Continued from Unknown Mission An acrid smell exploded as disgusting smoke filled the dorm room. “I’ll call you back.” Sergeant Jirel Cutler hung up on the prophet. Before him stood the traitor Zorba, a red-eyed temptress masqueraded as human. He’d been shocked to find himself in this form one morning, dropped off at a diner…
Continued from Part Twenty-Five Jirel sat in his quarters, talking on a prepaid mobile phone. “Smith, I think I’ll be leaving soon.” “You feel from the Lord it’s time to move on?” asked the prophet. “We’ve got him pointed in the right direction. Whatever happened with his grandmother, whether it was a vision, a dream,…
Continued from Part Twenty-Four Snyder stood in full dress uniform by the grave of Lieutenant Jim Ealgeclaw, outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. The grave was as much a monument to Blackjack McGraw’s friendship. The Empire either left the executed to be eaten by birds or else threw the bodies into a bonfire. The officer who presided…
Continued from Part Twenty-Three Snyder stood in the middle of a vast dessert. Nothing to see but sand and a solitary figure approaching. What was going on? Snyder reached for his colt service revolver. “Anny, that won’t be necessary,” said the familiar voice. “Grandma!” Snyder ran over and embraced his grandmother. “I love you.” A…
Continued from Part Twenty-Two Back in the casino, Snyder retrieved another drink for Stefan and returned to Cutler. Stefan was on some losing streak. Stefan cursed. “Are you certain this blasted machine isn’t rigged?” “Our machines are honest.” The owner reached his hand into his pocket. Stefan hit 3 lemons. He took a drink. “Now…
Continued from Part Twenty-One Snyder and Cutler flanked Stefan the European as they entered the casino in the company of the secret service. Stefan said, “Send my compliments to Colonel Dread. Your help is appreciated, albeit entirely unnecessary.” Cutler replied, “There are rumors of a terrorist attack, and this is our territory.” The owner approached…
Continued from Part Twenty Snyder sat in his quarters staring at a blank holo-window. “Need some help, kid?” Snyder jumped as Blackjack McGraw appeared in his window. McGraw laughed. “You’ve been on this plan for days. Thought maybe I could give you an idea.” “I’d be honored if Blackjack McGraw would help, but I think…
Continued from Part Nineteen Nearly two months after his kidnapping, Snyder sat at his workstation with his sister Lenore’s e-diary open before him. It had been months since Lenore had mentioned him. Her youngest brother off in the military didn’t matter. Of course, she didn’t think much of him, none of them did. Snyder grimaced….
Continued from Part Eighteen ~ Cutler sat with the saint in a conference room at the county Courthouse. On the door, a sign indicated their impromptu organization’s name, “Angels of Las Vegas.” The three rogues came in laughing and no wonder. “Angelic” was never an adjective anyone ever applied to them. Verducci lit a cigar….
Continued from Part Seventeen Snyder sat at his workstation, waiting for another overblown Imperial Security “threat” to flash onto his screen for him to evaluate and either dismiss or forward on to a specialist. While waiting, he pulled up the Paternity database to check on his request for matching that he’d sent in that morning….