Mechanized Series – Book 3

President Austin Martinez has been chipped—sent into testosterone overdrive as part of his aunt’s twisted population program. His first act as president, opening pod access between habitats, promotes chaos as stalled pods asphyxiate occupants. Those who might help are dealing with aggressive chip wearers, the polluted environment, stolen children, and forced pregnancies. His friends removed his chip, but the damage remains. Faced with limited abilities, he abdicates his role with a plan to save the Earth.

Excerpt

Austin Martinez opened his eyes, shedding water as he emerged from a simmering stew. He lay in a circular hot tub, lined by stone. A trio of sconces lit the walls. He breathed in chlorine and some herbal essence—maybe chamomile—and closed his eyes, soothed. It had to be a dream.

He lay back, enjoying the bursts of water pulsing down his back, then gripped the seat beside his knees, letting his body rise and float, his troubles gone.

“It was all for naught,” said a feminine voice—one he knew so well.

“Reagan?” His eyes flew open, and he dropped back onto the seat. She sat across from him, her plain-angled face visible, the rest of her indistinct in the whirling liquid.

His breath caught. Never had she looked so lovely: her brown hair shiny around slim shoulders, eyes clear, her mouth luscious and smiling … for him. He’d missed her so much.

“We have but a moment,” she said, her expression turning serious. He moved toward her, swiping at … air.

“What the…?”

The water started to boil as she reappeared, her hair not even damp, the scent of chamomile intensifying.

“This isn’t about us,” she said. “It doesn’t matter if humans thrive. We have long known that separating childbearing and childrearing from the rest of humanity serves no one. Breaching the Separation between the Real World and Pro-Prog is a waste of time. It’s the Earth that calls out for healing. We are but parasites and need to make it right.”

Publisher: Wendell Mack (December 2024)