Just continuing with the SF story, Kaleo is meeting Aneirin’s brother for the first time
Rhisart grinned at the impertinence, shaking his head. “Just what do you expect from my brother?”
Kaleo sat back, and Aneirin was equally shocked by the question. Kaleo ran his fingers through his short hair, an unconscious action which made Aneirin’s pulse leap. Damn it all to hell. He should kick Pherick in the star clusters for giving him such a temptation.
“I don’t know. I hope he keeps his words and doesn’t send me back for reconditioning. I expect he will decide to use me as a Toy, even if he says he won’t.” Kaleo twisted in the chair so he could study Aneirin. “Maybe he won’t. I don’t know him well yet, but I do know people aren’t as good as they pretend. That can’t just be in the slums, can it?”
I don’t have the spoons to do more than post this up so I’m back to Kaleo and Aneirin’s story. Aneirin is introducing Kaleo to his brother.
Kaleo kept his eyes on Rhisart as he edge into the room. Aneirin pointed to the chair next to his. “Have a seat,” he said, fearing the young man would stand there, frozen. Aneirin knew Kaleo still expected he would be used by Aneirin and whoever he invited to the party. He could hardly blame the young man for his lack of trust.
“Kaleo, this is my older brother, Rhisart.” Aneirin waved a hand at his brother.
“Hello sir.” Kaleo put his back against the wall, not moving until Aneirin patted the chair he wanted Kaleo to sit in. Aneirin resisted the urge to reach out to calm him. Kaleo didn’t know him any better than he did Rhisart, and it would probably lack the comfort Aneirin intended.
I’m sitting and worrying because today is warm and the snow has melted but then it’s supposed to go way down with that polar vortex and snow tomorrow which wouldn’t be a problem as I’m off on MLK day. However I have a minor back procedure scheduled 40 miles away that day. Wanna bet I won’t be making that.
I’m back to the SF story. Aneirin is talking to his older brother Rhisart about Kaleo (and thanks to those who stopped in to tell me they were glad to see these guys back again)
Rhisart looked as disturbed as Aneirin felt. “Isn’t Ekain part of the Toyless movement? You could talk to him.”
“He’s out on a spice run. You know how he is about keeping a hand in the business. He won’t be back until I go Planet-side but I’ll be talking to him.” Aneirin took another sip, hoping for a miracle jolt from the drink but no such luck. “Do you want to meet him?”
Rhisart grinned, leaning forward on his chair. “Naturally. Mom wanted to see him, too, but she had to go to Earth.”
Doing this in a rush. At least my power stayed on in spite of all the snow so I am grateful and this is my last day off after being on sabbatical. Probably not prepared to go back to work.
I’m just going to jump back into the sci fi wip. Aneirin is the wealthy scientist and Kaleo, born on a prison planet and was kidnapped and converted to basically a living sex toy (to a level neither man is aware of when Aneirin is given him as a present he very much doesn’t want) Here’s way more than 5 sentences setting up the situation (Pherick is the friend who bought Kaleo)
“Pherick really dropped you into it this time.” Rhisart took a sip of his drink as he lounged back in his chair. He nearly toppled a piece of Mishani art off the end table trying to set his drink down. Aneirin knew he had a few too many pieces of art lying around. Drink settled, Rhisart stared at his brother as if expecting horns or a third eye to burst from Aneirin’s face.
“Yes, he did. I’ve been trying to find out more about the whole Toy scene. Everything I’ve come across says they’re volunteers, trying to better themselves.” Aneirin rubbed his tired eyes. He had spent most of the night working on his latest project, and worrying about what to do with Kaleo. He hadn’t expected Rhisart to show up quite this fast.
“Funny way to accomplish that.” His brother shrugged. “I think Mom still has some of Dad’s information on it. You know how he felt.”
“He’d be so disappointed in me right now, but what could I do? They told me if I didn’t accept him, they’d take him back as defective and recondition him. I don’t know exactly what it means, but it obviously scares the hell out of Kaleo. I can’t imagine what can scare a boy from the slums so much.” Aneirin quaffed some of his energy drink but it did little to fight off his lack of sleep.
Starting the new year with an old novella that I haven’t shared in a while mostly because I still love this story (and I’m in no headspace for anything new. My uncle is being moved to hospice monday (storm allowing) His cancer is winning. I don’t think it’ll be long now.)
Modified and Sacred is a space opera novella paying homage to some of the stories that inspired me as a child, Star Trek & Star Wars. Meet the soldier, Addison.
Fyria promised peace, hanging like a blue-green, white-smudged jewel in the starship Turing’s view screen. Addison wondered if Fyria’s peace would be one more broken promise. Living a life stuffed full of fractured vows, he remained leery of new pledges. He’d never been in this little pocket of the galaxy and knew the bare minimum about the Fyrians. Captain Valdis Sigmundsson swiveled her chair around to eye him. The fine lines around her eyes and lips always set him at ease. He knew this face well, though he knew the visage best on Admiral Hilde Sigmundsson, Valdis’s identical twin. Hilde had saved him all those years ago and sponsored him through the academy. He’d do anything for the twins and had been honored to serve with Valdis.
Blurb: Lieutenant Addison Hunt is proud to serve the Confederation even if he still feels like he’s on the outside looking in. Addison was illegally genetically modified as a child, leaving him burdened with a sense of shame. Emotionally isolated from his fellow crewmen and recovering from injuries from his last job, Addison is happy to have light duty transporting an esteemed diplomat to a peace conference.
Deveral is one of the Sacred Kin, possessing a psychic ability that his people consider a spark of the divine. Like all the Sacred Kin, he’s led a sheltered life as a temple priest, but his heightened empathic ability makes him the perfect diplomat. Nervous to leave his home, he’s curious about his new companion, Lieutenant Hunt.
Not everyone wants the diplomatic mission to succeed, and a rebel faction poses a real threat to Addison and Deveral. Finding themselves cast adrift on a “lost” colony, they’ll have to fight to stay alive.
Jana Denardo 