Shawna Camara and Angela Gradillas, for their ongoing promotion work in Second Life
Toni Weisskopf of Baen Books, our esteemed editor
Jennifer Jackson of the Maass Agency, our marvelous agent
The many active supporters of the Saltation online project, and especially the denizens of the Theo_Waitley Live Journal Community, who made it all happen, and happen well.
FIRST LEAP
Saltation : That which proceeds by leaps
rather than by smooth and orderly progression.
One
Shuttle Approach
Anlingdin Piloting Academy
Eylot
"Conselem!"
Theo didn't think that the gentle off-center nudge of reaction jets had deserved a sneeze, much less a cuss word. And the shouts and cackles of self-important glee when the second nudge was followed by a firmer push were just mean.
"We're all gonna die!"
Theo resisted the urge to look toward the front of the shuttle, having recognized that voice. Should've known. Sighing, she rested her head resolutely against well-worn padding. She'd drawn a seat without nearby viewports and was just as happy not to be sitting with the three student pilots, their flight wings shiny on their collars, who'd started chancing her back on the Vestrin. They were coming back to Anlingdin from the Short Break, so they said, and were determined to party as long as possible.
Snickiots.
At least she wasn't alone. Apparently they didn't much care for . . . Theo squinted at the legend scrolling across the main screen: "Student Pilot Kern Vallee at controls, please strap in." Right. They didn't much care for Kern Vallee, either.