tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79885902525768813712024-03-05T03:08:29.979-08:00BarrierPamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-50621932841669471102014-06-27T11:11:00.002-07:002014-06-27T11:11:53.089-07:00Barrier 3: Supersede Now Available!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkisopAZGmGv_kd9XD7T9CJd6k_TfnGUWbeCU77q7W5-HQ8vbfrARUjo8h7v5ubUTN77To7vyPoCqYbYtJfqlho836cp_CsFjHO7-gGt-gh6fhYtIpwp8aaLsou3-NZ4IRF2gd0MqmykBE/s1600/barrierdraft2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkisopAZGmGv_kd9XD7T9CJd6k_TfnGUWbeCU77q7W5-HQ8vbfrARUjo8h7v5ubUTN77To7vyPoCqYbYtJfqlho836cp_CsFjHO7-gGt-gh6fhYtIpwp8aaLsou3-NZ4IRF2gd0MqmykBE/s1600/barrierdraft2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Available on </span></strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Barrier-Supersede-Pamela-Caves-ebook/dp/B00L5NTWP0/ref=la_B005HJMAIO_1_13?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403892272&sr=1-13" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Amazon</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">, </span></strong><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/barrier-pamela-caves/1119850438?ean=2940149808694" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Barnes and Noble</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;">, and </span></strong><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/450593" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Smashwords</span></strong></a><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> (in many formats)! Look for it on your favorite online book retail site!</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Sky Legend<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">It had been the longest damned day of my entire career.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Wait... let me think on that a moment. Thirteen years of military service under my belt; yes, still the longest day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">But I hadn't known just how much longer it would really be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I’d spent two weeks planning today’s events: the execution of the preparedness trials for General Hashan Zatokitan, the leading military general of the United Alliance. It was an honor to host such a guest but also a tiring burden. I was ready for a nice, hearty supper with my husband and my wonderfully soft bed (husband optional since our bed seemed smaller these days).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">On the way to my closet, I happened by my full-length mirror and couldn't help but take pause. I was only thirty-three weeks pregnant but felt, and dare I say looked, as huge as a house. It was weird, though. I thought at the beginning of this journey that I'd mind the changes in my body but, honestly, they didn't really bother me. I felt my sons move and grow and it filled my heart with awe and love. Austin still found me attractive and my twins and I were healthy. Nothing else mattered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I heard the front door to our apartment open. I left the bedroom to find Austin hunkered over the control panel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"What are you doing?" I asked. I took a few more steps forward and was surprised to see his shoulders heaving with labored breathing. He was creating a new override code for the front door lock. "Austin?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">A gasp escaped my throat when he suddenly jumped up and ran toward me. He took one of my hands and lightly ran the fingers of his other hand over my protruding belly. Sweat glistened over his forehead and his eyes were laced with worry. "Sky, I love you."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"What is going on?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I want you to know that I'm sorry. I never meant for it to happen like this."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I swallowed a ball of fear and felt tears welling in my eyes. "You're scaring me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I love you and my sons more than anything. Please know that."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I jumped when something from the outside hit our front door so hard that a vase on a table nearby fell over. A series of heavy knocks followed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Chief Legend! Come out now with your hands up! We'll take you by force if necessary!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I tried to ask again but the words refused to come; the horrified expression on his face was enough to stall my words. I breathed heavy with him and tried to keep the bile down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Whatever you do, please don't believe I had anything to do with it."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't understand..."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Jackson will explain..."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The code on the door didn't hold long. As soon as the door came open, a security detail rushed inside. I didn't know what I expected to see given that my husband was the head of security for Special Services Division 32, but I didn't expect a security team from General Zatokitan's personal staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">One of them grabbed Austin and threw him to the floor, not an easy task given his muscular frame. When I screamed, another one grabbed my arms and pulled me away. I struggled but the security detail begged me to calm down for my babies’ sakes. Austin didn't seem to want to struggle at all, as if he knew he was defeated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Get your hands off of her!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jackson Montgomery, Austin's assistant and our long-time friend, came around the corner. At the mention of me, Austin tried to wiggle around as they cuffed him, yelling something I couldn't decipher.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't take orders from you," growled the officer still digging his fingers into my bicep. I wanted to punch him, or, at the least, kick him in the balls, but I was afraid he'd hurt me in turn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jackson marched up to us, anger spreading across his face in one red swipe. He removed the officer's hand from my arm and proceeded to stand between us. "You just made me the acting chief of security by arresting my superior and this is my base, so yes, you will listen to me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">They pulled Austin up from the floor and began leading him out without so much as a word of explanation. This was ludicrous. Maybe this was my preparedness trial. Maybe this was a fake scenario designed to see how I would react. I grasped at this little lie and anything else that would help me make sense of what had just happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Wait!" I yelled and started after them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">One of the general's officers stepped between me and the door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I whirled around to Jackson and the officer who'd left his finger imprints in my arm. "What the hell is going on!?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The officer barely glanced at me. Instead, he smirked at Jackson. "I'll let you have the pleasure of telling her about her traitor husband."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Wh… what?" I stammered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">He finally addressed me. "In the meantime, you are to clear out of your apartment right now. We're commencing a search."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"On whose authority?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"General Hashan Zatokitan."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Jackson put his arm around my shoulders. "Sorry, Sky, but we need to go."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"Are you fucking kidding me?" I wasn't one to curse, but there it was. That's how ridiculous this entire scenario was. "Where am I supposed to go?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">"It will only be a few hours. We'll figure it out, okay? Please, just come with me and I'll explain."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">I stood there a moment longer. Maybe to glare down the offending man? I didn't know. He'd already busied himself with something else, my shattered world apparently of no interest to him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-84129614521921956312014-06-21T08:57:00.001-07:002014-06-21T08:57:15.720-07:00Sky LegendSky Legend is currently serving as the chief control officer on SSD 32. <br />
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<strong>History</strong><br />
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Sky Monroe was educated outside of the United Alliance but decided to join upon her graduation. She held posts in engineering since, moving quickly up the ranks to eventually reach the head of Control on Special Service Division base 32.<br />
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While stationed on the battle cruiser, Telgin, as the assistant engineer only a few short years before her posting on SSD 32, she met Austin Legend, a security officer aboard the ship. The two started dating and eventually married. Soon after, they both applied for positions on SSD 32 and were accepted. Within two years, they found out they were expecting twins. Sky gave birth to Killian and Hollis Legend within the story, "Supersede", book 3 of the <em>Barrier</em> series.<br />
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<strong>Physical Characteristics</strong><br />
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Sky is an average to tall human with an athletic build. She has long, straight blonde hair. <br />
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<strong>Personality</strong><br />
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Though generally soft spoken and kind hearted, she is an assertive woman who manages with no-nonsense. At times, she seems to have a short fuse but keeps it under control fairly well. Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-76954455845516879302014-06-21T08:36:00.000-07:002014-06-21T08:36:07.704-07:00Lenya McKayTeenager Lenya McKay is a Human currently holding a civilian position on SSD 32. She is Chief Sky Legend's personal assistant.<br />
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<strong>History</strong><br />
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Lenya has not had the easiest of lives. At sixteen, she lost both of her parents to the Snarls. (See "The Purpose of Pain", Book 2 of the <em>Barrier</em> series). She was granted independence so long as she continues her education, holds a job, and pays her bills.<br />
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<strong>Physical Characteristics</strong><br />
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Lenya is young with an average build, if not a little on the thin side, and light-brown hair bordering on blonde. She tends to be a little awkward both physically and emotionally which is not "untypical" for a human of her age.<br />
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<strong>Personality </strong><br />
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Lenya is a stubborn young woman but still approaches the world with a bit of caution which makes her seem a little stand-offish at times. She has a hard crush on Corporal Zhoven Spiridon of Assault Squad 13.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-56957882202910931862014-05-16T05:46:00.001-07:002014-05-16T05:46:11.561-07:00Cover reveal for Book 3!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz72f2blTKeBWS3pzo_uSbhpmvLXxK8t3OC97v7SXpjiRXt0AOZZaWbo6MlmtQ17Gns127mT1ewxfDAWPClqZ9KRrr9FJvTZJC2zcf38AgJA7DmLaxGqemcy5JvEPoXu_-h_JsX2WSOD8/s1600/barrierdraft2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz72f2blTKeBWS3pzo_uSbhpmvLXxK8t3OC97v7SXpjiRXt0AOZZaWbo6MlmtQ17Gns127mT1ewxfDAWPClqZ9KRrr9FJvTZJC2zcf38AgJA7DmLaxGqemcy5JvEPoXu_-h_JsX2WSOD8/s1600/barrierdraft2.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Coming Soon!</div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-8242519493221243662013-12-10T11:19:00.002-08:002014-02-17T08:39:31.010-08:00New Barrier in the works!More and more readers have been discovering Barrier! It has been a while since the last release but don't worry; Fiction Lake and Pamela Caves are working to bring you the next installment of the series. <br />
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In the meantime, read up on the background and info we have here so far. Send us questions and comments and let us know what Sky and Austin should name their babies.<br />
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Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more exciting Barrier adventures!Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-59009471079947097962013-01-25T10:11:00.000-08:002013-01-25T10:11:47.085-08:00Zhoven SpiridonZhoven Spiridon is a <a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/2012/01/roen.html" target="_blank">Roen</a> currently serving as minor weapons officer on Assault Squad 13 on<a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/p/abouthistory.html" target="_blank"> SSD 32</a>.<br />
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<strong>History:</strong><br />
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Zhoven is pretty secretive when it comes to his past. If he has family, he doesn't talk about them. All that is known about him is his service record. He pushed himself through the UA academy with a focus on security and weapons and was stationed at a border patrol station for a couple of years before being transferred to SSD 32 when the cease fire ended.<br />
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<strong>Physical Characteristics:</strong><br />
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For a Roen, he is average in height, which is comparable to the height of Human males. His eyes are a striking shade of mauve and his hair, a very pale yellow, is fine down, as typical of full-blooded Roens. He is young, in his early 20s in Earth years. He carries a muscular build, as a result of hours of weapons and security training.<br />
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<strong>Personality:</strong><br />
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Zhoven is a very quiet individual, and though he becomes good friends with squadmate Alex Ashler, he is not taken in by Alex's attempts to "corrupt" him. <br />
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Zhoven's hobby outside of his work in weapons is that he loves space racing and enjoys "souping up" vehicles for races. He enters amateur racing competitions often and even holds a couple of titles.<br />
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To read about Zhoven's introduction into <em>Barrier</em>, see <em>Barrier: The Purpose of Pain</em>. Find this title and more by<a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/p/barrier-titles.html" target="_blank"> clicking here</a>.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-85601304477830290662013-01-21T08:05:00.001-08:002013-01-21T08:05:40.858-08:00From the Author: What's next for Barrier?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNptKcXHdAbxdBMSo0vZqzZg_xgFBN1A_oJvDbyMQgdhGncdubQ6PEFpBDQJF0295adEhpVrz8cQDEvOgGOMsPKpEDLWOh3O_SF7yZpKdA8PzJtO-c3OTFliGQ-58J_2DafFKBZXXc1a0/s1600/mesmall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNptKcXHdAbxdBMSo0vZqzZg_xgFBN1A_oJvDbyMQgdhGncdubQ6PEFpBDQJF0295adEhpVrz8cQDEvOgGOMsPKpEDLWOh3O_SF7yZpKdA8PzJtO-c3OTFliGQ-58J_2DafFKBZXXc1a0/s200/mesmall.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
See how the latest Barrier promotion went and hear some news from<em> Barrier</em> author, Pamela Caves.<br />
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<a href="http://pamelacavesblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/about-barrier-and-next-projects-on.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">About Barrier and next projects on the agenda.</span></strong></a>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-76645020931582093242013-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:002013-05-17T10:58:36.653-07:00"Barrier: The Purpose of Pain" Now Available!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Lenya McKay</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"You look really young to be out traveling the cosmos," Zhoven said.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I was going to be trapped in a cramped vehicle with this handsome man for a few days so small talk was pretty much inevitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was tempted briefly to lie about my age and flirt with disaster, but like the good little girl my parents raised me to be, I spilled out the story about how my parents had gone missing and were now thought dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"You don't think they are?" he asked me.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"No. I mean, I know there's a possibility but they were fierce fighters. They may have been science nerds but they would've clung hard to life because of me."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I'd seen the expression on his face before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was skepticism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But despite that, he looked over the map and said, "So I suppose it hasn't escaped your attention that we will be passing near their wreckage site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When were you planning on asking?"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I was a little embarrassed but there was no use feigning ignorance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I was just going to casually bring it up in small talk."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Hmmm," he hummed but I noticed a flick of a smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"What I don't understand is why they veered from their course. They should've sped passed the Afgar system."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"If their flight plan was anything like ours, then they should've passed through the orbits of the seventh and eighth planets; grav drive all the way."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Something must've gotten their attention."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"You have a theory?"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Indeed I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like I'd had nothing else to think about the last few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To have someone finally listening to me was like taking a deep breath in nature for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"There wasn't enough wreckage left for them to tell me if the pods had been launched from their vehicle. There is one habitable planet in the system, Afgar II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said the pod signals weren't on the planet but..."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"But you don't think they looked hard enough?"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"What if they were damaged?"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"One pod's tracking signal being damaged I could believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But two?"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"I know, but you have to consider the atmosphere on that planet. It's very humid, hot, and the air pressure is twice what we, and our technology, are used to."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">He squinted at the projection of the map and chewed his bottom lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Yeah... maybe."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"You're skeptical, I get it. I'm not asking for much, but can we just make a quick sweep through? You know, just to see if there's anything unusual."<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">His expression softened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Of course. What are strangers for?"<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"Thank you," I said. I hadn't realized until that moment how <i>itchy</i> I'd<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>been. I relaxed as relief swept over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anything, I was going to see the area for myself and for some reason, that was the most important thing in the universe to me.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">***</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">For the next sixteen hours or so, we talked about our lives, gossiped about celebrities, played games, and napped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zhoven was a very pleasant traveling companion and by the time we'd reached the Afgar system, I'd developed more than a passing lust; it was a full-on crush.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">He nudged me with his elbow and I woke to see a large shining dot in the window; the Afgar's red giant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Basic scanning technology came standard on most vehicles and while it wasn't exactly UA issue, it was all I had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that the scanners aboard a United Alliance cruiser would pick up more than a personal vehicle but desperation could also be a powerful tool.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Zhoven, however, wasn't using his scanners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was simply staring out the window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"The reports say that their vehicle was found near Afgar II, right?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"Yeah."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"I'm seeing a wave-length I don't understand."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I'd forgotten that Roens had the ability to see beyond a Human's capability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roens not only could see temperature differentials but also some wave lengths most species couldn't.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"What about the scanners?" I asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The readouts were blank and I wondered if he'd even powered them up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"I checked before I woke you. Nothing."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"But my parents are Human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn't have been drawn in by something they couldn't see and the cruisers would've picked up something if it were there."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now look who was being the cynical one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Maybe they were drawn in by something they could see."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed out the window at... well, nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"That's an energy wave-length.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's weaker and of a different build than anything else around it. Maybe there was a ship out here. Shall we follow the signal?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Uh... yeah. Of course."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">He steered the vehicle on manual, following something invisible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed that "nothing" for the next couple of hours at a steady pace.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"What would cause a vehicle to just drop out of grav?" I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"It could've detected something in the flight path, another grav drive maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or maybe it was a malfunction."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"But you don't think so..."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">He shook his head. "Something was out here and I bet they followed it in, just like this."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I could've continued to ask questions but I knew Zhoven wouldn't have the answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched him stare out the window and steer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly, the vehicle lurched, knocking me back into my seat.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Gravity well," Zhoven said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"You can see a gravity well?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"No, but I know them when I run through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is really odd."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">I kept trying to see what he was seeing, even though I knew better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like trying to order the lights on in a room when you know the power is down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The signal... there's no break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There should be a break from the gravity well."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">The ship stumbled again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"Where are we? Are we near Afgar II?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">"Almost."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">When the ship shuddered again, Zhoven flipped on the sensor equipment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Could the gravity wells be responsible for the vehicle wreckage?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's just a space bump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's not going to hurt anyone unless they are zipping along at high speeds. But there really shouldn't be so many of them."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I could see the sensor display from my seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"They aren't registering on your sensors."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">He sighed and the ship dipped again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"This entire area is flooded with something artificial."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"How can you tell?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Because there's no way that I wouldn't detect at least some of these wells unless this area was flooded with something to mask it."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Like to mask all sensors?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make it look like nothing was here?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Right."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Wouldn't the cruisers have suspected something if they couldn't detect the gravity wells?" The UA cruisers had said they'd performed a thorough investigation of the area. My heart fluttered. What if they hadn't?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Cruisers are too big to physically feel the wells. They wouldn't have known they were there anyway."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">We both knew the implications of what we'd found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might've meant that the cruiser's sensors had simply been blocked and that there really was a chance that my mom and dad were on the planet. Renewed hope flooded over me, filling me with new energy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"You're forgetting the most obvious question, Lenya."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">My mental celebration halted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Huh?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"Someone had to have flooded the area on purpose to keep something hidden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm guessing they've used a form of barium energy. Barium energy, in its pure state, will create gravity wells and block key sensor nodes."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As if on cue, the ship quivered again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I knew what he was suggesting, but my mind refused to process it, like maybe if I didn't think about it, it wouldn't be true.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">Unfortunately, he said it aloud, and suddenly, I had more to worry about than whether or not my parents were lost on some random planet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"I think there may be a Snarl base somewhere out here."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"But... we're in UA territory."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"The galaxy is a war zone, Lenya. Infiltration is a common strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to get out of here now and send a fleet. But we can't engage the grav drive until we've cleared these wells."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">The second planet loomed in the distance, looking a little like a marble among the stars. My breath came in rapid pants and my heart started hammering my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zhoven's fingers flew over the comm console as he simultaneously steered the ship in the opposite direction. The marble fell behind us. The ship bucked again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"What are you doing?" I asked, the tension evident in my tone.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">"I'm sending a message to the base." He locked eyes with me in what initially looked like an attempt to comfort me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He failed miserably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It's a long flight out of this system. We might not get out of here before..."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">He didn’t finish his sentence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">All I saw was a flash of light and then total darkness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I'd been dreaming of my parents, remembering some of the routine things I'd often overlooked. Most mornings, Dad would fetch his compad and a cup of black coffee, then go sit on one of the living room chairs where he felt the need to stretch his legs out and put his feet up on the coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost every morning, Mom would come out of the bedroom fiddling with her hair or smoothing her uniform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>"Get those stinky feet off my table!" </i>she'd chide, and he'd remove them long enough for her to go into the kitchen. Once she was out of the room, back on the table his feet went, and he'd continue reading the morning news as if he'd never been interrupted. It had almost seemed like a game to them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">I remembered in my dream that I'd simply sat on the couch, staring at my father as if I didn't know him, or was confused about why he was there. I didn't speak to him; I just stared, feeling as though maybe I was underwater in which one nostril was below the surface and one nostril was above. I could breathe, but it never seemed like there was enough air. And then I realized that it was sorrow I felt and when I remembered why, I opened my mouth to finally speak to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">But then I woke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When that first bout of consciousness rolled through my foggy head, I shut my eyes tight and tried to will the dream back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as hard as I tried, I couldn't fall into that pit of sleep again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">A tear escaped as I realized just how much I missed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I needed to--no, I <i>had</i> to--find them. Then I remembered...<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">My entire body jerked fully awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All around me was darkness. I rose quickly but ended up crashing my head against something hard and stars burst in front of my eyes as pain slashed through the top of my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to keep my grunting and whining to a minimum. I didn't want to attract any attention just yet.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="color: #eeeeee;">After the worst of the pain subsided, I started feeling around me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dark space, which was only large enough to hold my body, was hard and seemed to have the inconsistent rolls and curves of rock. It was slightly damp, too, and I heard running water from somewhere. I thought I might be in a cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;"></span><span style="color: #eeeeee;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #eeeeee; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%;">They'd gotten us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Snarls had gotten us.</span></div>
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</span><br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-30028813769165895662012-12-17T07:43:00.002-08:002012-12-17T07:43:45.607-08:00Cover revealed for Book 2!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyM3_WBI1OEw6DIslIQ7fDTShOlFZ-2YOCCQ7WOi8UTLrPNj5TbYrOcv03d7lXFtEEcLjaD_r_iOzTiXX19DvVR-fW2cWyhszGFGcb-UimujuJoeGsU1tF8d_l-BbFdGmF9t-8QBdYww/s1600/barrier2cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyM3_WBI1OEw6DIslIQ7fDTShOlFZ-2YOCCQ7WOi8UTLrPNj5TbYrOcv03d7lXFtEEcLjaD_r_iOzTiXX19DvVR-fW2cWyhszGFGcb-UimujuJoeGsU1tF8d_l-BbFdGmF9t-8QBdYww/s640/barrier2cover.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Coming Soon!</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-38591685155954866482012-09-01T23:12:00.000-07:002014-02-17T08:41:08.999-08:00Choose the gender and names!We're playing a fun baby game here on <i>Barrier</i>! The upcoming "Purpose of Pain" will reveal that Sky Legend, SD 32's Chief Control Officer, is pregnant. But wait! Not only is she expecting, she has two buns in the oven! And <i>Barrier</i> fans get to decide the gender and names of these new additions.<br />
<br />
<-- Look in the side bar to the left. Vote in that poll and then send your name choices to pamelacaves@rocketmail.com. Stay tuned to the Barrier blog to find out the results later!<br />
<br />
<strong>*Update: We're sorry but this poll has been closed and the results will be revealed in the upcoming 3rd installment to the Barrier series. Thank you for checking in!</strong>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-51132279047576905872012-08-21T06:58:00.003-07:002012-08-21T06:58:56.732-07:00Sabina DoubekSabina Doubek is a Velarian currently serving as the second-in-command on <a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/p/abouthistory.html" target="_blank">SSD 32</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>History:</b><br />
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Sabina grew up on a small colony on Crast, sister planet to Vela. Growing up, her mother taught her to be very goal oriented. Sabina found an interest in martial arts and weaponry at an early age and worked her way into the United Alliance, first serving in Security in various assignments. She then transferred to SSD 32 when she was assigned as the major weapons officer on Assault Squad 13.<br />
<br />
An injury (see <a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/2012/02/barrier-ethics-vs-duty-now-available.html" target="_blank"><i>Ethics vs. Duty</i></a>) to her spinal cord left her unable to continue on that career path. She was subsequently promoted to the position of General Tain's assistant and second-in-command of SSD 32.<br />
<br />
<b>Physical Characteristics:</b><br />
<br />
Sabina is a dark-skinned humanoid with slight reptilian characteristics. As is standard with Velarians, her body seems a little elongated compared to humans. She also sports a ridge of scales along her forehead and nose. She has long, thick black hair and striking green eyes.<br />
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<b>Personality:</b><br />
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Sabina is often blunt and crass. She holds people at arms length though not through any emotional issues; it is simply how she is. She's highly stubborn, too, and often insists she's right, even if proven wrong. She has little tolerance for nonsense and is generally critical of others. Though she is considered a mostly negative person, she is a quick thinker and loyal.<br />
<br />
<i><b>See </b></i><b>Barrier: The Purpose of Pain</b><i><b> for a story featuring Sabina Doubek</b></i><b><i>. Visit <a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/p/barrier-titles.html" target="_blank">this link</a> to find this title and more.</i></b>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-24175711156812055982012-08-06T07:48:00.002-07:002012-08-06T07:48:43.119-07:00Second "Barrier" ebook scheduled for release!<i>Barrier: The Purpose of Pain</i>, will be released late 2012 by Fiction Lake Publishing. In this second story for the series, sixteen year-old Lenya McKay is told that both her parents were killed when their vehicle imploded. She refuses to accept it, though, and goes off in search for them with the help of new Squad 13 weapon's officer, Corporal Zhoven Spiridon. Instead, they find something they could never have suspected; enemy infiltration. Growing up takes a sudden leap when she is Zhoven's only hope for survival against an unpredictable and brutal enemy.<br />
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Stay tuned for more <i>Barrier</i> news and posts leading up to the release!Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-53521832817599605522012-02-14T07:17:00.002-08:002012-03-16T11:19:57.660-07:00"Barrier: Ethics vs. Duty" - Now Available!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsjeb42xW6nTfnT_4PajPl-AklNji9Htf9_WFZSrDqda6IMFGWS2umvPxMMlt2Ds3GRZUQSJzgiDyjJcS6LL0ppBBGETM-1jApjvHNkzcpf_mGGoKQv7TH7HRla78u2sICyO1Zb97nIDc/s1600/barrier1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsjeb42xW6nTfnT_4PajPl-AklNji9Htf9_WFZSrDqda6IMFGWS2umvPxMMlt2Ds3GRZUQSJzgiDyjJcS6LL0ppBBGETM-1jApjvHNkzcpf_mGGoKQv7TH7HRla78u2sICyO1Zb97nIDc/s320/barrier1.jpg" width="245" /></a></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i> Assault Squad 13 has been sent to Dryza to help a colony they believe might be under attack from the Snarls. Rasa and Triana have been paired to search abandoned mining tunnels.</i></span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</i> <br />
</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">It had also been over two hours of silence. Aside from a brief order telling me to glance around a dead end corner, Rasa said nothing. She always walked around generally stoic anyway but now I kept imagining her behavior as something that was personal against me. Sabina was her friend, quite possibly her only friend, and dealing with her loss couldn't be easy out here. That was assuming she felt anything. I'm not quite certain how Decanites really deal with death. </span> </div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aside from the silence, Rasa's orders were a little strange. Instead of allowing me to partner in the search, she was often a step ahead. I wanted to say something to her but my stomach was already in knots. So instead of talking about it, I decided to just take the initiative. I stepped beside of her, intent on covering the alternate side of a T-junction we were coming to.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Get back to where you were, Sergeant."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"With all due respect, you can't cover everything yourself."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"How did you cover Doubek?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"What?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">She didn't sound angry and that's what threw me off guard. "I asked how you covered Doubek. I do not believe you misunderstood me."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thinking your crew feels you are responsible for the death of your own is nothing compared to actually hearing it out of their mouths. Even though I was afraid they thought badly of me, I never believed any of them would really blame me. The emotional stab to my heart was horrible.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I had no choice. I had to go ahead. They ordered me to restore power."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"And did you succeed?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"What do you mean?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Did you succeed in restoring power?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"You know the answer to that." My stomach flopped.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">She came within centimeters from my face. She had a mild pasty smell to her. I tried not to breathe in her scent as I stared at her eyes. They weren't actually all white as I'd previously thought. There was a slight cream color in the middle, so slight that it was almost unnoticeable... well, at least not noticeable unless you were close enough to feel her hot breath on your nose. If I ended up throwing up on her at this distance, I think I'd just resign. </span> </div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Her tone sharpened. "You were useless. You neither helped your partner nor did you accomplish your other objective. Now your partner is dead. Do not expect me to have faith that you have my back if we get into an incident with the enemy."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">She moved away and continued the search while I stood there like an idiot with tears welling in my eyes. I wanted to cry, I really did, but I didn't want her to see me cry. It wasn't that my feelings were hurt (although that was part of it), it was that I was angry. And when I get angry, for some stupid reason, I tend to cry. The only purpose that serves, other than humiliating me, is to further fuel my antagonist. I held back to my original position and hung my head to hide the temperature change in my face. Sometimes I have a hard time remembering that not everyone can see like I can.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Somewhere in the middle of my self loathing, a small dot of heat caught my attention along the route of the opposite side of the T-junction. There was a slight noise coming from that direction that I couldn't identify.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">My misgivings temporarily forgotten, I asked, "Sergeant Rasa, do you hear that?</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"No."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"There is something down there."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">She appeared at my side and shined her light down the tunnel. "I see nothing."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I see the heat coming off of it."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"The enemy?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"No. It's too small. It's probably an animal."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Unlikely," she said as she cautiously led the way. "There isn't a water or food source this far in. If it is an animal, it is displaced. We will need to return it to the outside."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Agreed." I hadn't been aware that she was so compassionate.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">On average, a Roen's hearing is better than a Decanite. Rasa was just starting to hear the noise.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"It sounds like a baby," I commented.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"What kind of baby?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"A humanoid baby," I mused. Really, what other kind of baby would I be talking about? "Haven't you ever heard a baby cry?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Once, standing in a transport line. The damn thing was oozing mucus from its nostrils, salivating at the mouth, and would not stop bellowing. Alien babies are annoying and disgusting."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I couldn't help but laugh.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"I do not see what you find amusing."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"You don't have babies on Decan?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Our hatchlings are sent to centers for transition. They do not rejoin their parental units until they are pre-pubescent."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Wow."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">While we walked, the crying grew louder. There was no mistaking that it was a humanoid baby.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"There is someone else down there. Do you see the heat signature?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"No, I just see the baby's. Are you sure it's a person?"</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Yes."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I saw what she was talking about only a minute later as my flashlight hit the back of a UA uniform. Someone was lying on the ground on their side with their back to us.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we reached them, Rasa checked the body while I picked up the crying infant. It was covered in a standard issue United Alliance thermal blanket. The skin tint was orange. But it wasn't Human or Jeviet. Its nose was flattened, almost bird-like and its thin red hair was soft down.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I calmed the little one down by talking to it softly and bouncing slightly. "I don't recognize this species. There's avian and humanoid characteristics."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"This officer is Major Idel Joshen, currently assigned to HQ, special tactics division. Looks like a level 5 pellet discharge."</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wondered if Rasa was thinking the same thing I was. This whole scenario made no sense. What the hell was a special tactics officer doing out here with an infant? But we weren't allowed to speculate. We knew that if we were to talk about it, conspiracy theories might start rumors and rumors were dangerous in our line of work.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rasa marked the location, took a video, and picked the body up as if it weighed no more than a suitcase. The baby started to fall asleep, soothed by the movement of my walk. It watched me with the most striking pair of green eyes I'd ever seen and I couldn't help but stroke its head and smile.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Avoid attachment, Sergeant," Rasa ordered.</span></div><div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: small;">--------------------------------------------------------------- <br />
</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b>You can purchase <i>Barrier: Duty vs. Ethics</i> on <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/132434" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> (several formats available), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0078NUPIE/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk" target="_blank">Amazon</a>, <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/barrier-pamela-caves/1108939093?ean=2940013963733" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a>, or search for it on your favorite site!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Want to see more work by Pamela Caves? Visit her site at <a href="http://www.pamelacaves.com/">www.PamelaCaves.com</a>.</b></span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-31418992313900706292012-01-05T08:08:00.000-08:002012-08-21T06:39:48.279-07:00Triana KreelerTriana Kreeler is a half Human, half <a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/2012/01/roen.html" target="_blank">Roen</a> hybrid, currently serving as Engineer on Assault Squad 13 on <a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/p/abouthistory.html" target="_blank">SSD 32</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>History:</b><br />
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Her mother is in sales in a company that markets personal interstellar vehicles on Roen. Her father is a visual media producer on Earth. Triana did a lot of back and forth travel between Roen and Earth growing up as her parents were never really together or married. Triana says they were great parents and great friends with each other, though. She always felt loved and well treated by both but she never really felt at home on either planet.<br />
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Her source of sanity growing up, she says, can be attributed to her best friend, Alex Ashler, who also serves on Assault Squad 13 on SSD 32 as the communications officer. <br />
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She joined the UA military once out of college and was accepted into the military's technical division after her academy training. While she's done well with her career thus far, the way to gain rank and notability, she knew, was to serve on the front so she took combat training and was placed on SSD 32.<br />
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<b>Physical Characteristics</b><br />
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Triana is average height and weight. Her most notable features are her brown hair (typical of Humans) and purple eye color (typical of Roens), which gets her noticed (often negatively) when she spends time on either planet.<br />
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<b>Personality</b><br />
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Triana describes herself as socially inept and not much for provocation or directness. Although her job often demands she perform with an amount of crass, she finds confrontation unsettling to the point she often becomes physically ill. While she may be just a competent officer, she's a genius at what she does. She's often unaware of her own brilliance in her field.<br />
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<b><i>See the first </i>Barrier<i> title, </i>Ethics vs. Duty<i> for a story featuring Triana Kreeler.</i> <i>Visit <a href="http://barriertheseries.blogspot.com/p/barrier-titles.html" target="_blank">this link</a> to find this title and more.</i></b>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-34369135104747849862012-01-03T07:38:00.000-08:002012-01-04T05:59:15.474-08:00Roen<u><b>Race</b></u><br />
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The Roens are a humanoid race. They resemble Humans but there are a few key differences. Eye and hair color is of a broader variety and their hair consists of fine down, which reveals some avian characteristics in their lineage.<br />
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One attribute they possess is that their visual ability is a bit different than a Human's. Roens are able to see temperature differentials and certain wavelengths that Humans typically cannot see. <br />
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<b><u>Planet</u></b><br />
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Roen is very similar to Earth, in composition, environment, history, political structure, etc. Roen was thrown into the war between the UA and the Xarle when the United Alliance got wind of a pending attack on the non-space faring planet. The UA provided support to Roen and as a result, the Xarle decided not to pursue the attack. Millions of Roen lives were saved as a result. Roen became integrated into the UA soon after.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7988590252576881371.post-44139734340877071222012-01-01T11:29:00.000-08:002012-01-03T07:41:33.741-08:00Cover revealed for Book 1!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbCGSQGa5hLL24yYEHqrVLdRIkBXCcm1CTpW7WoWle4E2hnHWazA6JraQUzs3XzlDF9Dt6qRpDbxY5L36YFCsyTkmcntLbVAdWRXPH44eB4H9joJYE-Ixo_Np10eAsDQ-qa8yLnxDVDc/s1600/barrier1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbCGSQGa5hLL24yYEHqrVLdRIkBXCcm1CTpW7WoWle4E2hnHWazA6JraQUzs3XzlDF9Dt6qRpDbxY5L36YFCsyTkmcntLbVAdWRXPH44eB4H9joJYE-Ixo_Np10eAsDQ-qa8yLnxDVDc/s400/barrier1.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Science Fiction Space Adventure Coming soon to <a href="http://www.fictionlake.com/" target="_blank">Fiction Lake</a>!</b></span></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01884714619277657759noreply@blogger.com0