World of Heroes: A Lia, Human of Utah and Blackbow Tie-In Short Story Read online

  Title

  World of Heroes:

  A Lia, Human of Utah, and Blackbow Tie-in

  Written and published by Greg Ramsay

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication/Acknowledgements

  Prologue - Lia

  Chapter 1 - Bruce and Spirit

  Chapter 2 – Year 2302 AKD: Bailey Knight

  Chapter 3 – Evolved Alphas

  Chapter 4 – KamaGiri Returns

  Chapter 5 – Politics of a Goddess

  Epilogue – The Watcher in the Stars

  Copyright

  World of Heroes by Greg Ramsay/Gregory Edward Ramsay Published by Gregory Edward Ramsay. 235 Bland Line, Cavan Ontario, L0A 1C0

  Connect with the author on his official site, where you’ll find links to purchase this book: https://www.facebook.com/authorGR/

  © 2018 Gregory Edward Ramsay

  All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by Canadian copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, at “Attention: Book Permission,” at the following address: [email protected]

  Book formatting by draft2digital.com, Cover design - First two images in descending order by Gergo Pocsai, commissioned by Greg Ramsay, and the final image is stock purchased from dreamstime.com: https://tinyurl.com/y96b9e6s Edited by Renier Palland. All rights reserved by Gregory Edward Ramsay.

  First Edition

  Ebook ISBN: 978-1-989115-00-8

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Dedication/Acknowledgements

  This book is for my family. I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported me in this endeavour. Special thanks to C.J. Santana for being my beta reader.

  Prologue - Lia

  (Author’s Note: This story is a tie-in between Lia, Human of Utah http://getbook.at/lhou2 and Blackbow http://getbook.at/blackbow

  It’s recommended that you read both, or at least Lia, Human of Utah books one and two in order to understand this story.)

  Lia awoke seated and outstretched at the helm of her Yanmousharin mothership. As she'd done every day for the last millennia she armoured up and scanned her galaxy. Of the fifty-two Earth-like planets she'd seeded life on, only two had advanced far enough technologically to match humanity since the last time she'd checked . On one of which - a reddish planet not unlike Mars - she gave the inhabitants Yanmousharin technology so that they could become her shepherds, watching over their fellow seed planets. This species, like the rest, was nameless.

  James wanted them to find their own path. They were nine feet tall with three cylindrical heads sharing a thick muscular body. Regardless of gender, each one of these tri-pedal beings were extremely muscular, their three heads making even the most inept among them a genius by human standards. They preferred sub-surface societies, especially given their aversion to the galaxy's red sun. To her surprise, they had since surrounded most of the planet with giant glass domes, arranged disorderly. For all of their intelligence,it was evident that they lacked societal leadership, which was unsurprising to Lia. Three heads may think faster than one, but three potential viewpoints trying to command the ruling individual bred chaos.

  Worse still, she noticed that they had ships similar to Yanmousharan 's black warships stationed at the second planet, as well as five other almost identically advanced planets. Lia observed for a few solar cycles, eager to witness how her prospective shepherds interacted with those races they'd aided. Homogeneous technologies were evident on each planet they'd touched. It was like a fingerprint which Lia could easily track. What she witnessed, horrified her. The tri-heads had seven separate species under their rule.

  Females from multiple races experienced abuse at brothels, while children were forced to created weaponry for the tri-heads. Worst of all, they focused their dictatorial efforts on Lia's secondary original race. They were a bipedal species, proportioned like humans, except with blue skin and scales for ears. Originally, they resembled fish until James encoded them with humanoid DNA via her tendrils.

  He never could resist hypocrisy. Lia thought to herself.

  Nor can you, love. James replied in her mind. Scoffing, Lia continued observing . She noticed that her shepherds had naturally evolved into overtly dominant fascists where peace was intended, yet abandoned.

  James’ precious fish people were fine on the barren desert land, but lived in squalor, forced into labour by the tri-heads until they eventually died from being overworked. She finally understood why they were the prominent feature in so many brothels. An even worse realization dawned when Lia noticed that the other, forcibly advanced species were all larger, stronger, and less intelligent - perfect for weaponized forces.

  “The tri-head’s military system remind you of anyone?” Lia asked rhetorically, letting her irritation speak for itself. It's not as though they take after me!

  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know those of lesser intelligence and means are perfect military fodder, and if some are exceptional as well as obedient, all the better! James replied in her mind.

  “What should I do?” Lia muttered to herself.

  Kill ‘em all, then get breakfast! Chadwick exclaimed happily in her mind.

  Try talking instead..., Tory suggested in annoyance.

  Why not obliterate their whole planet? KamaGiri giveth and taketh away, James said sarcastically. Ignoring the comment, Lia sped down to their equivalent of a government house on her wings alone, letting the full spectacle of her armored body blaze like a phoenix as she burned through the planet's atmosphere, inadvertently capturing their attention.

  She flew through an opening in the dome which was intended for ships, and landed gracefully in a spartan concrete town square. Above her, the dome closed, bathing the area in darkness, offset only by an artificial light which ironically resembled a massive white sun. From inside, the dome acted as a two-way mirror - its surface emulated that of an underground tunnel so the occupants couldn't suffer the real sun's wrath. To Lia's surprise, less than ten feet away stood a massive stone statue, createdin her likeness. Many of the dome’s occupants stared at her in awe as she advanced on the biggest and most ornate building she could find. Those that didn't glance her way, or averted their eyes, bore scars on their wiry, muscled, and submissively postured frames. Choosing a building based on superficiality alone had worked out. After touching an occupant on the shoulder whilst it bustled by, she pricked it with a needle-like tendril from her armored hand. This allowed her to easily assimilate its knowledge. A technique she'd spent decades refining to the point where she didn't even need the tendril, it just came instantaneously.

  “Where is your ruler?” Lia demanded expertly via a dialect created from hums she'd just learned.

  Eventually, a large tri-head in Romanesque robes led her to a large, pillared throne room which reminded her of the original MiraiCorp she'd fought in. The vast space contained a long marbled hall which cleanly reflected a dimly lit vaulted ceiling. This was supported by smaller pillars which intended to constrict the space, as well as turn occupant’s attention forward instead of providing redundant support. Further down
the hall sat a set of elongated stone stairs wrapped around the sides of a huge stone throne. The throne was ornately etched with infinite symmetrically clean lines which resembled a computer circuit. In a sense, it felt appropriate to Lia, since multiple species’ fates were coldly calculated there.

  A massive scarred tri-head with a goatee and a giant trident in his right hand sat upon the throne. Noticing Lia, he dropped from his throne onto his knees and bowed to her in supplication. “Kamagiri... you honour me with your presense.” he grovelled.

  “You're the dictator?” Lia demanded.

  “Yes. I am Helious of House Ale, ruler of the mighty Farushas and our serfs. What does the great Kamagiri demand of me?” He asked. Onlookers were in awe of her.

  “I noticed on my way here your people get twenty rocks for work in shops while the species you deem serfs get three, if that. This is unacceptable yet nowhere near as heinous as forcing one race to be slaves, denying them even basic living waters, and manipulation others to be your military! All of this must stop within a month or you and your entire cabinet will be replaced...” Lia threatened menacingly.

  “Why yes Great Kamagiri, it will be done. I will see the Yuwashas get water condos and all are paid. And I will give all species their choice of occupations.”

  Lia turned and walked out, spreading her wings for emphasis before flying away at blinding speed. The downforce from her wings was so great it sent everyone careening into the nearest structure, knocking the wind from them. A year passed as Lia watched the unequal pay divide remained divided, the squalor of the Yuwashas’ living conditions remained the same, and choices presented as a mother would a child: where choice and questions adhere to the dictator’s men. The following day, Lia burned everyone in that scumhole of a capital building to ash; the fiery energy from her sword scarred the entire mid-line of the building black, despite restraint. Next, she returned to her ship, engaged its inter-dimensional warp drive and scoured the infinite galaxies for life she could recruit.

  A black tear, like a demonic eye rendered a hole in space-time. In an instant, Lia's concept of time was gone as she floated along countless tunnels of nothingness for weeks, searching galaxy after galaxy and planet after planet. Finally it was like dèja vu, she found one nearly identical to Earth... no... it was Earth, just in a parallel dimension. Repeated scans showed the surface was a devastated, bleak hellscape due to nuclear war. The mutated humans enslaved the weak.

  It hurt her to see the Earth so grey and lifeless. The humans were in both similar and worse states than the Yawasha. She almost gave up, when her scanners picked up a young man on the surface. He was surrounded by enemies. She opened a wormhole portal, cloaked her ship and went through. He was basically a boy, afraid yet strong.

  She grabbed a Life Sequencer that James developed - it looked like a glorified glue-gun-meets-syringe. She silently jumped down to Earth. Not thinking of the consequences, she sequenced him with her superspeed, and hit him with a tendril to bolster his fighting It was a slight intervention to see him hopefully survive, which also altered the pigment of his skin due to the various alien DNA inhabiting her tendrils. In that same instant, she flew back silently to her ship, her wings were a strong breeze in a treeless land. He never could've noticed her. James took over, using the sample and Yanmousharin tech to begin cloning the boy’s mind and physical structure.

  Lia watched over her subject for years from within the timestream her wormhole had created. Years later, Lia returned to find him inhabiting an island, whilst attempting escape with an equally strong woman by his side, as well as a group. Surprisingly, she could tell they were armed and trained, obviously the leaders of the group. On a whim Lia opened a wormhole, sequenced them both to capture their skills, and allowed James to take over. Their clones could become her generals on the neglected worlds. While the originals would go on to be heroes in their own right (Lia could see their outcomes due to dimensions mixing the timelines). She knew she'd found the perfect people.

  Chapter 1 - Bruce and Spirit

  They awoke in foggy glass cylinders, confused, naked, and afraid, vis-a-vis a black monster who was shaped like a woman. The moment their incubation chambers opened, Bruce and Spirit attacked Lia. However, their efforts were in vain.

  “Are you done?” Lia asked patiently.

  “What are you? Some new kind of Mot?” Bruce demanded.

  “No. I'm a... let‘s call it a hybrid. But not comprised of a Mot.” Lia replied, absorbing her armour, causing herself to appear nude before them.

  Spirit blushed while Bruce stared unflinchingly into Lia's eyes.

  “Long story short, you're both clones of two parallel Earth humans generated to have healthy youthful bodies and your brains that you had before leaving the island. Your real selves are fine.” Noting their confusion, Lia continued, showing them her Life Sequencer. “Short version, this allowed me to clone your bodies and minds selectively.” then she sped towards them, pricking their temples with a tendril to impart the lives they had lead. “Now, you might've noticed a sudden pain in your temple as well as a rush of memories. I may have created you, but I know how much it sucks to not know oneself.”

  Spirit eyed Bruce, noting a blush on his stoic face. She smiled knowingly.

  “Okay, so we know who we are, what you did, and even what we... or rather the real us will go on to do... but why would you do all of this?“ Spirit demanded with a mixture of confusion and anger.

  “Because I need two competent Generals to oversee multiple planets for dictatorial slavery based systems, like what your Mots employed, can't be repeated.” Lia answered calmly.

  “And why exactly should we agree to do this? You replicated us against our will, violated our minds and you now expect us to fight for you?” Spirit exclaimed angrily.

  “Come with me...” Lia said calmly, leading her nude cohorts to the bridge of her ship. She‘d gathered their bows, armour and a massive assortment

  of arrows. Equipment, which, while unfamiliar to the clones, were perfectly replicated models she found and scanned in the Holdfast their real-life counterparts would discover in the future.

  “Who are you even?” Bruce demanded, his body taut with rage and pain.

  “I am your KamaGiri... Immortal goddess of this galaxy and all galaxies.“

  Sensing they wouldn’t obey her, Lia impatiently rammed a tendril into each of their temples.

  “Are you ready to fight slavery, my Spetsnaz soldiers?” Lia asked.

  “Yes KamaGiri,“ they replied in unison. Lia flew Bruce to one planet and Spirit to another, instating them as rulers by her decree. With one more invasive tendril each, Lia imparted the local languages to her soldiers, Then with a pulse of her wings, she returned to space.

  Twelve Years Later -

  Racial tensions still flourished, yet wages between each planet’s races and their living conditions showed a little improvement. Bodies of dissenting locals were left on

  pikes by her disenfranchised and like-minded generals. The roads which led to each respective capital building were lined with bodies, which created a foreboding wall. Despite the grotesque display, the streets seemed peaceful.

  Ten Years Later -

  Lia’s generals’ tactic of command by force was starting to backfire. Citizens rioted in the streets, which upon the intervention of Bruce and Spirit, triggered an all-out civil war. Lia looked on disappointedly as they murdered countless civilians until the point where they were overrun and dismembered, becoming decorations on the very walls they built.

  Lia had half a mind to start over, so she did. Over the course of three hours, Lia glassed both planets with her power, ending every life as easily as an asteroid would. She was completely apathetic. Afterwards, Lia returned to her ship and re-cloned Bruce and Spirit. She gave them their memories, like before, but she didn’t force their compliance. She instead used James’ Life Sequencer to extract some of the billions of lives she held within her thanks to all the shifted she had cons
umed.

  I have an idea, let me take over. James said.

  Lia felt her arms moving as James typed from her command terminal.

  There, continue... He said, handing control back to her.

  “What did you do?” Lia asked aloud.

  You’ll see... James replied in her mind, redirecting her to a distant planet not unlike Earth. Lia injected James’ DNA soup into Bruce and Spirit, flew them down to the planet so they could become the first humans of Earth 2. It wasn’t long before they’d mastered hunting, foraging, and shelter building thanks to their training and some experimentation. Lia was pleased, now all that was left was to watch as they began having children.

  2302 Years Later -

  Earth 2 was awash with life. Millions of strong, healthy humans populated the planet, most of which had genetic abilities. Some could fly, others had traits and strengths of Earth 1 or alien animals, while others were powerful energy users like Lia. The variations were countless and amazing. A scan showed roughly two percent of the population was devoid of powers. Lia had watched Bruce and Spirit’s line flourish over the centuries, resulting in a single child who was coincidentally powerless, yet had been trained in the modified Spetsnaz ways of her ancestors. She was similar in appearance to Lia, with a strong toned body, and striking red hair.

  Well its been over 2000 years, James, care to explain how you created a planet of super-beings from just two clones? Lia thought.

  While you were encoding human DNA from within yourself, I modified the master DNA with elements from the millions of species the Yanmoushala collected, leaving the human DNA dominant. From there, I let evolution take over. I thought it would give New Humanity an evolutionary advantage, having such a heightened genetic diversity, but I never imagined anything on this scale. The only part I hoped would come to pass that did was that they took the natural skills they inherited and built a society. James explained.