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!)
May be edited a bit from published version.
We’ve left JAMOKAN and moved on to my newly released novel COLONY ON FIRE.
I’ve jumped ahead a little bit. Saffia and Micah open the interstellar cargo carrier to see her ‘new’ (refurbished) mobile medical clinic. The excerpt:
The panel slid open, revealing the interior of the cargo hauler. Saffia’s new acquisition was a tight fit, securely grav clamped in place to avoid problems during delivery from the main cargo ship far above in orbit.
“Hurry up,” she said, fidgeting. “I want to see the whole thing and take it for a test drive.”
Micah activated the hauler’s systems and a moment later the huge vehicle Saffia had purchased slid out of the interior on an antigrav sled and smoothly settled to the surface of the landing pad as the servos detached and zipped inside to their roosts.
Saffia stood stunned. She’d known the mobile clinic would be large but the ground vehicle in front of her was massive. “I’m not sure I’m prepared for this.”
Micah wagged a finger at her. “No second thoughts now. You already spent your entire bonus budget allotment on this beauty so you’d better love it.”
“Her.” She held out her hand and he tossed her the remote control for the hatches and doors.
As she caught the objects, nearly dropping them in her impatient mood, he tilted his head and raised one eyebrow. “Her? Like a ship? Does she have a name then?”
“Gretchen. She looks like a Gretchen to me.” After entering the proper data to identify herself as the owner of record, Saffia took a deep breath and pushed the button to command the unit to unlock.
Micah drew closer to her as they stood in the hot sun and watched the unit deploy its awnings and extensions, which took about three minutes, and nearly tripled the space Saffia would have available to handle patients beyond the basic confines of the mobile unit. The red lights on the top whirled, a siren sounded and the door popped open invitingly.
COLONY ON FIRE: HAVEN COLONY BOOK TWO
When she came to Haven Two Dr. Saffia Mandell expected to grimly do her five years of medical service as the colony’s only doctor, work off her medical school debt and leave. Then she’d fallen in love, handled an epidemic and become an accepted member of the community. Now, in her second year, she faces new challenges as the tinder dry planet heads into a fire season and a mysterious food allergy threatens the local restaurant’s reputation.
Chief Ranger Micah Navonn of the Calinurra never expected to fall in love with a human woman but Saffia was a special person who captured his heart and now means everything to him. Not all of his people are as enthusiastic about the situation and his efforts to handle the politics are getting complicated. Add to that an infestation by insects from another world, causing portions of the forest to die off and his plate is full.
When the jet stream shifts course and the fires rage, will the colonists and the Calinurra set aside their differences? With Saffia’s life hanging in the balance, can Micah arrive in time to save her and the colonists in jeopardy?
Life on Haven Two never lets up.
Wow, that sounds like an exciting and very useful acquisition for Saffia! I’d be buzzing with joy!
I could so easily visualize this entire scene. Loved it! And I think the name Gretchen is very fitting. Great work! 🙂
That sounds like a great clinic! Many doctors and nurses working in the field would be ecstatic with something so big and modern.
Interest snippet
Time to take Gretchen for a joy ride!
She’s so excited! I don’t blame her. What a treasure.
I forgot to sign up and my post is up. https://dianeburton.blogspot.com/
I had to chuckle about the name she came up with. I’m sure that choosing ‘Gretchen’ says a lot about how she feels about that name, but I’ll be darned if I know what.
Sounds like a huge investment. And what a cool “toy” for her to take for a spin. I love that she’s named it. I named my first car Gertrude!
Sounds like a lot of work ahead!
That’s quite a clinic she has there. I love the name Gretchen.
I hope she has some time to play around with her new ship and acclimate it before having to put it to use for a real emergency.
Gretchen seems like a handy, no-nonsense kind of gal, but I’m guessing she probably has her quirks. 😉
What a wonderful clinic. No wonder she is excited.
Sounds like a fun new toy! I hope the refurbishing doesn’t cause problems.