Jack of Harts

There are only a few hours left to create the name of a character that will soon be published in our little science fiction anthology. I know some of you may be interested in such an opportunity. The character who is available in my story is a celebrity. A man (or woman) known galaxy wide as a great actor. Or would you prefer a musician? A writer? The individual is one who has a great reputation in our little corner of the galaxy. Like Charlton Heston or Harrison Ford or maybe Clint Eastwood. He or she will be famous. A part of the backdrop of the universe. And he or she has a role in The Gemini Affair, a short story that I have written for this anthology. If you want, I can take a name you choose and make it famous. For certain definitions of the word. In a fictional universe. Mileage may vary. 🙂

An Atlas to Time, Space, and Bonfires Kickstarter

“Ready?” Betty asked.

“Launch,” Jack ordered.

“Launching,” Betty announced and their Avenger shuddered as it fell away from Vagabond at the maximum burn their maneuvering thrusters could manage. He looked up to see the long train of their Privateer-class freighter come into full view and he saw the damage they’d taken with his eyes for the first time. The engine section was torn apart completely, individual engines hanging off the end of the ship by stray cables or less. And Vagabond’s main wedge-shaped body was peeled open from just behind the bridge to the rear hatch where she linked to the cargo pods. Those had been two very well targeted shots. Somebody knew what they were doing over there. They just didn’t know enough to realize how deep they’d stepped into it.

Jack smiled and placed his left hand on the throttle and his right hand on the stick. He slammed the throttle forward, and four fusion torch drives sent them screaming towards the enemy freighter on tongues of blue flame. Their enemy recognized the danger too late, but Jack gritted his teeth as it launched far more missiles at him than a peaceful freighter had any business carrying around. But they’d already proven that they were no peaceful freighter.

****

The Gemini Affair is a short story written for An Atlas to Time, Space, and Bonfires. There’s a kickstarter for it right now in case your interested in seeing a couple dozen stories by different authors. And this one, of course. ?

An Atlas to Time, Space, and Bonfires Kickstarter

Friday at Dairycon I helped run the gaming day, where people game by to have fun and play games. And because I’ve had lots of experience with running games over the years, I’ve been one of the guys they ask to come on over each year. I missed last year due to an exploding appendix, but I made it back this year without any biological warfare halt the experience.

Well…I did have something to eat that disagreed with me before leaving, so there may have been some biological warfare involved, but I’m not complaining… 😉

All in all, a fun time was had by all. And today I’m off to the dealer hall to see what fun toys the other fans and such brought to sell me. 🙂

Dairycon