August Niehaus

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'm going with you, Eyes. You need a Pillar." Loper unfurled himself to his full height and stepped into the circle of firelight. He addressed Isaias, but his gaze was on Pit.


Pit threw back his head and howled once more, a long, piercing note that filled the war hall. When the sound died away, Pit pointed his muzzle at Isaias. "I'm with you, too."


Minna put her hands out in front of her. "I have to go back to my family. But I'll see your people safely to New Canum first, Isaias."


Isaias considered the young woman for a moment, then nodded.


"I'm with you, too, Isaias." Ravenna bounded up, tail high like a flag. Reesha stumbled right behind her.


"Me too, Dad," the girl said, throwing her arms around Isaias's legs.


Isaias drew a shuddering breath. No one among the council moved, though it was obvious many of them wanted to rush forward and volunteer their own fates.


Pit's tailtip trembled. Isaias's daughter looked so young, so precious.


Chapter 49