SciFi Fantasy Saturday

Welcome to another edition of SciFi Fantasy Saturday - our little web-ring of fab SciFi & Fantasy writers and posters. Check out snippets from other SFFS authors here: scififansat.blogspot.com

This Week: Posting from "The Girls From Alcyone II: Freelancer."

Skipping ahead a bit (to dodge nasty spoilers), but still on board the TGV on Bellatrix, we get to know a little more about the 'fat man' - because I think he's growing weary of having me refer to him thusly.

Only once he'd received confirmation of the doctor's safe extraction, only once Farrington was on his way to the facility that would become his new home, did Admiral Henry Thomas Mirren allow himself to relax. Extracting the doctor directly from the moving TGV had been a risk, but waiting to disembark at the station was perhaps even more problematic. Even here on Bellatrix, far removed from the core systems, there were always eyes about; spies, ever watchful.

Freelancers. That was the kindest word for that kind of vermin. Rogues, ronin, thieves, outcasts. Not even the most disreputable of the Mercenary Clans would associate with them. At least, not publicly. But there was always a market for information, and these freelancers abounded everywhere. Especially on fringe worlds like Bellatrix where the Council's influence was stretched thinner than cat gut.

Science-Fiction Fantasy Saturday

Welcome to another edition of SciFi Fantasy Saturday - our little web-ring of fab SciFi & Fantasy writers and posters. Check out snippets from other SFFS authors here: scififansat.blogspot.com

This Week: Posting from "The Girls From Alcyone II: Freelancer."

FUGITIVE: Snippet VI

This will be the last of the string of snippets following Dr. Farrington aboard the TGV. To continue would be to delve into spoiler territory. So, enjoy this final tease. After this it will be back to the girls.

The fat man glared at him; with impatience, or disappointment, Farrington wasn't sure.

"My dear doctor, if all we wanted was to have you killed, I could have arranged that when we spotted you at the Transit Authority on Hadar—or simply killed you myself the moment we took our seats. I see how you regard me. I promise you, though, despite my, er, generous frame, I am quite capable of handling myself in physical combat."

Dr. Farrington believed him. He had been around mercenaries enough, seen that look before; the look of men who had taken the lives of others. He nodded and rubbed at his still-reddening wrist.

"If you're not here to kill me, then why? Why here, why now?"

"Because, Doctor, you did leave Scorpii with something—something very important. Something that belongs to us."

Science-Fiction Fantasy Saturday: Fugitive

Welcome to another edition of SciFi Fantasy Saturday - our little web-ring of fab SciFi & Fantasy writers and posters. Check out snippets from other SFFS authors here: scififansat.blogspot.com

This Week: Posting from "The Girls From Alcyone II: Freelancer."

FUGITIVE: Snippet V

Still continuing last week's snippet, and still aboard the speeding TGV with Dr. Farrington, who now finds himself in the grips of his large, no-longer-slumbering, cabin companion.

"Let me go—release me!"

The fat man considered the request, then nodded. "As you wish." He relaxed his grip, causing the Doctor to tumble back against his seat; Farrington's eyes shot quickly from the fat man to the cabin door, wondering if he could make his escape, knowing, already, that any attempt to flee would prove futile.

 "You are free to go," the fat man said—in an infuriatingly dismissive manner, Farrington thought. "But that will serve neither of us; and we didn't come all this way to hold you hostage."

We? That disturbed Farrington; perhaps more than the fact that he had been found, so soon and so easily. 

Farrington swallowed; his throat was dry, and he pulled unconsciously at his collar of his coat. There could be only one possible outcome in this scenario.

SciFi-Fantasy Saturday: Fugitive

Welcome to another edition of SciFi Fantasy Saturday - our little web-ring of fab SciFi & Fantasy writers and posters. Check out snippets from other SFFS authors here: scififansat.blogspot.com

This Week: Posting from "The Girls From Alcyone II: Freelancer."

FUGITIVE: Snippet IV

Still continuing last week's snippet (and still aboard the TGV with Dr. Farrington...

Dr. Farrington felt the slight shift in the cabin, barely perceptible. He checked his wrist watch again; they would be decelerating now, coming into New Shēnzhèn. He reached for his bag. From here, it would be a simple matter to lose himself in the crowds, find a quiet place to hole-up, rest, and yes, work. No one would look for him here. No one would notice. Here, he could finish his work, unobserved, untethered, without the nonsense of wars or rebellion; and when he was ready, when he was done, he would name his price, he would—

"Excuse me, Dr. Farrington?"

Dr. Farrington gave a start, felt the meaty hand that gripped his wrist. For the first time he took notice of his cabin companion; the man slumbered soundly no more.