Short Stories/Novellas

When an ancient female figurine is unearthed by a construction crew in Langerich, Germany, the scientific world excitedly delves into her secrets, trying to see what she can tell them about life in the Upper Paleolithic. This is a (very) short story about a Paleolithic Venus and modern archeology.

Matt’s goal has long been to travel to deep space, and the only way he can see to do that is to join one of the Earth navies. The only problem with that is that his mother is the leader of the Lunar Secession Movement, and she is decidedly at odds with most of the Earth nations, including all of those with space fleets. Matt has to decide if his dreams are more important than than filial duty. Author’s Note: “Secession” is a short (2,500-word) story that was originally published in Labyrinth Magazine in 1979. This was my first published piece of fiction. With millions of published words later, I decided to make my backlist complete for anyone curious as to my start as a fiction writer.

Short Story Sometimes, a man's got to do what a man's got to do. When the world of Sangfried's Hope is cut off from the rest of humanity, the colonists must learn to survive on their own. Through ingenuity, substitution, and simply doing without, the people have managed to create a new life for themselves. But for the long-term survival of the population, demands are made of the few for the good of the many. This short story examines one man's acquiescence to the duty thrust upon him.

Are animal soldiers held in the same regard as humans? When a Federation company is facing a United Forces regiment, the six teams of genetically enhanced animals are sent out to delay the enemy advance so the company can withdraw. The “Weres,” as they are nicknamed, do not hesitate in carrying out their mission. But no matter their fighting skill, how can they hope to stand up to so many of the enemy? This is Nebula Award nominated writer Jonathan Brazee’s first short story, written in 1975 as a 17-year-old midshipmen at the US Naval Academy.

Corporations settle disputes on military reservations, broadcasting the battles to the addicted public. For the mercenary miltechs who fight the battles, win and get a bonus. Lose and get paid the minimum . . . unless wounded, and the medical fees are deducted from their pay. Die on the field of battle? The United Alliance of Military Workers makes a one-time payoff to the family. Surrender and lose their union cards, never to work again. The miltech grunts are mere pawns, shuttled around the reservation in a never-ending attempt to outmaneuver the foe. Jorge, Tasha, and Isaac are employed by PrimeMil, assigned to a light infantry chasseur company. Cut off from the rest of the platoon, a paycheck is the least of their worries. They need to survive the battle. But with someone else pulling the strings, is there anything pawns can to flip the board? Read the story and find out. "Checkmate" is a novelette of approximately 9,000 words and was originally published in The Expanding Universe 4 anthology.

The enemy is winning the fight. The Spire Bridge has to come down before the enemy reaches the river, or they will sweep through, and all is lost. That’s when the combat engineers get the mission. But when an enemy sniper takes out his sergeant, Lance Corporal Troy Sifuentes has to take charge of his team and take down the bridge . . . but the sniper has other ideas. Time is running out, the sniper has the team pinned down, and the mission has to be accomplished no matter the cost. But how? Download “The Bridge” for an exciting ride. This novelette is dedicated to Colonel John W. Ripley, a real US Marine hero who had his own bridge to bring down.

What do you do when facing a bleak future cleaning up after tourists when your heart yearns for adventure? When mercenary recruiters arrive on Danube—particularly when one of them is with Cartwright’s Cavaliers—Winston Loud sees his chance to break free, to become one of an elite unit and gaining the respect he’s never received. But out of shape, and more importantly, underage, he’s rejected out-of-hand. Physical prowess may be necessary to becoming a mercenary, but mental toughness and moral strength are more important. Winston is angry at being rebuffed, but when he is faced with a decision, one that could place himself in peril, does he have it in him to act? Download Golden Ticket now! Note: this novelette was originally published in the Hope is Not a Strategy anthology with all the stories taking place in the Four Horsemen universe.

A single father with a fatal disease. A two-year-old daughter he loves, a daughter who would only remember tiny flashes of him, wondering if those flashes are even true or just her imagination. How will she survive when he's gone? Only time will tell. Download this short story now.

A slave. A collector’s piece. Kimi has no idea who she is, only that she’s the only one of her kind she’s ever seen. If she disobeys her captor, the punishment is immediate and excruciating. So, she learns to simply survive. Until another of her kind appears on a mission. Can Kimi reclaim her birthright, or will she be stuck forever as a prisoner on display? The Depik tell tales of their past to their kita to keep their story alive. Kimi’s is just one of these stories. This novelette was originally published in the Four Horsemen anthology, NEGOTIATION.

Randhir, a former Imperial Ghurka, is ready to enjoy his retirement living with his son’s family when the planet is invaded by the Didacs. Disabled from his years in service, he decides to hide out in the basement of his son’s restaurant so as not to slow down his family during the evacuation of the city . . . but that was until his 13-year-old grandson sneaks back to join him. When Sun Fleet mercenaries augmenting the Didac troops start rampaging in a storm of destruction, can Randhir hold back from answering the trumpets of war? And even if he wants to fight, what can an unarmed, elderly ex-soldier and a young boy do against well-armed marauders? NOTE: this is a novelette at 7,800 words, not a full-length novel.

Can a mild-mannered owner of an ice cream shop save the country? Tayson Littlefield is asked to sit in on a small business roundtable discussion when seemingly his entire world goes crazy. With terrorists threatening to execute the president, can he step up where the Secret Service could not? Download this short story that tells a tale of what a person thinks he's able to do.

With the Botam Army advancing on them and the battle lost, the situation is desperate, Pilot Sergeant Two Zuri Onai is ordered to retreat for evacuation off the planet. But when her drone spots a wounded Techno soldier behind the Botam forces, abandoned by his command, is there anything she can do, even if she wanted to? Follow orders, save herself, and get the heck out of Dodge, or . . . do what? She’s an Air Force drone pilot, not Army infantry. When the barbarians are at the gate, every person in uniform will have to make a decision that could very well be the difference between life and death. What would you do? Note: At 9,000 words, this is a novelette, not a full novel.