SFFS: More From "Downtrodden"

Well, back in the saddle again this week. Last time we saw Aston in "Downtrodden" he was getting interrupted while stopping a pickpocket. Poor Aston never can catch a break, as anyone who's followed my snippets on Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday can confirm. We continue on this week with "Downtrodden" and as always, if you like this snippet (hopefully you've read the previous snippets), be sure to check out my current released Triple-Shots, shown below. Three short stories in each edition, all featuring space pirate Aston West in his various adventures.

And now, for the snippet (and the repeated disclaimer that this is mostly first-draft material):

I looked up, fury filling my heart at the woman interrupting my lesson in negative reinforcement. Then, I did a double-take at the pale-faced redhead just before she smacked me across the face. I released my grip on the boy, whom she snatched up from the ground. I couldn’t tell whether he’d successfully pilfered my funds, but wasn’t about to let this pair get away with it if he had.

Yanking my blaster out, I flipped the switch next to the trigger. “That’s fully automatic, in case you were curious.”

“Put that thing away!”

“I plan on searching that kid for my money.” I aimed the barrel at her face more for emphasis than anything. “So, if you’d care to hand him over...”

Aston taking the initiative? Well, now I've seen everything! While you're waiting for next week's snippet, be sure to go check out the rest of the Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday snippets and don't forget to buy some books. You'll be glad you did.