Players in the Long Game: Episode 9

By Kate MacLeod

The Chai Makhani Trio escaped the clutches of Koltn Ward and the Commonwealth admiral. But they still find themselves trapped, hiding in the secret places of the flagship.

Elyot knows now his mother never betrayed the rebellion. But why did she leave him all those years ago?

Koltn Ward knows Alextra's secret. No longer a captive, Alextra still fears the wrath he has the power to bring down on her.

They must get back to Adghal and to the rebellion. But without their pilots, they have no hope of managing that.

But Keani just might hold the key to save them all.

"Players in the Long Game” is the ninth episode in the ongoing monthly science fiction adventure serial TALES OF THE CHAI MAKHANI TRIO.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ratatoskr Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958606094

Kate MacLeod

Dr. Kate MacLeod is an innovative inclusive educator, researcher, and author. She began her career as a high school special education teacher in New York City and now works as faculty in the college of education at the University of Maine Farmington and as an education consultant with Inclusive Schooling. She has spent 15 years studying inclusive practices and supporting school leaders and educators to feel prepared and inspired to include all learners.

Book preview

Players in the Long Game

PLAYERS IN THE LONG GAME

TALES OF THE CHAI MAKHANI TRIO: EPISODE 9

KATE MACLEOD

Ratatoskr Press

FREE EBOOK!

Like exclusive, free content?

To get two prequel short stories to THE RITCHIE AND FITZ SCI-FI MURDER MYSTERIES as well as a bonus prequel novelette to the completed six-book series THE TRAVELS OF SCOUT SHANNON, signup for my monthly newsletter here.

Thank you!

CONTENTS

Players in the Long Game

To Be Continued…

Sci-Fi Serial Podcast!

Tales of the Chai Makhani Trio

Complete Series: The Travels of Scout Shannon

New Series: The Ritchie and Fitz Sci-Fi Murder Mysteries

Also from Kate MacLeod

Also from Ratatoskr Press

Free eBook!

About the Author

Also by Kate MacLeod

PLAYERS IN THE LONG GAME

Elyot followed close behind his mother as she led him, Alextra and Keani through a maze of narrow passageways that snaked through the walls of the Commonwealth flagship. It was so dark all he could see of her was a grayish outline, even though she was so close he could reach out and touch her if he tried. The passage was so narrow his shoulders were constantly brushing up against the walls. Their feet stirred up clouds of dust so thick it coated the back of his tongue, and he struggled not to sneeze.

Sneezing would be really bad. Because he could hear people talking and moving around in the rooms they were passing between. And if he could hear them, they could hear him. He walked as softly as he could, both to keep his boots from making any sound and to try to keep from throwing up any more dust. But his mother's fast pace made that difficult.

Suddenly she disappeared from the passage ahead of him. He strained to see where she went in the blackness, then saw a rustle of motion at the level of the floor. She was climbing down a ladder to a lower level. Another step, and he would've fallen down the shaft right