Flash Gold

By Lindsay Buroker

Eighteen-year-old Kali McAlister enters her steam-powered "dogless sled" in a race, intending to win the thousand-dollar prize and escape remote Moose Hollow forever. The problem? Fortune seekers and airship pirates are after her for the secret to flash gold, her late father's alchemical masterpiece.

With a hand-modified rifle and a pocketful of home-made smoke bombs, Kali wouldn't normally hide from a confrontation, but taking on a whole airship single-handedly is a daunting task. Unfortunately, the other racers won't assist her--they're too busy scheming ways to sabotage her unorthodox sled.

When a sword-slinging stranger shows up, wanting to hire on as her protector, she's sure he has ulterior motives, but he's the only one interested in helping her. The question is...why?

Details:

An 18,000-word steampunk novella set in the Klondike during the Gold Rush.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lindsay Buroker
• Release date: Mar 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458028129

Lindsay Buroker

Lindsay Buroker war Rettungsschwimmerin, Soldatin bei der U.S. Army und hat als IT-Administratorin gearbeitet. Sie hat eine Menge Geschichten zu erzählen. Seit 2011 tut sie das hauptberuflich und veröffentlicht ihre Steampunk-Fantasy-Romane im Self-Publishing. Die erfolgreiche Indie-Autorin und begeisterte Bloggerin lebt in Arizona und hat inzwischen zahlreiche Romanserien und Kurzgeschichten geschrieben. Der erste Band der Emperor’s-Edge-Serie „Die Klinge des Kaisers“ ist jetzt ins Deutsche übersetzt.

Book preview

Flash Gold

By Lindsay Buroker

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2011 Lindsay Buroker

Foreword

The following story is set in the 1890s, in a world similar to ours, but with a few differences. Magic exists, airships aren’t uncommon, and there’s a backward little town called Moose Hollow in the Yukon. Enjoy!

Part I

Kali McAlister tapped a wrench against her thigh as she contemplated her invention. She had stripped every extra piece of metal she could from the dogless sled and had even debated removing the brush bow, but that seemed unwise. Besides, it’d been cold enough the last week men were complaining of pee freezing before it hit the ground. The ice on Forty Mile Creek ought to be thick enough for the heavy steam sled. If it wasn’t...winning the race would be the last of her worries.

Hinges creaked, and a gust of frigid air hurled snow into the workshop. Kali spun toward the door, her long braid whipping around her shoulder.

A fur-clad figure loomed, head an inch shy of the top of the frame. With those broad shoulders and that height, she assumed it was a man, though a cap buried his eyebrows and a scarf swaddled most of his face. He gripped a rifle in one gloved hand, and the hilt of something—a sword?—poked over his shoulder. Who in tarnation brought a sword to the Klondike?

Kali’s grip tightened on the wrench. Another thug who wanted to interrogate her about her father’s alchemical masterpiece, probably.

If you’re going to hold the door open that long, you could at least bring in some wood. That sounded cocky, especially since the wrench was the closest thing to a weapon she had handy, but bravado went a long way in Moose Hollow.

Meanwhile, she sidled closer to the workbench and the panel of levers on the far end of it. The man’s blue eyes were the only thing visible between the cap and scarf, and they narrowed, watching her.

The stove’ll have to work double time to heat the place again, Kali said, hoping to distract him from her movement. Not that this drafty hole could aspire to warm anyhow.

The man stepped inside. Kali tensed, ready to spring for a bronze lever with a billiards-ball knob.

He did not move past the threshold though. Without taking his eyes from her, he pushed the door closed. He removed the cap, revealing thick tousled black hair, then tugged the scarf down to his throat. Kali might have called him handsome, but a scar gouged one cheek, as if someone had tried to remove one of his eyes. The beard stubble darkening his jaw would do little to warm his chin in the cold. He must be new to the north.

His cool gaze skimmed the shop, resting briefly on the unorthodox metal sled before settling on her.

You Kali McAlister? he asked, voice smoother and more pleasant than his rough exterior hinted at.

Ma’am. She propped her hands on her hips by way of disguising another step toward the lever. It’s polite to call a lady ‘ma’am.’ Even if she’s a half-breed wearing man trousers with tools sticking out of all her pockets. Not to mention she was only eighteen and covered in grease. She would collapse in surprise if anyone called her ma’am without the ulterior motive of needing a favor.

He stared at her for a long moment. You Kali McAlister? Ma’am.

I reckon that depends on who you are. She pretended to scratch her knee and took another step.

Your identity changes depending on your caller?

Sometimes it does. Another step.

Cedar.

What?

My name.

That’s not a name, she said. That’s a tree. Though at his height, children might mistake him for the latter.

Both.

And what are you here for, Cedar? Three more steps and she would reach the lever. He might plow through her security measures, but they would distract him and give her time to run.

He strode toward her. She lifted the wrench threateningly.

The job. His free hand delved into a pocket. Paper rustled. He pulled out a sheet with writing on it.

It was Kali’s turn to stare. What job?

Wordlessly, he held out the flyer.

ASSISTANT MUSHER FOR BARTON’S RACE

Experienced pugilist preferred. Inquire at Kali McAlister’s Tinkery.

Kali scratched her head. Where did you get this? I didn’t post it.

Nelly’s Good-Time Girls.

Nelly. Oh. Kali puffed out an annoyed breath. While it had been nice having someone step in as a big sister after her father died, sometimes Nelly presumed too much. At least this meant the man was probably not there to rob or interrogate her. That’s a mistake. She waved at the flyer. I can’t afford to hire help. I’m going alone. Sorry to have wasted your time.

Cedar lowered the paper, but did not leave. If you win, there will be prize money.

Yes.... One thousand dollars hard money goes to the first-place finisher, thanks to Francis Barton’s lucky claim. The old sourdough’s spending like a drunk.

Then you’ll be able to pay me.

Kali’s suspicions toward her visitor returned. Only gold miners worked for the possibility of payment, and most of them were addled in the head. More, nobody in town thought her

Reviews for Flash Gold

[kybunnies · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is more of a Sci-Fi book than anything with it being based in the 1980's. It is hard to like it. This book would be more interesting if based in a different era. This would be a great book for a teenager or young adult to read.

[wealhtheowwylfing · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Kali's only hope of escaping the wild and frozen backwater she grew up in is to win a sled race. Her custom-made steam powered sled might just win her the race--except that bounty hunters are after her father's greatest invention, "flash gold", and they'll kill her to get it. Luckily for Kali, she's got a mysterious bodyguard and a lot of inventions of her own.

One thing I particularly liked about this was that Kali and Cedar had tension and the beginnings of friendship, but it never became a romance. I'm used to stories in which plucky ladies and mysterious men immediately fall into bed together after a few scenes of antagonistic banter, so the slow build of their relationship was particularly nice.

[lcrabtree-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was only my second attempt at reading steampunk and I enjoyed this more than the first. It kept me entertained throughout and I enjoyed the storyline. Will be reading more from this author

[pixiestyx77 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I enjoyed this. It was such a quick read at 50 pages, just enough to introduce the characters and peak your interest in both them and the plot possibilities. The author notes at the end that she is trying to gauge interest with this short, and to please comment on her website if you would like to read more about the characters and this plot. Initially Kali makes me think of Firefly's Kaylee, however, I could see her evolving beyond this as the author grows her character. The flash gold concept is interesting, it would be great to see Kali learn more about it, her father, and how her father invented it. Her involvement with Cedar could be good too if happens on a subtle, natural level. I'd hate to see it turn into a formula romance.

[sunnysd_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Kali McCallister intends to be somewhere else - somewhere warm - before winter hits the Yukon again. With that goal in mind she's determined to win the upcoming dogsled race and take home the prize. Of course there's the small issue of having no dogs... but no real inventor ever let that stop her. The bounty hunter that's showed up to be her "protection" might pose a few problems, though.Excellent steampunk adventure with an unusual setting.

[nnschiller · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Fun steam-pulp. Good light reading for a quick adventure story. Plucky young heroine makes her way as an engineer/inventor in the harsh Yukon territory.

[cathy_keaton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This short story is awesome! I completely loved it. It's a great steampunk read, as my interests in that genre are growing more and more, lately. "Flash Gold" has such an endearing quality going for it, I couldn't help but love it. Although light on the details of the steampunk technology, it is so strong on story and character, you just don't really miss it.The plot is perfectly paced and there is plenty of dangerous action going on. But, the best thing about this story is its amazing characters. They are so funny, unique and interesting. Kali, the main character is my favorite and she's a little spitfire. I love how stern she is at only 18-years-old. Cedar is a great contrast to her, being one to talk less and do more. They make a great team.I couldn't help but think of True Grit as I got into this story. Kali kind of reminds me of Mattie, although Cedar is nothing like Rooster.Yes, Lindsey, please DO write more about these great characters. I want more, since the story is left with a brand new adventure about to begin for Kali. I would like to know what's going to happen next.

[tldegray-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Steampunk set in the Yukon during the Gold Rush? Yes, please. The main character is an 18-year old half native tribe woman? Yes, please, very much. She's trying to prove herself and finish her dead father's academic and technological legacy by winning a dogsled race with her steam powered sled? Give me this book now!

[sporkdelis · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I found this author through her advice about indie publishing on her blog. I now go there weekly because, though she may repeat herself, it’s very interesting and informative. She has links to the first of all her novel and novella series. Since I go there at least weekly I decided that I should give her first book a try.Flash Gold is short at 40,000 words, but feels closer to a full length novel. At first this was a little annoying to me, but I figured it made me feel like I was getting more bang for my buck (Literally, the e-book sells for $.99).The story goes that Kali McAllister is trying to run a dogsled race (I assume the Iditarod) in her steam-powered “dogless sled”. She is met at her workshop by Ceder, a man who professes to be a pugilist, but no one really thinks that. Kali’s sister, Nelly, thinks that he’s a newcomer too green to the Yukon to survive; Kali thinks he’s out to get the secret to her father’s invention, Flash Gold. As the first action scene shows she has a surplus of people out for the elusive material and as she takes out one or two, Ceder rushes to her aid and takes out all of the bandits. She decides to keep him.The story reminds me of the pilot to a tv show. Short, sweet, but enough to get you interested in the next episode. I have a feeling that just three books of any length will not really be enough for any real fan of this series. The characters were refreshingly different from each other. This I found important as I have read too many YA (and not YA) books where everyone really was pretty similar sounding. Ceder and Kali have distinct voices. I found Kali’s red-neck grammar to be a bit over the top, but I’d rather have over the top than lukewarm. I was having problems with a pair of characters I’m writing and the necessity for them to really be different from each other, and this book has gotten me back writing again.The lack of real romantic mushiness was appealing. There were suggestions of things to come, but nothing overt. I’m one of those people who would rather read/watch/write something that doesn’t inevitably lead to the romantic. I know that stuff sells, so I forgive those who do write the “romance wins in the end” book series. This book at least didn’t have me worrying that I’m going to be looking at a constant Yearning and Longing throughout the other two books. At best I’m expecting a Firefly-esque Mac never getting the girl because he’s such a blowhard sort of thing. Except maybe Kali will get over that. Either way I’m saving my hard-earned pennies for the next book in the series.