‘Star Cruise: Stowaway’
Discussion after the stowaway has been taken to sickbay, and the captain reveals his concerns there’s an organized crime ring involved. Jake is the ship’s Security Officer. Owen is the Cargo Master, who found the woman in his hold.
“I want to be there if you mess with the explosive collar,” Owen said, snagging Jake by the elbow as he followed the captain toward the gravlift.
“Why?”
Doggedly he insisted, despite his friend’s astonishment, “I found her in my cargo hold, I saved her life. She’s got no one on her side right now.”
“If you think Emily would let anyone harm a patient in her care—”
“I didn’t mean to insult the doc, expressed myself badly. The girl needs a friend, ok? She’s obviously in the middle of big trouble, one way or the other.”
Jake studied him for a moment before nodding, “All right, I’ll give the order you can see her.” He held up one hand, “Unless the captain or the SCIA issues a countermanding order.”
Artist Nyssa Juneau The Ship’s two pets who helped Owen find the slowaway
STAR CRUISE A NOVELLA: STOWAWAY with Star Cruise Rescue and Golden Token Short Stories.
In this volume I’ve gathered three stories set in the Sectors which have previously only been available in anthologies (which are no longer on sale), plus a bonus Sectors short holiday story that I originally wrote for my blog.
Star Cruise: Stowaway: A novella of 22K words, previously in the first Pets in Space™ anthology.
Cargo Master Owen Embersson is shocked when the Nebula Zephyr’s ship’s cat and her alien sidekick, Midorri, alert him to the presence of a stowaway. He has no idea of the dangerous complications to come nor does he anticipate falling hard for the woman whose life he now holds in his hands. Life aboard the Nebula Zephyr has just become more interesting – and deadly.
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Sounds like Owen is a little more attached than he would care to admit. Great excerpt! Glad the anthology is doing well. 🙂
Great excerpt, Veronica. His concern is so touching. BTW, love those 2 pets. 🙂
Nice snippet–I like Owen’s concern and everyone needs a friend.
Aw, that’s very kind of him. Hope he can help her!
Owen sounds like a friend to have in your corner.
Well done on the results of your awesome anthology!
Gotta love a man who takes his responsibilities seriously! Nice characterization, Veronica!
Owen is a determined man, but he’s correct. She needs a friend.
Hope he can help. Great snippet
Good to hear the anthology is doing well! Love how his concern comes through clearly.
Marcia
Deeply felt sincerity in Owen’s concern. So real in outer space! Who’d a thunk it? Hugs, Charmaine
Fun to see Emily and Jake make an appearance! And Owen sounds like my kind of hero- loves animals and stands up for people in trouble.
Explosive collar? Yikes. That sounds like a really effective deterrent. Hope they don’t trigger some kind of trap!
I’m glad she has a friend. It looks as though she is in a bad way. Well done on the anthology sales.
Love his concern. She’s going to need someone who cares about her.
Concern is always a great characteristic for a character – or person for that matter. lol.
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I really like Owen’s motivation to be with her. He sounds sweet, but I haven’t “known” him long enough to tell for sure. 🙂 Great writing–as always– Veronica. 🙂
He “found” her (actually the pets did) so he is feeling protective – hope it’s genuine.
Yep, everyone needs a friend.
Oh I get the feeling that countermanding order might just happen for some reason. I hope he gets to see her.
I’m glad he wants to be her friend, even though it may be a bit of trouble to arrange. I wonder if there’s going to be a countermanding order? More conflict ahead? 🙂 Nice snippet!
Someone to care about her, always a plus!
I like Owen. I get the impression that he’s the kind to take in strays of all sorts.