Category: Gunslinger to the Stars

“Oh my heck,” said Jane, still trembling. I holstered Kindness and reached down to help her to her feet. Her face was pale and her arms were trembling, so I figured it was a good time for us both to leave. “Barkeep,” I said, pulling out a credit chit. Behind the counter, Ivosh rose unsteadily… Continue reading Gunslinger to the Stars — excerpt 8

The .45 is an excellent caliber for dealing with unfamiliar races. Having never faced a rockadillo before, I wasn’t sure what to aim for, but the .45’s stopping power covers a multitude of sins. I aimed for the leader’s neck and fired twice. Kindness bucked in my hands, and the rockadillo leader stumbled backwards with… Continue reading Gunslinger to the Stars — excerpt 7

Our little pissing match had attracted some unwelcome attention, in particular three large and rather unfriendly looking aliens. Picture the love child of an armadillo and a rock, beaten half to death with the ugly stick. Their tentacle-like tongues flicked in and out of their narrow mouths as they formed a half-circle around us. “You… Continue reading Gunslinger to the Stars — excerpt 6

“Yes,” said Jane, sighing. “Ivosh, allow me to introduce my friend Sam. Sam, Ivosh.” “This man is your friend?” “Yes, he is. We knew each other at Earthfleet Academy.” Ivosh’s pursed lips quickly turned to a wan smile, and his hair went from red to brown in almost an instant. “Forgive me for the misunderstanding,… Continue reading Gunslinger to the Stars — excerpt 5

“So, what happened after the slave auction?” She sighed. “I was bought by a band of empath shapeshifters. They were kind enough to free me, so long as I signed an employment contract. I’m working for them now.” “Empath shapeshifters?” “It’s a race we haven’t catalogued yet. They feed on emotional energy, and can alter… Continue reading Gunslinger to the Stars — excerpt 4

“Uh, hi,” I said, taking the seat next to her. “You!” she said. Her eyes fixated on me like a targeting lock, and I could tell I was about to get burned. “Hey, it wasn’t my fault,” I tried to explain. “In fact, I—” “More than a thousand men, women, and children are slaves thanks… Continue reading Gunslinger to the Stars — excerpt 3

Realizing that I was stranded, I did the only sensible thing and headed to the nearest bar for a drink. The fifth planet of Gorinal Prime is the only one in the system that’s habitable, if you’re willing to stretch the definition of the word. G-Prime V is essentially a giant desert, with oceans of… Continue reading Gunslinger to the Stars — excerpt 2

The Gorinal Star Cluster is, in every meaningful sense, the armpit of the galaxy. And it was just my luck to get stranded there when shit hit the fan. I didn’t know that at the time, of course. My ship, the Star Runner, was in pretty bad shape (Don’t ask.), and except for the fuel… Continue reading Gunslinger to the Stars — excerpt 1