Death Defied – Snippet 1
Death Defied, Valerie’s Elites Book Two
By Justin Sloan, PT Hylton, Michael Anderle
Snippet 1
Unedited
Chapter One
Planet Tol
Days spent on Tol were nothing like back on Earth, and it wasn’t only because Valerie had just helped institute a successful coup. While on Earth she had hidden in the shadows, forced to try and keep the status quo of not too many humans knowing about the existence of Weres and vampires—of which she was the latter.
Up here though? Here she was a hero, the liberator of the people. As much as she insisted it hadn’t been only her, and even tried to push the credit over to Kalan, where much of it was due, the Skulla and Norral were hard to convince.
It wasn’t only a matter of them listening to her on this matter, there was the issue that, until Valerie had come along, the Norral were slaves to the Skulla. Now this whole system was being reworked, with Sslake as the new leader, trying to put the pieces together of this metaphorical vase she’d broken.
Of course, in the process of breaking it, she’d made it ten times better than it had been. No more slaves, no more people having to fight for their right to live here or to rise up in society.
What the new system would be like, Valerie wasn’t trying to influence. If Sslake needed them, he would ask for their help.
At the moment, she just wanted to find something to eat that wasn’t the local variation of flowers or Rantu, their version of panther. It was their local specialty, but after having been friends with a Were-puma for the year or so before leaving Earth, she just couldn’t see herself eating any animal that even remotely resembled a cat.
“Maybe the Norral have a better diet?” Garcia offered, as he and Robin walked with Valerie through the bazaar. They made their way over toward the Norral tables, not happy to see that, even though they weren’t slaves anymore, their sales tables were set up in the back and with very little room.
Too bad Kalan and Bob had to take off so soon, she had a feeling Kalan’s tastes were much more in line with her own, and he probably knew where to look.
A shot went off and everyone ducked—everyone except Valerie, who turned and scanned the crowd looking for the shooter. She didn’t have to look hard, because there was a tall Pallicon, standing at least a head above all of the Skulla that had dove for cover. His pistol was aimed right at Valerie, though he’d clearly missed.
“Wandrei skum!” he shouted, about to shoot again, when an enhanced Skulla tackled him, two more joining a moment later.
“Looks like our friends haven’t abandoned us,” Robin said with a raised eyebrow. She nudged Valerie and nodded to the far curtain of the bazaar, where Warlord Palnik stood watching, arms crossed. Several more of those large-armed Skulla stood by as his bodyguard.
In spite of everything that had changed, there were still classes here, and Palnik was still one of those at the top. If not for Sslake, in fact, he might be at the top. Before it had been Warlord Charbon, who Valerie had taken out as part of her mission, and the top warlord who had called himself the Bandian, after a race of aliens who, it turned out, Kalan actually belonged.
“What’s he doing here?” Valerie wondered aloud.
“Looking for trouble,” Garcia replied. “Maybe I’ll bring him some.”
Valerie held out a hand, then used it to wave to the warlord. In response, all she received was a scowl.
“To be fair, you changing the system essentially stripped him of any real power,” Robin pointed out. “You could see why he would be annoyed.”
“And we saved lives when we did so.” Valerie started walking toward him, motioning the others to follow and simply ignoring the shooter. “I’d say he either starts living in the system or gets out of it. Pretty black and white, if you ask me.”
Palnik waved his guards off at Valerie’s approach, walking over to meet her halfway.
“I trust you’re finding a new way to entertain yourself?” Valerie asked, referring to the fact that the fighting arena was closed now.
He sneered, then turned that into a frown. “Sslake’s looking for you, asked me to locate you. Looks like I get to be his personal errand boy.”
“You must love that,” Garcia said with a chuckle.
“Maybe I break your legs and we see who’s laughing?”
Garcia took a step toward Palnik, and to the warlord’s surprise, his guards didn’t step in to do a damn thing. It hit Valerie that it was likely because of the legends surrounding her and her team. Nobody wanted to mess with them, not with what had happened in the fighting arena, nor how they had taken down the false Bandian at his strange base in the jungle.
“You were saying?” Garcia asked, towering over the warlord.
Behind them, the other Skulla were taking care of the shooter, dragging him out of the tent, unconscious and with a line of blood dripping from his nose.
Palnik shook his head and turned to lead the way.
“He’s not at his quarters?” Robin asked.
“Actually, he’s had a team going over the Bandian’s base since you took it out, and thinks he found something quite intriguing. He asked for you all specifically, and said it might be a job for you and your team.”
Suddenly the lights went out completely and an explosion sounded, followed by a feminine voice, loud and carrying as it said, “It has come to our attention that new leadership is in play on Tor, and you have yet to pay tribute to your gods. We require blood. We are taking hostages. On the fourth hour, if you haven’t fulfilled our demand, one will die every hour until we have the Bandian. Send him, and be quick.”
With that, the lights returned to normal and only the far off screams could be heard.
Valerie took a split-second to process this, then ran outside, leaping over tables and shoving locals aside until she was past the tents and could see that the threat was real.
Hovering over the city was a massive spaceship, drones pulling back into it—but the drones were carrying their screaming hostages.
Half a dozen fighters rose up from the city, but as they moved for the ship above, their engines all seemed to die and they went careening back into the city creating new explosions and subsequent fires.
“Well, we’re off to a great start,” Robin said, running a hand through her hair.
Valerie turned to the nearest Skulla. “Who are they?”
He shook his head, eyes never leaving the sky.
“Looks like that might be a question for Sslake,” Garcia stated.
“Hell, at least they only want the Bandian.” Robin shrugged. “No brainer, give him up.”
“We can’t just go around handing out prisoners to whatever alien group comes along making demands like this.” Valerie stared off at the fires, almost wishing she didn’t always have to be in these situations, but knowing she was the most qualified for it.
“Don’t forget,” Garcia cut in, “it’s not exactly we, is it? Not like back home. Here, we’re the mercenaries, not the government.”
He had a point.
“Looks like we better pay our friend Sslake a little visit then,” Valerie said. “But first, let’s make sure nobody’s hurt over there.”
They all took off, running for the fires and anyone who needed their assistance. It bothered her that she wasn’t going to have final say here, but if she was going to play her role, she had to do it by the book. Although, the way she figured it, since there wasn’t technically a book yet, she had some wiggle room.
Evolution – Snippet 1
Evolution: Ghost Squadron Book 3 (Unedited)
By J.N. Chaney, Sarah Noffke, Michael Anderle
Snippet 1
Chapter One
Defiance Trading Company Headquarters, Planet L2SCQ-6 in Frontier space, Unnamed System.
Felix Castile listened to the loud breathing of the Kezzin behind him. Commander Lytes must have had a deviated septum. It was the only plausible reason for his constant sniffling, always interrupting the silence.
Or maybe it was just a physical trait of the Kezzin. Felix hadn’t taken much time to learn about the species. He knew these lizard-type aliens could stop breathing for an extended period of time, but that was about it.
Felix prided himself on his ability to accumulate and use information, but only when it was useful. If it didn’t earn him additional power or prestige, then he didn’t seek the data out. Currently, his relationship with Commander Lyte existed solely to further his own plan—the complete and absolute destruction of General Lance Reynolds. The moment the Kezzin stopped being useful would be the moment Felix cut him loose.
All that Felix Castile did was for the goal. Every action, every day.
And that was exactly why he was here in this awful place, staring at a group of black market merchants.
The leader of the Defiance Trading Company, a rogue operation that stockpiled weapons and sold them on the black market, looked up from the pad in his hand. “We have loaded everything into your ship that you requested. I have yet to see the transfer of funds come over, though,” said the man, his voice raspy, probably from years of smoking or hanging out in filthy warehouses like this one. The man, Mateo, had a thick scar that ran over his left eye and down his cheek. Living outside of Federation space hadn’t been kind to him. That much was clear.
Felix surveyed Mateo’s crew. There were roughly a dozen men stationed around the warehouse, most of them with their guns at the ready and grimaces on their greasy faces. Felix had Brotherhood soldiers on each side of him, outnumbered by Mateo’s guards. No doubt, the arms dealer felt safe with all his people to protect him.
He was short-sighted. Only fools underestimated Felix. The arms merchant would soon understand that.
Felix cleared his throat. “You sold me three nukes. How many more do you have here?”
Mateo’s scar moved when he lifted his eyebrow. “Not sure why my inventory is any business of yours. I’ve supplied you with what you’ve asked for.”
“That you have,” Felix said, pulling his hat down over his eyes and taking a step back.
Mateo eyed the pad again. “Like I mentioned, the transfer hasn’t come through. We can’t let you to leave until that happens. It’s simple business. I’m sure you understand.”
Felix smiled darkly. “About that…”
He took a few steps back, his soldiers stepping in to shield him.
“Didn’t you hear me?” asked Mateo. “Hey! I’m talking to—”
Shots fired from above. Men yelled. Some tried to return fire, but they were quickly silenced.
Felix turned in time to watch Mateo clutch his chest as the bullet pierced the arms dealer’s flesh. Disbelief and betrayal rang out in the man’s eyes before he fell to his knees, finally collapsing forward.
Each of the men stationed around the warehouse lay in similar positions, blood puddling around them. None had stood a chance.
Stationed overhead were a dozen Brotherhood soldiers, each one assigned to take out their specified targets on the ground. The timing had been perfect.
Felix glanced up to the rafters, a proud look in his eyes. “Have your men load the remaining weapons into my ship.”
“Yes sir,” said Commander Lytes, his eyes lingering on one of the dead bodies for a moment. He hadn’t liked the plan and said there had to be another way. Lytes was wrong and must have seen that now. Perhaps next time he would trust in Felix’s plans from the beginning.
The door to the exit swung out in front of them. A man with a short black Mohawk and a leather jacket that had seen better days froze at the threshold. His eyes scanned the warehouse, falling first on Mateo’s dead body and then the others that were strewn all over the facility. His gaze snapped to Felix, standing roughly ten meters away. They’d missed one of Mateo’s men.
“Get him!” barked Felix.
The soldiers darted forward, right as the strange man reversed, heading back the way he came. Gun shots rang out from the hallway, echoing loudly in the warehouse.
Felix looked at Commander Lytes. “Have your men search the building. I don’t want anyone left alive. Do you understand? No witnesses.”
Commander Lytes nodded, hurrying off to where his men were gathering in the middle of the facility, having climbed down the rafters where they were stationed.
Felix’s eyes briefly rested on Mateo’s dead body. Perhaps he would be happy, knowing that his weapons would be used to end a long-standing battle. A fight that would shake the very foundation of the galaxy…of the Federation, itself. What better use could a man like Mateo have than to be useful? What better purpose could there be than to alter the status quo? Had Mateo never come to this warehouse today, he might never have realized his true destiny. He would have gone on living his life, worthless as it was, and died without ever truly mattering.
But Felix would make him matter. Felix would give Mateo’s life purpose. That would be his gift to him.
Soon, everything would be in place to make General Reynolds pay. Felix had figured out the best way to punish him for what he’d done all those years ago.
Break the Federation…and General Reynolds would be broken, too.
Evolution will be released December 21st.
Exploration Release!
Exploration: Age of Expansion – A Kurtherian Gambit Series (The Ghost Squadron Book 2)
Kill the bad guys. Save the Galaxy. All in a hard day’s work.
Eddie and Julianna are hell bent on tracking down Vas and making him pay for his crimes. He’s armed and dangerous, and to make matters worse, he’s on the hunt for a devastating weapon that could bring destruction to the Federation and all its people.
Someone has to stop him.
Eddie and Julianna, along with her trusty E.I. named Pip, must seek out the expertise of specialists who can break into the enemy’s network. That’s the key to beating Vas. They’ll also need more pilots and better ships.
But as Ghost Squadron grows, so do the dangers on the fringe of Federation space. They still don’t know who is behind all the attacks—the one pulling the Brotherhood’s strings—but no matter what, they’re going to bring this faceless enemy down.
Whatever it takes.
Experience this exciting military sci-fi saga and the latest addition to the expanded Kurtherian Gambit Universe. If you’re a fan of Mass Effect, Firefly, or Star Wars, you’ll love this riveting new space opera.
Unborn Release!
Reborn: Age Of Magic – A Kurtherian Gambit Series (The Rise of Magic Book 8)
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Lilith is dying.
The Laughing Queen is coming.
A series of mysterious disappearances are plaguing New Romanov.
Good thing Team Triple B is on the case.
In order to save the people that she loves, Hannah must push her magical abilities to the limit. But what if she pushes herself too far?
Reborn is the epic conclusion to the second arc of The Rise of Magic. It’s a race against the clock adventure that will change the very fabric of Irth and open doors Hannah never even knew existed.
Valerie’s Elites Release!
Valerie’s Elites: Book 1 in The Valerie’s Elites Series
By Justin Sloan, PT Hylton, & Michael Anderle
Fighting for her life in a Deathmatch is the perfect cover.
It started as a simple intel mission. Then it turned sideways.
Valerie goes off mission, trusting her gut and wits more than her physical abilities to get on the inside, to help bring justice to the slaves and the downtrodden. She is, after all, the Justice Enforcer.
In the process, she finds herself teaming up with locals to take down an empire, right a cascade of wrongs, and kick some serious ass.
Valerie was chosen by the Dark Messiah himself. She can’t turn a blind eye to what she finds on Tol. From starship battles, to infiltrating a prison ship, to fighting death matches and taking on mechs in a valiant effort to set this planet straight, join Valerie and her elites as they export her brand of justice.
Valerie’s Elites – Snippets 4
Valeries’ Elites: Book 1 in The Valerie’s Elites Series
By Justin Sloan, PT Hylton, & Michael Anderle
Snippet 4
Unedited
A loud chirping sound came through the open cockpit door, and Kalan had piloted enough ships to recognize it. That was the proximity alert.
***
Kalan didn’t consider himself much of a strategist when it came to fighting, but he did know this much: if your enemy’s looking the other way, it’s a good time to hit him.
He waited until he was sure the male had passed his hiding place, then he drew a deep breath and stepped into the aisle. He kept his handgun trained on the deck.
The reply sounded both disgusted and resigned. “Hang on.”
Reborn – Snippet 2
Reborn: The Rise of Magic Book 8
By CM Raymond, LE Barbant, & Michael Anderle
Unedited
Snippet 2
“Well, one thing I can say about you cat people is, you sure know how to drink!”
Aysa stared in awe as Vitali continued to tilt the mug of ale back, rivulets of the sweet elixir sliding out of the edges and making the fur around his mouth darker than the rest. He almost slammed the mug on the oak table and followed it up with a deep belch.
“Why thank you, Long Arms.” He grinned, and a gentle purr emanated from his chest. “And we prefer ‘Lynqi,’ not ‘cat people.’”
“You say ‘potato.’” Aysa winked to insure he knew she was being playful. “Seriously though, do you have nine lives? How many have you used?” Aysa leaned in, her mouth slightly open as she waited for a response. She looked at Vitali as if he were from an alien planet, which he might as well have been.
The Lynqi’s yellow eyes narrowed and his whiskers twitched as he glanced quickly at the rest of the party seated around the table. Hadley gave him a “what can I say” kind of shrug, and Vitali looked back at her. “No, only one life just like you, but some would say I’ve gotten lucky a few times.”
Aysa nodded, looking up at the ceiling as if thinking about the answer. “Right. Of course. I guess that makes sense.” She paused and looked him up and down. “Can you see in the dark?”
Vitali rolled his eyes. “Can the house cats in Baseek see in the dark, Aysa?”
She shrugged. “Not sure. Never had one, but my friend Tia did and I swear that little bitch could see me coming on a jet-black night. The cat, that is, not Tia.”
“Really?” Vitali asked, looking at Laurel.
“She has a point,” the druid replied. “We had a few cats in the Dark Forest and those buggers could run through the trees like nobody’s business.”
As if to save Vitali from any more of Aysa’s probing questions, Hadley refilled everyone’s mugs and asked, “Where’s Gregory, anyway? I haven’t seen that mental giant for more than a few hours since we left Kaskara.”
Laurel frowned. “You and me both.”
“Getting cold at night?” Aysa asked, raising her brows.
Laurel ignored her. “He’s been holed up working on that tech we pulled out of the tower ever since we left, at least whenever he can talk Aysa here into flying Unlawful for him. But he’s taking a little break in the cockpit tonight.”
“And thank the gods,” Aysa said. “I mean, I’m pretty good behind the stick, but flying the ship straight toward Archangelsk is a little boring, if you ask me. Now if I got a chance to fly it into battle, that might be something completely different.”
Hadley laughed. “Please don’t jinx us, Aysa. I could use a few days without someone trying to kill me, if you don’t mind.”
“I’m with you, Had,” Laurel said, “but I wouldn’t mind getting to spend at least a few hours of those days with my boyfriend. I’m starting to think that Gregory is only using me for my kaffe!”
A low growl rose from the other side of the room, which was almost exclusively occupied by Sal. Thankfully the dragon had finally stopped growing. Any bigger, and the ship would have ridden him back to Archangelsk.
He sat up, beady black eyes blinking as his head twitched back and forth.
“No way, Sal,” Laurel said with a grin. “Strict orders from Hannah. No kaffe for you! I’m sorry I even mentioned it.”
Sal growled before walking in a circle and lying down in a tight ball.
Devin crawled out of Laurel’s cloak and leapt to the floor. Her nails clicked on the wooden floorboards as she scampered over to Sal and climbed into the crook of the dragon’s front leg.
“Well, if that isn’t cute,” Vitali said, “I don’t know what is.”
Devin climbed onto Sal’s back and sat up on her hind legs. She bared her teeth at Vitali and chattered in an almost violent way .
Everyone else laughed wildly.
“Not sure Dev likes you, Vitali,” Aysa said, “but don’t mind her — she’s a bit of a racist. And by the way, do you have opposable thumbs?”
Before he could answer, the door flew open with a crash.
Karl, eyes wild, stood before them breathing heavily. “We have a situation!”
My Ride is a Bitch Audiobook Release!
My Ride is a Bitch: Kurtherian Gambit Book 13
By Michael Anderle
It’s out there, it’s always been out there – just no one believed it.
Governments, black ops, rich businessmen…. All want alien tech, and some are going to great lengths, illegal lengths, to procure it.
Someone went so far as to endanger a young girls family. A young girl who wrote a letter to the Queen Bitch. Now, those that are searching for the technology will have to deal with TQB.
If there is one thing that will get Bethany Anne’s attention… it’s mistreating the defenseless.
Bethany Anne tries to stay out of the world’s business, but they just keep doing stupid stuff….
Sucks to be them.
Reborn – Snippet 1
Reborn, Rise of Magic Book 8
By CM Raymond, LE Barbant, & Michael Anderle
Snippet 1
Unedited
Chapter 1
Karl closed one eye, tracing a set of stars with his fat forefinger as the wind whipped through his hair. The people in the Heights called it the “cup and handle,” but it looked more like the biggest smoking pipe he’d ever seen. Something that maybe the Matriarch would draw on after a long fight out in the galaxy, if she were predisposed to such things.
“Maybe I’ll join her,” Karl said, drawing his own pipe from his pouch.
He filled the bowl with some of the weed given to him by the people of Heema just before he left. It was a dry smoke with a tart bite at the end. Like nothing he had ever tasted, though it suited him well.
Just like the people there.
Blowing a long line of smoke out from between his lips in an elongated sigh, he watched the wind grab the smoke and pull it back toward the stern of the Unlawful.
“Are you still moping about your forsaken princess?” a voice asked from behind him.
Karl spun and found Hannah approaching the bow.
He waved his hand at her. “Princess? I don’t know what yer talking about. Just going over battle tactics in me mind. That’s what a true warrior does when their alone.”
Hannah laughed as she pulled the pipe from his hand and took a deep drag. Her lungs raged and she coughed smoke into the summer night air. “Never knew why you guys liked to smoke this shit,” she said, eyes narrowed on Karl’s pipe. “Worse than breathing in Sal’s gas, if you ask me.”
He snatched his pipe back from her and grinned. “Tis an acquired taste, lass. Only comes with experience.”
“Just like herpes.” She grinned and patted him on the shoulder. “And battle-tactics my ass. I know a lovelorn face when I see one. You’re out here pining over that short, little package you left behind on the mountain.”
“Women. Can’t help it if they find me irresistible. Doesn’t mean I repay the favor.”
Hannah laughed. “That’s not the way the others tell it.” She leaned against the railing, her lips pursed. “You could have asked her to come with us you know. This ship is plenty big.”
Karl stood quietly for a moment, then sighed. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think of askin’ her. She was lovely — and strong as diamond. Ya would have liked her. But then I watched her, after the fighting was all done, and the Heemites were helping us mine some of those damned crystals for Gregory. I could see it, not only in her eyes, but in the eyes of all the others.”
“What?” she asked.
“Leadership. It’s the same look you get in yer eyes.”
Hannah opened her eyes wide and leaned in close.
Karl laughed. “Aye, that’s the one. They were all looking at her to tell them what to do. And I don’t blame em. We kind of upended their whole religion and culture a little when we killed their gods. Her pa’s a good man, but he was a king of the old rules. He doesn’t have the vision to lead his people into a new future. Or the grit. And she’s got grit in spades. I knew right then and there that the place was with her people.”
They both stood quietly and watched the stars. Finally, Hannah said, “And what about your place, Karl? You could have stayed with her you know. Made a life of it among people like your own. Speaking from experience, you make a pretty good right hand man.”
Snorting, Karl said, “And let ye and these bastards try to save Irth without me? Not on yer bloody life, sweat pea. I’ll keep on being at yer side until all this is over.” He drew long on his pipe as his eyes drifted off toward the horizon. “That’s my place. That’s where I belong. Clarissa…who knows. Maybe I’ll see her again when times are different. But until then, there ain’t a force on Irth that can pull me away from you.”
Hannah couldn’t hold back her smile. But as her mouth turned up at the edges, her throat grew tight, and she felt the surprise of tears strike at her eyes. It was just about their anniversary — a year since Karl had saved her from a raging boar in the woods outside of Arcadia, just near the tower. She let out a tiny laugh, just thinking that it hadn’t been so long ago that an animal from the brush nearly killed her. Now she was possibly the most powerful magician in Irth — depending on Ezekiel’s mood.
It had been a year but felt like a thousand lifetimes.
Hannah grabbed the hilt of the rearick knife at her belt and drew it, the blade catching the night’s full moon.
“Schiesse, magician. I take it all back. Ye don’t want me here, ye just have to say so,” he said with his hands raised and a grin that could raise the dead.
“Thank you for this, Karl,” she said, glancing at the knife. “And for saving me that night at the tower, and a dozen more. I owe you. I’m glad you came.”
He looked down at the cracking leather of his boots. “It’s nothin’, lass. Just doin’ what any other rearick ought, really.”
Hannah shrugged. “Maybe. But you’ve done what most haven’t. I couldn’t be here without you, you salty son of a bitch.”
He waved his hand at her again. “Eh! I’m window dressin’. We all know that. But you… You’re like the Matriarch herself come to right every wrong and take names in the process. Aye, yer just as…”
Hannah raised the blade, stopping the rearick mid-sentence. “Careful, Karl. Wouldn’t want to speak blasphemy against our great Queen Bitch.”
Karl’s friend’s face grew deadly serious. Eyes growing wide, he took in the blade wondering if she might even use it. He gave a slight nod. “I see yer a true believer now, is that right?”
She sheathed the blade and exhaled long and hard. “It is difficult not to believe after all we have seen — all we have heard.”
“Aye, it is faith that believes in the things unseen, Hannah. And yer gettin’ there.” He laughed, easing the tension. “And there’s a damn many things less worth believing in than Bethany Anne and Michael. Like the fact that ye grew a dragon from a lizard and that ye might just love that little douche from Arcadia.”
If it weren’t so dark, he would have seen her blush. “Love? It’s a strong word.”
“That’s right. And ye know strength — of magic and justice. But maybe ye need to realize yer taken by him more than ye even know.”
Hannah jabbed him in the ribs with the point of her elbow. “You speaking from experience, little guy?”
“Gah! Don’t turn this back on me.”
“You can always go back — to Heema I mean. After we’re done with this whole ‘end of the world’ business. I’m sure you can hitch a ride with Gregory on the Unlawful. Who knows, by then they might be ready for their honeymoon.”
Karl snorted a laugh. “Those damned kids.” He looked out over the clear night sky, tracing again the constellations that were fading with the light of the moon rising up behind them. “You know there might not be an end to this war, right? I might just keep swingin’ me hammer until one of the bastards take me down, or until I’m too old to lift her. Either way, I might not be in much shape to get back to Clarissa by then.”
Hannah nodded as she followed his gaze over the rail. She knew, deep down, that he could be right, that the fight to save Irth might not be one with a clear victory. But she had to try, she had to fight for all that she loved — and for a future that she might not ever see.
Even with his words, she slept with dreams of a place where there was no more war, a city without walls and defenses, a New Arcadia for a new age.
“You blokes sure did kick some ass up there in the mountains, though, right?” Hannah looked back at him.
A smile stretched out under Karl’s beard. “Aye. We did a pretty good job, all right.” He turned, and Hannah could have sworn his eyes were a little glassey, but he blinked the gloss away. “I didn’t know what ta think when ye set me up with the brain, the freak, and the mental case, but, in the end, we made one hell of a team — even that little rat of Laurel’s.”
Hannah laughed. “Yeah, you did. And how about Gregory?”
“Shite. Hard to call ’em a kid anymore, ain’t it? He’s grown some stones as big as Aysa’s bolas. Combine a little courage with the stuff between his ears, and he’ll be a force to reckon with. Even the pretty boy pulled his weight this time.”
“Well,” Hannah snickered, “that’s saying something. Not even I can get Hadley to do that. I’ll have to put Gregory in charge more often. When I’m leading the BBB, Hadley usually spends most of the time fixing his hair.”
“Aye. It was good to — ”
Before Karl could finish, a crack, like thunder, tore through the ink-blue night sky. Instinctively, they ducked, and Karl had his hammer in hand before Hannah had the chance to breath.
“The hell,” she finally said, searching the night sky for signs of a storm, but there was nothing.
Karl nudged her and pointed. “Tell me that ain’t what I think it is.”
Their eyes were fixed on a spot in the heavens, impossible to imagine. A swath of sky, nearly as big as the Unlawful floated on the horizon a few hundreds yards in front of them — a tear in the universe, whose background was darker than dark.
And it was growing.
Exploration – Snippet 5
Exploration: Ghost Squadron Book 2
By Sarah Noffke, J. N. Chaney, Michael Anderle
Snippet 5
Unedited
Exploration: Ghost Squadron, #2
Julianna slammed the door to the interrogation room upon exiting. She had to get out of there before she did something she’d regret to the dumb Trid. He wasn’t talking, almost like he wanted her to rearrange his shark face. Ever since seeing those imprisoned by the Brotherhood, she had a new passion to stop them. Julianna had seen it all, but that didn’t mean seeing children starved or families separated and imprisoned was something that didn’t faze her. She was human after all.
Well, kind of.
Julianna pulled back her fist and launched it at the wall. The force of her punch should have hurt. Would have made a normal person flinch with pain. Julianna only considered doing it again to further relieve the frustration.
“Some things never change,” said a voice at her back.
Julianna straightened, tightening her jaw. She turned around, knowing full well who was speaking. “What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Julianna, running her eyes over Jack Renfro.
The spymaster for the Federation hadn’t changed a bit. Still the same muscular physique and discriminating expression covering his face.
He smirked. “It means, you’ve still got the same fire I remember.”
Julianna allowed herself to grin, her shoulders relaxing. “Some things never die, about like you.”
Jack chuckled, a warmth spreading over his features. How long had it been since she’d set eyes on him? A long while, no doubt. “The same could be said about you.”
“What brings you aboard the ArchAngel?” Julianna asked. One reason she hadn’t seen Jack for quite some time was that he had been sent on a series of unclassified missions. This was a guy who fixed things. Made shit happen. Everyone respected Jack, and those who didn’t never stuck around for long.
“I’ve taken on a new assignment,” he responded.
“Oh? General Reynolds hasn’t disclosed anything to us,” said Julianna, referring to her and Eddie. TheArchAngel was in their command and, therefore, anything happening on it should be of knowledge to them.
He nodded. “That’s why I’m here. I’m taking over for the general.”