Enjoy!

  Players: The rules of each planet should be followed when engaging in RPG events to preserve the integrity of the series, but not to define the eventual outcome of the sessions. Free yourselves to determine which character class is in power and which eventuality you prefer.

  To my sons and daughter: Thank you for your support with this book series and letting me bounce ideas off you. Your critique has proven invaluable.

  Cover: Images compiled from Pixabay, Egor Kamelev, and Valeria Boltneva.

  Chapter 1 – The Excisionists

  Chapter 2 - Iolite

  Chapter 3 – Mica

  Chapter 4 – Crispin

  Chapter 5 – Edan

  Chapter 6 – Phineas

  Chapter 7 – Wes

  Chapter 8 – Amber

  Chapter 9 – The Mirror

  Chapter 10 – Vanya

  Chapter 11 – Cave Spiders

  Chapter 12 – The Eydis

  Chapter 13 – The Oroans

  Chapter 14 – Elio

  Chapter 15 – Sky Outpost

  Chapter 1 – The Excisionists

  My name is Iolite, named after the pleochroic precious stone mined in India, once used by Vikings to navigate in regions of the ocean that were far from home. Like the Vikings, my current home was nothing like it used to be before the rise of the Excisionists. I often wished I had something as simple as a stone of shifting colors that would lead me back there.

  I was mature enough to remember the old world, and still young enough to take part in the new one built by a new experimental political group composed of scientists and psychologists. This group was the first of its kind and had risen to power in only four short years, completely engulfing all other political parties. Their main objective was created with the idea of a single world organization that would direct the affairs of all.

  What made their beliefs so powerful, was that they were simple and based on principles that would bring about uniformity and unity of all they governed. The fact that our country had been at war for nearly ten years also tipped the balances in their favor. The Excisionists promised an end to the fighting by creating a new way of living that would allow for soldiers and A.I.’s to interface with us and become units that would protect all citizens to prevent wars both foreign and domestic. They promised a rise in food production along with medical care that healed all illnesses and prevented many of them in subsequent generations. The masses elected them without much thought with the tantalizing promise that they would receive security, an unending supply of food, and an end to physical suffering. Surprisingly, within the first year, all promises had come to fruition and our lives had been transformed.

  Prior to living in the communal compounds, I’d lived in an area of town that was reserved for those with low incomes. My childhood home was an apartment on the third floor of a building made of reddish-brown bricks next to dozens of apartment buildings that all appeared exactly the same. We lived next to the train tracks with noisy clacking trains that blew their horns all hours of the day. I’d watch out the window at the busy streets below while the drug dealers made exchanges and the homeless hopped on passing trains. Although it wasn’t Park Avenue, it was home.

  In contrast to my early home, we now lived in massive structures with glass that shifted from amber to clear depending on the amount of light that filtered through them. They had hundreds of levels both above and below ground. Most of the levels could be accessed by residents, while others involved with scientific research, medical wards, or food production could only be accessed if you had clearance based on your job description which was represented by a specific color.

  When the structures were first built, we were amazed at the speed with which the buildings were completed. Only A.I. workers were involved which prevented human error and loss of work for inconveniences such as sleeping and eating. Once the complexes were finished, we were moved into the housing levels based on both proximity to the living quarters and social status. Elitists and scientists were placed first, the wealthy second, working class third, and working poor last. My parents were considered working poor and had to wait nearly four months after completion before they were allowed in with their child.

  We were allowed to take only one small suitcase with us for the entire family and were not allowed to take any clothing other than the one item we wore. I had on an A-line dress that was the color of sunshine with a single row of lace at the bottom of the skirt. My mother had worked many extra hours and saved for months to purchase fabric for this one luxury so I would be presentable for our entry into one of the complexes. She made a simple dress of the same material for herself, minus the lace and extra skirting material. My father wore his best pair of gray slacks and a clean white shirt. I remember seeing his worn and scuffed shoes shined up with black polish for the big day. I felt pretty for the first time with the neat braids in my chestnut hair and my bangs trimmed so everyone could see my bright cobalt eyes.

  I was trembling with anticipation as we entered the sealed metallic doors. They whooshed open and a blast of cool air rushed past my cheeks. We were ushered in by two young women in gray uniforms and brought to the education room with a large group of others. The metal benches were hard, and I fidgeted while I waited for the presentation to begin.

  My mother squeezed my hand and whispered in my ear. “I’m so excited for today, be sure to be on your best behavior and do as they say.”

  I nodded eagerly as I watched two men in white clothing enter the room. They were middle-aged and had an air of importance about them. Lights dimmed, and a spotlight cast an almost angelic glow on the two.

  One stepped forward. A large smile spread across his face. His eyes were pale blue, and his hair was platinum blonde. He was average height but appeared stronger than most. “I am Genesis, and this is my colleague Alchemy. We are responsible for this entire facility and wanted to welcome you all here today.”

  Alchemy stepped forward with a warm smile and a slight bow. His hair was sable and his eyes the color of honey. His skin was a deep bronze, he was nearly six-feet tall, and he was fit like a runner. “Welcome. All of you in this room are the final group this facility is accepting. We are excited to meet you and find your strengths. This will allow us to find your place in our society and elevate your status far beyond anything you’ve ever imagined.”

  Genesis chimed in again with a bright tone. “Our former society only focused on how much you possessed and ranked people based on his or her exterior appearance. This new experimental societal structure puts all of these petty differences aside and allows everyone to have a place of value among friends.”

  Alchemy nodded and continued his obviously practiced speech. “All of you will be allowed to place your things inside the living quarters of your cabin, but they will be restricted to the sleeping quarters as to not display our former prejudices and allow everyone to become unified. We all wear uniforms that are colored based on the areas you will have access to. No one color is more important than another. In fact, our society can’t exist without all types of members. Be proud of the color you are assigned.”

  Genesis gestured toward the double doors behind him. “In just a few moments, you will all be taken through these doors into a new life. You will be instructed to change into your temporary uniforms, undergo a few medical procedures, and then you will be shown to your cabin. The computer in your room will instruct you further and be s
ure you are well fed. Be sure to give your suitcase to your medical examiner’s assistant and it will be delivered to your room. All of you will be seen individually and then reunited with your loved ones soon. Please proceed through the doors now, starting with the first row.”

  We stood up and clutched our belongings as we walked slowly through the doors. I was taken into one of the dozens of medical rooms near the two they took my parents into. Pale peachy walls were revealed from behind the sliding metal door. Inside the room were two women clad in dark green standing by a single large black chair.

  One of the women stepped forward and bent down to address me. “Iolite, that’s a pretty name. May I have your suitcase?”

  I nodded and handed the small case to her.

  “Thank you. My name is Myra, and this is Dr. Sonnet. She will be performing your scans today. Here’s your temporary uniform. Please go behind that wall and change.”

  I turned around to see a wall that hadn’t been there before. I took the yellow uniform and slippers and walked behind the wall. I quickly changed and brought my dress with me when I was finished.

  Myra smiled. “I will take your dress and shoes.”

  I held on to it for just a second longer. “Please be careful with it. My mom made it for me.”

  “That’s nice. I’ll be sure to take care of it for you.”

  I handed them to her and waited for them to say something else.

  Dr. Sonnet held her hand out and leaned down toward me. “Come with me. I need you to get into this chair. You don’t need to be nervous, you will be scanned by a computer and your medical exam will be over soon.”

  I took her hand and she helped me into the large chair. I sat back and watched the pair as a platform emerged from the floor and a circular machine dropped from the ceiling. It swirled around me and the doctor stared at the screen with her assistant. They chatted back and forth as they tapped on the display of the platform. Minutes later, the machine lifted back into the ceiling, and another machine lifted from the floor. My chair leaned back so I was laying nearly flat. The two pieces of the instrument formed a dome over my chair. Suddenly, I became excessively sleepy. My eyes were too heavy to keep open and my limbs were heavy and immoveable. I closed my eyes for just a second, and then I immediately felt awake. The dome parted, and my chair moved back to its original position.

  Dr. Sonnet smiled sweetly and held her hand out to me again. “You did very well. The scans are complete, and you may go with Myra to your room. Your parents will be waiting for you.”

  I hopped off the chair without assistance and looked around the room for my suitcase. “Where’s my bag?”

  Myra spoke. “I took it to your room while you slept.”

  I was confused. “I didn’t sleep, I only closed my eyes for a second.”

  She nodded. “It may have seemed like a second, but it was a little longer than that. Let’s get you to your room, I’m sure you’re hungry. What’s your favorite food?”

  I thought for a second. “I really love cake. Do you think there will be any cake at dinner tonight?”

  She chuckled. “There will be whatever you can think of. Follow me.”

  I trotted behind her down the hallway into a cylindrical elevator that took us to the correct level. I didn’t say a word as we approached room 5074. The door swished open to reveal my parents sitting on a soft gray couch sipping from steaming white mugs and munching on cookies. The entire room was shades of gray and blue and had a soft navy rug on the floor.

  I rushed in and hugged them both. “Mommy! Daddy!”

  They hugged me back. “How’s my munchkin? Come sit with us and eat.”

  My father held out a white plate with the biggest slice of chocolate cake I’d ever seen and handed me a small tawny stuffed rabbit. “Thank you daddy!”

  Chapter 2 - Iolite

  I snapped back to reality when the door behind me slid open. These days I wore black. For the kids, the temporary yellow uniforms had been replaced within weeks of entering the compound with silky verdant jumpsuits and matching cushioned boots. I had once been allowed to wear the garb of privilege for the first six years, but after being unable to place me in society, I was forced to wear black until a decision could be made. During that time, my parents had gone through a battery of testing allowing my father to wear the blue uniform of the engineers and my mother the rosy pink of a nurturer. My brother Mica had been born nearly two years after our entry into the compound and my parents were blissfully unaware of what was going on with the training of the children.

  The Excisionists who wore white were constantly trying to force us into compliance and manipulating us with planned activities and tasks. Those of us who wore black were noncompliant in some way or another and were the undesirables of this social experiment. I personally lacked the desire to comply, was suspicious of authority, and always finished tasks before the other children. All of these, with the exception of the last, were unsatisfactory traits for someone who could be successful in the new world. Today I was meeting with Dr. Sonnet and her assistant Myra to once again discuss my lack of progress toward becoming a meaningful part of the unit. I knew they would be ready for me as soon as the door opened, so I stood up and faced the door.

  Myra was dressed in the same dark green uniform that I’d seen her in on the first day I entered the structure. She had a tight-lipped smile as she addressed me and I could tell she was nervous. “Nice to see you again Iolite. Are you ready to go?”

  I nodded.

  “Okay, great! Let’s head to Dr. Sonnet’s room.” Her dark eyes and hair were so similar in color, it made me almost believe she was an A.I., but I knew that wasn’t true because I’d seen her bleed and her neck still bore the scar of the attack.

  I nodded once again and walked next to her down the hallway to the elevator. When we reached Dr. Sonnet’s exam room, it had been configured to be ready for an interview. I walked in and sat in the wooden chair in front of her desk. Myra left quickly without another word, and Dr. Sonnet leaned forward and placed her chin on the back of her neatly folded hands.

  I pushed a strand of hair back from my face and folded my hands in my lap. “Dr. Sonnet, so nice to see you again.”

  Her cold blue eyes searched my face. “Is it nice to see me?”

  I stared blankly at her.

  “You know why we’re here today, right?”

  I shook my head. “No. Why don’t you enlighten me.”

  She sighed loudly through thick rounded lips. “I think you do, but I’ll explain it anyway. You know that we’ve tried to help you since you arrived, but you always resist our influence. We have always wanted you to find your place here in society, but there’s no one position that you’ve been happy with. Why is that?”

  I’d heard this speech many times before, yet today there was something harsh in her tone. I answered the same way I had before as if that would bring about a different outcome than it had in the past. “I have difficulty staying focused on only one thing at a time. I like puzzles, new discoveries, and –”

  She cut me off with a raised voice. “Don’t give me the same story again. Today, things are changing and I’m going to be blunt. You have a choice. Either undergo a procedure to conform or be a part of a new program that allows you to express your differences in a way that’s productive. What’s your pleasure?”

  I was shocked at her coarseness and intrigued by the prospects of actually having some choice in what happened to me. “Can you tell me more about the two choices?”

  She sat back in her chair and smoothed her honey colored locks before addressing me. She dimmed the lights as she spoke. “Genesis and Alchemy have been working with a group of scientists and have designed a new program that allows for a choice on how you nonconformists will be integrated into society. Choice one is to allow us to surgically implant an Omega Wave Interceptor Device. Watch this.” She tapped the screen on her desk and a hologram flickered into existence. “Once implanted, the device shown
blocks specific types of brain waves that allow the person to use their skill set awakened by the device. It also allows for a feeling of peace and they may become one with society. It allows for an appropriate selection of an approved position. When it is implanted, it gelatinizes and adheres to the frontal lobe to inhibits some of the limbic system functions.”

  I watched the display closely as two people in green stood in a white room near a young woman with copper hair. The physician lifted a small metallic cylinder with a wedge at the end and placed a tiny blinking chip on the wedge. The doctor pushed her hair to the side and placed the wedge against the base of her skull. He pressed it into her flesh and I watched as the tiny chip melded with her brain stem. The pink lights were visible under her skin for a few moments before it burrowed its way deep into the brain. Her amber eyes enhanced by obsidian flecks winced with pain and then her pupils contracted, and her expression relaxed. She blinked several times and then a look of serenity appeared. The images disappeared as the space blinked black and then switched to a shot of the same young woman wearing a crimson uniform working happily as a researcher in a lab.

  The hologram ended, and Dr. Sonnet tapped the screen to pull a second hologram into view. “Here’s your second option.”

  A large white room came into focus with dozens of clear cylindrical tanks filled with teens and children wearing a full body suit hooked to hundreds of cables. Headsets circled their brows and their eyes were covered with a thin mirrored film. I watched as the bottom of the tanks filled with spheres of clear gel that bounced around in the chamber in response to their movements. They melded together to form sheets and lumps to simulate the game environment. The view switched to what they were seeing. It was a complex world with ships, brightly colored planets, and impressive weaponry. A crimson lily with a triangular tanzanite crystal at its center flashed into view and ended the hologram with shimmering, mesmerizing hues.