I’m still doing excerpts from my SF novel WRECK OF THE NEBULA DREAM until April 14th, the 101st anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking but after that I’m switching off to something else. I appreciate all the comments and feedback! This scene occurs in the middle of the second night out, when Nick awakens suddenly, realizing the Nebula Dream’s engines have shut down. He’s just asked the Ship’s AI what’s going on. (Um, it’s really 10 sentences but they’re short and you don’t mind too much – do you? I’ll go back to being good next week, I promise!)
“There’s nothing to be concerned about, Passenger Jameson – we apologize for disturbing your sleep. Please resume your slumbers now, with no further care.” The AI’s voice was smooth, glib as always. “Do you require a sleep inject?”
“No, I do not,” Nick said, allowing his considerable annoyance to creep into his tone. “Why are the engines off?”
“Merely some required maintenance, sir.”
Nick glared at the glowing interface. “No one does engine maintenance in the middle of the shipping lanes.”
Silence from the AI.
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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.
Tense snippet, l wonder what’s going on? I can feel his annoyance!
Uh oh … something’s going on …. 🙂 And the threat of a sleep inject looms!! Such a great snippet!
Very nice snippet – in short order I like nick and distrust the AI – well played and yes I do want to know what comes next so good job with that.
I love the tension you create, Veronica. I do not like the Al one bit. And good on Nick for not taking the sleep inject.
I’m glad Nick isn’t fooled by the glib answers of the AI. Very astute of him not to believe the maintenance excuse. But what is afoot? Can’t wait for more!
Love the last line. Really ups the tension in an already intense scene. Great job!
Oh, something tells me something fishy’s going on. I’m very intrigued!
I really like the voice you gave the AI. It’s exactly what I’d expect and that helps me feel like I’m right there on the ship. Great excerpt.
Nice mystery building up in this snippet. Loving the voice and can’t wait to learn more!
Oh no, something is not right. I gotta know. 🙂
“Silence from the Al” really brings out the tension! Great excerpt. Where do I get one of those sleep injects? 😉 (Insomniac here.)
I’m not sure if there’s anything more terrifying than an artificial intelligence lying to you. Warning bells should definitely be blaring. Love the tension.
Ten sentences?! You rebel! 😀 They were ten exceptionally interesting ones, that’s for sure! Really, really enjoying this story!
Feels like something is very wrong. Great job, can’t wait to see what happens next. 🙂
TEN! you rascal. Terrific snippet and whoa-the Al is super scary with him in control. Good job.
Uh oh Houston we’ve got a problem. Yeah the last line seals it!
That definitely sounds bad. The AI reminds me a bit of HAL and OTTO/AUTO (from WALL-E). Good thing he turned down the inject. He’s going to need to be awake, I’m thinking.
Thanks for all the comments today, which I enjoy SO much – and I appreciate the forgiveness for greedily supplying TEN (gasp) sentences. Promise I won’t do it again LOL!
Oh dear….I sense something fishy going on. Very tense snippet. Was that really ten? I didn’t notice. 😉
Obviously the AI is programmed to handle passengers who don’t know anything about space travel.
Uh oh…I’m glad Nick is smart enough to ask questions! Great snippet–and I didn’t even notice it was 10, I still wanted more! 🙂
OK, the AI is definitely hiding something! I like how you make the AI come across as almost sinister, even before Nick catches out. Nick’s annoyance was also very clear through his dialogue. Great snippet.
Love the “do you need a sleep inject.” So cool.
Great 8, er…10. LOL
Love I guy that is not easily fooled. Fascinating snippet.
I’ve read it, and it’s terrific.
And I love to hear you say that LOL! I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!!!
This is when you start hearing the Jaws theme song start to play… Great tension in your snippet, Veronica. I’m nervous for him. 🙂
Uh oh! I sense some trouble brewing. Interesting snippet.
Intrigued! What’s gonna happen! Great 8! 🙂
I’d pass on the sleeping injections, too—‘routine maintenance’ is rarely that! Excellent 8+2!
Uh oh. Silence is not good. Great snippet!
The last line is perfect! Great snippet:)
The AI is planning to take some liberties. Will be interested to find out more, but you really over did it with ten sentences 🙂 Enjoyed it. Nice snippet.
I know…(hangs head in shame)…I’ll have to abjectly apologize for using 10 sentences, to be allowed in next week no doubt LOL!!! Thanks!
Hmm, this definitely sounds ominous. The AI is up to something!
Good point, Mr. Jameson!
LOL, Nick is the guy I’d want to be there to help me survive a disaster like this, for SURE.
Sounds like an AI not to turn your back on…er, fall asleep on. 😉 Well done!
Definitely something amiss.
Nice 8, er 10.
Doesn’t sound like the AI is telling him the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Hum…
Well… now I’m angry at the AI. Why are the engines off?!? 🙂
That’s not something anyone would want to deal with in the middle of the night!
Yikes — I think the silence from the AI is worse than when it’s talking! Great snippet. 🙂
The Al is up to no good! Seems he is way to eager to knock Jameson out. Something is amiss here!
Boy, as soon as they said nothing to be concerned abut, I knew it was time to be concerned. 😉 Did I say that I LOVE this book?? 🙂 I do.
🙂 Thank you VERY much!
You’re a master at foreshadowing, seriously! Really great 8!
Veronica, I love this snippet – I can hear the tone in Jameson’s voice as he says “No, I do not.” Well done. Heightens suspense. Smiles Steph
Yes, Nick is more than a little unhappy with the Ship at this point but just wait…dum de dum dum…
Another great six … eight … TEN! LOL. The part about shipping lanes is so true. (Well, that comes from my boating experience on the ICW, which is a highway of sorts … no space travel yet, LOL).