Yason

A Ptevos weapon developed under the strict supervision of General Zarafat, and named for his deceased son, Yason. When fired, it emits a thick yellow beam which spreads across a wide distance. It is specifically tuned to render any adult human in its path unconscious and in a state of animated suspension. The sheer force of the beam violently moves objects in its path.

Author’s Note:

The point in Brandon Sparks and the Hidden Sun when the Yason is fired is the major event that influences the entire series. For Brandon to become captain of the Hidden Sun, not only the crew, but all adults on board had to be eliminated from the ship but somehow they had to survive. I didn’t want to write a story about a group of kids whose parents had been killed and they had to survive or get revenge. I wanted to put them in a situation where finding a way to wake up their parents and regain their families was the main goal. It makes for a much more interesting story and adds several challenges which you will see in future novels.

In the first draft, the weapon did not have a name but when I looked back and realized how important a moment it was, I felt it needed a name. It also allowed me to add some backstory for General Zarafat, and make him more than just an angry creature bent of defeating his enemies. I named the weapon after my buddy Jason. Not my most creative moment, but I thought it sounded cool. When I told my friend I had named a weapon after him, he sarcastically thanked me for linking him with a “Death Ray.” I just laughed.