Procris (The Complex Book 0) Read online

  Procris

  M Stratton

  Contents

  Synopsis

  Other Works by M. Stratton

  A Brief History on Humans and Metas

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Epilogue

  Untitled

  About the Author

  Also by M Stratton

  Also by M Stratton

  How To Find M. Stratton

  Procris

  By M. Stratton

  The Complex Book Series.

  A Lone Planet. One Complex.

  Unlimited Chaos.

  http://www.thecomplex.info

  After a brutal war between Humans and Metas, an uneasy truce is declared in the Seldova solar system. At the conclusion of the treaty signing, the Complex is created on the lone planet, Lorn. The Complex is a blended community of Humans and Metas, all sent to test the waters of a more peaceful existence between the two races. Living under a domed community can only mean one thing for the Humans and Metas. Chaos.

  Halley has lived her life in the shadow of her vibrant sister, her only future: taking care of her family. After a brutal attack leaves her sister a shell of the Human she used to be; Halley is told she is going to the Complex, so the family can have the money it needs to possibly help her sister.

  Lucian and his brother, Fandare, come to the Complex to make double the money for their clan. As leader, Lucian will do whatever it takes to keep his people safe and give them everything they need. The brothers see an opportunity to make some extra cash, knowing both Meta and Human alike covet items the Complex will not allow.

  When magic decides an outcast Strogi should be forever linked with a Human, they discover they are allowed something neither one thought they'd ever have, love.

  Procris

  Copyright 2016 by M. Stratton

  Cover by ShoutLines Design

  Edited by Karen Barren Acres Editing

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the author.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  Procris is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Other Works by M. Stratton

  The Storm Series

  After the Storm

  Eye of the Storm

  Caught in the Storm

  Fade to Black

  Bender

  Revenge

  The Star Series

  When Dreams Come True

  Wishing on a Star

  120 days…

  Novellas

  Dreaming in Moonlight

  Constant Echo

  Fate of Elements

  A Brief History on Humans and Metas

  Seldova Solar System

  The Seldova Solar System is made up of one sun and seven plants, but only six are inhabited.

  The Humans inhabit the following planets:

  Planet Wreston, the largest Human planet, the President is Jessica Jones, a female Human

  Planet Raxu, the second largest Human planet, the President of Nathan Clifton, a male Human

  Planet Emalo, the smallest Human planet, the President of Susan Jackson, a female Human

  The Metas inhabit the following planets:

  Planet Pinao, the largest Meta planet, the President is Ol Grazad, a male Giant

  Planet Famiil, the second largest Meta planet, the President is Wyn Qal, a male Monk

  Planet Creda, the smallest Meta planet, the President is PFar KLii, a male Slayer

  The Lone Planet is Lorn, now home to the Complex.

  The Humans

  Humans escaped Earth when a nuclear holocaust wiped the planet of natural resources in 3910. They travelled for forty years until in 3950, when they found the Seldova solar system. They initially only inhabited Wreston, but when the Metas showed up in 4112, they fought for Pinao and Famiil. They won. Barely. The war was initially waged out of the Humans fear of extinction, but it quickly became a battle for land due to most of the Metas longer, some immortal, lifespans. The war lasted twelve years (until 4124 – in Human terms) until an uneasy truce was settled.

  The Metas

  Metas escaped their planet, Vaimm, when natural disasters wrecked their planet in their year 19012. Coming from a destructive planet, and having travelled 300 years to find a habitable solar system, they rejoiced when they found Seldova in 19312 (4112 in the Human year). Until they realized Humans already inhabited it. Weary from so many years of traveling together, Metas don’t play nice together, they fought the Humans for the solar system, fearing their own extinction if they lived together much longer on one massive spaceship.

  Government/Law Enforcement

  A new government made of Humans and Metas was created in 1 AS. It is called: Ama Seldova. There is one president on each planet, who each work together to keep the peace between the people. Each president’s reign lasts ten years.

  Law Enforcement is called, Climintra, nickname: Intra. Law enforcement is run by the Ama Seldova.

  The Complex

  After a brutal war (called Project Extinction or P-Extinction) between Humans and Metas an uneasy truce is declared in the Seldova solar system. At the conclusion of the treaty signing, the Complex is created on the lone planet, Lorn. The Complex is a blended community of Humans and Metas, all sent to test the waters of a more peaceful existence between the two races. Living together under one Main City dome and four climate specific environmental domes can only mean on thing for the Humans and Metas. Chaos.

  Chapter 1

  January 1, 4 Ama Seldova

  Halley

  I clutched my small bag as the jetter descended through the atmosphere onto the planet Lorn, in the Seldova solar system. I swear the pilot enjoyed tossing us around as we hit turbulence. This was going to be my new home for the next two and a half years. The Complex.

  A sigh escaped my lips as we touched down. Solid ground. It had been a tense flight from the only planet I’d ever known, Raxu, one of the Human-held planets in this system. My family had been there since the Metas first showed up in our solar system.

  As we slowly made our way to the front of the jetter to disembark, I kept repeating to myself I had to do this. My family needed the money, and the additional status symbol of being an ambassador would do wonders for us. It would be a huge relief to not have to the worry about food or medical services on my shoulders.

  I knew what I had to do, I had to focus on completing the contract, and then I could be free. Already 50,000 Seldova Coin, or S-Co for short, had been transferred to my account, which my family was already spending. Once I make it to the end, then I’d get the other half. Or more importantly, the
y will.

  As soon as I was off the jetter, the blast of hot arid air hit me. Gazing around at the long lines, I simply went where I was directed, it wasn’t until I turned the corner that I saw exactly how long the lines were. There was no way we were all going to be inside once night fell. I tried not to think of all the Metas that surrounded me. That hated Humans. That used us as snacks or toys. I knew better than to make stereotypes, but the fear of the unknown paralyzed me. Plus, all the stories of what Metas did to Humans during P-Extinction. To be fair, Human’s weren’t always the most humane to each other, let alone Metas.

  After what had happened to my sister, I knew better than to make eye contact with any Meta; my family couldn’t handle it if the same thing happened to me. I had to stay safe while I was here. If that meant taking a backseat to Metas to keep the peace, I could do that. I was used to it. My life had always been second to Starr, everyone catered to her, even in the state she is in.

  My eyes kept drifting to the Complex, rising out of the dirt, imposing in its height and gleaming in the sunlight. Considering the distance I still had to travel to get into it, I couldn’t image anything that large, rising from the barren desert, completely self-sustaining, keeping Metas and Humans locked together. Once inside, we weren’t allowed to leave. In my head, I knew they created four different zones for us, depending on the types of environments we needed, or were used to, so there should be no reason to ever need to leave. In theory, it was its own ecosystem and it would be like being outside. Everything we could possibly need would be in there, but I wasn’t sure I liked the fact I was forced to stay within its the vast system they built.

  As the day wore on, tensions escalated around me. Beings, both Meta and Human, started to fight and were immediately subdued and removed. My body ached from standing and the heat was almost unbearable. Sweat rolled down my body and stung my eyes. There wasn’t enough water to go around and we all smelled terrible. As the sun finally set, the temperature dropped, and the winds picked up. I hadn’t brought anything warmer with me, since Ama Seldova were providing all clothing. Shaking so badly, my teeth rapped hard against each other and filled my head with noise. It was so loud; I barely heard the sound of more jetters arriving. Those were for the Metas, who could only come out at night. Since the night was only four hours long on Lorn, they were now given priority to get inside before the sun rose again. My wait just got longer.

  I was sure a Meta like the one that attacked my sister would be on one of these. I never wanted to see one of them again.

  Chapter 2

  January 2, 4 AS

  Lucian

  “Brother, you might want to calm down,” Fandare whispered to me.

  I growled a response.

  His breath moved across my neck as he sighed. “Excellent work, maybe next time we can work on your communication skills.”

  This time I did nothing but stare ahead, with my arms folded across my chest, doing everything I could not to use my powers to make these Humans, and even the Metas, disappear. The only reason I was here was because of my brother. I’m happier in the shadows, doing whatever I needed in order for my clan to survive. I was paid very well for my certain skill set and I was content living my life. For the most part, I was alone, with only Fandare braving my inner sanctum on Creda, the smallest of the Meta planets. That’s how I liked it. I watched over my clan and would do anything for them, but I craved solitude.

  I’d been in trouble with the Climintra, or Intra, too many times and was heading to some serious time when Fandare decided this was going to be the perfect ‘experience’ for us. He went on and on about what we’d be able to do as ambassadors and the money we’d get for our clan. We’d be able to become legit and offer more for our small clan. He also claimed it would be good for me to interact with Humans. Yeah, that was top on my list.

  Besides the fact, I owed my brother. Doing this would also wipe my record clean, both of ours, considering the only time he had gotten into any kind of trouble was when he was trying to help me. In the end, we were brothers and it was for the clan, so we would both do what needed to be done. It didn’t mean I had to like it.

  I glanced out of the corner of my eye at my brother, he was the light; I was the dark. Tall and muscular, with short blond hair and the lightest blue eyes, he used his good looks to charm everyone he encountered. Females, Human or Meta, flocked to him like a moth to flame and they always had a good time. Our builds were the same, but I had long, black hair that was secured at the back of my head, and my eyes were a deep blue. I preferred not have to talk to anyone, if I didn’t have to. If most Humans or Metas spent a considerable amount of time with me, they wouldn’t be having a good time, and typically ended up dead.

  For my brother, I would endure anything. Even Humans.

  We finally entered the area where they’d search our bags. I wasn’t worried; they wouldn’t find anything. I stood there waiting for them to finish digging through my things, and I watched what was going on around me. I was always watching. It’s how the predator stayed alive.

  “Well, what do we have here? More scum?” A man, sounding like he had a mouth full of food, said from behind the Intra that was searching our things.

  I slowly cut my eyes back over to him and sized him up. His thinning hair and large stomach, straining the buttons on his uniform, and his demeanor, told me everything I needed to know. His badge read ‘Merrill.’

  “Got anything to say there, boy?” His lip curled at me.

  “No.” I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction, but I did take note of everything about him, including his distinct scent, so I could find him wherever he may hide. I knew he was going to be causing problems, and I wanted to know if he was around anything of mine.

  “Says here you’re a Strogi. And…” He flipped through the file. “Seems to me like you just love to get into trouble.” He slammed the file shut. “That’s not going to fly here, boy.”

  “You do understand I am hundreds of years older than you; calling me ‘boy’ couldn’t be further from the truth.” I raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Seems to me that someone who isn’t responsible and can’t stay out of trouble is a boy.” He tried to suck in his stomach and puff out his chest.

  I leaned in closer to him, but kept a safe distance. I didn’t want to get kicked out when we were so close to getting in. “And then there are those boys who like to play dress-up and act all big and important, when in actuality they are…”

  “What my brother means to say,” Fandare interrupted. “Is that we will cause no problems while we are here. It is our goal to live harmoniously with the Humans. All of them.” He glared at me out from the corner of his eyes. “Right, brother?” His hand squeezed my shoulder.

  “Of course, whatever my brother says.” I stood up to my full height and stared down at him.

  “Here,” a woman’s voice called. “Your bags are good. Move on.”

  “Thank you.” I grabbed our bags, handing my brother his and walked past Merrill, carefully making sure I didn’t touch him.

  “Procris, enjoy your job assignment,” he hissed.

  If he was expecting me to have a reaction, he’d have to call me something worse than an outcast. I’ve been one my whole life and preferred it that way.

  Chapter 3

  January 2, 4 AS

  Halley

  Standing next to a potted plant, I looked across the street at the Uni-Brew I was going to be working at for my time here. The first thing I wanted to see was where I was going to be spending most of my time before heading off to my living quarters.

  As jobs go, it wasn’t the worst that I could have been given; coffee was a luxury for me, and one that I loved. It didn’t seem as sterile and pristinely perfect as everything else I’d seen around the Complex so far. I could only hope my coworkers would be nice; otherwise it could be a long two and a half years.

  I was distracted from memorizing the shops on the streets and any possible escape rou
te I may need, or conversely, any areas that might end up being a trap, by two tall powerful men stopping in front of the Uni-Brew. The blond one doubled over laughing and the other one glared. There was something about them and I inched my way closer to them.

  “Fandare, you can stop making an ass out of yourself.”

  “Brother, I cannot. Look! A coffee house and you as manager. What were they thinking?” His musical laughter rang out.

  “Oh, I know what they were thinking. ‘Strogi doesn’t like to be around Humans, he’d rather work in the sewers than to serve them.’ So, what do they do? They put me somewhere Humans love to socialize.” The dark one rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t do this.”

  I saw the blond straighten up. “Lucian, we have to. You are the strongest of all of us. We need this for our clan.”

  “But a coffee house? How can I be nice all day long? To Humans, no less.” His head slowly shook from side to side.

  “This is where you prove that you are our leader.”

  “Don’t lay that shit on me.”

  “Hey, I could have bowed.”

  “Please…”

  “Don’t worry, brother, I would no longer wish to bow to you than you’d wish for me to do it.” He turned toward the shop next door. “Ahhhh… at least I am next to you. Uni-Body, you know I like the sound of that. Women coming in to pamper their bodies. I’m sure I could help them with that. Show them what it’s really like to be appreciated.” He rubbed his hands together.

  “Of course it is, you love women, doesn’t matter the species. If you end up working for tips, you’ll end up getting double our money. All for the good of the clan, of course, Fandare?”