IT’S ALWAYS HALLOWEEN ON A SPACE STATION – by Vijaya Schartz

Imagine a woman Samurai bounty hunter, walking the space station promenade in full black armor and protruding steel and plasma blades, with a cheetah trained to retrieve fugitives. Well, this is my heroine, Akira, and it’s not Halloween, although some of the aliens out there might look a little strange. This is just daily business on Borealis, a decrepit space station at the fringe of conquered space. Yep. We are in the 2600s and man has spread throughout the galaxies. There is a war going on, and the rebel planets are gaining on the dictatorial Transplanetary Protectorate.

BOREALIS IX: AKIRA’S CHOICE

Science Fiction Romance Novella

By Vijaya Schartz

Available everywhere in all eBook formats

Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00EWTQHAW

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/vijaya-schartz

Bounty hunter Akira Karyudo knew something didn’t add up when she accepted her assignment. Why would the Trans Planetary Protectorate want a kidnapped orphan dead or alive?

She will get to the truth once she finds the boy, and the no good SOB who snatched him from a psychiatric hospital. With her cheetah, Freckles, a genetically enhanced feline retriever, Akira sets out to flush them out of the bowels of the BOREALIS space station. But when she finds her fugitives, the man is not what she expects.

Markku, a decorated rebel soldier, only protects his nephew from the authorities, who performed painful experiments on the boy. Stuck on Borealis, he hides the child. But how can he shield him from the horribly dangerous conditions in the lawless sublevels of the decrepit space station?

Akira faces the worst moral dilemma of her career. Law or justice, duty or love. She can’t have it both ways.

EXCERPT 1 – First meeting:

Two thugs stalked away to follow the cheetah.

“Go after that cat and you’re dead!” The strong baritone voice came from a tall man aiming a blaster at the two hoodlums.

He stepped out of the shadows, in full paramilitary gear. His left hand held a long knife. He sidled toward Akira, circling the thugs, who started to retreat at the sight of his blaster.

“Mind your own business.” Akira didn’t appreciate unwanted help.

The man stepped closer. “These goons know nothing about civilized rules of fighting. They want your body, your hide, your cat for its meat, and your armor and weapons.”

“I know that.” Who did this man think she was? A neophyte? “There is no honor in killing defenseless creatures.”

“There is no honor in this place.” His gaze skimmed the sorry lot holding an assortment of blades and clubs, some with protruding metal spikes. “Believe me, they are far from defenseless.”

The thugs kept their distance from the blaster aimed at them, but they did not retreat.

“Still. I refuse to kill if there is another way.” None of those rejects would threaten her individually, but their number could present a challenge. As more joined the group, she counted two dozen.

The louts glanced at one another with indecision. At least, they understood the warning. She was trained and dangerous. Not to be trifled with. They widened their half circle in front of her, still hesitating, but they held their ground. Chikusho.

In a few long steps, the stranger joined her side. From his walk and the way he held his weapons, she could tell he had military training. He didn’t look like a TPP soldier, though. Something wild lurked in his clear blue gaze. A free thinker. A bounty hunter like her? Or perhaps a rebel?

“You look like you could use some help.”

“Do I?” Unbelievable. “Why should I trust you?” She couldn’t help the derision in her voice. “For all I know, you could be their leader, luring me into a trap.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “I’m not one of them, and you are in more trouble than you know.”

“Get out of my way.” Akira clicked open the metal claws of her forearm braces then unsheathed a titanium short sword and adopted a defensive stance. “I work alone.”

He laughed. “And I’m telling you, this is no place for a warrior from a distant past. Especially, one who cares about something as futile as honor.”

EXCERPT 2 – The kiss:

Ever so gently, he brought his face closer to hers, his gaze fixed on her lips. She’d secretly dreamed of this moment. How could she deny him? Her entire being yearned for his kiss.

Her desire betrayed her, and her mouth opened slightly, then his lips brushed hers, soft, tentative at first. He nibbled her lower lip, making her want him even more. A soft moan escaped her. Akira’s consciousness hinged on their gentle kiss.

Then, as if on cue, he drew her tight against him and claimed her mouth, imperious and fierce, like the warrior he was. She let him ravage her, enjoying his male scent, his strong will and determination. Warmth flooded her body. She tingled all over with life, and the awareness of him.

Unable to remain passive any longer, she responded in kind. The places where their bodies touched burned with fire. Her hands cradled his head, her body arched closer, as if to melt into his. By the golden rays of Amaterasu, she didn’t know a kiss could be so powerful.

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