- 'What if I told you that you can change the outcome of this war?
Scattered Remains is an upcoming series of novels by Justin George. The first entry in the series, Dual Destinies, is scheduled to be released in early 2011, and contains two books: Capital Grounds and Her Loyal Guard.
It is set from 1975 to 1978 and tells of an Alternate History, where an utility company, DoubleHelix Discharge Incorporated (usually shortened to DoubleHelix or DHD), has monopolized the competition, and is so powerful that it eventually forms its own place in government and even rules over some smaller countries. It also uses its army to enforce the direct collection of its bills.
The story has several heroes, but focuses mainly on Ambrosine "Swifty" Worden, the leader of and a general in the massive army for the DHD Armed Forces, and the wielder of the mysterious sword, Requiem, which gives the wielder near-invincibility as long as she keeps it on her person.
The second most important character is Nate Callaghan, an ex-con who joined the DHD. Armed Forces to avoid execution for murdering his former partner-in-crime. A generally violent and impatient man, he trusts no one, except for his sister, Isabella, who works in DHD. as the Head of the Medical Department. Later in the story, he is reassigned to serve Swifty as a bodyguard, along with his best friend, Jack Sugawara.
Scattered Remains provides examples of:
- Command Roster:
- The Captain: Cyrus
- Number Two: Simon, later Royce.
- Sergeant Rock: Jackson, although he's The Quiet One when he isn't training recruits.
- New Meat: Kelsey aka "Royce". Later becomes the Ensign Newbie.
- The Squadette: Melanie.
- Even Evil Has Standards: Swifty would not allow anyone to shoot anyone from the C.B.L.F., because they were all at a party.
- Lady of War: Cecilia, and to a lesser extent, Swifty.
- MegaCorp: DoubleHelix Discharge is this, although they only specialize in utilities.
- Super-Persistent Predator: Anthony Krauser is this to the C.B.L.F., but more specifically Royce.
- Reluctant Warrior: Royce. He didn't even want to join the C.B.L.F. at all, and the only reason he worked with Cyrus was to rescue his friend, who was imprisoned unfairly by D.H.D. and was to be executed.
- Weapon of Mass Destruction: The C.C.D. (Crowd Control Disintegrator), which can create an explosion that vaporizes anything with water in it, including rivers, lakes, and humans if necessary.
- Healing Hands: Almost literally in The Doc's case, who uses healing P.P.E. to often heal wounds quickly. However, this isn't the case with all wounds.
- Shoot the Medic First: Averted in The Doc's case, since even the C.B.L.F. knows her P.P.E. healing powers are valuable.
- Heroes Prefer Swords: Played straight with Cyrus, who is seen with a sword nearly all the time. Averted with Swifty, who isn't a hero, per se, [[Chekhov'sBoomerang but still uses and carries a special sword with her, claiming that guns are "crude and cowardly."]]
- Moral Guardian: Cecilia to Swifty, which is ironic considering all the war crimes she has committed.
- Conflicting Loyalty: Several characters go through this trope, but Jack is the most prominent. It's what sparks his Bodyguard Betrayal.
- Badass Normal: Nearly all of the main characters who are in the C.B.L.A., including Royce. Later on, Nate turns out to be one as well.
- Four-Star Badass: Cyrus and Greg, who lead the C.B.L.A. While they weren't generals in the Albourgian army, he assumed the rank in order to prevent mutiny and dissention of the ranks.
- Awesome Moment of Crowning: Happens near the end of Capitol Grounds when Cyrus gives Royce the rank of Captain for his contributions in the C.B.L.A.
- Little Miss Badass: Swifty can apply to this trope, although she is a bit old for it.
- La Résistance: The Circuit Breaker Liberation Front originally starts as this, before it turned into a
- Meaningful Appearance: Jack (and later Nate) wears fingerless gloves, to make it easier to reload his gun.
- Your Terrorists Are Our Freedom Fighters: The president of Albourge eventually comes out saying this about the C.B.L.A.
- Villain Protagonist: Swifty, as she is the leader of the D.H.D. Armed Forces and has no problem with ordering peoples' deaths, but
whether or not she is a villain is up to you. - Sympathetic P.O.V.: Used in Her Loyal Guard to shine some light on the people behind D.H.D.
- Parental Substitute: Cecilia becomes this to Swifty nearly 12 years before the story starts.
