Thomas Parrott’s first story published via his Curious Fictions page, Watch The Flank introduces his The Sundering War setting with a punchy, action-packed military science fantasy tale of giant warmachines and aetheric energy. Cocooned within the huge frame of her Stormcaller giganphract, Bond-Pilot Leyna Raskin roams ahead of her regiment as they make for the safety of Fort Rigour. What started off as a tedious, dull posting, however, quickly becomes a frantic struggle for survival as Leyna finds herself facing off against a mysterious enemy every bit as massive and powerful as her own phract.
Less a short story and more the first chapter of a longer piece, this nevertheless provides an engaging introduction to a world full of interest and imagination, not to mention a satisfying slab of giant robot vs giant…something…combat. There’s a nice blend of technology and magic which sets this apart from a straight-up mech story and lends an unusual dynamic to the action, as Leyna balances her skill with the fierce animus of her phract’s bound lightning spirit. Add in hints of an ongoing war, and an underlying sense of human civilisation up against the wild, and there’s clearly a lot of potential here. It’s rather lacking in resolution, clearly setting up Leyna’s character for her immediate next steps, but think of this as a teaser rather than a self-contained story and there’s lots to enjoy.
Check out Tom’s Curious Fictions page for more information, to become a subscriber, or to buy Watch The Flank (for a mere $1).
*Cover image art by Juan Ochoa*