A Night on Isvalar

 It was supposed to be a quiet night. It was anything but.

Riel Dunbar grew up and, for many years, sailed out of the little moon of Isvalar – the interstellar port of Aeroday. But the restless life of a starfarer eventually carried him away for decades. Chance had now brought him home again with a promised long leave ashore. But, it turned out, that was not to be. Instead, he ended up with only a few free hours to spend on Isvalar.

His plan was simple. He’d dine at an old haunt of his youth, and then, after a brief nap, he’d visit the starfarer dives of Isvalar for a real spree before sailing. But Riel hadn’t counted on crossing orbits with Cera Marm, the power mate of a rival ship. Somehow he found himself entangled in her plans – plans that included not paying a gambling debt to a very persistent bookie and his collectors. Riel’s night on Isvalar turned into a hectic series of chases and escapes across the little moon, encountering neuro-blade wielding thugs, a snake obsessed shadow-rat gang, a sentient machine enforcer, and the bookie himself. It didn’t end well.

A Night on Isvalar is a 26,200 word novella.