Look what’s out!

[erastes]

Gay Sci-fi from Queered Fiction. My story is pure space opera and is called “Whatever the Risk.”  Want a snippet? Here you go, because I love you.

I pulled my head out of the console, nearly braining myself in the process. When the lights stopped flashing and the birds stopped tweeting I straightened up and glared at Kyrian. "Tell me that was a joke."

He gave me that maddening shrug that made me half-love him, half-hate him and continued to punch buttons, double-testing my re-routing as he swung around in his chair. His fringe flopped over his forehead and for a moment he looked sixteen again, my 'gutter brother' from the slums of Vath. All so sure of himself and with that "trust me" expression.  I should have known better, right at that moment, for how many times had he nearly got us both killed before we were seventeen? Too many.

"You do know what they are paying for refined Kostovite?"

I wiped my hands on my overalls. "I'm an engineer, not a leme farmer. Of course I bloody know."  I was seething that he'd even suggested going to that place—after all we'd talked about, everything we'd heard, everything we knew.

"One trip, Teless," he said, with that damnable grin. "One little trip. In and out, and bam—we've enough Credits to live a year on Phaedra.  You wouldn't even have to leave the ship."

I ignored the slight. "No. No! Not Paroche. Not ever." Though I knew it was pointless (and technically mutiny) to state my opposition. However, we were partners even if Kyrian had the glamour job and I spent my days stinking of Ilithica oil.

There was silence for a while as I put the console back together. When I finished, it worked well enough. Enough for the leg, at least; I could get at the parts we needed at Stage. All through the silence I could feel his eyes on me, hear the squeak of that damned chair he loved so much as he swung from left to right. I pocketed my driver and walked out without another word.

Traversing the corridor from the bridge to our quarters I seethed in anger with him, and by the time I stepped into our room, I still hadn't calmed down.  What made me all the more furious was that he was right. Reckless and stupid and handsome and...stupid and let's be honest—lucky.  But he was right.

It was a trader's dream; a full house, The Holy Grail, the Samdal Mirror, a jackpot. Every trader hoped that it would happen to him, but for 99% of us it never even came close.  We all knew that there was a crucial time in every planet's terraforming when the speculators could make a fortune. Be in the right quadrant with just the right cargo at just the right time and your future was assured. It didn't happen often—there were a lot of planets and there was more than enough space, God alone knew—but when it happened it happened big.  Those over-confident boys we'd once been had had no doubt that one day it would happen to us, and we agreed that when it came our way, we'd do it.

"Whatever the risk?" Kyrian had said, holding his hand out. I remember his blue eyes shining with mischief.  I'd been a little drunk but it wouldn't have mattered. This was our new venture; the sky was no longer our limit.

"Whatever the risk," I'd said and pulled him into my arms. Our bargain had been sealed on this very floor.

 

Chapter one of Tributary done, and I've done 1000 words today. I think it will run a little smoother now. Beginnings are tricky for me, because I literally don’t know the first thing about what’s going on, or what kind of guy my character is, who he knows, or knew, what family he’s from, and what history he has. Now, considering his age (around 35) and the year (1933) there are certain things that would have happened in his life, so I’ve been thinking about that for a couple of weeks.  I’ve created his family—although they’ll make little impact in the story other than making him the man he is, that and what he’s been through.

I’m going against trope. He does not have shell shock.

SHOCK!!!(not!)

 

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Comments

[chris-smith-atr.livejournal.com]

Am so pleased to see it in print my darling.

And WHIP re Tributary. Lots of whipping.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Thank you, it's nice to get the space-bois out - I was worried they'd never get an airing. I'd like to do an anthology for them, a dozen or so short stories with an overreaching arc. One day!

[chris-smith-atr.livejournal.com]

Today! (well tomorrow)

[erastes.livejournal.com]

er, no - this is one story, silly.

[chris-smith-atr.livejournal.com]

I DEMAND MORE WRITING.

*gives you meth*

[vashtan.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

[erastes.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I haven't read the other stories yet, but it's a great line up.

[asphodeline.livejournal.com]

Looks good and love the snippet - pressies!!

[erastes.livejournal.com]

it's nice to have another short story out, i should be NOT LAZY and do more.

Thank you, dear!

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

Our first anthology together! I'm excited.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

I don't know half the names, I'm looking forward to reading it!

[charliecochrane.livejournal.com]

Fabby dabby. U + me R QW pals.

[erastes.livejournal.com]

:)