Title: The Last War
Author: Alex Davis
Genre: Science-Fiction
Born from
the genius of the Animex, the aliens of the Noukari seek to gain a foothold on
a savage planet. But the greatest danger to their existence lies within them –
a powerful gift of telepathy.
As the
tension grows between idolatry and admiration of their creators, and the
Noukari come to understand the latent powers within their own minds, a species
created for peace are about to succumb to brutal violence.
In a galaxy torn by conflict, will the first battle between the Noukari also be their last war?
"The
Last War is a remarkable study of reason and faith, morality and practicality,
pragmatism and idealism. With sharp, unfussy prose, Alex Davis draws the reader
into an endearing nascent civilisation, and then takes it apart before our
eyes. Unpredictable, challenging and rewarding." Gav Thorpe, New York
Times Bestselling author of Angels of Darkness Deliverance Lost.
Author
Bio
Alex Davis is
an author, editor, publisher, creative writing tutor and events organiser based
in Derby. His debut novel, THE LAST WAR, is out in July from Tickety Boo Press
and is the first in a science-fiction trilogy following the aliens of the
Noukari. He is co-ordinator for Derby's annual Edge-Lit event – running this
year on the 11th July – and also part of the management committee
for this year's Derby Book Festival. He also runs Boo Books, Derby's independent
press, aiming to promote regional talent along internationally known authors.
Their latest release is The Electric, available in paperback for the first
time. For more information, visit http://boobooks.net/
Links
http://shop.ticketyboopress.co.uk/index.php for paperback
Book Excerpt
CHAPTER FIVE
Within hours, the
clearing is witness to a scene unlike any in the short history of Genem.
Larders have been emptied, and food lies on crude tables where both men and
women eat greedily. None think about the next sunup. They eat as they have
never eaten, gorging until their stomachs grow bloated. In one corner an unseen
man has overstuffed himself more than any other, and vomits loudly into a stand
of trees. Some of the food lies on the floor, trodden upon by bare feet, but
still is devoured by hungry hands and mouths. 'Let us eat! Eat like we shall
never eat again!' a high-pitched voice cries, and instantly the feeding frenzy
intensifies.
But feasting is not
the only act of pleasure evident around the temple. To one side a dancing
circle has broken out, three women playing their simplest of drums with a
fervour that sucks the crowd into a hypnotic rhythm. None of the Noukari have
ever danced before, and the movements are jerky, often arrhythmic. Some find
the beat to the music, other simply fling limbs and heads around with abandon,
not caring what the music is but for the fact that there is music. The
result is a swirling mass of bodies, some pressing against each other, others
seeking isolation, their own space to explore the movement of their bodies.
Each is lost in a new world, a world of sound and ecstasy.
Apius watches the
dancers from the sidelines, choosing not to join them. He knows that he is the
originator of this ceremony, but must not partake of it himself. No – a Re'Nuck
must not debase himself like this. He has a duty to his followers. They must
know this pleasure, they must find it at the heart of them to forget
duty and endless work. This is significant, he knows, and he must take in every
aspect of the sights before him without losing himself.
At the outer edge of
the clearing there is a small clutch of men, only four or five, but what they
do is so extraordinary that he cannot help but watch.
They are fighting.
The Re'Nuck moves in
more closely, and the offence and defence pauses for a moment. But Apius just
nods and bids them to continue. None of them question further, and the slowest
to respond to the Re'Nuck's command find their faces crushed with clenched
fists.
Fighting, Apius thinks to himself. What an unlikely
outcome. Only in this moment, freed of all their rules and strictures, have
they seen fit to fight. He would not even recognise it had he not heard and
seen the creatures of the forest doing the very same thing, from the small and
clumsy Echen through to the vicious duels of the Hiyel. It seems to be the way
of nature, he reflects, the way of all life. Perhaps there is even something
unnatural in the fact they have never fought.
**
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