I allowed myself to become completely distracted by “So You Think You Can Dance” so my post is late today. And because I’m being lazy, I’ve decided to give you a little excerpt from my other Work In Progress. This is from the sequel to LEX TALIONIS, which I’m calling IACTA ALEA EST (The Die Is Cast) for now. In it, we meet Shalon again, and one of her new friends. It’s not perfect (lots of editing passes to go) but I hope you have fun with it.
Analise Macon swept his wet, orange tongue over his broad face and black-bead eyes before gracing Shalon with grin. “Shalon, how nice of you to call.”
“Analise.” Shalon propped her foot up on the console in front of the captain’s chair and settled back into her seat. “How have you been?”
“Not as good as you. A Kaag freighter? You are even more blessed by the Will than I thought.”
“God had nothing to do with it, Analise.” Shalon smiled at the holo, which had been set to show Analise as he relaxed on the pillows in his office. It was impossible not to like the rotund Roulon factor. Even if he had proven himself to be one of the cleverest and most ruthless black-market operators around.
“Like the wind against a flag, the Will moves all things, even those that are unaware of its existence.” Analise stretched his small jaw, revealing pointed teeth, cream in his mottled pink and brown face. “But enough of this existential poctae. One of my clients is very interested in the weapons shipment the freighter was supposed to be carrying.”
“How lucky for me. I’m very interested in selling.” Shalon flicked at some dirt under her thumb-nail.
“Would an hour’s time be too soon to begin negotiations?”
Damn it. “Actually, yes. I have a prior engagement.”
Analise made a grating noise that sounded like the prelude to an attack, and meant that he was surprised. “More important than my offer?”
“Much more important.”
The Roulon waved a six fingered hand. “I am saddened by how little I mean to you. I count you amongst my true friends, yet see how you brush me away.”
Shalon rolled her eyes. “You’ll get over it. I’ll come by the hotel with an inventory tomorrow, so don’t go anywhere.”
“I would not miss your visit for all the wealth in Sudamin’s palace. Wherever it is.”
And before I forget… “By the way, Sojo said you linked me earlier?”
“Yes.” Analise cocked his head. “I have a visitor at my hotel who asked to see you.”
Shalon frowned. “Me? What is he, a mercenary? Soldier?”
The Roulon coughed, an expression of amusement. “You would not ask that if you had seen him. No, he is not of our world. He is a doctor. Colin Mayfeld? He said you would know who he was.”
Shalon covered her start by gathering her hair behind her neck. My God. She took a breath, forced her heart to stop racing. Colin Mayfeld. A name out of a past she had thought gone for good. Colin had saved her life years ago, in more ways than one, but she’d only contacted him a couple of times since then. In the last few years, her network had checked up on him now and again so she could make sure he was okay and remained well clear of her enemies. So why is he here now, and asking for me?
“Did he tell you why he wants to meet with me?”
“He said it was private. That he could only speak to you.”
Stay thirsty, my friends!
R.S.A. Garcia 
Nice to see Shalon again!
Glad you think so. My hope is you continue to think so throughout 🙂
Yay Shalon! Thanks for posting this tidbit!
Glad you liked it!