God and Soccer

Young men show their faith on the playing field. I don't think God took a side. Both teams played like he did, though

Free Sci-fi Ebook: Legends & Liars, Chapter 27

.CHAPTER 27

Jupiter disappeared below the horizon transforming the Ceres landscape to utter darkness, except for the dim light coming from the millions of stars visible from horizon to horizon. Twelve men slept in groups of three to keep warm. Snoring drifted across the camp. Amasunto dozed nearby sitting against a rock. 

A dark figure crawled slowly and silently on its belly toward the sleeping men.  A blackened face eased between two rocks.  Two blue eyes stared at the huddled figures. 

Jake inched ever closer as one of the men rolled over on his side and pushed closer to the man in the middle, pulling a thin blanket around his shoulders. If the man’s eyes would have opened at that moment, he would have been scared witless to see Jake’s face just inches from his own.

Jake stared at the sleeping man a moment to make sure he wasn’t about to wake.  Then he reached back very slowly. The campfire showed briefly as a glint of light on the blade of the long, razor sharp knife. 

2015 a Very Good Year for Books: "The Kid and Wild Bill"; "Ghost of The U-85"; and film, "God's Club"

It's been a good year, creative wise, for me. Two books published, The Kid and Wild Bill and Ghost of The U-85; a screenplay written for Nasser Entertainment Group that has been produced as God's Club (starringStephen Baldwin, Lorenzo Lamas and Corbin Bernsen) and will be out early in 2016. And a ton of news and feature stories written for BenitoLink and theHollister Free Lance.

Every time I sit down to write I thank God for the ability He has granted me and ask Him to guide my mind and hands so I do the best possible job for whomever has hired me to do so.

Merry Christmas to one and all, and may God watch over you into and throughout the New Year.

Free sci-fi ebook: Legends and Liars, Chapter 26

CHAPTER 26

Amasunto stood on a slight hill and gazed at Jupiter.  Behind and below him several men were turning off head lanterns and bedding down close to one another for warmth.   One of Amasunto’s new men, Brutachus, a huge, heavily muscled and badly scarred fighter joined him.

“Do you want me to put out sentries?” Brutachus asked.

Amasunto looked around at the empty valley. “It’s been a long march.  Let them sleep.”

“Yes, sir,” Brutachus said as he turned to go back into the camp.

“Brutachus,” Amasunto said.

Brutachus stopped and turned back to face Amasunto. “Sir?”

“Four hours, then we leave.  We need to reach Escalante before they wake.”

“Yes, sir.”

“No matter what, Sergeant Lane is mine.  Understand?”

“Understood.  Then we get off this rock, right?”

“Soon enough.”

“Not too soon, if you ask me.  The agency will track us down if we stay here much longer.  I don’t understand why this Lane is worth risking everything.”

“You had no life before I freed you.  Remember that,” Amasunto said. “I would think you’d appreciate that and do me this little favor, before we leave.”

Brutachus realized he was treading in dangerous territory. “Yes, sir.  I do,” he said.

“Good.  Now get some sleep.”

Brutachus nodded nervously and went down into the camp.

Spy thriller, "Ghost of The U-85" available in paperback and ebook at Amazon

Free sci-fi ebook: Legends and Liars, Chapter 25

CHAPTER 25

Jake watched Toby and Lizzy run to their mother.  He had a strange look on his face as he remembered the battle on Mars eleven years before.  He turned to them. “Do you have weapons?” he said.

“Oh, crap!” Tibbs said stunned.

“A few old rifles, but not many bullets for them,” she said.  “We have one of the new pulse rifles.  And we have many blades.”

“We have the will and perhaps surprise on our side,” October said.  “They won’t expect a fair fight.”

“There will be nothing fair about it,” Jake said.

“Well, you can count me out,” Tibbs said.  “I’m taking my ore and getting the hell out of here.”

“You can leave if you want, Tibbs, but you’ll go empty-handed,” Jake said.

Tibbs jumped to his feet. “You don’t have any say in what I do!  I’m out of here!” he said and headed for the door, “I’m taking my share with me.”

He started to reach for the door handle and stopped when he heard the sound of a shotgun-blaster coming on.  He turned slowly and saw Elana pointing the weapon at him.

“You want to lose that hand?” she said.

Tibbs studied her eyes and the blaster.  He didn’t believe she would shoot and reached for the door.

A fist-sized hole exploded, vaporizing the handle.  He jerked his hand back and glared at her with hate-filled eyes.

“Bitch!” He snarled. “I guess it’s a good thing you’re a bad shot.”

“If it makes you feel better to believe that,” she said adjusting the weapon, aiming it at his head.

“Sit down, Tibbs,” Jake ordered.

Tibbs gave both of them a hateful look.  Reluctantly, he went back to the table and sat down.

Jake and Elana exchanged a quick look. He took a deep breath and seemed to dig deep inside to bring up a resolve that he had kept hidden for eleven years.

“How many men are there who can fight?” he asked.

October winked at Elana.

“All are willing, but perhaps eight or ten are capable,” she said.  “The women will also fight.”

 “We have to keep Amasunto and the others out of town.”

“How?” October asked. “There are too many of them to fight in the open.”

“I want you two to make preparations.”

“And you?” Elana asked.

He smiled slightly. “I’m going to try to convince them to stay away.”

“What are you gonna do, talk them to death,” Tibbs growled.

“Something like that,” Jake said.

Elana studied Jake a moment. Then she slapped the blaster up in both her hands as she turned to October. “Come on, father.  We’ve got work to do.”

“And what am I supposed to do?” Tibbs said.

Jake nodded toward October and Elana. “Help them or stay out of the way,” he said.

Jake, Elana and October went out the door, leaving Tibbs sulking.