A Christmas Tale of the 44th Century
24th December 2016
The story is nearly complete, the principal artwork is done - just need my epilogue, a scanner and a splash of colour. In the meantime - here's a brief taste:
VOID - ARCTIC TRAINING
Prologue
The meteorite flashed through the air, illuminating the low cloud around it; in less than a second it exited the cloud layer and lit up the snow-bound landscape a bright yellow-white before smashing into the ground.
The creature approached cautiously, the steaming crater intrigued it. It extended its neck and head over the jumbled ice and snow surrounding a small crater and probed the warm ground it exposed with its long snout. Something metallic sprang from the crater and struck it.
Deep in its cavern, the vault computer detected the electromagnetic emission, recognised it and entered defensive mode.
Chapter One
Isabeau LaFey scrambled to her feet, spitting out snow and ice crystals as the creature lunged at her again; its heavy, clawed paw missed her head by inches as she staggered backwards out of the deep snow and onto rock. It was on its hind legs now, rearing up at the same time as she lost her footing once more. It didn't matter though: Isabeau had reached her rucsack.
Her fingers fought through numbing cold to un-buckle the flap, rip the drawcord and its spring-loaded clasp back to open the main compartment and reach in and find something by touch. All the while she was scrambling back up to the crest of exposed rock and she then toppled over the other side. Fortunately for her, the fall was down a slight incline and into another deep pocket of snow; it bought her vital seconds as she finally freed her weapon from the rucsack, took aim and fired.
The creature bellowed in pain and shock as the particle beam hit its chest; other than that the stun blast did little to halt its rush for the kill...
to be continued...
Happy Christmas!
VOID - ARCTIC TRAINING
Prologue
The meteorite flashed through the air, illuminating the low cloud around it; in less than a second it exited the cloud layer and lit up the snow-bound landscape a bright yellow-white before smashing into the ground.
The creature approached cautiously, the steaming crater intrigued it. It extended its neck and head over the jumbled ice and snow surrounding a small crater and probed the warm ground it exposed with its long snout. Something metallic sprang from the crater and struck it.
Deep in its cavern, the vault computer detected the electromagnetic emission, recognised it and entered defensive mode.
Chapter One
Isabeau LaFey scrambled to her feet, spitting out snow and ice crystals as the creature lunged at her again; its heavy, clawed paw missed her head by inches as she staggered backwards out of the deep snow and onto rock. It was on its hind legs now, rearing up at the same time as she lost her footing once more. It didn't matter though: Isabeau had reached her rucsack.
Her fingers fought through numbing cold to un-buckle the flap, rip the drawcord and its spring-loaded clasp back to open the main compartment and reach in and find something by touch. All the while she was scrambling back up to the crest of exposed rock and she then toppled over the other side. Fortunately for her, the fall was down a slight incline and into another deep pocket of snow; it bought her vital seconds as she finally freed her weapon from the rucsack, took aim and fired.
The creature bellowed in pain and shock as the particle beam hit its chest; other than that the stun blast did little to halt its rush for the kill...
to be continued...
Happy Christmas!