Aurora Springer's Blog, page 90
August 22, 2014
SFR Presents - Next Snippet from The Lady is Blue
Another excerpt from The Lady is BlueeBook is Free on Saturday 23rd
Reconciled. This scene follows the snippet from last week. The aliens have scales of different colors indicating class, long claws and crests. When they seized control of the colony on Eden, the heroine Dr. Lucy Stannis felt betrayed by Sa Kamizan Veedak, even though he mentioned that he might need to compromise. He has appeared as the General, the leader of the coup, but has lost status and his name, much to the confusion of the humans. In last week's snippet, Lucy was devastated when she was ordered to vacate her science laboratory. The General denied her accusation that he was responsible and promises to restore her lab.
Here, Lucy meets the General to thank him. Remember, they are on opposing sides, so they have moved out of the public area.
When they entered the lighted space, the General spoke again. “I have missed your company, Lucy.” He gazed down and Lucy saw the loneliness in his eyes again. This time she was not afraid. “I know,” she replied gently. “I tried to hate you, but never quite succeeded.” The Blue gestured for her to proceed up the stairs and he followed close behind. “I don’t like your compromise,” she said abruptly, turning toward him. Their faces were almost on the same level since he stood on a lower stair. “Poor Lucy, you look so pale and thin. I was worried about you.” He sounded sincere. Lucy searched his face. New lines of tiredness were visible around his eyes. The General continued bitterly, “I am an old, fat fool!” “No!” Lucy raised her hand to touch him. Suddenly, she was locked in a tight embrace and pressed her face into his neck. His coarse scales chafed against her bare arms, and Lucy gasped, “Careful, you’ll squash me!” “Sorry!” He relaxed the pressure. “Do not leave me!” “I’ll stay with you, Veedak,” she promised, “although, we should not do this in public.”
Those scales are a problem!
Please commentAnd return to SFR Presents to sample the work of the other authors.
Reconciled. This scene follows the snippet from last week. The aliens have scales of different colors indicating class, long claws and crests. When they seized control of the colony on Eden, the heroine Dr. Lucy Stannis felt betrayed by Sa Kamizan Veedak, even though he mentioned that he might need to compromise. He has appeared as the General, the leader of the coup, but has lost status and his name, much to the confusion of the humans. In last week's snippet, Lucy was devastated when she was ordered to vacate her science laboratory. The General denied her accusation that he was responsible and promises to restore her lab.
Here, Lucy meets the General to thank him. Remember, they are on opposing sides, so they have moved out of the public area.
When they entered the lighted space, the General spoke again. “I have missed your company, Lucy.” He gazed down and Lucy saw the loneliness in his eyes again. This time she was not afraid. “I know,” she replied gently. “I tried to hate you, but never quite succeeded.” The Blue gestured for her to proceed up the stairs and he followed close behind. “I don’t like your compromise,” she said abruptly, turning toward him. Their faces were almost on the same level since he stood on a lower stair. “Poor Lucy, you look so pale and thin. I was worried about you.” He sounded sincere. Lucy searched his face. New lines of tiredness were visible around his eyes. The General continued bitterly, “I am an old, fat fool!” “No!” Lucy raised her hand to touch him. Suddenly, she was locked in a tight embrace and pressed her face into his neck. His coarse scales chafed against her bare arms, and Lucy gasped, “Careful, you’ll squash me!” “Sorry!” He relaxed the pressure. “Do not leave me!” “I’ll stay with you, Veedak,” she promised, “although, we should not do this in public.”
Those scales are a problem!
Please commentAnd return to SFR Presents to sample the work of the other authors.
August 20, 2014
FREE eBook The Lady is Blue on Saturday 23rd
Free eBook: The Lady is Blue on Saturday August 23rdScaly aliens with a mating season. What happens when their ship lands on a colony of unsuspecting humans? Secretive aliens frustrate curious scientists. Conflict erupts. What game is the hero playing? Can the heroine unravel the puzzle and engineer a peaceful solution?
http://www.amazon.com/ dp/B00K1N951QAugust 18, 2014
Captured by the Hawk - to be released in September
An Excerpt from Captured by the Hawk
A day later, while Katrina was waiting patiently for her regular meeting with the Black Hawk, she noticed an unwelcome change in the air. No fresh air circulated through the bedchamber and the lights dimmed. What was happening? She decided there must be a problem with the life support systems on the ship. It would be serious if the engines lost power. She paced the room, feeling helpless. No one came at the usual time to escort her to Black Hawk’s cabin. At length, more than two hours later, Miriam entered, bearing the usual tray with food and water. By this time, Katrina was growing frantic with inaction in the face of peril, as the room’s lighting fluctuated wildly and the temperature cooled uncomfortably. “What is going on, Miriam?” Kat blurted in a sharply pitched tone. “The power is low. Captain’s checking the com circuits for the fault.” “Let me speak to Captain Hawk,” Kat urged, believing she had the skill to trace the breakage. Miriam shook her head. “He doesn’t want you on the bridge. I’m sorry.” “You speak to him then. Tell him I’m the Grey Kat, code thief. If I can break into coms, certainly I can help repair them.” The woman stared at Kat’s intense face, and slowly replied, “We could do with a good com tech. Our com expert was killed a year ago in a dock brawl on Aajaos port.” “Take me to the bridge!” Kat insisted, eager to fix the problem. Miriam nodded slowly. “I’ll take you up there, even if the Captain doesn’t like it.” She grabbed Kat by the hand and led her out into the narrow passage. They trotted along several passages and climbed the ladder to the upper level. Finally, they emerged on the bridge, seeing the stars scattered over wide screens. Black Hawk knelt by the console, tinkering with the inner circuits. Two other men were present, also clad in black. One sat at the controls, leaning over the displays, and the other stood leaning against a wall with a frown on his wrinkled face. The Hawk swung round as they entered. “Why is she here?” he barked. To her surprise and delight, he looked disheveled with turban askew and exposing unruly curls. The black scarf was unwrapped from his chin, revealing a short black beard and mustache. A good pirate’s chin, she thought, but his upper face was still concealed.Miriam took a deep breath before responding. “Kat said she is a code thief and can help repair the com.” His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Kat’s face. “So, Grey Kat admits she breaks into coms and steals the secret codes.” He stood up, stretching his arms as if they were cramped from working too long in a tight space. His mouth had a grim downward curve and Kat noticed a tremor in his left hand. She could not keep her eyes from his exposed chin. His black beard showed a few threads of grey and his mouth had a grim downward curve. He must have noticed her stare, since he flung the scarf back around his face with a repellant glare in her direction.He gestured to the central panel. “Go ahead, Kat, you can try your skills.” Then, he dropped into the nearest chair, leaning back wearily. She sat down at the main console, ignoring the flashing red lights. She tapped some keys and listened. There was no reply from the central com. “Did you switch off the Rogue Star’s CC voice?” “Yes, the repetitions are annoying.” Black Hawk answered. Kat activated the com voice. A fruity female voice spoke, “Warning, malfunction! Warning, power outage in life support.” The warning droned on, monotonously. Kat delved further inside the unit, keying commands rapidly. Abruptly, the voice changed, calling, “Error. Unauthorized entry. Error!” Kat grinned and reassured the computer, “You are under repair. I am searching for the breakage.” She looked at Black Hawk, whose head was raised alertly. “Captain, I need access to the central com shell for the Rogue Star. Please enter your password.” She swiveled her chair around so he could reach the console. He glared at her, evidently reluctant to give her the password. She urged him, speaking softly, “It is easier for you to input the code. Otherwise, it will waste more time for me to crack your security and trace the fault in life support.” He shrugged, stepped across and typed in the password. The central com voice stopped complaining about an unauthorized entry. “Thank you,” Kat said absently, and she queried the CC brain. “What is your name, central com?” The female voice said, “HON5Y029.”Kat grinned and reassured the CC brain, “Sorry, Honey, you’ll feel the tickle in your circuits when I search for the breakage.” She probed further into the network extending throughout the ship. She sent a test pulse winging down each connection, and listened for the echoed response. The link to the engine was fine. She smiled at that welcome news. “Engine links all clear,” She reported. She searched patiently through the network, and eventually, found one unresponsive link. She rechecked to make sure it was faulty. “Got it!” she cried in triumph, pointing to the left panel. “The short to life support is in that section.” The Hawk knelt by the panel and unbolted the cover. He reached inside, sorting through the tangle of wires and connectors. “All right, Honey, we’re going to fix you,” Kat spoke soothingly to the brain of central com.Meanwhile, Kat continued checking the com. She patched some loose code and buffered the CC brain. To her left, she heard the snap and sizzle of wire repairs from Hawk’s work under the panel. At length, Kat smiled as the signal pinged from the link to life support. The voice of central com said chirpily, “Life support power is restored.”
A day later, while Katrina was waiting patiently for her regular meeting with the Black Hawk, she noticed an unwelcome change in the air. No fresh air circulated through the bedchamber and the lights dimmed. What was happening? She decided there must be a problem with the life support systems on the ship. It would be serious if the engines lost power. She paced the room, feeling helpless. No one came at the usual time to escort her to Black Hawk’s cabin. At length, more than two hours later, Miriam entered, bearing the usual tray with food and water. By this time, Katrina was growing frantic with inaction in the face of peril, as the room’s lighting fluctuated wildly and the temperature cooled uncomfortably. “What is going on, Miriam?” Kat blurted in a sharply pitched tone. “The power is low. Captain’s checking the com circuits for the fault.” “Let me speak to Captain Hawk,” Kat urged, believing she had the skill to trace the breakage. Miriam shook her head. “He doesn’t want you on the bridge. I’m sorry.” “You speak to him then. Tell him I’m the Grey Kat, code thief. If I can break into coms, certainly I can help repair them.” The woman stared at Kat’s intense face, and slowly replied, “We could do with a good com tech. Our com expert was killed a year ago in a dock brawl on Aajaos port.” “Take me to the bridge!” Kat insisted, eager to fix the problem. Miriam nodded slowly. “I’ll take you up there, even if the Captain doesn’t like it.” She grabbed Kat by the hand and led her out into the narrow passage. They trotted along several passages and climbed the ladder to the upper level. Finally, they emerged on the bridge, seeing the stars scattered over wide screens. Black Hawk knelt by the console, tinkering with the inner circuits. Two other men were present, also clad in black. One sat at the controls, leaning over the displays, and the other stood leaning against a wall with a frown on his wrinkled face. The Hawk swung round as they entered. “Why is she here?” he barked. To her surprise and delight, he looked disheveled with turban askew and exposing unruly curls. The black scarf was unwrapped from his chin, revealing a short black beard and mustache. A good pirate’s chin, she thought, but his upper face was still concealed.Miriam took a deep breath before responding. “Kat said she is a code thief and can help repair the com.” His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Kat’s face. “So, Grey Kat admits she breaks into coms and steals the secret codes.” He stood up, stretching his arms as if they were cramped from working too long in a tight space. His mouth had a grim downward curve and Kat noticed a tremor in his left hand. She could not keep her eyes from his exposed chin. His black beard showed a few threads of grey and his mouth had a grim downward curve. He must have noticed her stare, since he flung the scarf back around his face with a repellant glare in her direction.He gestured to the central panel. “Go ahead, Kat, you can try your skills.” Then, he dropped into the nearest chair, leaning back wearily. She sat down at the main console, ignoring the flashing red lights. She tapped some keys and listened. There was no reply from the central com. “Did you switch off the Rogue Star’s CC voice?” “Yes, the repetitions are annoying.” Black Hawk answered. Kat activated the com voice. A fruity female voice spoke, “Warning, malfunction! Warning, power outage in life support.” The warning droned on, monotonously. Kat delved further inside the unit, keying commands rapidly. Abruptly, the voice changed, calling, “Error. Unauthorized entry. Error!” Kat grinned and reassured the computer, “You are under repair. I am searching for the breakage.” She looked at Black Hawk, whose head was raised alertly. “Captain, I need access to the central com shell for the Rogue Star. Please enter your password.” She swiveled her chair around so he could reach the console. He glared at her, evidently reluctant to give her the password. She urged him, speaking softly, “It is easier for you to input the code. Otherwise, it will waste more time for me to crack your security and trace the fault in life support.” He shrugged, stepped across and typed in the password. The central com voice stopped complaining about an unauthorized entry. “Thank you,” Kat said absently, and she queried the CC brain. “What is your name, central com?” The female voice said, “HON5Y029.”Kat grinned and reassured the CC brain, “Sorry, Honey, you’ll feel the tickle in your circuits when I search for the breakage.” She probed further into the network extending throughout the ship. She sent a test pulse winging down each connection, and listened for the echoed response. The link to the engine was fine. She smiled at that welcome news. “Engine links all clear,” She reported. She searched patiently through the network, and eventually, found one unresponsive link. She rechecked to make sure it was faulty. “Got it!” she cried in triumph, pointing to the left panel. “The short to life support is in that section.” The Hawk knelt by the panel and unbolted the cover. He reached inside, sorting through the tangle of wires and connectors. “All right, Honey, we’re going to fix you,” Kat spoke soothingly to the brain of central com.Meanwhile, Kat continued checking the com. She patched some loose code and buffered the CC brain. To her left, she heard the snap and sizzle of wire repairs from Hawk’s work under the panel. At length, Kat smiled as the signal pinged from the link to life support. The voice of central com said chirpily, “Life support power is restored.”
WIP - Captured by the Hawk
An Excerpt from Captured by the Hawk
A day later, while Katrina was waiting patiently for her regular meeting with the Black Hawk, she noticed an unwelcome change in the air. No fresh air circulated through the bedchamber and the lights dimmed. What was happening? She decided there must be a problem with the life support systems on the ship. It would be serious if the engines lost power. She paced the room, feeling helpless. No one came at the usual time to escort her to Black Hawk’s cabin. At length, more than two hours later, Miriam entered, bearing the usual tray with food and water. By this time, Katrina was growing frantic with inaction in the face of peril, as the room’s lighting fluctuated wildly and the temperature cooled uncomfortably. “What is going on, Miriam?” Kat blurted in a sharply pitched tone. “The power is low. Captain’s checking the com circuits for the fault.” “Let me speak to Captain Hawk,” Kat urged, believing she had the skill to trace the breakage. Miriam shook her head. “He doesn’t want you on the bridge. I’m sorry.” “You speak to him then. Tell him I’m the Grey Kat, code thief. If I can break into coms, certainly I can help repair them.” The woman stared at Kat’s intense face, and slowly replied, “We could do with a good com tech. Our com expert was killed a year ago in a dock brawl on Aajaos port.” “Take me to the bridge!” Kat insisted, eager to fix the problem. Miriam nodded slowly. “I’ll take you up there, even if the Captain doesn’t like it.” She grabbed Kat by the hand and led her out into the narrow passage. They trotted along several passages and climbed the ladder to the upper level. Finally, they emerged on the bridge, seeing the stars scattered over wide screens. Black Hawk knelt by the console, tinkering with the inner circuits. Two other men were present, also clad in black. One sat at the controls, leaning over the displays, and the other stood leaning against a wall with a frown on his wrinkled face. The Hawk swung round as they entered. “Why is she here?” he barked. To her surprise and delight, he looked disheveled with turban askew and exposing unruly curls. The black scarf was unwrapped from his chin, revealing a short black beard and mustache. A good pirate’s chin, she thought, but his upper face was still concealed.Miriam took a deep breath before responding. “Kat said she is a code thief and can help repair the com.” His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Kat’s face. “So, Grey Kat admits she breaks into coms and steals the secret codes.” He stood up, stretching his arms as if they were cramped from working too long in a tight space. His mouth had a grim downward curve and Kat noticed a tremor in his left hand. She could not keep her eyes from his exposed chin. His black beard showed a few threads of grey and his mouth had a grim downward curve. He must have noticed her stare, since he flung the scarf back around his face with a repellant glare in her direction.He gestured to the central panel. “Go ahead, Kat, you can try your skills.” Then, he dropped into the nearest chair, leaning back wearily. She sat down at the main console, ignoring the flashing red lights. She tapped some keys and listened. There was no reply from the central com. “Did you switch off the Rogue Star’s CC voice?” “Yes, the repetitions are annoying.” Black Hawk answered. Kat activated the com voice. A fruity female voice spoke, “Warning, malfunction! Warning, power outage in life support.” The warning droned on, monotonously. Kat delved further inside the unit, keying commands rapidly. Abruptly, the voice changed, calling, “Error. Unauthorized entry. Error!” Kat grinned and reassured the computer, “You are under repair. I am searching for the breakage.” She looked at Black Hawk, whose head was raised alertly. “Captain, I need access to the central com shell for the Rogue Star. Please enter your password.” She swiveled her chair around so he could reach the console. He glared at her, evidently reluctant to give her the password. She urged him, speaking softly, “It is easier for you to input the code. Otherwise, it will waste more time for me to crack your security and trace the fault in life support.” He shrugged, stepped across and typed in the password. The central com voice stopped complaining about an unauthorized entry. “Thank you,” Kat said absently, and she queried the CC brain. “What is your name, central com?” The female voice said, “HON5Y029.”Kat grinned and reassured the CC brain, “Sorry, Honey, you’ll feel the tickle in your circuits when I search for the breakage.” She probed further into the network extending throughout the ship. She sent a test pulse winging down each connection, and listened for the echoed response. The link to the engine was fine. She smiled at that welcome news. “Engine links all clear,” She reported. She searched patiently through the network, and eventually, found one unresponsive link. She rechecked to make sure it was faulty. “Got it!” she cried in triumph, pointing to the left panel. “The short to life support is in that section.” The Hawk knelt by the panel and unbolted the cover. He reached inside, sorting through the tangle of wires and connectors. “All right, Honey, we’re going to fix you,” Kat spoke soothingly to the brain of central com.Meanwhile, Kat continued checking the com. She patched some loose code and buffered the CC brain. To her left, she heard the snap and sizzle of wire repairs from Hawk’s work under the panel. At length, Kat smiled as the signal pinged from the link to life support. The voice of central com said chirpily, “Life support power is restored.”
A day later, while Katrina was waiting patiently for her regular meeting with the Black Hawk, she noticed an unwelcome change in the air. No fresh air circulated through the bedchamber and the lights dimmed. What was happening? She decided there must be a problem with the life support systems on the ship. It would be serious if the engines lost power. She paced the room, feeling helpless. No one came at the usual time to escort her to Black Hawk’s cabin. At length, more than two hours later, Miriam entered, bearing the usual tray with food and water. By this time, Katrina was growing frantic with inaction in the face of peril, as the room’s lighting fluctuated wildly and the temperature cooled uncomfortably. “What is going on, Miriam?” Kat blurted in a sharply pitched tone. “The power is low. Captain’s checking the com circuits for the fault.” “Let me speak to Captain Hawk,” Kat urged, believing she had the skill to trace the breakage. Miriam shook her head. “He doesn’t want you on the bridge. I’m sorry.” “You speak to him then. Tell him I’m the Grey Kat, code thief. If I can break into coms, certainly I can help repair them.” The woman stared at Kat’s intense face, and slowly replied, “We could do with a good com tech. Our com expert was killed a year ago in a dock brawl on Aajaos port.” “Take me to the bridge!” Kat insisted, eager to fix the problem. Miriam nodded slowly. “I’ll take you up there, even if the Captain doesn’t like it.” She grabbed Kat by the hand and led her out into the narrow passage. They trotted along several passages and climbed the ladder to the upper level. Finally, they emerged on the bridge, seeing the stars scattered over wide screens. Black Hawk knelt by the console, tinkering with the inner circuits. Two other men were present, also clad in black. One sat at the controls, leaning over the displays, and the other stood leaning against a wall with a frown on his wrinkled face. The Hawk swung round as they entered. “Why is she here?” he barked. To her surprise and delight, he looked disheveled with turban askew and exposing unruly curls. The black scarf was unwrapped from his chin, revealing a short black beard and mustache. A good pirate’s chin, she thought, but his upper face was still concealed.Miriam took a deep breath before responding. “Kat said she is a code thief and can help repair the com.” His eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Kat’s face. “So, Grey Kat admits she breaks into coms and steals the secret codes.” He stood up, stretching his arms as if they were cramped from working too long in a tight space. His mouth had a grim downward curve and Kat noticed a tremor in his left hand. She could not keep her eyes from his exposed chin. His black beard showed a few threads of grey and his mouth had a grim downward curve. He must have noticed her stare, since he flung the scarf back around his face with a repellant glare in her direction.He gestured to the central panel. “Go ahead, Kat, you can try your skills.” Then, he dropped into the nearest chair, leaning back wearily. She sat down at the main console, ignoring the flashing red lights. She tapped some keys and listened. There was no reply from the central com. “Did you switch off the Rogue Star’s CC voice?” “Yes, the repetitions are annoying.” Black Hawk answered. Kat activated the com voice. A fruity female voice spoke, “Warning, malfunction! Warning, power outage in life support.” The warning droned on, monotonously. Kat delved further inside the unit, keying commands rapidly. Abruptly, the voice changed, calling, “Error. Unauthorized entry. Error!” Kat grinned and reassured the computer, “You are under repair. I am searching for the breakage.” She looked at Black Hawk, whose head was raised alertly. “Captain, I need access to the central com shell for the Rogue Star. Please enter your password.” She swiveled her chair around so he could reach the console. He glared at her, evidently reluctant to give her the password. She urged him, speaking softly, “It is easier for you to input the code. Otherwise, it will waste more time for me to crack your security and trace the fault in life support.” He shrugged, stepped across and typed in the password. The central com voice stopped complaining about an unauthorized entry. “Thank you,” Kat said absently, and she queried the CC brain. “What is your name, central com?” The female voice said, “HON5Y029.”Kat grinned and reassured the CC brain, “Sorry, Honey, you’ll feel the tickle in your circuits when I search for the breakage.” She probed further into the network extending throughout the ship. She sent a test pulse winging down each connection, and listened for the echoed response. The link to the engine was fine. She smiled at that welcome news. “Engine links all clear,” She reported. She searched patiently through the network, and eventually, found one unresponsive link. She rechecked to make sure it was faulty. “Got it!” she cried in triumph, pointing to the left panel. “The short to life support is in that section.” The Hawk knelt by the panel and unbolted the cover. He reached inside, sorting through the tangle of wires and connectors. “All right, Honey, we’re going to fix you,” Kat spoke soothingly to the brain of central com.Meanwhile, Kat continued checking the com. She patched some loose code and buffered the CC brain. To her left, she heard the snap and sizzle of wire repairs from Hawk’s work under the panel. At length, Kat smiled as the signal pinged from the link to life support. The voice of central com said chirpily, “Life support power is restored.”
August 15, 2014
SFR Presents - Snippet from A Tale of Two Colonies
Another Saturday, another thrilling excerpt. Read a piece from my new release: A Tale of Two Colonies. This book is free on Saturday August 16th .
Tiger Lily is competing for a place in the next colony ship so she can escape the misery of overpopulated Terra.
Lily strode through the grimy subterranean passages to her tiny room, flushed with the success of her performance and indifferent to the hunched figures of the silent passersby. She ignored the group of five ragged youths lounging idly at the corner, until they moved deliberately in her direction. “Out alone!” one man jeered, clearly believing her to be vulnerable. “We’ll give you a good time!” another man called with vulgar intentions, reaching out to grab her arm. She swiveled rapidly, punching him below the belt. He collapsed with a moan. Two others advanced angrily on her. She leaped at them, aiming a vicious kick. Her target crumpled in agony, clutching at his groin. The third man hesitated, unluckily for him. Her fist thudded against his jaw and he sagged to the ground, unconscious. One of the two youths, who had hung behind well out of the action, shouted, “Watch out! It’s Tiger Lily. I saw her fight in the arena.”The other man called, “She’s big trouble! Let’s get out of here!” They dashed away, abandoning their injured comrades who lay groaning on the dirty floor.
Comments are welcome, as always. Please return to the SFRB Presents site and sample the other snippets.
Tiger Lily is competing for a place in the next colony ship so she can escape the misery of overpopulated Terra.
Lily strode through the grimy subterranean passages to her tiny room, flushed with the success of her performance and indifferent to the hunched figures of the silent passersby. She ignored the group of five ragged youths lounging idly at the corner, until they moved deliberately in her direction. “Out alone!” one man jeered, clearly believing her to be vulnerable. “We’ll give you a good time!” another man called with vulgar intentions, reaching out to grab her arm. She swiveled rapidly, punching him below the belt. He collapsed with a moan. Two others advanced angrily on her. She leaped at them, aiming a vicious kick. Her target crumpled in agony, clutching at his groin. The third man hesitated, unluckily for him. Her fist thudded against his jaw and he sagged to the ground, unconscious. One of the two youths, who had hung behind well out of the action, shouted, “Watch out! It’s Tiger Lily. I saw her fight in the arena.”The other man called, “She’s big trouble! Let’s get out of here!” They dashed away, abandoning their injured comrades who lay groaning on the dirty floor.
Comments are welcome, as always. Please return to the SFRB Presents site and sample the other snippets.
August 12, 2014
A Tale of Two Colonies - Free on 16th
Free eBook on Saturday, August 16th. A Tale of Two Colonies.Sultry Tiger Lily escapes subterranean hovels of Terra, meets scarred warrior Conley, while searching for the lost colony in the treacherous mountains and arthropod-infected jungles of planet Delta.
August 8, 2014
Snipet for SFFS WIP
From work in progress
The main characters, interstellar spy Kat and the pirate Captain Hawk, are attempting to steal a spaceship.
Kat glided over to the central com and lowered herself into the seat. The Hawk trod quietly behind and leaned his hand on the back of her seat. “Shall I open the panel?” he whispered. “No! I’ll try breaking into the com first,” Kat activated the screen and hit keys. The screen lit up, but nothing else happened. She input the first sequence of the secret code and waited a few seconds for a response, leaning back and supporting her head in her intertwined hands. If nothing happened, she would try another tactic to break in. She bent forward to begin a new sequence, when, abruptly, a loud hiss emerged from below the panel. She felt a strong gush of air. No, it wasn’t air; it smelled wrong. Immediately, she sprung out of the seat, yelling, “Gas!” and dashed for the door. She heard the crunch of metal, as if the Hawk were trying to seal off the spouting gas. Then, he was at her back and shouted, “Get out! It’s a trap!”
Comments are welcome
My published SF novels are: The Lady is Blue, Dragons of Vkani, and A Tale of Two Colonies. As you see, I enjoy puns and allusions.
Click SFFS button to read other snippets.
The main characters, interstellar spy Kat and the pirate Captain Hawk, are attempting to steal a spaceship.Kat glided over to the central com and lowered herself into the seat. The Hawk trod quietly behind and leaned his hand on the back of her seat. “Shall I open the panel?” he whispered. “No! I’ll try breaking into the com first,” Kat activated the screen and hit keys. The screen lit up, but nothing else happened. She input the first sequence of the secret code and waited a few seconds for a response, leaning back and supporting her head in her intertwined hands. If nothing happened, she would try another tactic to break in. She bent forward to begin a new sequence, when, abruptly, a loud hiss emerged from below the panel. She felt a strong gush of air. No, it wasn’t air; it smelled wrong. Immediately, she sprung out of the seat, yelling, “Gas!” and dashed for the door. She heard the crunch of metal, as if the Hawk were trying to seal off the spouting gas. Then, he was at her back and shouted, “Get out! It’s a trap!”
Comments are welcome
My published SF novels are: The Lady is Blue, Dragons of Vkani, and A Tale of Two Colonies. As you see, I enjoy puns and allusions.
Click SFFS button to read other snippets.
SFR Brigade Presents - a snippet from The Lady is Blue
Continuing insight into characters: Excerpt from The Lady is Blue
The character of Sa Kamizan (big Atrapako male with blue scales and sharp claws) evolves during the story. At the beginning, he is a typical arrogant Blue and expects unquestioning obedience from the lower classes (Green, Yellow & Red), although humans are confusing since they don't have colors. He learns to respect Lucy Stannis as an equal. By the end of the book, he is ready to renounce his Atrapako traditions.
In this snippet, he is miserable. He was forced to assume the role of the General in their rebellion, and Lucy believes he has deceived her. Here is a chance to redeem himself. Dr. Lucy Stannis has found a notice ordering her to vacate her research laboratory. She is devastated and assumes the order came from Sa Kamizan.
She was so lost in miserable thoughts that she failed to notice the scratch of claws until the General appeared by her table. He pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her. She glared at him. His blue, unreadable eyes searched her face. “What has happened to upset you, Dr. Stannis?” he asked gently. Lucy bit her lip and frowned in vexation. She had resolved to stay silent, however, under his penetrating eyes she burst out, “You, of all people, should know! Have you come to gloat? You leave me nothing!” Unconsciously, her fingers crumpled the message sheet lying on the table. “I have done nothing that might distress you since our last meeting.” A pained expression passed over his blue face. He reached out a hand, “Let me see that sheet.” Lucy looked down at the table. Her fingers lay on top of the wrinkled message. The Atrapako Blue insignia was partially visible under one fold. Shiny blue claws crept towards her hand. Her eyes filled with tears as the blue claws gripped the sheet and drew it inexorably from under her hand. A teardrop fell from her bowed head to land on the sheet.
This scene is one of several set in my fictitious version of the cafe on top of the Kline Biology Tower, Yale University. Imagine the humans sitting on one side of the room, and Blue and Green scaled Atrapako on the other side, with some mingling of Green scientists with their human counterparts.
Comments are welcome!
Please read the snippets from other authors at SFR Brigade Presents.
The character of Sa Kamizan (big Atrapako male with blue scales and sharp claws) evolves during the story. At the beginning, he is a typical arrogant Blue and expects unquestioning obedience from the lower classes (Green, Yellow & Red), although humans are confusing since they don't have colors. He learns to respect Lucy Stannis as an equal. By the end of the book, he is ready to renounce his Atrapako traditions.
In this snippet, he is miserable. He was forced to assume the role of the General in their rebellion, and Lucy believes he has deceived her. Here is a chance to redeem himself. Dr. Lucy Stannis has found a notice ordering her to vacate her research laboratory. She is devastated and assumes the order came from Sa Kamizan.
She was so lost in miserable thoughts that she failed to notice the scratch of claws until the General appeared by her table. He pulled out a chair and sat down opposite her. She glared at him. His blue, unreadable eyes searched her face. “What has happened to upset you, Dr. Stannis?” he asked gently. Lucy bit her lip and frowned in vexation. She had resolved to stay silent, however, under his penetrating eyes she burst out, “You, of all people, should know! Have you come to gloat? You leave me nothing!” Unconsciously, her fingers crumpled the message sheet lying on the table. “I have done nothing that might distress you since our last meeting.” A pained expression passed over his blue face. He reached out a hand, “Let me see that sheet.” Lucy looked down at the table. Her fingers lay on top of the wrinkled message. The Atrapako Blue insignia was partially visible under one fold. Shiny blue claws crept towards her hand. Her eyes filled with tears as the blue claws gripped the sheet and drew it inexorably from under her hand. A teardrop fell from her bowed head to land on the sheet.
This scene is one of several set in my fictitious version of the cafe on top of the Kline Biology Tower, Yale University. Imagine the humans sitting on one side of the room, and Blue and Green scaled Atrapako on the other side, with some mingling of Green scientists with their human counterparts.
Comments are welcome!
Please read the snippets from other authors at SFR Brigade Presents.
August 6, 2014
New release: A Tale of Two Colonies
A Tale of Two Colonies is available from AmazonA Science Fiction Romance: Planet Delta is a jungle ruled by arthropods. The heroine, Lily White, is a highly skilled member of the team selected to search for the lost colony on planet Delta. She is called Tiger Lily, and has never found her match in a man. The hero, Conley, is a grim warrior with a tortured past, who longs to escape the confines of the isolated valley on Delta. Why is he reluctant to speak of the people living in the valley?Their lives will intersect, as Lily finds romance while searching for the lost colony amid the dangers posed by the native life. Who are the real rulers of the lost colony: the hostile princesses or the unknown native inhabitants? Will the team succeed in their mission to locate the original colonizers and establish a new colony, or will they depart ingloriously for Terra?
August 2, 2014
Excerpt from Work in Progress - a Space Opera
A Comic Space Opera with Romance
Later in the day, she was escorted again to the Captain’s cabin. The Black Hawk was seated as usual at his table, looking at star charts. He glanced up when she was ushered into the room. His eyes lingered, registering astonishment at her red hair and fair, freckled skin. He stood and paced around her with the supple and deadly grace of a prowling tiger. He spoke in a deep resonant voice, “A dramatic change! Grey Kat is entirely washed away.” Trina was attracted strongly by the feline grace of his body in motion. When he stood still, the image of raw, feral power was replaced by the enigma of the Black Hawk, clothed entirely in black. She raised her chin provocatively, and spoke in the haughty accent of the Solarian upper class. “I am grateful for your kindness in providing me with clean clothes and a luxuriously comfortable room.” Black Hawk circled her again, insisting, “I know your face! Where have I seen it?” He halted in front of her, staring at her face with narrowed eyes. She remained motionless and silent, only her eyes revealing her insolence. “Wait,” he cried, with a confident smile curving his lips. “I have it! You are Mistress Trina Sligo, daughter of the Solarian diplomat.” She made a slight bow and said, tilting up her chin with a mocking, regal air, “You are correct, Captain Hawk! In this guise, I am Mistress Trina Sligo.” “Amazing!” he said appreciatively, shaking his head. “No one would guess you were Grey Kat, the dock thief.”
