Author:
In another lifetime, August was a punk kid running a writing-themed e-zine in 2002 and participating in online survivor writing contests; these days, she’s a punk pseudo-adult with an office job and a studio of her own.

Meet Pitney Scolan. Pit, for short. He’s a decorated general and a venerated leader of the sprawling human race. He’s protected his species' colonies from vicious native animal populations and hostile alien life. He’s fiercely introverted, and he’s really looking forward to retiring on his personal planet in the very near future.

Except…now he has to be a dog.

A daugment, to be specific: a cybernetically enhanced canine, previously the doting pet of Pit’s biggest rival, General Tristan. It’s the only way to escape certain assassination.

So Pit grudgingly allies himself with a pair of well-meaning scoundrels and sets sail for seedier space in hopes of escaping Tristan’s clutches. What he finds instead is a galactic conspiracy to force him to make friends.

Daugment

"I've spoken with Fionn and his friend," Isaias said. "I suggest you find them and head to the dining hall. There will be food soon. I've been led to believe that's very important to you both." This last, he said to Pit and Ravenna both, in a dry tone and with a wry smile.


Pit narrowed his eyes. Fionn, you bastard. Instead, he said, "Appreciate it, sir."


Isaias gave Pit one last long, critical look before he scooped up his daughter and loped away into a building Pit didn't recognize.


Squid let out his breath like a deflating balloon. "Oh, dear gods, I thought you were a dead-dog, Pit. Isaias is the fiercest human I have ever met. Your human Fionn must have said something to him, if you hurt his pup and he refrained from yelling at you."


Pit got the impression that Isaias didn't have to yell very often. His quiet, stern tone had been more than effective.


Chapter 44