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Three Lives Of Mary
Mary is part of an elite CySapient team, surveying planets looking for potential worlds to colonize. Her partner, Ben, is a total conversion sentient spaceship—and her husband.
While investigating the surface of a rare, potentially habitable planet, Mary encounters a strange plant-animal hybrid that threatens to destroy her despite her near invulnerable Cynetic body. Ben rescues her, but the lifeforms create a violent lightning storm and almost blast him out of the skies, severely damaging his systems—including his highly expensive Dataract.
After limping back to the nearest repair base, Mary confronts the ruthless station manager, Tartoa, looking for help. But Tartoa isn't known for his generosity. And a combination of Ben's penchant for lavish hardware upgrades, and bad investments in colonies that haven't reached maturity yet, means their funds are almost depleted.
Unable to afford the life-saving repairs that Ben needs, Mary’s world is shattered. Now she must risk everything to save her partnership with Ben and make decisions that will change both their lives irrevocably.
While investigating the surface of a rare, potentially habitable planet, Mary encounters a strange plant-animal hybrid that threatens to destroy her despite her near invulnerable Cynetic body. Ben rescues her, but the lifeforms create a violent lightning storm and almost blast him out of the skies, severely damaging his systems—including his highly expensive Dataract.
After limping back to the nearest repair base, Mary confronts the ruthless station manager, Tartoa, looking for help. But Tartoa isn't known for his generosity. And a combination of Ben's penchant for lavish hardware upgrades, and bad investments in colonies that haven't reached maturity yet, means their funds are almost depleted.
Unable to afford the life-saving repairs that Ben needs, Mary’s world is shattered. Now she must risk everything to save her partnership with Ben and make decisions that will change both their lives irrevocably.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2016
2 people are currently reading
20 people want to read
About the author
David M. Kelly
21 books53 followersDavid M. Kelly writes fast-paced, near-future sci-fi thrillers with engaging characters, cynical humor, and (mostly!) plausible science. He is the author of the Joe Ballen series, Logan's World series, and the Hyperia Jones sci-fi humor series. Along with historical suspense and fantasy author Christie Stratos, he also co-hosts the Fun Classic Reads videocast on YouTube, featuring entertaining live reads and very quick costume changes!
David’s interest in science and technology began early. At the age of six his parents allowed him to stay up late into the night to watch the television broadcast of Neil Armstrong stepping on to the surface of the moon. From that day he was hooked on everything related to science and space.
An avid reader, he worked his way through the contents of the mobile library that visited his street, progressing through YA titles (or ‘juveniles’ as they were known back then) on to the classics of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Harry Harrison.
David worked for many years in project management and software development. Along the way his interests have included IPSC combat (target) pistol shooting, crew chief on a drag racing team, and several years as bass player/vocalist in a heavy rock band. He also managed to fit in some real work in manual jobs from digging ditches and work on production lines to loading trucks in a haulage company.
Originally from the wild and woolly region of Yorkshire, England, David emigrated to Canada in 2005 and settled in Northern Ontario with his patient and supportive wife, Hilary. Foot surgery in 2014 temporarily curtailed many of his favourite activities – hiking, camping, piloting his own personal starfighter (otherwise known as a Corvette ZR-1). But on the plus side, it meant a transition from the world of IT into life as a full-time writer—an opportunity he grasped enthusiastically.
David is passionate about science, especially astronomy and physics, and is a rabid science news follower. Never short of an opinion, David writes about science and technology on his blog davidmkelly.com. He has supported various charity projects such as the Smithsonian’s Reboot The Suit and the Lowell Observatory Pluto Telescope Restoration. He also contributes to citizen science projects such as SETI@home.
David’s interest in science and technology began early. At the age of six his parents allowed him to stay up late into the night to watch the television broadcast of Neil Armstrong stepping on to the surface of the moon. From that day he was hooked on everything related to science and space.
An avid reader, he worked his way through the contents of the mobile library that visited his street, progressing through YA titles (or ‘juveniles’ as they were known back then) on to the classics of Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and Harry Harrison.
David worked for many years in project management and software development. Along the way his interests have included IPSC combat (target) pistol shooting, crew chief on a drag racing team, and several years as bass player/vocalist in a heavy rock band. He also managed to fit in some real work in manual jobs from digging ditches and work on production lines to loading trucks in a haulage company.
Originally from the wild and woolly region of Yorkshire, England, David emigrated to Canada in 2005 and settled in Northern Ontario with his patient and supportive wife, Hilary. Foot surgery in 2014 temporarily curtailed many of his favourite activities – hiking, camping, piloting his own personal starfighter (otherwise known as a Corvette ZR-1). But on the plus side, it meant a transition from the world of IT into life as a full-time writer—an opportunity he grasped enthusiastically.
David is passionate about science, especially astronomy and physics, and is a rabid science news follower. Never short of an opinion, David writes about science and technology on his blog davidmkelly.com. He has supported various charity projects such as the Smithsonian’s Reboot The Suit and the Lowell Observatory Pluto Telescope Restoration. He also contributes to citizen science projects such as SETI@home.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 27, 2016
This is an interestingly philosophical bit of science fiction. Mary, the protagonist, is a woman who has opted to become cybernetic rather than face the possibility of growing old. There's not a lot I can say without spoiling this story, but it was a rather quick and well written read. There were certain elements that reminded me if McCaffrey's brainship series, including the fact that Mary's husband Ben opted to have his cybernetic body be a space faring ship. Highly recommended for sci-fi fans.
March 14, 2018
Three Lives of Mary, by David M. Kelly, is a touching story about a female cysap/woman's evolution. Mary gave everything she had to give in order to actually live again. A quick, but in depth read that I enjoyed very much.
December 16, 2017
Three Lives Of Mary by David M. Kelly is a mesmerizing story of a cybot named Mary. Along with her husband Ben, she looks for habitable planets. It is an entertaining, fast reading book. I gave it five stars. I received a complimentary Kindle copy in an Amazon promotion. That did not change my opinion for this review.
"Mary gasped as her legs were ripped from under her and she slammed face down into the ground. Several tendril-like vines wrapped around her arms and legs and she instinctively pulled against them. Thorn-like bristles clawed at her burnished skin as the vines coiled tighter around her despite her struggles."
Mary discusses her feelings about Ben and changes he had made. "They'd seen so much together, it was hard to remember when it had been different. Mary still thought of Ben as he was when they were first married. He'd always been easy going, with an almost endless joy of life in general. But after they became CySaps he'd become more intolerant and obsessed with the latest technology. Sometimes Mary wondered if the gain of extended lifespans was worth the sacrifice."
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Lives-Ma...
"Mary gasped as her legs were ripped from under her and she slammed face down into the ground. Several tendril-like vines wrapped around her arms and legs and she instinctively pulled against them. Thorn-like bristles clawed at her burnished skin as the vines coiled tighter around her despite her struggles."
Mary discusses her feelings about Ben and changes he had made. "They'd seen so much together, it was hard to remember when it had been different. Mary still thought of Ben as he was when they were first married. He'd always been easy going, with an almost endless joy of life in general. But after they became CySaps he'd become more intolerant and obsessed with the latest technology. Sometimes Mary wondered if the gain of extended lifespans was worth the sacrifice."
Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Three-Lives-Ma...
October 22, 2024
Great story as usual from this author.
July 10, 2018
Mary, a human woman, faced with growing old, opted, with her husband, for a cybernetic life. For many years, she as a robot and he as an enhanced space ship, have scouted for planets suitable for human habitation. This short story packs a big philosophical punch. What is it to be human? I really enjoyed getting my head around this – and around what happened to Mary and her husband later. A very interesting quick read.
January 24, 2025
This is perhaps my favorite of all David M. Kelly's short stories. Mary is such a fighter. I'd love to read more about her journey.
February 24, 2018
Good super short story
Good fast paced compelling super short story. Was hoping for a next book. Leaves the next story to your imagination with the wonder thatiracles can happen, good people are everywhere and come in many forms and life is to be lived! Thanks!😎
Good fast paced compelling super short story. Was hoping for a next book. Leaves the next story to your imagination with the wonder thatiracles can happen, good people are everywhere and come in many forms and life is to be lived! Thanks!😎
July 24, 2023
I quite enjoyed this novella. Interesting ideas, well portrayed characters, solid execution. Fun and mildly thoughtful at the same time.
December 31, 2016
There are two things I hate about short stories. #1 It's to doggone short. #2 It is so hard to review them without giving anything away. Mr Kelly provides us with an awesome read as we learn of Mary and her partner Ben. Ben was just too cute for words verbally I mean he is a ship after all so of course I just rooted for him and had mad love. Mary was different. Loved her and until I saw the cover I really felt her still as a human.
All in all I loved the story as all sci fi fans will as well. Awesome read.
All in all I loved the story as all sci fi fans will as well. Awesome read.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews