Title: INFLATED EGO OF A TYRANT

Book 6 of "ANOTHER BLUE"

The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Now several months since the “arrival”, it’s clear that no one is able to stop the growing civil unrest and the hopes of a peaceful integration have evaporated as the situation begins to spin out of control. After word of guards being murdered in the settlements is found to be true, new rumors circulate. Earthings, known now as “Settlers” are completely locked down, there is nearly zero contact between each other and families have been separated, though not intentionally. Settlers have been disappearing, no one knows who to trust and tensions grow between the newcomers and the Ahkamian. The latest disappearance leaves incontrovertible evidence behind and finally gets the government’s attention.

Timur Subutai has invested vast sums in fostering his propaganda and in a secret gladiatorial ring where he forces the “aliens” to engage in fights to the death. Their superior strength proves to be a real spectacle. Subatai created this fighting ring with intent to show the world what monsters these “aliens” really are—as well as position himself politically to gain even more power and wealth.

The prisons where the “alien” men and women are held before being forced to battle are horrifying. Death and decay are in every breath taken in this pit of hell. Stone, an Earthling imprisoned for the ring is a monk like figure. He fights the despair around him by turning inward. He knows that in this dark place, the only light is within.

Rayn meets Seline face to face for the first time in a small, local bar. Though Rayn’s identity is not known to Seline, they realize how much they have in common and, after a deep conversation about the political turmoil that surrounds them both, Seline invites Rayn to dance, an innocent, welcomed escape for them both. The world may be spinning out of control but they find comfort, if only for a moment, spinning with each other. It is clear that they will meet again.

The Mina and Batu have found a possible ally in Walter, though they are not prepared to fully trust him. Mina’s instinct for survival has served them well to this point, though her lack of trust risks alienating her from the one person who may be able to provide real help. Batu has not spoken since his grandfather was captured and Mina is trying hard to break his dependence on her.

Darkness creeps in from every corner. Sgt. Bronson finds herself lost and isolated in the jungle camp. She knows she must seek help and become a whistleblower. But how? To whom? Even the faintest light glows bright in the dark. Holding on to hope is all anyone can do.