Excerpt from The Culling Dark by Bettyann Craddock, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

"You…I wasn't dismissed yet," he answered.

"Get out. And don't come back," he growled, "I'm giving your post to someone else."

Rogers saluted and bowed himself out, barely able to resist the impulse to run out. He started down the path to the camp at a trot. Ahead in the orange lighting two figures walked with heads closely bent. They made their way toward Gamma. The jail was in the other direction.

He wished vehemently he were in their company. His face burned remembering how he had given in to Stessel's threats and squealed on Felipé. Again in his mind he saw Felipé looking back at him without accusation. He was horrified at seeing Felipé bow to Stessel, thinking all really was lost, and that it was his fault. He heard again the insults thrown at him, and felt again the sweet elation of Felipé's wink.

He vowed to himself then and there that he would never again relinquish his own will to Stessel's bullying. Keeping such a vow would be easier now that he would probably be relegated to cleaning latrines. He fairly skipped with happiness contemplating his new freedom.

CHAPTER TEN

"The transplanted graft of any culture spouts new heroes. Around the heroes, legend bloom…here poise their progeny to drink, and sweeter grows the nectar by rumor."

Year 2. Book Two.
Mjr.

Mr. Stessel stood long in the door of his quarters, nibbling a piece of dried fruit, regarding the starlit lake bed, warmed by the glow of yellow light from the windows of his people's quarters. So peaceful, serene. Everything would be all right now, Perez really was just a young man subject to rebellion. A natural thing. He had had it once himself.

He hadn't shown anger regarding separation from his wife. That, too, was a young man's way. Julia was broken hearted during his interview with her, but Perez was as calm as a cat. It was regrettable. She would be shocked, then angry later by his callousness.

The triumphs of this day had topped the scale of any he had known in his life. Making the flag had been pure genius, no tribunal in the solar system would argue that. He at last felt as if he had done his duty in carrying out DePari's orders, ‘Keep order until TERRA arrives.'

No commander had ever gone through demanding tribulations to emerge unchanged. He had changed a great deal. The changes revealed themselves in the genius of making the flag. It was a monumental personal achievement, the attributes of indisputable leadership now manifesting. Kruseos had brought out the best in him. He at last had a reason to believe it may have been destiny that brought him here.

He played out several scenarios in his mind where he refused prestigious posts in TERRA's infrastructure. Headlines would boast his humility. He of course would bow away to retirement to spend his fortune. With all the praise they would be hard pressed to accuse a hero of spying. It was perfect. Spies were villains, but he had here proved to himself that he was made of better stuff.

He should begin deciding whom to elevate with him. All of them would claim association with him, it couldn't be helped. Fame caused people to behave strangely. He should decide those he would willingly allow to share the glory and those he would denounce. Because some deserved the opposite of fame, and that was shame.

Masini and Dupuis he would praise the most. Mr. Eldridge? Perhaps Mr. Eldridge would change his ways when he realized what was happening. Who else? He thought about it. Rogers he would have if the man weren't such a fool…

He'd dismissed Rogers! Who would bring him coffee in the morning? Who would bring him breakfast? Who would clean his quarters and escort him to morning roll call?

Copyright Bettyann Craddock 2000. All rights reserved.