Followers of the Space Sloth,

First, I apologize if you are getting this update twice.

I’ve been out of touch with Inkshares for a few days and thought I’d give my followers an update. A week ago I ran a Spartan Sprint. The heat index was over 100 and the event was held on a ski resort. It was…challenging (?). Character building. An experience I can draw on for future stories and obstacles. Ok, it was just hard. Although on the plus side most of the places on my legs I tore skin off are healing.

The next day I left for the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) conference. There are always things there that inspire me and remind me why I do my full time job. The main plenary speaker was Lisa Jackson, Apple VP of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, and former Administrator of the EPA. The takeaway from that was helping students find ways to be engineers without having to sacrifice who they are.

And I suppose I should mention the conference was in New Orleans, a very cool place to get inspired for new story ideas. The French Quarter, St. Louis Cemetery #1, Lafayette Cemetery, the Garden District (yes, walked past the Anne Rice house). Also spent some time with my wife looking at local artists’ work and stopping through some galleries. Some very interesting work by both street and gallery artists.

And while none of this seems to directly relate to the science fiction worlds of Fortunes of the Space Sloth or Stage Clear I believe all experiences are valuable. We’ll just have to see where these end up taking me. Now…back to the stars. 

Greetings Followers of the Space Sloth! 

It occurs to me that I have been remiss in posting additional excerpts from the story. So I’ll make a deal with you. If we can get the orders up to just 50 I’ll send out the full Chapter 5. 

In Chapter 5 the Space Sloth starts to investigate the system they are in and makes an interesting discovery. It sets the stage for the next several chapters, a life threatening situation, and a cosmic mystery. 

Aren’t you a little curious? 

Thanks for the support. 

This glimpse into the world of “Fortunes of the Space Sloth” is brought to you from the Universal News Network archives. If you are intrigued to discover how the Agave Springs may factor into the story please express your interest with a Comment, Recommendation, or Referral. And if you really feel like you have to I’ll even accept Pre-Orders…

Mars Station (UNN) – The search was called off today for the civilian space service vessel Agave Springs.  The ship was under contract to make a colony resupply run to the new Minneopa sector.  The Agave Springs made its last check-in with TSA Control just before entering the Minneopa jump zone.  Two days later a courier vessel returning from Minneopa reported that she had not arrived and no trace or wreckage could be found of her.  A thorough search by TSA and Navy vessels failed to turn up any trace.  A review of ship’s logs and interviews with docking personnel at Mars Station have provided indications that the Agave Springs’ fusion engines may not have been maintained correctly and were operating beyond normal TSA allowed tolerances.  The investigative team concluded that the Agave Springs was a victim of fatal engine failure resulting in the destruction of the vessel during wormhole transit.  Charges have been filed against the vessel’s owners and several personnel at the Mars Station inspection facility. There were 32 crew and passengers aboard the Agave Springs.  Notable among these was Cynthia Le Sueur, retired actress and activist for colony rights.  She was in route to permanently retire as a colonist.  (Archive #A45998J2)