Hamilton regarded her for a long moment. The spiderweb tracery of minute circuitry was still there, just beneath the skin of her right temple. The docs who examined her said it would probably go away in time, but so far it hadn’t. It remained a constant reminder of the bizarre affair they had just gone through. Had it really only been six standard months? It felt like only a few weeks had passed since that distress beacon.
“Good,” he said. “Let’s go.”
Leda shouldered her duffle as she followed Hamilton out into the bright sunlight. “I’m still wondering why you picked me, of all people.”
“You know how to handle yourself in tough situations,” said Hamilton. “Who knows what we’ll find out there? I want one of the best officers I’ve ever served with by my side.”
Leda smiled. “You’re just saying that.”
Hamilton grinned back at her. “You got me. Really I just need someone to help me drink this bottle of scotch.” He tapped a lump in his uniform pocket.
Leda smiled. “I could drink you under the table any day, Captain.”
As they hopped onto the moving sidewalk that would take them to the beanstalk, Leda couldn’t help thinking about the importance of their mission. What would they find out there? In her mind’s eye she could still see the planet of the Makers, the shadow passing over it and destroying every trace of life there. How could they stop something like that?
“There’s only one way to find out,” she murmured as they jumped off the conveyor and lined up for the beanstalk.
END
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About James
James Palmer is an award-nominated writer and editor of science fiction, pulp adventure, steampunk and more. He has written articles, interviews, columns and reviews for Strange Horizons, The Internet Review of Science Fiction, and Tangent Online. He is perhaps best known as co-creator and editor of the shared world alternate history giant monster anthology series Monster Earth.
A recovering comic book addict, James lives in Northeast Georgia with his wife and daughter. When not writing or reading space opera, he can be found blogging about writing, indie publishing and 80’s pop culture. For more examples of his work—and to sign up for his free mailing list—visit www.jamespalmerbooks.com.
Table of Contents
Contents
Other Books by James Palmer
Title Page
Acknowledgments
Dedication
Chaos Conspiracy
Quote
Chapter 1-Retirement Party
Chapter 2-Arrival
Chapter 3-Engagement
Chapter 4-Among the Ruins
Chapter 5-The Admiral
Chapter 6-Hostiles
Chapter 7-Unexpected Guest
Chapter 8-The Swarm
Chapter 9-Questions
Chapter 10-Sparring
Chapter 11-The Archive
Chapter 12-The Progenitor Epics
Chapter 13-Battle of the Archive
Chapter 15-Old Wounds
Chapter 16-Drizda
Chapter 17-Secret Meeting
Chapter 18-The Hatchery
Chapter 19-The Thing in Silo Six
Chapter 20-The Star Swarm
Chapter 21-Escape
Chapter 22: Swarm Song
Chapter 23: Dutton's Orders
Chapter 24: Betrayal
Chapter 25: Repairs
Chapter 26: Captured
Chapter 27: The Fleet
Chapter 28: War
Chapter 29: Enemies and Allies
Chapter 30: The Razor
Chapter 31: The Shadow Council
Chapter 33: Makers
Chapter 34: Goodbye
Chapter 35: Kuttner's Last Stand
Chapter 35: Trapped
Chapter 36: Out of the Frying Pan
Chapter 37: Ascension
Chapter 38: Leda and the Probe
Chapter 39: Straker
Chapter 40: Communication
Chapter 41: Rescue
Chapter 42: To the Stars
Chaos Conspiracy
About the Author