Showing posts with label series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label series. Show all posts
Monday, July 29, 2019
The cats are back in space - Chronicles of Kassouk by Vijaya Schartz
I have been accused of having a wild imagination, and I plead guilty. I’m a writer. It comes with the territory. I write strong heroines, brave heroes, and cats.
You may not know it, but in my world, real and imagined, most cats are telepathic and exhibit all kinds of special powers. Some are very judgmental, others just loving, and others yet very food motivated. They can read people’s thoughts and intentions and sense whether a person is good or evil. They can disappear from a room and reappear through closed doors, or vanish entirely… until they decide to re-materialize… usually around meal time.
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| Jasmine never misses a meal, no matter how invisible she has become. |
As I revisit the Chronicles of Kassouk for their second edition through BWL Publishing, I am thrown again into the sci-fi fantasy world I created for the series, Humans and their cats, fighting for their freedom against technologically advanced aliens with their own agenda.
In the world of Kassouk, as you can tell by the book covers, cats are an important part of the culture. In Noah’s Ark, the hero’s companion is a fierce domestic cat named Viking. But all the following books eminently feature large felines, kept as pets and trained for battle. These cats are usually loyal companions, often heroic to a fault.
Noah’s Ark is set against the dramatic background of Human scientists, runaways, fugitives, and settlers crashing on a wintry planet. The title of each following novel is the warrior name of its hero or heroine. White Tiger is the heroine of her book and all the stories after that have a corresponding big cat as a secondary character. In this series, each novel is a complete standalone with its own set of characters, its own romantic story and satisfying ending, and can be read independently from the others.
As the population of Kassouk evolves, however, a few long-lived characters and continuing story threads develop through several novels, and have repercussions in more than one story. So, it helps to know what happened before. And if you are like me, you’ll want to read the Chronicles of Kassouk in the right order.
I am thrilled with the republication of this series. NOAH’S ARK was just released in July 2019. WHITE TIGER is on pre-order, to be released August 1, 2019. And the following titles will come out back to back over the summer – RED LEOPARD – BLACK JAGUAR – BLUE LIONESS – SNOW CHEETAH.
Here are the specifics of the first two novels currently available. Enjoy the read.
NOAH'S ARK
Chronicles of Kassouk - Prequel
Chronicles of Kassouk - Prequel
Exclusive on amazon for a short time HERE
When Trixie's starfreighter, Noah's Ark, drops out of jump space in an uncharted part of the universe, she believes the Earth-like planet on her viewer represents hope and salvation for her motley crew and the ragtag settlers aboard her ship.
Kostas, ex Space Marine, the expert survivalist recruited for this expedition, doesn't believe in coincidences, and knows that when something looks too good to be true, it usually is.
Everyone on this voyage to seed a new planet with life, is running from something, and harbors dangerous secrets... including Trixie, who vowed to never let a man control her life again. As for Kostas, he would get lynched on the spot if anyone suspected who he really is.
But on this seemingly abandoned planet, others are watching, herding them for evil purposes... And when the truth emerges and secrets unravel, Trixie and Kostas will have to fight for survival, for freedom, and for the right to love...
"Filled with action, adventure, greed, betrayal, and love..." 5-stars on amazon.
WHITE TIGER
Chronicles of Kassouk Book One
Exclusive on amazon for a short time HERE
On the frozen plains of Kassouk, where a few aliens rule a medieval Human world, Tora, Human warrior trained by tigers, seeks her father’s murderer. But what she finds at the point of her sword confuses her. How dare Dragomir, the handsome Mutant, question her bloodline and her loyalties? And could a new enemy control the savage hordes of the fringe?
Dragomir offers to help, but Humans and Mutants are forbidden to fraternize under penalty of death... Should Tora trust her mind, her instincts, or her heart?
In the vortex of war, treason and intrigue, among blizzards, avalanches and ambushes, Tora sets out to solve the mystery of her father’s death. When she unveils the secret of her birth, she realizes Dragomir is the key, and together, they must save their planet from the invaders and fulfill their destiny... if they can survive dire persecutions from those they mean to protect.
"...an exceptional tale that belongs in a place of honor on keeper shelves everywhere." Coffee Time Romance - 5-cups
"...this is one futuristic that you do not want to miss!" Fallen Angels Reviews - 5 angels - Recommended Read
HAPPY READING!
Vijaya Schartz, author
Strong heroines, brave heroes, romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo - FB
Strong heroines, brave heroes, romance with a kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo - FB
Monday, February 11, 2019
ANGEL FIERCE, New Release February 2019 from BWL, by Vijaya Schartz
ANGEL FIERCE
Azura Chronicles Book 2
The story of Urielle the Avenging Angel, and Maksou, Fianna's young brother, both introduced in Book 1, Angel Mine.
All Maksou wanted was to rescue his trapped friends and get rich in the process. But this forbidden blue planet crawls with lethal life forms… including Urielle, a gorgeous angel of frightening power, who saves his life but shuns his irresistible charm.
Urielle, Legion Commander of the Avenging Angels, is sworn to protect Azura at all costs. She has no use for a maverick intruder who ignores the rules and endangers the planet by his very presence… no matter how handsome and charming. Especially when the Galactic Trade Alliance (GTA) wages a secret war to get their greedy hands on the priceless crystal at Azura’s core.
When immortal angels turn up dead, Urielle springs into action… and Maksou is in her line of sight.
Vijaya Schartz, author
Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo - FB
Monday, August 29, 2016
I miss writing sci-fi - by Vijaya Schartz
Coming out of writing a long medieval fantasy series, I am itching for writing science fiction again. I miss by kick-butt heroines of sci-fi, my girls in uniform, my futuristic bounty hunters, the fascination of space and alien cultures.
I like writing in
different genres and I have a habit of mixing them, which creates
marketing nightmares for my publishers. But I like my stories to be
original, different and unique. I write what I would want to read. In
the Curse of the Lost Isle (from BWL), featuring a family of immortal
ladies with Fae gifts, I mixed authentic legends with known history and
romance. In the Chronicles of Kassouk
and in the Borealis series (from Desert Breeze Publishing), I mixed
science fiction with romance, and several of my characters have
paranormal abilities… sometimes created through technology.
I also wrote a few contemporary romances, but always with a twist,
like reincarnation, a shape shifter, or a thriller element. Whether
writing about the past, the present, or the future, my main constants
are action, adventure, and romance. I also have a predilection for cats,
as they pop up as secondary characters almost everywhere (except in
medieval times, but I do have a major dog character in Damsel of the
Hawk).
I would also like my next project to be a series. Like a reader,
after I fall in love with a created world, I enjoy spending time in it.
But I may choose to make these series shorter. Maybe three or four
books, not six or eight like in my two latest series. It’s difficult to
promote Book seven or eight to new readers who haven’t read any of the
other books… even if it’s a standalone.
Standalone
is another requisite of mine. I like my series to be readable out of
order, so each book should be a complete story as much as possible. As a
reader, I hate cliffhanger endings and would never do that to my
readers. I had to cut longer books into two parts before, not by choice,
and although I still gave the first book a satisfying ending, I
couldn’t tie up all the loose ends or resolve all the conflicts at the
end, since that happened in the second book. It deeply bothered me. From
the reviews, I know it bothered a few of my readers as well.
Now, for the time and place: Medieval? Futuristic? Contemporary? Post
apocalyptic? On a space station? On an alien planet? In an alternate
universe? I have used all of these in the past. Is there any other
option?
As for the characters, I have a predilection for strong, kick-butt
heroines. I also really enjoyed writing immortals. I once flirted with
the idea of writing a series featuring angels, and I am still
considering it. They could be fallen angels seeking redemption, or
guardians of the human kind. Or, they could be aliens, alien/human
hybrids, or AI (artificial intelligence), but I already featured a
synthetic being in Black Dragon (Borealis series).
So, my new writing project should definitely be a series with strong
heroines, romance, action, adventure, and cats (you can never have too
many of those). Each novel should be a complete story, and the series
should lend itself to a different hero and heroine for each story. So,
the constant would be the world in which the characters evolve.
In
other words, writing a series revolves around creating a world in which
strong, captivating characters can fight for what is just and good, and
in the process, find their happily ever after. Writing this post helped
me order my thoughts. Starting next year, look for the start of a new
sci-fi romance series involving strong kick-butt heroines and gorgeous
aliens with angel power. Now, back to finishing the Curse of the Lost
Isle medieval series.
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon - Barnes & Noble - All Romance eBooks
Monday, February 16, 2015
My Felines are not Furries - by Vijaya Schartz
It came to my attention that because of the gorgeous covers with feline heads for the Chronicles of Kassouk sci-fi romance series, some readers assumed my characters were either shape shifters, or partly human, intelligent beasts, known in the sci-fi communities as furries. Not so. Talking lions who walk on two legs and behave as people are not my style. I pride myself in writing believable stories. Besides, I write romance, and all my romantic characters are human, sometimes with a little alien blood, but always human-looking and compatible.
As it happens, Desert Breeze, who publishes the series, doesn't use people front and center on their covers, not even for romance. These covers were designed by the talented Jenifer Ranieri, an award-winning book cover designer whose work has been recognized in many places.
So, what is it about the cat covers?
I do love cats, obviously. I have a few of my own. And large felines are an integral part of the world of Kassouk, but they are secondary characters. Especially when writing romance, I prefer to deal with human emotions and human bodies. I sometimes have a few human-like compatible species as well. But if the hero and heroine are going to be romantically involved, and be happy ever after and start a family, they better be physically compatible.
The animals depicted on the award-winning covers are actual felines featured in the story. In this series, my human protagonists are warriors who take the name of a cat as their warrior name. Often they also have a matching feline as a pet or as a fighting companion.
For instance in Book Two, Red Leopard is the warrior name of Terek, a human warrior of Kassouk. His companion and loyal friend is a fighting leopard named Rascal. White Tiger is the nickname of the heroine in Book One, because she learned to fight among white tigers and uses their fighting technique. Blue Lioness is the warrior name of the heroine in Book Four, and her lioness companion is Hellion. In Black Jaguar the warrior of the same name owns a jaguar named Diablo. In Noah's Ark, because it's the prequel and the large felines have not yet proliferated on that planet, the cats are just big farm cats, rat hunters brought by the settlers. In this novel, the hero, Kostas, makes a friend of a fat yellow cat with long hair he names Viking.
But the felines are not just for the beauty of the covers. They take part in the story, as animals. Rascal, in Red Leopard, is especially brave, and even won an award as the best animal character in a book for 2010.
But the felines are not just for the beauty of the covers. They take part in the story, as animals. Rascal, in Red Leopard, is especially brave, and even won an award as the best animal character in a book for 2010.
HAPPY READING!
Vijaya Schartz
http://www.vijayaschartz.com AMAZON - B&N - ARe - SMASHWORDS - KOBO - ITUNES
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Meeting up with Old Friends
You see, in this series we follow the main couple though all the adventures and toss in a little romance with the secondary characters to boot, so that's good. But I want my hero and heroine to be happy.
Which makes for a pretty boring book:(
Because books are all about the conflict and how that strife is the forge in which are characters are shaped and grow.
Oh boy have I tortured my characters. My human female Nell has become less human, and my cyborg Admiral has become more.
But now, it's war.
And you know what they say, all's fair in love and war.
But I don't want to hurt Bei or Nell. Partly because some of my fans will kill me, but also because they've earned their happily ever after. So I find myself sitting down and saying, no, don't do that. That's mean. Leave them alone. Ah, man. That's just not right.
But that makes a story. One that people will want to read. One that people will cheer and root for the characters to triumph over.
I'll admit it was an unexpected problem to encounter. But I too must overcome my fear of conflict. Especially as we have 3 more books to go before I can truly give them their HEA. Now I just have to find that happy distance so their conflict isn't the kind that is annoying.
Wish me luck!
Friday, January 2, 2015
New paperback: SNOW CHEETAH - by Vijaya Schartz
NEW RELEASE: SNOW CHEETAH is now also in PAPERBACK!
The last installment in the Chronicles of Kassouk series, SNOW CHEETAH, is now also available in paperback. Yay! You can find it at Amazon and at B&N, as well as at all major eBook distributors.
On a mission to annex a planet for Earth,
Captain Martial Terrien faces a culture with incredible psychic
abilities, and falls for its lovely queen.
Natalia, future queen of Kassouk, pressured into bonding with a power-hungry prince, yearns to improve her people's lives. She finds the handsome Earth captain a refreshing distraction, despite his five fingers and ridiculous claim of being human, like the lowly workers of her world.
Captain Martial Terrien, nano-enhanced Space Marine from Earth, is on a secret, desperate mission to find his people a new home. The unexpected population on the chosen planet complicates his task, especially since the ruling caste can read minds, levitate, and teleport at will. Furthermore, the lovely princess and her pet cheetah take a shine to him, and beautiful women always spelled disaster in his past.
Natalia's jilted suitor, determined to reign at any cost, vows to annihilate the Earthlings. When the conflict escalates, can Martial obey Earth Central Command, or will he jeopardize the future of his race to save Natalia and her people?
Natalia, future queen of Kassouk, pressured into bonding with a power-hungry prince, yearns to improve her people's lives. She finds the handsome Earth captain a refreshing distraction, despite his five fingers and ridiculous claim of being human, like the lowly workers of her world.
Captain Martial Terrien, nano-enhanced Space Marine from Earth, is on a secret, desperate mission to find his people a new home. The unexpected population on the chosen planet complicates his task, especially since the ruling caste can read minds, levitate, and teleport at will. Furthermore, the lovely princess and her pet cheetah take a shine to him, and beautiful women always spelled disaster in his past.
Natalia's jilted suitor, determined to reign at any cost, vows to annihilate the Earthlings. When the conflict escalates, can Martial obey Earth Central Command, or will he jeopardize the future of his race to save Natalia and her people?
Like all the other books in this series, SNOW CHETAH can be read independently, as each book features different characters, at different times, in the same world.
HAPPY READING!
Vijaya Schartz
Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
AMAZON - B&N - ARE - SMASHWORDS
FaceBook - Twitter -
Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
AMAZON - B&N - ARE - SMASHWORDS
FaceBook - Twitter -
Monday, September 29, 2014
SNOW CHEETAH is coming soon - by Vijaya Schartz
Yep! I don't have a cover, yet, but I'm finishing the second edits, and the release date is November 1, 2014 from Desert Breeze Publishing. Yay!
Like in the other books in the series, I picked the hero and the heroine from opposite sides of the controversy. Here is the blurb:
Natalia, future queen of Kassouk, pressured into bonding with a power-hungry prince, yearns to reign and improve her people's lives. She finds the handsome Earth captain a refreshing distraction, despite his five fingers and ridiculous claim of being human, like the lowly workers of her world.
Captain Martial Terrien, nano-enhanced Space Marine from Earth, is on a secret, desperate mission to find his people a new home. The unexpected population on the chosen planet complicates his task, especially since the ruling caste can read minds, levitate, and teleport at will. Furthermore, the lovely princess and her pet cheetah take a shine to him, and beautiful women spelled disaster in his past. Natalia's jilted suitor, determined to reign at any cost, vows to annihilate the Earthlings. When the conflict escalates, can Martial obey Earth Central Command, or will he jeopardize the future of his race to save Natalia?
EXCERPT:
When her arm weakened and her steps grew shaky, he did a somersault over her head, leaving her confused. Then he shoved her sideways, and tackled her. He pinned her to the soft mat, face up, while he held her sword arm to the floor.
He had her.
Her hair came undone around her head, like a bright halo on the soft gray mat, and her luminous green gaze locked with his. Her lips opened slightly, and he couldn’t help but stare. She looked so helpless, so confused, her chest heaving. Her eyes unfocused and her pupils dilated. She was not playing the game anymore... neither was he.
Her breath hitched. He lowered his face to hers and hovered closer to marvel at her beauty. She kept staring at him. He couldn’t resist the temptation to probe her mind. A mistake. She was calling to him, wanting him to kiss her. He lowered his gaze to her mouth and she licked her slightly open lips. How could he possibly resist her sensual call?
Slowly, deliberately, he brushed her pliant lips, enjoying the soft contact. When she tasted him with a lick, he held his fire, afraid she would balk at a fierce response. She had to be a virgin. Then she let go of the sword. He relaxed his hold, and she caressed his hair.
The sensation of her six-fingered hand on his head awakened shored up needs he could no longer contain. Cupping her fiery mane, he claimed her mouth and ravished it with the fervor of a starving man.
She moaned softly and arched under him, as if seeking body contact. Flashes of all the disastrous consequences their relationship could bring barely cooled his lust, but he must stop this now.
He steeled himself against the separation and rose slowly, with great reluctance.
She sat up on the mat, staring at him.
“I’m so sorry.” He turned away. He couldn’t watch her like that. “It won’t happen again. I promise.”
“Why not?” The disappointment in her voice and in her mind sliced him deeper than a sword.
“You are promised to another man.” As good an excuse as any. The truth was too ugly to tell. His mission might require him to annihilate her entire race.
“I do not intend to become Kaylar’s mate.” The indignant tone told much about her dislike for the man.
Martial stiffened, closing his fists, then he faced her again. “I hope we can still be friends.”
“Friends?” Tears welled in her beautiful green eyes.
“Or colleagues... diplomat and future queen.” Martial still needed more information on the Starlings.
She swallowed a sob, quickly wiped a tear, then composed her face. “Maybe when you see more of our culture, you will understand that although our females often take a submissive role, we do have a choice in the matter. We are civilized.”
“Of course, you are.” He certainly felt like the Neanderthal here.
She rose from the floor and tossed her long wavy hair behind the shoulders of her impeccable white body suit. “Then shall we meet again tomorrow?”
The hope softening her face broke his heart.
“I planned to show you our hydroponic installations.”
“I accept, but I must bring my team.” For his own protection. He didn’t want to repeat past mistakes. And mistakes would certainly be made if he spent too much time alone with her.
*****
Here are the other books in the series if you want to catch up. They can be read in any order, but if you are like me and prefer to read them in the right sequence, here they are:
Prequel - NOAH'S ARK, Book One - WHITE TIGER, Book Two - RED LEOPARD, Book Three - BLACK JAGUAR, Book Four - BLUE LIONESS, Book Five - SNOW CHEETAH (November 1, 2014).
HAPPY READING!
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/vijayaschartz
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz
FB: https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz
FB: https://www.facebook.com/vijaya.schartz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz
Monday, June 9, 2014
A geek author at Phoenix ComiCon - by Vijaya Schartz
I can't help it, I'm a geek. I didn't realize how much of a geek, until I attended the Phoenix ComiCon last week. It was my first but not my last. All these people wearing superhero, movie character and anime costumes... I get it. They are my people. They love stories, they love getting lost in imaginary worlds, they love the idea that we are not alone in the universe, they love heroes, and so do I.
Of course, I'm not alone. Over a hundred thousand people attended this year in Phoenix, and next year will be better and bigger. I feel as if I've been initiated. Now, I know where to find the coolest costumes and accessories. Never seen so many light sabers, blasters, medieval swords and ninja weapons. It's like stepping into a parallel universe where everyone is a geek and proud of it.
I was autographing my books, and that's half the fun for me. Many readers of sci-fi and fantasy roam the exhibit, looking for their favorite authors, or for new authors to discover. It's difficult not to be star struck with all the attending celebrities. Nathan Fillion (Firefly and Castle) and Stan Lee. No wonder I love the Big Bang Theory.
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| I loved the droids from Star Wars, R2D2 in particular. I never realized they were that tall, or maybe it's just that I'm short. |
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| Had to have a picture with the bit kitty. It reminded me of my book covers |
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| With my partners in crime, Anna Questerly (left) and Linda Andrews (right) |
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vijayaschartz
Friday, February 21, 2014
What's Old is New Again
You see I wanted to use a group of rotating characters set in a parallel universe with varying apocalyptic scenarios but I ran into two problems.
The evil Spock conundrum. How would fans react if they're favorite character suddenly turned into the bad guy.
And the worse of the two, the predictability of the characters' actions. I don't want to limit the demented twists I can come up with.
Both these items seemed destined to kill the idea, but it's still there squirming around in the old brain box. And I think I have it almost solved but it will violate the Evil Spock rule and might involve aliens.
But shhh, don't tell anyone.
Friday, September 13, 2013
New Release: BOREALIS IX: AKIRA'S CHOICE - by Vijaya Schartz
BOREALIS IX
AKIRA'S CHOICE
by Vijaya Schartz
Released September 1, 2013
from Desert Breeze Publishing
eBook Novella - $1.99
When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something
didn't add up. Why would the TPP want a kidnapped orphan dead or alive?
She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB
who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah,
Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to
flush them out of the bowels of the BOREALIS space station. But when she
finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station? Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station? Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
Excerpts are posted on the Amazon page and on the ARE page.
HAPPY READING!
Vijaya Schartz
Blasters, Swords, Romance with a Kick
Monday, September 2, 2013
NEW RELEASE: BOREALIS IX - AKIRA'S CHOICE - Vijaya Schartz
AKIRA'S CHOICE
Borealis IX
by Vijaya Schartz
kindle:
Nook:
AKIRA'S CHOICE, the 9th novella in the Borealis futuristic series, is out. It's a sweet futuristic romance full of action and adventure, set on the Borealis Space station. If you like kick-butt heroines, this one is a Samurai bounty hunter with a cheetah. As for the hero, he is a gorgeous rebel with a heart.
When bounty hunter Akira Karyudo accepted her assignment, something didn't add up. Why would the TPP want a kidnapped orphan dead or alive?
She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the BOREALIS space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the kidnapper is not what she expects.
Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, stole his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he protects the child, but how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station?
Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can't have it both ways.
EXCERPT:
Two thugs stalked away to follow the cheetah.
"Go after that cat and you're dead!" The strong baritone voice came from a tall man aiming a blaster at the two hoodlums.
He stepped out of the shadows, in full paramilitary gear. His left hand held a long knife. He sidled toward Akira, circling the thugs, who started to retreat at the sight of his blaster.
"Mind your own business." Akira didn't appreciate unwanted help.
The man stepped closer. "These goons know nothing about civilized rules of fighting. They want your body, your hide, your cat for its meat, and your armor and weapons."
"I know that." Who did this man think she was? A neophyte? "There is no honor in killing defenseless creatures."
"There is no honor in this place." His gaze skimmed the sorry lot holding an assortment of blades and clubs, some with protruding metal spikes. "Believe me, they are far from defenseless."
The thugs kept their distance from the blaster aimed at them, but they did not retreat.
"Still. I refuse to kill if there is another way." None of those rejects would threaten her individually, but their number could present a challenge. As more joined the group, she counted two dozen.
The louts glanced at one another with indecision. At least, they understood the warning. She was trained and dangerous. Not to be trifled with. They widened their half circle in front of her, still hesitating, but they held their ground. Chikusho.
In a few long steps, the stranger joined her side. From his walk and the way he held his weapons, she could tell he had military training. He didn't look like a TPP soldier, though. Something wild lurked in his clear blue gaze. A free thinker. A bounty hunter like her? Or perhaps a rebel?
"You look like you could use some help."
"Do I?" Unbelievable. "Why should I trust you?" She couldn't help the derision in her voice. "For all I know, you could be their leader, luring me into a trap."
He chuckled and shook his head. "I'm not one of them, and you are in more trouble than you know."
"Get out of my way." Akira clicked open the metal claws of her forearm braces then unsheathed a titanium short sword and adopted a defensive stance. "I work alone."
He laughed. "And I'm telling you, this is no place for a warrior from a distant past. Especially, one who cares about something as futile as honor."
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