dream

When I wake up in the morning and can't wait to get to my computer, I suppose that is a good thing. This morning I had to find pen and paper while the dogs were eating their breakfast - way before anyone should have to be awake - to write down the idea that had come to me during the hazy minutes right before I was fully awake.
Hopefully that idea will work out as well as it sounds in my head.


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Chapter 3

                *********

                When the Alarm Klaxon sounded to indicate that we were entering Hyperspace, I silently thanked the Captain for the warning. I got up and stepped over to the window to watch, as the Draco slowly turned, the Stars outside sliding past us. As we moved faster and faster, the Stars began to blur, and suddenly there was a moment of blackness, as though all the lights in the Universe had been shut down. But then, sight returned and outside were the beautiful multicolored ribbons that meant we were in Hyperspace. I let my breath out in a long sigh, with relief as well as appreciation for the beauty of it. The ribbons, flowing past, separating and merging as we sped through them, seemed almost alive, conscious. Hypnotic.

                Tearing my eyes away from the view, I turned back to my desk. We had work to do. There was a Colony that wouldn’t have any food soon if we didn’t figure out what had happened to their Hydroponics Lab.

                “Mr. Parker, have you found anything yet?”

                “Not yet, Doctor. There is not much data on this Colony Six. We may need to wait until Headquarters is able to get us our supplies.”

                “All right then, do the best you can. You have other projects to work on as well. Thank you...”

                There was something, something unfamiliar in my mind. I shook my head and tried to focus on it. There were strangers aboard. The Admiral’s men, could that be it? Why would they have so abruptly invaded my thoughts? We’d had visitors before, and we often transported Officers from other Ships. There were strangers and aliens on the planets we visited. What was different about these? My eyes closed as I tried to focus. Nothing unusual came to me, in fact the more I directed my energy, the further away the sensations became.

                “All right, Elizabeth, this is ridiculous. You don’t have time for this. When the time comes, you will be introduced to these investigators. Don’t anticipate trouble. These are Fleet Officers, sent by the Admiral, after all.”

                With a mental shake, and a tug at my shirt, I went through into the main Lab to see what my Team was up to.

Three

The story is writing itself again. That said, it's still only half complete. Probably because I like to get most of the conversations and scenes set as I go. I'm not good at leaving things as an outline.

Anyway, below is the next Interregnum. Enjoy. Chapter 3 will most likely follow tomorrow.

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                The young girl is kneeling in the garden, covered in dusty dirt, her arms elbow-deep in the soil as she digs. She is creating a bed for her newest acquisition, a lovely flowering plant with heart-shaped leaves. Her mind is completely focused on her work, until something forces its way into her consciousness. She wipes sweat from her forehead with the back of her arm as she looks around, startled by the arrival of a stranger.

                “Hello. Who are you?” She stares at the man, something about him makes her uneasy.

                The man, dark and stocky with a humorless face, stares back at her. He is wondering what in the Universe his bosses could have been thinking, sending him on this mission. This girl is nothing special, she seems perfectly content digging in the dirt here in the wilderness of the Northern Province.

                The girl keeps staring at him, frowning as she feels his disregard for her. She stands, brushing her hands on her pants, and goes over to him. Her eyes are so very dark and deep. He cannot help but meet her gaze, but only for a moment. He drops his eyes.

                “I am here to make an offer to you and your parents. Where are they?”

                “They are in the house.” She nods in the direction of the homestead. “What kind of offer?”

                The man recovers his composure and says, slowly, “The kind that will change your life, young lady. Shall we go?” He offers his hand, cringing even as he does so, she is so very dirty from gardening.

                She hesitates before accepting his hand. His contempt is very much at the forefront of his mind. She knows that she makes people uncomfortable, but it is not often that they are so open about their unease. Then she realizes that he doesn’t know about her. That makes it worse still. His feelings for her are not because of her abilities, he simply doesn’t think she is worth anything at all. She takes a deep breath and holds it for a moment as she has been taught, then slowly lets it out, calming her mind.

                They walk back toward the house, a young girl just ready to graduate with honors from Secondary School, and an older man, cynical and contemptuous of anything he does not understand. She has an urge to show him just what she can do, but she knows it will not help him, and she knows it will only disappoint her parents.

                Arriving at the house, the girl shows the man to a chair in the large, comfortable living area, then calls to her parents. They both enter, their emotions in turmoil as they realize who this man is and what he wants. They know that their girl is ready to move on with the next phase of her education, but they are not ready to let her go, not yet.

                “Mom? What is wrong?”

                “Liz, this gentleman is here to offer you a place at University. Isn’t that right, sir?”

                The man looks from one to the other in surprise. How did they know?

                “Indeed, yes, Ma’am. Miss Elizabeth has earned a full scholarship, and the University has asked that she be admitted immediately.”

                “But she is too young! She is not ready!”

                The girl feels the conflict in her parents’ minds. They know she is ready to advance. It is they who are not ready. But she also knows that it is her decision. She does not want to leave her friends behind, but if it means heading to Central Province, home of Federation Headquarters...

                “I am ready, Dad. Really. Sir, what do you need me to do?”

                Again, there is no-one to note the day. It continues like any other in the Universe, only these few immediately affected by the import of the events taking place.

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Candle at both ends

Working a story from the beginning and middle at the same time is rather difficult. Since my work was in limbo for so long, some of the details had grown a bit blurred. During the editing of the first few chapters I've been making new notes, on paper! I need to remind myself of the main characters' histories, the various new characters' personalities and loyalties, and to keep a record of the timeline. Perhaps this should have been done prior to beginning again, but that is not how I work.
My style, for the good or not, is to just type what comes into my head. The small details and descriptions can be added at a later time. The important bit is to keep a grip on the story itself and not let later events conflict with what is already known. I don't know how others work - it doesn't matter, really. One has to work in a way that makes sense to oneself. In my case, I am continuing on from where the story had left off many months ago, as well as reviewing and semi-editing the first chapters to post here.

... moving on... next chapter

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Chapter 2

                **********

        

                The Alarm Klaxon sounded, a quick burst that meant we were getting ready to leave orbit. I touched my communicator, the beautiful little brooch in the shape of our Draco.

                “Captain?”

               “Yes, Elizabeth. We have been assigned to follow these Agrints, and find out where they have been hiding all this time. The Admiral is sending a couple of his investigators to join us.”

                After a moment’s hesitation, reaching out to his feelings and receiving nothing more than the normal tension, I said, “All right then, Captain. Will you be able to rest while we wait? It’s still the middle of the night, you know.”

                The amusement came through loud and clear, not only in his voice. “I will be down shortly. I must set things in order here first. You go on to bed, my dear. You have had a busy night yourself.” The amusement gave way to anxiety, anxiety for me.
                My attempt to soothe him was met with gratitude, but it was not very effective. He would continue to be concerned for me, at least until we knew more about what was really happening.

                I went into our lounge to make sure everything was in order. The stars moved slowly outside the huge windows. My plants in their decorative pots sat in rows on the floor, around and near the big comfy sofa. I checked the watering system, then, satisfied for the time being, shut the light and let the door slide shut behind me.

                Our quarters had been the Captain’s alone before we were married. Since I had moved in, I had tried to make the rooms as homelike as possible. There were, of course, plants and greenery in every available place. We now had leafy small topiary by the fireplace, flower pots on the desk, hanging planters by the windows and next to the bed. I even had a flowering fern-like plant hanging in the Refresh. Between my plants, the most comfortable furniture we could replicate, and the mantel and bureau covered with photos and the Captain’s awards, it had become more home to me than anywhere I had ever lived before.

                The bed was calling me. It was past the middle of the night, almost morning, in fact, and I had gotten almost no sleep. Added to the fact of being awakened so abruptly and harshly, it was no wonder my eyelids were so heavy. I had projects and reports waiting for me in my office, there was Lab-work to be overseen, and I needed to be refreshed in case my Captain needed my help. Looking at the timepiece over the desk, I saw that it was Zero Four Thirty. There were a few hours still before I had to be back at work. After one more stretch and some cleansing breaths, I climbed into the bed, burrowed under the covers, and was asleep in seconds.

Interregnum Two

As the storyline continues forward, the backstory has to be expanded as well. The characters all have a history which makes them who they are... and during the writing of this current work, I found myself making various notes in a style that lent itself to being included in the story. Here is the second of these intervals, and there will be more fit in between various chapters as the story progresses.

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                A tall, somber young man walks briskly down the stark corridor. He is wearing a new, unfamiliar uniform and it doesn’t quite fit properly. His soft black hair is newly cropped, and he runs his hand over it, frowning to himself. He is glancing around, watching the people he passes, trying to see if they are watching him. His eyes are quite unusual, an intense deep grey, striking against his fair skin. They seem to see everything, notice everything, even as he keeps walking down the corridor.

                A deep, officious voice says, “And where are you headed, Mr. Bianchi?”

                The owner of the voice is just ahead. The young man straightens his shoulders, and tugs at his uniform jacket as he stops and waits, saluting the speaker as he comes closer. The clean white walls seem to echo with the varied whispers of the people going about their varied business.

                The tall blond man with the serious face looks sternly down at the dark-haired young man. His uniform is freshly pressed, his medals polished, his hair smooth.

                The young man’s voice is more composed than he feels as he answers, “To the Orientation, Sir. I was just given my orders. Sir.”

                “You are late, you know. The class has already begun.”

                The young man frowns again. His hands clench into fists as he debates with himself about what to say next.

                “I am sorry, Captain, Sir. It won’t happen again.” He lowers his head, his eyes sparkling with defiance.

                He does not mention the dreams that have been plaguing his sleep for many nights. He does not understand them, and does not want this superior Officer to think badly of him. He vows to never again be in a position of having to explain himself, when he cannot.

                The Officer looks down at the young man, wanting to smile but unable to show his feelings. He glances around at the people of the Academy, passing by without any visible reaction. They are going about their daily lives, uncaring about these two men, one an experienced Officer, one a new recruit on his first day. They each have a class to teach, or to attend, and are focused on their own concerns.

                “All right, Mr. Bianchi. Go on to your class. I expect to hear a good report of your performance. I recommended you for this, don’t let me down.”

                The young man looks up, his eyes clear and calm. He is confident. He knows this day is the beginning of what he has been working toward ever since he can remember. He has graduated at the top of his class at University, he has no doubts about what his future is to be. His shoulders are square and solid, his head held high.

                “Absolutely not, Sir. You won’t be sorry, I promise... Sir.”

                He salutes the Officer respectfully, waits for the nod of approval, then turns and continues on his way down the corridor.

               

                None of the myriad of Humans in the corridor, or anywhere else at the Academy, notes the momentousness of this day. It passes by like any other, without fanfare.

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regarding Chapter One

This story is a continuation, although I feel that it will stand perfectly well on its own.
The first two novels will most likely be combined into one as the second follows so closely from the first and neither is extraordinarily lengthy.

There is a great deal of emotion, naturally, in the writing of such a story. Between the characters and the action, the words and the feelings evoked - my own and theirs - there has to be a connection or else the story will not come together. This particular adventure has been a couple of years in my head due to various factors. The general outline is worked out, the ending is known to me :) and as I type the details become clear.
Keep in mind, however, as you read, that this version is "as I write" and has not been particularly edited except for spelling and grammar (mostly).
As usual, I ask for constructive criticisms and advice. Feedback will be greatly appreciated.

O

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Chapter 1

                “NO! Don’t leave, please!”

                Awakening in a panic, heart pounding, I sat up in the bed, clutching the blanket in shaking fingers. Disengaging my tight grip, slowly, painfully, I felt around me, not certain what was happening, trying to focus. My fingers met resistance, something warm and familiar.

                “I’m here, Elizabeth, I’m here,” a voice said. I shook my head, trying to focus on that voice, trying to place it. “Come back to me, please, Elizabeth.”

                The fog in my brain slowly began to lift, and my eyes began to clear. Something touched my shoulder, I shrank away. An arm, it was an arm, persistent, wrapping around me, pulling me close to...

                “Paolo? What happened?”

                My husband, kneeling on the bed next to me, had both arms now holding me close. His face was clouded with worry, his deep grey eyes focused intently on mine as I turned to face him. He was still wearing his uniform, which meant that I had not been asleep for very long. Even the Captain would have changed out of his uniform if he had been lounging in his quarters getting ready for bed.

                “You called me, my dear. You were fearful, I had to be with you. I do not know any more than that. You woke almost as soon as I arrived. Although, you were apparently not quite awake until just now. What do you remember?” His voice shook as his own fear surfaced. The fear was for me, resonating through me just as though it were my own.

                In the dimly lit dark of our bedroom I could just barely make out the shadows of the bed curtains, framing the room beyond. The hanging planters near the large windows drew my attention, even though they were not actually visible other than as vague shapes. There was neither sound nor movement, just a quick diversion of attention. It was quickly overtaken by the more immediate issue at hand.

                My instinct took over and I gave my husband as much comforting warmth as I had in me at that moment. That very act was comforting to me as well, as I allowed myself to feel the soothing warmth as it flowed through me to him. His arms somewhat relaxed their intense grip on me, but still kept me close against his body. The fabric of his Federation uniform felt scratchy, rough against my bare skin, but I didn’t move.  We sat there for a brief moment, and my mind wandered ever so slightly.

As always I was taken by the contrast between us, both in our choice of career and in our physical appearance. My brown skin and eyes, slender yet muscled body and small stature is what can only be considered a complement to my Captain’s fair complexion and tall powerful presence. As a Botanist, having athletic tendencies is a helpful thing, it allows me to do my own “gardening”, so to speak. Having thick dark hair and shapely breasts and legs is a bonus which comes with genetics, as well as the disciplines of Yoga and Tai Chi. I realized that my mind was procrastinating, so I took a deep cleansing breath and let it out very slowly as  my thoughts coalesced.

His deep grey eyes shifted to look at me as he waited for me to speak.

I thought carefully, as my heartbeat and my breath slowed, encouraging his to do so as well.

                “It was dark, Paolo, dark as Space. But there was someone there.” My head was clearing, I could just almost see who it had been. “There was something familiar about them, but I knew that I had never met them before. Their feelings were so clear. So clear. And there was something else... it’s gone now.” I shut my eyes, focusing on the memory. “So powerful, immensely powerful. But also somehow vulnerable.”

A hesitation, then, “And my arm burned.”

                There was the slightest sense of surprise, accompanied by concern. Not a trace of fear left. My Captain was again in control, and his strength bolstered mine. His fingers stroked down my arm, my left arm, and  he once again tightened his hold on me. His lips brushed my cheek and softly moved down to my neck, tingly heat following. He spoke against my skin, ever so gently.

                “And you do not know who they are? Do you suppose they are real? You have been contacted in the past...You have been given true visions before.”

                “I have no way to know for sure, Captain. But it certainly did feel like the real thing!” The memories were swirling around my head now, but as I focused harder, they grew more distant, almost purposefully. I shook my head again, and curled up closer to my husband, reaching out to his loving warmth as he opened himself up to me.

                But as I allowed myself to relax into his embrace, just as he was moving his lips once again down my neck, we both suddenly tensed. There was a feeling, a feeling of chill in the air, a cold breeze that cut through my head like an icicle. I felt it in my bones, in my heart, and I knew that the Captain felt it as well. He is not Sympath as I am. But we have that special connection between us, and when we need to we are able to share our feelings, and thoughts. The freezing cold intensified, and my eyesight grew dim as my head filled with fog. My hands grabbed for his. The full impact of his alarm, renewed, swept through me as I slipped back into the darkness of the dream. But this time was different. This time, I was not alone.

here I go

It was a long frustrating experience, not having access to my work. All of my documents, all of my STUFF, have been trapped inside a hard drive that I could not use for months. Computers are a wondrous tool. However, when they break, or in my case burn out, it is mind-boggling to find out how much you rely on them. To have all of my documents, pictures, emails lost to me... and yet right at my fingertips, so to speak, has to have been one of the more exasperating chapters of recent memory.
But thanks to my husband, I now have my STUFF back, and I am looking forward to being able to get back to work.

This blog is going to be a sounding board and editor for my latest endeavor, which at this moment has no official title. The working title is Blue Planet, subject to change of course. This will be the third in my series and it has been burning my brain for months now, stalled by the fact that I did not have the document available to check my "facts" against the prior work. The first 2 novels are also slated to be reworked, as I have gotten feedback on the first-timer mistakes and editing.

So, without further ado, a sample:

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Interregnum One

                A small girl is running down a brightly lit corridor, dressed in a dreary grey coverall, her booted feet clanging on the metal floor. Her skin is medium brown, her hair dark and curly, her eyes deep and mysterious. She is looking for someone, examining every person she passes. The people walking by are curious, wondering what this girl is doing by herself in the corridor, in the middle of a work day. She ignores their curiosity and keeps going.

                Suddenly, the girl’s face lights up. She turns her head from side to side, furrowing her smooth little brow in concentration. Her dark eyes shift, and she spins around.
                “Cap’n Jonathan!” She runs to him, a tall man with blond hair, dressed in an immaculate uniform with medals pinned to the chest.
                He stops and waits for her to run up to him, and smiles down at her as he picks her up.
                “Hello, Lizzie. Have you been looking for me?”
                Her voice squeaks with excitement as she nods and says, “Aye, Sir! Where have you been? Mama and Daddy have been saying you were going to be here for days now!”
                “I’m sorry, Little Lady, but you know I have to go where my Ship goes, and when. I can’t change that, not even for you.” He hugs her again, then sets her back on her feet with a tousle of her hair.
                The working people of the Colony Unit continue to walk past these two, concentrating on their various missions. The girl’s deep brown eyes dart from one to another to another, her small body trembling with the effort as she tries to ignore what she feels from them. She shakes her head.
                “Yes, Sir, I know.” Her face clouds for a moment, then she looks up with a bright smile. “But I felt when you arrived! I knew you were here, and I told them...”
                “You know you’re not supposed to do that, Lizzie. You shouldn’t let people know when you feel things like that. It makes them uncomfortable.” He gazes at her with concern.
                Her face falls, her eyes drop, she stares at her feet. “‘I’m sorry, Sir.”
                He gets down on one knee and takes her tiny hands in his big strong ones. “But I have good news for you, and your parents. Where are they?”
                “Working, Sir. In the plant on Level Two.”
                “Let’s go get them, then. We have much to discuss. Your life is about to change, my dear girl.”
                Her head lifts,  and she looks at him carefully, her face brightening. Her lips open as though to speak, but she closes them tightly. The tension of not telling him what she senses shows in the quiver of her lips, the growing flush of her cheeks. Finally, all she says is, “Yes, let’s.”

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                This is the first of many such intervals in this work. It is a different style from the previous books, but as the story progresses it will become obvious why it is appropriate. Chapter One to follow shortly.

Constructive criticisms and advice are appreciated as we go along.

Thanks for reading. More soon!

O