Sunday Snippet: Zero Sum

September is starting off with a bang. And crazy busy. Also a full blood moon, which is always fun to see.

Spent all day Saturday in Hocking Hills with a group of cousins on my mom's side of the family. We have so much fun when we get together. We're already planning the third annual gathering for next year.

I finished up two work projects this week and made progress on two more. I have a new one starting this week also. Possibly two. I'm hoping the due dates are a little more staggered.

Had an okay viewing week. I made it almost all the way through my usual slate of shows with the exception of Lower Decks. I started it but need to finish it up. It's the first season finale so there seems to be a lot going on.

Started with Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries and it's one I really enjoyed on my original run through. Always fun to see Dot stand up for not only herself but others.

Finished up season four of Madame Blanc Mysteries. Very happy to see Jean and Dom work through their issues. Loved how Dom proposed and how everyone knew they were meant to be together.

Caught another episode of Death in Paradise. I'm interested in where things will go with Selwyn. The new officer is going to be fun. I love the vibe he has. DI Wilson might or might not grow on me.

Enjoyed another episode of Poirot. The entire trip to the coast just to hear good things instead of bad from Japp is such a Poirot thing to do. And the side plot with Lemon was fun.

Elementary had an interesting case along with an interesting side case. I like how Moreland reached out to Joan, and she figured things out with what's going on with him. And I love that she told Sherlock. Also really thrilled Sherlock met the character on the autism spectrum at her level, seemingly with care and patience.

Watched another episode of Batman Beyond and I didn't remember much of this one. Ended up quite enjoying it.

Started the Lower Decks episode. I do enjoy how many easter eggs are in this show. Mentions of other characters and episodes from all the various series are so much fun.

I didn't get to start season two of Reacher. I'm hoping I have the time this week, but I'm not going to rush in. I like to be able to focus on this show.

Also didn't get to finish up the Peak Practice episode I started, but I'll get back to it soon.

That's it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Zero Sum, a novella that pulls a couple together when they have to crash land.

Here's the miniblurb:

Sabrina Delft and Carrick Stafford have a zero sum relationship—whenever one gains something, the other has a corresponding loss. But when they're stranded on an abandoned mining colony and forced to rely on each other, they learn to balance the good with the bad and end up with a total win.

And a sneaky peek…

Sabrina stretched her neck from side to side. "We should stop and rest." She didn't know how many hours they'd worked but longer than a normal shift.

And they hadn't argued once.

Carrick didn't disagree; he pulled out a seat and settled at the table. "Now that the suits are operable and we've got plenty of O2, let's decide where we'll hunker down." He flexed his fingers, probably trying to loosen up the stiff joints from holding them in one position for most of the day.

Sabrina wanted to explore and take an inventory of the camp. "We should stay here, at the colony." She really wanted to figure out what kind of supplies they had available.

Carrick didn't immediately deny the thought, but he did counter. "One of us should stay on the ship. In case we get a call from another fleet vessel." A wary look crept into his eyes.

She didn't blame him. Normally, she'd be all over his push back. But … he made a valid point. She'd hate to miss contact if it came.

A stroke of inspiration hit her. "You know, a simple solution would be to rig a cable from the signal to the intercom system. If it's triggered, an auto response will generate, giving us time to get to a comm unit to reply." Her shoulders slumped. "But, ugh, I don't have the energy to deal with making that happen right now." She didn't relish putting the suit back on at the moment.

Carrick huffed out a breath. "Huh. That's genius." He riffled through the pack he'd brought over and pulled out two MREs. "We'll get on that first thing in the morning. Don't know about you, but I'm wiped out." He squeezed the package, activating the heating element inside. "Terrific solution though. Why don't I stay on the ship for tonight until we can get the line set up?" He tore open his dinner.

Sabrina blinked. "Um, okay." She nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good." She grabbed her MRE and mimicked Carrick's actions, a little stunned to have the arrangements resolved so quickly.

She didn't quite know how to deal with full cooperation from him.

But she liked having it.

I have this one pretty much plotted out and outlined. I'm excited to see where things go as I continue to write.

 

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

ML Skye