Diane Burton: #WeWriWa ~ THE SPY: Is She Fired? #sfr

Each weekend, the Weekend Writing Warriors share an 8 - 10 sentence snippet. Be sure to visit the other authors. You can find them here.

Thanks to everyone who visited last week. Your support and comments always give me new ideas. I'm sharing snippets from The Spy: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 4th book in my series featuring strong women on the frontier of space.

Because this is a work in progress, suggestions are greatly appreciated. I've skipped ahead a little from last week. Genna is at headquarters meeting with the Commissioner of the Clandestine Sector of Coalition of Planets Intelligence. The same thought has been going through her mind since she left the training center--he summoned her to tell her she's fired.

Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines.

“Congratulations on completing your training—I’m impressed with reports from your trainer. You have done well—top of your class in weaponry, second in physical stamina and endurance, but strategy?” He wobbled his hand.

Yeah, strategy wasn’t her strong point.

Hang on, would he offer praise before firing her? During training, she’d heard he was fair, a good leader, better than the former administrator who, according to the old-timers, didn’t seem to care about his people.

She had no idea what he was getting at—the bigger concern was why she’d been summoned, not very urgent if he wanted to waste time chit-chatting. Yet, the summons—via her training supervisor—indicated she had to get to HQ immediately.

When she cancelled her vacation with Ian, she’d told him she’d gotten a job interview. He, like everyone in the vicinity, assumed the training center was an extension of a university, and though disappointed, Ian wished her well, at the same time offering his ship.

Commissioner Vorinda interrupted her thoughts, “. . . pleased to learn that Hallart seems to have abandoned Malcor Sector.”

Tentative blurb:

Rookie agent must rescue veteran before his cover is blown.

Genna Nogaro, new to the Coalition of Planets’ Intelligence Commission, is assigned to bring in an undercover operative in Hallart’s organization. More experienced agents died before getting him out. Were they killed by the intergalactic gangster or has the operative gone rogue?

Quintall d’Sernin, con man extraordinaire, infiltrated the mob and moved up to be the gangster’s right-hand man. Hallart has his tentacles throughout the Coalition—business, industry, and government. Quin’s finally worked himself into a valued position. All he needs is the key to mob structure in order for Coalition forces to take down the entire organization.

Genna will pose as a new recruit to distract Hallart long enough for Quin to find the key. If they work together, they can accomplish more. But Quin and Genna’s lives are jeopardized by a mole in the Intelligence Commission. Will their true roles be revealed before they accomplish their goal?

I hope everyone had a good time during the holidays. Our Christmas was chaotic and fun--what would you expect from 2-year-old twins and their 4-year-old sister plus 3 dogs. 😊

Not sure if I've mentioned here that my husband needs his aortic valve replaced. On Thursday, it will finally happen. We'd appreciate some healing thoughts and prayers. Thanks so much.

Wishing everyone a happy and productive New Year.