C. G. COOPER
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We're Back!

2/15/2016

46 Comments

 
Gotta say it, I've really missed you guys. Writing in my little cave just isn't as interesting when I don't have you with me. I hope you're looking forward to this next round as much as I am.

WEBSITE: As you can see, we did a little fixing up around here. I hope you like the changes. It's a cleaner feel and should run smoother. If you see anything that needs fixin', let me know.

BROKEN: I wrapped up the first draft of Broken over the weekend. If you're on Beta Team 1, expect the manuscript in your inbox later this week, then Team 2 should have it in about two weeks. 

Now that that's done, on to the next! 

THE NEXT BOOK: Those of you who are part of the private Facebook group know that I've had this idea for a post-apocalyptic book in my head. It won't go away, so I figured, let's run with it. This round we'll be working on The Patriot Protocol. Rather than give away the plot, I'll let you experience it in realtime. Don't worry, no zombies or ghouls in this one. Just a "What If" scenario, that I'll try to keep as reality-centered as I usually do. If this ain't your cup of tea, I understand, but I would ask that you check it out for a couple chapters. As my mother used to say, You Never Know Until You Try It :)

I'll be posting as I have chapters complete, so some days you won't hear from me. Lucky for you, that means longer chapters. 

Without further ado, let's get started...
Picture
(CAUTION: The following contains unedited material that may be unsuitable for the grammatically inclined. Keep in mind that I don’t review what I write until after the first draft of the whole novel is done, so please keep your spelling and grammar fixes until the Beta Reader rounds.) 

Prologue

The Tennessee Zone
Year 2057


I shot the first one in the face. I didn’t mean to. It wasn’t how I’d been trained. Center mass. Always center mass. It gives you the greatest chance of hitting your target, the head the smallest. 

So when the first bullet exploded out of back of the intruder’s head, I adjusted my aim and shot him twice in the chest. Probably didn’t need to, but it was habit. 

The dead’s man’s accomplice, all arms the size of tree trunks and belly like a barrel, raised his rifle to shoot. I felt the bullet whiz by my head. It was that close, like a bumble bee doing a fly by. 

My first shot didn’t miss, and neither did my second. He took the rounds in the chest with wide eyes, like he was thinking, “How the hell did I just get shot?” 

Really? How could he think that? He came into my house, where I try and keep my wife and three kids safe, and he has the balls to think, no assume, that he might not get shot? I shot him again, the old anger palpable now. It tasted like iron nails in my mouth, the sedentary me gone for the briefest moment.

I watched the second intruder squirm for a moment, my pistol always aimed should he be stupid enough to raise his weapon at me or my family again. The movement in front of me stopped. 

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. I counted deliberately, another old habit.

My breathing slowed, the adrenaline sap leaving me a couple levels drained. 

That’s when I remembered they were there, my two oldest. It had been my daughter’s scream that brought me running, and now when I turned to face them, she stared at me with blank eyes, shock pure and simple. I wanted to run to her and hold her beautiful face against my chest, but I decided to give her a moment. This was a new reality, much worse than before, and in my mind I knew that she would come to deal with it in her own way. My sweet child, the innocent one who took offense at even the most childish slight. Most days she was nine going on nineteen, but now she looked ever bit her age. 

Then there was my son, all boy at almost seven years of age. He clung to his sister, not because he needed to, but because he somehow sensed that she did. He stared at me with a mixture of awe and trepidation, like he wanted to ask me what I was thinking or what I was feeling. He was always asking that sort of thing. Funny really. I called him my little professor. 

Now they came to me, tentatively at first, and then running. My daughter didn’t let go of my neck, and my son stroked my back, as if I was the one needing consoling.

I smiled despite the dead a couple feet away. We were safe for the moment, and I inhaled them like the first time, when I’d marveled at their tiny toes and fingers in the delivery room. How I wished I could go back to that world, when safety was a given, and nights weren’t spent with a gun at my side, listening to the light snores of the children sleeping a few feet away. 
​
But those days were gone, swept away by the violence that now threatened to envelop us again. I kiss my children on the head, lightly, like they might break. If I could only keep them alive for another day. 


46 Comments
Neill Woodward Sr
2/15/2016 08:24:51 am

Great way to start a new book. Can't wait for more.

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Mike scharring
2/15/2016 08:32:05 am

Excellent start. I'm not much on doomsday books but I get the sense that yours is going to be different. Can't wait to read it thru and ttru

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Karen Lee
2/15/2016 08:38:41 am

Welcome back Carlos! I have missed you and the team!

Man, what a great start to this new endeavor, this introduction is captivating, just draws you in a holds you there in the moment....and we don't even know who the characters are yet. I have to admit I have not been a big fan of post apocalyptic genre before...but so far you've got my attention....Semper Fi

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Faye Godwin
2/15/2016 08:41:38 am

Love the beginning. I am hooked already, more, more please.

It is great to have you back. I have missed your creative imagination.

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Rebecca Wall
2/15/2016 08:55:24 am

Way to start the book! I cast wait to read the next chapter. You definitely left me wanting more!

So glad you are back! I've missed this!

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Cheryl
2/15/2016 08:57:02 am

Arrgh - not because there's anything wrong, just because I want more! Seconding my friends above: Great start! Rarely does a book of this genre give evidence of being so in tune with the gamut of emotions you seem to express so effortlessly. Looking forward to the next installment - we've missed you too!

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Bob
2/15/2016 08:58:48 am

Welcome back! What a great way to start my week!
I like the cleaner website, too.

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Kathy
2/15/2016 09:04:35 am

Welcome back Carlos! I'm not much for post apocalyptic stories, but I'm giving it a try. I have to admit the beginning has me intrigued. Looking forward to the next entry.

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Terry Sullivan
2/15/2016 09:19:05 am

I, too am not usually an apocalypse fan; but that's because I'm not a particular fan of zombees, etc. So faff
far, I think I'm going to like this book.

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Susan
2/15/2016 09:23:28 am

Can't wait.for the rest. It's been a long time.
Welcome back Carlos.

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Len Powell link
2/15/2016 09:24:42 am

Great start!! I've been reading other stuff just to pass the time. Looking forward to another REAL adventure with YOU!!!

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G. Younger
2/15/2016 09:25:04 am

Hmm..maybe I WILL like the apocalyptic genre! This prologue certainly grabbed my attention!
Glad Novels Live is back. Missed you and missed the Live folks.
By the way, web site looks terrific. I like it. However, it would not interact with my Samsung Droid. Is that me, or the site?

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G. Younger
2/15/2016 09:28:34 am

And...it is terrific seeing someone willing to step out and try something new. I am happy to see you writing this!

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Vin
2/15/2016 09:30:29 am

You have established that we have a very protective and caring father. We know little else about him and I find it interesting that the mother was not mentioned.

Other than his strong fatherly instincts we know he is an experienced shooter but considering he triple tapped beginning with the head he may not have used his skills in a while or regularly. Could that be because of a post apocalypse shortage of ammo?

Have him load his own with a reloader station hidden in the basement or ??. It gives him access to a supply of ammunition and the ability to barter loading or reloaded ammunition for other needed supplies.

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Lily
2/15/2016 09:44:41 am

Great opening.....it really grabs attention. It begs so many question that I feel compelled to read more.

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Mary Sheerin link
2/15/2016 09:45:22 am

You are now an official "tease". Great start, but not enough. Please, I need my fix, more, more, and MORE!

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SC
2/15/2016 10:04:26 am

Nice beginning. Agree with need for back story on family, where's mom; also for apocalypse.

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debbie
2/15/2016 10:09:19 am

Write faster please...
I'm very excited at the idea of this book and the first chapter definitely has my attention. Love the new website, much easier on the eyes to read on the white page. Now really, quit reading this and go back to writing.

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Ralph Kurtzman
2/15/2016 10:33:07 am

Very glad to see that a new book was in the works. Even with this very short introduction to the story, I'm hooked. At some point dad is going to teach his little ones how to handle situations...'stranger danger' drills.

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Laura
2/15/2016 10:37:50 am

Great to have you back Carlos and I'm glad to see the group as well. Missed everyone during the break. Looking forward to checking out the changes to the website after my note.

I don't generally read this genre but the first chapter has me wanting more and more than will to try this new adventure with everyone. My son likes this genre so I will see if he will read along also. Looking forward to the next chapter.

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AlexH
2/15/2016 11:10:38 am

Welcome back, Carlos!

I'm ready to get started on both the new book and the beta for proofing.

About the new book: you've got me already!

And the new web site design is quite well executed.

-a.

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Jules
2/15/2016 11:43:34 am

Great Opening.

Suggest more illustrative of the weapons and ammo involved on both sides. We need to prepare for the coming " Apocalypse "

Insert Sig or Smith Wesson etc and caliber and type of ammo.

Also Substitute for "professor" either Einstein or Freud.

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Vin
2/16/2016 05:39:51 am

Jules, unless Carlos has changed his preference it will be a Springfield XD and probably .45 ACP.

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Mark
2/15/2016 02:22:27 pm

Welcome back Carlos, I missed our daily installments and all the comments from our family of readers.
Great way to start your new story, one problem though, it's not long enough. Just kidding, looking forward to more!

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Judy Stone
2/15/2016 03:50:30 pm

Started off with a bang, I see. Welcome back, Carlos. Looking forward to reading more.

While your website is cleaner, I was a bit confused when I followed the link, and saw "Join Now". Huh? I'm a member, I received an email! So I rejoined, and it said I was a member. *Scratches chin* I finally noticed the 'V' and assumed it was a down arrow. I'm not the most tech savvy member, but can you label the down arrow? Other than that baffling bit, I like the new site.

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CGC
2/17/2016 12:11:03 pm

The join now was on the old site, but more prominent on this version. You can always scroll down.

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Tory Shade
2/15/2016 04:42:17 pm

Ditto what everyone else said. Am so glad we're back into this. My husband will be glad that I can now pry myself loose from my orgy of rereading old sci fi series. (grin) Agree with Judy on the initial confusion of "Join Now". I didn't even see the "down arrow" myself. I just happened to notice the slide elevator button indicating there was a lot more below the first screen. Can't wait for more.

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Peg Kelly
2/15/2016 05:10:47 pm

Welcome back Carlos. As my teammates have said great
way to start the book. Can't wait to read more.

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Ed Liden link
2/15/2016 06:26:59 pm

Welcome back Carlos....everybody missed you! How much more on target can you get! Security is the first and last concern of everybody in the U.S.A. And 2016 being an election year with our open borders and a group of political morons what better subject to write about. GO FOR IT...try not to scare the wits out of everybody.

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Sandy K
2/15/2016 06:35:24 pm

A very good start. Looking forward to the next chapter.

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Richard Ahern
2/15/2016 07:52:54 pm

Welcome back, Sir.
Your rapier sense of craft has not diminished one iota.

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CaryLory
2/15/2016 07:59:11 pm

In the year 2027 --- wouldn't the intruders know to wear Kevlar or whatever in 2027?
Still an excellent intro --- title and cover exceptional!

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Ron (Andie's husband)
2/15/2016 08:15:28 pm

Where's mom; is she in picture but not introduced.
downplay "balls" substitute "who has the nerve"
"How'd that happen" (2nd guy)
1st guy shot to head (don't see wasting two more rounds center mass if he shot him in the head)
Main character instead of ex-military or special forces, maybe he grew up around shooting - just grew up around firearms, handling them (kind of like Duck Dynasty) - hunting, but is using guns and figuring things out as he goes along. (would like to see character as that)...
From introduction viewpoint, introduced family and will be filled out later, need an intro. as to what caused the world to be so unsafe
Otherwise great start. Husband was not drawn in, but might continue reading. But since wife has volunteered me to read it, he will continue to see where it heads from here. Happy to help you out, Carlos. (Andie's husband)

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Andie
2/15/2016 08:21:06 pm

Carlos,
I was surprisingly drawn in. Much different than your other books. Major shift from book I am currently reading : )

I agree with Ron (husband), two rounds didn't need to go to center mass with head shot.
It would be cool if he was just a patriotic guy like you or I but not affiliated with forces - but it's your story. It does run a central thread - which is good when branching out to another genre.
I did want to know what happened to Mom.
Really odd that children go to embrace/comfort him? Is this the first of exchanges between him and "the others"?
What caused this? Are they doomsday preppers?

Off to the other book! Will check in...good start.
Like website...

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Mitchie
2/15/2016 09:23:48 pm

Great starter. Readers already know that there is more exciting stuff to come. Keep them coming!! i love post apocalyptic books!

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Collette
2/15/2016 09:52:18 pm

Welcome back Carlos. I like the new look.
I'm with everyone else who isn't into zombies etc so thanks for your comment allaying my fear. This is obviously a shooter but seemingly retired. He is ready to brush off the rust and protect his family even though reluctantly. Anxious for more definition of him, his family and the situation in 2027. Good start.

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Teresa
2/15/2016 11:44:21 pm

Wing ding of a start! I love this genre. Dare to go there all in. Glad you are back, have greatly missed you.

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Anne
2/16/2016 09:10:59 am

A good prologue should grab the reader making him ready to turn the page before he's finished the prologue!! My finger was ready, but ..... First chapter, please!!!

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Tory Shade
2/16/2016 10:04:19 am

Second thoughts...just wondering on the choice of date for the prologue. ...only 10+ years in the future. On the one hand, considering how much technology has changed our lives in such a short period of time, 10 years is a long time. On the other hand, I've read so much over the years that I frequently run across the odd feeling one gets when reading (or rereading) an older book with specific dates that were in the future when the story written, but are now well in the past. In some ways it detracts from the author's story, because you get this immediate dissonance and also the urge to analyze what parts did the author get "right" and what parts did the author get "wrong". (Think "1984" as the most obvious example.) However, I guess I feel it only matters if you are writing the story as warning/commentary on potential disasters in social/political/economic/scientific-technological realms and not just writing a story for pure entertainment in an environment you wish to explore - with no particular morals/lessons/predictions embedded. (grin) So do we get an explanation in the story of why only 10+ years in the future? Can't wait to see whether we get any kind of "This is why the mess started and how it could have been avoided." or whether the causes will it be sort of mentioned in passing "Well, it was a big mess. TWAWKI (the world as we knew it) blew up and here we are just trying to survive." with the important parts of the story moving from there. Also wondering what type of prologue this one was. Some are just days in the past of the main story and others are decades/centuries in the past. So, the main character could be the Dad or it could be one of the kids grown to an adult or it could be just setting the "atmosphere" of what life is like in the new survival mode or NOTA (none of the above). Guess I'm in full speculation mode since I'm dying of curiosity. (grin)

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Marsha
2/16/2016 01:06:08 pm

I like the new web page with one exception.....the grey text. Makes it kind of hard for my old eyes to read it, but it looks good! I like the way you started the story. I had to remind myself after reading the first paragraph that it's not a Corps Justice book. After I reminded myself of that, I was fine. The start has a good hook to it and this is a genre I love to read. Since the first chapter was vague (and I feel like you meant it to be that way) I won't try and speculate because I usually find that the lack of details come in the next couple of chapters.

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Christy link
2/16/2016 05:41:40 pm

Carlos:

Welcome back. I'm loving this idea of this new novel. Can't wait to see what's next. The new website looks good! Just out of curiosity, how does one join the Facebook group?

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Tory Shade
2/16/2016 06:28:51 pm

Christy...just go to Facebook.com and login with your own password and ID (or register and create an account). Then, at the blank search box at the top left of the screen type in Team Corps Justice. When you see Carlos' page come up, click on it and then find the button that says "Join Group". You should get a reply and be able to join in after that.

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Christy link
2/17/2016 11:10:16 am

Thanks Tory!

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Susan H
2/16/2016 06:30:41 pm

Very interesting start that brings up a lot of questions...like how did we get to this point, etc. Can't wait to get all of them answered in the upcoming chapters.

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Warren R Madsen
2/17/2016 08:16:56 am

Cool! I like it. Waiting patiently for more. But only because I am so far behind in my reading ....

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Pam
2/18/2016 05:17:55 pm

So glad you are back, have. Missed your books. You are off to s great start

Reply



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