Layla Moon Shadow and Princess Light

By John Walters

While searching for a lost love, a mercenary between assignments comes across a wealthy world in which there are no weapons, no poverty, no permanent social attachments, and everyone is free to pursue their own interests. There's only one catch: these people have no means to defend themselves against a rapidly approaching swarm of alien invaders.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Astaria Books
• Release date: Apr 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386687634

John Walters

John Walters recently returned to the United States after thirty-five years abroad. He lives in Seattle, Washington. He attended the 1973 Clarion West science fiction writing workshop and is a member of Science Fiction Writers of America. He writes mainstream fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and memoirs of his wanderings around the world.

Book preview

Layla Moon Shadow and Princess Light

This is the story of how Hemingway Connor brings both salvation and great grief to New Arcadia. It should have the status of a myth or a legend, but instead it's a tale of quiet but profound heroism like so many that are remembered for a time and then pass into the oblivion of history.

*     *     *

After arriving at the spacious orbital platform the visitor is escorted down a long sterile corridor and directed into an antechamber.

Sitting at a console is a slim young man with long tangled hair and the beginnings of beard stubble. He taps his fingers rapidly over the flickering interface before him. Sit down, please, he says.

The only chair is laboratory white streaked with inlaid silver strands of wiring.

The visitor obediently sits. The cushions are comfortable at least.

What's your name?

You have my profile, don't you?

The customs agent doesn't answer.

Ah, you're establishing a baseline for honesty. My name is Hemingway Conner. Most people call me Hem.

And why are you here, Mr. Conner? We haven't had many visitors lately. The war is getting too close for comfort, they say. Only a few star systems away.

I came to visit someone. I met her in Rough Ride City. Her name is Layla Moon Shadow. At least that's what she said it was. Is that possible?

The agent shrugs. Why not? Of course it may not be that now. But we keep a database of the name changes of all citizens to avoid mishaps. Yes, I've found her. She's still Layla.

Is she here?

"She's below, on planet, yes. But there