These short stories are a part of a vast universe that covers literally thousands of years and light-years...

Double Dragon Publishing will be releasing  on a regular basis (every two weeks) a new installment to The Shards Universe. Instead of serial numbers or book numbers we will be using dates to convey a sense of sequential order.  Like pieces in a puzzle, each short story will contain information about The Shards Universe and the people that live within it. In addition, you will see that all of the author’s works take place within this universe, and that it's all connected. Happy Exploring - Publisher.

Sometimes a career change is required. Sometimes it’s unavoidable. And sometimes you?re forced into it, unable to think straight, pressured by your employer, with nowhere to turn.

And sometimes it costs you more than you could ever imagine...

Career Choice
February 25, 2293

The air tingled briefly around Stella’s head, causing her hair to spark slightly in the dry air. Through the huge viewing pane of her premium office, the Earth turned slowly and majestically, thousands of miles beneath the orbital station.

"Miss Stella?" came the cautious voice of her attendant.

"Yes, Becky?" Stella replied, trying to hold her voice steady and patient. Her last attendant had lasted only one month before Stella lost patience. He was serving drinks and patrons over on the Freedom station now, she heard. Being Stella’s attendant had very impressive pay and perks, but it was not without some risk.

"Your daughter is on holo three. And Kimberly just arrived for her two o?clock with you."

"Thank you, Becky. Put Rose through, and tell Kimberly I?ll only be a minute."

"Yes, ma?am."

Stella swiveled her chair around and saw her six year old standing there, a big grin on her face.

"Hi, Mommy!" she burbled. She held up a sheet of paper that was covered in blotches of purple, white and yellow. "Look what I drew in school today! Can you tell what it is?" she asked hopefully.

Stella leaned forward and scrutinized the picture. The holographic images of both her daughter and the drawing were crystal clear. Too clear, it turned out, for Stella still couldn?t make out what it was and needed an alibi. Her foot slid slowly to a floor switch she?d had installed and pressed it. The hologram skipped and jumped, growing a trifle fuzzy.

"Sorry, Sweetie," Stella said in her sad voice, "but I?m not getting the best image. Why don?t you tell me?"

"It’s us, Mommy," Rose exclaimed, at once upset her mother couldn?t see the perfect rendering, and elated to be able to tell her. She pointed to the yellow splotch. "See? This is you. And this is me. And we?re out on the space station’s walking area, looking at the stars."

Stella lifted her foot off the switch and the picture settled and cleared. She gave her daughter a big smile.

"You?re right! That’s positively beautiful, Rose!"

"Can I hang it up with the others?" Rose asked excitedly.

"Right this instant!" Stella insisted. Her quarters were luxurious and spacious, but she had no idea what color her walls were, they were so covered with Rose’s artistic accomplishments. "Mommy has a meeting right now, honey, but we?ll sit down tonight and you can show it to me for real, okay?"

"Okay!" She gave a huge smile, then blew a kiss. "I love you, Mommy. Bye!"

"Bye-bye." The holo snapped off and Stella turned back to her desk, still smiling. The joys of motherhood couldn?t be explained to anyone who wasn?t a mother.

She reached to the inlaid control console on her desktop and activated the directional subsonic impresser. She thought for a moment. Rose really did deserve a special treat for her latest picture. Stella decided and ran her finger up the intensity control, doubling the impresser’s silent output. She then tapped the "Available" button, telling Becky that she was ready to see Kimberly. As an afterthought, she turned down her office lights to warm glow.

There came a tentative, hollow knock on the energy door, and Kimberly quietly poked her head through the opaque surface. The power abruptly shut off, leaving Kimberly looking slightly foolish in the suddenly empty doorway. She smiled shyly, then walked gracefully to Stella’s desk.

In the low light, Kimberly was a floating dream wrapped into a magnificent form of body. Tall, she was still of slight build, yet avoided looking too athletic, thanks to her ample bust and extra push she put into her hips. Her hair was as thick and blond and long as it had been fifteen years earlier, when she?d first come onto orbital station Gamma, looking for a new life. Kimberly had foundered from job to job before finally being hired for Free Fall Females, one of a dozen prostitution companies licensed to work on the station. Now Kimberly was almost thirty, and she could no longer display the youthful exuberance and arousal the freighter crews demanded of their purchased companions. The worldly wisdoms Kimberly had picked up were showing in her eyes and smile, a clear mark that a change was needed. The time had come, and Stella was going to give her yet another chance at a new life.

"Kimberly!" she said sweetly, rising and crossing over to her. She gave the nervous woman a hug and pressed her gently into the chair. Stella walked around the large desk and took her seat as well.

"Is... Is there something wrong, Miss Stella?" Kimberly asked in her innocent, kitten voice. She eased back in her chair and slightly opened her legs, the long, soft dress she had on clinging to her shapely form.

She’s trying her best to show her talents, Stella thought. She wants to impress me, hoping I?ll change my mind. Stella’s hand reached to the console and moved the impresser signal up another notch.

"Yes, there is, Kimberly. As you know, the station only allows Free Fall to license fifty employees at any time. Right now, I?ve got forty-seven. But I?ve just hired another five. That puts me two over. I?m sorry, Kimberly, but Free Fall Females must terminate your employment."

Kimberly stared at Stella, shocked into immobility. Her eyes quivered as tears welled up and her shoulders - still creamy white and lovely - began to shake. She swallowed several times, attempting to control her emotions.

"Miss Stella! Please! You... You can?t! I?ve been with you for a lot of years!"