Synopsis

After the escape of another group of orphans, Supreme Commander Botta blows up and vows revenge. When an underground tunnel is discovered leading to the Sage Mountains and the Earth’s surface, he knows exactly what to do. He will use it to stage a surprise attack on the tracliodytes and humans. He can’t wait to rain down death and destruction on them.

In the meantime, work director Lulomen and Captain Rani have led a group of kids to Stoney Creek and have begun planting a new wildflower field, their principal food source. The peaceful tracliodytes are unaware that they are being watched by the Nananji, a tribe of Sage Mountain natives who for centuries have escaped the ravages of war and pollution.

But times are changing. Botta and his army are planning to use the newly discovered tunnel to infiltrate the Sage Mountains and make them a staging ground to take over Earth. The farming tracliodytes and kids with them are peacefully planting a new wildflower field and are unaware of the imminent danger.

Only the Nananji know what is going on, and they have a decision to make: Should they side with the military? Or the tracliodyes? Or not get involved and simply disappear further into the mountains?

What will the Nananji do? Their decision will affect not only their lives, but the fate of planet Earth. Forever.

Amazon

Excerpt

Lulomen and Rani were sitting under the cottonwood tree on the bank of the creek that flowed through Creekside Meadows. It was a beautiful spring day. The tree they were under was leafing out and providing welcome shade from the warm sun overhead. In the bushes nearby, birds were chirping and singing, and one of them was even busily building a nest. The air was so clean and clear that in the far distance, the Sage Mountains were easy to see. All in all, it was a lovely day, one of those special ones that was to be appreciated when it came along, and Lulomen and Rani were doing just that.

The two tracliodytes were enjoying some much-appreciated time together. They were getting caught up on the latest news, specifically about the new arrivals from Pierpoint, not to mention all of the changes that had taken place over the past year.

“Let’s see,” Rani said. He raised an appendage and began counting. “First of all, you’ve got some new boys.”

“Yes,” Lulomen said. “Len and Alex brought them up from Pierpoint a few days ago.”

“I was on patrol,” Rani said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here when they arrived.”

“I understand,” Lulomen said. “It’s important for you to keep watch and a close lookout.”

The conscientious work director really did understand Rani’s commitment to everyone’s safety. Six weeks earlier, the battle with Supreme Commander Botta, Winslow Pinchet, and the army from underground had taken place. To the surprise of the attacking humans, but not to the tracliodytes, the battle had been short and sweet. There had been no casualties on either side, fortunately, thanks to Rani’s diplomacy and the Air Squad of highly trained flying tracliodytes hovering overhead, throwing fear into the hearts of the human army. Still, everyone knew Botta would not give up until he got revenge. He was a psychopath, mean and vindictive. So were some of the men under his command, especially Botta’s right-hand man, Winslow Pinchet. Another attack was expected. Just when was anybody’s guess.

About the Author

Jim’s stories and poems have appeared in nearly five hundred online and print publications. His collection of short stories, Resilience, is published by Bridge House Publishing. Chapeltown Books published Short Stuff, a collection of flash fiction and drabbles. Periodic Stories, Periodic Stories Volume Two, Periodic Stories Volume Three – A Novel, and Periodic Stories Volume Four are published by Impspired. Dreamers, a collection of short stories, is published by Clarendon House Publishing. Something Better, a dystopian adventure novella, and the novel The Alien of Orchard Lak is published by Dark Myth Publications. In the fall of 2022, his collection entitled Holiday Stories was published by Impspired, as was his collection of poetry, Haiku Seasons. In February 2023, Periodic Stories Volume IV was published, as was his collection of poems, The Alchemy of Then, both by Impspired. In June 2023, a collection of flash fiction, Dancing With Butterflies, was published by Impspired.In July 2023, his YA novella The Battle of Marvel Wood was published by Impspired. The Zodiac Press nominated his short story “Aliens” for the 2020 Pushcart Prize. His story “The Maple Leaf” was voted 2021 Story of the Year for Spillwords. He was voted the December 2022 Author of the Month for Spillwords. He also reads his stories for Talking Stories Radio and Jim’s Storytime on his website. He lives in a small town west of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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