The science fiction novels are all connected. The first series is about Collin Hansell and Austin’s Playground. The second is from the life of Cris of Servantes, Batch 87, who was bio-engineered in a research facility on Europa. If there are titles you’d like to read that haven’t been uploaded yet, drop me a note at dlauro@hereandabove.com . Knowing readers are waiting will spur me on to keep adding more books.
Austin’s Playground
Austin’s Playground is a penal world in the far reaches of explored space. It was once owned by Austin Enterprises, a biotech corporation, and it is where they had their scientific research facilities. After a major riot the planet was annexed to the penal system. Our first story opens approximately 150 years after the riots with a 186 year old geneticist, a prototype in artificial intelligence, and a planet full of deadly man-eating reptile dragons.
As each story below is placed online, the title will link to its page where you can download the story.
It All Begins Here
Hansell’s Dragon — the first book written in this series.
Hansell’s Hope — sequel to Hansell’s Dragon. You may wish to read Aben & the Dragon first.
Hansell’s Apprentices
The next three novels are much shorter and I had debated placing them under one cover titled Hansell’s Apprentices if a paper version ever emerges.
Aben & the Dragon — a short novel which takes place during the same time period as Hansell’s Dragon.
Hansell’s Apprentice — Sequel to both Aben & the Dragon and Hansell’s Hope.
Aben, the Dragonslayer — Sequel to Hansell’s Apprentice
Prequels
The Escaped Experiment — Prequel to Hansell’s Dragon.
The Orphaned Experiment — Sequel to The Escaped Experiment.
The Married Experiment — Sequel to The Orphaned Experiment.
Geoff’s Story — This is also a prequel. This book is after The Married Experiment by at least 60 years.
And then we have:
The Flying Elk Cluster — This book is a companion and takes place slightly before Hansell’s Dragon, but the character’s don’t overlap until…
The Discovery — Sequel to both The Flying Elk Cluster and Aben, the Dragonslayer.
Sakiya’s Story — Companion novel
The Phoenix Foundation — Sequel to both Sakiya’s Story and The Discovery, but after writing it completely twice, I am not satisfied and need to rewrite it again when I figure out exactly how it should go.
Other stories:
A Doggle’s Tale — This short story prequel perhaps isn’t finished, although to me there isn’t much more that needs to be written. It takes place only about ten years before Hansell’s Dragon, and the main character makes an appearance in The Discovery. I’ll probably post it for the curious since at this time I don’t intend to do anything else with it.
Cris of Servantes, Batch 87
Cris of Servantes, Batch 87 — Cris lives in a biotech lab on Europa with a group of other bio-engineered children who can be taken on a whim by the scientists over them to perform whatever experiment they are currently conducting. When he volunteers for surgery to save his batch sister from death, he lives instead of dies as those before him had. From there he finds a way to free them all.
Nic and the Phoenix — Cris Servantes is now Nic Zanetti and the head of Archive Solutions, an Australian company that produces security systems for companies throughout the galaxy. But a new organization wants to recruit Nic as his past comes back to haunt him.
The Hacker — This is a short story which finds its resolution in the story of Nic’s Family.
Blake’s Unexpected Grace — Blake Danvers has come to manage Nic’s company, freeing him up to focus on research. Blake doesn’t expect to remarry so soon, but little Tabitha has other ideas. Disclaimer: Although the above description sounds like a romance, the book is not a romance, so I hope you are not disappointed.
Nic’s Family — This title may change. Nic and Blake are coming home from horseback riding in the outback when a feral child sneaks into their car during a snack break. The clues lead them to believe that Taree has escaped from an illegal scientific or sporting facility. While they make plans to foster Taree, they also plan to find and stop the abusive facility, discovering corruption in the Australian National Police.