Delivery to Nimbus X: An Adventure of the VK Obsidian

by Eric S. Piotrowski

Take flight with the crew of the VK Obsidian as they hunt for wealth and adventure! Join Khopesh, Dactyl, and Chirwa — the intergalactic collective of thrill-seekers — on a daring quest into the heart of clandestine pharmeceutical transport. Accompanied by their onboard AI Gorf and an eclectic array of extraterrestrial allies, our heroes must navigate dangers beyond their wildest dreams.

Audible Audio

Published August 30, 2024

About the author

I'm a writer and high school English teacher. I also make electronic music; design websites; and host a podcast about education, economics, and killer robots. A lifelong video game addict, I'm also the co-host of the VeteranGamers podcast.

My work has appeared in the English Journal, The 3288 Review, and the poetry collection Home: Local Writers Reflect on Its Meaning.

I'm a lifelong political agitator with a deep love for East Timor. I live with my wife and dog in Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a first attempt at a sci-fi story, the author has triumphed. Planets, technology, alien creatures, strange and funky cherry flavoured beverages, lots to scratch the sci-fi itch with without being too heavy a read.

The main characters are likeable, flawed and fully formed. You can see various personality traits of your own pals reflected in them which makes you care about these fictional beings and what happens to them. A hare-brained scheme to run drugs between planets for a mysterious organisation leads them into situations that are both perilous and humorous. In a universe of aliens their humanity shines through.

Plenty of underlying themes of corporate manipulation, the rights of AI, alien slavery, the nature of family and friendship, the ethics of revenge and hatred and what happens to us when we give into our darker sides. But above all it's an enjoyable story that leaves you wanting to read a sequel.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful sci-fi read with engaging characters, a complex political/economic backstory, and enough heart and humor to entertain any reader. One wonders if the author's own struggles with carbonated beverage addicition might have fueled certain elements of the plot, but this enriches the overall story rather than diluting it like the recreational substances in the story. Please do recommend this to readers YA & up who enjoy speculative fiction, and a quick read that edifies as it entertains. Do yourself a favor and don't skip the author's notes at the back.