SFFSat - Oct 19

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

This week, more in the continuing adventures of, well, other than Mason and Elmo (the ship's computer), I've no idea what to call my protag other than Captain.

For a short little preamble for those who don't know: Two characters on an old ship that looked like it originated from the 1960s. They discover a creature that looks suspiciously like a dinosaur, but more like a dragon...they scramble. They've just made it back to their drop ship for (hopefully) and escape...

You can catch the previous ones:
Part 1: here.
Part 2: here.
Part 3: here.
Part 4: here.
Part 5: here.
Part 6: here.
Part 7: here.
Part 8: here.

Part 9: here.
Part 10: here.
Part 11: here.


Last week, the ever-helpful Elmo informed our heroine they were too close to the landing zone to deploy weapons to shake the creature off and their thrusters would be damaged in the process... We ended with my protag saying: "If we don't shake that thing off, it won't matter either way."

And now this week's snippet....we have Elmo responding to that comment.

“Suggestion, Captain.”

I would’ve rolled my eyes. “What!”

“Realigning the thrusters towards the creature might dislodge it.”

I rolled my eyes. “Do it then!”

I heard a low grate as thrusters turned, then the engines whined even louder, immediately followed by a sudden earthquake-like tremble rocked the ship; the creature attached to us scrabbled loudly against the hull and let out another of its bone-chilled roars. In one quick jerk, the drop ship bounded like a sideways slingshot.

Mason screamed.

I screamed.

Stay tuned for more next week! 

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Sept 28

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

Okay... Last week, our two heroes just dived into their drop ship to escape and we learned the on board computer is called Elmo.

A little preamble for those who don't know: Two characters on an old ship that looked like it originated from the 1960s. They discover a creature that looks suspiciously like a dinosaur, but more like a dragon...they scramble.
You can catch the previous ones:
Part 1: here.
Part 2: here.
Part 3: here.
Part 4: here.
Part 5: here.
Part 6: here.
Part 7: here.
Part 8: here.

And now for this week...

The hatch doors slammed shut, instant silence greeted us for but a brief second. A horrific crash against the hull made us lurch inside.

“Elmo, take off. Now!” I sat, frozen, like one waiting for an accident to happen.

The drop ship trembled, running through the usual take off sequences. Thrusters fired up rapidly with a deep burp, the engines screamed as it engaged for maximum elevation—

The creature rammed the drop ship again. Mason fell flatter, having never gotten up in the first place. I gritted my teeth.

Oh no!! And then what will happen? Stay tuned next week, same bat time, same bat channel.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Sept 14

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

It's been a long time since I last participated. I took a break in the form of a nice long holiday, hopefully to recharge and reboot, as we humans need to do every once in a while.
Now onto to the snippet. Still continuing with my madcap ramble about the dinosaur-dragon on an abandoned ship...last time we met up with our two bumbling heroes, 
they were scrambling to make their way back to their drop ship.

A little preamble for those who don't know: Two characters on an old ship that looked like it originated from the 1960s. They discover a creature that looks suspiciously like a dinosaur, but more like a dragon...they scramble.
You can catch the previous ones:
Part 1: here.
Part 2: here.
Part 3: here.
Part 4: here.
Part 5: here.
Part 6: here.

And now for this week...

We belched out a doorway, one we’d noticed earlier that had suspicious scorch marks and long scratches. If only we’d taken heed then and not ventured further. Curse curiosity!

Tumbling onto the main deck, we sighted our drop ship waiting for us. Wisps of exhausts from the idling thrusters caught the ocean breeze and dissolved; the homely grey and black vessel never looked better.

I slapped a hand to my ear, activating the audial implant and alerted our on board computer. "Prepare for immediate take off—and open the door now!"

“Affirmative,” a reply tweaked into my air, directly followed by the hatch doors sliding open.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - July 20

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

This week, things are a little different. We've been asked to do a snippet using a word prompt (still keeping to the 10 sentences, of course). 

The word prompt is SUN.  For the snippet, I thought to share with you the beginnings of a brand new Jax Marlin novella. For those who don't know, Jax is a particular favourite of mine. I mean, who doesn't love a sexy vigilante who gets up to no good, right?

The overhead incandescent light beamed down in the small cubicle, heating her head like an unrelenting sun.

Bugger this.

Jax Marlin tipped her head left and right, inspecting the blossoming bruises forming on her cheek and jawline. It had been a while since she’d gotten herself hammered in a fistfight. But that security bot had been particularly crafty. It seemed someone had gone to the exacting trouble of uploading it with several new fight moves. Jax made a mental note to make sure she upgraded herself. She would not be caught unawares again—ever.

With a final glance at her reflection, Jax gave herself a wink and left the small confines of the orbiter shuttle’s lavatory.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - June 15

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

Continuing with my ad-hoc, wild pantsing snippet with no title...we had our two main characters (and the dinosaur) opening the scene and poor Mason looking like he pooped his pants. You can catch that here.

Next, we have what happens after...

That chilly thing that walks down your spine, ran down mine. I swallowed, not particularly wanting to turn around, and in fact, I wanted to play the typical damsel in distress by simply screaming for no reason. Instead, I found some mild comfort in staring at Mason, who conveyed all my sudden fears.

A low growl and waft of hot air brushing up my back was motivation enough for both of us to squawk. Instinct kicked in, and without looking back, I lunged forward, grabbed Mason and propelled us both as far away from whatever creature that just blew me a kiss.

We rolled across the dusty floor, Mason rigid in my arms. It didn’t help, considering he was nearly twice my weight and carried most of our expedition gear. I cursed him. I cursed whatever breathed on us. Loudly.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - March 23

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

Moving on today to a brand new WIP. It's still untitled (and that irks my OCD tendencies...perhaps that's why it's now sitting on the back burner while I scratch my head for a suitable title. Anyone got any ideas?)

The story is about a young woman, Ranger Serafina Derwynde, who works for the Acquisition Guild - an agency that procures and retrieves items of historical and human interest. Sort of like an official scavenging agency...with training and university studies specifically targeted to such items of interest and their historical background. Not to mention ways and means to successfully procure them - by whatever means (force) necessary.
It just so happens that Serafina stumbles across a hulking generation ship - one thought to have been lost for millennia. (By now you've probably guessed that it's set way into the future...way way...)

The following is the very first opening lines in the tale...

            “Come again?” Serafina Derwynde scratched her head and leaned back in the pilot seat.

“Shida Class, Generation Model, DS-057,” the onboard AI repeated, pitching its masculine tone to sound mildly irritated.

To the best of Serafina’s knowledge and remembered history lessons, Shida Class generation ships no longer existed—at least, not since the Migration, two thousand nine hundred and eighty-six years ago. A find like this would set her up for life, not to mention the fame it would bring.

“Are you sure, Bertram?” A quiver of excitement raced through Serafina; she envisioned early retirement and a brand new ship with a new artificial intelligence interface—one without attitude. Maybe a small outpost station to call her own. “Run it again.”

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - March 16

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

Last Jax Marlin snippet for a little whiles. Time to move onto other tales...

Yet another novella was released Friday (available at Amazon).

THE NECROMANCER OF THE AVON - Special Inspector Michael Pedroni finds himself on board a derelict battlecruiser, the Avon, attempting to solve the mystery of a gruesome massacre. The vigilante, Jax Marlin, appears with a clear idea of who has committed the crime, the infamous Necromancer Killer. In an unexpected twist, the inspector and the vigilante form a truce and work together to capture their prey...(I know, shocking, right!)

In this scene, Pedroni and Jax are on board a Marine vessel, discussing the Necromancer and before they declare a truce. Pedroni opens this scene...

            “You’d prefer to stew in the ship’s brig until the investigation is over? It could take days—weeks.”

She let out a soft chuckle, her breath nudging his face. “You actually believe you can make me stew…in a brig?”

“I’ve seen the brig—it’s solid and secure. You won’t be able to escape.”

“You have to catch me first.”

“I will catch you.”

She smiled, not quite a dare, but close enough. “So why haven’t you?”

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - March 09

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

Today, I'm going to share a snippet from a yet another novella that was released yesterday and available on Amazon.

THE MARLIN STRIKES AGAIN - Welcome back to the world of Jax Marlin, sexy vigilante, and Special Inspector Michael Pedroni. In this 'episode,' Jax is pursuing a nasty pedophile in a quaint little university town that seems content to turn a blind eye to his vile deeds.

In this scene, Jax has followed the pedophile to a charming little housing complex where a little girl resides...of course, Jax doesn't stand for this sort of behaviour and moves in to intercept.

            Where had The Pedophile disappeared?

Pressing her back to the side of the enclosure, Jax peered out to the end of the house. The back yard, what she could see of it, looked even smaller than the front and the dividing wall only a smidgeon higher than the sidewall. A few shrubs tried their best to grow, skirting decoratively around a wooden deck the size of a bar stool seat. A scatter of toys and a few chairs finished the back yard.

All the houses were the same, so this meant on the other end of the back yard, there would be another small enclosure for the composting unit, which offered an even better hiding area for a lurking pedophile. No doubt, it would also offer a tantalizing view of the little girl’s bedroom.

Jax slithered around the maintenance enclosure and peered around the corner of the house. She saw the composting shed, and if she narrowed her eyes and unfocused a little, the unmistakable form of a man crouching in the darkness.

Gotcha!

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - March 02

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

Today, I'm going to share a snippet from a novella that was released yesterday and available on Amazon. YAY!!
Welcome back to the world of Jax Marlin, sexy vigilante, and Special Inspector Michael Pedroni. PURGED IN FIRE has already been released in an anthology collection, however, I've added a few little tweaks and pulls in this version.

In this scene, we have Pedroni meeting up with a fellow Inspector on a pleasure station where Jax Marlin is supposedly planning her next attack...

            “Don’t be daft, Pedroni. The Marlin is here for Moor. He’s just her type of criminal and when it goes down, he’s mine. This is the Ring…my turf.”

“Go right ahead, he’s yours.” Pedroni had no desire to claim bragging rights on Moor; he only wanted Jax. “Just don’t get in my way, Ryder. I’ve had enough of eager cops getting in the way, just to get to Jax.”

“Oh,” Ryder jerked his head with surprise and a slow smile spread across his fleshy mouth. “Jax, is it now?”

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Jan 05

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

To Catch A Marlin
is available in Ebook and
Paperback from Amazon

Happy New Year and welcome back to another long year of SFFSat snippets!

Today, I have the very first opening lines of my new WIP for the To Catch A Marlin series. This is a short story with the working title of The Devil Inside.

To Catch A Marlin is a futuristic cat and mouse tale involving Special Inspector Pedroni and the vigilante Jax Marlin, who just happens to be a super sexy woman with ninja skills.

In this scene, the story continues from her last 'adventure,' where things didn't go quite as she planned (The Necromancer of the Avon), and she's having a bit of a...well...venting episode in the form of a wee killing spree. Don't worry, it's just a passing phase...

            Dead man’s punch!

Jax Marlin pivoted her body like a matador, her right elbow raised high over her head just before she delivered a powerful blow into the man’s chest.

Like a bull grunting, the man let out a gust of air, crumpling inwards then he teetered sideways, falling heavily on his side. Jax imagined his heart fibrillating from the trauma, his system would soon go into shock. Leaning over him, she drew her arm back, poised to hit him again in case the first blow didn't take.

She waited.

Red-faced, his eyes rolled up into his head as his breath came out in strained gasps.

“You will die,” Jax stated calmly. “No one is coming to save you. No one wants to save you.”

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Nov 24

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

To Catch A Marlin
is available in Ebook & Paperback
from Amazon

Continuing with To Catch A Marlin...

To Catch A Marlin is a futuristic cat and mouse tale involving Special Inspector Pedroni and the vigilante Jax Marlin, who just happens to be a super sexy woman with ninja skills.

In this scene, we have Jax in London, in her apartment, having a particularly reflective moment...

            She checked the time, just after 5 a.m. London Time. Traveling through space really messed up her internal clock. She was wide awake, starving hungry for chicken wings, and wanting a meaty drink like a Guinness. Even the two days she’d spent flat out on her back, most of it sleeping, hadn’t really helped her reacclimate to Earth life.

            Outside the quaint townhouse in Stockwell Park, listed under Jacqueline Sturgeon, the rain pattered. It looked like winter this year would be a wet one. Not that it made much difference from the previous years—but a little snow would be nice. London didn’t believe in Weather Control, claiming it caused the city to lose its traditional charm. Not many sodden residents agreed.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Nov 17

Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday (SFFSat) is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

To Catch A Marlin
is available in Ebook & Paperback
from Amazon

Continuing with the release of To Catch A Marlin, yet another snippet. I'm debating whether this should be the last one--time to move onto other exciting adventures--but maybe I'll save one last one for next week.

To Catch A Marlin is a futuristic cat and mouse tale involving Special Inspector Pedroni and the vigilante Jax Marlin, who just happens to be a super sexy woman with ninja skills.

Today, we have our favourite space pirate, Captain Taris, chatting with Jax after a particularly nasty chase, having a little discussion about space...

            Jax snorted. “Granny Fish does not pine. And she still thinks you’ve wasted your talents out here in this dark hole of a universe.”

            “I don’t know what you two have against space and adventuring these uncharted seas.”
            “It’s space. It’s got stars and planets and junk. What more is there to adventure?”
            “You landlubbers.”

            “Uncle Taris. It’s space—not the freaking ocean.”

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Nov 10

Welcome to another Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.

SFFSat is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

To Catch A Marlin
is available in Ebook & Paperback
from Amazon

To celebrate the release of To Catch A Marlin, yet another snippet.
To Catch A Marlin is a futuristic cat and mouse tale involving Special Inspector Pedroni and the vigilante Jax Marlin, who just happens to be a super sexy woman with ninja skills.

Today, we have Pedroni scrambling away from a rather amorous encounter with a guest on the Bacchus Dome (a pleasure station in space). It should be noted that nothing happened, other than Pedroni losing some of his dignity...he's very prudish when he's ready.

            He scrambled to fix himself as he scurried away, in search of his jacket. To his horror, it had landed behind the woman; he hesitated, running through ways to avoid her clutches. She still lay on the floor, legs spread and waving in the air to the cheers of the onlookers.

            A service droid resembling a mermaid scooped up Pedroni’s jacket and brought it to him with a smile. He breathed out a sigh and graciously thanked the machine—then fled.

            As he rounded a corner, he ran hands through his hair and pressed his back against a wall.

            These people...

            He had nothing against the woman, other than the large breasts, which always intimidated him—her approach was simply offensive. He scrubbed a hand over his face, hot and sweaty from the humiliating encounter. The sooner he got off this debauching place, the better.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Nov 03

It's Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again.

SFFSat is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

To Catch A Marlin
is available in Ebook & Paperback
from Amazon

To celebrate the release of To Catch A Marlin, yet another snippet.
To Catch A Marlin is a futuristic cat and mouse tale involving Special Inspector Pedroni and the vigilante Jax Marlin, who just happens to be a super sexy woman with ninja skills.

Today, we have Jax onboard the Beemer, a pirate space vessel, and having a discussion with her old friend Taris after a particularly hasty chase...It should be noted, that despite all her escapades and feats, she is quite discomforted with being in space.

“Calm down, Jaxy. This ship’s old but she’s still got moves.” He did a waddling impression of a belly dancer gyrating, then grasped her roughly by the shoulders and gave her a reassuring squeeze. “We’ll just do a big loop and head back—don’t want to lose that nice ship you left us, now do we?” He clicked his tongue. “I just can’t understand what you have against space. What with all the things you get up to, this should be a walk in the park.”
“I like to see the ground.” Jax retorted testily; embarrassment made her grouchy. “Preferably with both feet on it.”

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Oct 20

It's Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday time again.

SFFSat is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

This week, I'm still featuring a snippet from To Catch A Marlin, due out this October with Ring of Fire Publishing. A futuristic cat and mouse tale involving Special Inspector Pedroni and the vigilante Jax Marlin, who just happens to be a super sexy woman with ninja skills.

Today, Jax is having dinner at a seafood restaurant on the Bacchus Dome (in space), hidden away from prying eyes in a private booth with privacy screens initiated. In the main dining room, Inspector Pedroni is also having dinner, alone. Jax takes this opportunity to study the man, but in the meantime, has to suffer the ordeal of eating a seafood...

According to the restaurant hostess who showed her to the booth, it had affected an oceanic scent, which, in Jax’s opinion didn’t smell anything like the ocean. In fact, it smelled more like some public toilets in classy establishments that came with service bots carrying trays of perfumes and scented soaps and fresh hot hand towels.

Jax had already eaten her oyster starter with copious shots of vodka, but the rawness of briny, rubberized glob still coated her mouth like phlegm. She’d already forced down several retches before deciding on chasing down the mollusk with vodka like she would if she were swallowing a pill. What people found deliciously fascinating about the decadent snot ball was beyond her.

Pedroni, who sat rather awkwardly by himself at a table, ate his boring clam chowder with even groaningly boring care. She nearly glazed over watching him.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!

SFFSat - Sept 15

Welcome back to another Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday.

SFFSat is a place where a bunch of us post snippets from our written works and also shoot the breeze a little. And before I get ahead of myself, thanks and appreciation as always to those who stop by and leave fantastic comments.

This week, another snippet from To Catch A Marlin, a more or less finalized WIP due out this October with Ring of Fire Publishing. A futuristic cat and mouse tale involving Special Inspector Pedroni and the vigilante Jax Marlin, who just happens to be a super sexy woman with ninja skills.

Today, Inspector Pedroni has just arrived in his room on the Bacchus Dome (in space) and discovered a bouquet of flowers in his room. It just so happens that they are his favourite kind (peonies), and around his apartment complex on Earth, there is an abundance of them which he loves. No one knows his particular affection to these flowers, unless they've been observing him with scrutiny...

The customs officials at the spaceport insisted he store his weapon in his carry-on while being processed, which now sat at the door. It was his only piece of luggage but it looked defiled after Customs had their way with it, and bulged unseemly with the zip not fully closed and a corner of his spare shirt sticking out. Not even a special inspector with the ICSP could get out of a customs search.

Quickly, Pedroni marched over, dug around in the bag and pulled out his weapon. He checked it, primed it, flicked the safety on, then, tucked it into his shoulder holster. He felt better.

So, he nodded, Marlin arranged this.

He couldn't rule it out, coincidence or not, it also meant she knew him better than he'd expected, and knew where he lived. He expected that. Chase a prey long enough, they start to hunt you in return by watching what you did.

If you are interested in participating in next weeks SFFSat, just click HERE, and follow the rules. Sign up is open every Wednesday - and if you're on Twitter, use the #SFFSat hashtag.

Cheers!