Sunday Snippet: Shaken Alliances (a Technorati novella)

Happy spring holidays for those who celebrate. We're having a nice, quiet weekend with excellent weather for once.

Long work week but I got a lot accomplished. Should have one of my projects finished up this week and another ready to move on to the next phase. The third is in a holding pattern for now and we'll pick that one back up in about two weeks.

Had an okay week of watching television. I've also been working on the great clean out project again and that limited some of my viewing time.

I started out with Strangest Things. This show always entertains me with the wild and weird stuff they feature. The psychograph shed some light on at least one X-Files storyline for me.

Continued my rewatch of Battlestar Galactica with "Flesh and Bone." The reintroduction of the Leoben character is an excellent watch, even if I completely dislike that particular model of cylon. The acting is terrific in this episode.

Caught another episode of The Mandalorian. Nice to see the big bad from last season is still a big bad. Always great to see Carl Weathers. Loved Grogu's antics in this one. Can't wait to watch the next episode.

Watched another episode of Only Murders in the Building. Loved seeing the fan crew again. Not sure how I feel about bringing Jan back into the story but I'm thoroughly enjoying the new wrinkle with Oliver and Teddy. I'm looking forward to the next episode.

And that's pretty much it for the life update this week. Tonight's post is from Shaken Alliances, the opening book in the Technorati series.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Janna Allgood, a corporal in the Alliance, is the best at what she does, bringing Technorati deceivers to justice. But when she's assigned the task of tracking down the notorious leader of the rogue technomancers, she discovers a new calling, one that puts her life in danger because it may bring down the Alliance she works for.

And a preview snippet…

The chancellor of the Alliance stepped up to the podium. "On this defining day, let it be known that the Guild of Technomancers will forthwith be in league with the Alliance, acting as mediators and part of the executive branch." He paused and looked out at the crowd below then directly toward the hololens filming his speech and sending it out among the coalition of planets. "Welcome to the golden age of the Alliance!"

The crowd roared and the chancellor melted back into the shadows before entering his chambers. Satisfaction infused him and he nodded to Rennick, the junior delegate from the guild. Rennick lifted his chin and gave the chancellor a long, level look before turning to exit for his journey back to wherever technomancers gathered.

And so it went. A very powerful, but peaceful group signed on the dotted line and sold themselves out. The technomancers let the Alliance dictate how they'd use their talents, let the galactic force put restrictions on their abilities. The thought behind it was pure. If they could provide assistance and help forge peace where there none existed, how could that be bad?

After all, the chief tenet of the guild, learned as soon as the ability manifested, hadn't changed in eons. Bring harm to none.

But the concept of brokering peace altered over the years to protecting the Alliance and making things run smoothly for the galactic entity at all costs.

The guild's goodwill became a travesty and had to be stopped. A rift formed and an underground movement started with the formation of the Technorati. The Alliance made moves to halt the progress, tightened up their hold on the guild and forbade them from practicing outside the influence of their keepers.

Some fell in and towed the line. But a few others walked away and chose their own path. They refused to be held to someone else's standard. They went out and honed their craft, experimented, tested boundaries, and completely broke free.

The small group of Technorati became the hunted. Tracked down at any cost and offered a choice. Come back into the fold or suffer the consequences. Most chose to stay as they were. Some dodged the bullet by escaping or going deeper into hiding. Those on the inside that wanted to be free got assistance from the rogue group. They were smuggled out and provided for until they got on their feet.

More and more of the technomancers started to escape and the Alliance formed a new division. One created to put a stop to the exodus.

Being hunted by their own people made breaking the bonds of servitude more difficult...

But not impossible.

I'm excited by the way this story is coming together. I think I figured out how I want to leave things before I start book two.

 

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye

Sunday Snippet: Shaken Alliances (A Technorati novella)

Well, May is starting out fairly chilly and gloomy in my part of the country. It's been quite a while since we've had true spring weather and we're definitely getting it so far. I'm hoping it doesn't rain on the weekend my youngest gets to have her drive-up graduation. We're still not risking anyone's health by having a full-blown commencement ceremony.

Slower than usual week in television. I finally got to finish Picard and Strike Back; also got Strike Back Declassified in. I love those behind the scenes moments and interviews.

Finished up a four-part arc on Gargoyles, watching the last two episodes this week. It's weird how the voice actors are enemies on this show and their characters are allies on Star Trek TNG.

Watched another episode of The Witcher. This show has me very intrigued. Definitely glad there will be another season. At least I think there will be.

Caught several episodes of Danger Man, most being ones I didn't remember. I might have to rewatch The Prisoner when I'm done with this series.

Watched the first episode of Crisis on Infinite Earths with the Supergirl episode. I'll do more this week but I needed a moment to wrap my head around this one. I loved the cameo appearances and look forward to more of those but I'm already crushed by the events in this opening episode. Good stuff. That's all I'm saying.

That's pretty much it for television this week. Tonight's post is from Shaken Alliances, a Technorati novella.

Here's the mini-blurb:

Janna Allgood, a corporal in the Alliance, is the best at what she does, bringing Technorati deceivers to justice. But when she's assigned the task of tracking down the notorious leader of the rogue technomancers, she discovers a new calling, one that puts her life in danger because it may bring down the Alliance she works for.

And a preview snippet…

Rennick chuckled. "My dear boy, you have yet to meet her. You'll no more be able to keep your distance than she'll be able to resist you."

Pax frowned. "Speak plainly. You want us together?" He didn't want to get emotionally entangled.

Rennick chose his words carefully. "Do I want it? Nothing would please me more than my two closest protégés finding happiness with each other. But it goes deeper than that, my boy. You'll need each other. If you want to free the Technorati."

Understanding dawned in Pax's mind. "She's the Key." Great balls. The one variable the Technorati had been seeking for decades.

Rennick hedged. "I can't be completely certain. Not yet. But her bloodline is pure and goes back to the beginning."

Pax had a gut clenching moment of clarity. Janna Allgood would prove to be the Key and Master Rennick had set it up so Pax would be the catalyst for bringing her to the forefront of their movement.

"You're a crafty old man."

The wise one didn't deny the statement. But he didn't have a reply either.

Pax pushed a little. "If there's any possibility of her being the key, I have to request some guidance. A wrong move could cause irreparable harm." He might have a reputation for stopping at nothing to gain freedom for his people, but he would not stoop to damaging a psyche with the kind of power the Key would hold.

Rennick infused his tone with calm. "She's protected but you do have to move with caution. Once she accepts the truth about the Alliance, she'll be open. At least that's my hope."

Pax settled down, letting the master's wisdom guide his questions. "How much does Janna know about the old ways and legends?" If she had no knowledge, his job would be easier for both.

Rennick shared what he'd gleaned. "Her mind has blocked and closed everything out for now. But … she's ripe for tutelage. She's keenly curious when something interests her." He paused a moment before continuing. "You'd be wise to move slowly and let Janna discover and accept her destiny in stages." A wry twist inserted itself into his voice.

Pax closed his eyes. "I'll do my best, as I've always said." The monumental challenge would try Pax's patience, but if Janna acted as the Key, he'd wait it all out.

Rennick's presence started to fade from Pax's mind. "I'll help as much as I can along the way." A vivid image embedded on his departure…

Janna Allgood would not arrive in her dull Alliance uniform. Instead, she'd be wearing siren-red leather pants, black boots, and a dark skintight vest. In short, dressed to rock his world.

He didn't want to lay odds she might just succeed.

I'm still finding my way with this story. The overall arc is pretty much set but bits and pieces keep popping in and demanding attention.

That's it for this week.

Cheers!

Skye