Derek Smith

Beer and Roving on Last Vega Derek Smith

We were somewhere around Barnard's Star, on the edge of the Deserted Basin stretch of the Vega Run when the thugs began to take hold...of our necks. They'd just burst in and I remember thinking to myself, 'Only four jumps from Earth and we're already getting mugged?!? I wonder if they'll give me an interview.' The thought, like the oxygen to my brain, was cut short as the larger of the two pinned our necks to the cramped cabin's walls. Through tearing eyes I watch as the smaller one began roughly rummaging through our bags. It's about then I realize I was too $#@!'ing high for this. Maybe I should back up for a second. The name is Duke. Lilith P. Duke, Pharmacist of Journalism, Adventurer Extraordinaire, and 21st great-granddaughter of Raoul Duke, infamous father of Gonzo journalism back on Earth late in the 20th century. We're currently on assignment heading to the Last Vega port colony; a colony located at the farthest edges us monkeys have traveled into space. We're supposed to cover the opening of the first jump point beyond that, but I suppose first we have to see about getting beyond this mugging... That's right kiddies, this is the Vega Run like you've never seen it, every sick little adventure, and every dirty not-so-little secret. So epoxy resin your kids in their bunks, put your feet in the zero-g stirrups, and hold on tight!