Isaac Hess lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with his family, three dogs, and evil cat. He likes to read, play video games, and watch movies when he’s not fending off ninjas or escaping alien spaceships. He currently attends Missouri State University and is also the author of The Altered Revenge series, Chomped, Speechless, and James Wallace, a novel for young adults.    

In a distant future of interstellar travel, planetary colonization, and rampant strife, super-powered humans once known as Altered are forced to live their lives in secrecy under a cruel new regime, the New Human Sovereignty. Now called Remnants, they must try to survive in the face of overwhelming forces. But there is hope. Teth and Pyra, two teenage siblings and Remnants, are getting by. Their lives aren't easy, but they manage to make do with what they have. When a simple mistake drives them apart, Teth must do whatever it takes to get his sister back. Royce, a new recruit in the Hunter Guard Corps., a task force designed to hunt down Remnants, is assigned to his first post. When he finds himself in opposition to his former allies, he is forced to find a way to survive with no powers and some very unlikely new friends. Eve, a Remnant from the desert planet Thirst, sets out on a quest for revenge against one of the most powerful men in the galaxy. Too little too late, she realizes she's in way over her head. On an icy planet in the middle of nowhere, Madlyn "Mad" and Taps Cobb are soldiers in the United Revolution, a rebellious force that stands against the authoritarian New Human Sovereignty. When they are ambushed, Madlyn is forced to make decisions which will determine the fate of her squad and the fate of the Revolution itself. Together or alone, they must face whatever comes at them. For family, for friends, for country, for revenge, or for their very survival.


The Altered Revenge

MAD WATCHED NUMBLY as each of the ten bodies was pulled away and buried deep into the snow. The tenth was Hack's. The sniper's bullet had wrecked most of his face, but Mad recognized his sturdy frame lying limply under the ridge where he'd died.


Taps Cobb and Joe Gil, another squad member, hoisted him up and carried him over to a hole a few of the squad had volunteered to dig. They carefully lowered him down and respectfully took a step back.


Cobb brushed a dusting of snow from his sandy blond hair and asked, "Does anyone want to say a few words?"


"I do," Mad said. What was left of the squad turned to face her. They looked as exhausted and terrified as Mad felt. She remembered she was now their squad leader, straightening her back. "Hack was the best damn soldier I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. He worked me until I dropped and then worked me some more. He told me jokes out on patrol. He was the reason why I believed in the Revolution. I knew if we had people like Hack, there was no way the Sovereignty would ever beat us. Hack deserved more. He was a hero to me, and to all of us."


The squad was silent for a moment. Then, "Hack taught me how to shoot," Mad realized it was Cobb speaking. "He was the best teacher I've ever had."


"I'm sure glad for that, Cobb," Mad said. "Or else none of us would be standing here right now."


Mad watched as Cobb and Gil picked up two shovels and buried Hack away under the snow. When they were done, Mad ordered the squad to form up around her.


"That was some good soldiering out there today, boys!" Mad said, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt. "Get a hot meal and a good night's sleep. Tomorrow we're going to recover the sniper's remains and report to Command. Dismissed!"


The squad broke apart and set up thermal tents for the night. Mad stared at the mound of snow where Hack would rest for eternity. Cobb still stood close, looking uncertain.


"Sir?" he asked, frowning. "Are you all right?"


"Don't call me sir," Mad said. "You're officially my second in command."


Mad stood by the grave for a little while longer.


Chapter 12