Origins Progeny
The gripping sequel to Children of Alpheios, the Firebird Book Award winner.
Alina DeHerte thought she had escaped Alpheios, the genetically engineered city on planet Eamine. After rescuing her son from its corrupt rulers, she built a fresh life with a new fiancé in a remote sanctuary. But when word of her mother’s grave illness reaches her, Alina's fragile peace shatters.
Returning to Alpheios means Alina must navigate rising threats in an unpredictable city. In pursuit of dominance, the city’s power brokers are jeopardizing their citizens’ lives. Alina must ally with a man she has long avoided—a Guardian officer who fathered her son. Both have a shared stake in the city’s uncertain future.
If Alina wants her mother to survive, she must unravel the city’s secrets and grapple with her conflicted past. Deep winter is upon them, and Alpheios is on the brink of explosive change.
Editorial Reviews
Publisher’s Weekly Booklife Editor’s Pick:
“Merging lively action and intrepid, engaging characters, Fedorak deftly teases and reveals political, social, and medical conspiracies that have far-reaching consequences for the entire planet. With some twists and turns, she creates an authentic world of near-future science and thought-provoking issues related to designer babies, corporate accountability, and familial commitment. A provocative page-turner.”
D. Donovan, Sr. Reviewer, Midwest Book Review:
“Diana Fedorak creates a world-building epic in a story that centers on a young mother’s adventures within and outside of the family fold. …It should be as highly recommended to sci-fi and fantasy patrons and book club as Fedorak’s prior Children of Alpheios.”
“…this is quality SF from an exciting, fresh voice in the genre.”
“With its complex relationships, relentless pacing, and heart-wrenching stakes, this book is an unforgettable journey into the heart of sacrifice, resilience, and hope…Origins Progeny is a must-read for fans of dystopian sci-fi and emotionally charged storytelling.”
Excerpt
“But we should be clear of winter storms, especially this time of year.” Alina buckled herself into the copilot seat. The patter of pellets intensified into a drumming onto the windshield.
“It’s high winds. Normally not a problem, but the snow melt mixes with heavy amounts of rock fragments on some of these ridges.” Aurore scooped her bangs out of her eyes. “As it forms into ice, if the wind conditions are right, it starts carrying off the top few layers of muck, spewing a steady stream into the air. It can happen suddenly.”
The AI’s female voice interrupted them. “Foreign object damage detected in engine one. Engine one still at ninety percent thrust, but I advise deviating from the programmed flight path to clear the area as soon as possible o prevent further engine damage.”
Aurore asked, “Lexi, how long will the front last on current heading?”
“By my estimate, until we clear the range, another twenty minutes. There’s high risk that one, if not both engines, will suffer worsening functionality.”
Alina’s stomach leapt as the aircraft bounced. She keyed the intercom. “Gordo, buckle up. We’re headed into serious turbulence.”
Their flight path tracked over the terrain map on the monitor. “We can set down over the eastern edge of the lava fields.” She pointed to the location, remembering Kiean programmed the flight path to give them a divert area. “The fields are inactive there, and we can wait for this to pass.”
Her friend frowned. “The winds are from surface level up to ten thousand, so even if we touch down, there’s still crud flying everywhere.”
“But we can slip the aero covers over the engines.”
The drumming on the windshield turned into hail, and small rocks pelted the surface, obscuring their vision.
Alina’s arms tingled, and she gulped. Work the problem, she thought. They’d have to place the windshield cover on as well, which meant one of them would have to climb on top of the aircraft.
“You don’t want to go outside in these conditions. Gusts are slightly over one hundred knots.” Aurore chewed on her lip. “Hang on.”
Alina turned to her. “What are you going to do?”
“Lexi, plot new course to Alpheios, high altitude to clear the range and this layer.”
The monitor illuminated a string of light points in front of her. “New path calculated to avoid current weather conditions. We’ll arrive about fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. Shall I execute?” Lexi asked.
Aurore said, “It’s going to be a steep climb. Ready?”
“But won’t surveillance detect us on approach to Alpheios?”
Her friend pressed her lips together. “If we don’t get through this soon, the engines may be too damaged to return.”
Swallowing, she glanced back at the divert location on the map. They were nearing the nav point rapidly, and given their airspeed, it was likely Lexi would take a sharp bank to turn them east.
A cockpit warning alarm sounded. The master caution light flashed yellow.
“More foreign object damage detected in engine one,” Lexi said. “Engine at eighty percent thrust.”
“We have to change the flight path before engine two gets hit,” Aurore said.
Alina thought of Mandin still in his bunk. Neither she nor Aurore could hand fly well enough to terrain mask or land. They would be reliant on the AI. “Go ahead with the climb.”
“Lexi, new flight path approved. Execute now.”
Aurore said.
“Copy, captain. Changing to new flight path. Please make sure you’re buckled in.”
Weight pressed on Alina’s chest as they ascended. She inhaled a deep breath. A rock smacked into the windshield as the engines screamed, and the throttles moved forward. The aircraft shuddered as it climbed. She held her breath. More rocks whacked against the fuselage. The Spartan bumped during its ascent, and the seat harness tightened around her. Her leg muscles strained. Finally, the pressure on her torso eased as they leveled out. The dark silhouette of the mountains appeared underneath them.
“All clear.” Aurore eased out a breath. “Hope you have that letter ready for Chance.”
“Of course I have it ready.” Alina chewed her inner cheek. She wasn’t sure how Chance would react to her note.