Robert Collins

The Blue Pistol has been fighting to end slavery in the Settled Domains for years now. When the brother of an ally falls ill, the Blue Pistol sees that slavery isn't the only problem he faces."Ignorance is the problem."To combat ignorance, he'll attack the Slavers Guild on two fronts. His friend Illantia will bring the light of science to the Settled Domains. Meanwhile, his spy in the Guild will seed division and strife among the Guild leadership.It's time for the Blue Pistol's allies to show their superior minds, instead of their superior weapons. Can they rise to the challenge?

This collection contains nine short stories featuring Jake Bonner, the hero of Expert Assistance, Haven, and Janitorial Assistance.Jake faces all manner of adventures in these tales. A scientist is claiming evidence of ancient aliens, and Jake has to offer protection. An old friend needs a guard for a wedding on a posh asteroid. An young star needs help dealing with a rival celebrity. Then there's the woman claiming to be a telepath...Jake has to use his wits, his cool ship, and his knowledge of pop culture to solve these problems. Can he survive such a mad galaxy?

David Chalmers is attending Mo-Kan 2, a science fiction convention in Kansas City. He's there because a national Doctor Who group has big plans for the future. During the con he meets fellow fan Lila Woodson and the members of another fan group, the Space Rats.Will this convention alter David's future? Will Lila win the costume contest? Should we be afraid of Doctor Who: The Wrath of Kroll?

The Blue Pistol is certain that the Slavers Guild will expect more attacks in his effort to end slavery in the Settled Domains. To that end, the Blue Pistol decides to catch the Guild off-guard."We'll give them a year of calm, then hit them hard."This means new battles and new allies. Several young women will enlist, to protect themselves as much to support the cause of freedom. New dukedoms will be in the Blue Pistol's sights, and more pressure will be put on his spy within the Slaver's Guild.How hard will the Blue Pistol's blows be? When will his war against slavery end?

A woman scientist travels back in time. A TV preacher warns of the "mutant danger." A teenager's training to be a mutant hero. A mutant villain with ambition. How are these four people connected to a mysterious hero known as the Monitor?Can the future be changed? And can a person be changed trying to do so?Monitor examines morality and obsession amidst a background of superheroes and time travel. The dark drama of Monitor will have readers asking, "Could I save the world without losing myself?"

"With the events in Saint's Hope and Black Rapids last year, the Slavers Guild might want to go on the offensive against the Blue Pistol. It would be better to keep them distracted."That's why Bart Cochran wants to shift the war of the Blue Pistol against the Slavers Guild in the new year. He suggests targeting a dukedom farther from the gains of previous years. His scheme will involve convincing a Guild Master that the rivalry between the Dukedoms of Hilltown and Low Falls is on the verge of erupting into war.His other suggestion is to have their allies in Freeman's Hold build bombs, disguised as letter boxes, that will be sent to every Duke in the Settled Domains that isn't on the Blue Pistol's side.What happens to slavery in the Domains when these schemes explode?

The Blue Pistol and his allies have freed a few dukedoms in the Settled Domains from the power of the Slavers Guild. Those gains must be protected, & more people must be freed from slavery.Two dukedoms are targeted to advance the cause: Black Rapids & Saint's Hope. One will see an attempt at rebellion; the other, an attack by lies and hard truths.Can the Blue Pistol liberate more land from control by the Guild? Can more nobles be trusted to see the value in ending slavery? Can the common people of the Domains be trusted to take the reigns of power?

A young woman named Cassia, journeyman in the Slavers' Guild of the Settled Domains, is tasked to capture a mysterious outlaw named The Blue Pistol.Her encounter with him will shatter her life and subject her to physical and emotional agony.But in understanding his battle and her own past, Cassia will seek to overcome her pain and prove that she can be of value to those who are willing accept her.

It's the fall of 1983. David Chalmers is a high school senior who hangs around with a group of fellow science-fiction fans, but feels few attachments to them. Alison Hughes runs with the popular crowd, but she's as smart as she is pretty, and wonders if they're becoming predictable.Over the course of a few weeks events will cause David and Alison to think about what it means to be friends. Are friends just people you spend time with? What does it mean when you're someone's friend? Why should any of that be important?

The Complete Guide to Playground Development will guide you from design through construction, and every step in between, to your new dream playground in simple easy to understand terms. It also has information on the importance of play in child development; as well as resources to qualify playground equipment vendors, create a Play Program, define your site conditions, define your budget, follow current guidelines, find consultants, and certify safe and compliant installations. If you are planning to renovate or build a new playground this manual is an invaluable resource.

To get out of debt, spacer Jake Bonner takes on two odd jobs. The first, chauffeur pop star Evvie Martini on her tour; the second, helping Daniel and Clarissa Rosen overthrow their planet's tyrannical ruler.Unfortunately for Jake, Evvie finds out about his second assignment and, hoping to advance her career, invites herself to the revolution. From there the absurdity grows for Jake and his band of "freedom fighters."Expert Assistance pokes fun at revolutions, pop culture, and some of the cliches of sci-fi.