7th Son: Book One - Descent (The Beta Version)

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is "The Beta Version" of this podiobook. 7th Son: Descent is now available as a print novel from St. Martin's Press. During the editorial process, significant changes and improvements were made to Descent's print manuscript. Character names were changed, and events at the end of the print novel were modified in ways that will impact the rest of the print trilogy. The print novel represents an official reboot of the 7th Son series. Due to these changes, this "Beta Version" of Book One: Descent is no longer the "official" version of the podiobook. Please visit the 7th Son: Descent (The Print Edition) page to subscribe to the definitive version of the story. THE STORY Three weeks ago, the U.S. president was murdered by a four-year-old boy. Today, seven men stare at each other in a locked conference room. Kidnapped and brought to this underground facility, the strangers are sitting in silence, thunderstruck. Despite minor physical differences, they all appear to be the same man, with the same name ... and the same childhood memories. Unwitting participants in a secret human cloning experiment, these seven "John Michael Smiths" have been gathered by their creators for one reason -- to capture the mastermind behind the president's assassination. Their target? The man they were cloned from; the original John Michael Smith, code-named John Alpha. Soon our heroes -- John, Jack, Michael, Kilroy2.0 and the others -- realize the president's murder was merely a prologue to Alpha's plans. As the mystery deepens and the implications of Alpha's scheme are slowly revealed, the clones decide to stand against John Alpha. The outcome will unearth a conspiracy larger than they could have ever imagined. Descent is the first novel in J.C. Hutchins' 7th Son thriller trilogy.

Prologue, Chapter 1

The U.S. president is murdered by an unlikely assassin. Some time later, seven men -- named John, Michael, Kilroy2.0, Jonathan, Fr. Thomas, Dr. Mike and Jack -- are kidnapped.

02-24
43:37

Chapter 2

John, one of the seven abductees, awakens in a government facility, and is locked in a large room. Soon, six other men arrive. None of these men have ever met ... but they share an uncanny resemblance to someone John knows very well.

02-24
13:48

Chapter 3

The men meet Dr. Kleinman and Gen. Hill, overseers of the facility. The truth is revealed, and the seven strangers' lives are forever altered.

02-24
25:53

Chapter 4

John, Jack and Micheal share childhood stories, to confirm Dr. Kleinman's news. The other three clones puzzle over recent events on their own. The walls begin to whisper. Fr. Thomas has a dream.

02-24
29:20

Chapter 5

Breakfast time. One of the "seven sons" refuses to believe Dr. Kleinman's bombshell. Kleinman begins a tour of the 7th Son facility. The descent begins.

02-24
24:37

Chapter 6

The clones visit their birthplace -- The Womb -- and learn its secrets, as well as the theories behind memory recording/installation (MemR/I) technology. Dr. Mike and Jack lose their cool. Jonathan loses his lunch.

03-25
28:18

Chapter 7

The briefing begins. The clones learn about "Code Phantom." A mysterious stranger interrupts the briefing. More is learned about John Alpha ... and how his plans transcend the assassination of the U.S. president.

03-25
30:47

Chapter 8

The briefing in Ops continues. The clones learn more about the early days of Project 7th Son. A secret dangerous technology is revealed, as are the motives for John Alpha's activity.

04-09
24:37

Chapter 9

In Washington D.C., Vice President Charles Caine visits a civilian hospital to receive a routine physical examination ... but things do not go as planned.

04-14
29:08

Chapter 10

Back at the 7th Son facility, the John, Kilroy2.0 and the others puzzle over the clue John Alpha left for them. The clones begin to work together for the first time. Gen. Hill reveals an unexpected hobby. A breakthrough is made.

04-22
27:13

Chapter 11

The clones continue to decipher the Morse Code clue. Dr. Mike takes charge. John Alpha's intentions become more clear. The second half of the clue is decoded.

04-30
17:42

Chapter 12

At a military base in the Russian wilderness, a former CIA agent named Doug Devlin reminisces about his past -- and his current alliance with a man the clones know very well. A much larger conspiracy is unveiled. The implications of John Alpha's plans become clearer.

05-07
25:35

Chapter 13

Back at the 7th Son facility, the Beta clones learn more about the mysterious night club in Los Angeles. Expecting the worst, they plan an attack. But not all of the Betas will be going....

05-14
23:31

Chapters 14-15

The Beta clones finalize the plans for their cross-country trek. Gen. Hill explains the true power of Code Phantom security clearance. The clones call home, to chat with family and lovers. A secret is revealed in Jonathan's life. More mysteries surround Kilroy2.0. Fr. Thomas may be losing his mind.

05-21
01:00:14

Chapter 16

Fr. Thomas and the Mikes head ever westward, to California. Meanwhile back at the 7th Son facility, Jonathan, Jack, Kilroy2.0 and John attempt to understand John Alpha's scheme. A valuable clue is discovered. Research is conducted. Kilroy2.0 finds a moment to shine.

05-31
43:56

Chapter 17

The story shifts to Houston, where billionaire oil tycoon A.U. Rookman conducts a videoconference with a business associate. Rookman's legacy of corruption and greed is revealed ... as are details of his ailing health.

05-31
36:25

Chapter 18

Michael, Fr. Thomas, Dr. Mike and the 7th Son soldiers reach Los Angeles. Michael briefs his brothers on the plan of attack. After a tense ride through the streets of West Hollywood, the team arrives at Folie a Deux. The mission to stop John Alpha -- and save Dania Sheridan -- begins.

06-12
29:27

Chapters 19 - 20

At the 7th Son facility, John, Jack and Jonathan learn more about Kilroy2.0's world. A powerful benefactor lends a hand. In California, Michael, Dr. Mike and Fr. Thomas and the 7th Son soldiers invade the night club. They find Folie a Deux silent and empty. Or is it?

06-13
27:34

Chapters 21 - 22

John travels into the depths of the 7th Son facility for a family reunion ... and encounters an unexpected, familiar face. Kilroy2.0, Jack and Jonathan slip into the CDC's secure intranet, searching for NEPTH-charge victims. In Russia, the Devlins finally begin their first -- and final -- mission together.

06-20
26:35

Chapter 23

Kilroy2.0, Jack and Jonathan's search for NEPTH-charge victims leads them to a horrific CDC report that reveals another mystery. John finally meets Hugh Sheridan ... and the true nature of Project 7th Son is unveiled.

06-29
32:14

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