Readers wanted: Draft “Wary of Iguanas”

Edited to add: Thanks, everyone. I have enough volunteers now and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.

I have a 6700 word science-fiction story that I’d love to have some readers for. This story might seem familiar to some of you. On Writing Excuses, we brainstormed some stories to show how idea generation worked from story seeds. I liked the synopsis that I came up with well enough that I wrote the story.

I’ve run it through my usual readers and just want a last glance before I send it off.

If you have time to give a read and offer feedback, please drop me a line and ask for the password.

Here’s the teaser.

Wary of Iguanas

by Mary Robinette Kowal

The iguana was staring at her. It was probably some kid out for a joyride. The glint of the wetware patch covered nearly its full back. Greta opened the window and leaned out to pluck the iguana off the branch. That was the thing about animals that were being ridden — their instincts were usually slower than a wild one.

She dropped the iguana into a carry-crate and threw a cloth over it to make it dark. Crouching over the case she said, “No trespassing signs apply to anything with an intelligence on board, but I’ll drop your critter near a street sign.”

“Most people would just euthanize the thing.” Helmut pulled a fresh wetware patch out of the fridge and opened the sterile packet. “You’re a softie.”

“It’s not the iguana’s fault his person is an idiot.” Still, given the nature of work she did for the German government, she couldn’t take the chance that it was just a joyrider. Greta carried the crate past the pair of benches that dominated the saddle room and set it outside in the hall. All her animals were in the kennels behind the house or at the marina across town. “Go ahead and start calibrating and I’ll join you in a minute.”

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