Now taking excerpts from LANDON: A BADARI WARRIORS SCIFI ROMANCE NOVEL, which was just released on Jan 31st. If you want to find out what happened to Daegan and Flo, which is the book I was excerpting, you’ll have to buy the book LOL.
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!)
Punctuation may be wonky to comply with our guidelines here. May be edited a bit from published version.
If you haven’t read any of my Badari Warriors series: Genetically engineered soldiers of the far future, the Badari were created by alien enemies to fight humans. But then the scientists kidnapped an entire human colony from the Sectors to use as subjects in twisted experiments…the Badari and the humans made common cause, rebelled and escaped the labs. Now they live side by side in a sanctuary valley protected by a powerful Artificial Intelligence, and wage unceasing war on the aliens.
The excerpt – from the opening of the book, continuing on from where I stopped last week:
A scraping sound echoed down the corridor. Mandy shook her head. Great now I’m having hallucinations.
The sound came again and she heard a protracted cough. She pulled herself to her knees, trying to see more of the hall, “Please, is anyone there? Can you let us out? We’re dying in here!”
Silence.
More coughing, which sounded as if the person was hacking up their lungs.
Shuffling footsteps.
VS: That’s 10 sentences but here’s the rest of the snippet (since you’ve been waiting so long to see any hope for Mandy and her fellow prisoners):
“Lords of Space, there’s someone out there,” she whispered. Mandy glanced into the rear of the cell, where her fellow humans were lying in their cots or sitting at the table and decided not to arouse hopes which might be false. Please, please, please let this be real. Raising her voice, she yelled again. “Hello? Who’s out there? Will you help us?”
A Khagrish lab tech staggered into view, literally holding herself up by clutching at the wall. Her green coat was stained and she was barefoot. Her pink hair was lank and hanging to her shoulders, framing a shockingly pale face where her eyes burned like coals, sunken into her head. Mandy held her breath. This woman had been in the lab when she was taken for bizarre surgical tests, done without anesthesia and then reversed after the scientists made their notes and Mandy screamed and screamed.
Surely this Khagrishi wouldn’t use her dying breath to help the humans. Was she here to taunt them? Or worse?
VS: What do you think, readers? I’ll continue from here next week…
The blurb: When unexpected circumstances give her a chance to escape from an alien scientist’s lab after she’s been tortured, Mandy Rennegar knew she should run for the hills with the other prisoners. There’s one more special captive who hasn’t been freed, however, and she decides to risk everything to help him. Mandy’s not leaving anyone behind.
Captured by the enemy on a scouting trip, Landon of the Badari has been pushed beyond his limits of sanity and strength by the Khagrish experiments and waits to die…until the human woman sets him free and takes him into the wilderness with her on a desperate trek to freedom. If he could only regain his memory, he’s sure there’s a sanctuary on the planet where his people could help them both.
As Mandy and Landon flee the pursuing Khagrish new challenges arise, including secrets from the past which could destroy the growing attraction between them. Difficult choices have to be made, putting Mandy’s life at risk and Landon discovers the Khagrish have left a lasting mark on his mind.
Will they reach the Badari sanctuary in time? Can their love survive Mandy’s revelations? Will the Alpha of the Badari give them a chance to be together or will he allow her to die when Landon risks everything to save his fated mate?
I definitely got the shivers reading your snippets from week to week. Major hugs my friend.
Oh man, that’s definitely the question. Is this a blessing or a curse? Great snippet, Veronica.
I’m hoping this Khagrish woman redeems her race a bit, though I can’t say my hopes are up.
I don’t know what to think. But if the Khagrish are all ill, I worry whether the humans will soon be infected, too.
This reader thinks that one week is a reeeeaaaly long time. lol
I think she’ll release them, that she’s confused from her illness, that a fever-induced delirium will work in the prisoners’ favor.
Okay. I don’t really think that–I just hope it. We all know that the Khagrish are just plain evil…
Fair enough question, although a bit scary.
Uh oh…you still leave us hanging here. *pouts* 😉 Great snippet
So the scientist we knew was sick is now actually dying. I don’t think she intends to help, but might accidentally facilitate their release. (I do like when characters from other books show up in later volumes!). Great snippet from your new book!
Yikes! Is this mysterious individual bringing rescue or more problems? Way to keep us hanging, Jean!
Not good at all. Is this sickness infectious? Will she help or not?
Maybe she needs their help for some reason? Can’t imagine she’d drag herself down there for altruistic purposes.
That was chilling.
Tweeted.
Oh dear, one minute her hopes are raised (slightly) now they seem to be dashed again. Nothing like being kept in suspense is there! 🙂 Great snippet!
I’d like to think that somewhere along the line she developed a heart, but it seems unlikely. Great cliffhanger.
I can’t imagine the desperation of the humans, Mandy, esp. To be locked up when their captors are dead or dying. A frightful way to die. You do a great job with showing that desperation.
I’m not sure who’s worse off, Mandy or that woman. Excellent descriptions, especially at the end.
I hope she helps. What a scary situation to feel there is no escape.
Love the tension. Hope they get out in time!
Keep smiling,
Yawatta
oh gosh, I can feel her caught between wanting the Khagrish woman to help and never wanting to see her again. You’ve got me totally invested in the outcome of the scene!
I almost feel sorry for the Khagrish. Almost. I hope she does actually help.