Welcome to weekend writing warriors. Many fine authors, and me, contribute short snippets for your delectation.
I was getting a bit stuck with Regency fiction, and decided to try hard SF. Swords and spaceships, no rayguns (yet), but plenty of action and as long as I’m logically consistent I don’t have to worry about historical accuracy (which is problematic as even the authorities disagree about what it was really like).
It seems to be working, the words are (so far) flying off my fingers and into the book.
In any case, here’s the start – a new midshipman is having her first session of weapons training on her first ship. Her instructor is not exactly impressed.
The chief put his lips to her forehead, “Damn-me, you’re still hot lass;” He stepped back and spritzed her with ice water, “Can’t have a Middy dropping dead from heatstroke; not on her first day of training.”
The sweat streaming from her, Terry said, “I don’t get it; why the practice.”
“You did your training on Terra, didn’t thee?”
“Yes, Annapolis, then Colorado Springs; you know that.”
“Thought so; bloody ground pounder.”
“I can put you on report.”
“Not your training chief, you can’t;” This time the older man put the back of his hand on her forehead, “You’re getting better,” He sprayed her again, “Now that the gravity’s back.”
Terry stood and tried to stare the old man down; he laughed, “You’re not the first I’ve trained. Now sit, and that’s an order.”
“But… I excelled in weapons in the Academy, that and.”
“Lass,” the chief drew a deep breath; “If you hadn’t been top of your class, you would’na have been posted to the Serapis; no ground pounder would have.”
There is a reason she’s having to learn to use a sword well in zero gravity, but that will have to wait for another installment.
I’ve put up a couple of things on instafreebie. The first is a short story, To Court a Dragon.
The second is the start of a science fiction story in the same universe as Cynthia the Invincible, but set in 1893 Dartmoor, The Curious Case of Miss James. It’s available on Amazon.
The Art of Deception, first in a series of late Georgian/early Regency spy novels is now up.. You can get the first part here.
Oh man, he got a kiss in? This is going to be a tense trainer/trainee relationship! lol Good snippet.
Taking her temperature, but a kiss is a kiss. Thank you.
If words are flying off your fingers, I’d say switching genres was a wise choice . . . provided your fingernails stay put. Have a great New Year, Amelia!
Thank you.
Interesting change of genre for you! Best wishes with the story and Happy New Year!
Thank you.
Definitely a major shift from Regency, but you’ve got interesting characters with interesting problems. Bravo! I could not deal with world-building from the ground up! Good luck and Happy New Year!
Thank you. I was just blocking – a sure sign of time for a switch. did almost 10000 (decent) words in the first weekend.
Looks like you’re off to a good start with your switching genres. Great snippet.
Happy New Year!
And you too Thank you.
He shouldn’t be able to insult her, no matter his position. But life isn’t fair, is it? I bet she shows him what she’s made of!
Thank you. Chief Ames is a curious character, and he is taunting her – something like a drill sergeant (not that they have those).