Plum Parrot

Cyber Dreams 2.35 - Madera Canyon

Well, things are heating up. Let me know what you think :)

-Plum

The Grave installation up in the canyon proved to be a series of dome-shaped, plasteel structures nestled between two peaks in what used to be a popular hiking destination. Juliet learned from one of the local employees while they ate breakfast one morning that Grave bought the entire canyon at auction from Cybergen while they were restructuring. Now the facility wa...

Victor 4.34 - The Hunters Return

The hunt's back in town. Have a relaxing day :)

-Plum

The hunters’ caravan traveled back to Coloss on the same route they’d used heading out, and the monsters of the waste seemed to be giving them a wide berth. Consequently, Tes didn’t take Victor and Valla on more side hunts. That said, she did spend a lot of time on the return trip tutoring the two of them. In Victor’s case, it was more that she gave him a peaceful plac...

Victor 4.18 - Minor Revision

Hey all,

I had a RR reader point out that I completely forgot about some loot Victor got back in book two, lol. That would bug me as a reader, so I figured I should clean up those loose ends. I mean, it's two books late, but if someone is a loyal reader, they'll get the payoff, amirite? :)

So, remember the alchemist, Shouza? Here's a bit I added to Victor's visit with her:

“Good! Here, l...

2023-03-04 18:40:42 +0000 UTC View Post

Cyber Dreams 2.34 - Into the Wild

Have a nice weekend, folks! Thanks for your comments and feedback :)

-Plum

Juliet sat, head resting against the rattling hull of the fluttercraft, eyes closed and a million thoughts racing through her mind. There were so many twists and turns to her subterfuges that she was starting to struggle to keep everything straight. Angel was the only “person” who knew everything about her, who knew she was Juliet Bianchi from Tucson a...

Victor 4.33 - Trophies

The hunt draws to a close. Enjoy and rejoice, for tomorrow is Friday :)

-Plum

When Victor came to his senses, he stood among more than two dozen other hunters who’d similarly gone through an incredible influx of Energy. Many stood, swaying on their feet, dazed like Victor. Others, perhaps having received less, laughed and cheered, slapping the hands of their neighbors and whooping, waiting for Cayle to make her post-battle anno...

Cyber Dreams 2.33 - Plots Within Plots

Let me know what you think of this little twist.

Cheers,

Plum

At Garza’s words, Juliet felt a deep, nearly unbearable dread, but it wasn’t at the mentioned aneurysm. Something told her that if she let these people put her under, she’d never wake up again, or if she did, she wouldn’t be herself. Scrambling for words or avenues of escape, she said, “Can’t they just laser it? Wh...

Victor 4.32 - A Wyrm's Tale

Okay, I had fun writing this one - hopefully, it wasn't just because I could picture it in my head. I mean, hopefully, you'll all be able to picture it too :)

Enjoy!

-Plum

Victor tore through the loose, dry scree scattered about the hilltop, and with crimson rage tinting his vision, he surveyed the final slope that led down into the box canyon where his quarry awaited. Despite his efforts, several challengers ha...

Cyber Dreams 2.32 - Surprises

Some puzzle pieces coming together, but we still have a ways to go. Happy to hear your thoughts.

-Plum

Long before she’d entered Grave Tower, Juliet had turned off the wireless access points on her deck, so she had to physically connect her data cable to it before Angel could take a look at the information she’d copied off the little drive that had belonged to, presumably, Joshua Kyle or one of his coconspirators. ...

Victor 4.31 - Glory for the Ghosts

Enjoy this one, folks! Thanks for reading and for your support! As always, I'm happy to hear your feedback :)

-Plum

Victor looked through his piles of monster trophies, allowing his instinct to guide his hand as he pulled specimen after specimen out of his dimensional container and stacked them together on the sandy ground of the waste. At the bottom of the pile was the cultist crown, and he knew, in his gut, that his ancestors i...

Cyber Dreams 2.31 - Truths and Lies

I hope you're all planning a nice weekend :)

Looking forward to your feedback!

-Plum

Juliet’s fingers were shaking with adrenaline as she touched Polk’s neck, but she found a thready pulse and said, too loudly and perhaps a bit hysterically, “Polk’s hurt bad but alive. We need backup and medical ASAP.” She glanced at Houston and saw his back to her, his knees in the small of Ky...

Victor of Tucson #2 Release Date: 6-6-23

If any of you are wondering when the next installment of Victor will be available on Kindle and Audible, I got the official word today: June 6th, 2023.

I think the new cover art is pretty cool :)

I'll post links when the pre-order is available (I know most of you already read this content and I don't expect you all to rush out and buy it, don't worry!)

Cheers,

Plum

Victor 4.30 - Old Treasures and Auras

Tomorrow's Friday! Hope your week's been great.

Cheers,

Plum

Sometime around midday, Victor broke through and leveled his Core. As his Core surged and pulsed, then contracted on itself, slightly denser than before, Victor looked up and smiled with satisfaction. He’d made a lot of progress since coming to Zaafor, and he had a feeling he’d make a lot more before he and Valla left. He l...

Cyber Dreams 2.30 - Steam Tunnels

Hey everyone! Things are getting complicated. Hope I haven't lost you. Let me know what you think of this one, please.

Cheers,

Plum

When Juliet and Delma stepped out of the elevator, they were met with a periodic klaxon, red flashing lights, and Kent’s voice repeating a message over and over, “Attention, Grave employees on sublevels seventy-seven through eighty-three, for your safety, all doors...

Victor 4.29 - A Herald's First Day

Words were coming slow to me today. Hope you enjoy this one! Have a good evening :)

-Plum

When Victor selected his class option, he was imbued with a sense of well-being, power, and confidence; he immediately felt that he’d done the right thing—this was his path. Energy surged through him, infusing every nook and cranny of his body, and he lifted his head back and howled at the pale blue sky, unable to contain his exuberance....

Cyber Dreams 2.29 - Into the Depths

Here's today's installment. Enjoy, and please share what you like/dislike :)

-Plum

“I would never have considered going out to eat at five PM before I got hired by Grave,” Delma said, looking around the restaurant. The place was called, simply, Mesquite, and Juliet’s nose told her why; the signature scent of the burning hardwood filled the air, though the “about us” section on the menu explained that they use...

Victor 4.28 - Weighty Decisions

Enjoy the chapter. Let me know what you think, please :)

-Plum

“You’re level forty already?” Valla asked, her face twisted in something between admiration and disgust.

“Actually, I’m level forty-two, but the System says it’s holding two levels until I go through my Class refinement . . .”

“Ancient Fathers! Weren’t you thirty-eight back in Coloss?” Valla shook her head and then sat on a r...

Cyber Dreams 2.28 - A Friend in Need

Have a great weekend, everyone. Hope you're enjoying the story. Feedback is appreciated :)

-Plum

“So, you want me to try to get you to see what I’m looking at on this?” Juliet asked, glancing at the card she’d drawn from the deck, a sheep with fluffy black wool.

“That’s right,” Doctor Vance said. Juliet had been more than disappointed to see the man walk through her door—she’d had an almost visceral reacti...

Victor 4.27 - Power Scales

Enjoy! Love to hear your thoughts :)

-Plum

The roar sounded again, and Victor ducked his head slightly so the crown of his weighty helm led the way forward. He was furious, ready to fight, eyes blazing with the deep red Energy of his rage, but still aware of the rocks and dust falling from the high cavernous ceiling. They crashed on his mighty shoulders and shattered and bounced away from his immovable helmet, and Victor shouted,...

Cyber Dreams 2.27 - Explorations

I could tell my last chapter wasn't very popular with everyone; I made a few adjustments to my main document, but I think some of the concerns will be addressed in this chapter and in the ones coming up.

One of the criticisms, quite validly, pointed out that some of the secondary characters are pretty 1 dimensional in this arc. Gordon being a prime example. I think, because of the rapidly heightened stakes, it feels like we're near a climax. We're s...