Diving Lore
Contributor
Been a long slog and a hard road, but I've managed to get my first book published! 
It's a Sci-Fi Adventure set in a brave-new world of factions and adventure!
Beyond The Underworld: Tyler Danann: Amazon.com: Kindle Store
Here's a taste...
----
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Thick and heavy with c[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]helg[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] fumes Paeng's business headquarters was a murky place indeed. The smoke shrouding the periphery as the two figures now entered the Smugglers lair. Those at the entranceway dispersed somewhat at their arrival inside. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The two entering figures were of the Caucus race, as they stepped into the light they became noticeable. One was tall and lean, the other stocky and broad. The former was helmeted and wore a grey and black skin-suit with an active cooling system that whirred faintly. His trans-helm was open and raised but the auxiliary glass over one eyeball gave him a measure of their intent. All seemed neutral, for now.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]On his back was a roughly square-shaped back-pack which helped his suit perform wonders. Armed only with a holstered pistol at his side he radiated assurance with what he carried. The latter one was just as exotically attired, with pad-armor clothing, a holstered side-arm and a back-pack slightly smaller than his companions.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Behind Paeng were two hired warriors. Both Jaders of some means and they eyed the two warily. Paeng's men were equipped to a higher standard than ordinary foots-soldiers of the Jade Empire. Both had Aker carbines pointed off to one-side and Galt subtly kept his hand only inches away from his serch-suits defensive velocity-field switch. Caucus folk were seldom seen in the Jade Empire. The immigration restrictions on them coming and going meant either serious connections had to be made, or the border check-points had to be ignored entirely.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So who are you white man and how is it you come to us. Paeng said addressing the taller one and taking the measure of them both.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am Galt Pathfinder. The tall one responded ignoring the last part of Paengs question. He spoke with an I-trans device synthesising his words into the Jade tongue. It was capable of a variety of language translations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Ive heard that name before, something on the Nex-news of trouble by that name. Paeng said shrewdly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Nex often makes mention of trivial-nothings. I have rivals who foster dissent on the news-net. Being a Pathfinder has its own hazards you must understand. Galt smoothed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hmmm, what is it that brings you to the Jade Empire? The old one asked, knowing this was no passer-by.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Opportunity, travel and profit. Galt smiled as he spoke the last word, knowing that it would be an ice-breaker. In response the rheumy eyed one now nodded and smiled, showing cracked and herb-stained teeth.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am listening, what is it you offer? Paeng said, narrowing his eyes now. The hard-nosed businessman in him was flowing into being as he listened for the response.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As you know, the war between the UNAS and the Jade Empire rages onwards, supplies are ever required for the war-machine and on the front-lines.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Galt paused to let the words sink in slightly. These yellow folk were no fools though and they made no attempt at enjoining words but instead typically would stay completely silent until the speaker had fully finished what he wanted to say. Galt continued.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am a veteran Pathfinder, trained in the arcane arts by my father who is no longer of this world. Galt said in his best Jade tongue. Exaggerating his status and standing. This was absorbed at first but after a few moments Paeng responded. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Who is this one? The Jader said, pointing at his companion who, in response looked wary at the suddenness of it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]This is Roachas, my apprentice. Galt responded smoothly, but slightly annoyed at the interjection. The apprentice line was a partial cover-story which was stretching the truth, even by Galts somewhat liberal interpretations. Roachas was a Craiven warrior of course, but the less Paeng knew the better.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Jader took a slight inhalation on his [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]chelg[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] pot then bade Galt continue.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]You are a contraband smuggler, one who specialises in blood-packs and narcotics, the latter of which the Jade Council have officially outlawed for many years now.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The largest cities and troop garrisons are paying a premium for your wares though. For the most part though, these are nearly two thousand miles away in the Tiershan plains. With the UNAS front lines being contained just beyond the Nuklun mountain ranges further west, it's a lucrative business. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So you require subterfuge from the mainstream avenues of passage. Yet to sell your wares at a profit you must often risk such a route. Galt spoke fluidly, without hesitation and the elder smuggler-lord bade him continue, impressed at his knowledge.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The mainland routes are risky though, patrolled by Jade Warriors who have orders to slay any suspected smuggler they capture. You could try to make a ways across the Koralle Mountains, thus avoiding most Jade Enforcer and military patrols but thats mostly infested with drone-warriors, [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]skraeg[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] creatures and mercenary-marksman. Paeng now began to realise this one was no mere chancing scoundrel, intelligence radiated from him. Galt carried on in full flow. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The small and narrow trails would delay you at least three to four months anyway assuming your convoy made it through relatively unscathed. Galt raved the lengthy appraisal and oversight of Paengs smuggling plans quite smoothly. His I-trans device complying and conveying his words into sing-song Jade language with only the slightest of delays. It was something he'd taken great care to fashion into his Trans-Helm so it was not obtrusive to the eye. Roachas also had one of these also but it was a somewhat more basic and bulky model.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Paeng had absorbed the words and now regarded Galt with a combination of suspicion and intrigue. Unofficially the UNAS were allied to the Shadow House of Saken making them the enemy of his homeland. Yet as a smuggler he was part of the criminal underworld and this Galt seemed a wise snake to converse with.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Times are hard now Pathfinder. The last two shipments sent out have not been... fortunate. I cannot afford a third loss! What is it you have for me? Stating the facts does not change them.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Now Galt smiled as he unfolded his master plan that would set him up for the future.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I can navigate a safe way, one which has no meddling Jade authorities or treacherous mountains to cross. As a Pathfinder I have access and knowledge of the Underways.[/FONT]
----
I am well-happy, hope you can take a look sometime at it...
It's a Sci-Fi Adventure set in a brave-new world of factions and adventure!
Beyond The Underworld: Tyler Danann: Amazon.com: Kindle Store
Here's a taste...
----
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Thick and heavy with c[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]helg[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] fumes Paeng's business headquarters was a murky place indeed. The smoke shrouding the periphery as the two figures now entered the Smugglers lair. Those at the entranceway dispersed somewhat at their arrival inside. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The two entering figures were of the Caucus race, as they stepped into the light they became noticeable. One was tall and lean, the other stocky and broad. The former was helmeted and wore a grey and black skin-suit with an active cooling system that whirred faintly. His trans-helm was open and raised but the auxiliary glass over one eyeball gave him a measure of their intent. All seemed neutral, for now.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]On his back was a roughly square-shaped back-pack which helped his suit perform wonders. Armed only with a holstered pistol at his side he radiated assurance with what he carried. The latter one was just as exotically attired, with pad-armor clothing, a holstered side-arm and a back-pack slightly smaller than his companions.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Behind Paeng were two hired warriors. Both Jaders of some means and they eyed the two warily. Paeng's men were equipped to a higher standard than ordinary foots-soldiers of the Jade Empire. Both had Aker carbines pointed off to one-side and Galt subtly kept his hand only inches away from his serch-suits defensive velocity-field switch. Caucus folk were seldom seen in the Jade Empire. The immigration restrictions on them coming and going meant either serious connections had to be made, or the border check-points had to be ignored entirely.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So who are you white man and how is it you come to us. Paeng said addressing the taller one and taking the measure of them both.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am Galt Pathfinder. The tall one responded ignoring the last part of Paengs question. He spoke with an I-trans device synthesising his words into the Jade tongue. It was capable of a variety of language translations.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Ive heard that name before, something on the Nex-news of trouble by that name. Paeng said shrewdly.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Nex often makes mention of trivial-nothings. I have rivals who foster dissent on the news-net. Being a Pathfinder has its own hazards you must understand. Galt smoothed.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Hmmm, what is it that brings you to the Jade Empire? The old one asked, knowing this was no passer-by.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Opportunity, travel and profit. Galt smiled as he spoke the last word, knowing that it would be an ice-breaker. In response the rheumy eyed one now nodded and smiled, showing cracked and herb-stained teeth.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am listening, what is it you offer? Paeng said, narrowing his eyes now. The hard-nosed businessman in him was flowing into being as he listened for the response.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]As you know, the war between the UNAS and the Jade Empire rages onwards, supplies are ever required for the war-machine and on the front-lines.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Galt paused to let the words sink in slightly. These yellow folk were no fools though and they made no attempt at enjoining words but instead typically would stay completely silent until the speaker had fully finished what he wanted to say. Galt continued.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I am a veteran Pathfinder, trained in the arcane arts by my father who is no longer of this world. Galt said in his best Jade tongue. Exaggerating his status and standing. This was absorbed at first but after a few moments Paeng responded. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Who is this one? The Jader said, pointing at his companion who, in response looked wary at the suddenness of it.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]This is Roachas, my apprentice. Galt responded smoothly, but slightly annoyed at the interjection. The apprentice line was a partial cover-story which was stretching the truth, even by Galts somewhat liberal interpretations. Roachas was a Craiven warrior of course, but the less Paeng knew the better.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The Jader took a slight inhalation on his [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]chelg[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] pot then bade Galt continue.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]You are a contraband smuggler, one who specialises in blood-packs and narcotics, the latter of which the Jade Council have officially outlawed for many years now.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The largest cities and troop garrisons are paying a premium for your wares though. For the most part though, these are nearly two thousand miles away in the Tiershan plains. With the UNAS front lines being contained just beyond the Nuklun mountain ranges further west, it's a lucrative business. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]So you require subterfuge from the mainstream avenues of passage. Yet to sell your wares at a profit you must often risk such a route. Galt spoke fluidly, without hesitation and the elder smuggler-lord bade him continue, impressed at his knowledge.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The mainland routes are risky though, patrolled by Jade Warriors who have orders to slay any suspected smuggler they capture. You could try to make a ways across the Koralle Mountains, thus avoiding most Jade Enforcer and military patrols but thats mostly infested with drone-warriors, [/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif]skraeg[/FONT][FONT=Times New Roman, serif] creatures and mercenary-marksman. Paeng now began to realise this one was no mere chancing scoundrel, intelligence radiated from him. Galt carried on in full flow. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]The small and narrow trails would delay you at least three to four months anyway assuming your convoy made it through relatively unscathed. Galt raved the lengthy appraisal and oversight of Paengs smuggling plans quite smoothly. His I-trans device complying and conveying his words into sing-song Jade language with only the slightest of delays. It was something he'd taken great care to fashion into his Trans-Helm so it was not obtrusive to the eye. Roachas also had one of these also but it was a somewhat more basic and bulky model.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Paeng had absorbed the words and now regarded Galt with a combination of suspicion and intrigue. Unofficially the UNAS were allied to the Shadow House of Saken making them the enemy of his homeland. Yet as a smuggler he was part of the criminal underworld and this Galt seemed a wise snake to converse with.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Times are hard now Pathfinder. The last two shipments sent out have not been... fortunate. I cannot afford a third loss! What is it you have for me? Stating the facts does not change them.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]Now Galt smiled as he unfolded his master plan that would set him up for the future.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]I can navigate a safe way, one which has no meddling Jade authorities or treacherous mountains to cross. As a Pathfinder I have access and knowledge of the Underways.[/FONT]
----
I am well-happy, hope you can take a look sometime at it...
