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

"Let's go tell our Pack we've found the way in," Pit said grimly. He brushed Squid's shoulder with the tip of his nose. "Thank you. For the lesson."


"Pit!" The cry came from Ravenna, standing in silhouette at the top of the hill. "Are you still down there?"


Pit's heart surged at the sight of her. "Squid, run back and let Isaias know we've found it," he said, and was gratified to watch the whippet take off up the hill, a silver blur in the grass and moonlight.


With a wave of affection and nerves carrying his paws, Pit rushed towards Ravenna. His whole body rippled with the joy of motion. She dropped into a play-attack stance, looking bewildered by his rapid approach. As he reached her, his excitement peaking, Pit licked her on the muzzle.


Ravenna drew one paw up against her chest. "Oh, Pit," she said, her tone very frank, "please don't make me turn you down."


"Turn me...? OH! Oh. No, no. Not at all."


Chapter 51