Bjorn: The Shadow Axe
By @Ben Dyrhaug
Bjorn, a Viking warrior from Norway, grapples with existential dread amidst the brutal realities of 11th-century Europe. Blessed with unnatural strength and a preternatural ability to move unseen, he navigates treacherous fjords and blood-soaked battlefields, his silent efficiency a stark contrast to his inner turmoil. While his Norse brethren raid and pillage for glory and Valhalla, Bjorn seeks something more profound, haunted by a past he cannot outrun. When whispers of an ancient, forgotten magic begin to surface, threatening to shatter the fragile balance between man and myth, Bjorn finds himself drawn into a conflict far grander than any raid, where his unique blend of brawn and stealth might be the only thing standing between humanity and utter oblivion. Can he embrace his destiny, or will his quiet despair consume him first?
22
The Atlantic convoy
By @alasdair McFarland
In the year 2030, the Atlantic burns. With the USA withdrawn, NATO faces Russia in a brutal naval war. Commander Logan Shand, a calculating tactician haunted by past failures, commands the stealth corvette *Buttercup*. His unique ability to inspire unwavering loyalty in his crew is their only real advantage. Lagging behind a critical convoy, Shand and his crew are tasked with a near-impossible mission: defend the lone, vulnerable cargo vessel, the *SS Dauntless*, from relentless Russian submarine and air assaults. The fate of a vital supply line, and perhaps the war itself, rests on Shand's shoulders. Every sonar ping, every shadow, could mean obliteration. Can he overcome his own demons and outwit the enemy, or will the Atlantic claim another victim?
15