A Special Chemistry

By Chris Winder

Simpler times are a memory.

Albert adores his wife. Holly has been the companion, mother, and lover he's always wanted, and he considers himself a lucky man. He's wanted to provide a good life for her, but has never managed to drag his family out of poverty, but the combination of crippling taxes from both Los Angeles and the planetary government prevented such things. The harder he worked, the more taxes both demanded. He was about to give up on his hopes and dreams... until he got an idea.

He'd always been good at building things, ever since he was a child. These days, it's mostly tinkering. But he's good at following directions. Now he and Holly produce a product which is in high demand, has immense value, and could kill them and their neighbors in a flash of brilliant light and heat.

With his final dream near at hand, will Albert achieve his goal and learn what it's like not having to worry about money, or will he make their problems so much worse?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris Winder Books
• Release date: Jan 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386361923

Chris Winder

Chris Winder is a Science Fiction author, former United States Marine, husband, and father. His stories include Space Trash, a comic science fiction novel, Breach Team, a space Marine novel (co-written with best-selling author JR Handley), What Really Matters, a story told in the Four Horsemen Universe of Chris Kennedy Publishing, and more. Chris Winder lives in northern Arizona where he enjoys the peace and quiet of rural living along with his wife, youngest child, elderly dog, and two obnoxious but adorable cats.

Book preview

You'll never take me alive! the little girl hissed. She wore a mask over her eyes, rough-cut from a piece of fabric she and her brother had come across in one of the many nearby trash piles.

You say that, Miss Cat Burglar, her brother said. But we found you, didn't we?

The little girl opened her mouth, closed it, then opened it again, but no words came out.

Nothin' to say? the boy jeered. You'll have plenty to say when I take you downtown. He took a step forward, his sister squealed in delight and ran around the edge of their building into the dark alley nearby.

Their neighborhood had consistent power, a low crime rate. But like most other areas of Los Angeles, suffered from an overabundance of trash on the streets. There were piles of it everywhere, broken-down hovercars, and collapsing buildings. For the adults, it was an eyesore they learned to live with. For Brandy and Jeremy, the piles and heaps of refuse were opportunities for discovery.

Brandy vaulted a smashed trashcan lid, easily clearing the inch-tall obstruction by a foot, breathing hard and giggling the whole time.

Her brother was in hot pursuit, and they both knew he could catch her if he really wanted to, but that would make their game end far too soon. He liked to chase, and she liked to be chased.

The little girl took a hard left, ducked under the last remaining piece of chain link fencing which once blocked-off the entrance to a much smaller alley and pulled a trash can down behind her to block the way.

Jeremy was impressed. She must've learned something from the show they'd watched. It took him several seconds to clear the obstruction and pick up the pursuit again. He checked his back pocket to be sure he hadn't dropped his secret weapon. It was still there. She was going to be surprised.

Brandy's headlong run took her into