Knect’cha touched the flaming end of the torch to the small pile of dark gray crystalline dust, and Kile’cha watched the mound flare bright yellow-white, leaving behind scorched stone and a cloud of white smoke.  His Second showed him her teeth, her eyes twinkling with delight.

“This propels the metal balls?” Kile’cha asked in disbelief.  “I would expect a greater explosion.”

“My father is a miner.  With enough powder and properly contained, the gasses expand quickly enough for an explosion of practically any size.”  She wrinkled her nose at the odor and sneered at the black residue.  “Though the explosives he uses are much more efficient than these and produce far less smoke.”  She pointed at the large tube on the rolling car...

Please subscribe to keep reading.