Cat Johnson Braves Doll Lil’s Word Association Challenge!

Aubrie is an author and flutist in New England. Her stories have appeared in Mindflights, Niteblade, Silver Blade, A Fly in Amber, and several print anthologies including Skulls and Crossbones by Minddancer Press, Rise of the Necromancers, by Pill Hill Press, Nightbird Singing in the Dead of Night by Nightbird Publishing, Dragontales and Mertales by Wyvern Publications, A Yuletide Wish by Nightwolf Publications, and Aurora Rising by Aurora Wolf Publications. Her epic fantasy is published with Wyvern Publications, and several of her ebooks are published with Lyrical Press and Gypsy Shadow Publishing. When she’s not writing, she plays in orchestras and teaches flute at Plymouth State University and a community music school.

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Passport: Sahara 354

Fleeing an arranged marriage, Aries escapes from the New Dawn, stranding herself on Sahara 354, a planet not suitable for a major colonization attempt, but has enough resources to keep her alive. Besides being hunted by her fiancé from above, the indigenous species are after her as well!

Here are the dominating species on Sahara 354, ranked on the danger scale from 1 (harmless) to 10 (deadly).

Indigenous Species on Sahara 354

Sandworms- As large as a subway train, these worms travel through the loose sand and shoot up out of the ground to swallow their prey alive. They vocalize their attacks by emitting a high pitched squeal. Their bodies are covered in glittering scales and long hairs, and they have a pink muscular mouth with ridges of serrated teeth.

On the danger scale: level 10

Raiders- Wiry lizard-men that attack in large numbers. They have fangs dripping with poisonous venom and wield crudely made spears and bone masks. They can change color to match their environment and are a communal species, traveling in large caravans. They are hunter and gatherers, and will steal your belongings and eat you for dinner.

On the danger scale: level 9

Desert Cow- A multi-trunked mammal as large as an elephant. The primary food source of the raiders and sandworms. They survive on a plant diet, and are valued for their milk. They are only dangerous in large numbers and will stampede if provoked.

On the danger scale: level 5

All three of these species threatens Aries during her journey on Sahara 354. Read Paradise 21 to find out how she survives!

My question to you is: which of these species would you like to see the next time you go to a zoo?

Aries has lived her entire life aboard mankind’s last hope, the New Dawn, a spaceship traveling toward a planet where humanity can begin anew—a planet that won’t be reached in Aries’ lifetime. As one of the last genetically desirable women in the universe, she must marry her designated genetic match and produce the next generation for this centuries‐long voyage.

But Aries has other plans.

When her desperate escape from the New Dawn strands her on a desert planet, Aries discovers the rumors about pirates—humans who escaped Earth before its demise—are true. Handsome, genetically imperfect Striker possesses the freedom Aries envies, and the two connect on a level she never thought possible. But pursued by her match from above
and hunted by the planet’s native inhabitants, Aries quickly learns her freedom will come at a hefty price.

The life of the man she loves.

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