Stranglehold - a Captain Hesperus adventure

[Disembodied]

Presenting Stranglehold, another sorry tale from the unorthodox life of Captain Hesperus.

This story highlights many of the difficulties faced by merchant captains in the Co-operative today. It provides interesting insights into negotiation techniques, the desirability of smooth commander–crew relations, and the importance of hats, and shows how some trades can have awkward consequences.

Contains: 1 song; 1 Star Wars in-joke; and the phrase "unnatural lusts". Downloadable as a PDF or an EPUB file.

[Commander McLane]

Looking forward to it.

[Cody]

A great tale, Big D... such a 'loveable' character, is the good Captain.

[Yah-Ta-Hey]

A truly great tale... Kudos to you and a feather in your cap. Keep 'em coming

[Disembodied]

Thanks, folks! I've also uploaded a mobi version for those that want it.

[Hober Mallow]

Very cool, thank you for that.

[cim]

Ah, poor Rus. A most enjoyable read.

[quatermass]

An enjoyable tale indeed, but one must ask. Just how many lives does that damn cat have?

[Disembodied]

An enjoyable tale indeed, but one must ask. Just how many lives does that damn cat have?

He's a survivor. Just about ...

[Cody]

An enjoyable tale indeed, but one must ask. Just how many lives does that damn cat have?

He's a survivor. Just about ...

Heh... whatever his other failings, he does know how to fight his ship!

[Disembodied]

Heh... whatever his other failings, he does know how to fight his ship!

That's true, definitely, but I don't think he likes it. Quite apart from the danger, there's the sheer expense ...

[maaarcooose]

A wonderful piece.

As usual, your use of language makes my own writings feel crude by comparison.

Looking forward to the next one.

!m!

[Cody]

... your use of language makes my own writings feel crude by comparison.

Yeah... the Mind-in-a-Mech is a tough act to follow!

[Disembodied]

Thanks, guys! The highfalutin' dialogue is just a poor pastiche of Jack Vance, although I hope it at least gives the impression that Hesperus will try to talk rings around people if given half a chance ...

I should also confess here that, following the court case of "Captain Hesperus v. Sensation Press, Inc.", a judicial ruling declared that a) since the Captain was so unreliable personally, and b) since the established facts of his life were so unlikely, he was impossible to defame: henceforth it was open season on his name and reputation. So this version of the good Captain's story may not completely correspond, in all areas, with what actually happened.

[Storm]

A much enjoyed read. Thanks for this entertaining ride through a few days in the crazy life of the grey-furred feline captain Hesperus.