The Sawyer Gambit

The Red Survivor is minding its own business when the peaceful Plethki suddenly attack them. When Captain John Marchant orders the ship to prepare to respond in kind, First Officer Nick Williams immediately challenges the captain's plan, fearing there is more than meets the eye to this sudden attack. As Nick struggles to persuade Marchant to wait until they know more, the Plethki ship finally answers their hail. Instead of facing the Plethki Captain, they are looking at Sawyer, a man from Marchant's past who has come to collect a debt and is willing to kill them all if he isn't paid.In the Red Survivor Mission Chronicles, this is a standalone space opera short story that focuses on the inherent tension between Marchant and Williams. Fans of space opera will enjoy this story, buy your copy today!Sneak Peek "Brace for impact," Ensign Redding said, her voice high and out of breath as she held the console in front of her for support, "and one more after that."Marchant swore. "No response to our hail?""None, sir," Redding said. "I will keep trying, it appears they want to rattle - " She broke off. "Another Plethki ship has decloaked, bringing the total to three.""If they were trying to get our attention," Marchant said, "they have it! How are we coming on loading the torpedo bays?""Still a couple minutes out," Redding said. "I am keeping them up to date on when to expect impact. The explosions are making it difficult to load the bays, sir.""Damage report?""Minimal. Your assessment is probably correct, sir. They just want to get our attention.""Captain," I said, "none of this makes any sense. The Plethki are a peacekeeping people, why would they fire torpedoes at us. We shouldn't return fire until we know more. What if their ships have been commandeered and their people taken hostage?""Get those torpedoes loaded," Marchant yelled without looking at me.


Genre: Science Fiction