Terminus: Terminus, #1

By Jason Halstead

Terminus – A novella length introduction to exciting new Science Fiction adventures by Jason Halstead and John M. Davis

Joy. A name had never been less fitting for anyone in the history of the universe. Joy Kowara grew up knowing nothing but fear, pain, and loneliness. The only escape she could find from a ruined life landed her in worst labor camp in the galaxy: a mining and terraforming camp on planet Opdyke.

Opdyke was a miserable planet with nothing but wind, snow, and ferocious animals eager for some fresh meat. The only valuable thing about the planet was the rich mineral veins the prisoners had to work around the clock. Death was a welcome relief from the frozen wasteland that most prisoners invariably came to look forward to.

When the ice wolves called ferren slipped through the fence and came for Joy, she knew she had to make a decision: surrender to their savage fangs and be done with her life, or fight back and find a way to escape the miserable planet. It was that simple. She only had to decide whether today was her day to die.

Look for these other Terminus novels:
Book 1 – Terminus – An Introduction (by Jason Halstead)
Book 2 – Ghost Planet (by John M. Davis)
Book 3 – Frozen Dreams (by Jason Halstead)
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Novel Concept Publishing LLC
• Release date: Feb 4, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524230869

Jason Halstead

Jason Halstead has always had colorful stories to tell. At an early age that creativity usually resulted in some kind of punishment. At long last he's come into his own and has turned his imagination into an asset that is keeping thousands of people entertained. When he's not writing Jason spends his time with his wife and two children, trying to relive his glory days as a powerlifter, or developing new IT systems for his dayjob. He enjoys reading and responding to fan mail as well, so if you liked any of his books, don't be shy! Sign up for his newsletter, find him on the web at http://www.booksbyjason.com, email him at: [e-mail], or follow him on Twitter: @booksbyjason.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Terminus | Terminus: Book One

Terminus

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Afterword by the Author

Other books by Jason Halstead

Terminus

Terminus: Book One

By Jason Halstead

Terminus Universe created by Jason Halstead and John M. Davis

Published by Novel Concept Publishing LLC

©2016

All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

For additional information contact:

www.novelconceptpublishing.com

784 Hidden River Dr

Ortonville, MI 48462

Cover art by Cora Graphics

Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Jason Halstead’s website: http://www.booksbyjason.com

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Terminus

Terminus – Jason Halstead (an introduction)

Ghost Planet – John M. Davis (book 2)

Frozen Dreams – Jason Halstead (book 3)

Chapter 1

Ice crystals sliced through the air on sixty kilometer an hour winds. Joy's cheeks were red from the wind and the ice where the breathing mask didn't cover her. She squinted and kept her head low, trudging into the wind toward the mine entrance. She could barely make out the body in front of her less than two meters ahead.

A howl greater than the shrieking wind split the afternoon air. Joy jerked her head up and regretted it. Her eyes watered from the blasting wind. Her tears froze to her cheeks and crusted the corner of her eyelids.

Ahead and behind her in the line the cry of, Ferren! went up. Packs of the vicious four legged hunters preyed on the workers, often striking when the weather was at its worst. Joy was surprised, for Opdyke this was barely a storm worth mentioning.

She trudge ahead through the icy snow, driving her boots into the gritty powder that filled the path as fast as it was packed down or shoveled out. She glanced to either side, making sure the beasts hadn't decided to come for her this time. Everyone was scared it would be their time, including her. Not that it mattered whether she died at the fangs of a ferren or from the cold or brutal working conditions. She would die sooner or later, it was only a matter of time.

She fought through the storm, reminding herself that she had no one to blame for her fate but herself. She'd made her decision to work for the Continuum, she would have to live with the consequences. Or die, if her time had come.

A cold sliver of fear knifed through her back. She jerked around and looked back as one of the furry white shapes shot out of the darkness. Where most people would run from the monster, she held her ground. Her legs were sore and her face hurt. She was tired and her head wouldn't stop aching. She'd had enough.

The ferren saw her and changed course away from the woman it had first targeted. Cryn was her name, one of the countless mindless bitches that seemed to think Joy had something she could give them. They followed her around, hoping for a kind word or something. It didn't make any sense to her. She just wanted to be left alone, except for when they would give her something. An extra blanket or a share of their ration portion. That was what kept her from snapping at them all and sending them running.

Now Cryn was the one trying to run. So was the ferren, but it was coming towards her. Joy squinted and took a step forward into the knee high snow beside the path. It leapt at her, using its massive paws to drive it off of the top of the crusted snow and into the air.

Joy