For Pride month, I’m posting daily from the first chapter. Pre-order links below.
The story continues…
“Space isn’t about heights. And how about letting me see my hand in front of my face.”
“Projection, 100 percent,” Ani commanded. “Lights up 30 percent.”
The planet shrank to a life-size view. And the lights revealed empty seats next to Ghez. One for helm, Ani’s usual seat, another auxiliary, and one to the right of the command chair. Endurance kept Earth–Baker Island time, so it was night and since they were in orbit for the next week, down to a skeleton crew.
Ghez swiveled in nir seat. “Good evening, Captain. I’ve spotted another ship in our sector.”
“Where?”
“Too small for visual. A research vessel.” Ne swung back to nir console. “ID is RV Mars Jedica, out of the Lavenza Institute.”
“Not our problem. Especially if we can’t see it. Research vessels have a separate contract. So where’s our big, annoying friend?”
“You sure you want me zooming in?” Ani asked.
Lyn met the tease with a half-smile. “Let’s get some evidence. Zoom and capture.”
Ani gave the voice commands, and the glowing dot grew. Soon the luxury space cruiser sat before them, Saturn’s surface glowing in the background. Lyn had seen the ship in orbit above Clarke Terminal at Baker Island, Earth Control’s main launch site in the Pacific. With nineteen decks—compared to Endurance’s five—and eight thousand passengers and crew, the Jupiter-class cruiser was too big to dock at the space elevator or maintain low orbit, so its passengers were ferried from the terminal.
To be continued…
If you like what you see, Endurance is now available for pre-orders of ebooks:
Elaine Burnes 