I'm sharing snippets from my science fiction romance, Mission to New Earth. Three teams are about to launch from Titan (Saturn's moon) beyond our solar system on Christmas Day. The mission: to colonize 3 new planets. The narrator, Sara Grenard, is one team's leader. This snippet begins after the celebration (last week).
Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines. It's also edited some from the original.
Marsh sprawled beside me. As usual,
he took up three-quarters of the bed—all relaxed, snoring loud enough to wake
the dead, the hard planes of his face softened in sleep. He slept like he didn’t
have a care in the world, as if he wasn’t going to be crammed into a tube
tomorrow and turned into a humongous ice cube for three years.
I, on the other hand, hadn’t even
closed my eyes since we turned out the lights—fear slithered through my
consciousness, FEAR in capital letters. Despite all the simulations, despite
the training, even though I calmly accepted our mission, I was terrified.
Too late to back out now, as if I would.
Excitement and wonder pushed down
the fear. I reminded myself that out of the hundreds of thousands of
applicants, I was chosen to lead our team on the adventure of a lifetime.
That the people of Earth depended
on us.
Earth’s overpopulation and dwindling resources force the United Earth Space Agency to expedite exploration of new planets for a possible new home. When new crises ensue—a giant tsunami and the threat of nuclear winter—the timeline changes. Eight years of training crammed into four. Sara Grenard and her team prepare for launch, but are they ready for the one-way trip? Will the Goldilocks planet prove just right for Earth’s inhabitants? Before time runs out.
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Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.
"FEAR in capital letters." This says it all. What a strong excerpt, speaking to her human weaknesses and brave spirit. Wishing you all the best in 2019, Di!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. I'd like to think I would be brave like her.
DeleteI think fear at that point would be a very natural feeling! But then, the definition of bravery is not lack of fear, but feeling fear and going ahead anyway.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Ian. As I reread what I wrote, I'm filled with admiration for Sara and her team.
DeleteYeah, I wouldn't be sleeping much either! The tension is mounting, along with the excitement. Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alexis. I wouldn't be sleeping, either.
DeleteHer fear is certainly understandable! Enjoyed the excerpt very much...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Veronica.
DeleteI'd be the same in her position - not able to sleep and pushing through FEAR.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Aurora.
DeleteI used to think I'd love to take such a journey--now I'd be more than terrified. So the fact that she's going ahead with it (I guess she doesn't really have a choice) is laudable. I hope she doesn't freak out at the last minute!
ReplyDeleteMy feelings, too, Jenna.
DeleteHer fear and Marsh's relaxation characterize them very well. She's more sensitive and perhaps more aware of potential problems, and while his easy sleep doesn't necessarily mean he's insensitive or sanguine about his future, it sure does demonstrate a different kind of response.
ReplyDeleteGlad you caught that, Ed. I don't think I mentioned that he's ex-military. They can sleep anywhere at anytime.
DeleteI definitely feel her fear. There's so much at stake!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christina. What a burden.
DeleteAnxiety before the big day. I can relate!
ReplyDeleteCan't we all? Thanks, Caitlin.
DeleteI could feel her apprehension but also her determination not to let down the people of earth. Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen. That's what I wanted to accomplish.
DeleteHappy New Year, Diana. Loved the snippet, it really conveyed the weight of her burden.
ReplyDelete