A Story in the Shiny-verse Universe
This story stands alone, though it also fits into the Shiny-verse. It takes place twenty years before "The Shiny Ladies" (20BG), when our Kay was still a pre-pubescent girl named Katie Prisk. These events are what shaped Kay into the ball-breaking piece of work she became.
The Epilogue takes place 8 years after "The Shiny Ladies" ends (10YG). Kay's past comes back for a visit.
A sixteen-year-old boy was given a gift by an old man that he befriended but had to swear that he wouldn't open the gift until after the old man's death. It turned out to be a hypnotic eye that controlled people's minds. The temptation to control his family and others as well was far too great for the teen to resist.
Hard Science Fiction mixed with Romantic Love and Sex. What more is there? (Sorry, no war here!)
The gentle push of the single plasma thruster at minimum power was nearly imperceptible to the two teenage lovers.
Jabin broke their kisses for a moment, “Pilot, continue hot fire for five minutes, then rerun diagnostics.”
He went back to kissing Atarah.