Saturday Snippet: Wooden Damsel in Distress

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles ~ Taking a week off from title worries.

This week’s snippet comes from a scene that is one of the oldest parts of my story canon. The idea for this scene dates back to 1984. Though it had been referenced many times over the years, it had never even been written until NOW!!

This is the scene in which Blade Devon leaves the perks of his Inner Circle affiliation and his holofeature career for the seedy galactic underbelly of the Sub-socia. A gunfight at an audition in a theater on the studio lot provides Blade just the right opportunity to change careers and escape the IC security detail sent not only to protect him from attempts on his life, but to drag him kicking and screaming back to a desk job on Trisdos at the end of a month’s time.

***

Blade switched off the engine and dismounted the cycle then reached for the straps holding his helmet in place. As he pulled it off, he heard the faint sounds of a commotion from the theater as one of the emergency doors flew open. Blade’s head snapped around. A young actress, burst through, running as if the terrors of hell chased her.

Nyla Losh was too beautiful to be real — which was a good indication that her beauty was surgically enhanced — but she had all of three expressions and a completely monotone line delivery. She was only marginally better in bed. The only reason his affair with her had lasted through principal shooting of the one holofeature they’d made together had been because the producer begged him not to end it until they’d wrapped. It had been the only way to make their onscreen love scenes believable.

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

Saturday Snippet: Red Carpet Risk 1

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles ~ Thinking of going with REQUIEM FOR THE BROKEN WING to make it sound less fluffy.

This week’s snippet is from one of the first scenes written for this book which may not make it to the final draft. After the hovercycle accident is determined to be sabotage, Blade is assigned an IC security detail for the premiere of his latest holofeature, The Watchtower. He’s also got extra security that the IC isn’t aware of in the form of his Joy Babe — none other than Bo Barron herself. Despite the danger to Bo, she’s joined him on Cormoran so she can watch his back. If she’s recognized, she’ll be arrested and executed on the spot. She’s taking position and waiting for Blade to run the media gauntlet down the red carpet.

***

Bo found her way to the VIP entrance and took up a position that gave her a clear view of both the crowd and the new arrivals. She shifted her weight so she could more quickly reach the compact palm blaster strapped to her thigh. That tiny energy weapon in its shielded holster was a huge risk. It was illegal for Joy Babes to carry energy weapons of any kind. If someone took another shot at Blade, she wanted to be ready. She would deal with the consequences later.

Blade’s cruiser pulled up to the gate and stopped. Bo took a deeper step into the shadows. Her amber eyes flicked over the crowd and the surrounding buildings.

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

Saturday Snippet: Destiny and Fate

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles~ how does THE BROKEN WING sound?

This week’s snippet is the next few sentences that follow last weeks’ snippet in which Blade is still recovering from the hovercycle crash and he’s still on Kah Lahtrec. Tahar, the strange spiritual guru of the Lahtrecki people is still caring for him.

***

Tahar poked the fire again, sending another shower of sparks skyward. “You pursue a fate which will only end in your death, and hers. Without you, she has no chance of meeting her destiny. Without her, you have no chance of meeting yours. Your lives are entwined. That, you know. It is why you protect her from your father. Your future lies with her.”

Blade gaped at the old man. “What do you know about my father?”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

Saturday Snippet: The Holy Man and a Bad Man

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles~  liking the title THE BROKEN WING, how about you?

This week’s snippet is the next few sentences that follow last week’s snippet in which Blade is still recovering from the hovercycle crash and he’s still on Kah Lahtrec. Tahar, the strange spiritual guru of the Lahtrecki people is still caring for him.

***

Blade reached for another piece of wood and tossed it onto the fire. A ribbon of sparks spiraled skyward riding on the tendrils of smoke and disappearing into starlit sky.

“You do not see how we could possibly love and accept you.”

Blade’s jaw tightened until he felt a muscle twitch. “If you knew… if you knew the things I’ve done… what I’m capable of…”

“If all men were judged by what they are capable of, everyone would be in prison,” Tahar said.

Blade met Tahar’s eyes squarely. “I’m a bad man, Tahar.”

Tahar smiled. “The difference between a good man and a bad man is that a good man knows he is bad and has the desire to be better.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

Saturday Snippet: The Cycles of Existence

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles ~ how does THE BROKEN WING sound?

This week’s snippet is the next few sentences that follow last weeks’ snippet in which Blade is still recovering from the hovercycle crash and he’s still on Kah Lahtrec. Tahar, the strange spiritual guru of the Lahtrecki people is still caring for him.

***

Blade’s gaze narrowed as he studied the old man, trying to follow his reasoning. “My fate? What fate is that?”

The old man didn’t reply. He simply stared at Blade with an enigmatic smile on his lips.

“Are you talking about the Prenaha? The cycles of existence? You know I don’t believe all that.” Blade shifted his weight onto his hip and winced at the firestorm that shot through his leg. Unable to help his small grunt of pain, he leaned forward and massaged the tight muscles of his thigh above the brace, silently begging them to release and grant him some measure of ease.

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

Saturday Snippet: Hero And Holy Man – Old Man’s Folly

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles, quit asking me about a title!

This week’s snippet is the next few sentences that follow last weeks’ snippet in which Blade is still recovering from the hovercycle crash and he’s still on Kah Lahtrec. Tahar, the strange spiritual guru of the Lahtrecki people is still caring for him.

***

“You’ll forgive an old man his folly,” Tahar said, breaking through the haze of pain that settled over him. His eyes met Blade’s.

“What folly, Tahar?”

The old man shook his head. “I have watched you die many times. I could not sit quietly and watch it happen again.” A slow, sad smile touched his lips. “I am Tahar. If I cannot interfere in your fate, then I am not worthy of my title.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

Saturday Snippet: Hero And Holy Man – Campfire Compadres

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles, quit asking me about a title!

This week’s snippet is the next few sentences that follow last weeks’ snippet in which Blade is still recovering from the hovercycle crash and he’s still on Kah Lahtrec. Tahar, the strange spiritual guru of the Lahtrecki people is still caring for him.

***

Chagrined to find himself so infirm that he’d need the help of a frail old man to get to his feet again, Blade swallowed his pride and carefully eased his aching body down onto the terrace across the fire pit from Tahar.

“Aren’t there supposed to be chairs or benches over here?” Taking a deep breath, Blade adjusted his immobilized leg, looking for a position that didn’t cause stabbing pain through his hips and back.

“I removed them.” Reflected firelight glittered in Tahar’s dark eyes. Shifting shadows danced across his face, playing chase in the deep grooves time had etched into his skin. His smile faded. His expression grew distant as he stared into the flames. Leaning forward, he studied them intently.

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

Snippet Time! The Hero And The Holy Man

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles, and no, there is still no title.

While on Kah Lahtrec in the Outland Fringe recuperating from a hovercycle accident, Blade finds himself saddled with an odd nursemaid in the form of the wizened old holy man, Tahar, who once ruled the planet.

***

“Why did you come here, Tahar?”

Tahar poked the fire with a long slender stick then gestured towards Blade with it. “There is no way you could have made it up Mt. Jihat in your current state.” The wizened old man smiled broadly. “Since you could not come to me, I come instead to you. Sit. Join me.”

Blade glanced around for something to sit on besides the flagstones that made up the terrace.

“I will help you rise again,” Tahar said. “Sit.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

This Week’s Snippet: The Hobbling Hero

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles, still in need of a title.

Our intrepid hero, Blade Devon is recovering from serious injuries he sustained in a hovercycle accident. He is recuperating on the isolated planet in the Outland Fringe called Kah Lahtrec; a planet he fell in love with while shooting the holofeature The Life And Times of Cantrell. This scene takes place on his second day. Blade is adjusting to being alone for the first time in a long while.

***

The green waves crested and broke, racing ashore before coyly retreating. Their roar teased Blade, luring him from the cool darkness of the villa. Leaning heavily on Tahar’s gnarled walking stick, he stepped out onto the terrace. The buttery yellow stone pavers already radiated the warmth of the brilliant Lahtrecki sun.

Under his breath, Blade cursed the slow, halting pace as he tested the strength of his leg and found it still unable to bear his weight. The perspiration dotting his upper lip had nothing to do with the heat. He focused on putting one foot in front of the other.

He didn’t look up until he reached the carved balustrade. With a small sigh of relief, he braced his hand on the warm stone and leaned his hip against it. The heat soothed the rising ache in his leg that he couldn’t completely ignore.

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!

#SFFSat Saturday Snippet- 8-11-2012

Welcome to Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. Snippets of ten sentences or less are yours for the reading!

Today’s snippet comes from Book Two of The Black Wing Chronicles, tentatively  titled The Watchtower.

***

She hated lying in bed next to him knowing he was going to leave.

The soft, pre-dawn light cast purple shadows inside the well-weathered tent. Though they had both been awake for some time, neither was in a hurry to abandon the warm cocoon of the insulated sleep sack. His touch feather light, he trailed his fingertips along her soft skin, tracing the curve of her shoulder. With a contented sigh, Bo closed her eyes and snuggled closer to him,  savoring their last moments together. The folding cot was barely wide enough for one person but they were accustomed to sharing a small sleeping space; her bunk aboard her ship wasn’t much bigger.

“I shouldn’t have come,” she whispered. “I knew you wouldn’t get any sleep.”

“I got enough.”

***

That’s the snippet for the week. Thank you for stopping by. Please take the time to visit the other wonderful authors taking part in Science Fiction/Fantasy Saturday!