Brian K. Larson's Blog: Author, Brian K. Larson Blog, page 2
June 25, 2014
Amplified Mental Projection makes its debut on Friday, June 27th... that's this Friday!! 
June 3, 2014
A M P - Phase 1 releases June 25th
Some really great news is happening in June. Yep, AMP (amplified mental projection) Phase 1: The Gamma Project will be released on June 25th!!
It was a very exciting journey from the concept and planning stage of this book series, and I had a blast writing it, as well as the last book, Salvage 5.
The concept of combining Salvage-5 and AMP and having characters move between these books was a wonderful idea. I want to thank Don Tangborn, my step-son, for giving me the idea to do this. I don't remember, or know of many books that do this, but it works. In fact, it works great.
The concept editing is complete, and it's now in edit. Once I get those back, I'll post a sneak peek for your enjoyment.
In other news, I appeared on the John Brislin Show twice in May. I have posted the first one that was on May 3rd, talking about Salvage-5 and my writing journey with dyslexia. My interview last Saturday, I was discussing Salvage-5 and taking live calls from listeners talking about space innovation. Once I have my copy of the interview, I'll be sure to post that. I was on for 4 segments. Mr. Brislin said he received several calls from listeners that totally enjoyed having me on, so I'll be doing more shows. His show airs at 9pm west coast on Saturday's on KDWN AM720 Los Vegas. You can listen to his archived shows here.
Now it's off to begin my next project, Salvage-5: The Next Mission, featuring Colonel Tucker Petersen, and his quick witted comments, will sure to make you smile as he is sent back to the CSMO at Asteroid 253 Mathilde to repair a damaged mag-ring. This is also a techno thriller, so expect lots of action and suspense.
Well, it's back to the ol' grind and knock out some chapters on my next project.
...I'll post a teaser in the next week or two.
Until then, you all have a great day!!
From the Author's Chair,
Brian K. Larson
#TheDyslexicAuthor
March 31, 2014
Dyslexia - The Daily Struggle (Part 3)
One of the most difficult things to do as a writer is spelling and grammar. Being Dyslexic, I was never a good speller. But what if I want to write books, guess you have to know how to do all that, right? Well, a few tricks with the internet and phone apps these days is you can find just about anything on the subject. I use my phone to help me spell words that I have trouble with. I also rely on friends and other family members to help me with grammar.
I've come along way over the last few years with grammar. Still not my strong suit, but I can relay a good story and with the help of my beta readers and editors, I can formulate great books.
The funny thing is that when it comes to spelling, I can spell longer and harder words better than smaller easier words.
One of the thing I have found, is when you are struggling with something, recognize that you have an issue with it. Then look for ways to help identify and correct before or when it happens.
An example is I have a huge issue with using the wrong words or I'll write 'this' instead of 'his' or 'her' for 'his'. Knowing that I make this mistake often helps me see it when I'm writing, or catching it when I proof. Do I still make mistakes? Sure...lots of them. But with the recognition of knowing that I make that mistake, allows me to catch it more often.
When it comes to numbers, I have a tendency to mix them up. If there is a number that's 12345, I'll see it as 12435. Most of the time, the third and fourth number are switched. By understanding that there is a pattern to what numbers are mixed up allows me to catch them, again, more often than normal.
Admit to yourself that you have a learning disability and use that to empower yourself.
There's nothing wrong with being Dyslexic. Nothing at all, other than the daily struggle, but when you begin to understand what it is you typically do, you can and will catch yourself. This will begin to make improvements to how you feel about yourself.
Having a high self-esteem is very necessary. Finding out that you have this and doing something about it, goes a long way in building a higher self-worth. Trust me on this one, been there, done that.
Having a learning disability doesn't me you can't learn. We just learn differently than others. We are gifted with other attributes such as a higher creativity.
There are a lot of famous Dyslexic's out there. Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Bonaduce, Steven Spielberg, and Jay Leno, just to name a few. They are very successful people...
If I can do it...you can too. Take care and ensure that you surround yourself with those that will lift you up and support you. Stay away from those who tear you down...with friends like that, who needs enemies.
I hope you all have a wonderful day and I sincerely hope that through these posts, you will find the tools you need to become successful.
From the Author's Chair,
Brian K. Larson
#TheDyslexicAuthor
March 28, 2014
Dyslexia - The Daily Struggle (Part 2)
Today, I'm going into more in details on symptoms and warning signs of Dyslexia. If you recognize any of these signs, or if you see these in someone you know with them, there are numerous web sites that you can go to and take a quick and easy test. Of course, these are not meant for diagnosis, you should consult a professional for that. Your school counselor should be able to get the ball rolling. Sometimes you do have to get in their face to get action. Once you have their attention, they can be helpful in conducting the tests and getting a diagnosis. The symptoms charts you can find on the internet are helpful in bringing to light the possibility, and then help can be sought. You professional can put into place a training plan to help with the child's learning.
Did you know, ten to fifteen percent of the US population has dyslexia, yet only five out of every one hundred dyslexics are recognized and receive assistance? True statement, quoted from The Dyslexia Research Institute.
Symptoms can include letter and number reversals. These are the most common warning signs and usually diminish by the age of 7 or 8. Trouble spelling words. Difficulty copying work from the board or book. A general disorganization of written work. Not being able to remember content. May appear to be uncoordinated and have difficulty with organized sports or games (oh this one is me all the way). Difficulty with left and right is common, (and this one too!), and often dominance for either hand has not been established. In the early grades, music and dance are often used to enhance academic learning. Children with dyslexia can have difficulty moving to the rhythm of the music.
Dyslexia goes beyond the written word on the page or reading; it can also encompass auditory problems. The most common is a child may have difficulty remembering or understanding what he hears or trouble recalling more than one command at a time. Parts of words or parts of whole sentences may be missed. Often, words can come out sounding funny, or using the wrong word or a similar word. Children struggling with this problem may know what they want to say but have trouble finding the actual words to express their thoughts (another biggie for me.)
If you or your child are have trouble taking a written test, try to give the test orally. You'll be very surprised that the child, or adult for that matter, will test way better. This is true for me. I struggled with test taking and had failing grades in school because of it. I will say that were was one teacher in high school that did recognize some of my symptoms. They allowed me to take my final history test privately, 1 on 1 with them orally. My grade on that test went from D- to a B. Unfortunately, this was in my senior class, and with graduation a month away, there was nothing that the school would do. They never even told me I may have it. It was just one teacher. Too bad...
That's why I am so passionate about raising awareness for those that have this disability and don't even know it.
Dyslexia is difficult to diagnose. Help should be sought early on to prevent you or your child, or even someone you know, from becoming withdrawn and depressed. Believe me, this is a very real thing. The not knowing why I was so bad at school affected my self-esteem on so many levels I can't even begin to tell you.
Even writing this Blog is a challenge, as evidenced with my part 1 post yesterday. There are errors in there...and there are most likely errors in this one too. The important thing is to recognize the signs and act. Don't wait until it's too late...don't be ashamed if you have it, or if you child has it. It's not a disease, it's a learning disability. Please do them a favor and get help early.
People with Dyslexia are special. This is why I have such creative abilities and I can write books. I have overcome...I have made it through hard work and perseverance.
When you have the enlightenment of this disability, it is amazing at the empowerment you will receive and you can discover that you are a very capable person.
For more information on Dyslexia, visit WebMD, or the Dyslexia Research Institute to find a more inclusive list of symptoms and helps that are available. Heck, you can just go to Google and search for Dyslexia and find dozens of articles.
Tomorrow, I'm going to give you tips on how to help you correct and live with the daily struggle of Dyslexia.
From the Author's Chair,
Brian K. Larson
#TheDyslexicAuthor
March 27, 2014
Dyslexia - The Daily Struggle (Part 1)
This week has been awesome. There's a lot going on with the release of book 5, The Rune in the Secret of the Crystal Franchise. In celebration, I've been having several great deals this week with free Kindle Free Days and Kindle Countdown Deals.
So, I've been meaning to tell you a little about my story and why having a published book is such a big deal to me.
If you follow me, you may have heard me tell you that I suffer with Dyslexia. Now, I'm not here to get your sympathy...far from it. I really want to raise awareness for this little talked about disability.
Dyslexia, isn't that where you see letters backwards making it difficult to read? Perhaps, and those are some symptoms. But if you dig deeper into this issue, you'll find that there are a myriad of problems. Some can have many of the symptoms, other have few. Many don't even know they suffer. Tomorrow, I'll go more in depth on symptoms and then later this week, I'll provide some tips on some of how to better deal with symptoms.
Today, I want to give you a little short story on my experiences when I was in grade school.
I began attending school in the early 60's. Back then, Dyslexia was only barely understood. Not many schools had training to recognize and help those had it. My school was no different than many. They recognized that I was "a slow reader", but didn't know what do to. In 2nd grade, I thought I read better than others when we had our group reading session. I read faster than other children in my class. In fact, I hated the reading in the circle group because I couldn't stand waiting for the kid next to me to finish his sentence so I could read mine. But they held me back a grade because I was slow. To a seven year old, that's a devastating thing to do. The friends I had made all laughed when they advanced and I didn't. Back then, bullying was rampant. Well, it's rampant today too, but at least some things are being done about it. This simply gave them more bullying material. But I digress.
Later in about the 3rd and 4th grade, the teachers would get frustrated when they were teaching english because I couldn't write and learn how to express my thoughts on paper. So to prevent me from holding the entire class back, the teachers would pull me out of the classroom during the english lesson and plunk me in a conference room out in the hallway. My instructions were simple. Write the alphabet over and over and over and over again... Some days, I got to copy text from a workbook. Entire paragraphs and then the teacher would grade me on how well I copied. With all the present mistakes, I was made to continue copying the same paragraph until I eventually got it right.
I never really did well in school. My grades were proof that I was disinterested in school. They thought maybe I had vision problems, so they put me in the front of the class to see the chalkboard better. Then I got glasses...bullying continued...
I understood the material I was taught. I just couldn't convey my thoughts to the page. Essay tests? Forget it Multiple choice? Marginal. Math? Never mind that.
I did manage to pass my sophomore english class as a Senior in High School. I'll never forget the look on Ms. Scoogle's face when I walked into her class that first day. I had her every class I had taken...lucky me. "Ah, Mr. Larson," she said, eyebrows raised and a smirk on the corner of her mouth, "I see you've come to have another go of it...do you think you'll make it this time?"
The entire class of freshmen roared with laughter. I took my usual place in the front and she made sure that she picked me to answer most of the class questions...lucky me again...but she passed me and I did graduate.
So, having difficulty relaying thoughts to a page and wanting to become a writer...well, that was just never something I'd ever accomplish. I loved reading books. I was named bookworm in grade school. Later, in high, they called me bookie, 'cause I always had a book under my arm.
I had many stories in my mind that I dearly wanted to write, but never had the gumption. That's when I discovered that I suffered with Dyslexia. So in my late 40's, I decided to better myself and went to college. 6 years later, I obtained by MBA in Business and graduated with honors. I was a 4.0 GPA student and made the deans list.
This gave me the confidence to write books...so I did. Five books and three years later, I am now writing full time.
Tomorrow, I'll go over warning signs and other symptoms to help you identify things perhaps in your own self or children. I hope that, by me telling my story, others will benefit and can be saved from ridicule I suffered when I was a kid.
Thanks for tuning in today and I hope you'll come back tomorrow.
Author,
Brian K. Larson
#TheDyslexicAuthor
March 26, 2014
Kindle Countdown Deals Underway
For the next 48 hours, you can purchase book 4 for only .99c.
But hurry, because on Thursday at 8:00am PDT, the price goes up to 1.99 for another 48 hours.
Please join me for these savings in celebration of book 5, The Rune being officially released yesterday.
You can find Forgotten Legacy here, http://amzn.com/B00I124W1M
...and I thank you for your support.
From the Author's Chair,
Brian K. Larson
#TheDyslexicAuthor
March 24, 2014
March 24th, 2014
This week, I release of Secret of the Crystal V - The Rune.
In celebration, I have put together a bunch of deals this week.
Free Kindle days for Secret of the Crystal Omnibus Edition (Books 1 - 3) are free today and tomorrow.http://amzn.com/B00HV4Y6XU
Starting Wednesday, book 4, Forgotten Legacy will be on Kindle Countdown Deals, starting at .99c for 48 hours, then 1.99 for 48 hours.
Spread the word, lets tear up Amazon and take it by storm this week...
...I'm feelin' mighty excited over up in here :-)
Stay tuned for more release news!!
From the Author's Chair
Brian K. Larson
#TheDyeslexicAuthor
March 6, 2014
Secret of the Crystal : Rebooted
I decided to give Secret of the Crystal a reboot. So, it's in the middle of another round of editing, though many mistakes have been discovered and corrected. I know there, are a few still present. I ask that you read and enjoy the story as for what it is: a story.
Here is the brand new cover for this first installment in the Secret of the Crystal franchise.
More exciting news will be on the way soon.
From the Author's Chair,Brian K. Larson#TheDyslexicAuthor
March 3, 2014
SALVAGE-5 Chapter 1
Hey everyone,
This week I decided to share with you the first chapter of Salvage-5. I also updated the Prologue down below in an earlier post.
Chapter 1 is all you get...sorry, but you know how that is ;-)
Enjoy and fist chapter, and as always, I encourage feedback.
From the Author's Chair,
Brian K. Larson
#TheDyslexicAuthor
Chapter 1
Whidbey Is
Oak Harbor, WA
Fitness Center
Earth Date: Aug. 9th 2064
Tucker Petersen was bench pressing 300 pounds, when a tall blond woman, in full dress military, entered the fitness center.
The silver haired, short stalky man noticed the blond stepping up to him as he pumped the weights, “One…two…three”, he grunted, this can’t be good, he thought, “…twelve…thirteen,” he called out as she approached.
“Nice try Tuck. I only counted five at best.”
Tuck set the weights on the rack over his head with a clank, and then sat up. He wiped his forehead and the back of his neck with the towel draped over his shoulder, “Oh come on…it was thirteen,” he answered, blowing smoke from his cigar hanging out the side of his mouth.
The tall lanky blond, waved at the smoke from her face, “Do you mind putting that…thing out?”
“As a matter of fact, Cass, I do mind. Thanks for asking though.”
Cass bounced her short ponytail when she rolled her eyes, “Whatever.”
“That’s ‘Whatever Sir’, to you.”
“You’re retired. You can’t give me orders anymore.”
I think that’s about to change, he thought to himself, “That’s right, and don’t you forget it,” he smiled.
He grabbed more weights off the floor and set the barbell to 320 pounds, “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?” He stopped for a brief second thinking about his own question, and then pointed a stern finger, “Oh no…oh no you don’t, you’re not recalling me. There’s no way!”
“Tuck…”
“I knew it! You are recalling me… who is it?” he asked, scratching the back of his head, and with a sinking feeling deep within in his gut, “Who’d I piss off to make them want to take revenge on me? Was it Griffin? No wait, Samuels! That’s who it was… tell me it wasn’t Samuels...that son of a bitch…”
“Neither.”
“OK,” he said, shrugging his shoulders, “Come on…spot me,” he ordered, lying flat on his back under the weights.
“Aren’t you going to ask me who?”
“Well,” Tuck said, grabbing the bar and lifting the weights off the rack, “Not really.”
Cass took her place at his head and assumed the stance to catch the bar when he completed his set, “I’ll tell you who.”
“I’m all ears,” he answered, grunting with each pump of the iron.
“General McKenzie.”
“General McKen…” Tucker puffed with his final lift, nearly dropping the weights, “What’d I do to piss him off? I haven’t done anything…”
“…You didn’t do anything to piss anyone off, Colonel,” Cass interrupted, then helped guide the weights back to the rack.
Tucker stood and grabbed a jump rope, “Stop calling me that. I’ve been retired for five years now…keep calling me Tuck,” he insisted, now skipping rope.
“Colonel…Tucker,” she corrected, “If you would just stop and listen to me for a second…” her face turned from polished military, to one of concern.
Tucker noticed her sudden change of mood and stopped, “What’s the matter Cass. You look like you lost your best friend.”
“Close.”
He sat on the bench and looked up at Cass, “Who then? What’s this all about anyway? Why the sudden interest in my re-activation?”
“It’s Gus…”
Tuck’s face turned white, “What about Gus! What happened to him?”
“That’s what the General wants to talk to you about.”
“I know he took a salvage job, but that’s a civilian gig. Why is the military getting involved?”
“It’s best if you come with me and let the General brief you.”
“Oh come on now…don’t keep me in suspense… just tell me…” He took another long taste of his cigar before putting it out in his portable ashtray. “He’s dead. Isn’t he?”
“Presumed.”
“So you really don’t have a body, do you?”
“No. We lost contact with his crew of five a couple of days ago.”
“Let me guess, the General wants me to do a suicide mission to wherever the hell, to save his sorry ass.”
“Tuck, Gus was your best friend.”
“Was. Don’t forget the key word in that sentence.”
“Colonel, that was long time ago.”
“Not long enough.”
“It wasn’t Beverly’s fault.”
“Right, just like it was mine that Gus slept with my wife.”
“Tuck, let’s not get into that. We really need to get going.”
“Don’t change the subject on me now. You can’t dredge this up without finishing.”
“Come on, the General’s waiting at the base.”
“Aren’t you going to bring up the fact that I slept with you?”
“You never ‘slept’ with me.”
“Right. I was too drunk…but I would have…’cause I’ve heard that revenge sex is the best you know.”
“You wish.”
“Come on, you have to admit it…you would have slept with me.”
“You are incorrigible,” Cass said, cheeks blushing, “No, I wouldn’t have. You’re twenty years my senior for god sakes.”
“What’s the matter?” Tucker asked with a smile, “Afraid you couldn’t keep up?”
“No, I wouldn’t want to cause you a heart attack.”
“Pfff, yeah right,” Tuck smiled, “Ok, come on then. Let’s go find out what General McKenzie wants.”
* * *
Whidbey Island Naval Base & Space Port
Oak Harbor, WA
General McKenzie’s office
Earth Date: Aug. 9th 2064
Tucker walked down the corridor with Cass to the General’s office, when he pulled out his stogie and lit it once more. Then after a long drag and savoring its taste, he blew the smoke in a large cloud over their heads.
The secretary sitting outside the office stood to confront the man, “Sir, I will have to ask you to put that out in here!”
“You can ask all day long, missy. But, you forfeit your right to tell me what to do by these here bird wings on my shoulder,” Tucker said, pointing with his free hand, “Please tell the General that we’re here.”
The secretary snubbed her noise in the air and then pressed a button on her vid-phone, “Sir, the Colonel is here.”
“Send them in,” the gruff voice answered.
“He’ll see you now…”
“No kiddin’,” Tucker smiled as he waltzed into the office.
Cass slapped him on the arm, “Be nice, Colonel.”
“No, I don’t feel like it,” Tucker said, sitting in a chair opposite General McKenzie, “Sides, no one’s being nice to me today, so give me one good reason why I should?”
The General stood and shook Cassandra’s hand and then offered his hand to Tucker, “Captain, Colonel, pleasure to see you both.”
Tucker, not returning his gesture, remained seated, “I’m sure you are, wish I could say the same.”
The General sat down, and scooted in. He felt uncomfortable enough as it was and didn’t want to stand there waiting any longer, “Colonel, we have a situation.”
Tucker sat unemotional as the General continued with his hands folded on his desk, “The civilian crew of Salvage-4 is missing.”
“I know they’re missing, General. But can you get to the point? I’m a busy guy, you know.”
“You’re retired,” the General replied.
“Not anymore,” Cassandra said under her breath.
Tuck gave her a quick cynical glance, and then returned to the matter, “So, Mac, can you tell me why the military is gettin’ involved in a civilian mission?”
“It’s Richard…”
“Ok, Dick…”
“…Don’t piss me off, Tucker!” the General exclaimed, nearly coming out of his chair, “You’re pushing it to the limit.”
“Oh, I can think of a million come-backs to that. Ok, just tell me when I’m over the limit and I’ll…”
“That’s enough Colonel! You had better zip it before I sit your ass in the brig.”
“Go ahead, Dick…err General, or whatever you want to be called. I’d be safer in there than where I think you want to send me.”
“I’d think twice about that, Colonel. You’re not very well liked around here…”
“No kiddin’…”
“…and most of those inmates, I’d be sure to bunk you with, would love to get a piece of you…if you know what I mean.”
For the first time, Tucker squirmed in his seat. He took a long drag from his short cigar and blew the plume over the General’s head, “I’ll take my chances.”
“I mean it Tuck! Just keep it up.”
“Ok, how about this?” Tucker said, leaning forward he blew another cloud in the General’s face, “the way I see it…sir…you need me for this mission…and there’s only one reason why that is.”
Cass put her hand on his knee, “Tuck, don’t do this.”
“Captain,” he said turning to Cassandra momentarily, “Let me guess.”
“Go on, Mister. Go ahead and tell us what it is you think this is all about,” General Makenzie scowled, “and put that damn thing out in my office!” the General’s stature towered over Tucker, even sitting.
Tucker obliged and snuffed his short stogie in his portable ashtray, and then placed it inside his military coat, “See General? I can follow orders.”
“You were about to tell me what you ‘think’ this is all about.”
“Yes, well. You see, I kind of think you might have a reason to think that I’ve been messing around with your wife…but I haven’t I assure you…just in case it ever did come up…you know.”
“This is not about that…and I assure you, I’m not in the least bit worried about you ‘messing around’ with my wife…amused, though,” the General chuckled.
“Oh, well…good…now that we have that out of the way then. Can you just please tell me what this is all about,” he turned to Cass, “Why won’t he tell me about what this is all about?”
“Uh Em,” the General coughed.
Tucker turned back toward the General, “Sorry, General. Go right ahead…please tell me what this is all…”
“Colonel Petersen!”
“…right, right…you have the floor,” Tucker said, leaning back in his chair, he crossed his legs and folded his hands, resting them on his lap.
“Colonel, this is a serious matter. You already know we’ve lost Salvage-4. We haven’t received any signal from them,” the General looks briefly at his watch, “going on three days now. Major Jamison did manage to send us a 45 minute recording of their findings.”
“I take it all the Savage missions have failed.”
“Yes. Jamison was the first mission to get any recording back to us. The others simply vanished.”
“…and you want me to go out there because…”
“As much as I hate to admit it…”
…”Ooo this should be good. Are we recording this by chance?” Tucker said, turning to Cass.
“…you’re the best commander I have.”
“No…no, you see that’s where you’re wrong, General.”
“I’m not wrong.”
“I’ve been retired for five years, I’m out of shape…you know how it is…”
“He’s in fine shape,” Cass smiled, “He pressed over 300 pounds thirteen times.”
He quickly turned to Cass, “It was five, ok?”
“Hah, I knew it…”
Turning back to the General, “besides, I’m only five foot five. I was rejected by the space program because, well…you know what they say.”
“What do that say?”
“Size really does matter…”
Cass, no longer able to contain herself, burst out with a laugh.
“You see? That’s why I’m not the best fit for this mission.”
“I got you a waiver for your, um, size issue…and your chart shows five foot seven.”
“I lied. I’m really five-eight…you see, I am such a liar. You don’t need a liar for a commander.”
“…and the Captain here will be your pilot,” the General said, making a hand gesture toward Cass.
Tucker leaned on one knee, and turned to Cass, “Oh come on now… really?”
“Yes, Tucker,” Cass answered.
“See, you could have given me a hint,” turning back the General, “I won’t go if she’s my pilot. No way on this Earth.”
“It won’t be Earth.”
“Sir…” Tucker stood and pleaded, “Please don’t send Cass out there with me…anyone besides her. Really General? I did piss you off, didn’t I...Look, I’ll do it if I get to pick my own pilot.”
“You’ll go if Cass stays?”
“No offence, there Captain,” he said patting her knee, “I’ll go with anyone else as pilot, but I get to pick my crew.”
“Done.”
“Ok, now we’re getting somewhere.”
“Cass stays on Earth and will be assigned to your intelligence gathering. She also assist your trainer.”
Tucker sat down in his chair and looked at the General in the eye, “Ok. You got me. Now, tell me what the hell this is really all about.”
“We originally thought that the CSMO Euna-1 ran into mechanical trouble. We lost their signal just shy of four months ago. Three lost Salvage missions later, the civilian company contracted the military to oversee the next one.”
“That’s when you reached out to Gus.”
“Right. Major Jamison and his crew arrived at the Kirkwood Gap and the target asteroid 15 Eunamin,” then the general clicked a button on his data-pad and the video played for Tucker on the wall.
He digested everything from the crew cutting the hole in the CSMO, to the stark scared faces of the dead crew. Then the scene changed to the telescope view on the surface of the asteroid.
That’s when the General froze the image, “It’s right here that we are the most interested in,” drawing a circle with a laser pen.
“What is it?”
“That, is an unidentified flying object.”
“Wow… boy oh boy! Changed my mind…never mind, you can put me in the brig. I really don’t like this, not at all.”
“Tuck,” the General said, as somberly as he could, “I need you. I need you to do this.”
“That there thing on the screen? It’s not flying…it’s crashed. Looks to be buried in the rocks and I’m not about to join its ranks,” then he turned to Cass again, “Are these people nuts? They want me to be the meet and greet committee for these Aliens?”
“Relax, Tuck. There’s no sign that the aliens are alive. We estimate that the disk-shaped vessel has been buried on that asteroid for tens of thousands of years. That’s why I need you and your team…and whoever else you want to take out there…to recover that technology before anyone else.”
“What makes you so sure that try number, um, five will be any more successful? I mean, we’ve already gone way past third time’s a charm here.”
“Tuck, this is a chance in a life time.”
“Yeah, I’m thrilled.”
“Colonel, Gus may still be alive,” Cassandra said, placing her hand on his knee.
Tucker fell silent for a moment, “What makes you think that?”
“Because we received a second signal from the site a few hours ago.”
“And, you’re just now telling me this because why?”
“It’s nothing more than the distress beacon onboard Salvage-4. It’s our only hope that the major, and his crew, are alive. They have enough air for three months.”
“What is it, 15 days out?”
“If we don’t launch within two weeks, we will miss our window and it will take 23. But yes, fifteen now. It took them 12 and every minute we sit here flapping our gums about yes or no, the more oxygen they burn, the fewer minutes they have left.”
“Ok, General. But there is one more thing you need to promise me.”
“Name it, Colonel.”
“You’ll look after my boy.”
“Yes, I heard about the tragic accident. How’s Bev taking it?”
“We don’t talk much, but she’s holding up ok.”
“How is Bennie doing? Any improvements?”
“No. The Doctors have said he’s stable, but in a coma.”
“You bring me back that technology, and I’ll see to it your son gets the very best care.”
“Thanks, General.”
“So how about it, Tuck.”
“I get the feeling there isn’t anything I can say or do to change your mind.”
“Nope-orders are orders.”
“Then Yes. Now that’s a type-S one, right? Silicone based.”
“You would think that,” Cass said calmly, “Type-S asteroids mainly consist of metallic iron and iron-magnesium silicates. Not silicone.”
“Hmmm,” Tuck silently thought, “Metallic iron…couldn’t their instruments have been just messed up by the heavy magnetics and crashed into it?”
“No, something grabbed that CSMO and we think they were trying to get away in a panic.”
“And Gus’s emergency beacon is still transmitting…from the surface.”
“Swell. Ok, I’ve seen enough. I’ll start assembling the crew. You say I have 10 days before launch?”
“Sooner if possible, Colonel.”
“I’ll need all 10.”
“Why?”
“Well, I have to sort of break one of my crew out of prison.”
“Break?”
“Well, you know…break, buy…same difference.”
“Who and what was he in for?”
“Name’s Calvin Jones. Kind of got himself into a sticky mess with a small safe in Mexico.”
“Cal? Seriously? You don’t need to tell me anymore…I think I can pull a string or two for you on that one.”
“General, don’t tell him. Let me, please?”
“Ok, why not.”
“Good, because part of my strategy there, is to make him think I hold the keys to his freedom.”
“Great way to build loyalty,” Cass mused.
“I thought so.”
“Gentlemen, ladies, I think we need to dismiss.”
“Great, I was hoping to leave soon. I think I need a drink.”
“No drinking, Colonel,” Cass waved a finger in his face, “You can’t have one drop until your return.”
“Oh come on. You’re such a party poop.”
“One last thing before you go.”
“What’s that, General?”
He reached over to his vid-link and buzzed his secretary, “Send in the Colonel’s trainer.”
“Right away sir,” the comm link answered.
“Who…who’s my trainer? Why are you both smiling?”
“Sargent Samuels, reporting for duty, SIR!” the man said, coming into the room with a salute.
“Samuels!” Tuck exclaimed, then turned to Cass, “I knew Samuels had something to do with this…didn’t I tell you he was involved?”
The three walked out the General’s office and the General waited for the door to close.
Then he picked up his data-pad and made a quick call, “Yes, it’s me. He’s in…of course…he’ll be fine… …don’t worry about a thing…oh and by the way, need a couple of things. Go to Memorial Hospital and see to it that his son, Bennie gets the best care… …right…then make arraignments for the Mexican police to turn Calvin Jones’s over to him… ….yes…you heard me, Cal… …OK, thanks,” then he disconnected the call and sat back with his hands folded behind his head, and feet on his desk.
March 2, 2014
SALVAGE-5 Chapter 1
This week I decided to share with you the fist chapter of Salvage-5. I also updated the Prologue down below in an earlier post.
Chapter 1 is all you get...sorry, but you know how that is ;-)
Enjoy and fist chapter, and as always, I encourage feedback.
From the Author's Chair,
Brian K. Larson
#TheDyslexicAuthor
Chapter 1
Whidbey Is
Oak Harbor, WA
Fitness Center
Earth Date: Aug. 9th 2064
Tucker Petersen was bench pressing 300 pounds, when a tall blond woman, in full dress military, entered the fitness center.
The silver haired, short stalky man noticed the blond stepping up to him as he pumped the weights, “One…two…three”, he grunted, this can’t be good, he thought, “…twelve…thirteen,” he called out as she approached.
“Nice try Tuck. I only counted five at best.”
Tuck set the weights on the rack over his head with a clank, and then sat up. He wiped his forehead and the back of his neck with the towel draped over his shoulder, “Oh come on…it was thirteen,” he answered, blowing smoke from his cigar hanging out the side of his mouth.
The tall lanky blond, waved at the smoke from her face, “Do you mind putting that…thing out?”
“As a matter of fact, Cass, I do mind. Thanks for asking though.”
Cass bounced her short ponytail when she rolled her eyes, “Whatever.”
“That’s ‘Whatever Sir’, to you.”
“You’re retired. You can’t give me orders anymore.”
I think that’s about to change, he thought to himself, “That’s right, and don’t you forget it,” he smiled.
He grabbed more weights off the floor and set the barbell to 320 pounds, “So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?” He stopped for a brief second thinking about his own question, and then pointed a stern finger, “Oh no…oh no you don’t, you’re not recalling me. There’s no way!”
“Tuck…”
“I knew it! You are recalling me… who is it?” he asked, scratching the back of his head, and with a sinking feeling deep within in his gut, “Who’d I piss off to make them want to take revenge on me? Was it Griffin? No wait, Samuels! That’s who it was… tell me it wasn’t Samuels...that son of a bitch…”
“Neither.”
“OK,” he said, shrugging his shoulders, “Come on…spot me,” he ordered, lying flat on his back under the weights.
“Aren’t you going to ask me who?”
“Well,” Tuck said, grabbing the bar and lifting the weights off the rack, “Not really.”
Cass took her place at his head and assumed the stance to catch the bar when he completed his set, “I’ll tell you who.”
“I’m all ears,” he answered, grunting with each pump of the iron.
“General McKenzie.”
“General McKen…” Tucker puffed with his final lift, nearly dropping the weights, “What’d I do to piss him off? I haven’t done anything…”
“…You didn’t do anything to piss anyone off, Colonel,” Cass interrupted, then helped guide the weights back to the rack.
Tucker stood and grabbed a jump rope, “Stop calling me that. I’ve been retired for five years now…keep calling me Tuck,” he insisted, now skipping rope.
“Colonel…Tucker,” she corrected, “If you would just stop and listen to me for a second…” her face turned from polished military, to one of concern.
Tucker noticed her sudden change of mood and stopped, “What’s the matter Cass. You look like you lost your best friend.”
“Close.”
He sat on the bench and looked up at Cass, “Who then? What’s this all about anyway? Why the sudden interest in my re-activation?”
“It’s Gus…”
Tuck’s face turned white, “What about Gus! What happened to him?”
“That’s what the General wants to talk to you about.”
“I know he took a salvage job, but that’s a civilian gig. Why is the military getting involved?”
“It’s best if you come with me and let the General brief you.”
“Oh come on now…don’t keep me in suspense… just tell me…” He took another long taste of his cigar before putting it out in his portable ashtray. “He’s dead. Isn’t he?”
“Presumed.”
“So you really don’t have a body, do you?”
“No. We lost contact with his crew of five a couple of days ago.”
“Let me guess, the General wants me to do a suicide mission to wherever the hell, to save his sorry ass.”
“Tuck, Gus was your best friend.”
“Was. Don’t forget the key word in that sentence.”
“Colonel, that was long time ago.”
“Not long enough.”
“It wasn’t Beverly’s fault.”
“Right, just like it was mine that Gus slept with my wife.”
“Tuck, let’s not get into that. We really need to get going.”
“Don’t change the subject on me now. You can’t dredge this up without finishing.”
“Come on, the General’s waiting at the base.”
“Aren’t you going to bring up the fact that I slept with you?”
“You never ‘slept’ with me.”
“Right. I was too drunk…but I would have…’cause I’ve heard that revenge sex is the best you know.”
“You wish.”
“Come on, you have to admit it…you would have slept with me.”
“You are incorrigible,” Cass said, cheeks blushing, “No, I wouldn’t have. You’re twenty years my senior for god sakes.”
“What’s the matter?” Tucker asked with a smile, “Afraid you couldn’t keep up?”
“No, I wouldn’t want to cause you a heart attack.”
“Pfff, yeah right,” Tuck smiled, “Ok, come on then. Let’s go find out what General McKenzie wants.”
* * *
Whidbey Island Naval Base & Space Port
Oak Harbor, WA
General McKenzie’s office
Earth Date: Aug. 9th 2064
Tucker walked down the corridor with Cass to the General’s office, when he pulled out his stogie and lit it once more. Then after a long drag and savoring its taste, he blew the smoke in a large cloud over their heads.
The secretary sitting outside the office stood to confront the man, “Sir, I will have to ask you to put that out in here!”
“You can ask all day long, missy. But, you forfeit your right to tell me what to do by these here bird wings on my shoulder,” Tucker said, pointing with his free hand, “Please tell the General that we’re here.”
The secretary snubbed her noise in the air and then pressed a button on her vid-phone, “Sir, the Colonel is here.”
“Send them in,” the gruff voice answered.
“He’ll see you now…”
“No kiddin’,” Tucker smiled as he waltzed into the office.
Cass slapped him on the arm, “Be nice, Colonel.”
“No, I don’t feel like it,” Tucker said, sitting in a chair opposite General McKenzie, “Sides, no one’s being nice to me today, so give me one good reason why I should?”
The General stood and shook Cassandra’s hand and then offered his hand to Tucker, “Captain, Colonel, pleasure to see you both.”
Tucker, not returning his gesture, remained seated, “I’m sure you are, wish I could say the same.”
The General sat down, and scooted in. He felt uncomfortable enough as it was and didn’t want to stand there waiting any longer, “Colonel, we have a situation.”
Tucker sat unemotional as the General continued with his hands folded on his desk, “The civilian crew of Salvage-4 is missing.”
“I know they’re missing, General. But can you get to the point? I’m a busy guy, you know.”
“You’re retired,” the General replied.
“Not anymore,” Cassandra said under her breath.
Tuck gave her a quick cynical glance, and then returned to the matter, “So, Mac, can you tell me why the military is gettin’ involved in a civilian mission?”
“It’s Richard…”
“Ok, Dick…”
“…Don’t piss me off, Tucker!” the General exclaimed, nearly coming out of his chair, “You’re pushing it to the limit.”
“Oh, I can think of a million come-backs to that. Ok, just tell me when I’m over the limit and I’ll…”
“That’s enough Colonel! You had better zip it before I sit your ass in the brig.”
“Go ahead, Dick…err General, or whatever you want to be called. I’d be safer in there than where I think you want to send me.”
“I’d think twice about that, Colonel. You’re not very well liked around here…”
“No kiddin’…”
“…and most of those inmates, I’d be sure to bunk you with, would love to get a piece of you…if you know what I mean.”
For the first time, Tucker squirmed in his seat. He took a long drag from his short cigar and blew the plume over the General’s head, “I’ll take my chances.”
“I mean it Tuck! Just keep it up.”
“Ok, how about this?” Tucker said, leaning forward he blew another cloud in the General’s face, “the way I see it…sir…you need me for this mission…and there’s only one reason why that is.”
Cass put her hand on his knee, “Tuck, don’t do this.”
“Captain,” he said turning to Cassandra momentarily, “Let me guess.”
“Go on, Mister. Go ahead and tell us what it is you think this is all about,” General Makenzie scowled, “and put that damn thing out in my office!” the General’s stature towered over Tucker, even sitting.
Tucker obliged and snuffed his short stogie in his portable ashtray, and then placed it inside his military coat, “See General? I can follow orders.”
“You were about to tell me what you ‘think’ this is all about.”
“Yes, well. You see, I kind of think you might have a reason to think that I’ve been messing around with your wife…but I haven’t I assure you…just in case it ever did come up…you know.”
“This is not about that…and I assure you, I’m not in the least bit worried about you ‘messing around’ with my wife…amused, though,” the General chuckled.
“Oh, well…good…now that we have that out of the way then. Can you just please tell me what this is all about,” he turned to Cass, “Why won’t he tell me about what this is all about?”
“Uh Em,” the General coughed.
Tucker turned back toward the General, “Sorry, General. Go right ahead…please tell me what this is all…”
“Colonel Petersen!”
“…right, right…you have the floor,” Tucker said, leaning back in his chair, he crossed his legs and folded his hands, resting them on his lap.
“Colonel, this is a serious matter. You already know we’ve lost Salvage-4. We haven’t received any signal from them,” the General looks briefly at his watch, “going on three days now. Major Jamison did manage to send us a 45 minute recording of their findings.”
“I take it all the Savage missions have failed.”
“Yes. Jamison was the first mission to get any recording back to us. The others simply vanished.”
“…and you want me to go out there because…”
“As much as I hate to admit it…”
…”Ooo this should be good. Are we recording this by chance?” Tucker said, turning to Cass.
“…you’re the best commander I have.”
“No…no, you see that’s where you’re wrong, General.”
“I’m not wrong.”
“I’ve been retired for five years, I’m out of shape…you know how it is…”
“He’s in fine shape,” Cass smiled, “He pressed over 300 pounds thirteen times.”
He quickly turned to Cass, “It was five, ok?”
“Hah, I knew it…”
Turning back to the General, “besides, I’m only five foot five. I was rejected by the space program because, well…you know what they say.”
“What do that say?”
“Size really does matter…”
Cass, no longer able to contain herself, burst out with a laugh.
“You see? That’s why I’m not the best fit for this mission.”
“I got you a waiver for your, um, size issue…and your chart shows five foot seven.”
“I lied. I’m really five-eight…you see, I am such a liar. You don’t need a liar for a commander.”
“…and the Captain here will be your pilot,” the General said, making a hand gesture toward Cass.
Tucker leaned on one knee, and turned to Cass, “Oh come on now… really?”
“Yes, Tucker,” Cass answered.
“See, you could have given me a hint,” turning back the General, “I won’t go if she’s my pilot. No way on this Earth.”
“It won’t be Earth.”
“Sir…” Tucker stood and pleaded, “Please don’t send Cass out there with me…anyone besides her. Really General? I did piss you off, didn’t I...Look, I’ll do it if I get to pick my own pilot.”
“You’ll go if Cass stays?”
“No offence, there Captain,” he said patting her knee, “I’ll go with anyone else as pilot, but I get to pick my crew.”
“Done.”
“Ok, now we’re getting somewhere.”
“Cass stays on Earth and will be assigned to your intelligence gathering. She also assist your trainer.”
Tucker sat down in his chair and looked at the General in the eye, “Ok. You got me. Now, tell me what the hell this is really all about.”
“We originally thought that the CSMO Euna-1 ran into mechanical trouble. We lost their signal just shy of four months ago. Three lost Salvage missions later, the civilian company contracted the military to oversee the next one.”
“That’s when you reached out to Gus.”
“Right. Major Jamison and his crew arrived at the Kirkwood Gap and the target asteroid 15 Eunamin,” then the major clicked a button on his data-pad and the video played for Tucker on the wall.
He digested everything from the crew cutting the hole in the CSMO, to the stark scared faces of the dead crew. Then the scene changed to the telescope view on the surface of the asteroid.
That’s when the General froze the image, “It’s right here that we are the most interested in,” drawing a circle with a laser pen.
“What is it?”
“That, is an unidentified flying object.”
“Wow… boy oh boy! Changed my mind…never mind, you can put me in the brig. I really don’t like this, not at all.”
“Tuck,” the General said, as somberly as he could, “I need you. I need you to do this.”
“That there thing on the screen? It’s not flying…it’s crashed. Looks to be buried in the rocks and I’m not about to join its ranks,” then he turned to Cass again, “Are these people nuts? They want me to be the meet and greet committee for these Aliens?”
“Relax, Tuck. There’s no sign that the aliens are alive. We estimate that the disk-shaped vessel has been buried on that asteroid for tens of thousands of years. That’s why I need you and your team…and whoever else you want to take out there…to recover that technology before anyone else.”
“What makes you so sure that try number, um, five will be any more successful? I mean, we’ve already gone way past third time’s a charm here.”
“Tuck, this is a chance in a life time.”
“Yeah, I’m thrilled.”
“Colonel, Gus may still be alive,” Cassandra said, placing her hand on his knee.
Tucker fell silent for a moment, “What makes you think that?”
“Because we received a second signal from the site a few hours ago.”
“And, you’re just now telling me this because why?”
“It’s nothing more than the distress beacon onboard Salvage-4. It’s our only hope that the major, and his crew, are alive. They have enough air for three months.”
“What is it, 15 days out?”
“If we don’t launch within two weeks, we will miss our window and it will take 23. But yes, fifteen now. It took them 12 and every minute we sit here flapping our gums about yes or no, the more oxygen they burn, the fewer minutes they have left.”
“Ok, General. But there is one more thing you need to promise me.”
“Name it, Colonel.”
“You’ll look after my boy.”
“Yes, I heard about the tragic accident. How’s Bev taking it?”
“We don’t talk much, but she’s holding up ok.”
“How is Bennie doing? Any improvements?”
“No. The Doctors have said he’s stable, but in a coma.”
“You bring me back that technology, and I’ll see to it your son gets the very best care.”
“Thanks, General.”
“So how about it, Tuck.”
“I get the feeling there isn’t anything I can say or do to change your mind.”
“Nope-orders are orders.”
“Then Yes. Now that’s a type-S one, right? Silicone based.”
“You would think that,” Cass said calmly, “Type-S asteroids mainly consist of metallic iron and iron-magnesium silicates. Not silicone.”
“Hmmm,” Tuck silently thought, “Metallic iron…couldn’t their instruments have been just messed up by the heavy magnetics and crashed into it?”
“No, something grabbed that CSMO and we think they were trying to get away in a panic.”
“And Gus’s emergency beacon is still transmitting…from the surface.”
“Swell. Ok, I’ve seen enough. I’ll start assembling the crew. You say I have 10 days before launch?”
“Sooner if possible, Colonel.”
“I’ll need all 10.”
“Why?”
“Well, I have to sort of break one of my crew out of prison.”
“Break?”
“Well, you know…break, buy…same difference.”
“Who and what was he in for?”
“Name’s Calvin Jones. Kind of got himself into a sticky mess with a small safe in Mexico.”
“Cal? Seriously? You don’t need to tell me anymore…I think I can pull a string or two for you on that one.”
“General, don’t tell him. Let me, please?”
“Ok, why not.”
“Good, because part of my strategy there, is to make him think I hold the keys to his freedom.”
“Great way to build loyalty,” Cass mused.
“I thought so.”
“Gentlemen, ladies, I think we need to dismiss.”
“Great, I was hoping to leave soon. I think I need a drink.”
“No drinking, Colonel,” Cass waved a finger in his face, “You can’t have one drop until your return.”
“Oh come on. You’re such a party poop.”
“One last thing before you go.”
“What’s that, General?”
He reached over to his vid-link and buzzed his secretary, “Send in the Colonel’s trainer.”
“Right away sir,” the comm link answered.
“Who…who’s my trainer? Why are you both smiling?”
“Sargent Samuels, reporting for duty, SIR!” the man said, coming into the room with a salute.
“Samuels!” Tuck exclaimed, then turned to Cass, “I knew Samuels had something to do with this…didn’t I tell you he was involved?”
The three walked out the General’s office and the General waited for the door to close.
Then he picked up his data-pad and made a quick call, “Yes, it’s me. He’s in…of course…he’ll be fine… …don’t worry about a thing…oh and by the way, need a couple of things. Go to Memorial Hospital and see to it that his son, Bennie gets the best care… …right…then make arraignments for the Mexican police to turn Calvin Jones’s over to him… ….yes…you heard me, Cal… …OK, thanks,” then he disconnected the call and sat back with his hands folded behind his head, and feet on his desk.
Author, Brian K. Larson Blog
- Brian K. Larson's profile
- 276 followers
