Sneak Peek—Stories from The Expanding Universe Anthology #4: ‘Darkened Skies: Chancerian 3’ by Drew Avera

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There are 20 short stories in the latest volume of Craig Martelle’s The Expanding Universe anthologies. Today, with his permission, we are taking a sneak peek at the start of Drew Avera’s story, ‘Darkened Skies: Chancerian 3’. Here’s how it begins:
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Thrust into a life or death situation, the next decision Tawny makes could cost her everything.

Under the cover of half-collapsed tents sagging in the midday hustle of the open market, Tawny hid as they searched for her. Exactly who they were was a mystery she didn’t have time to solve, but their lack of uniforms forced her heart to pound faster. Uniforms came with a certain set of guidelines, rules of engagement and a relative sense of honor. No uniforms could mean anything, any punishment, and it scared the crap out of her.

Stealing wasn’t a death sentence by law, but who was to say these men with their big guns were on the right side of that law? Her fingers tightened around the device she’d taken, careful not to lose hold of it as sweat drenched her hands. This was her only ticket out of here and the situation had gone south much sooner than she expected. Too soon to be a coincidence.

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Would you like to read more? 

TheExpanding Universe #4 is now available on Amazon. You can also find Volume 1, The Expanding Universe: An Exploration of Science Fiction Genre, Volume 2, The Expanding Universe: Exploring the Science Fiction Genre, and Volume 3, The Expanding Universe 3: Space Opera, Military SciFi, Space Adventure, & Alien Contact! on Amazon in paperback.


Location: Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

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