deanhenegar

War Core Wednesday, War Core 2, Chapter 18.

Chapter 18.

Hugh’s vision jolted as the countdown timer hit zero. His point of view was now hovering over the small fleet of ships he had ordered constructed. Looking inside the transports, Hugh could see his ground forces were all positioned inside the drop pods, ready to fight once they hit the ground. His map of the system pinged as Felicia gave orders for the fleet to form up.

“Hugh, are you there?” Captain Lewis asked.

“Roger that, Lewis, glad to have you join...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 34+35.

I've included two chapters today so you aren't left on a cliffhanger.


Chapter 34.

“Stop, do not harm this core, it isn’t to blame!” Shara said, climbing down the ladder from the attic to confront the kill team. Just how many folks were going to visit Florence’s home today? The kill team had held her entire attention and neither she nor Doug even noticed Shara’s arrival.

“And just who do you think you are?” The wizard asked.

“I’m the Matron of in...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 33.

Chapter 33.

“Matron, something’s going on over at Ben’s place,” Tipp said.

“What’s going on, and why do you think it’s any of my business,” Shara replied. She was getting ready for a rest when the initiate had stuck his head into her tent.

“I don’t know, but there are lots of wagons outside and they're being loaded up,” Tipp said.

“Very well, my rest can wait a bit longer, let’s see what’s gotten you so excited,” Shara said.

It was...

War Core Wednesday, War Core 2, Chapter 17.

Chapter 17.

Looking at the countdown timer, there were still several hours until the human cores could participate in the battle. For now, all they could do was watch as the Krixnas attempted to stem the seemingly unending tide of Ssath ships that had appeared from deep space. They weren’t privy to how the Krixnas resources were gained, but Hugh had a feeling it had been a combination of some starting resources to build ships as well as mining. Two small structures surrounded astero...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 32.

Chapter 32.

“Sit still, you big stink bag,” Surly chided as he tried to fasten a harness around Spud’s big belly. Florence couldn’t believe it; the big plague charger was allowing the gnome to strap what looked like a mechanical saddle to her second-floor champion. The gnome finished up the task, securing a pair of shields to the saddle with clamps built-in for that purpose. The gnome then added a long tube to each shield, the tubes reminding her of the barrels of a cannon. 2021-08-30 13:51:36 +0000 UTC View Post

Cat Core 2, Chapter 31.

Chapter 31.

Durg took the lead, pushing aside the swordsmen that were forming up in front of the laundry room door. He kicked the door and charged inside, Arya and Q were already starting to summon creatures to defend them, but the armored orc wasn’t going to let that happen. His charge took him directly into the clothesline traps, but the armor and shield he bore snapped the razor-like cables easily. A single goblin was summoned, but Durg’s axe was already going to work, easily d...

War Core Wednesday! War Core 2, Chapter 16.

Chapter 16.

Hugh was pulled from his meeting and thrust out into space, a situation he assumed his fellow cores were facing. His consciousness was hurled faster and faster through the stars, before eventually settling in a system that featured an orangish star and a single planet orbiting it. Hugh didn’t know if this solar system had existed before the battle, or if the GCA had somehow created it for the fight. Instead of heading toward the planet, he was sent out past it, where bli...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 30.

Chapter 30.

“What did you do to irritate these hooligans enough to make them come back after you?” Doug asked.

“I don’t know, they were creeps, but I couldn’t even talk to them when I was being carried here. That lich guy had some geas on them that prevented them from hurting me during the trip, but that obviously wore off,” Florence replied.

“That might be the reason, the geas wore off and now they are under no restriction. Killing even a low-level core woul...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 29.

Couldn't wait until Monday before posting another chapter after the cliffhanger from chapter 28.

Chapter 29.

“Core gem, I know you can hear and speak with us, I require that you do so now. Tell me, without any subterfuge, how it is possible so many adventurers have met their demise inside your dungeon,” Robes demanded.

“Ok, mister, two things. First, my name is Florence Valentine, I’m a lady and expect to be addressed as such. Second, this is a home, not some creepy...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 28.

Chapter 28.

“Wow, they just got right to it, didn’t they?” Florence told Doug. The kitten advisor had finally tired of his amateur tinkering and was back for a nap on the rocking chair cushion.

“Yes, gnomes are quite industrious, and I have to admit I enjoy it myself. They are intrigued with Skyler and Andy, Fizz said he was implementing some improvements, but he wanted to keep the final results a surprise,” Doug said. Florence had spent some time tweaking their new ho...

War Core Wednesday! War Core 2, Chapter 15.

Chapter 15.

“It sounds like this is going to be a very different fight, and it seems like the GCA has given our cores a way to interact before the battle begins,” Hugh advised, pushing the system prompt information out for the others to review. The techs had connected his core to a simple data stream, and it allowed Hugh to share any system information he wished. He could edit the data to remove anything he didn’t want them to see, but for the most part, he wanted his advisors t...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 27.

Chapter 27.

“Doug, quit yer tinkering and get out to the gazebo, it looks like Shara and them kids are back,” Florence called out as she spotted the party nearing her home. Doug and that gnome had been getting along like a house on fire, messing with them stupid bird robots. The gnome, Fizz, had been ecstatic when Doug had shown him the parakeet contraptions, the two talking about the things after finishing a quick tour and the contents of two picnic baskets worth of food. For suc...

Limitless Seas 2, cover art.

I have War Core 2, and Cat Core 3 ahead of it, but my artist had an opening so here's the artwork for the next Limitless Seas novel. 

Cat Core 2, Chapter 26.

Chapter 26.

“Jess, did your run go well? Greetings Matron,” Junior asked as Shara led the party into the shop, his eyes locked onto the berserker and only noticing Shara at the last moment.

“Yes, Ben, we did pretty well overall. I think we all gained a level this time, and the loot wasn’t horrible,” Jess replied, using his real name rather than the man’s nickname.

“You two work out our purchases, I’m going to enjoy a hot meal and an ale,” Shara said, maki...

War Core book 1 is live on Amazon!

Excited to finally see it out in the wild. If you get a chance, please consider leaving a review on Amazon, it really helps a book at launch to have some positive reviews. I appreciate all your support for the ongoing War Core saga.

Here's the link.

www.amazon.com/dp/B09CHG5GK9/

War Core Wednesday! War Core 2, Chapter 14

Chapter 14.

“Major Logan, please report to the briefing room,” the PA called out as soon as Hugh returned to earth. The combat floor was a hive of activity as marines were assisted into their combat pods by more techs than Hugh had ever seen at one time. Just what was going on here if they were loading marines and soldiers into the pods before he was even called to battle?

Hugh moved his point of view into the briefing room, finding it packed as well. Captain Brubaker, their...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 25.

Chapter 25.

The party along with Shara left, and given the lack of noise, she figured they had made it back to the tunnel exit without any further problems. Florence spent some time sprucing things up, putting little decorative details throughout the home. Doug worked on his traps, wanting to move things around a bit between delves to keep the adventurers on their toes. Florence normally liked these quiet times, it did her good to just sit back and watch her babies, but she couldn’t...

War Core 2, Chapter 13.

I have an extra chapter of War Core for you this week.

Chapter 13.

Hugh’s internal compass led him to the nearest reward center. Despite the name, the reward center wasn’t all that exciting, just a simple kiosk that recognized him as soon as he approached. Before jumping into the rewards, Hugh accessed the system information screen, a type of help app for those visiting. The system registered all visitors, and Hugh could see the numbers were in the tens of thousands. Given t...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 24.

Chapter 24.

Florence felt that she had at least a little time after Bartleby left to finish up what she wanted on her home. Her balance was down to $98.22, which should be enough to summon the last few cats and for Doug to round out things with his traps. The second-floor bath needed another defender, the surprise attack from reanimated undying kitties was good, but it would have less of an impact when the adventurers got a few runs in and knew to look for it. She summoned a new kitty...

Cat Core Cat List.

I thought I'd give you a peek at the cheat sheet I use while writing Cat Core. I need notes to keep track of all the kitties, what they look like, and their abilities.

Cat core 2 Cat List.

Book 1 kitties.

1. Tater, domestic shorthair, grey with white paws and bib. Brawler.

2. Midnight, all black shorthair. Loved Shara. Brawler.

3. Bhargath the Foe Render, longhair orange tabby. Brawler.

4. Buddy, tiger stripped tabby. Commando

5. Obiluxnerance (Obi)...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 23.

Chapter 23.

“Well, this is a pleasant surprise. It’s good to see a satisfied customer once again. I wondered where you had run off to, I had heard they said you were destroyed, but I knew you were a lucky purchaser of my soulbond elixir,” Bartleby said. The somewhat slimy salesman was not quite able to cover his discomfort over the situation.

“You forgot to tell me a certain little tidbit about that particular product, didn’t you?” Florence asked.

“No, did yo...

War Core Wednesday! Book 2, Chapter 12.

Chapter 12.

An infantry mech in the main canyon was obliterated by a plasma blast, the attack drawing Hugh’s attention. The mech had been approaching the rally point when it was hit, telling him the Ximkas core was pushing aggressively to retake the resource site it desperately needed. Hugh was ready for this, the powerful cannon defending the critical location was functional and by this time he had gathered a small force to help in its defense. A single light mech and seven infantr...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 22.

Chapter 22.

“Doug, what did you come up with for traps?” Florence asked. He was still moping around a bit since she named the last kitty but talking about traps seemed to perk the little guy right up.

“Oh, I didn’t realize you were done creating new defenders, did you run out of names?” Doug whined.

“No, just show me what you done and stop being passive aggro or whatever it’s called,” Florence said.

“The phrase is passive-aggressive, and I’ve only...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 21.

Chapter 21.

“Oh, look at that, Mortimer can see them,” Doug said excitedly. It was true, since her cat could see them, Florence could see the invaders as well.

“How is he able to and none of the other kitties could?” Florence asked.

“Likely due his new class. I know you’re not sold on the whole undead affinity thing, but one ability that many powerful undead possess is the ability to sense life. That’s what Mortimer is doing now, sensing the lifeforce of the ...

War Core Wednesday! Book 2, Chapter 11.

Chapter 11.

Hugh followed the progress of his siege spheres; the surviving pair began to open the distance between them and the rest of his forces. There was only one critical location standing between him and the Ximkas, the debris field that should have held the enemy’s siege spheres. His foe had a difficult decision to make, the spheres were very powerful and effective against structures, so letting them through had a chance to seriously damage or destroy his command post and pro...

Cat Core 2, Chapter 20.

I also attached the completed cover art. 

Chapter 20.

“You know that rapscallion?” Doug said incredulously.

“It’s that little green turd that carried me here,” Florence said.

“They appear to be a batch of assassin’s and they must have followed this party in, waiting for your defenses to be depleted, and the adventurers weakened before striking,” Doug sai...

War Core Wednesday, Book 2, Chapter 10.

Chapter 10.

Hugh sent the light mech designated as his scout further into the canyon toward the sound of weapons fire. While it was out scouting, he set the plateau containing the mercenary outpost as the new rally point for his forces. A line of infantry mechs was making its way through the canyon to join his army. His barracks was almost done maxing out his forces, and after that, it would be time to put his army to work.

Coming around a curve in the canyon, Hugh’s scout got...

Derelict 3 is out today on Audible!

If anyone would like a free audio code (US and UK) let me know.