“Soft Targets” is a short story published in Habitual Heroes in 2021. On one side, a group of crack corporate operatives. On the other, Tanner Malone and a bunch of bored college kids.
Synopsis[]
A group of covert operatives were intent on stealing the Minos artifacts kept on Fremantle University. Tanner twigged to their plan during their reconnaissance phase, and enlisted the help of the students of his dormitory.
Appearances[]
Characters[]
- Tanner Malone
- Kim Choi
- Nigel
- Naomi (mentioned only)
- Emma (mentioned only)
- Doctor Eaton
- Min, Jairo, Semyon, Daniel, and Hua, operatives
- Vanessa (mentioned only)
- Analu, a student
- Robbie, a student and rugby player
- Rhea, a student
- Chet, a student and fan of alien mushrooms
- Lisa, a student and snake-owner (mentioned only)
- Arthur, a geology student (mentioned only)
- A student rugby team
- Reggie, a snake
Locations & Organizations[]
- Fremantle University
Continuity[]
“Soft Targets” is set in December 2280, after Last Man Out and “Room and Board”.
When Tanner asks for help, Analu asks if it is “more hitmen”. This might be a reference to the confrontation with Joe, which would place this story after “Friends”.[1] However, the “official” timeline places “Soft Targets” before “Friends”.
Theories[]
It is not explicitly stated which corporation the thieves-operatives come from, but the story quote is a report from Lai Wa. It is a reasonable assumption they are Lai Wa operatives.
Publication History[]
“Soft Targets” was first published on Elliott Kay’s Patreon in June 2021.