Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the
participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)
Here’s the next snippet from Star Cruise: Stowaway (blurb below). Skipped a few sentences further describing the leaking crate. Owen has decided he’s better unseal the container. Edited a bit from the published version:
A loud click echoed in the cargo bay and the seams on the crate glowed yellow, unsealing in a smooth progression along the rim. Sure enough a deluge of liquid followed, but Embersson froze for a moment as he saw what had been inside the crate. Then he was on his knees beside the now-open container, heedless of the green cryo fluid soaking his pants, as he tried to extricate the woman who’d been illegally stored inside. She was tightly curled in the midst of the cryo tubes, and he swore again as he realized chains bound her ankles.
Carefully he disentangled her from the nonfunctioning equipment. She opened her eyes for a moment, staring straight at him with beautiful green and gold eyes before convulsing, knocking Embersson off balance. He broke the fall for both of them, holding her securely.
Midorri scrabbled across his body, gently poking the woman with her head, making mewling sounds.
Shoving the beast away with his elbow as he got to his feet, he observed the woman wasn’t breathing, “Tell Dr. Shane I need her down here now, with a crash cart,” he yelled to the AI as he laid the stowaway on the deck and checked for a clear airway. Ear to her chest, he detected no heartbeat.
The story:
I’m really excited to release three Sectors stories that have only been available previously in anthologies, none of which are available currently. I’ve bundled them ALL into one book with the lengthy title STAR CRUISE A NOVELLA: STOWAWAY WITH RESCUE AND GOLDEN TOKEN SHORT STORIES.
Here are the story descriptions:
Star Cruise: Stowaway: A novella of 22K words, previously in the ‘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.
Star Cruise: Rescue: A short story of 9K words, previously in the ‘Romancing the Stars’ anthology.
When a shore leave excursion goes terribly wrong for Mira Gage, a member of the Nebula Zephyr’s crew, Security Officer Clint Miltan races the clock to find her before the ship leaves orbit and abandons Mira to her fate. Clint’s got more than a professional interest in Mira, but will he be able to save her from the aliens holding her prisoner?
The Golden Token: A short story of 13K words, previously in the limited edition ‘Dealer’s Choice’ paperback anthology handed out at the 2016 RT Booklovers Convention Interstellar Bar & Grille event.
Sectors Special Forces operator Charlie McBrire had a few days to kill on a layover at Space Station 47. He never expected to find himself in the middle of a miners’ rebellion, fighting to save the life of a casino dancer he just met but can’t imagine living without.
Shew, Veronica! Thank goodness Embersson is a man of clear thinking and action! Hope the doctor hurries!
Excellent, excellent scene, full of surprise and emotion and tension.
Oh no! I knew it was something like that, but oh no!! Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
Oooh such an intriguing and nailbiting excerpt. I loved revisiting it, having thoroughly enjoyed the original! (I’m out all day Sunday so hope everyone will excuse me for being late to comment on the other posts.
What a surprise for him to discover her in the first place, then to try to get her help! A great snippet from a wonderful story! 🙂
wow, what an intense scene!
Intense scene. I remember it well. Great book. I love all your Sectors books.
Oh yes, excitement and surprises in this amazing snippet. Hugs across the country to my friend.
So the cat was right – of course! there was a problem. Exciting snippet. Tweeted.
Wow! I imagine she’s going to be okay, but can’t wait to read more of her back story. Great snippet!
Exciting and emotional!
Very intense and dramatic! You describe things so well.
oh, goodness. I’m glad the animals found her. What might have happened otherwise?
Not how I’d choose to travel but I’m guessing she had no say in the matter. Very compelling scene, Jean!!
very intense snippet. No heartbeat is usually not a good thing.
Not the discovery her was expecting, that’s for sure. (And what a mess!)
wow, that’s quite a discovery.
“A loud click echoed in the cargo bay and the seams on the crate glowed yellow, unsealing in a smooth progression along the rim.” Terrific visual writing.
Wow. Not what I expected at all! But now I’m more than intrigued. Great tease. Can’t wait for next week’s installment!
Tense and exciting scene! Love how Midorri is trying to provide comfort in the middle of it all.
WHOA, I hope she’s alright! Nice snippet regardless!
Great scene. Lots of emotion. Great imagery!
The glowing yellow seam made me tense up. Then to discover the woman. Holy cow! Good thing Embersson hadn’t gone to bed. She wouldn’t have made it.
And this is a good reason why you can’t transport people this way. Hope his quick thinking saves her life!
Quite an introduction!
Whoa. Intense scene. Hopefully, she’ll be all right in the end.