by Sharon Rose
Hrndl’s voice came over the comm channel. “Kena, are you awake?”
Ghent reached across the console and tapped the control. “We both are.”
“Ah, good. May I have your status?”
“I’m fine—no injury. Just a little tired. Kena still needs plenty of rest. Keep the welcoming party small.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I need to talk with Remlishos.”
“I’m here,” he said.
“Do we have communication to the Collaborative yet?”
“No, sir. TarKeen says they will cease blocking after you are on board.”
“Good,” Ghent said. “Announce an order that personal outgoing messages can only state that we have experienced communication issues—not the cause. No mention may be made of PitKreelaundun contact until after I inform the Collaborative leadership. Set up to record a message from me to Gordahl.”
In a few seconds, Remlishos said, “We’re ready to record, sir.”
“Ghent, captain of the Ontrevay, addressing Gordahl, chief of science fleet. We have experienced communication issues for the past few days. In case our silence has prompted concern, I assure you that the Ontrevay and its crew are safe.”
Ghent drew a deep breath. “We have discovered much concerning the exotic matter which caused the planetary breakup in SMG76428. That material is present in the nebula and poses substantial risk to ships with gravity fields. No gravity-generating ships should travel near the nebula. I repeat, do not permit ships to approach the nebula while generating artificial gravity. I have much more to report, Gordahl, and look forward to a long conversation with you soon.”
Ghent closed the channel, and Kena murmured, “That should get their attention.”
Ghent uttered a soft chuckle.
The open bay now filled the screen. Within another minute, they passed between the doors, and the familiar walls surrounded them. The craft jerked as the anchor field engaged it, then the gravity field reactivated.
Hrndl’s voice announced, “Ghent, your section is sealed and pressurized.”
He reached across the console again to open the hatch.
Kena released her belt and tried to stand. Heavier than expected. She struggled to her feet. Was this the gravity difference, or was she really that weak?
Metchell entered the craft. “Sit down again, Kena, until I check you over.”
“I really want to get out now.”
His steady gaze flicked over her, then settled on her face. Apparently, he decided to humor her. He gripped her arm and guided her toward the hatch, where Hrndl stood with one foot inside the craft.
“Full support,” Metchell said, as Hrndl hooked her hand beneath Kena’s other arm. “Remember, she’s had a gravity change.”
Dhgnr stood just outside and reached in to support her as Metchell let go.
“I’m all right,” Kena mumbled, then tripped on the hatch sill.
Their grip was too firm to let her fall. Dhgnr steadied her then wrapped his arm around her waist and picked her up.
Kena startled and couldn’t help a bit of ineffective struggling.
“Settle yourself,” Dhgnr said.
He was going to be stubborn. She got an arm around his shoulders and straightened her back.
The faint hum of a containment field silenced, then running footsteps echoed across the bay. Kena twisted her neck to see who was coming. Quon dashed to her side. She gripped the hand he extended and squeezed his fingers. His lips moved, but he couldn’t seem to find words. That was fine with her. She smiled her thanks, and the strain in his face eased.
“We’ll take you to your quarters now,” Hrndl said.
Kena looked at Dhgnr. “I can walk.”
“Perhaps,” he said, “but you don’t need to.”
Quon placed Kena’s hand on Dhgnr’s shoulder and stepped back.
Kena looked beseechingly at Hrndl.
The corners of her eyes tilted up. “Don’t think I will let you win this argument.” She turned and started for the door, Dhgnr falling into step beside her.
The voice of her beloved whispered within. Why do you resist, my dear one? Accept their gift. Rest.
Kena exhaled and relaxed. She was with friends, be they ever so unlikely. She was home.
The Next Adventure
Diverse Demands
She could use forbidden telepathy to prevent an alien war. But will her own people call her a hero or a criminal?
Kena, a lone human among aliens, forged a truce with her enemies by promising a controversial telepathic link with their future leader. They claim this is the foundation of lasting peace. But what are these obscure problems they now hide? Why is TarKeen, her strongest supporter, suddenly missing? Will their future leader be executed before Kena can reach her?
When another human joins Kena’s crew, he creates as many problems for her as he solves. Dissension sparks among her allies. Despite his interference, Antony does have a form of wisdom—unwelcome, though it is. Now, her decision is that much harder.
If Kena succeeds in fulfilling her risky promise, will anything be left of her career? And what about her and Antony?
Diverse Demands, the sequel to Diverse Similarity, is packed with adventure, intrigue, and rich alien cultures. The story explores just how far a person will go to solve the unsolvable. If you like classic science fiction merged with a Christian worldview, this book is for you.
Download it today!
Share the Adventure
I hope you enjoyed reading Diverse Similarity as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Please consider leaving a review wherever you buy books. This will help other readers find books that interest them, and will also help this very appreciative author.
Thanks for reading and sharing,
Sharon Rose
Cast of Characters
Major characters – Part 1
Kena — senior navigator (Human)
Ghent — captain of the Ontrevay (Plynteth)
Metchell — chief medical officer (Dantokrellie)
Hrndl — senior navigator (Grfdn) Pronounced: Hurn-dul
Krdn — second navigator (Grfdn) Pronounced: Kur-dun
Dhgnr — engineer (Grfdn) Pronounced: Dug-nur
Major PitKreelaundun characters – Part 2
Pernanyen — Young member of the ruling family of Frayunomen.
TarKeen — Commander of the Epri7.
Leonfir — Captain of the Epri7.
VanDar — Primary member of the family of Kell.
Travannesal — Primary member of the ruling family of Frayunomen. Pernanyen’s father.
Minor characters – Part 1
Betnorel — scientist (Prednian)
Delatin — chef (Prednian)
Delf — senior navigator (Veet)
Elna — navigator (Meklehon)
Eperia — junior navigator (Meklehon)
Frdn — communications (Grfdn) Pronounced: Fru-dun
Frethan — chief navigation officer (Tenelli)
Giddech — navigator (Chonander)
Gordahl —Interstellar Collaborative’s chief of science fleet (Meklehon)
Inewin — chief communications officer (Married to Netlyn.) (Tenelli)
Jorlit — navigator (Tenelli)
Leelee — scientist (Paedutae)
Netlyn — navigator (Married to Inewin.) (Tenelli)
Opyera — communications (Prednian)
Piert — chief science officer (Veet)
Presh — scientist (Jathrepon)
Quon — navigator (Veet)
Remlishos — chief engineering officer (Meklehon)
Rnl — resource management (Grfdn) Pronounced: Ru-nul
Salsheen — scientist (Dantokrellie)
Thrayl — scientist (Tenelli)
Minor PitKreelaundun characters – Part 2
DrenVid — medical assistant
Freltenloe — doctor
Gwillenin — guardian of Jennellee
J
ennellee — orphaned child, also called Pearl.
Rialmerray —chief officer of tra-pentazine protection
Shannandi — medical assistant
ShenLee — maintenance technician
YefRon — doctor
Books By Sharon Rose
Diverse Similarity
Diverse Demands
Agents of Rivelt – A Novel in Short Stories
Flying Blind (an exclusive short story for newsletter subscribers)
More titles are coming. Get the latest news at SharonRoseAuthor.com.
Acknowledgments
As I pondered who and what to mention in the acknowledgements, two things happened. First, gratitude swelled to enormous proportions. Then, this page become a daunting task, for how could I ever express my appreciation to so many?
Some are obvious. My family, for instance, for their encouragement over the years and their patience as I talk about fictitious characters in make-believe worlds. But even as I list Phil, Jason, Raechel, Philip, and Laura, my mind travels to siblings and in-laws, and to friends who feel like family. My gratitude extends to all of you.
My editor, Bridgett Powers, who has become such a dear friend. Without her, this book would never have been published, for not only is she a skillful slayer of evil adverbs, she is also a fabulous encourager. But then I think of so many others. Realm Makers and other conferences come to mind. Whether you are an editor, agent, publisher, cover designer, conference organizer, volunteer, guide in the craft of writing, fellow author, guru of discoverability, or anything in between—some of you have never even met me, but you’ve had far more impact than you know. My thanks go out to all of you.
And then there are readers: My critique group, Write Now at Living Word Christian Center. My Advance Reader Team. Those readers I’ve never met who sent me kind words about earlier stories. You are all a blessing and encouragement to me.
To each and every one of you: Thank you! May the help you’ve given me multiply and flow back to you.
About the Author
I started writing when I was seven years old. Okay, My Life as a Flying Squirrel may have had a couple spelling errors, but my classmates loved it.
Plenty of life has happened since that first story, and I’ve come to realize the things that fascinate me. People. Communication. Culture. Personality. Viewpoints. Beliefs. Anything that makes each of us beautifully unique. Small wonder that my art spills out in story form.
It was only a matter of time before I just had to share my stories. I’ve published science fiction and have some fantasy novels coming in the future.
When I’m not writing or reading, I may be traveling, enjoying gardens, or searching for unique coffee shops with my husband. We live in Minnesota, USA, famed for its mosquitoes—uh, I mean 10,000 lakes and vibrant seasons.
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Copyright and Credits
Copyright © 2017 by Sharon Rose
Eternarose Publishing: P.O. Box 2461 Maple Grove, MN 55311
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
Edited by: Light’s Scribe Writer Services.
Cover design by: Kirk DouPonce, DogEared Designs
ISBN: 978-1-948160-03-2