The Fourth Consort

Dalton Greaves finds himself in a precarious situation, having been chosen as one of humanity's early ambassadors to Unity, a coalition aimed at uniting all intelligent species into a harmonious community. At least, that's the official line he was given. His experiences paint a different picture, predominantly formed by his interactions with Boreau—a massive snail who seems keen on treasure rather than promoting peace—and Boreau's human partner, Neera. Dalton suspects Neera recruited him mainly to avoid becoming Boreau’s next meal during their risky exploration missions. Surprisingly, there exists a genuine benevolent alliance called the Assembly that works for the welfare of all living beings and does not view Unity favorably, especially its human counterparts.The plot thickens as Boreau’s ship clashes with an Assembly cruiser over a newly discovered planet, leading to disastrous consequences. Dalton ends up stranded amid the Assembly’s formidable shock troops, the brusque inhabitants of the planet, and Neera, who could arguably pose the greatest threat of all. To stay alive, Dalton must skillfully maneuver through political conspiracies, alien ethics, and an unavoidable proposition—all while ensuring Neera doesn't decide that eliminating him might be in her best interest. Blending elements of first contact narrative, dark humor, and an unconventional love triangle, "The Fourth Consort" probes the limits one is willing to cross for survival—and the amount of liquid courage required to do so.