Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 16 (Revised)
Darkness still enveloped the bedroom when I awoke, early the next morning. I was pleased to find Sadie still in my arms, peacefully asleep. One of her arms, I could feel, was draped around my back, and one of my arms was partially crushed underneath...
It's not easy being a dictator...
Raquel Morenza knew it wasn't easy to be a dictator, or any head of state for that matter. She'd never been one, but she had sympathy. The little Mouse-girl figured it went without saying that if you were the big cheese, everyone was always looking at...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 15 (Revised)
I forgot where I was for a moment when I woke up the next morning. I was lying alone on a bed, but I had no memory of climbing into it. I sat up, and noted with more than a little surprise that I was completely naked. It was only after I sat for a...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 6
The letter was almost certainly from my younger brother, Manny. His actual name is Jason, but as far back as I can remember, I've called him Manny. I'd left him and Karlov just over two years ago at that point. I might as well tell how it happened, now...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 4
A red light on the dashboard began to blink; someone had picked up the infantry phone on the rear of the tank. In a stroke of good luck, I was able to put the Urbane's stubborn gearbox into reverse with only a single attempt. I tapped the gas pedal...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 2
"Here they come." Jas, the older coyote, said. "Hun... whah?" Bryan, the younger one, mumbled in his sleep, "Damnit Bryan, wake up!" As Bryan was shaken out of unconsciousness, the first thing he opened his eyes to was a broad black face, with...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 1
I think it's safe to say that I've met with some very unsavory smells in my time. If I was a canid, I bet it'd be even worse. But I think you'd agree with me -diesel fumes and melted rubber, mixed with the scent of flesh and fur burned beyond...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 5
With the obvious exception of the dream, that night I slept the best I had in quite a while. When I woke, I felt very refreshed, and decided to read the letters on the bedside table. The first one I might've expected. It was a letter notifying me that...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 9
After Darren was done detailing his adventures of the previous night to Lars, the two sat quietly as their pickup sped down the road, the 2 trucks of Coyotes following about 500 yards behind. "Pull over!" Darren said suddenly, breaking about 20...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 3
If memory loss was a symptom of PTSD or any of those other conditions, I certainly didn't get it. Everything was dark. I remembered the situation just before blackout; I had to save Stokes, he could still be in danger. But I could not command my eyes...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 8
It seems funny, doesn't it, that a few thousand people can tie down the million-strong army of a modern, industrial country. And these are ordinary people. Sure, they may be packing guns, knives, and RPGs. Sure, they may have joined violent gangs. Most...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Introduction
Altama was a beautiful land. It consisted of tall grass prairies, rocky canyons, and scattered forests of evergreen trees. The ground was rocky, and was cut through by fast flowing, cold rivers that are famed for fishing. In the summer, it was hot and...