The Marrilian

Erica Ennis, born Lynn Jillian Kinsley, also known as ENZUS, has a fractured mind and personality. She is a brilliant young woman who has survived her abusive father through cunning and tenacity. With barely enough education to pass grade school tests, and little understanding of right and wrong, the dark paths of her young life have made her paranoid and dangerous, but also seeking peace and hoping for something better. Erica's cousin, Matilda Kinsley, lives on Quirni, where she has lived the luxurious life of an heiress, the life a Kinsley should expect. Quirni is a beautiful and healthful planet, but poor by Marrilian or Sirrian standards. The planet has no metal so luxuries common to other planets are not available, until Matilda discovers a secret to change that. Her discovery leads to disaster. On Marril, Erica escaped her father's abuse by moving into Tenpole, but at a cost. There the thayanite air around the mining pits sickens people quickly. It sickens her and forces her to escape once again. Since she is still in exile from Sirrus, she must move to the only other planet in the system, Quirni. The secret Matilda discovered on Quirni is responsible for the deaths of over six thousand innocent people. Erica learns about their fate after she lands and she bears a striking resemblance to her cousin. It is only through the kindness of a stranger that Erica survives an attacking mob. Their hatred drives her from cities and towns as she searches for a safe home, but she must treat the illness in her lungs as well, the thayanite poisoning. She must risk some human contact for the antidote. For her entire life, wherever Erica has gone, she has been manipulated and used by others. She is unaware the Quirni Solar Defense Delegate has plans for her as well, and the life of one young woman is of no consequence when their greater plans are in play. Erica can't claim the life she has missed, but through her tenacity and genius she can forge the life she wants, or use her dark past to fight those who would use her.