For author Christopher Laird, science fiction is more than a genre. It is a lifelong passion, a creative mission, and a way to explore the possibilities of the universe while telling deeply human stories. Through his successful ORIGINS series, Laird has developed a science-fiction universe filled with interstellar conflict, powerful civilizations, complex characters, and mysteries that reach beyond the boundaries of time and space. Now, Laird continues that journey with his latest installment, ORIGINS 5: THE NEW MYKIA.
The ORIGINS series has continued to expand in scope and ambition, introducing readers to unforgettable characters and increasingly complex challenges. One of the most significant additions to the series is Xona Bari, a powerful and complicated character whose presence has brought new energy, excitement, and emotional depth to the story.
Xona is not simply another character in a science-fiction adventure. She is a force of nature—powerful, unpredictable, and shaped by a troubled past. Her journey has helped transform the ORIGINS series into something larger than a traditional space adventure. Through Xona, readers encounter themes of power, redemption, identity, trauma, and the consequences of choices made long before the present story begins. In THE NEW MYKIA, that past comes back with devastating consequences.
An Enemy From Xona’s Past Returns
The latest book introduces a dangerous threat connected to Xona’s history. An old enemy returns, driven by revenge and determined to make Xona pay for the past.
But this is not simply a story about another battle between powerful enemies. The conflict strikes at the foundation of Xona’s life, threatening everything she has built and everyone she cares about.
As the enemy’s plans unfold, Xona finds herself facing circumstances that challenge her strength, her identity, and her ability to recover from the damage inflicted upon her. The events push her toward an emotional and psychological breaking point, leaving readers to question whether she will ever be able to reclaim the life she once knew.
For a character who has survived extraordinary dangers, the most difficult battle may not be fought with weapons or supernatural abilities. It may be the battle to survive what has been taken from her.
This emotional dimension gives ORIGINS 5: THE NEW MYKIA an important place in the continuing series. The book promises action and science-fiction adventure, but it also explores the vulnerability behind a seemingly unstoppable character.
A Growing Creative Universe
Christopher Laird’s work extends well beyond the pages of his novels. He continues to develop a growing creative portfolio that includes books, stage productions, online storytelling, and personal writing.
His hit stage play, The True Meaning of Christmas: From the Perspective of an Alien, demonstrates his interest in bringing his stories to audiences through live performance. His web series, The Xona Chronicles, further expands the world of Xona and offers another way for audiences to experience his science-fiction universe.
Laird also writes articles on Medium, where he discusses writing, creativity, personal experiences, and social issues. Under the pen name James Kringle, he explores social issues and perspectives separate from his science-fiction identity.
This range of creative work reflects an author who refuses to remain confined to one format. Whether he is writing a novel, developing a stage production, producing a web series, or sharing his thoughts through essays, Laird continues to find new ways to communicate with an audience.
Creativity With a Purpose
Alongside his writing and entertainment projects, Laird also dedicates time to charitable work through the Elizabeth Laird Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship fund awards scholarships to prospective nursing students, helping support individuals who are pursuing careers in healthcare. This initiative represents another part of Laird’s work—one focused not on fictional worlds, but on creating opportunities in the real world.
Balancing a bestselling book series, stage productions, a web series, Medium articles, and charitable responsibilities is no small undertaking. Yet Laird continues to develop his creative projects while working toward a broader goal: creating stories that entertain, inspire, and leave an impact.
A New Beginning for Mykia
With ORIGINS 5: THE NEW MYKIA, Christopher Laird invites readers back into a universe that continues to evolve. The return of an enemy from Xona’s past adds a personal and dangerous dimension to the story, while Xona’s struggle promises to challenge readers’ understanding of strength and survival.
The ORIGINS series has grown through its expanding mythology, ambitious storytelling, and memorable characters. Xona Bari has become a central part of that evolution, bringing intensity and emotional complexity to a universe already filled with conflict and discovery. As Laird continues building the world of Mykia, one thing remains clear: his creative journey is far from over. Science fiction is still alive. His stories never disappoint.
“I’ve always believed that science fiction should do more than take readers to distant planets,” says Christopher Laird. “It should make them care about the people living in those worlds. With Xona, I wanted to explore what happens when someone with extraordinary power is forced to confront pain that power cannot easily overcome.”
For longtime readers and newcomers alike, ORIGINS 5: THE NEW MYKIA offers another opportunity to enter Christopher Laird’s expanding science-fiction universe—a world where the stakes are enormous, the past never stays buried, and even the strongest characters can face battles they may not be prepared to win. His new book will be available this fall.
Christopher Laird’s Instagram: @chrislairdscifi2
