Freer Snippets

The Shaman of Karres - Snippet 27 "You have before," she said. He looked at her in surprise. "How did you know?" Goth did not say because the desperation, and hope of that passenger left a trace, a memory imprinted in this greasy ferrostone counter-top. Instead she said: "I got a message from her." The man actually looked relieved -- and his response was not quite what Goth had expected. She'd meant a message before Pausert's mother Lina had left Morteen. He didn't read it that way. "Oh, good. She got there and back, then. I was worried. But...

The Shaman of Karres - Snippet 26 She grabbed Mindi. "We have to go. Now!" And she hustled the startled young woman out. "What was wrong?" asked Mindi, once they were on the slidewalk and well away. "Just a feeling," said Goth. "After the last time on the sheen clipper, I like to listen to those feelings." Mindi nodded earnestly, and they went in search of another delicatessen. It was late that afternoon when Goth came back to the shop, slipping into no-shape and watching and waiting. She expected to find that the shopkeeper was selling it....

The Shaman of Karres - Snippet 25 Chapter 9 Goth had one small clue, and a world to search. She knew that Captain Pausert's mother had booked her ticket to Morteen, while the captain was in space as a Cadet-officer of the Nikkeldepain Space Navy. She'd sent him a message from there, saying she'd settled nicely to her new job at the Morteen Xenobiological research institute, wishing him the best and congratulating him on his engagement to Illiya -- the daughter of Counselor Onswud. Pausert had said, somewhere during their travels, that he...

The Shaman of Karres - Snippet 24 "Them always go to where they can stay warm. You better take her with you. I ain't going back with nothing, an' my stash gone and my leg ain't right," he said gloomily. "What you have to do is get to your feet and lead us back," said Ta'zara. "I think we need to go back to the dome. Me'a is going to be very, very interested. She needs to know this," said Pausert. "And I think you may become a hero to the gatherers, Nady." "Being a hero don't buy no drinks. Those crystals was worth a five night drunk!"...

The Shaman of Karres - Snippet 23 "I think I need to go have another look outside," said the Leewit. "For what?" asked Pausert. "I don't know. But maybe I need to look at some more of the tumbleflowers. Besides, I had to sit in here while you all got put in jail and met Me'a." No one seemed to have a better idea, so Captain Pausert agreed. They had time, and his gambler's itch said it was a good idea. Vezzarn was left to look after the Venture, and before dawn they slipped out and back into the wilds of Cinderby's World. They walked for some...

The Shaman of Karres - Snippet 22 Chapter 8 The Leewit nodded knowingly, after listening to what had happened. "See, Captain, people say things to kids that they wouldn't give away to adults. That copper said more than he realized, answering my questions. I kept on the 'Whys', 'cause I figured it would be a good thing if I made him tired of being asked questions all the time. Grown-ups can be pushed like that. The Imperials are worried, because they think the cartel -- this Stratel, Bormgo and whatever -- are holding back supply. But the...

The Shaman of Karres - Snippet 21 The steward's jacket had a pen in the pocket, so Goth wrote on one of the napkins from the drawer of the trolley. Stop banging. I'm coming to get you out, she wrote. She almost signed it Goth but remembered in time to write Leinna. She ported it into the cabin… and was rewarded a few moments later by silence. Goth tapped on the door, and was answered by Yelissa. "Who is it?" "The purser sent me down with the drinks from the captain." Yelissa opened the door slightly, saw the drinks trolley and Goth's...

The Shaman of Karres - Snippet 20 Chapter 7 Goth needed to think it through, to come up with a plan. In the meanwhile, she had the inconvenience of force-cuffs, and of having to stay hidden in no-shape. First things first. She wanted their knockout drops, and preferably all their weapons. It was easy to 'port things she could see, and small, light things were the least effort, but even the klatha use that she'd made so far had left her hungry. She raided their little chill unit -- but other than drinks she wasn't touching, the only thing of...