The Iron Barge

    (Karate Petshop, 2024)

Las Vegas. Spanish for “The Meadows.” Once upon a time, it was a 24-hour neon oasis in the center of the desert. A playground for humankind, the city lured in tourists with themed casinos that let people feel like they were inside any number of wondrous locales: a medieval castle, an Egyptian pyramid, a circus, or even a pirate ship. But four generations ago, the desert heat grew harsher and the people vanished. The animals that were left behind took refuge in humankind's playgrounds. What were once casinos are now dozens of sovereign city-state kingdoms, each housing a unique animal society that has embraced the fantastical theme of its home.

Once a year, these kingdoms exile their worst criminals to a penal colony known as the Ark, and these criminals are ferried away on a craft called The Iron Barge. This year's Iron Barge run is the maiden voyage for the new first mate Brook, a resourceful young otter who takes her duty to the Iron Barge very seriously. But when the Iron Barge comes under attack by pirates, Brook finds herself thrown overboard along with a prisoner named Porter, an outlaw lemur who is the target of the pirates' ire.

With the Barge hijacked and out of reach, Brook feels honor-bound to deliver Porter to the Ark, on foot if necessary. And so, with the pirate crew hot on their tails, Brook and Porter set off on a perilous journey through the many, varied kingdoms of the Meadows.
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