Mirov

”Put the spirit of your favorite pop culture franchises into a blender (Robocop, Die Hard, Aliens, The Hunger Games, Captain America, Mission: Impossible), drop in a ton of adrenaline, set them in the near, yet alternate, future and you will start to get an idea of what you can expect in the rousing, thrill-ride, white knuckle action epic, MIROV.”~ Celeste PraterAuthor of the Award-Winning VISITING DARKNESS MIROVDevised to defend humanity from alien threat, Unidom’s absolute control reaches every settlement and space station. Mirov, an assassin built to impose Unidom’s willingness to kill until their side wins, is betrayed when Unidom takes away something more important than life itself. Hell hath no fury like Mirov scorned. In retribution for the chaos and quick deaths heaped upon their heads, Unidom exiles Mirov to another world and is forced to leave everything on Earth behind. Disgusted with Unidom’s increasing and unfair control over the normal citizens, colony rebels challenge the government behemoth at every turn. However, the inevitable war with the aliens threatens everyone. Soon, Mirov is caught between the crossfire of all three forces. When each side tries to gain control over what Mirov cherishes so dearly, a fierce battle is set into motion and endangers everyone and everything in its path. In this violent, brutal world, who will go the farthest to get what they want? Length: 202749 words SNOWFLAKE WARNING: This novel contains foul language and extreme violence. Do not continue reading if you might be triggered by descriptions of what happens to bodies when shot, stabbed, kicked, or blown up. Otherwise, have a blast! MIROVDavid C. Hokewww.Mirov.com A DAVID HOKE PUBLISHING BOOKMirovCopyright © 2023 by David C. HokeFirst Publication: June 2023Cover design by Michelangelo FloresAll art and logo copyright © 2023 by David C. Hoke.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission. All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.If you find this e-book or print book being sold or shared illegally, please let us know at www.Mirov.comPUBLISHER DEDICATIONFor Trish, RJ, Paula, Jude, Rylee, and Everlee.Never stop—EVER—even at Death’s Door. Never stop.And to Celeste. Thanks for waiting on me at the rest stop. ABOUT THE AUTHOR David C. Hoke has been creating since as far back as he can remember. When he was young, he sketched battles from Star Wars or World War II films. He used toys to act out his scenarios. As he grew, sketches became drawings. Then drawings became comics. At around 11, he ventured into teaching himself how to write screenplays. He bought the book Syd Field’s Screenplay and proceeded to write his own movie ideas. But screenwriting for his own enjoyment just didn’t feel like it was enough. So, with no safety net, at the age of 33, he quit his day job to pursue a career as a filmmaker. Within 2 years, he had written and helped produce, direct, and edit a local TV project with 13 episodes. By year 3, he and his partners had a movie in regional theaters and eventually on Amazon Prime. After 10 years in the indie film scene, he decided the stories in his head far exceeded the budgets he could secure for a movie. So rather than let those stories go untold, he decided it was time to learn how to write novels. A man of many hats, he has been an entrepreneur since 2009 with a successful marketing agency. The only thing more important to him than his creative endeavors is his family. He shares two kids with his first wife and another with the love of his life, Trish. There are also two young granddaughters TABLE OF CONTENTSVOLUME IPROLOGUE – EIGHT YEARS EARLIER…SECTION I: AMONGST THE WORLDSDurango Valley SectorThe DraglineUnidom Research Facility Number 1012The ConvoyThe CanyonMars Liberation Army CaveThe PlateauThe IslandThe GarageRhee’s CavernThe GunshipTharsisUDS StarhawkSECTION II: A SINGLE STARSiberiaSupply CarThe RefineryThe HangarThe Russian GunshipThe TrainUnidom Safe HavenDr. Winston’s LaboratoryDr. Winston’s Laboratory Part IITokyoPearl HarborNevadaVOLUME IIPROLOGUE – EIGHT YEARS EARLIER…SECTION III: MORE AND PEACEHoustonWormwood DriveSuburbsThe Pizza PlaceThe SchoolThe MallThe Mall Part IIThe Mall Part IIIThe ExpresswayThe BridgeThe HideoutThe SkunkWorksThe BayThe War RoomThe LandingThe SkywalksThe RallyThe Rally Part IIThe Network RoomSECTION IV: AMID GLIMMERS SHOWNSpace Station JupiterThe Observation DeckThe Observation Deck Part IIMain Hangar BayThe Skies AboveThe DomeTask Force 8Home MIROVDavid C. HokeCopyright © 2023 VOLUME IPROLOGUE – EIGHT YEARS EARLIER…Shit, there it went again. When the pains struck, they hit like a motherfucker. Breathe and refocus.Excruciating pain forced an involuntary spasm through her right leg—her boot kicking at the floor and empty shotgun shells in response. Hollow “popping” sounds from the bouncing plastic were magnified in the tight confines of the elevator. Deep breaths sucking through gritted teeth could only mildly subdue the pain. Banging the back of her head against the wall appeased the need to break things in anger. Despite her body's plea to just go ahead and pass the fuck out, a semi-steady hand shoved blindly into the black canvas bag she carried at her right hip. Trembling fingers grabbed new shells and loaded them into the 12-gauge's loading port—pausing twice to squinch her face while a sharp cramp passed.