The bar on Lunar Outpost K-17 felt just like old Earth. Too much brick. Too much history nailed to the walls. Someone had gone out of their way to recreate an old American dive with pool table scars, yellowed lights, cheap liquor and a jukebox playing hits from another century. Most nights were the same right down to the alien nursing the same drink at the end of every shift. John and Madeline had been coming here for weeks, blending in, playing it slow. Three lunar workers had vanished between shift end and sunrise. No witnesses. No bodies. Just empty bunks and quiet supervisors.

They played pool and drank like everyone else. Madeline listened more than she talked, letting people underestimate her. John counted exits and patterns. One man in the corner did the same, tracking workers, never drinking, always leaving just before closing. Tonight, he stood up early. Madeline felt it before she saw it. Same guy, she said, lifting her glass. John set his cue down carefully.

Outside, the station lights flickered like they were tired of lying. Whatever was taking people wasn’t random, and it wasn’t finished.

They followed at a distance, not ready for what came next.

NOTES:------------
Older post on Daz Studio gallery but no where else back in January of 2026.

Madeline ended up a little bustier here than planned. I was aiming for that classic tight shirt, Americana look, and this is where it landed. I wasn’t fully happy with the initial digital shadowing, so I did some light cleanup to soften things AND then I started moving things...

Slot #2: RAW image for comparison
Slot #3: Experimenting with looks and hair. Mads looks more Asian
Slot #4: Experimenting with looks, hair and makeup. She looks more grungy

"Space Crimes" book status:
- 27 chapters written
- 5th revision is nearly half way completed