A small look at the world of Viridis. Please consider checking more information out about my novel by clicking the “current projects” link on the right hand side!

Jade stood on the cusp of the battlefield. Sand danced in the air, picked up with the slight breeze over the planet of Taotar. An entire world made out of desert. And now it was bleeding red.

The two suns hid somewhere on the other side, but she could see the glimmer of red distantly, preparing to share its intense gaze with all those unfortunate enough to get caught in its light. It would be dawn soon. And when the second sun rose, anything without shelter would die beneath the heat of day.

Still, Jade could not move from where she stood. Her weapon was clenched in one hand, the super-heated blade burning off what little meat was left on its edge. She had killed so many. But she still couldn’t save her own.

Hundreds of bodies lay out in the valley before her, decapitated, limbless, gutted. And no one could tell who was who now—everyone’s eyes had shifted to hazel, rendering them officially retired from the life of a soldier. Jade grit her teeth. Was this really worth it? Was it worth murdering people who didn’t even look different from her in death? What were they even fighting for? The records had been lost centuries ago. So why? Why continue?

“Jade, come on. We need to get out of here.” Salene approached from behind Jade, the woman’s voice soft but filled with a worried edge. Goggles were strapped over her eyes and a scarf was tied around her mouth, protecting her from Taotar’s sand. She looked at Jade.

“We have to get back to base,” she said. Jade looked down at her gloved hands. Her black armor was wet with crimson. She closed her eyes.

“All right. Let’s go.”