Activated a calculated n.., p.1
Activated: A Calculated Novel, page 1
ADVANCED PRAISE FOR ACTIVATED
“Jo Rivers is back and better than ever in ACTIVATED, the third installment of the Calculated series. With its stunning, cinematic descriptions, high-stakes action, intricately-woven plot, and a heart-racing, soul-penetrating love story for the ages, this book exceeds every expectation of the thriller genre. This is the best series in YA right now. Don’t miss out.” — Chelsea Bobulski Author of THE WOOD, REMEMBER ME, and the ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS series
“It is the rare story that has me gripping the edge of my seat while contemplating the meaning of life. Brilliantly inventive, Activated, the third book in the Calculated series, will break your heart and put it back together; captivate your imagination and set it free as Jo Rivers faces her greatest challenges yet. An epic continuation to this genre-defying series!” — Lorie Langdon, Author of Olivia Twist and the Disney Villain Happily Never After Series
"Just when you think this series can’t get any better, Activated soars to new heights in the snowy landscape of Finland's Arctic, where the setting is as dangerous as the stakes. McBee artfully elevates action, adventure, and romance while delivering all the elements we loved from Calculated and Simulated—readers will be enthralled.” — Tamara Girardi, Author of Gridiron Girl
“From the stars to the snow, Activated is an electrifying follow-up in the Calculated series that will stay with you for years. Raw and suspenseful, Jo River’s story reaches a crescendo that will delight readers. With a witty cast, impossible odds, and heart-wrenching decisions at every turn, Activated will have you laughing, crying and racing through the pages only to wish for more at the end. Absolutely thrilling!” — Candace Kade, forthcoming Author of Enhanced (coming 2023)
“A perfect storm of adrenaline, mystery, and romance! McBee does it again and delivers a novel of epic proportions. Activated, like it’s siblings in the Calculated series, is a classic in the making! Masterful, immensely enjoyable, and undeniably a ray of light.” — Ellen McGinty, Author of The Water Child
“Jo Rivers returns for another thrilling ride. Activated is full of edge-of-your-seat action, heart-stirring romance, and an intricately plotted story that will keep you glued to the pages. This series just keeps getting better.” — Becky Dean, author of Love & Other Great Expectations
PRAISE FOR SIMULATED
“Calculated was so incredible that I didn’t think it was possible for the sequel to one-up it, and yet here we are. Simulated has all the mission impossible action you could hope for, paired with a love triangle that rivals the intensity of Twilight’s. Be prepared to choose sides and hold on tight. You’re in for one wild ride.” — Chelsea Bobulski, author of THE WOOD and REMEMBER ME
"Full of global intrigue and the thrilling adventure of an action movie, Simulated transported me to the lush setting of North Africa as I cheered for an utterly unique heroine fighting for good and finding her place in the world. Action-packed and captivating - I couldn’t put it down." — Becky Dean, forthcoming author of LOVE AND OTHER GREAT EXPECTATIONS, 2022, Delacorte/Penguin Random House
“Brilliantly crafted, this technological thriller delivers punch after punch of heart-pounding action. The fearless heroine and two equally intriguing love interests had me flying through the pages. I’m in love with this series!” — Lorie Langdon, author of the Disney Villains Happily Never After Series
“With thrilling adventure and cunning suspense, Simulated is the most riveting sequel I’ve ever read—a masterpiece destined for the stars!” — Ellen McGinty, author of THE WATER CHILD
PRAISE FOR CALCULATED
“A high-stakes YA tale of betrayal, revenge, and numbers... An enjoyable thriller with an intriguing, relatable protagonist.” — Kirkus Reviews
“An intense and wonderfully complex thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat and turning pages!” — Jessica Day George, NYT bestselling author of SILVER IN THE BLOOD and the TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES series
“I can’t think of a word good enough to describe this book. Masterful? Gripping? Addictive? Powerful? Perfect? Calculated is all of these things, and yet the words don’t feel big enough, or strong enough, to encompass all that is contained within these pages. It is a thrill ride from start to finish, with so many twists and turns, you wonder how it could ever be wrapped up, only to have your mind blown at the end and your heart aching for the next chapter. Don’t let another minute go by without reading this book.” — Chelsea Bobulski, author of THE WOOD and REMEMBER ME
“Calculated is smart with plenty of page-turning action, and a brave heroine who is deeply relatable. The timely subject matter is heart-wrenching even as it inspires us to use our gifts to make a difference in the world. Twisty and original, this story will keep readers guessing and hoping to its pulse-pounding end!” — Lorie Langdon, best-selling author of DOON and OLIVIA TWIST
“A cunning story of strategy destined to keep readers chasing resolution from Seattle to Shanghai.” — Jennifer Jenkins, co-founder of Teen Author Boot Camp and author of the NAMELESS series and TEEN WRITER’S GUIDE
“Calculated is an intelligent thrill ride! In Jo Rivers, author Nova McBee has given readers a heroine who is mathematically gifted beyond what most can imagine, and somehow immensely relatable, even as her greatest skills are exploited by international criminals. Sleek and sophisticated, with dark secrets at every turn, Calculated is impossible to put down.” — Shannon Dittemore, author of WINTER, WHITE AND WICKED
"Fast-paced and suspenseful. A thrilling debut!" — Stephanie Morrill, author of WITHIN THESE LINES and THE LOST GIRL OF ASTOR STREET
“Calculated is a fast-paced and thrilling story that will keep you reading long into the night. Its twists and turns will take you from Shanghai's glittering high rises to underground prisons and the plights faced by the characters who feel achingly real. An action-packed adventure with heart.” — Judy Lin, author of the forthcoming A MAGIC STEEPED IN POISON
“In this gripping thriller, McBee balances high-stakes, page-turning action with a powerful exploration of revenge, justice, forgiveness, and love, as well as an inspiring heroine readers won’t soon forget.” — Kimberly Gabriel, award-winning author of EVERY STOLEN BREATH
“Nova McBee’s Calculated and its heroine, [Jo] catapult readers through the highs and lows of the pits of despair and pinnacles of power without sacrificing warmth and authenticity. The book’s cinematic imagery entices and immerses the reader in deceit and corruption so suffocatingly thick that only a tenacious fight for justice and freedom can satisfy. What a ride! Don’t miss out.” — Wayne Lo, illustrator of the Star Wars CLONE WARS graphic novel series
“I was fortunate to read an early version of Calculated, and I can’t recommend it enough. The pacing is excellent, the characters jump off the page, and the story grabs hold of you and doesn’t let go until the very end. Add this one to your must-read list. You won’t be disappointed.” — Ernie Chiara, Literary Agent Assistant at Fuse Literary, PitchWars Mentor
"An intricate thriller, Simulated is reminiscent of James Bond or Jason Bourne-style action and mystery. You won’t be able to put it down!" — Jessica Day George, NYT bestselling author of SILVER IN THE BLOOD and the TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES series
“Jo Rivers is back in this stunning sequel, with beloved characters from Calculated and a team of new faces readers won’t soon forget. In Simulated, we see a different side of the ever-powerful Jo—a girl struggling to get her math gift back, while trying to understand the calculations of her heart. This book has it all—high stakes, romance, self-discovery, friendship, and adventure. A must read.” — Tamara Girardi, Author of Gridiron Girl
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ACTIVATED
A CALCULATED NOVEL
NOVA MCBEE
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, publications, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
ACTIVATED. Copyright © 2022 by Nova McBee.
All rights reserved.
For information, address Wolfpack Publishing,
5130 S. Fort Apache Road 215-380 Las Vegas, NV 89148
wisewolfbooks.com
Cover design by Cherie Chapman
ISBNS 978-1-953944-59-7 (ebook)
978-1-953944-60-3 (paperback)
978-1-953944-61-0 (hardcover)
First Edition: April 2022
CONTENTS
Introduction
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Epilogue
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Activated Discussion Questions
Acknowledgments
About the Author
For my parents, Richard and Hellen
Your faithful love and support is one of my greatest treasures.
“We are slowed down sound and light waves,
a walking bundle of frequencies tuned into the cosmos…”
Albert Einstein
“Light is a dangerous thing to follow.
Before you know it,
it will drive you to the darkest corners of the earth.”
– Red
ACTIVATED
PROLOGUE
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
EUROPEAN UNION ENERGY SUMMIT
Eighteen days after Tunisia…
The blackouts feel like a sign.
It’s the first PSS assignment since my numbers returned. Maybe I’m foolish for jumping back into work so quickly after Tunisia, but an assignment to prevent darkness felt like a good place to start.
Since Tunisia, most of my time is spent in the midnight hours, searching for him—the one who turned my day into night. My sun into the moon. My sea into the stars. For Noble. Nothing is normal since I left him. Nothing will be until I find him. But even with the potent return of my mathematical gift, I still can’t crack his code in the stars.
It’s 6:32 pm in Geneva on the last night of the European Union Energy Summit. We’re in an auditorium built like a coliseum, seated with 211 people. Experts from thirty nations are gathered here in Switzerland, home to the largest power grid in Europe, to discuss the sporadic blackouts that have been hitting Europe and other parts of the world, leaving hundreds of millions without electricity.
Prodigy Stealth Solutions was invited too, discreetly of course. Agent Ramos, Ms. Taylor’s former boss at the Defense Intelligence Agency and PSS’s government overseer, invited us to be extra ears and eyes at the Summit. Ramos said he wanted a different perspective on the blackouts. So here we are. But if I’m right, this will also lead me to Noble. There is no way he doesn’t know what’s going on with these blackouts.
On paper, we’re just student observers. Ms. T and the PSS team sit beside me. We’re seated near the back row, where journalists take notes and camera crews record the Summit.
Experts aren’t sure what is causing the blackouts. Most scientists believe they’re a result of the recent geomagnetic storms caused by solar flares, which are eruptions from the sun. They aren’t normal power outages where electricity is simply cut off, but these intense surges of energy from the sun could severely damage power grids and mess with other electrical systems, which would explain why certain satellites are experiencing malfunctions and total failure. I came here with the intention of finding answers, maybe even solutions, but so far the trip is not what I had expected.
Ever since my gift returned in Tunisia, I’ve had to work double-time to pay attention. A new dimension of numbers has emerged, and now my numbers buzz with so many layers of information, it’s hard to think straight.
I always assumed if my numbers returned they’d be the same as before. I was way off. Noble wasn’t kidding when he said I’d need time to understand my new abilities. I’ve been upgraded to a new operating system without instructions. What he didn’t tell me was that my gift would crescendo like water coming to a boil on the stove. Which leads me to a question—what happens when it boils over? I’m afraid to find out.
The ability to measure sounds and frequencies started when I met Noble in the Bardo Museum in Tunis and now it increases daily. Not only do I pick up frequencies from humans, animals, electronics, vibrations—both manmade and natural—but I measure things unseen by human eyes, anything pulsing with energy around me. It takes time to identify the source of each frequency—if I can identify it all.
These unseen frequencies are hyper-visceral. They feel skin close, a whisper in my ear. I’m no stranger to paranoia—a product of the Pratt, no doubt—but everything feels like a threat. It’s a maddening tickertape running at speeds too fast to comprehend. I’m starting to feel like Double-Eight again, checking over my shoulder and raising false alarms.
Where I once had a handle on my gift, this is a whole new level of non-stop input. I’m a toddler lost in a seven-story mall and can’t find my way out—because the mall just keeps getting bigger. Which makes sitting in this room listening to experts discuss their theories about the blackouts incredibly challenging.
I shift in my seat, my mind galloping as I download 211 different people’s heights, weights, movements, mannerisms, and intentions. Next, I study the dimensions and structure of the auditorium. Finally, I process every frequency that buzzes in the room—voices, heat signatures, cell phone signals. Apart from all this input, my mind is also still trying to solve the problem at hand.
