Umber Sky

by R.A. Meenan

Zeke Brightclaw has a desperate need to prove himself. As a test pilot in the Special Warfare Division of the Air Corps, Zeke knows he and his friend Andre Bryson are nothing more than insurance bait, so long as the xenophobic Commander Berrycloth blocks their way into flight school – their only chance at becoming full pilots.

So when the Commander visits his base looking for new pilots for the Academy, Zeke sees his chance and volunteers to pilot the Phoenix dog fighters alongside Andre – planes that have killed eight pilots in the recent years. Zeke has confidence. After all, he has a secret weapon keeping him alive in this dangerous job – a phoenix summon of his own.

But the routine exercise turns into a battle against an invading spy plane, Zeke sees this as the real test. Now he has to see if he can truly prove himself – and protect himself and Andre in the process.

Color Story to Brothers at Arms
Companion Story to Gray Matter

Unknown Binding

About the author

R. A. Meenan was born in London during the golden age of science fiction, but somehow time traveled to the Modern Era (some say a mad man with a blue box was involved). She was dropped on the doorstep of a house owned by anthropomorphic cats and though they were disappointed she didn't have furry ears and a tail, they took her in to teach her the ways of elemental magic. After setting fire to her furry cat friends' tails one too many times (final score - fire: 2612, cat's tails: 0) they called an exterminator and sent her out on her way.

Now an adult (physically, not mentally), she ride-hops intergalactic military spacecraft, combing the outer reaches of space and time, writing science fiction and urban fantasy stories based on her experiences. She's also hoping to find the perfect cup of coffee and a better way to grow dinosaurs. Humans kind of look at her funny, but she's managed to make herself an honorary ambassador for furry and anthropomorphic aliens and space dragons.

She carefully feeds and brushes her wonderful husband Joe and the pair have four furry children (which are really cats, but don't tell them that). She also spends her spare time teaching essay-writing haters, molding them into people resembling Actual Students and Lovers of English.

She may not win the hearts of stiff military men or students who want good grades for no effort, but she certainly captures the spirit and imagination of time travelers, magic users, nerds, Students-In-Training, and fantasy lovers.