Hey, all!

It’s been a minute since my last newsletter, but I’ve been relatively consistent in my writing goals and feel happy with the progress I’ve made. Today will be all about an exclusive look at my latest short story, some thoughts on my latest reads, and some things to look forward to on my blog!

In my last newsletter, I mentioned how I am writing a short story called VANITAS. This story has done much to shape my writing skills and has definitely tested a lot of my writing habits. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s set in Alaska after WWIII and follows the journey of a young scientist, Perseus. This will be the first time that I have a male MC and it’s been fun learning to hone my writing style to this new masculine voice.

Before I share a glimpse into the first chapter with you, I’d like to talk about some of the books I’ve read recently! I’m still mostly on track with my Goodreads reading challenge, though not all of my reads thus far this year have been stellar. Each read will have a review linked if I left one. My current reads within the last month or so are:

Fourth Wing

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

Iron Flame

⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

In the Lives of Puppets

(DNF)

Out of the Silent Planet (currently reading)

I’m quite happy to be back into the swing of reading. On top of that, I’ve been posting consistently on my blog which has been so fun! One of the topics I’ve been sharing is how to challenge your writing habits. We’ve already looked at two ways to improve, and I hope to add a few more before I close the topic out. Since I’ve been reading more, I’ve also been adding more reviews to the blog, so feel free to check them out!

Another exciting bit of news is that I am publishing a novella next month! I shared a cover real over on my blog, and will do a newsletter post here with allllll the exclusive details sometime in the next month!

Alright, now to that sneak peek I promised you! Remember, I’m still working through the first draft so it will not be perfect. But hopefully this should give you an idea of Perseus and his world, Old-Alaska.

The blistering air stung Perseus’ face as he ducked into the helicopter. The warm stillness of the airship was a welcome respite. Despite the old technology, the helicopter was well-furnished with soft, sturdy seats and ample space for him to stretch out his long legs.

“Find what you were looking for?” his superior, Prometheus, asked.

Perseus turned to him with a tight-lipped smile. “Not as promising as I’d hoped, but I believe it to be still worth exploring in our next trials. We need to prepare this next generation for anything.”

“Ah, so they were less than enthused at your idea of DNA extraction?” Prometheus chuckled and leaned back in his seat. “Some people just don’t want to keep up with the future.”

Perseus was silent as he peered out the window into the blinding white. It had been a hopeful mission, yes, but the lack of cooperation was expected. The Yuit people were an Indigenous nation who had survived three world wars at this point and yet their survival techniques for the barely habitable Old-Alaska land had hardly evolved. It was curious how many of their simple traditions had endured through time and weather with greater ease than many of VANITAS’s newest inventions.

With a sigh, Perseus tapped the watch on his left wrist, bringing a small holographic image into display. Converting the display to a keyboard, he quickly typed some notes. The Council had voted to continue their push for a new emphasis on survivability in this next round of Citizens. With much of the world still uninhabitable from dangerous radiation levels, it was imperative that the next generation could handle many of these new norms.

A stronger generation of humans required a level of genetic diversity that VANITAS had yet to achieve. It had been Perseus’ suggestion to procure DNA samples from people groups who had survived tough terrain for centuries. The Council would not be pleased to know he had failed. They might even choose greater force if they deemed it worth the long-term reward.

An alert popped up. It was Atalanta. Clicking accept, her face came into view. Perseus smiled at all the long brown hair escaping her bun and hair cap. She must be in the lab today.

“Perseus!” she exclaimed. “How did it go?”

“Not well,” he admitted. “The Yuit people did not take kindly to my request. In fact, they were rather insulted by it.”

Atalanta wrinkled her nose. “Seriously? That’s ridiculous. The Council will probably just vote to push even harder. They’re really emphasizing the importance of this next generation.”

“I know, I know. But… I don’t know. It seems counterintuitive to attempt to force a people group into giving us DNA samples when mankind is barely scraping by as it is. We’re all in this together.”

Atalanta’s face disappeared for a second before popping back up, this time with a vial in her hand. “That’s exactly why it’s so important that they do. It’s not about individuals anymore. We each do our part to further humankind’s existence.”

“You’re such an optimist,” he teased, though he knew she was right. VANITAS was one of the few civilizations still thriving after the third world war. The communities around the world were few and far in between. But losing over six billion lives had brought surprising benefits. With the intellectual capacity of the modern world but the workload of the early 1800s, technological advancement boomed, creating places like VANITAS. It was the ultimate fresh start, and they weren’t about to squander it.

“Perseus, there’s a winter storm headed our way. Comms won’t work,” Prometheus called out to him. He glanced down at his watch as Atalanta’s image flickered.

“I’ll see you in a couple hours,” she said. “Be safe.”

He smiled as the holograph winked out. “I will.”

***

The helicopter door swung open, and Perseus was greeted with the cool, even temperature of VANITAS. The vast city that spanned nearly a sixth of the state was climate controlled, providing its inhabitants a wonderful respite from the often extreme weather of Old-Alaska.

“Sir, the Council has called you to a meeting.” Perseus turned towards the young man, noting the many enhancements he had added to his features. Bionic optics, metal leg extensions, and hair that changed colors. Perseus held back his look of disdain as he followed him.

The great intellectual minds of VANITAS put their efforts towards the great Areopagus–the place of learning and home to the brightest VANITAS had to offer. Genetic research and all manner of electrical, mechanical, and biomedical knowledge were nurtured there. But for those not born into it or those who failed out, VANITAS was simply the place to live with reckless abandon and enjoy all that the Council and Areopagus worked so hard for.

They stopped at the Pod Station and the young man quickly typed in some coordinates into the screen and a small metal card popped out of a slot. Perseus pushed past him to snatch up the card. “I know how to get to the Areopagus myself. Seriously, these security measures are laughable.”

“It’s not my ca-”

“I will take it up with the Council myself, don’t worry.” Perseus rolled his eyes and stepped into the Pod that had come to a halt in front of him. Settling into the comfortable plush seating, he inserted the card into the Pod’s reader. A map popped up on the screen and shared his ETA: 7 minutes.

The Pods were getting faster. Yet another advancement that VANITAS had made. Leaning back, Perseus gave a rueful chuckle. The war might have almost wiped them out, but gosh, it sure had motivated them to get their crap together. Finally.

His watch buzzed and Atalanta’s face came into view.

“You heard about the meeting?”

He sighed. “I’m sure they’ve already heard about my failure with the Yuit people. Knowing them, they’ll probably send you out next.”

Atalanta wrinkled her nose in distaste. “Trust me, they don’t want me going out there. I don’t have the same… tact as you, Perseus. There’s a reason I stay in my lab and you’re out rallying the people.”

“I guess so.” Perseus stared out at the brilliant city of VANITAS as it glowed in the evening light. Areopagus had done their work well with Atalanta and Perseus. They were smart, practical, and had bodies that rivaled any known to mankind. But as with the age-old nature versus nurture debate, their personalities were wildly different. Atalanta was ruthless, and Perseus…

“Hello?” Atalanta interrupted. “My goodness, you’re such a space cadet sometimes.”

“Hey, you never know. That might be VANITAS’ next project,” he teased.

“We have too many problems to face here before we start worrying about interplanetary travel,” Atalanta said, her eyes troubled. “By the way, the Council asked me to join the meeting too.”

Perseus’ pulse quickened. It could be nothing. He and Atalanta headed many of the Areopagus’ projects. But this meeting should just be a debrief. Bringing Atalanta in meant there was something else on their mind.

“I guess I’d better hurry then.” He looked down at the Pod’s screen–he was practically there.

“Good. I’ll meet you there.”

The hologram flickered out as Perseus took in the building that came speeding into view.

Areopagus.

Humanity’s salvation.

The building towered over everything else, its shining metal beams encasing bulletproof glass that spanned the entire building. As Perseus stepped out of the Pod, it felt like the very ground was humming with electricity.

He scanned his watch at the front doors that slid open silently. The foyer was filled with scientists bent over their tablets and security guards who watched with hawk-like eyes.

A man in armor sized up Perseus, his head nodding in recognition. “They’re meeting on the tenth floor.”

Perseus thanked the man and headed towards the elevator. In the reflective glass of its sliding doors, he noticed that his shirt was a wrinkled mess from his flight. He brushed it down as best he could.

“Ah, there he is.” The council turned expectant faces to him as he entered the room.

“Councilpeople,” he acknowledged. “My apologies for the attire–we just landed.”

“Not to worry, Perseus,” Edna said. She sat at the head of the table, signifying her role as head of the Council. “The Council appreciates all the hard work you accomplish for Areopagus.”

He nodded his thanks and took his seat at the end of the table. It appeared all seven members were there. “Pardon my question, but why exactly am I here?”

The Council members cast glances at each other. Edna stood to speak when a knock sounded at the door.

“My deepest apologies.” Atalanta walked in, her outfit fresh and hair pulled back neatly. “We experienced some issues with Gen H embryos and I was needed to assist.”

Edna gestured to the chair next to Perseus. “Please, sit. This news pertains to you both.” Atalanta sat down next to him and shot him a quick smile.

“The Council has been doing some talking. Atalanta, your progress with improving the stability of our artificial WOMB technology has been nothing short of outstanding. I have no doubt that within a decade we will be able to match the viability of biological pregnancy and birthing.”

The Council gave a short, polite round of applause; Perseus with them. Edna was right–Atalanta had made great strides in lowering infant mortality and miscarriage rates. A decade ago, the Areopagus had tried the Alpha phase of WOMB but it had failed miserably. If biology had one thing right, it was reproduction. Atalanta was making the Beta phase of WOMB a real possibility.

“However, as we all know, biological reproduction continues to be the best and healthiest way to ensure the next generation. That is why both of you were biologically conceived.” Edna smiled fondly at them.

In all likelihood, Edna was Perseus’ own biological parent. He knew she had carried him, though if she had used her own egg, he did not know. Details like those did not matter to their research.

“In fact, that is the exact reason for this meeting. The Areopagus has decided to plant a new city in Old-Washington. Construction has already begun and the city will be inhabitable by the time Gen H has reached adulthood. We plan to populate the city exclusively with Areopagus members. VANITAS’ success has become a beacon of hope across the globe.”

Perseus perked up at the news. Now that was not what he had expected. Though, it did make sense. VANITAS was shrinking in light of its growing population. Expansion had always been the goal.

“Is your desire for us to spearhead this expansion?” Atalanta asked. “It would be our pleasure.”

“Well, not exactly.” Chuckles broke out amongst the council people.

Perseus’ brows furrowed in confusion. “Pardon my intrusion, Edna the First, but I do not understand.”

“Forgive me, Perseus. You are right, now is not the time for jest.” Edna cleared her throat. “Gen H is in its earliest formation. They will not be ready to inhabit Old-Washington for at least twenty more years. We need someone younger who will be the best of our best, yet able to relate to their young minds. We wish for you and Atalanta to copulate.”