Fiction 4-Pack

Four short stories from Christopher Watson: Roach's Run, Clearing Crystal, Unseen, and Used To Be. Also included, two previously unreleased pieces of fiction.Roach's Run: Deep space exploration ramped up. Though governments search the black with top-notch scientists running expensive robots and drones; corporations cornered the market. Contracting their staff for little more than room, board and a promised portion of any find, Prism Corp flings ships into the universe. The frontline – Suicide Squad – explores with little to live for and often expire before their contracts.Clearing Crystal: In a world where magical souls reincarnate, mystics do not fear death. Though infernal forces can consume them, the long wait between incarnations becomes nothing but an inconvenience. Hunting for him, men killed Vincent's eternal companion. A century later, her soul – about to awaken – lies within a human sacrifice. Vincent stole the soul's vessel from a demonic cabal, but can he keep her safe?Unseen: In a deadly world of secrets, life in service to a shadow agency means no connections, no ties, and - ultimately - not trusting anyone. In order to safeguard humanity, one must sacrifice self, but keep from becoming a complete monster. In such a world, Kurt Ramsey holds the only job with a life expectancy shorter than investigative reporter's.Used To Be: Against fan demand, Lightning Chuck Wilson abandoned his title as Ultimate Mage and went into retirement when his spell-dueling federation collapsed. Ten years later, Chuck runs a magical pawnshop and lives in seclusion. Still, lucrative offers to pull him out of retirement never stop. Though the grandeur of the past is behind him, how can Chuck refuse a demon with dominion over his son's soul?