L'enfer, c'est la Solitude

WAR IS NOT THE ONLY HELL IN THE COLD, EMPTY VOID OF SPACE.

(Originally published in the March 2016 issue of Perihelion SF)

Between the orbits of Zarmina and Librus lies a tiny, sun-blasted planetoid called Petra. The name means ‘rock,’ and that’s just what it is—a worthless chunk of space rock. It has no atmosphere, no resources, and too little gravity to sustain a long-term population. About the only thing it’s good for is a gravity assist for travel to the outer planets. But because it lies midway between our two worlds, laying claim to it has been something of a dick measuring contest between our governments.

At least things were going to be peaceful out there, I tried to console myself. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

This story is rated T according to the AO3 content rating system.