The Scout: Dark Crossings

by D.L. Cross

The aliens have landed. The humans are panicking. The scouts have been sent. J’s mission is clear — find an alien outpost, observe, report back. Simple enough. It’s what he’s trained to do. But he’s always worked with his team, never as a party of one. Now he’s been sent out alone to blindly navigate a dense, dark forest until he finds his target. The dynamics are foreign to him, the stakes never higher. Resources are scarce. Comms are down. And he’s found the enemy. J is shocked when everyone’s true allegiances are revealed. And the consequences of betrayal will be deadly. A short story set in the bestselling Invasion Universe, “The Scout” by D.L. Cross will have you hungering for more. Pick up your copy today!

Genres: Science Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2019

About the author

D.L. Cross has loved science fiction ever since she was a young girl and fell for Major Don West on television's Lost in Space. To this day, she still quotes the show, though her favorite lines were spoken by the robot and the antagonist.

Parallel universes or alternate realities, aliens or dinosaurs, superpowers or super viruses, time travel or AI... no sci-fi theme is off limits and all of them fascinate her.

D.L. Cross also writes other genre fiction under the name Staci Troilo, and you can find more information about all her identities and all her work at her website: https://stacitroilo.com.

Reviews

[Harmony Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished The Gate (Astral Series book one), written by DL Cross, I bought this book yesterday as soon as I saw the author's announcement that it was on sale. Being just 32 pages, it proved a quick and enjoyable read and just what I needed while feeling under the weather. The Scout ties in nicely with the rest of the Invasion Universe from Sterling and Stone while also working as a standalone short story.

I saw who the alien invaders were early on, but this just added to the anticipation and enjoyment of the read.

I cannot recommend the author highly enough and am eagerly awaiting her next book in the Astral Conspiracy series. This little gem gets a solid 5 stars from me.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

[Jonathan Pongratz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Original Review at Jaunts & Haunts

4/5

I gave this short story four scifi stars!

This is my first reading of something by this author, and I really had a great time!

You can read the blurb, so I'm not going to waste too much time rehashing things. There's this guy J. He's on a mission to observe an alien outpost and communicate back with his people. Simple right?

Try that all alone. In the wilderness. With no easy way to infiltrate the alien base. Yeah, not easy. Through observation, J discovers just what these aliens are and where they stand.

I liked J's character. He was conscientious, intelligent, and had a good head on his shoulders. These are the types of characters I can get behind.

The plot was intriguing. I had no idea what was going to happen next, so that made the read really easy.

Also, the writing style was super easy to blaze through, so I really appreciate that as well.

If I had to pick at anything, there were a few tiny moments where the lack of information made me the tiniest bit confused, but it was easy to understand once I got through to the end.

Also, I do understand why certain descriptions were held back (no spoilers, I promise!), but that may frustrate other readers on the reading journey.

All in all, this was a great little story and I look forward to seeing more from this author.

[Mae Clair · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent short story that takes a look at what happens when alien cultures clash. J is determined to complete his mission as a scout, gathering intel on an alien outpost, but the assignment grows murky when he connects with one of “the enemy.” The pace moves quickly, hurtling the reader toward a confrontation which addresses the nature of loyalties and betrayal.

A quick read, The Scout is part of the Invasion Universe, but stands perfectly on its own. The author also writes the Astral Conspiracy series of novels which made this bit of short fiction a treat for someone eagerly awaiting book 2 in that series. New fans and established fans will enjoy The Scout for its fluid story, tight plot, and polished writing. You can’t go wrong with anything from the pen of D.L. Cross!

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read and loved “The Gate” by Ms. Cross, I was excited to see a sci-fi short story based on that world. Sent out to scout the aliens, J finds them. His character had so much depth that I felt his discomfort of being alone when J was used to functioning in a group. J’s commitment to his duty and what he found was fascinating and complicated. This well-written quick read can be a stand-alone. I highly recommend it!

[Judith Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love short stories. Some of them stay with me as long as any novels I've read. They can offer a punch that novels can't. And this prequel to Staci Troilo's space invasion series is a great example of short fiction. J., her alien who's sent to scout out the inhabitants of a planet and what they're capable of, is sent on a lone mission, hard for him since he always works as part of a team. A woman spots him but doesn't turn him in, and he thinks of her often. And that's where things get interesting. His superior in command grows unhappy with him for reporting so little information, and he starts to feel abandoned, alone. I'll leave it at that so I don't give too much away, but J's journey was a good, fast read.

[Joan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, you often hear the words, "I couldn't put it down," when it comes to a page-turning book. But in this case, I couldn't stop reading and finished it in one sitting. Yes, it is short, but the story kept my interest from page one to the end. D. L. Cross has created a powerful story with her Astral Series, and I highly recommend you read "The Gate." However, this book could easily stand alone.

I've never been a great fan of science fiction, but this author has caused me to change my mind. She weaves in suspense and intrigue that gives her stories more depth than your typical sci-fi and leaves readers wanting more.

I eagerly await the next book of this series.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of alien stories, and The Gate by this author was a five star read for me.  When I learned of this short story set within that world, I was anxious to get my hands on it while waiting for book two of the Astral Conspiracy series.  

First, let me say The Scout stands on its own and prior knowledge of The Gate isn't required; however, this novella is enough of a taste to whet your appetite and make you curious about the alien invasion taking place in that story.  Although a quick read, the author did a fantastic job at making me care about J.  I felt his loneliness and sense of betrayal from both his own people and the aliens.  By the end, I wanted to continue with his story - but maybe that will be an option in the future.  A reader can hope.  Now, I'll have to return to impatiently awaiting book two of the Astral Conspiracy.          

[Robbie Cheadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short story is part of a series but it can be read on a stand alone basis. The Scout is dispatched to a strange and forbidding planet by his superiors to spy on the movements of a group of aliens who have been sighted. The Scout is warned that he will have a limited ability to contact his own people and report back to them, but he is told to make every effort to do so and to keep them appraised of the activities of the aliens.

The Scout walks a lengthily distance from his drop off point in search of the aliens whom he eventually finds deep in a forest. They are busy building a fortress and make several trips to the river. The Scout initially thinks they are reconnaissance missions but, after managing to get close enough to watch them, he discovers they are trips to get water and wash clothing. During one of the aliens trips to the river he makes eye contact with Aria, a small and pretty alien who sense his presence. This is the beginning of a relationship which has unexpected and shocking consequences.

The Scout was a most entertaining short story and I would recommend it to people looking for a short and exciting science fiction read.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a scout is given a mission to find and observe feared aliens, he takes on the job with determination- though he’s never had to work alone before.

Soon, he finds his quarry and settles in to gather intel for his superiors. Poor communications forces him to trek miles in order to relay information.

A chance meeting with a young alien woman leads to an unlikely alliance- one that leads to unexpected consequences.

For a short story, this book packs one heck of a punch! I totally didn’t expect the twist at the end. Kudos to the author for writing a page-turning suspense!

I give The Scout: Dark Crossings 5 lovely kisses- Things are not always how they appear!

[Victoria Zigler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent short read for fans of the kind of sci-fi stories involving aliens, with a delightful twist. Highly recommended.

[C.S. Boyack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Scout, by D. L. Cross is one of those support books to a larger series. As such it is a short quick read, and an amazing one at that. I’ve read The Crossing and thoroughly enjoyed it, but it isn’t a prerequisite for The Scout. This book easily stands alone.

The author wove in a delicious twist that I thoroughly enjoyed. Read The Scout. You might want to read on in the Invasion Universe. I know I will be.

[Irene · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Gate by DL Cross, I was really curious about this story. Anyway, you can read it as a standalone instalment in this science-fiction universe. I assure you it will make you want to know more.

The only flaw of this story is it's too short, and it leaves you desperately wanting to know more. The plot is interesting, the pace fast and absorbing, and the ending... Oh, I don't want to reveal anything, but you are in for a surprise!

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story worth the read. A scout is abandoned on an alien planet and observes the aliens building a fortification. He makes contact, but all is not as it seems. Great suspense that left me guessing until the end. Perfect for sci-fi readers.

[Jo Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short story based around the invasion universe stories started by Sean Platt and Johnny B Truant.
It tells a tale from an entirely different viewpoint that I believe you to will find interesting.