Magician Interrupted (10 page)

Paris chuckled.

He knew what Path wanted.

He knew what he wanted. “I’ll get to work on
some alterations on the manual.”

Path squealed and in a flash was on his lap.
“We all make a good team.”

“Marines, all the way!” Jackson yelled,
slapping the table making their glasses rattle.

“Oorah.”

***

Twenty satisfying years later Paris and Path
left the Yawka.

Both were moody on the shuttle ride down.

“But Paris without us they’ll keep doing
stupid things and we won’t be there to help them.”

“I know.” The last twenty years had been
enlightening.

“It’s our fault they are like that! They
thought they were … are indestructible!”

Paris groaned trying not to worry.

They waited in the Career Worlds office on
Flastion.

A weedy looking male came out and his eyes
kept blinking as if something was in them. “My name is Kevin. Emily
tells me you want a change of career?”

“No, I want to return to my old one.” Paris
wasn’t so sure but he had things to finish. He’d heard strange
rumors coming from his planet.

A frown appeared. “Let me call up your
records. You were in the marines for twenty years but the contract
you signed with Emily says that you are a part of CWs long term so
you have another fifty years to go. So, back to the marines or a
new career?”

Paris groaned even as Path grinned. “My turn.
I want to be a—”

“Not so fast, pussy cat. We’re coming
too.”

They both turned to see Jackson, Messma,
Chezza and Kabab grinning at the door. “We’re sick of the marines.
Move over, let’s chat.”

Paris glanced at Path. “Well, that solves one
problem.” Paris wanted to argue with Kevin that Emily hadn’t been
very clear. But there was a little nagging thought that maybe he
hadn’t read that
either
in the contract.

Kabab sat next to them and rubbed his hands.
“How is space mining looking these days? Profitable?”

“It’s one of the most
dangerous
professions. Let’s see—”

Paris dragged Path over to the corner
debating on what they should do. Kevin used the word “dangerous” on
purpose he was sure of it! He knew it would appeal to the marines.
All the while he saw the guys chatting with the advisor becoming
more and more animated.

“We can help them ease back into the real
world, Paris. It
is
our fault.”

“I want to talk to Emily again.” He wasn’t
sure mining was the “real world”.

“Paris! We need to resolve our current
issue.”

Paris saw Kevin pressing something under his
desk. He frowned but Path was too busy trying to convince him to
notice. They both turned at the ruckus the guys were making when
three miners barged in, making the guys hoot in appreciation. The
girls wore dark blue shirts with cleavage showing, tight shorts
with assorted tools hanging off low leather belts and clumpy boots.
Kevin developed a supercilious grin. Paris was shoved out the way
and he tried to push back through. Paris opened his mouth. He was
sure it was the same three girls that had visited Emily in Space
Marine uniforms! But it was a different planet … as he dithered it
was too late.

Kevin slammed down the big red stamp. “You’re
approved. Space Miners.”

“Oorah!”

Paris managed to squeeze through but saw that
Kevin had slammed the stamp down on Paris’s folder first. “Oh,
no!”

Jackson slapped him on the head.

Paris rubbed his head. “You can’t do that
anymore.”

They bickered on the way to their new
career.

Moments later they stood outside the office
and looked up and down the busy street. Hovercraft darted
everywhere.

Messma scratched his head. “He didn’t say
what to do or where to go.”

Path huffed. “I’ll do that shall I? Stupid
jarheads!” She paused and batted her lashes at Paris. “Do you think
I’ll look good in that uniform?”

Paris muttered, “You might but we won’t.”

She giggled and went back in.

Paris glared through the office window seeing
the three miners giving him the finger. He wasn’t a marine now but
he learned from the best. He gave it back to them. As the others
talked about “danger” he considered the far future. Who could he
trust to help him from home? Martin? Harro? He’d need to plan it
out more. Space mining should give him enough time to sort out what
to do about his planet and about coming into his power properly.
Paris glanced at the team, they had advanced to and retired from
the Marine Raiders, but no doubt boredom would set in. Being
independent of the military could actually work, yes, marines on
the loose? What could go wrong with that? He spotted Jackson with a
satchel.

“What’s in there?”

The team snickered. Jackson drawled, “Just
some mission cases we weren’t allowed to finish
satisfactorily.”

“Excellent.” Yes, what could go wrong?

***

Stay tuned for “Witch Interrupted”, “Orc
Interrupted” and then “Emily/Kevin Interrupted”. This will be
followed by “Space Marine Interrupted” with Paris and the gang,
“Soul Director Interrupted” with Sonja and her family, “Bar Tender
Interrupted” with Scalice, his horde and Pretty Max in the grand
finale “Career Worlds Interrupted” with Kevin, Emily and three
kick-ass gals.

I consider myself a mad writer with a secret
desire to be a mad magician. But the truth is I’m a bit lazy when
it comes to anything not writing. And that, my reader friends,
includes final potion testing. I try my best but I just can’t spot
the toads’ eyes in my own work. Nor am I a grammar master, or even,
apprentice. In fact, I’m probably on par with the grammar joker or
torturer.

Anyway, I’ve been writing since I was a kid
and not just the compulsory writing they make you do at school. I
did actually write because I loved, and still love, stories. From
wooden blocks, to paintbrush (with no paint), to crayon, to
paintbrush (with paint), to pencil, to the almighty pen—I still
remember when I passed my pencil strokes and was allowed to use a
pen—to typewriter, to recorder (that didn’t last), to keyboard
connected by cable and then cordless, to stylus (didn’t like that
either), back to cordless keyboard I have been creating and
designing stories.

I’ll keep writing as long as people enjoy
them. And if they aren’t enjoyable, then I’ll keep writing
anyway.

Cheers

S. V. Brown

Alien Crucible runs from Log 1 through to
Log 18 - visit
http://www.aliencrucible.com/

Kingdoms Away - being reworked for eBook and
print

Praeda Chronicles - free on my website (see
“Connect with S. V. Brown”)

Swackle - free on my website

Short stories and writing hints at
http://lonecreature.com.au/

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S. V. Brown

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http://www.selinavalenbrown.com/