Under Gunmetal Skies

Ivaius and Sarun lost the war quickly. The monarchies that reigned on the Hammerpoint peninsula for centuries have been snuffed out, making the Canian victory total. Now, occupation under Canian martial law has begun, and nobody knows when the wolves will leave. The only thing that's for sure is that as long as they're here, the only way to escape their eyes is to run far, far away.

Vivianne Favre used to call Ivaius home. Now, even her uncle's town house feels alien, and it doesn't help that her parents are trapped in another town across the country. She'd promised herself she'd never go outside unless she needed to as long as the Canians are watching the streets, but as the days drag themselves on painfully, she figures a couple night adventures with her cousins might break the monotony. Instead, she learns that the world she's been hiding herself from is far uglier than she could have imagined.

Jalem Heitzer is a fresh recruit into the Canian Army's frontline 16th Rüzergreschattes division, replacing his squad's KIA rifleman. He has a lot to live up to, as his deceased predecessor was like a sister to many of the platoon's soldiers. But fitting in will be very taxing on Jalem's psyche, as although he's receiving the high quality life of a Canian soldier, protecting his nation's interests isn't the glamorous job it was supposed to be.

Numur and Hansma Il-Bakit have never been outside the golden sands and sweet smells of Muad'Ali, so when the trade hulk they work on gets commissioned by the Canians to ship in supplies, it seems like the perfect opportunity to finally see somewhere new. But when everything goes wrong, they have to decide quickly whether or not to trust the victor's version of history.

Under Gunmetal Skies tells the story of these four, and how they come together to find a glimpse of true sanity in a backwards hellscape that was supposed to be a new start.