Sunday Snippet: Guarded Chance

Final Sunday of August. I'm kind of looking forward to the fall season even if it's going to very different. With a global pandemic and an election coming up, I don't think it'll be the lovely season I always look forward to. That said, cooler temperatures will be welcome. Even though it hasn't been overly hot this summer, I really love the crisp air of fall.

Had a decent week of office reorganization and not a bad one for television viewing, considering I had no power for twenty-one hours thanks to a thunderstorm with wicked nasty lightning. A tree not far from our house got struck and it took out a couple of pole transformers. We were really lucky that we caught a break from the heat of the day before.

Not a bad week for television viewing but not great either. I caught an episode of Peak Practice and enjoyed it. I'm halfway through the second season.

Watched the third episode of Ms. Fisher's Modern Murder Mysteries and it's definitely my favorite of the four episodes. I love the sci-fi feel and the background with Bertie.

Caught the Classic Who run of Genesis of the Daleks arc. I've seen this group of episode before and enjoyed them. It's especially fun because New Who brought in big tie-in to these episodes.

Also watched another episode of Danger Man. I'm on the last two available on Amazon, which makes me sad.

That's it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Guarded Chance, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Echo Dart, a brilliant soldier but hot mess of a woman, becomes a captive of the enemy who try to recondition her for their purposes. During the process she realizes there's only one person who has ever touched her soul, Race Markinton. But she's already burned the relationship bridge with Race and once she's free, she has to figure out how to make amends or lose him for good.

And a sneaky peek…

Echo followed the twisted and confusing path of hallways, hitting a dead end three times before she got herself headed in the right direction. The eerie silence and lack of personnel explained by the swiveling cameras she avoided with training and stealth. She turned yet another corner and found herself … stuck.

Completely, utterly stuck. She'd made it out of the stupid maze of corridors, navigated around the blasted motion detectors only to hit a brick wall. Literally. The doors might be smooth, clear glass, but they looked at least six inches thick. And she knew they'd be reinforced with some high tech material she'd never be able to pronounce.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit. Now what?" Giving up, she sank to the floor, resting her head on her knees.

No way would she go back. When the staff found her, they'd have to kill her. She did not have the drive to hold out anymore.

Lifting her head, she gazed through the doors. So damned close. At least she'd see the sun and sky, green leafy trees ones last time. Hell, even the prickly scrub brush surrounding the complex looked good.

She rolled her eyes. "Geez, how lame." She shook her head, letting it rest on the wall behind her.

So tired, yet she didn’t want to sit still. Loathe to give up the view of the outside, she kept her eyes trained on the doors. The illusion of freedom, almost within her reach, acted as a comforting balm.

Echo caught a flash of movement outside the perimeter of the clearing. "Wait … that can't be right." Another flash, barely perceptible, but there nonetheless. "What the hell?" Scrabbling on her knees, she got up close to the door, squinting against the sunlight spilling through.

Holy hell … a lone figure, a man, stealthily made his way toward the compound. Criminy … it couldn't be—oh, yes, it could—tears pricked behind her eyelids. A wave of emotion almost knocked her back.

"Race."

Race had come for her.

He edged closer, taking cover behind the plentiful sage brush with each forward move. Reaching the wire mesh fence surrounding the clearing, he climbed up and over, avoiding the nasty barbs at the top. His long legs ate the space between the barrier and the building with a mad dash across. Echo almost felt his back hit the bricks when he reached the wall.

Tears streaming, unbidden, down her cheeks, she actually laughed when he ducked around to look inside and his jaw dropped. He hadn't expected to find her practically waiting on his arrival. Why would he?

He blinked and recovered quickly, moving to stand in front of the glass. His eyes scanned for surveillance equipment. Finding none, he placed a hand on the door and Echo's rose to meet it.

Six inches. The only thing separating them … physically. The rest … well, who knew? God, he looked good. Tired, ragged, but so damned good. A feast for her eyes.

Race didn't bother trying the door. Digging into his vest pocket, he motioned for her to take cover and stuck a small incendiary device in the center of the clear surface. Echo moved several yards away, turned and ducked down, covering her head with her hands.

The explosion barely registered before Race scooped her up and carried her over the shattered glass and out to freedom. The palpable relief hit her so strongly she almost blacked out. Race's lips brushed over her hair, his strong arms holding her close. Echo clung, longer than necessary, but God, he felt so solid and real she couldn't help it. And for once she understood the notion of taking strength from someone else. Training kicked in and she wriggled down, ready to run.

Making sure she was steady, his lips quirked. "Figures you pretty much rescued yourself. You never cease to amaze, Echo."

She let out a shaky laugh. "Yeah, well, I didn't much like the company." Her gazed dropped and she hoped she hid the pain and uncertainty from him.

Race lifted her chin and gave her long look, but he didn’t push. They had to get moving. He silently led the way, dropping proximity mines behind them. Reaching the fence, Echo started to climb, uncaring if the metal shredded her bare feet. Raced tugged her down and quickly cut through the mesh, shoving her through and following once she got clear. He walked fifty yards due east, her hot on his heels, then stopped and uncovered a rucksack. Reaching inside, he pulled out a pair of boots, socks stuffed inside, and a set of fatigues.

The damn man thought of everything.

Using hand motions and a quiet voice, Race told her where to find the egress point in case they got separated. Fat chance of that. She stuck to him like glue.

Weak from the ordeal, the hike away from the compound took its toll, but Echo managed to hold it together. Shoving the haunting memories of the past aside, she refused to think about anything but the broad shoulders and hard ass in front of her. And not in a sexual way. The hard body represented her freedom and she wouldn't quit on Race now. He'd risked his life to come for her. That had to mean something. And she finally wanted to have a long overdue conversation about what.

This story is taking some interesting twists and I'm completely here for them. I like it sages throw something unexpected into the mix.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Good for the Soul

We're almost to the end of August and it's been a month. I'm glad we're closing in on the last quarter of the year. 2020 definitely provided a roller coaster ride. And we're not quite through yet.

Had a solid week of work and reorganizing. Made some terrific progress on the office clean out. Got two of my six bookcases put together and shredded a bunch of old stuff I don't need to keep anymore. I still have a buttload of shredding to do but progress is progress.

Got a little bit of viewing done this week, mostly Danger Man episodes. I wanted to finish season three then realized there are only two episodes of season four. I'm disappointed.

I also did a couple of marathon viewings on Ovation. The morning mysteries are a lot of fun and the Monday block of A Place to Call Home is pretty good also. I also caught Partners in Crime, which ended up being better than I thought.

That's pretty much it for television. Tonight's post is from Good for the Soul, a novella that got a start with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Dex Thurgood has ideals he upholds and wants to keep it that way. But when he's forced to confront a sinister underground trade leader, he has to face his darker nature to bust up the extortion racket, which won't be easy because Ramsey Markum knows one of Dex's deeply buried secrets. Lana Denman steps up to help Dex deal with the fallout of not being perfect.

And a sneaky peek…

Sitting in the transport, Dex observed Leon's open-mouthed awe as the child stared intently out the window. Amazed at his resilience, he seemed to have bounced back from the last few days relatively unscathed. Dex hoped the arrangements he’d made for Darcene and her son were part of the something good. The duo would head to Queen City where Darcene would oversee helping other families in the same situation as hers.

Darcene unbuckled her safety harness and moved to the seat next to him. "You haven't said much and I didn't want to ask in front of Leon, but Ramsey's dead isn't he?"

Dex slid his gaze toward her and nodded. "Yeah." He adjusted the straps on his restraint.

She placed her hand on his forearm. "I'm sorry. For dragging you into this, for telling him about Erica, for, well, everything. You trusted me and I let you down."

"No, you didn't. Markum already knew about Erica. Used to be in business with her father back when he kept a foot in the legitimate world."

Clearly surprised, Darcene commented. "I still gave him the information. Or at least confirmed it."

Dex shook his head. "Look. You didn't have much choice. I get that." He looked back at Leon again. "Don't be twisted up over it."

His driver gave him a heads-up. "Arriving in five, sir."

Dex motioned for Darcene to strap in again. He settled back and listened to the driver request clearance.

When they entered the base, Darcene held Leon's hand along with the boy's small overnight bag. It contained the medication that put Darcene in dire financial straits and prompted her to work off the payment in trade.

She stopped just outside the transport. "You did a good thing. Some of us have a chance now."

Dex shrugged. "There were other ways. I could've chosen a different option." He frowned. "Instead I went with the easiest option." Things always went wrong when he took the easy route.

Darcene tsked. "Perhaps, you think so." Her gaze swept the activity in the huge garage. "And maybe you're feeling the weight of your decision, but others wouldn't. So many of them wouldn't give a damn about a woman and her kid or how they ended up in our situation." Turning to face him, she met his gaze and arched a brow. "And ask yourself this—could you live with yourself if another child got used?" She lowered her voice, hoping to keep Leon from hearing.

Dex didn't have an answer. He had trouble living with right now.

"It would've gotten worse, Dex. You stopped Markum before it could." Her free hand reached out and clasped his. "That does mean something."

He still didn't respond. Couldn't at the moment. Too many thoughts crowded his head.

Darcene flashed Dex an understanding smile. “Go to her, Dex.” She paused and Leon tugged at her sleeve so they could leave. “Give her a chance to fill the empty spots.” Leaning forward, she kissed his cheek. “What more do you have to lose?” Turning, she let her excited son lead her toward the petty officer who waited to show them to quarters.

Darcene had pegged things both right and wrong. Right in that he didn’t have anything else to lose. His ideals were gone. By killing Ramsey, Dex had compromised himself to the point he had no room to judge others. The chancellor, his father, Lana. Things weren’t as black and white as they used to be.

If nothing else, getting to the bottom of the black market showed him how much the shades of gray saved as well as how much they cost. Just how compromised they all were. Every last one of them.

He got it now. He really did.

And oddly, he could live with the new reality he faced … maybe more so now after everything else that had happened.

The part he worried about living with? Telling Lana. Everything. Because the drama went way back … to before the attacks. And he sort of understood where she'd been coming from now … the guilt she had over Mac … for not letting him go out as soon as the battle started. He'd been the first casualty … and Dex's best friend. She considered his death on her head.

I know the feeling. But he'd buried his guilt. Deep.

This story keeps taking twists and turns I didn't expect. It's actually a mess right now, but I've got a block of time scheduled to tear it all apart and piece it back together.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Gentle Valor

Well, we're off to move my daughter into her dorm for her very first semester of college. It's been a crazy whirlwind of a week, trying to get last-minute details nailed down and grabbing all the final items she needs to have with her. Thankfully, I've only got one project that has a deadline and my past self ended up being smart enough to work the move into the due date. Whew.

Not much viewing of television this week. Too many things going on. I did catch another episode of Danger Man, which happened to be another one I hadn't seen yet.

Also got through almost all of Gabriel's Inferno. Like I said, I'm kind of taking my time with this one and thoroughly enjoying it.

Started a new episode of Blue Heelers and a new character has been introduced. So far, he's a bit of dick. Not sure if I'll end up really liking him or hating him a bunch. Time will tell.

I'm really looking forward to having a little downtime once we get the college-bound kid settled in. The whole pandemic thing has completely thrown off my usual groove and I'm not quite sure if I'll get it back or if my new normal will take some getting used to.

That's my week in a nutshell. Tonight's post is from A Gentle Valor, a novella that started with a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Aggie Fyffe makes an impossible decision and survives a hellish experience. Haunted by her choice, she faces her demons with a little help from Zane Tetherson and earns a chance for redemption.

And a sneaky peek…

Zane Tetherson returned from patrol and logged off shift. His first stop would be command quarters—before he even grabbed a shower and a meal. His routine hadn't changed in the week since his fellow soldier Aggie Fyffe's disappearance.

Stopping outside the metal structure that housed the visiting field commander and his XO, Zane rapped on the door.

"Enter!" The commander's booming voice carried through loud and clear.

Zane stepped inside and found Colonel Fitz Mayhew finishing up his evening meal. "Sir, my regrets for interrupting your chow time." He stood at attention until Mayhew waved off the apology.

He shifted on his seat. "I'm done, Tetherson. No harm." He wiped his mouth with a napkin. "You're wanting an update on Lieutenant Fyffe but I don't have one." He covered the tray, he slowly got up. "She's still overdue to report in. I sent out a recon team to see if they can kick up any intelligence." Crossing over to his desk, he settled behind it and motioned for Zane to join him.

Zane sat in a chair facing his CO. "I'd like to volunteer during my downtime, sir." Technically, Zane had command of the base, but the brass moved through on a regular rotation.

Mayhew studied Zane for several long moments. "Look, commander, you're a little too close to this, but I won't refuse the extra help." He waited a beat. "Tomorrow. Tonight you need to get some rest and report for duty at your normal time. The men in under your command need to know they can count on you regardless of Lieutenant Fyffe's circumstances." His eyebrows shot up more or less daring Zane to argue.

Zane opted to comply with the order. "I won't let anyone down, sir." He got up and turned to exit quarters.

Mayhew gave Zane a parting shot. "Didn't for a moment think you would, Tetherson."

Zane left and headed for the mess hall. He'd grab a meal, take it back to the quarters he normally shared with Aggie, and then grab a shower and hit his rack. If he wanted to help Aggie, he needed a clear head.

Okay, partially clear. Worry clouded his brain and would continue to do so until they found her. He would not accept the possibility of never seeing her again.

"Where are you, Aggie?"

This story has a way to go but it's finally coming together the way I'd hoped it would.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Game of One

First week of August down and in the books. Next weekend we move my daughter to her dorm and pray for the best. They're doing a shortened semester, very similar to what a college quarter used to be. She'll be moving back right before Thanksgiving and won't return to campus until January.

Busy week with projects and random things that needed attention. I did get more of my desk cleared off for the big overhaul organization.

Limited viewing time this week but I got a few things watched. I did start Gabriel's Inferno part two and have about half of it finished. I actually decided to dedicate actual time to watching and not do anything else while it's playing. Hence the reason I'm only halfway through.

I watched another episode of Danger Man and also started a new episode of Blue Heelers. Like I said, busy week where I couldn’t spend the time I wanted to catching up on television.

I did have Ovation's morning mysteries on as background noise during the day. Murdoch Mysteries, Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, and Midsomer Murders for the win. I also caught a block of Numb3rs on Friday.

That's pretty much it for this week. Tonight's post is from Game of One, a sexy short that got a start as a writing community prompt.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Lacie Brooks' annual Valentine's Day tradition of getting laid and letting off steam is cut short when she shoots her mouth off to the wrong superior officer. Stuck on base, she finds a way to pass her restricted time with Ren Blankenship by playing a Game of One. Too bad for Lacie, Ren decides to turn the tables on her and win for a change.

And a sneaky peek…

"Blankenship, why is it every year you're working when you should be out giving some hot woman a taste of your swizzle stick on Valentine's Day?"

Ren glanced up from the mass of papers he'd spread out over several tables. The unit CO, a grizzled, old-school colonel, propped his shoulder on the open hatch. His bushy eyebrows arched over his pale blue gaze.

Ren shrugged. "You know the drill, colonel. Someone has to stay behind and keep an eye on the ship." The less "Iron Gut" Grassi knew about Ren the better.

The colonel chatted up Ren's old man a little too often for Ren's comfort.

Grassi grunted and shoved away from the hatch. "True enough." He started to walk away. "At least you'll have a friend onboard."

Ren tilted his head to one side. "Who's staying behind?" A small contingent always remained aboard the ship, but no one Ren considered a close pal.

The colonel didn't stop. "You'll find out soon enough, Blankenship. Don't worry."

Ren snorted. Grassi must be yanking Ren's chain. The guy gave Ren a hard time about the lack of carousing he did. Holiday or not, Ren liked his private life to be, well, private.

And he always volunteered for duty on Valentine's weekend. Why not give the members of his unit a chance to spend some quality time with their spouses, significant others, and partners? He didn't have a current long-term relationship at the moment.

"Don't want one, either. Especially with a civilian."

He'd spent his childhood watching the ups and downs of his parents' marriage. They followed a routine, always the same. Two or three days of behaving like newlyweds then knockdown, drag out fights for the rest of his father's leave.

Ren escaped to his best friend's house. Chuck Ashford had the life Ren wanted. Steady and grounded, Chuck's parents always welcomed Ren and gave him a small taste of normal. Even now, he stayed in touch with them more frequently than with his own parents, who'd finally gotten divorced when Ren finished school.

He'd never be a substitute for the Ashfords's son, but the contact helped ease the loss for Monica and Doug. Monica kept a room ready for Ren's infrequent visits and he liked knowing he had a place to call home when he needed one. His mother traveled from place to place, letting her wanderlust dictate the destinations. Oren Senior had command of an outpost and rarely left duty long enough to engage in conversation.

Suited Ren fine. He'd never been close with his father, couldn't quite measure up to the man's expectations.

"If an almost spotless record and making rank at regular intervals doesn't hold water with my dad … why bother?"

Ren set his own goals and worked toward them. Celebrated his achievements on his own.

Not a perfect deal, but it worked.

And his mom? Miranda Cooper Blankenship-Conrad-Hooper-whatever the hell the new husband's name ended up being would probably never admit it, but she hadn't wanted children. The woman didn't possess a maternal bone. It bothered Ren until he realized she'd done what she could. He wouldn't fault her for not being what others considered a normal mom. It also helped put the shouting matches between his parents into perspective.

"And showed me what I don't want in a relationship."

His last one ended when his girlfriend, a civilian accountant, pulled a tactic from his mom's playbook. Celia did the I-miss-you mind-blowing sex followed by forty-eight hours of nitpicky bullshit fights. Nothing he said, did, or suggested made her happy. The whole weekend sealed it for Ren. Before he left for base, he cut ties, and made a clean break. He wouldn't, and couldn't, change his career plans and he had another dozen years before he'd consider mustering out.

Nope. No more civilian girlfriends.

Ren gathered up the duty reports from their slot on the watch desk. He might as well slog through at least some of them now.

He got settled and flipped through the day's fitreps. About halfway through a name jumped out. Lacie Brooks.

Ren chuckled. "So that's who the colonel meant." What had she done this time?

She'd either been busted for instigating one of her legendary stunts or tagged for insubordination. Lacie's notorious luck at the card table had her raking in cash or concocting crazy ass scenarios to put people in. He'd been a victim on more than one occasion and she usually came up with the most embarrassing things for him to do.

He folded back the rest of the file to read her sheet. He snorted. Lacie popped off at a superior officer again.

"Will the woman never learn to think about the consequences before she opens her mouth?"

A little longer preview this time. I'm hoping to finish this up and get it published in the near future, possibly early 2021.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye

Sunday Snippet: Fyre's Masquerade (a Specter Station novella)

Is it really August? Man, I'm actually kind of thankful. I'm ready for 2020 to be over and done with. It's been a very crazy year.

Had a fairly busy week of calls with potential new clients and a new project starting. It's been kind of slow since May and I'm excited to see if things pick up a little now.

I also got quite a few of my long-form brainstorming sessions converted into text. I'm seriously thrilled with this!! I can't wait to see how many I get translated and transferred over this week.

Didn't get a lot of shows watched this week, but I did catch another couple of episodes of Danger Man.

Also watched episode seven of The Witcher and I'm so happy there's going to be another season of this show.

I'll be catching the second Gabriel's Inferno movie this week, even if I have to stay up super late to watch. I'm looking forward to this one.

I'll hopefully be catching up with a few other shows also. It's been hit or miss with both time and lack of focus to get into a show.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Fyre's Masquerade, a Specter Station novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Balek Fyre made his fortune mining asteroids and just became a principal owner is Specter Station. He's ready to enjoy a new stage in his life—until the Yuli family descends on his base of operations for the galactic midyear celebration with only one thing on their minds … getting him to marry their oldest daughter, Serena. The only problem? Balek would rather spend time with her sister, Scout.

And a sneaky peek…

"What the hell do you mean I'm supposed to meet with my betrothed?" Balek Fyre paced the length of his small office aboard the mining vessel, Fyre's Strife. "Since when do I have one?" Unless he'd missed a major event, he didn't have a female—or male—waiting in the wings for some sparkly wedding.

Maddox Specter shifted in his seat on the holo call. "That's what I said when they contacted the station and tried to make accommodations for their arrival." He picked through a pile of papers in front of him. "The call got shuffled up to Juna because you're a principal owner now and the Yuli family isn't on your list of VIPs." He read the communiqué from Juna. "The Yulis are arriving for the midyear masquerade and are requesting a block of rooms in close vicinity to your suite so you can get to know your betrothed…" He checked the paper again. "One Serena Yuli before the announcement of your engagement at the gala event." Maddox put the page down and leaned in closer to the monitor. "You're sure you didn't know anything about this?"

Balek stopped his back and forth. "Do I look like I do? Geez, Maddox, I've never heard of these people." Then again, he'd traveled extensively through three galaxies with his mining operations. "I have no idea who this family is." And he'd be damned if they'd get away with trying to use his name and position to score a free stay on Specter Station.

Maddox leaned back in his chair. "What do you want me to have Juna do? She can put them on the banned list and when they arrive, they'll be taken into custody—"

Balek cut his friend off. "No. Not that. Have Juna direct the staff to give them reservations but put them in the lower quadrant." Plain, basic, and nothing fancy, the rooms were small and not intended for lengthy visits.

Maddox arched a brow. "You sure you want to do that?" A small smile briefly twisted his lips.

Which convinced Balek he'd hit on the perfect tactic to get to the root of whatever grift the Yulis were trying to pull.

He nodded. "I'm sure." Turning toward his desk, he moved behind it and brought up the data screen. "I've got three-fourths of a load in my hold. I'll finish up on this asteroid and get the shipment info to the broker." He keyed in an order to his belowdecks miners to increase the speed of intake.

Maddox leaned forward again. "And after that? What's your plan?"

Balek glanced up and met his friend's gaze. "To haul ass and arrive on Specter Station before they do." Almost a week before he'd originally intended, but he could move in at any time.

Maddox grinned. "I'll have Wanda make certain your new suite is ready and waiting." He got up and left the viewable area for a moment then returned. "And once you're here…"

Balek's lips twisted in a cold smile. "Once I'm there … let the game begin…"

I'm going to have a lot of fun with this story. I love all four of the men who are making up Specter Station's executive board. Balek is very rough and tumble and he'll have a good time playing cat and mouse with the Yulis.

That's it for this week. Catch everyone on the flipside.

ML Skye