Muse Food – Squirrels And Places In EcoSystems
Squirrels seem like cute little critters with no real purpose.
But their appearances are deceiving. They help trees, for example, reproduce by spreading their nuts and seeds. Many of the nuts and seeds squirrels bury in our lawns are never uncovered and eaten. They’re…planted. Permanently. And if conditions are right, they’ll grow into baby trees.
If squirrels didn’t plant them, something else would have to do that task. Or trees would go extinct.
I think about that whenever I build a world. Who or what will complete necessary tasks (like, as another example, breaking down dead materials)?
***
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Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Muse Food | Comments Off on Muse Food – Squirrels And Places In EcoSystems
Intrepid Encounter – Third Scene Of The First Chapter
Intrepid Encounter, the fifth core story in the Cyborg Unity series, releases next week! Woot!
Today, I’m sharing the third and final scene from the very first chapter.
You can read the first scene here:
https://tasteofcyn.com/?p=11291
***
Three planet rotations passed, and Intrepid hadn’t located the threat. He stared, via the main viewscreen, in the direction of the cyborg-sector border. There was no activity there.
“We could place two sensors in front of the ship and fly between them.” Grid shared his strategy to test their navigation systems. “They’ll relay our position, and I’ll compare that to the readings. That will—”
Lights flashed on the console.
“We’re receiving incoming communications from the Cyborg Council, Captain.” Argot, the Dauntless’s communications officer, relayed that information.
Intrepid swallowed a groan. He didn’t want any distractions at the moment. And an interaction with the Cyborg Council was always a big distraction.
But he couldn’t ignore the request. “Open communication lines.”
“Opening communication lines, Captain.” Argot confirmed that order.
An image of Power, the self-appointed leader of the Cyborg Council, and Eirene Ours, his genetic match and the leader of the now-incorporated Rebel Cyborgs, appeared in a corner of the main viewscreen.
“This information can be relayed with your officers.” Power bit off each word.
“It’s being relayed.” Intrepid hadn’t waited for permission to broadcast the communication to the bridge. Power would’ve informed him if the information was meant for his consideration alone.
“There’s a possible threat to the safety of all cyborgs, genetic matches—” Power’s gaze flicked toward Eirene Ours. “—and offspring located within the sector.”
Intrepid straightened in his captain’s chair.
Power’s threat could be the one he was sensing.
None of the beings on board the Dauntless had the good fortune to locate their genetic matches yet. And that included Intrepid.
They might never find those beings, and they might never manufacture offspring.
But they’d dedicated their lifespans to protecting the other warriors’ genetic matches and offspring. Intrepid took their safety very seriously.
“We have intel that a Valkyrie might seek to enter our space.” Power delivered that information with a blank countenance.
“A Valkyrie.” Drift, the Dauntless’s pilot, expressed their shared astonishment. “The chatter was correct.”
The rumors on the transmission lines were that a cyborg and his genetic match had returned to their sector with artifacts taken from a Humanoid Alliance facility. One of those artifacts was a dagger stolen from a Valkyrie by their much-reviled enemy.
The chatter speculated that the warrior was now searching for her weapon.
And that weapon was currently located on Praecipua Minor, a planet within the sector that was heavily guarded by cyborg warships.
Intrepid questioned that those defenses would be sufficient to ward off a Valkyrie attack.
The female warriors matched cyborgs for skill in battle. They lived to fight and believed they’d been created by their deities solely for that purpose.
They were also ancient. Valkyries had a natural lifespan of forever, as Intrepid’s kind did. They were fraggin’ hard to kill and were as difficult to stop.
Intrepid had spotted one across a war zone once. The humanoid female had been dressed in gold armor, and she had glowed as she jabbed a spear through her opponent’s tough skull. The victory cry she’d given after that kill had pierced the noise of the fighting all around them.
Fraggin’ hole. He blew out his breath.
His organics had been warning him of an imminent danger.
A Valkyrie was danger encapsulated.
“Why would she seek to enter our space?” Intrepid wanted to hear the truth from Power’s own lips.
Speculations were often fraught with errors and miscommunications, deficiencies that could kill a captain and his crew. The Cyborg Council leader would’ve verified any intel he relayed.
“She’s searching for an… object in our possession.” Power was frustratingly vague. “You are to down her ship and ensure there is nothing left to recover.”
Valkyries were reportedly only interested in war. The object must be a weapon.
The rumors about the dagger were true.
“Another being would give that object to her.” The cyborgs didn’t need another dagger. They could defend their sector with the weapons they currently had. “The odds of intercepting the Valkyrie are low. And the odds of blowing up her ship are lower.”
“The Dauntless has defied low odds in the past.” Power wasn’t moving on his stance.
He was correct. They had defied low odds in the past.
When they’d saved Power’s lifespan six hundred and thirty-seven planet rotations ago.
Intrepid’s lips twisted. The Cyborg Council leader was an ungrateful ass.
“You’re asking me to risk my crew to stop the Valkyrie.” He wanted to ensure the male processed the risks he was ordering them to take. “Is this…object worth their lifespans?”
“Yes.” Power held his gaze.
The E model didn’t relay why he was willing to place Intrepid and his crew in peril. But his tone communicated he was 100.0000 percent certain that danger was warranted.
Intrepid swallowed his misgivings. Power might be an ass, but he wouldn’t sacrifice warriors unnecessarily. “Then we will stop the Valkyrie.” He deleted all emotion from his voice and countenance. “If we detect her ship’s approach.”
“You’ll detect her ship’s approach.” Power lifted his chin. “The border sensors are fully functional.” His dark eyes flashed. “Ending transmission.”
The image on the main viewscreen reverted to footage of the border Intrepid and the crew of the Dauntless were charged to protect.
The area was too vast for Intrepid’s comfort. And he didn’t share Power’s confidence in the border sensors’ ability to detect the Valkyrie.
The warrior females were ancient. They had existed long before the first cyborg was manufactured. They hadn’t lived that long because they lacked the ability to evade capture.
Detecting and then stopping their target would require all the resources on board the Dauntless.
“Grid, the testing of all onboard systems will be paused as of this moment.” Intrepid informed the male. They had a higher-priority task to complete.
“Pausing all onboard systems testing, Captain.” Humor lilted his navigator’s voice.
Only that chaos-embracing male would find their current situation amusing.
“Activate the emergency monitoring systems.” Duplicating systems would expend energy and leave them with no backups. But the threat warranted it.
“Activating emergency monitoring systems, Captain.” Strike’s expression was grave. He processed the danger they were facing.
There was a 97.5665 percent chance they’d only have one opportunity to blow up the Valkyrie’s ship. The female warrior would be skilled. Once she detected them, she would be fraggin’ impossible to kill.
A tinge of misgiving shimmered through Intrepid. To end the lifespan of such a legendary being seemed…wrong. The Valkyrie he’d viewed had been magnificent. They were gifted fighters.
They were also rare. There were millions of cyborgs and, according to their databases, only thirty-seven of them had ever spotted a Valkyrie.
He and his crew would have to kill one.
And for what crime? If the rumors were true, she was attempting to retrieve her dagger, a weapon that belonged to her.
Sympathy for the Valkyrie mixed with Intrepid’s misgiving. He had weapons he valued also.
But his private feelings about the warrior female wouldn’t prevent him from following Power’s orders.
If the Cyborg Council leader projected the Valkyrie had to be killed, Intrepid would ensure the Valkyrie was killed. Without hesitation.
His jaw jutted.
“Increase our speed.” They would patrol their allocated stretch of border faster, covering more space in a short duration of time.
“Increasing our speed, Captain.” Drift, the Dauntless’s pilot, acted on his order.
Intrepid’s resolve firmed.
His duty to his kind came first.
He would sacrifice everything and everyone else in the universe, including his own crew, to keep his cyborg brethren free and safe.
The Valkyrie would die.
***
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Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Intrepid Encounter – Third Scene Of The First Chapter
Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – November 12
I’ve shared the first two scenes from Intrepid Encounter on my blog thus far. YES! Release day is quickly approaching. I can’t wait for you to read this story!
I continue to craft the first draft of Strike Zone, the first story in the Dauntless Cyborgs series (releasing in February). I love Strike and I love his human heroine. They are magical together.
Have a wonderful week, my friend. (big hugs) I typed that at first as have a WONDER week and that is my wish for you also. Wonder at the world all around us. Look at it with amazement and awe. See the magic in every moment. It is sometimes hidden but it’s there!
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Cynthia Sax Weekly Update | Comments Off on Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – November 12
Intrepid Encounter And A New-To-Us Alien Species
I introduce a new alien species in Intrepid Encounter – the Akkorokapus.
The name Akkorokapus is a nod to both the Akkorokamui, a Kraken-like monster that appears in Ainu folklore, and the extremely clever octopus, one of my favorite creatures on Earth. (grins)
Akkorokapus are humanoids with pink skin and tentacle-covered faces. They speak like a human trying to communicate under water and their birth language doesn’t use contractions…so they don’t tend to use them while speaking the universal language.
There are a gazillion species of humanoids in the cyborg universe and it is always exciting to meet a new one!
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Intrepid Encounter And A New-To-Us Alien Species
Intrepid Encounter And A Valkyrie’s Physical Age
Olrun, the heroine of Intrepid Encounter, is a Valkyrie. Valkyries can live forever. They stop aging when they hit 25 solar cycles (years).
Why 25 solar cycles?
Because humans, on average, hit their potential for top physical strength at age 25. And Valkyries are warriors. They loved to fight with swords and other blades. And they would value physical strength.
Is 25 when humans are at their peak?
Not in all things. We peak for different things at different ages.
We feel best about our bodies, for example, after the age of 70.
Our vocabularies peak in our late 60s/early 70s.
Life satisfaction peaks, on average, at 23 but then again at 69. (LOL I can never write 69 without laughing.)
You are likely at or near your best in one aspect of your life right now. And isn’t that a wonderful thing?
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Intrepid Encounter And A Valkyrie’s Physical Age
Muse Food – Framing And Trees
The Dear Wonderful Hubby and I were trekking around Sitka National Historical Park in Alaska and we saw this gap in a tree trunk.
It isn’t very interesting, is it?
But look at it with the framing.
THAT is something different, special, exciting.
Framing is very important for images and it is also very important for stories. The most mundane scene can be thrilling if it is framed properly. The scenes before and after it can add tremendous emotion.
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Intrepid Encounter
(This blurb is VERY rough.)
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She is the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her caresses produce a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of Valkyries everywhere and she will do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough touch, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her Valkyrie sisters from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
***
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Muse Food | Comments Off on Muse Food – Framing And Trees
Intrepid Encounter – Second Scene Of The First Chapter
I’m sharing scenes from the first chapter of Intrepid Encounter as we wait for its release on November 21st.
You can read the first scene of the first chapter here:
https://tasteofcyn.com/?p=11291
This week I’m sharing the second scene.
***
“Why is Choice focusing on the ventilation system?” Intrepid paused. “Relay your best projection. And supply all the details behind it.”
He would uncover the truth eventually.
Grid’s grin wavered for a heartbeat.
The male was responsible for Choice’s misadventures. Intrepid processed that.
His navigator had a sense of mischief that bordered on malfunction.
And he lacked stealth. Intrepid read the guilt all over his countenance.
But Grid was also protective of his fellow crew members. He wouldn’t intentionally place the less-experienced male in peril. The current situation was a diversion for him.
The male didn’t process they were facing an unidentified danger.
Intrepid tracked Choice’s activities in the ventilation shaft. The kid had extracted a handheld from a holster on his body armor and was looking at its tiny screen. He remained in full functionality.
Seeking an explanation, Intrepid redirected his focus to Grin.
His navigator swallowed. Hard. He must have sensed he was in trouble. “Choice was boasting about how he ensured all the systems on the Dauntless were operating at maximum efficiency, Captain.”
Intrepid recognized the kid was trying to prove his worth to the rest of the crew. But that comment irked him as much as it must have irked Grid.
The Dauntless’s systems always ran at maximum efficiency.
“And?” He lifted one of his eyebrows.
“And I asked him how he processed that with 100.0000 percent certainty.” Grid turned his palms upward. “The readings for the ventilation system could be incorrect.” He shrugged. “The ventilation system was given merely as an example.”
Choice was new to the crew. Intrepid’s lips twisted. There was a low probability the newbie processed it was an example.
And there was only an 0.0235 probability the ventilation system had been a random choice. Grid had wanted to prompt the very large C Model to enter the very narrow shafts.
“I told him if he hadn’t verified the readings were correct, he couldn’t determine the ventilation system was operating at maximum efficiency with 100.0000 percent certainty.” Grid’s argument was logical. “I project he’s undertaking that verification.”
That response was logical also. And the entire interaction could inadvertently assist Intrepid with identifying the nature of the danger they might be facing. Not that either officer processed that.
“The readings could be incorrect.” He nodded.
Grid’s eyes widened. The male hadn’t projected that response.
“All our key readings, including navigation, will be verified.” Intrepid issued that command.
The officers on the bridge groaned.
It would be a huge undertaking. But they were cyborgs. Their kind didn’t require sleep.
And the process might save their lifespans. They might uncover the threat.
“Grid, you’ll lead the efforts.” That was both a reprimand and a reward. The male would gain experience at commanding beings, but he wouldn’t find the role enjoyable. “I expect progress reports every planet rotation. The first one will occur by the end of the next shift.” Intrepid inclined his head toward the footage on the main viewscreen. “Choice will have completed his verification of the ventilation-system readings by that time.”
The kid was backing out of the ventilation shaft. There was a high probability he had already completed the verification.
The Dauntless’s newest engineer was eager to prove himself. His mom, Joan, also a skilled engineer, would be proud of him.
As Intrepid was.
He looked back at Grid. “I expect the reports to be thorough.” Indication of the threat might be revealed in those details.
“Yes, Captain.” The navigator’s shoulders slumped.
The other beings on the bridge appeared as unhappy with the additional tasks.
There was a high probability they were grumbling about the orders through the crew-only transmission lines.
But Intrepid said nothing more. Their safety was a higher priority for him than being liked.
And confiding in them now would accomplish nothing except alarm his crew. That had a high probability of making a bad situation worse.
He kept his feelings to himself as a good captain should. And he focused on locating the source of the danger.
“Has there been any activity at the border?” He’d been monitoring the space, but others might have noticed something he’d missed.
“Nine pieces of debris have crossed the border over the past shift.” Strike, his second-in-command, displayed images of the wreckage beside the footage of the now-vacant ventilation shaft. All the pieces were smaller than a missile launcher. “A ship also appeared briefly at the edge of our monitoring range. It altered course and didn’t enter our visuals. Other than that, it has been quiet.”
Intrepid replaced the images on the main viewscreen with footage from the battle station’s forward recording devices. There was no movement amongst the stars.
His feelings of foreboding didn’t lessen.
Something was terribly wrong. He would uncover what that was.
***
Read the next scene (available November 13th) here:
https://tasteofcyn.com/?p=11295
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Intrepid Encounter – Second Scene Of The First Chapter
Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – November 5
The countdown to the release of Intrepid Encounter is on! I shared the first scene from the first chapter this past week. Woot! I can’t wait for you to read this story, my friends. It is explosive! (grins)
I’m working on the first draft of Strike Zone, the first core story in the Dauntless Cyborgs series (releasing in February). You’ll be seeing this update a lot. I’m a slow writer but I get stories written and that is what truly matters.
Have a wonderful week, my friends! (tackle hugs) Take some time for yourself and relax. We all know the holiday wildness is coming. (smiles) Refill your energy levels, as my cyborgs would say. And be kind to yourself. Always. You’re amazing. Don’t ever forget that!
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Cynthia Sax Weekly Update | Comments Off on Cynthia Sax Weekly Update – November 5
Hacking Hazard And Missed Newsletter Snippets
I’ve been receiving some messages from reading buddies about newsletter snippets they might have missed.
Don’t worry!
(big hugs)
I listened to your feedback last year and will be adding the 2023 newsletter snippets to the back of Hacking Hazard, this year’s thank you i.e. free short story (There are no pre-orders for this gift. I’ll send newsletter subscribers the download link in December.).
They will be listed in chronological order and you’ll have all the snippets in one place.
Easy peasy! (grins)
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Hacking Hazard And Missed Newsletter Snippets
Intrepid Encounter – Someone To Confide In
Intrepid, the hero of Intrepid Encounter (releasing November 21st, November 20th if you pre-order it), is the captain of a huge battle station. He is surrounded by his crew including his officers.
And he likes his crew. He likes being with them.
He also has friends off ship. Rage is one of those friends.
Intrepid isn’t lonely. And he is never alone.
He lacks, however, someone to confide in, someone to talk openly with about leadership issues, about crew situations, about his feelings and other things. He needs someone he can be himself with. He doesn’t have to be THE CAPTAIN all the time. And he wants someone to love.
Is the Valkyrie seeking to kill him that being? (laughs) We will soon find out.
***
Subscribe To My Newsletter: http://cynthiasax.com/newsletter/
Intrepid Encounter
Cyborg vs. Valkyrie
Blood will be spilled and hearts will be captured.
Intrepid and his crew on the Dauntless guard the border to the cyborg sector. The D Model cyborg captain has dedicated his lifespan to protecting their homeland. He’ll do anything to secure the space and keep his brethren safe.
That includes confronting a Valkyrie intent on vengeance.
The female warrior is beautiful, brave, strong…and Intrepid’s genetic match. She’s the one being he is fated to claim. Her voice causes his circuits to hum. Her touch produces a passion he struggles to control.
But if he has to stop her…permanently…to protect his kind, he will make that sacrifice.
Olrun has been tracking the whereabouts of a one-of-a-kind object. The stolen item is critical to the safety of her Valkyrie sisters, and she’ll do anything to retrieve it.
That includes waging war on a tall, broad-shouldered cyborg warrior sporting brilliant-blue eyes and grimly set lips.
The male might…just might…have battle skills matching her own. And that excites the immortal fighter. She craves his rough handling, his punishing embrace, his stern words.
But Olrun’s desire for the cyborg won’t distract her from achieving her goal. She will shield her fellow Valkyries from danger, even if that means ending Intrepid’s lifespan in the process.
Intrepid Encounter is an enemies-to-lovers Cyborg SciFi Romance set in a dark, gritty, sometimes-violent universe.
It features a protective cyborg, a vengeful Valkyrie, and a destiny neither of them can predict.
Pre-order Today:
Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Amazon AUS:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Intrepid-Encounter-SciFi-Cyborg-Romance-ebook/dp/B0C8BN96D1
Apple Books:
https://books.apple.com/us/book/intrepid-encounter/id6450374920
B&N:
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/intrepid-encounter-cynthia-sax/1143664740
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/intrepid-encounter
Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/1409350
Topics: Coming Soon | Comments Off on Intrepid Encounter – Someone To Confide In
