The Proving by Ken Brosky Read Free Book Online Page A

propelling it toward the camera. A squirrel, caught unawares in the silence, darted under the creature. It reached down with one clawed, humanoid hand, as if it meant to grab the squirrel and squeeze the life from the poor critter. Instead, the hand passed through the squirrel. Its body convulsed. Its brown fur turned gray like paper charred by flames. Gabriel felt a terrible anger toward the ghostly creature, glaring at it as it turned its attention back to whoever was wearing the smartglasses.
    The Sebecus Specter’s mouth opened. A low, haunting moan echoed through the amphitheater. Gabriel felt a chill run down his spine. Murmurs drowned out the sound and he was thankful for it.
    “Kill it,” he whispered. “Kill it.”
    The Specter’s head turned. And then a flurry of blue proton bullets ripped through its ghost-like body. Its fiery glow turned blaze orange. Its long, uncannily human-like fingers dug into the earth as it broke into a silent run, its tail swinging left and right. By the gods, it was so fast . It opened its mouth again. It reached the boulders and landed on top of whoever was filming the carnage even as more proton bullets tore through its body. Yellow claws reached toward the camera. The camera lurched backward, revealing blue sky and the Ring, circling Earth and no doubt watching with bemusement at the carnage.
    More bullets. The Specter faded to a dim yellow, then broke apart.
    The amphitheater cheered. Gabriel felt a well of relief surge through him. He was angry at the creature, glad it had been destroyed, and wished he could see it die again and again.
    Someone suggested commendations for the Coterie. The idea was quickly seconded.
    “There are more in the area,” Molambique announced. “Clan Sparta has requested funding for an emergency cleanup operation.”
    “It’s a waste,” said someone from the other side of the amphitheater. “More will fall from the sky and replace those. Killing Specters outside the city Xenoshields means nothing.”
    Murmurs of agreement. Gabriel felt frustration well up inside him.
    “Killing them always means something!” he shouted.
    The crowd quieted, turning in his direction. The moment some recognized him, they began whispering amongst themselves. “Carmen’s son” spread like wildfire. He knew some — his mother’s enemies — would shut him out if he faltered, so he leaned on the barrier and raised his voice: “Every Specter on this planet poses a threat, shields be damned! And every dead Specter brings us one step closer to a free Earth!”
    The din was increasing in volume. Even those who generally supported Gabriel’s mother couldn’t allow a non-delegate to monopolize the forum. He raised his voice louder: “Or have you all accepted Earth’s fate? Are you all hoping to claim a seat on the Ark and abandon this planet forever? Go, if that’s what you want! Abandon us, but please for the sake of humanity resign your post first! Let those of us who care about this planet make the decision of whether to save it!”
    Cheers. Applause. Objections. Arguments. And finally: a voice vote.
    “All in favor of approving financing for the Spartan operation?” Molambique asked. There was a chorus of ayes. “All opposed?” A much softer murmuring of nays. Molambique smiled up at Gabriel. “The motion passes. Clan Sparta has approval to remove any additional Specters in the immediate vicinity of the attack.”
    Gabriel slipped past Armando, grabbing his coffee with one shaky hand. He could feel a rush of energy coursing through his body and walking fast was the only way to keep the giddiness at bay. He could deny his destiny all he wanted, but he couldn’t deny that he loved the thrill of the forum.
    “Democracy strikes again,” Armando said, falling in line beside him. “Your mother will be none too pleased. The son of the Premier is just a citizen, after all.”
    “This isn’t the first time her first son has crashed a forum,” Gabriel said.