Paradiso: A Preview

I'm taking a bit of a risk with book two in the Kosmonautai series; unlike in Dierock 88, Paradiso will have multiple POVs-- but don't fret! Atlas is still the main focus of the book. The vast majority of scenes, the longest chapters, all belong to our Hero. However, when I started writing the sequel, I felt strongly that the story would be aided by giving a glimpse into other parts of the galaxy, and what is happening away from Atlas, and I am very excited to see what people think of being inside those characters heads and the problems that face them. After all, there is a War breaking out!

With that said, here is a short excerpt from Paradiso, following Pyros' friends that you are briefly acquainted with at the beginning of Dierock 88-- Tess, Velis, and Edonis (keep in mind that some things might be subject to change by the time the book actually releases):

Frost spread across the edges of the window, and all beyond was white. The reflection of the sun onto the snow was blinding, and Tess squinted in pain as she turned her head.

Edonis handed her a pair of tinted goggles that looked to be decades out of style. “You’re going to want these.”

She glanced once more towards the surface of the ice planet and winced before gladly accepting the offer. “Here I thought I’d be basking in the sun after so long.”

Edonis grunted. “He owes us, that’s for sure.”

“Theros and Gaius more so,” she quietly remarked. Her heart thumped in her chest, throbbing at her throat. So many cycles, so much time that felt wasted. Living such a simple life had never suited her, and it had taken its toll. She used to drink for fun, for celebration, but on the Salvage Belt, her drinking became a way to drown her sorrows and desires. Then, with a snap of a finger, she was thrust back into the life she had missed, and she would have to adapt quickly or lose everything.

“Stars, Edonis, you couldn’t change out the gear before we left?” Velis came up the stairs from the lower bay of The Nebu Ra’ah hoisting an old breachgear suit. It brought a smile to Tess’ face seeing the old patches on the shoulders and chest from their younger days of terrorizing the galactic command ships across the galaxy.

Velis held the suit against her body with a look of scrutiny. “Going to be a tight squeeze.”

“Hips are a little wider, but you’re about the same size.” She looked over her shoulder at Edonis with an exaggerated look of judgment. “It’s your husband that’s packed on the pounds.” 

“Excuse me, you’re the one who wanted to go to the bar every damn night.” He patted his belly. “Cheap beer is a drug for a working man. Should be illegal.”

Velis laughed as she took a seat to begin changing into her old suit. The look of longing sparked in her eyes momentarily as her fingers brushed the patch over the heart of the chest.

The Nebu Ra’ah patch had a golden sun with the silhouette of a crowned man holding a spear skyward. It had been Gaius who had designed it, and Pyros who had given him the ideas for the symbolism it held. They were each children of the Sun. Born on Nessos, raised to be greater than the humble class most of them had lived amongst for so long after the War.

Tess dreamed of the sun gracing her skin once more, she could feel its warmth, taste the sweetness of fruits in Nessos’ jungles, the smell and sounds of life that lived within it. It had been home, and it would be so again soon.

She stepped forward and grabbed Velis’ hand tightly, sensing her friend’s hesitancy. “We’re going to jump naked into the Emerald Sea when this is all over.”

Velis let out a laugh mixed with a slight sob.

“Now that I’d like to see,” Edonis quipped.

Velis shook her head. “I know. I got too comfortable. To wear this patch again… I’m scared, Tess.” She looked up, her eyes misty.

Tess wasn’t having it. “Our friends are out there right now. They haven’t been comfortable. They’ve suffered. Doesn’t that piss you off?”

Edonis stepped forward, kneeling down in front of his wife. “She’s right, Dear. We have a job to finish.”

She nodded slowly, and Tess thought she caught a look of fire in her friend’s eyes. Velis had always had the biggest heart, the brightest energy. The common life had perhaps suited her more than she had expected.

“Get suited up,” she finally said, a determined look on her face.

“That’s my girl!” Edonis squeezed her hand as Tess made for the stairs in search of her own suit.

Once they stepped foot onto the frozen surface, everything would become official. All would change, and she prayed it would be for the better.