Monthly Archives: March 2021

Back, First Feroza looked down at her body, embedded in the side of the sleeping Dragon. Had a human ever been so close to a Petrolean apex predator? Had any sapient mind before traced the sleek contours of its head assembly, … Continue reading →

Back, First Chapter 2 Consciousness came to Dr. Feroza Merchant like a hammer between the eyes. Not a big hammer. More like one the little ones that upholsterers used. Ting ting ting ting. And the sofa had a new pattern. She … Continue reading →

Back, First Victor took a tentative step forward, put his hand on the Dragon’s neck. It shivered and bowed as new windows opened on his visor. “What do you propose we should do now?” Dr. Merchant demanded. “What possible good can … Continue reading →

Back, First Even in his restrictive suit, the striker should have been able to escape, but the Dragon pulled back its buzzing, steaming mouthparts and extended the long, black tube of its flamethrower. A little pilot light kindled. Victor’s visor lit … Continue reading →

Back, First “Dr. Merchant.” Her Punisher perched on her shoulder, rotors folded, talons clenched, sensors extended toward Victor as if waiting for him to make a fool of himself. “Do you,” he gasped, “have a way out?” He couldn’t see her … Continue reading →

Back, First The giant metal maw gaped wide as it dropped from the dark sky. The concussion of the Leviathan’s proboscis made when it hit the ground rang through Victor’s suit. The harvester jerked under him. Slewed sideways as it was … Continue reading →

Back, First “Safe?” said Merchant, “Were you not listening to me? Have you even looked at my reports? Every week since we’ve been here, the native life has grown steadily more aggressive. Attacks on humans and human artifacts have multiplied … Continue reading →