Under a starry, moonless sky, Grace started toward Port Casper. She marveled at how similar the sights were to Cloister Eleven. Little had changed in a century, or two, or three. Grass whispered in the breeze, the mesas kept watch, and most of the land remained open, save for small towns. Cattle grazed on the hills and prairies, as they always had. The grass didn’t look as full as the turf on their family ranch, and the cattle were decidedly less robust, but it wasn’t so different outside cloister. Not here, anyway.
Yet Grace hasn't gone very far...
Where once was rolling prairie, now squatted a hodgepodge of plastic sheeting, corrugated metal, and stacked earthen blocks. The structures were imitations of proper buildings, seemingly thrown together with whatever scraps Port Casper discarded.
Read More“Not that way, either,” Avonaco huffed. He pressed a hand against the wall next to the medical pod. There was a click followed by a swishing sound as a small door swung outward. Beyond it was a dark tunnel, with hints of metal surfacing.
Read MoreAvonaco held vigil by the medical pod, his cheek resting against its transparent canopy, his gaze locked on the operation inside. Procedure by procedure, the pod dutifully executed his instructions.
Read MoreGrace, chagrined, took a long sip from her coffee. She considered Avonaco as she did. She hadn’t figured the kid out. He had deftly extracted her from ITB. He’d broken into their security network and somehow—she’d have to ask about this later—managed to evade the array of infrared sensors protecting the cellblock.
Read MoreTaisia didn’t turn around as Grace entered the cockpit.
“Take any seat, Protector.”
The pilot faced forward, her attention focused on the yoke in her right hand and a flashing keypad just below the throttle on her left.
Read MoreThe novel PodPooch is the first glimpse we get of Donner Ranch. The situation for the characters is grim, but the majesty of the setting cannot be underestimated.
Read MoreAvo and Grace (with Jaya's consciousness at the forefront) traverse the Laramie Mountains until they reach Friend Park.
Read MoreA loafer is a type of sentry robot. It's not terribly intelligent on its own, but sophisticated hardware can be attached to it that makes it stealthy and lethal. Want to know what a loafer looks like?
Read MoreBalaharas is a famous (or is it infamous?) club in the Bod Town district. Grace Donner first encountered it in Port Casper.
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