Continuing on with the scene in the shuttle, on the way to the cruise liner Nebula Dream, here’s another excerpt as Nick continues to deal with the distraught passenger who had the premonition of disaster. So far the shuttle is continuing its ascent to the larger ship. There’s been some back and forth between the crew, Nick and the husband about whether to turn around or not; the other passengers stared and gossiped; her pet came to join them (much to Nick’s annoyance) and now…
The young wife wept, occasionally responding to Nick with broken sentences about her dreams and her unborn child being at risk, to which he told her in halfway fluent dialect she must do what was best for the baby.
She drew in a hissing breath and clutched dramatically at her abdomen, closing her eyes, biting her lip. He raised his voice, and put an edge on it, to cut through the squabble. “Gentlemen, you’d better decide something.”
The husband and the pilot glared at him, both equally annoyed at the interruption.
Nick didn’t care. Events might be about to overtake them. “I’m far from being an expert, but I think she’s going into labor here.”
So, do you think they go back?
The story:
Traveling unexpectedly aboard the luxury liner Nebula Dream on its maiden voyage across the galaxy, Sectors Special Forces Captain Nick Jameson is ready for ten relaxing days, and hoping to forget his last disastrous mission behind enemy lines. He figures he’ll gamble at the casino, take in the shows, maybe even have a shipboard fling with Mara Lyrae, the beautiful but reserved businesswoman he meets.
All his plans vaporize when the ship suffers a wreck of Titanic proportions. Captain and crew abandon ship, leaving the 8000 passengers stranded without enough lifeboats and drifting unarmed in enemy territory. Aided by Mara, Nick must find a way off the doomed ship for himself and several other innocent people before deadly enemy forces reach them or the ship’s malfunctioning engines finish ticking down to self destruction.
But can Nick conquer the demons from his past that tell him he’ll fail these innocent people just as he failed to save his Special Forces team? Will he outpace his own doubts to win this vital race against time?
A note: WRECK was loosely inspired by the events of the Titanic sinking…..
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WRECK OF THE NEBULA DREAM, a 2013 SFR Galaxy Award winner, is available for kindle, as an audio book or a paperback at Amazon. The audio sample is here.
I’m thinking he knows to trust his gut. If he says it, I believe it. 🙂 Such an interesting story full of ups and downs.
I like -halfway fluent dialogue. I agree with Carmen, there’s something about a guy who knows to follow his instincts that’s appealing. This story just took an interesting turn. Nice job!
What an interesting time to go into labor!! Great 8!
There’s some narrative I skipped, which establishes that Nick doesn’t really think she’s in labor but since he isn’t a medic, who is he to say anything? He thinks she might be faking it to force them to take her back to the planet LOL. Fine with him!
Okay, I give in. I’m buying my copy today.
I read it last week, Elaine. Wonderful book! 🙂
I’m SO glad you enjoyed the book!!!
Oh, I wore you down LOL! Actually I don’t want to wear people out with this book but it felt like I needed to follow up on last week’s snippet. No idea yet what I’ll post for next week – maybe even Ancient Egyptian!
I liked this scene. Great foreshadowing going on.
Great snippet! I love the emergent feel of the entire scene. Wonderful!
I really like a guy who can take charge. Very nice!
Oh no, of all times to go into labour! She needs strong people around her!
Riveting story and a great 8!
As if they hadn’t enough troubles to contend with! Great 8 – love the premise of the story too
“about to go into labor” is one way to get rid of her back to her bed. It also gives other passengers something interesting to think about. I wonder if any of them ever delivered a baby before and can tell that she is faking. However, they might also want to get rid of her for a breather also.
Just in case there’s not enough excitement, let’s add a labor into the mix! 😀 Another action-packed 8! Great job, Veronica!
I could feel her pain. Such a vivid story and so intriguing. So much to deal with at such a stressful time. Great job. 🙂
just bck from Egypt – to with the ancients lol – whether or not she’s really in labour, it still has to be attended to
Turn around is my advice… Gripping actually..
What an inconvenient time to go into labor!
Wow! They better decide in a hurry!
Eep! Eep! They better pay attention to her! Sounds like labor to me 🙂 Great 8!
Reminds me of the first dragonrider story.
Little ones tend to make an entrance into the world at the most inconvenient. I look forward to finding out more.
I totally love Nick, I love how he puts aside the petty squabbling and just wants to get something done for this woman. Great 8
Well, it sure is bad timing. Quite the dilemma! This is an exciting story and I’m looking forward to the next instalment.
All the elements of a great action hero story and you write so vividly, I am seeing it!
This has a wonderful space opera feel to it, which makes me love it! Great snippet.
Intriguing snippet, with the problems piling up one after the other!
Oh, that should definitely get their attention. Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
Really enjoyed this snippet. I like a guy who takes control. And loved the hook at the end with her being in labour. Can’t wait for the next snippet.
lol nothing like throwing in some labor to ratchet up the conflict. 🙂 Nice job!
ono! Great complication. I bet most of the men are going to run around like headless chickens now, but our hero will step up and take charge! Nice excerpt, keeps you engaged.
A group of men dealing with a woman in labor — should be interesting 🙂
Oh boy, labor. Where’s the private room? 🙂 Exciting snippet.
“clutched dramatically at her abdomen, closing her eyes”
Hmmm..the way you describe this – especially your choice of “dramatically” makes me think she’s faking this…this distances me from her character as well – if that’s what you are going for, you nailed it!
If they go back, there’s no story, so I’m thinking they’ll go to the ship for medical help . . .
Ruh-roh! Sounds like trouble ahead whatever way they cut it. Great moment!
I like the way Nick handles the situation. The desperate circumstances require clear thinking, not panic, and he clearly has his priorities straight.
Very tense!
Well done.
I’m thinking if they go back, there’s not much of a story and the woman’s premonition would be wrong. Hmm… Hang on everyone, this ship’s going down!
Nick is making a bold decision and knows what’s needed to be done. I like that in a character.
Thanks to everyone for the comments this week again! I’m glad I haven’t burnt you out yet with WRECK LOL.
Just what Nick needs right now! A tough situation to cope and make decisions in, but I’m sure he’ll do it. It will be interesting to find out what decision they do make.
What a great excerpt. I can’t wait to see what happens next, and I’m worried about the woman. Nice tone as well.
This story is pregnant with suspense!
Great job building tension! I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Your excerpts are always so amazing. (As are your covers!)