The Warbirds of Absaroka: Universal Star League, #1

By Debbie Mumford

Brenna Standing Bear sits quietly beside her grandfather's bed. Sunlight filters through the open window. A cool breeze freshens the sickroom's stale air.

Before he dies, Grandfather extracts a promise from Brenna. She must convince the Planetary Council to build a fleet to defend against the Bug-Eyes.

But why should they? Humanity defeated that enemy decades ago.

A thrilling science fiction adventure with an unexpected twist.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WDM Publishing
• Release date: Oct 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781393643920

Debbie Mumford

Debbie Mumford specializes in speculative fiction—fantasy, paranormal romance, and science fiction. Author of the popular Sorcha’s Children series, Debbie loves the unknown, whether it’s the lure of space or earthbound mythology. Her work has been published in multiple volumes of Fiction River, as well as in Heart’s Kiss Magazine, Spinetingler Magazine, and other popular markets. She writes about dragon-shifters, time-traveling lovers, and ghostly detectives for adults as Debbie Mumford and contemporary fantasy for tweens and young adults as Deb Logan.

Book preview

The Warbirds of Absaroka

The Warbirds of Absaroka

A Universal Star League Story

Debbie Mumford

WDM Publishing

For my Science Fiction loving readers!

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Also by Debbie Mumford

About Debbie Mumford

Prologue

John Standing Bear lay upon his deathbed. Though his eyes were closed, he was aware of the fading sunlight streaming through his bedroom window, felt the cool breeze freshen the stale air in a room kept overly warm to comfort a dying man. His lips twitched in a half smile. He had sat death-watch for many a brave warrior. Now his turn had come to be watched.

His body felt oddly light. Perhaps he no longer perceived it properly, perhaps his spirit had already begun to detach itself from his flesh. And yet, an anchor remained. His granddaughter sat beside him, a quiet presence. She remained silent, but gently stroked his right hand, letting him know she was there.

Granddaughter, he whispered. The word held little substance, like a breath of wind barely stirring the aspen leaves in the high mountain valley of his birth, so long ago on Earth. He had grown to manhood in that valley, had loved it fiercely. But he had chosen to leave Earth behind, had been instrumental in founding the colony on this planet, on his beloved Absaroka.

Brenna squeezed his fingers, bringing him back to the task at hand: dying.

I am here, Grandfather.

He marshaled his strength for a final act of will. He must pass on his warning, must know that Brenna understood. His people had forgotten the horrors of war with an alien species. He had not. To them, the bug-eyed monsters were merely a cautionary tale written of in history books, but to John, the memories were real. He had served on the USL Ascension, had experienced the heart-stopping fear as the ship battled for its life and the lives of humanity. The Bug-Eyes had withdrawn all those years ago, but he knew with a certainty he could never explain that they would return. And when they did, Absaroka must be prepared to defend herself. Brenna must understand.

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