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    Onyx (A YA SciFi Retelling of Othello)
    Onyx (A YA SciFi Retelling of Othello)
    Onyx (A YA SciFi Retelling of Othello)
    Ebook85 pages1 hour

    Onyx (A YA SciFi Retelling of Othello)

    By Alicia Michaels

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    About this ebook

    This 18,000-word SHORT STORY is a Young Adult retelling of the Shakespearean drama, Othello.
    The year is 3015, and the planet Earth is no more. Existing on space stations strewn about the galaxy, humans are searching for a new planet to call home. Their explorations have led to war with many alien races, leaving their numbers decimated and their position in the universe unstable.
    A humanoid alien captured during one of Earth’s many wars, Onyx is given his freedom in return for joining the planet’s army. He is placed in an elite unit, where he quickly proves himself a good soldier and climbs the ranks. Many shun him because even though he looks like a human, they know he isn’t one. However, there is one person who does not fear him. Onyx cannot help but love Dia, and marries her against her father’s will. Yet, their happy union is threatened when Isaias, Onyx’s ensign begins whispering secrets of Dia’s infidelity into his ear.
    When the web of lies, truths, and half-truths begin to engulf Onyx, he finds himself unable to discern who his real friends and enemies are ... which will lead to him making one of the biggest mistakes of his life.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherElise Marion
    Release dateMar 4, 2016
    ISBN9781310174315
    Onyx (A YA SciFi Retelling of Othello)

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      Book preview

      Onyx (A YA SciFi Retelling of Othello) - Alicia Michaels

      Onyx:

      A Re-telling of Othello

      Smashwords Edition

      by

      Alicia Michaels

      Onyx

      Smashwords Edition

      Alicia Michaels

      Copyright 2016 by Alicia Michaels

      Edited by Lyssa Chiavari

      Cover Art by MNS Art Studio

      All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, or people, living or dead, is coincidental.

      Chapter One

      "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;

      It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock

      The meat it feeds on. That cuckold lives in bliss,

      Who, certain of his fate, loves not his wronger:

      But O, what damnèd minutes tells he o'er

      Who dotes, yet doubts, suspects, yet strongly loves!

      --From Othello

      Napet Space Station

      Laro Pub

      3015

      The low buzz of conversation filled the crowded taproom, mixing with the obnoxious electronica music blasting from the speaker system. Scantily-clad waitresses in metallic miniskirts served neon-colored mixed drinks and foaming brews. The majority of the bar’s patrons consisted of men in uniform—soldiers of Earth’s army dressed in plain black-and-gray uniforms with their ranks denoted by pins attached on starched collars.

      The atmosphere felt jovial, despite the many problems plaguing the human race as a whole. As Isaias Royce hunched over his foaming mug, he eyed them all with undisguised disdain. They acted as if their planet hadn’t been destroyed by their own negligence and waste, as if they didn’t float, homeless, on a space station, just waiting until a new planet could be found and prepared for them. They acted as if they’d forgotten the countless lives lost, decimating the population to less than a million. No, all they cared about was their liquor and their half-naked waitresses.

      Meanwhile, he had problems of his own.

      Sighing, he tipped the mug back and drained it to the dregs, throat bobbing as the cold brew made its way down.

      What’s eating you?

      The voice of Reid Blackford, a specialist from his unit, snapped him out of his reverie. Isaias frowned. As a captain, Isaias outranked him, yet Reid seemed to have forgotten that. The fact that they were distant cousins had made Reid overly familiar and downright annoying.

      Nothing, he snapped, signaling the bartender for a refill. Sit.

      Reid obeyed, ordering his own beer as Isaias’ was delivered.

      Nothing, hm? Reid mumbled, drumming his fingers against the bar top in the most bothersome way. Less than twenty-four hours after Cronius March makes first lieutenant, and I find you sulking in a bar. And you say it’s nothing.

      Isaias’ scowl deepened. Reaching across the space separating them, he grabbed Reid’s wrist in a tight hold, dragging the young man toward him until the legs of his stool scraped against the floor and they sat almost nose to nose.

      Watch yourself, he growled.

      Shoving Reid back into his seat, he hunched back over his fresh mug.

      Straightening his rumpled uniform, Reid frowned. Geez, relax! I just thought…

      That’s your problem. You don’t think. It’s just so… it’s unfair, he muttered. Several recommendations from his fellow officers, added to my list of achievements should have been enough. I should have known he would give it to someone else. That black bastard and his damned superiority, thinking he’s better than everyone else just because—

      Would you keep your voice down? Reid hissed, glancing around nervously. His gaze landed on a black couple laughing and talking nearby.

      Isaias laughed. "God, you really are an idiot. The major isn’t black like them. It’s unnatural, that dark skin and those eyes."

      It’s why they gave him the name Onyx, Reid remarked, because his Ethelene name was too hard to pronounce.

      That’s another thing, Isaias scoffed. He isn’t even one of us, how can they promote him to lead?

      Reid shrugged. I don’t like it any more than you do, but what can we do about it? Nineteen years old and already a major. I can’t stand the prick, but you have to at least admit he’s accomplished a lot, considering how he came to be here. The last of his kind, I heard.

      I don’t have to admit anything, he countered. All I have to do is bide my time.

      I hear you were offered a position as his ensign. A cushy job with more money, and you get to be his right hand.

      His right hand, huh? Maybe that idea has some merit. As his right hand, I could kill him and make it seem like he did it to himself.

      Reid’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Huh?

      Nothing, Isaias replied, brushing him off with an absent wave of his hand. You wouldn’t have understood anyway.

      Reid had always been incredibly dense.

      Won’t last long anyway, Reid said between gulps of beer. When the general finds out what he’s done, he’ll discharge him faster than you can blink.

      This got his attention. He straightened on his stool, eyebrows raising toward his hairline. You have dirt on the major? Spill.

      Reid gazed left to right, ensuring no one could overhear them. Word has it, he’s been screwing the colonel’s daughter.

      A wide grin spread across his face, and glee filled him so quickly he almost couldn’t contain the chuckle welling in his chest.

      Oh my God, that’s insane. And he has no idea?

      He’s clueless.

      Isaias frowned. Didn’t you have a thing with her once?

      Reid lowered his eyes, seemingly embarrassed by

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