Download first five chapters - John Trevillian

4 | THE A-MENopenness of his young features. He looks Celto-European, possiblyXian-mixed bloodline. He also looks scared out of his skin.Unfortunately, this is not in any way improved by the suddenklaxon fanfare that greets his arrival.I roll my eyes at the newcomer, attempting some kind of signalthat all is well.“Terminate malware,” I say, inaudible amidst the alarms. Then overthe dying horns, I shout, “Don’t fret. It’s just intrusion detection.Please, state your tri-name.”“Thomas Bryce Lloyd.”“System verify,” I say to the air around me. “All-replace ThomasBryce Lloyd for Ryan Reece Jarrett. Immediate effect.”There’s a moment’s recalibration and then the malware falls silent.Just as Thomas’ fear looks set to overcome him.Poor, poor bastard.I extend my hand.“I am Nathaniel Raymond Glass, team lead and replicator. Welcome,”I indicate the immensity of the rig before us, “to project X-Isle.”