City of the Dead

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This is an engaging and well-written science fiction story. It is something longer than a short story and something shorter than a novella, but it packs a lot of background, characterization, and plot into its length.

The setting is the outback of First Foot where a handful of humans scratch out a living among the tombs of alien dead, where people can get rich with the occasional find. Humanity is on First Foot thanks to the alien Jackaroos, who rescued humanity after World War III in a deal that gave them most of the Solar System and gave humans interstellar travel and 15 extra-solar planets.

Marilyn is the sheriff of Joe's Corner and Ana is studying the naked Hive Rats that are the dominant life form in the outback. Marilynn is approached by thugs who want something that Ana has discovered. The rest proceeds with action, comedy, bluffs, and surprises.

It's a well-written story and worth the reader's investment.