Aster 1-3
Aster {[```]} How's that girl of yours?" Peterson's thick accent cut through the stagnant air inside the cramped coffee shop. "She's...ah...we're doin' okay. We're alright." Will replied shakily, quickly sipping from his coffee to ease himself into...
Aster 1-5
Aster {[\*]} A_ster is our nation's largest city, despite being located in a rocky desert filled with mesas and low-lying plains. The metropolis can be found in one of these plain-like areas, and though its surrounding geography is quite desolate, it...
Aster 1-6
Aster {[\*`]} A peculiar staleness mixed with the scents of hundreds of different species polluted the recycled, artificially-filtered air. Will's nose twitched on the end of his muzzle, and he let a few of his gritted teeth show as he grimaced in...
Aster 1-7
Aster [\*``] _"Do you know how a gun works? I mean, if I were ignorant, could you tell me how a bullet is fired--how it is sent on its way?"_ _"__Sure, sure. The firing pin strikes the primer; the primer ignites the powder inside the casing. The...
The Last Glass
The Last Glass * * * [_Smooth, country-male voice speaks_: "_Lemme tell ya' how it went_."] Ol' black cat's Been at it again. Gone messed up; Done met his end. Had a job. Makin' a dime. But, this'n here, Done crossed the line. There she...
Aster 1-4
Aster {[````]} "Penthouse." Atticus spoke as the elevator doors closed. "Approved." an automated voice sounded from a small speaker embedded in the control panel for the elevator, which had no button for the suite to which it now carried its...
Aster Introduction, 1-1
Aster {[]} He liked it up there. It was quiet. Brimming with silence--immeasurable silence. The wind at his back was less a sound to be heard but more a feeling to be felt, an embrace to be accepted, and it served to comfort and carry other...
Aster 1-2
Aster {[``]} "My apologies, officer. Have a good night." The white tiger walked away, and as far as Will Travers was concerned, that was a good thing. That tiger had the most intense glare he had ever seen, as if prolonged subjection to his leer...