Street Candles: Recent Episodes
David Collins-Rivera
Ejoq needs work. The tramp starship Grizzelda needs a gunner. But what starts as a last-minute personnel replacement soon turns into something far more, with a non-functional duty station, his predecessor's emotional fallout, and a deeply buried secret that will change the course of nations.
Through a dark odyssey across a violent, frozen world, and a haze of lies and shadowy clues, Ejoq will face frenzied zealots, frightened elitists, and dangerous mercenaries on an unknown mission.
Revolution, intrigue, and battles among the stars...
Better take a deep breath!
Ejoq has an interview, and gets hired aboard the tramp freighter, Grizzelda, as a replacement gunner. It's just a milk-run to the planet Barlow...so why is everyone so upset?
*The story concludes.
Ejoq tries to put his life back together -- but between mysterious visitors, damaged friendships, and disturbing memories, can he even survive survival?*
Ejoq isn't recovering well. There are complications, and his problems are getting in the way. But no worries, Fleet has just the solution...and he'll never be the same again!
Ejoq wakes up in a strange place. What's happened? Where is everyone? And why do they keep asking about somebody named Alan Small...?
Time's up, and Grizzelda has a choice to make: deal with the treacherous Alan Small, or trust in the justice of two enemy nation states. A dark secret from the past will determine everything, and a deadly machine will strike!
The crew of Grizzelda come up with a bold plan, but time is short -- and the traffic is a killer!
Hemmed in on both sides, the crew of Grizzelda make frantic plans. The situation couldn't possibly get worse. Or could it?
Back in space, a clean escape for the crew of Grizzelda is within reach at last...until an enemy makes a bold move, and the entire game turns on its head!
With just one desperate chance to escape from Barlow, Ejoq and friends navigate across the planet's face. But between cold revenge and secret military strikes, they may not live long enough to travel anywhere!
Ejoq and his crewmates reach the end of the line, but a new battle is just beginning, and uneasy allies have become bitter enemies!
Ejoq and his companions have made it to their destination at last, but their final few steps may prove to be exactly that!
Ejoq and his companions are in the mountains of Barlow, where the peace and quiet have taken on a decidedly sinister aspect!
Grizzelda's passengers and crew are on the trail of a mystery, but getting out of Finery could prove to be difficult. In fact, it might be downright deadly!
Ejoq meets up with Alan Small, and together, they hatch a bold plan of rescue...but is the price for his help too high?
The city of Finery is celebrating, because the Revolution is over! (Or is it?) Ejoq finds himself among thousands of revelers, and waits for the elusive Alan Small!
The Revolution has won (mostly), and Ejoq wanders the city of Finery. Hoping to find some clues and assemble plans for escape, he reaches out to a dangerous man...and proposes a very desperate bargain!
Ejoq makes a new friend, and new plans. With the world falling apart, what could possibly be the right move?
Ejoq is injured, and needs somewhere to rest. A quiet, empty factory seems like just the place...unless, of course, he's not really alone in there!
Ejoq witnesses some Revolutionary justice, and barely makes it away himself. The new world order is looking for change...and they don't care who stands in their way!
Ejoq makes it back to the city of Finery, but there's nothing fine about it now that the Revolution is in full swing!
Time is running out for Ejoq's genteel friends, and maybe for himself! But what's the next move, and where on Barlow can anyone possibly find safety?
Ejoq has a private meeting with the most powerful men on Barlow. Plans, schemes, and wheels within wheels...but what, exactly, is going on with the mysterious Alan Small?
Ejoq enters the lion's den -- a formal dinner with members of Barlow's Elite class! Caught between fancy desserts and tremendous honors, he finds gratitude and secrets in abundance...and a powerful man with an agenda all his own!
Ejoq is the guest of House Vernes. All seems safe and quiet, but hidden loyalties abound, and not everyone is happy to be there. In fact, some of them seem downright furious...
With some kids in tow, Ejoq must escape the city of Finery before combat in the streets catches up with them. But where can they possibly go...?
Having escaped one conflict, Ejoq finds himself in curious company. The city of Finery is burning, and the Revolution is on the rise!
Ejoq finds himself wandering in an alien city at night. Between new, young allies, and frenzied rioters, there's no clear path, and plenty of danger!
Ejoq finds a warm, quiet place to rest, which is just the thing he needs -- until he finds out exactly why it's so quiet!
Ejoq is on the ground, while the planet is in revolt! Without allies, resources, or any idea where to go, how can he rescue his shipmates? How can he even rescue himself?!
Ejoq and his companions have barely escaped from the highdock, and a difficult spacewalk back to the ship is yet ahead. But with crew mates still missing, and answers unknown, would it really be such a bad idea to have another look around...?
Ejoq and a shipmate sneak aboard the Barlow highdock, looking for their missing companions. But between terrified new friends, and some deadly new enemies, they may not survive long enough to find anything!
Ejoq dons his spacesuit to do a little recon. Can he find Grizzelda's missing people without getting shot? Can he even make it to the station without getting lost?!
There's trouble aboard ship, and trouble on-station -- while some of Grizzelda's own go missing! With blood on the deck, and hatred in the air, Ejoq makes a dangerous decision!
A moment of levity aboard ship does little to help Ejoq's sense of isolation. Everyone is happy, and everyone loves everyone. Right? Right.
Life aboard the ship is growing complicated, while the planet Barlow looks like a powder keg with a burning fuse. Is even the orbiting highdock safe?
The planet Barlow looms, and things are looking sketchy there -- but is the real danger outside the ship...or inside?
Ejoq is making progress with Gunnery, but not everyone seems pleased...while the ship reveals itself to have a very expensive problem!
Ejoq works hard to pull Gunnery online -- but maybe he should work harder making friends!
Ejoq meets the passengers and crew, and learns a few surprising details about Grizzelda's past!
Ejoq has an interview, and gets hired aboard the tramp freighter, Grizzelda, as a replacement gunner. It's just a milk-run to the planet Barlow...so why is everyone so upset?