Here we go again, another day, another author feature! We hope you guys enjoy getting a glimpse at some of these favorite stories from the past that kept readers enthralled in earlier days of the site. This nearly 200k story is a perfect example. Monday's graphic teaser should've whet your appetite, now let's see if I can hook you in completely with an excerpt. 

There is a LOT of drama going on in this story... but that's because the story starts off with a bang and the hits keep coming. You get a good look back at the action and an idea (though, omg, a run at the gate is crazy!!!) of what is to come with this excerpt. And, of course, Topher's stellar writing style and clean editing. 

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"We need your help," Darien said sitting down uncomfortably; he felt like he was imposing on her again and he didn't like it.

 

"To get through the jump gate," she replied, sitting across from him and continuing to brush her blonde hair. She'd changed into something more comfortable and looked like she was settling in for the evening, "I wondered how long it would take you to realize you can't run the Amsus blockade."

 

"It's a bit more complicated than that," Darien continued. "There's a couple of... unsavoury people after me..."

 

"So I noticed," she replied with a chuckle. "You're apparently a member of the Fifth Column Terrorists according to the news, they just upped your threat level as well."

 

"I'm not a terrorist," Darien replied defensively. "I'm a cop and I was framed."

 

"Yeah, one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Its an old story." She crossed her legs and sat back in her armchair, "So, Captain Taine, how can I help you?"

 

Darien looked at her squarely, "I need to book passage through the jump gate for my crew, myself and some cargo, no questions asked."

 

"And you want to go on an Orion ship?" she asked carefully, thinking it over. She looked up into his brown eyes and shrugged, "Ok Captain, it's time for total truth here..." She got up and crossed to a side door, knocking on it and inviting Nazzien and Shale to join them.

 

Nazzien rolled his eyes recognizing Darien, and Shale just beamed. The two Orion crewmembers sat down as well and looked expectantly over at Lauren.

 

"He needs our help," Lauren said simply. "I said he had to tell us the truth first."

 

"Good," Nazzien said darkly, his ivory-white eyes boring holes into the Terran. "'Bout time, too."

 

Shale lifted a huge paw and set it down on the smaller Orion's shoulder, his way of telling his companion to calm down. He focused his yellow eyes on Darien and nodded for him to start.

 

Darien nodded to the Taïrian, looking over at Lauren he shrugged, "I was framed for killing an Amsus Inquisitor back on Earth..."

 

"Oh, they're always framed..." Nazzien threw up his hands, Shale kept his paw on the Orion's shoulder holding him firmly in place so he could hear the rest of Darien's explanation.

 

"It was another Inquisitor, I was a Detective Inspector in Ter-Sec..."

 

Lauren's eyebrows shot up, "Ter-Sec... that explains the PKD and you stupidly running through a crippled ship to save people." She looked over at Nazzien, "You know, risking their lives to save people." There was an edge of iron to her reminder.

 

"All right, Detective," Nazzien emphasized the word, "you want to explain the fact that the Amsus have branded you a part of the Resistance, and the fact you're running around in old Imperial uniforms with Imperial fighters?"

 

Darien explained his story again, watching their reactions, noting Shale's nodding, and Lauren's soft smile. Nazzien was the only one who seemed sceptical, but even he relaxed after awhile, looking petulant.

 

"I need your help... we need your help." Darien pressed.

 

"Darien, it means Possessed of Good," Shale spoke, surprising everyone in the room. "We should help him." His voice was grave and quiet, typical of his race, and he chose his words with deliberate caution.

 

Lauren nodded, "Seems Shale's quite taken with you, he didn't speak in front of me till about a year after we met." She looked at Nazzien, "What do you think?"

 

Nazzien shrugged, "Who am I to argue with the 'possessor of good', I just want it noted I still think this is a bad idea even though I am helping."

 

"So noted," Lauren agreed, turning back to Darien. "There's an Orion trade liner, the Protania, coming through the station tomorrow, it's bound for the Apilon Commonwealth. We're signing onto her as crew members." She looked at Darien meaningfully, "We'll get you aboard no questions asked; I know her captain well, he's a good man and won't ask questions." She got up and began to jot notes down on a piece of paper, handing it to him, "That's the manifest codes so you can load your cargo. Do what you need to do and meet us at Pier Twelve ten tomorrow... don't be late," she warned.

 

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