Soldiers Off The Dark Horizon: Sam’s Valor, #5

By Eli Taff, Jr.

In "Soldiers Off The Dark Horizon," Book 5 of the Sam's Valor series of Military Steampunk novelettes, Corporal Sam Chudwell finds himself thrust back into the heart of war as he returns to the front lines of Trench 27-43. Reuniting with his childhood friend, Sergeant Arlo, who now commands their entire section, Sam navigates the treacherous landscape of battle while grappling with the haunting aftermath of PTSD from a perilous mission months prior.

 

As Winter descends and supplies grow scarce, Sam and Arlo must confront not only the relentless advance of the enemy, but also the inner demons that threaten to unravel their resolve. Together, they must summon all their courage and resilience to hold the line against overwhelming odds and protect their fellow soldiers from the encroaching darkness.

 

"Soldiers Off The Dark Horizon" is a gripping tale of friendship, sacrifice, and redemption set against the backdrop of a steampunk-inspired world torn apart by war. With tension mounting and danger lurking at every turn, Sam and Arlo's bond will be put to the ultimate test as they confront the harrowing challenges that lie ahead.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Eli Taff, Jr.
• Release date: Apr 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224841462

Eli Taff, Jr.

Eli Taff, Jr. is an author in the Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror genres. All his life, he’s lived through fiction, being a stage actor and director, as well as a lifelong video game player and miniatures wargamer.  He lives in California with his wife, Chelsey, and their two Pekingese pups and Parrotlet.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Iron Sister, a colossus of war forged from layers of thrice-blessed, cold-rolled Pofreylian steel, planted its feet in the mud with a booming resonance.

The massive war walker’s pipes hissed, and its heavy gears clanked and cranked as it rotated at the waist to survey the battlefield of Trench 27-43.

The morning sun broke through the clouds, and golden sunlight fell upon the towering war machine.

It glinted off Iron Sister’s broad-shouldered frame and shone brightly off the golden plate bolted onto its torso.

Upon the plate, "Ehre durch Kampf, Treue im Sturm[1]" had been chiseled by master metal smiths in the forges of Titangate.

Exhausted soldiers in the powder blue uniforms of the Pofreylian army froze as Iron Sister’s shadow fell upon them.

With tears in their bloodshot eyes, they gazed up in awe at the mighty goddess of war.

Iron Sister blasted an ear-piercing cry from the amplifier horns on its shoulders, and everyone nearby gasped and trembled.

TAK-TAK-TAKKATAKKA-TAK!

Enemy small arms fire sparked and glanced harmlessly off Iron Sister’s armor.

FWOOOSH-BOOM!

A Febloelund rocket streaked through the sky and exploded on Iron Sister’s chest.

The mighty warwalker staggered and stepped back, but Iron Sister quickly righted itself. Then, it strode forth with a significant, defiant hiss of steam and a mighty clanking of its gears.

Its massive legs smashed and sank into the muddy ground as it forged through rows of barbed wire without even slowing.

Its vents exhaled steam like the snorting breaths of an imprisoned behemoth huffing with anticipation.

The earth quivered beneath its weight, and soldiers in the burgundy and gold uniforms of the Federation of Febloelund lowered their weapons in terror at the sight before them.

Iron Sister brought its rotary steam cannon to bear. The weapon chugged to life, and the eight barrels rotated with ominous anticipation.

Clikk-clikk-clikk-clikk-clikk-DAKKA-DAKKA-DAKKA-DAKKA-DAKKA!

With a roar, the cannon unleashed a torrent of heavy gunfire. Tracers lit the morning like fireworks as the enemy positions were obliterated and unlucky Febloelunds were turned into red mist.

The enemy fled as Iron Sister’s vents hissed and steam whistled from the twin spouts at its back.

FWOOOOOSH!

The heavy flamethrower attached to Iron Sister’s opposite arm roared to life and spewed forth a stream of searing fire.

The flames melted everything they touched in a nightmarish inferno.

The air quivered with oppressive heat as the Iron Sister lowered its weapons and braced its feet.

It blasted its horn once more like a mighty apex predator asserting its dominance over all it surveyed.

PART 1

CHAPTER 1

The wheel of the pilot’s hatch spun, and with a loud clang, the lid flew open.

A beautiful woman in a form-fitting blue jumpsuit rose out of the cockpit.

She placed her hands against the opening of the entry hatch and leaned forward, pushing out her ample bosom as she stretched her back.

The polished brass accents on her uniform gleamed in the sunlight.

She reached up and pulled off her leather pilot’s cap with one hand, then tossed her luxurious tresses this way, then that.

A cascade of raven-black hair tumbled in waves that framed her perfect porcelain features.

The pilot lifted her goggles with her free hand and blinked into the sunlight.

Lieutenant Isabella Voss? A Pofreylian soldier in the trench line behind Iron Sister shouted.