Aurora Rescue: February 2016

Sixteen-year-old Onnie, newly minted adult, isn’t sure what she wants in life, but she is sure what she doesn’t want, and going off to the Interplanetary Alliance’s Academy is at the top of that list. When she purposely flunks the entrance exam, she’s certain that’s why her father commanded her and her brother Jayesh to return to Rift Watcher Station. As Onnie settles into her new life on Rift Watcher, will she find a place of her own?

Chief Medical Officer Darragh Conally has issues. And secrets. As Onnie determinedly worms her way into his life and forges a friendship he doesn’t want, those secrets come dangerously close to being exposed. But how do you tell the Captain’s daughter to back off without risking your job?

There’s something wrong with the relationship between the Galladirans and the Earthers. It’s all polite on the surface; too polite. And Onnie can feel the tension rippling underneath. How long will it be until things break wide open?

C R Simper was raised seven miles north of a small town, with two sisters, thirteen dogs, and an open sky painted every night with billions of stars. This unharried childhood allowed time for much reading, which led into a desire to create stories of worlds beyond her own.

She is a member of the American Night Writer's Association. She has two published short stories in the Steampunk genre. Besides writing, she has a passion for genealogy, volleyball, and bargain hunting.

Excerpt 2

A pyramid-shaped space station built on the surface of an asteroid, which stoically guarded the edge of territory controlled by the Interplanetary Alliance, of which my home, Earth, was a charter member. No special tear or black hole warranted the name, just a division: us and them, and the expanse in between, long ago named The Rift.

Four docking towers rose high above the pyramid’s corners, four above-ground train tunnels exited the sides, hugging the spherical asteroid like a small party hat perched above a man’s ear.

Jay laughed. “It looks like a pyramid and an octopus had a baby.”

“Welcome to Rift Watcher.” I rode his humor to sound happy.

Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that our being here might be my fault. The timing of our father’s invitation had come suspiciously close on the heels of my recent failing of the Interplanetary Alliance Academy entrance exam.

On purpose.

Character Casting

For Darragh Conally I’m going with Bertie Gilbert: (of 10 seconds in Harry Potter fame). Check him out on pinterest with those many faces and that crazy hair. He’s perfect. https://www.pinterest.com/o2l7449/bertie-gilbert/ (photos from pinterest)

For Onnie Nayir, it’s China Anne McClain (photos from Pinterest)