The McCormick Network — Stephen Donald Huff

Matriculating across that stage, nothing betrayed the Texas sand behind his ears, though his stiff, high collar hid a neck roasted red by long hours spent laboring beneath August sunshine. Indeed, years of careful study and patient attention had polished away the roughest facets of his country-born demeanor with a doctoral degree, but he would always be Charles Ray McCormick, white trash.Learning from the invariably negative example set forth by his errant, wayward siblings, Ray avoided the pitfalls of youth via intervention of a well-meaning mentor and pursuit of an academic career. Yet, despite his best intentions, family and friends irrationally perceived this success as betrayal. They shun him when he returns home, the prodigal son made good.Ultimately, despite contemporary divisions of space and time, his life will depend upon the true loyalty of these same vital people from his past. Blood will save blood, when forbidden research ultimately unearths The McCormick Network.