Novels by Manuel Sterling

The press conference was a masterclass in corporate theater. Zen stood on the podium at the future site of Skyline, the skeletal framework of the unfinished building rising behind him like the bones of a slumbering giant. Construction equipment gleamed in the afternoon sun, workers in Mega-branded safety gear positioned strategically in the background.Camera flashes punctuated his arrival as journalists frantically took notes. The city's most prominent business reporters had rushed to the site following Mega's cryptic announcement of "significant developments regarding the Skyline project."Zen adjusted the microphone, his expression betraying nothing of the calculated vengeance driving his actions. Sinclair stood to the side, scanning the crowd with practiced vigilance, while Keisha managed the press at the perimeter."Good afternoon," Zen began, his voice carrying across the assembled media with commanding precision. "Thank you for joining us on such short notice. Today marks a sig

Night had fallen across the city as Zen sat alone in his office, the only illumination coming from his desk lamp and the soft glow of his computer screen. The Rossi loan documents were spread before him, each page meticulously annotated with his observations. The evidence was damning—predatory terms, hidden clauses, and what appeared to be deliberate manipulation of financial projections to ensure default.Mrs. Rossi had overplayed her hand, and now Zen had everything he needed to take control of the Skyline project.A soft ping from his security system alerted him to movement in the outer office. Zen glanced at his watch—11:47 PM. The cleaning staff had already finished hours ago, and his assistant had left shortly after six.He wasn't expecting anyone.With calmness, Zen closed the folder containing the loan documents and slid it into his desk drawer. He then pressed a concealed button beneath his desk, activating the silent recording system he'd installed for exactly this type of s

The Skyline project dominated the horizon, its partially completed towers rising like monoliths against the afternoon sky. Construction cranes swung in choreographed precision, while teams of workers navigated the massive structure with efficiency. Despite being 15 percent complete, the development already commanded attention—a testament to Tom's architectural vision and business ambition.Zen stood at the edge of the site, ostensibly reviewing progress reports while actually conducting a far more strategic assessment. Following Wilson's revelations about the underground infrastructure connections, a personal inspection had become necessary."The north tower foundation is proceeding ahead of schedule," James Wilson explained as they walked the perimeter. "Structural integrity tests exceeded specifications by twelve percent.""And the sublevel excavation?" Zen asked, his attention focused on the massive pit that would eventually become the project's underground parking and service are

Back in Zen’s Home country, after the whole heat has died down.Evelyn Rossi's office occupied the entire top floor of the Rossi Enterprises headquarters, a testament to both her inflated sense of importance and desperate need for the appearance of power. Floor-to-ceiling windows provided a 360-degree view of the city, including—Zen noted with satisfaction—a perfect sightline to the Skyline project rising in the distance. A project she'd foolishly leveraged her company to infiltrate."Mr. Diel," she greeted as he was ushered in by her assistant. Her voice carried the brittle warmth of someone trying to mask anxiety behind social pleasantries. "What an unexpected pleasure. I was beginning to think you were avoiding me."Zen moved into the spacious office with confident strides, each step calculated to remind her who truly held power in this room. He didn't wait for her invitation before settling comfortably in the chair opposite her desk."Avoiding you, Evelyn? Quite the contrary. I've

The yacht cut through darkening waters, its engines humming at three-quarter power as it navigated away from Saint-Malo's harbor. Security personnel had settled into cruising positions—two on the aft deck, one on the forward observation point, and two inside the main cabin with Zharkov and Nia. The remaining guards were likely positioned on the bridge and in the engine room, maintaining operational security throughout the vessel.Zen and Henri remained concealed near the outer deck storage compartments, using the shadows cast by the yacht's exterior lighting to avoid detection. The increasing distance from shore worked in their favor—intervention from harbor authorities becoming less likely with each passing minute."Approaching optimal position," Henri noted quietly, checking the GPS coordinates on his tactical device. "Five minutes to designated extraction point."Zen nodded. They had identified a stretch of water approximately three nautical miles from shore—far enough to avoid imm

Saint-Malo's ancient granite walls rose against the darkening sky, silhouetted by the setting sun as it dipped into the English Channel. The medieval fortifications had withstood centuries of sieges and storms, but now they served as mere backdrop to a far more immediate conflict. NiaZen studied the waterfront property through high-powered binoculars, his position on a neighboring rooftop offering optimal surveillance while maintaining adequate distance. The target—a modernist villa constructed with obvious disregard for the historic surroundings—sat directly on the water, complete with private dock where a sleek yacht waited, engines idling."Preparations for immediate departure," he noted, observing increased activity around the vessel. "Security detail?"Beside him, Henri adjusted his own observation equipment. "Eight visible. Professionally positioned. Two on the main approach, two patrolling the perimeter, four on the property itself.""Armed?""Concealed, but evident from their

The ground beneath HQ shuddered, knocking students and faculty off their feet. Lights flickered and died as power systems failed across the campus."That wasn't a normal tremor," Akiya said, steadying herself against the greenhouse wall.Liam pointed through the clouded glass. "Look!"In the main courtyard—the ceremonial heart of Central AAU—reality itself was tearing open. Unlike the portals in the sky, this breach formed at ground level, the very earth splitting to reveal swirling darkness beneath. Purple-black energy erupted skyward, forming a pillar that connected to the larger rifts overhead."Breach Point Zero," Vale's voice crackled through their communicators. "The primary anchor point for the merging.""Why the courtyard?" Anna asked."Location," Miko realized immediately. "The AAU was built here specifically because it's a natural thin point between worlds. They've been planning this for decades."The courtyard breach expanded rapidly, consuming the ceremonial fountain and s

"We can't fight them directly," Vale insisted, sketching a rough map of the Academy on the bunker's planning table. "Not yet."The team had regrouped in Vale's underground laboratory—a reinforced bunker beneath the science building that had, so far, remained untouched by the chaos above. The crystal device from Hayes's locker sat in a containment field nearby, various instruments monitoring its energy patterns."The Awakened Wraith is still stabilizing," Vale continued. "That gives us a narrow window before it reaches full manifestation.""How narrow?" Liam asked, nursing a gash on his arm from his narrow escape from the possessed students."Hours at most," Vale replied grimly. "Once fully anchored to our reality, its power increases exponentially."Miko studied the Academy map. "What about the other faculty and students? We know Hayes is organizing the non-combat students somewhere.""Underground shelters, most likely," Anna said. "The possession seems to require proximity to a porta

“Gosh, it’s been a long week,” Miko said as he balanced into his seat on the bus.“I’m so confused,” Miko scratched his head vigorously.Suddenly.“The transport shuttle jolted violently, throwing passengers from their seats. Warning lights flashed as the emergency braking system engaged."Please remain calm," the conductor's voice crackled. "We're experiencing unexpected system fluctuations."Miko gripped his armrest, feeling a familiar vibration in his teeth—the same sensation he'd experienced near Abyssal energy. His stomach tightened with dread."What's happening?" the elderly woman beside him clutched her bag. "Is it an attack?"Before he could answer, screams erupted from the front of the shuttle. Passengers pointed out the windows, faces pale with shock.Above the capital city skyline, the sky itself tore open. A massive purple-black rift appeared, energy crackling around its edges as it expanded. Even from this distance, Miko could see the wrongness of it—reality fraying at th

"Time's almost up," he said, checking their timer. "Let's go."They exited as carefully as they'd entered, timing their departure to avoid the security cameras. The journey back through the east wing was tense but uneventful—most faculty were still responding to Vale's distraction, a convenient "equipment malfunction" in the main training arena.They'd almost reached the service elevator when disaster struck. Rounding a corner, they came face to face with Hayes himself, accompanied by Professor Meyers—another suspected possession case.For a heartbeat, nobody moved. Then Hayes's expression shifted from surprise to cold calculation."Maintenance personnel in a restricted area," he observed, his voice perfectly pleasant despite the hardness in his eyes. "Responding to what issue, exactly?""Environmental control malfunction, sir," Miko replied promptly, falling back on their cover story. "Reports of unusual odors from the research labo

"You don't have to do this," Akiya said, helping Miko adjust the borrowed maintenance uniform. "We could find another way into the east wing."They were gathered in an unused storage room near the Academy's service corridors, preparing for their infiltration of the mysterious portal room. Anna was already dressed in her medical scrubs, a clipboard clutched to her chest to complete the look."This is the safest approach," Miko replied, checking that his concealed communicator was functioning. "Vale's distraction will only buy us twenty minutes at most. We need to be in and out."Liam lounged against a stack of cleaning supplies, seemingly relaxed though his eyes remained alert. "Remember, if you're discovered, you're maintenance workers responding to an environmental control malfunction. Anna's there as medical oversight due to potential air quality issues.""We've been over this three times already," Anna said, though there was no irritation in he

Liam studied the frozen image on the tablet. "We need more information before we make any moves. Surveillance on that room, tracking the comings and goings of the possessed faculty, figuring out their schedule and patterns.""I can help with that," Vale offered. "My security clearance gives me access to most AAU systems, and I've developed a few backdoor methods for the rest.""Why come to us?" Akiya asked suddenly, suspicion evident in her tone. "Why not go to higher authorities?"Vale's expression darkened. "Who would I report to? Hayes is compromised. The Academy Director hasn't been seen in public for weeks. And after what you've just told me about the President's... extracurricular activities, I'm not certain who can be trusted in government either.""So you came to four students?" Akiya pressed."Four students who survived the Abyss," Vale corrected. "Who faced an Awakened Wraith and lived to tell about it. Who have more practical experience with Abyssal entities than most senio