Plug & I, an Offworlders story, now available
For some time now, you’ve probably seen the “coming soon” notice for science fiction short stories on my publications page. The first, Plug & I, is now available in ebook on Amazon. It’s about 6500 words– a short read of 20-25 pages. Because it’s short, it’s available for $0.99. Or you can read it for free if you are part of Kindle Unlimited. It won’t be available in physical form until there are some stories to bundle with it. It is the first new science fiction Offworlders story available.
Here’s the book description:
Far out on the edge of Strikken-controlled space, a human who calls himself Plug joins the short-term crew of a mining ship. The Deep Sky Company hauler DSC18 is piloted by a slow-rider, a species naturally able to connect into the machine and operate the ship via thought. This slow-rider has led hundreds of humans over his years at the helm. But what’s a pilot do when the genetically modified Plug wants to change things up?
So the idea is that this is one of a series of linked short stories. Several are already drafted, but I’m still editing them.
Some background on this sci fi universe:
The Strikken are a militant species that (for lack of a better term) have superhuman characteristics. They’re not violent for the sake of being violent. But they do everything with an intensity and focus that makes them formidable. They don’t play a significant part in this first story.
Earth is now called Old Earth. It’s a planet with limited resources and limited ability to support humans. Because of Earth’s limitations, the majority of humans aren’t allowed to live there anymore. They’re Offworlders, which is the series title for the related stories.
Humans have become the worker bees of the various galaxies to which they’ve spread with the help of spacefarers like the Strikken. Human ability to adapt, and creativity in the face of new circumstances, makes them stand out. Compared to other sentient species, humans also reproduce rapidly and mature rapidly. Humans fit the niche where technology can’t be substituted for someone on the spot to handle the situation in real time, yet more extreme knowledge or specialized physical skills aren’t needed.
That’s how humans end up on crews of ships like the mining hauler in Plug & I.
But humanity is changing, too.
Implants — computer and/or nano-tech implants allows for things like improved hearing and sight, or extreme knowledge storage and recall.
And now, genetic modification of humans has reached the clinical experimentation phase, of which Plug is a part.
Enjoy!
Even if you don’t read the story, I’d love to see your answers to this question: if you could get an implant to make you a little more “superhuman,” what would you want?