Galactic Frontiers: A Collection of Space Opera and Military Science Fiction Stories Read online

“I was heading out here for a new life. Something quieter after the Army. I’ve seen a lot, too much.”

  She looked down to her hands.

  “I thought I’d tire of the violence, the stress, and the pressure. Something tells me that an agricultural world isn’t going to cut it.”

  Zhang Wei pulled herself away from her seat and drifted into the centre of the hull. The hatch to the cargo hold was still open, so she pressed the button on the wall to seal it. That was when she noticed the diagram of the ship, and the specification of her hull.

  “Juggernaut Class, huh. You know there’s a lot of work out here these days for small ships?”

  Kirya looked at her and then down to the metal plate still in her hands. The interior was dark, just a few small spotlights providing harsh highlights and casting long shadows across their faces.

  “Yeah. The Confederacy isn’t exactly a peaceful place. There’s lots of work for private security, trade runs, and the like. Why? What are you thinking?”

  Zhang hesitated before answering.

  “You want to do something together?”

  Kirya didn’t quite understanding her meaning, but was intrigued nonetheless. Zhang almost looked embarrassed when she pointed to the cockpit.

  “Ah, I get it. We’ve got a ship, some guns, and nothing to lose. Our combat skills and your medical expertise. Why the hell not? Is there anything we can’t do?”

  “Yeah,” said Zhang Wei, quickly warming to the idea, “And if we need anybody else, we’ll just find them and hire them.”

  Her expression then hardened.

  “And if anybody actually managed to survive that blast, then we’ve got enemies to hunt.”

  Kirya breathed slowly, finally feeling calm aboard the ship.

  “They don’t interest me at all. Right now, I’m just thankful that we’re the last survivors. And if one day we do run into any of them,” She ground her fists together, “They’ll feel our wrath.”

  Zhang Wei seemed to like that and began quoting a verse Kirya had not heard in years.

  “Heav’n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn’d, Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn’d.”

  Kirya looked back at her and nodded.

  “We’re the Widows of Starlighter all right, and anybody that turns on us again will not live to regret it.”

  Their eyes met in the darkness of the ship.

  “We’re the Black Widows.”

  About the Author, Michael G. Thomas

  Michael G. Thomas is a science fiction and horror novelist from Monmouthshire, situated right on the border between England and Wales. Michael started writing back in 2010 and since then has published more than thirty-five novels, with more being released every few months.

  His best-selling space opera Star Crusades series has sold in excess of a million copies, and has expanded into multiple new spin-off series including Star Crusader, Black Widows, Mercenaries and many more. This growing saga continues to draw in new fans every month as the Star Crusades universe itself expands. Star Legions is a pseudo historical tale but with a strong science-fiction twist and combines Michael’s expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning with his life-ling interest in ancient history. As well as a writing science fiction, Michael also writes horror and action fiction, including the popular Zombie Dawn trilogy, co-written with his brother, Nick S. Thomas.

  Find Michael online: Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Website

  Books by Michael G. Thomas

  Soldiers of Tomorrow Series

  Star Crusader Series

  Star Crusades Uprising Series

  Star Crusades: Mercenaries Series

  Star Crusades Nexus Series

  Star Legions Series

  Black Widows Series

  Acknowledgements

  I’d like to thank the talented authors who took part in this anthology: JN, Rachel, Amy, Nick, G.P., Ken, David, HJ, Jenetta, Chris, CJ, Craig, Justin, Jay and Michael. What started off as a boxset of previously published series starters then morphed into a space opera/military sci-fi anthology of mostly brand-new stories. Its been a fun ride and I’m proud to have worked with you all! Thanks again for your contributions to what will be an explosive and engrossing collection of stories. I know readers of the Galactic Frontiers anthology will be even more grateful than I already am!

  Regards,

  CCE

  Table of Contents

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Story Synopses

  Lori’s War - C.J. Carella

  Rift - Amy DuBoff

  Retreat - G.P. Hudson

  Battle Beyond Earth: Liberty - Nick S. Thomas

  Daughters of Ayor - David R. Bernstein

  Bloodbag Suppressors - Justin Sloan

  Crash Landing - Ken Lozito

  The Teardrop that became a Torrent - Rachel Aukes

  The Forever Family - J.N. Chaney

  Space Cadets - H.J. Lawson

  The Embrose Contract - C.C. Ekeke

  The Trenches of Centauri Prime - Craig Martelle

  Plenty - Jenetta Penner

  Planetstrider - Chris Fox

  Tombstone - Jay Allan

  Last Survivors - Michael G. Thomas

  Acknowledgements