My apologies for last week. I signed up and then didn't post. It was a crazy weekend, but that's no excuse. I'm sorry if you followed my link and got no post. Thanks to whoever deleted my link from the list.
After a miserable few days fighting a cold, I'm sharing snippets from The Pilot: An Outer Rim Novel. It's the 1st book in a series featuring strong women on the frontier of space. Celara's ship was hailed by one claiming to be Coalition Security. In this snippet, we're on the other ship with Trevarr and his buddy Laning.
Please excuse the creative punctuation, necessary to keep this within the guidelines. It's also edited a little from the original.
“Fire a shot across the
transport’s bow,” Trevarr ordered, “Show the pilot we mean business.”
“Why? He’s done nothing
wrong.”
“He is running, a sure sign
of guilt—he’s a smuggler. Why else would he flee?”
“Gee, I don’t know, how
about fear?”
“Fear of discovery of his
illegal cargo is more like it. I want that ship stopped.”
“You might have a point,”
Laning fired the lazin cannon and splintered a small asteroid in front of the
transport.
The little ship easily dodged
the fragments. Trevarr’s frustration with the pilot’s silence and failure to
stop warred with admiration for the pilot’s flying ability.
There's no place like home and he stole hers.
Life on the frontier of space is hard enough so when pirates stole Celara d'Enfaden's cargo, she vowed not to be tricked again.
Determined to make an example out of indie pilots who disobey orders, Coalition Administrator Trevarr Jovano impounds Celara’s starship and cargo. If he backs down, he’ll lose respect. If she can’t deliver her cargo, she’ll default on her loan and lose her only home—her ship.
More important than her ship, though, is her brother. To rescue him from a galactic gangster, she’ll even work with Jovano who is bent on avenging his wife’s murder.
Be sure to check out the other WeWriWa authors.
Diane, week after week your snippets are quite wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charmaine.
DeleteI still love that their assumptions about each other are false. Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteThis is still in the 1st chapter. Thanks, Jess.
DeleteHaha. Here it starts. That pilot might be running, but he admires her. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon, Diane. Hugs...
Thanks, Teresa. Today, I finally feel better. Not 100% yet.
DeleteI agree with Teresa. The two characters are in a bit of trouble.
ReplyDeleteThey are, esp. with their false impressions.
DeleteI've never quite grasped this 'galatic' world, but it sounds magical and must pay more attention as my great-grandchildren love this genre. I do hope you are now feeling better, Diane.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I love that our children, grandchildren, & (your) great-grandchildren continue a love of science fiction. It will be real someday.
DeleteGlad this is a better week for you! I enjoyed the details in the snippet and was happy to see that it did occur to at least one person the ship they're pursuing might be innocent and the pilot simply afraid. You're covering all the bases!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Veronica. Sometimes people make entirely false assumptions. Both Celara and Trevarr are guilty.
DeleteYes. I liked "Gee, I don't know, how about fear?" Flippant yet true.
ReplyDeleteFlippant--that's Laning, all right.
DeleteI really enjoy your weekly snippits. Thanks for sharing more of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie.
DeleteI might go with fear since being pursued and fired upon— even if it is only a warning— would make anyone run. The other guy wouldn't know that. Maybe his communication device is not working? Just a thought as I try to figure out the possibilities. Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteThe matter of communication will come in soon.
DeleteGiven the focus you stated for this series, my crystal ball predicts that the sweet-flying pilot if female.
ReplyDeleteYes, she is, Ed.
DeleteI love how you paint a scene, Di. I can see it so clearly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nancy. Have a great week.
DeleteLoved the excerpt - I can see his point on one level - running is usually a sign of guilt - on the other hand, the pilot of the other ship might assume he's attacking her and not fancy hanging around to discuss the matter! I wonder if she'll manage to get away.
ReplyDeleteHope you're feeling better now.
It's a dilemma, for sure, Hywela.
Delete