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    The Only
    The Only
    The Only
    Ebook47 pages44 minutes

    The Only

    By Michael D. Britton

    ()

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    About this ebook

    Who can save your world, when your gods have abandoned it?

    Aedlem is one of the few left in Panlithia who believes they are not really gone. In fact, the rising generation doesn't believe they ever really existed.

    When a cruel alien species invades and enslaves the population, can Aedlem's faith in the mysterious Ghosts of the Sky help him lead his people to freedom once again?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIntelligent Life Books
    Release dateJan 27, 2012
    ISBN9781465952127
    The Only
    Author

    Michael D. Britton

    Michael D. Britton has been writing professionally for 25 years, including heading up marketing departments, working in huge private corporations, writing for government entities, supporting non-profit healthcare systems, sprinting with tiny tech start-ups, freelancing, and a producing TV news broadcasts in the 90s. His short fiction has received ten honorable mentions in the Writers of the Future contest, among other recognition; and his novels have advanced through multiple rounds of the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in various years. His list of indie-published fiction titles exceeds 65 and keeps increasing. Learn more at www.michaeldbritton.com.

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      Book preview

      The Only - Michael D. Britton

      The Only

      by

      Michael D. Britton

      * * * *

      Copyright 2012 by Michael D. Britton

      Discover other titles by this author on Smashwords.com

      Smashwords Edition, License Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      It was a warm, dim day near the end of the harvest season when Aedlem entered the Institute to find the rooms nearly empty - only a few boxes of items scattered about awaiting removal.

      The New Way government had decided to cut off funding to the Institute, since it was deemed unnecessary in the new age. Aedlem bid a sad farewell to his colleagues, and trudged off toward home with a small box of personal belongings under his arm.

      As he turned the corner of his own street, he was thrown to the ground by a violent shaking of the earth.

      A moment later he heard a low rumble accompanied by a crashing sound, and a shower of rocks and dirt flew over his head from behind.

      His ears ringing, he covered his head and turned to look at the source. A huge fire blazed in the near distance and black smoke rose into the sky. Before he could take it all in, three more explosions came in rapid succession, focused at the same location – the center of town. With the new blasts, Aedlem saw that the explosions did not originate on the ground, but had rained down from the sky, three volleys of energy in the form of bright balls flying as fast as lightning.

      Aliens help us, he muttered to no one, scrambling to his feet and taking cover in the doorway of a building.

      More energy bombs rained down on the city, laying waste to most of the Central District. Aedlem huddled in the doorway, listening to the distant screams that could be heard between the blasts. Finally, the attack ended, and Aedlem crept out from his cover and looked around through the hazy air at the destruction.

      A hand came down on his shoulder, and he spun around.

      You’re trembling, said the athletic-looking man attached to the hand.

      Aedlem stared at him for a moment with bright blue eyes surrounded by deep wrinkles. Then he looked down at his own thin body, as if to confirm the stranger’s observation. And you’re – you’re remarkably placid, he said, noticing the man’s calm demeanor and passive stance. Realizing he was unfamiliar, he asked, Who are you?

      Jerin, said the younger man, smiling kindly. Come, we must find a place of safety – there may be another attack.

      Jerin seemed to exude serenity and peace, and Aedlem quickly ceased quivering and found his mind returning to a normal state, despite the trauma going on all around him.

      The sky had darkened with the rising smoke plumes, and the wind had picked up, tossing debris along the streets. People were running in different directions; others sat on stoops cradling an injury, or an injured loved one.

      What’s happening? asked Aedlem as they strode purposefully toward the edge of town.

      Panlithia is under attack, said Jerin.

      From whom?

      I cannot say, said Jerin.

      From Jerin’s tone, Aedlem

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