SFFS: Snippet #2 From Inoculation (a DIRTY DOZEN story)

Second week in a row...this may be a record in recent times for me posting a snippet for Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday. I had my preliminary cover art last week, and this week, my Aston short story collection Dirty Dozen is now available over at Amazon, I figured I'd continue on with the snippet from last week.


First, the blurb:

Join space pirate Aston West in the second collection of short stories from his universe, featuring classic space opera tales by T. M. Hunter. Building on Aston's first collection (Dead or Alive), these stories feature even more wild adventures, unforgettable characters, and exciting plot twists to satisfy your space opera appetite.


(Again note: Most of the stories in this collection were previously available in my various Triple-Shot collections. Dirty Dozen puts them all in one collection, and also provides an opportunity for those folks who would like to pick them up in paperback form...coming soon)

So, here's the snippet, from my short story "Inoculation":

Granted, anything on a ship was bound to wear out, and the viewscreen was original factory equipment. The more troubling part was that Jeanie wasn’t detecting the issue.

I didn’t voice my opinion, but I planned to have everything completely checked out at our next stop. Still, she was no doubt waiting for me to say something, to either confirm or deny her assumption that I didn’t trust her.

“Well, just keep an eye on it.”

“Acknowledged,” she responded, even though I had a suspicion any additional blinking would remain undetected.

I shrugged it off. Other than a fine view of a dark starfield as seen at hyperspeed velocities, I really wasn’t missing much, even if the screen actually did falter.

Perhaps if I kept the issue out of sight, it wouldn’t bother me so much. I grabbed a half-empty bottle of Vladirian liquor from my chair’s side pocket and started for the doorway at the back of my bridge, leading into my living area. Nothing made the time pass quicker than drinking and sleeping, and with my cot in sight along my side wall, I planned to do both. I plopped down on the stiff mattress and began the process of draining the bottle.

Then all of the lights went out, and not by request.

Hope you enjoyed it! If so, pick up a copy from the link above. And not to worry, edits are still going on with my next Aston novel, All Good Things.