She cannot die. But this moon is killing her people.

Sass Collier took years to buy a spaceship, a dream born in humiliation and defeat.

Four decades ago, Sass arrived on the unpromising moon Mahina with refugees from Earth, the home planet now falling out of living memory. As a marshal, she mediates disputes between the elites of the capital and destitute settlers wresting a living from the moondust.

Then an 'air drop' kills hundreds, maybe thousands.

Settlers tucked their children into bed, then enjoyed an hour of free time before they slept. And out of the blue, they suffocated to death.

This isn't the only injustice on Mahina — far from it. But it's the final straw, the match that lights rebellion aflame. Irate as anyone, Sass becomes a ringleader. Settlers demand a shot at a better life!

Until the rebels go too far. Must she betray everyone?

Petticreek Five is an origin story for the humorous Thrive space colonization series. If you enjoy the motley crew of Firefly and the world-building of Heinlein, try Thrive!