Hero By Choice.
The flip of a switch gives Joe, an ordinary mechanic, superhuman abilities. He discovers his new powers after his aunt saves his life with restricted nanites. When the corporation sanctioned by the military to control all nanotechnology discovers his secret, everyone he knows is thrust into a world of deception and treason. Can Joe give the people of the world life-saving superhuman powers, or will the attempt claim his life?
Excerpt:
Sergio Vallone stared at his reflection in the small mirror over the sink.
I look terrible, he thought.
His pale face was contrasted by his sunken eyes. His face was swollen from a lack of sleep. A dark shadow covered his jaw.
He splashed water over his face. The muscles in his forehead and cheeks felt taut against the cool liquid.
He opened the bathroom door.
“Mr. Vallone?”
Sergio felt his stomach wrench. He reached his hand to the wall to hold himself upright. He turned to his sister in law, Teressa. She looked horrified.
Oh God this is it. She’s finally gone.
Sergio hadn’t cried since he was a boy. Now he was crying so hard he couldn’t speak.
Teressa was holding him. She was wearing one of Monica’s favorite perfumes. It made him cry harder.
He imagined her as he had for years, on their honeymoon. She seemed so beautiful it was unreal.
Teressa led him by his hand back to the gray and brown folding chairs. Sergio felt stronger after he sat down. He looked up and noticed the woman doctor had gone.
She had delivered her message without saying a word.
He looked at Teressa through his tears.
She looked angry.
“Why couldn’t they save Monica?” Sergio paused, “She was so young.” Teressa’s fury was growing. She was scowling.
“I don’t know Sergio, medicine can only do so much.”
Her words seemed so obviously contrived. Her mind was elsewhere.
He turned to her screamed, “You have to tell me why!” His voice echoed through the halls.
She stared at Sergio. Her face was cold as stone.
Two male nurses jogged into to the waiting room. They looked at Teressa. She waved them off.
“Sergio, the chemo, the radiation, they hurt the good cells too.”
Sergio reached in his jacket and pulled out a flask. Normally he tried to be more discrete, but he just didn’t care right now. He felt the pain in his stomach numb from the alcohol.
“What about Joe?” His Italian accent was strong.
She just glared at him.
