Starzel

Starzel

Mark Bertrand

Mark Bertrand

In the sprawling expanse of the cosmos, Eulǝr a Syganoid holds a mundane but nevertheless sacred duty: safeguarding the Universe Code for Humanity. His world spirals into turmoil when a tear in the fabric of existence reveals missing data from the human file. Now, armed with determination and driven by impending doom, he undertakes a dangerous journey. His destination? The most perilous realm of all: Planet Earth. In a world where alliances are forged and ideologies clash, Eulǝr must navigate a treacherous landscape, stripped of his advanced biomechanics and facing existential threats. His once-mundane task transforms into a race against time, where the stakes are nothing short of the annihilation of humanity itself. Can he restore the missing data and salvage the very essence of human existence before it's too late? "Starzel" weaves an enthralling tapestry of near-future science fiction, taking...
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Snodgrass

Snodgrass

Mark Bertrand

Mark Bertrand

Amidst the tension of a true historical military escalation between the USA and Libya in 1986, a Navy fighter pilot navigates his haunted past and uncertain future, discovering that true battles lie within, while a determined detective in Denver unravels a web of deceit, murder, and stolen diamonds that threatens to destroy them both.Eight years after I ran away from home in a daring bid for freedom, I soared over the Mediterranean Sea in an F18, engaged in combat against the Sudan, Yemen, and Soviet Union militaries.At fifteen, I confronted a daunting choice: endure the torment of my abusive stepfather or brave the uncertainties of the world alone. Opting for independence, I set out into the unforgiving terrain of the Rockies, ill-prepared for the challenges that awaited me. With winter looming and no opportunities in sight, I resorted to desperate measures to survive, turning to a life of crime.Welcome to the gritty reality of my true story—a tale...
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A Conscious Thing

A Conscious Thing

Mark Bertrand

Mark Bertrand

In a distant binary star system on a planet colonized as an experiment, a group of four friends led by Maha embarks on a desperate quest for survival. Radiation poisoning, starvation, and the impending devastation caused by a pulsar emitting X-rays haunt their peaceful society of Buddhists and Doaists. As their civilization teeters on the brink of collapse, Maha and his friends face a challenging decision: embrace an ancient forbidden path that holds the key to survival or succumb to the impending doom. A Race Against Existence...Maha must harness ancient practices that awaken both good and evil forces to save their society from a tortured life. As the once harmonious world of humans and humanoids splinters into factions, Maha and his friends find themselves caught in the crossfire of blame and desperation. Determined to find a path forward, they venture on a daring journey that takes them far off the planetary trade routes, where they...
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The Dot

The Dot

Mark Bertrand

Mark Bertrand

In the depths of a forgotten planet, Ziran, a dying colony teeters on the edge of oblivion.Radiation poisoning ravages their bodies, while society crumbles beneath the weight of despair. In their darkest hour, they turn to an ancient ritual, birthing a child with otherworldly powers. Zosimos, the chosen one, grows at an unnatural pace, his mind ablaze with extraordinary abilities. But an encounter with a mysterious plant unleashes a tempest of anger within him, and instead of becoming a savior, he transforms into something they never expected. Amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges. Vallena, with her life-saving discovery, and Kelv, a sage bound to the path of nonviolence, become the last chance to salvage a future from the ashes. Can they unlock the secrets to healing the poisoned land and quell Zosimos's wrath before it consumes them all?Will the colony find salvation, or will they succumb to the haunting forces...
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