Michelle's Time Alone

In my first book, Dangerous Stars, I introduced a secondary character named Michelle Henrix.  She was a survivor from an attacked research vessel.  During her time on the KRENNET, she aided the ship's engineer with tasks around the ship.  She vanished searching for the station where the KRENNET had been built.

In an epilogue for the sequel, Striking Among the Stars, she appears again.  This time as the captain and only crewmember of her own ship.  I've never thought much about what may have happened to her between leaving the KRENNET and boarding the BELLADONNA.  Until today that is.

Two weeks.  That's how long Michelle had been living on this remote station.  Arriving at the construction facility, she was quickly hired as a lead technician.  Apparently, showing up with a fuel transfer coil from the premiere ship of the previous generation of ships went a long way when applying for a position.

Two weeks of working in either a cramped passage filled with pipes and cables or drifting through wide-open space in a tight spacesuit.  Two weeks socializing with other technicians and engineers during off shifts.  Two weeks becoming known to everyone on the project for her efforts on the job and friendliness off the job.  Her name began to appear frequently in the reports reviewed by the handful of unknown figures that operated the facility.  This is something they commented to each other in their encrypted, clandestine communications.

While Michelle was installing the secondary signal relay system between the central command system and engineering deck, her next assignment was being determined without her knowledge.  The members of the group unknown to each other, recognized only by codenames and familiar voices.

"Unlike many of the candidates we have looked at, we have first-hand knowledge of her work ethics and abilities."

"That we do.  However, she seems too perfect.  I question so much about someone so ideal literally appearing on our doorstep like she did."

"You always have been so cynical and suspicious.  We have investigated and vetted her background.  I will admit that her encounter with both projects Cloud Cover and Hidden Knife is very coincidental.  However, with all the strange coincidences this universe has presented us with, it's not impossible."

"You're both right.  Given the type of fleet we are attempting to build here, we need to be cautious in regards to the crew we put on our ships.  We also need to be aware of the fact that the growth in the number of those ships will increase the chances of someone seeking us out and finding us, even if by accident.  We only build at the one remote platform in order to minimize the chances of discovery.  On the other hand, we don't arm and defend it heavily so those that do find us can approach unthreatened.  It is all part of our ultimate goal."

"According to my notes, she is liked by nearly everyone she has worked with.  I still wonder why she has never been put in a leadership position.

"She has been offered a number of promotions that would put her in charge of many subordinates.  She accepted the first one but has refused all others.  Something about her character makes her unfit for a large command and she knows it."

"I guess it's a good thing this will not be a concern with the crew of this new ship.  Leadership abilities aren't required when there is nobody to lead."

"I will compromise.  Madam Michelle will be considered a top candidate for the pilot's seat.  Still, I will send some of my own personal agents to interview people from her past in order to further verify the authenticity of her background."

"Understood.  While we wait for the final word from your agents, we can move ahead with some of the testing required.  As Michelle is already with the installation of bridge equipment, it wouldn't be a leap of logic for her to test the pilot/AI interface system.  Much of the neurological compatibility and response time testing can be done at the same time."

"We will not eliminate any of the other candidates from future considerations until we are unanimous in our choice.  Regardless of who it is or what species they may be."

With that agreement, Michelle's future career was determined.  Either she would pilot the craft she was currently lending a hand in building, or she would be "eliminated from future considerations."

Back at the station, far from any of the individuals making important decisions, Michelle finishes her shift and rides the shuttle between the construction platform and the station housing the living and entertainment quarters.  She makes a comment about one of the construction managers that causes all of the shuttle passengers to laugh loudly or quietly chuckle.  Even the pilot, brother of the subject of her comment, smiles.

I may or may not give Michelle Henrix her own book.  Would it still be considered a spin-off if the originating series is only two books?  There is so much to think about when creating an entire universe and filling it with characters and events.

Fidgeting and Spinning

Fidget spinners are the latest fad to invade practically every aspect of everyday life.  They have even reached into the realm of Reddit writing prompts.  Of course, more can be done with fictional fidget spinners than just giving them a whirl.

I wrote a short tale for one particular prompt that caught my eye.  If you don't want to open a new browser window or follow the link, the tale is below.

I've had many subscription boxes over the years. Random comics, toys, movie props, all kinds of things. My favorite box each month, the subscription I've maintained the longest, is from Fantastic Spintastic. Two or three fidget spinners each month. Metal ones, plastic, even a wood one now and then. All of them in different colors and more shapes than I would have originally imagined. I have spun them all. A few flashy ones, most of them average, but none of them particularly special in any way.

One month the box felt heavier than normal. My first thought was, “Bonus. Extra spinners this month.”

I tore off the outer packaging and slowly opened the inner box. There was just one spinner inside. After taking a good look at it, I could see why. It laid on a form fitted felt cushion inside the hard metallic box The middle grip was solid black and shined like metal but felt like soft rubber. It had four arms that appeared to be made of smooth gray stone. The entire thing had the feel of a brand new granite counter-top. Strange characters ran the length of each arm. They looked a little bit like runes shown in the fantasy novels I read and DnD games I like to play. I lifted the spinner out and noticed a symbol engraved on each tip. A clock, a drop, a lightning bolt, and a skull.

As I walked up my driveway from my mailbox to my front door, I gave the new spinner some slow experimental turns. It was a lot smoother and lighter to turn than its appearance suggested. Reaching out for the doorknob, I gave it a good spin to test its speed and duration.

The arms became a blur and the runes started glowing. There seemed to be a breeze growing and coming from between my fingers. A single note, like an opera singer holding an extended note, started to rise from my fingers. A sensation of low voltage electricity flowing from my hand and up my arm made me both excited and a little scared. This new spinner was getting better by the second.

I stopped the spinner as I opened my front door. The drop symbol faced away from me as it flashed. The next thing I knew, I was being washed off my porch and onto my front lawn by a cold tidal wave of water. I looked around from my unexpected position on my back in muddy grass. Everything in my yard was soaked. What I could see of my living room through the open door looked to be dry as a bone.

Of all the thoughts that ran through my head as I got up off the wet grass, two stood out the most. Picking up the spinner, I wondered what the lightning bolt and clock symbols might cause to happen. The other thought was a strong desire to not find out what happened if I stopped the spinner on the skull.

Is there a current or old fad that was guilty pleasure?