Whispers of Ice and Sand — G.W. Thomas

Whispers of Ice and Sand is a collection of stories set on different worlds in a star system dominated by explorers and pioneers. Five of the stories take place on the planet Utukku where the sand is so fine that footprints disappear in seconds. Bandits and gunmen stalk this new frontier where ancient Harlequin ruins are the most sought after treasure.The other four stories are about Sudana the space captain and her android companion, Zaar. Together they face the freezing cold of Hel III, the jungles of Divu VI and a rebellion, the burning rock of Blister and an intergalactic game show, and finally, a rescue from the radioactive moon of Rigon. This is space opera in the finest tradition of Firefly and Star Wars.