Jupiter Sky'The Alien Smuggler's Load' is number six in the series. I love writing these little sci-fi adventures. "Jupe," I ask myself. "How do I add a new twis…more'The Alien Smuggler's Load' is number six in the series. I love writing these little sci-fi adventures. "Jupe," I ask myself. "How do I add a new twist to the tried and tested concept of 'feisty woman meets alien man, steamy hot fun results in a very happy ending' - within the confines of 5,000-6,000 words?"
I was thinking it was about time for a 'crashing spaceship' story. And a smuggler story. So what kind of FMC do I want here? I had a sneaky FC in the last piece I did, so how does she end up with a smuggler in a crashing spaceship?
I wanted an FMC who was cautious for good reasons, was also sassy and self-assured, and needed to realize her rubbish love-life was a result of not taking the odd risk. So there I am, watching rocket test launches and footage from the ISS, and thinking about a couple of personal friends. Then I know who can be cautious, snarky and professionally confident at the same time. Engineers. Space is damn dangerous. Plus, a roving space engineer has a reason to go aboard a damaged spaceship. It's falling into place.
Welcome to the story, Nikki Gibson (surname robbed from the author of the first SF book I saw that morning).
[Oh, you've got me going now]
It's fun to make all my MMC aliens different. So I'm in the bath, and I'm thinking about Jason Momoa* and David Attenborough documentaries. I'm liking the idea of some sensual water-based loving. How do I get that into a story on a space ship? Answer: a semi-aquatic alien species, brightly colored like a tropical fish. Hello, Varo. Welcome to the fun.
So, I have a brightly colored Mr. Momoa, and he's a smuggler. What's he smuggling? Why's he crashing?
Well, it would be a spoiler to tell you what he's smuggling. It's probably not what you expect, and it's that way because I wanted an excuse for some blatant silliness.
You'll just have to read it ;)
He's crashing because his engine's broken. He needs an engineer.
So, there we have it. The key idea of the story. The ISS, an exploding rocket, a bath, several documentaries and Jason Momoa.
*I don't endorse his book-damaging tendencies. Bad Jason.