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Interstellar #3
Below
Chapter One
It might almost have been Earth. The globe below them was awash with ocean--80% to be precise--but the glow from the red sun that sliced through its atmosphere gave the waters below the eerie look of blood....
“An ocean of blood.”
Victoria glanced sharply at Captain Huggins. Seated before her at the console, his back was to her as he divided his attention between the viewing screen and the readout from the vessel’s probes.
After a moment, she realized he wasn’t telepathic. It was only a coincidence that he’d voiced her own thoughts. An involuntary shiver skated along her spine as she returned her attention to the viewing screen.
“Creepy, eh, Tory?”
It took an effort to keep her upper lip from curling in distaste, but Victoria Anderson was a firm believer in self discipline. She kept her expression impassive. She didn’t turn to the speaker. There was no sense in encouraging the man. Not that he could be discouraged. “Chilled,” she lied succinctly. However much she would’ve liked to dispute it, even to herself, she found the prospect below them unnerving.
“Right. Takes a bit to get the blood pumping after such a long hyber-sleep. I could warm you up a bit, if you’d like.”
This time Victoria didn’t bother to hide her distaste. “Do you mind?”
“Eh?” Jim Roach’s look was hopeful.
She gave him a plastic smile. “I’d like to hear the report.” She moved away from him, closer to the console, where the captain was pulling up a report from the computer. “What’s it look like?”
He frowned, but didn’t turn. “A bit more than tolerable, I’d say.”
Victoria’s lips flattened. She could see enough of the report to tell that barely tolerable might be an understatement. “They said the conditions were acceptable.”
Captain Huggins threw her a quick glance before returning his attention to the report. “It’s livable, if not hospitable. The construction crew seemed to deal with the conditions without any problems. Anyway, you knew the information the company had was sketchy.”
A flash of anger, quickly quelled, went through Victoria. He was right. She’d accepted the assignment, knowing how the company was ... knowing they hadn’t seen much beyond the find of the century. The crew’s survival was important to them, but only in terms of whether or not they survived long enough to mine the precious mineral that resided a scant 50 feet below that deceptively threatening surface.
It was deceptive, she told herself. Granted, this tiny system was at the very edge of the outer rim, light years from the beaten path. But several probes had been diverted to the planet to gather as much information as possible before the first landers were dispatched.
“You pick up on the beacon yet?” ‘Hugs’ Huggins asked his communications officer, Leigh Grant.
“Nothing ... Too much interference. Wait.”
“You got something?”
“Yeah. Faint. There’s ... Yes. Definitely. Looks like about 60 degrees starboard. Maybe 50 clicks. Good job, Hugs! You sat us down practically on top of it.”
‘Hugs’ looked anything but huggable, Victoria thought wryly. He was built in the general shape of a water bug....a pear shaped torso, arms and legs like skeletal remains.
It might almost have been Earth. The globe below them was awash with ocean--80% to be precise--but the glow from the red sun that sliced through its atmosphere gave the waters below the eerie look of blood....
“An ocean of blood.”
Victoria glanced sharply at Captain Huggins. Seated before her at the console, his back was to her as he divided his attention between the viewing screen and the readout from the vessel’s probes.
After a moment, she realized he wasn’t telepathic. It was only a coincidence that he’d voiced her own thoughts. An involuntary shiver skated along her spine as she returned her attention to the viewing screen.
“Creepy, eh, Tory?”
It took an effort to keep her upper lip from curling in distaste, but Victoria Anderson was a firm believer in self discipline. She kept her expression impassive. She didn’t turn to the speaker. There was no sense in encouraging the man. Not that he could be discouraged. “Chilled,” she lied succinctly. However much she would’ve liked to dispute it, even to herself, she found the prospect below them unnerving.
“Right. Takes a bit to get the blood pumping after such a long hyber-sleep. I could warm you up a bit, if you’d like.”
This time Victoria didn’t bother to hide her distaste. “Do you mind?”
“Eh?” Jim Roach’s look was hopeful.
She gave him a plastic smile. “I’d like to hear the report.” She moved away from him, closer to the console, where the captain was pulling up a report from the computer. “What’s it look like?”
He frowned, but didn’t turn. “A bit more than tolerable, I’d say.”
Victoria’s lips flattened. She could see enough of the report to tell that barely tolerable might be an understatement. “They said the conditions were acceptable.”
Captain Huggins threw her a quick glance before returning his attention to the report. “It’s livable, if not hospitable. The construction crew seemed to deal with the conditions without any problems. Anyway, you knew the information the company had was sketchy.”
A flash of anger, quickly quelled, went through Victoria. He was right. She’d accepted the assignment, knowing how the company was ... knowing they hadn’t seen much beyond the find of the century. The crew’s survival was important to them, but only in terms of whether or not they survived long enough to mine the precious mineral that resided a scant 50 feet below that deceptively threatening surface.
It was deceptive, she told herself. Granted, this tiny system was at the very edge of the outer rim, light years from the beaten path. But several probes had been diverted to the planet to gather as much information as possible before the first landers were dispatched.
“You pick up on the beacon yet?” ‘Hugs’ Huggins asked his communications officer, Leigh Grant.
“Nothing ... Too much interference. Wait.”
“You got something?”
“Yeah. Faint. There’s ... Yes. Definitely. Looks like about 60 degrees starboard. Maybe 50 clicks. Good job, Hugs! You sat us down practically on top of it.”
‘Hugs’ looked anything but huggable, Victoria thought wryly. He was built in the general shape of a water bug....a pear shaped torso, arms and legs like skeletal remains.
Nook
First published October 1, 2003
13 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Kaitlyn O'Connor
184 books677 followersStats:
■Kaitlyn has written and completed nearly 140 intellectual properties under several pen names in different genres.
■She has written over 8,000,000 (yes, more than 8 million!) words in published works.
■She has nearly 50 partials in various genres in various stages of completion. :0
■In 2004 she wrote 27 different stories which, together, amounted to nearly a million ‘printed’ words.
■However her most productive year was 2009 when she completed 17 projects totaling well over a million words.
■Second runner up was 2007 when she completed 14 projects at just over a million.
■The year 2008 was a close tie to 2004 in number of words written.
■Her least productive year was 2011. Sorry!
■At 500 to 750 words per hour, the 8+ million written words constitute 10,666 to 16,000 hours, or 20 to 34 hours per week, devoted to Kaitlyn fans over the past 9 years!
■One title had over half a million copies pirated. She decided not to count anymore.
Kaitlyn O’Connor’s Bibliography
Liar’s Poker—romantic suspense; 1993; 93k
Lord of Chaos—historical suspense; 1993; pen name Goldie McBride; 98k
Moonlight Surrender—historical; 1993; 100k
Bond Unbroken—romantic suspense; 1993; 98k
* * * *
Bride of Atlantis—paranormal; published NCP March 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 47k (overall light/humorous)
Sexphiles: Haunting Melody—paranormal/erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; novella (overall light/humorous)
Four Play—erotica; published NCP Apr-June 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k
The Lion’s Woman—science fiction; published NCP Apr-June 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; 58k (drama)
Thief of Hearts— erotica; published NCP April 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 6k
Thief of Hearts: The Return— erotica; published NCP May 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 6k
The Claiming—science fiction; published NCP Apr-June 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; (drama)
The Assassin’s Blade—science fiction; published NCP July-Sept 2003;pen name Lyssa Hart (drama)
Blood Moon—paranormal/fantasy; published NCP July-Sept 2003;pen name Sylvia Kincaid; 59k(drama)
Doctor, Lawyer … Police Chief—erotica; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k
Neptune’s Daughter—paranormal; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 35k (overall light/humorous)
SexPhiles: The Howling—paranormal/erotica; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name (overall light/some humor)
Yar & the Orgasmizer9000—Science Fiction; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 23k (overall light/humorous)
Below—science fiction; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; novel(drama)50k
fantasy; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; co-authored ; (overall light/humorous)
The Prey—erotic suspense; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; 33k(dark)
science fiction; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; co-authored 41k (overall light/humorous)
* * * *
The Djinn—paranormal; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Marie Morin; 29k(overall light/humorous)
The Fairy Ring—fantasy; published NCP Mar 2004; pen name Catherine Paige; 42k (overall light/humorous)
urban fantasy; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; co-authored ; 29k(drama)
Goldilocks—erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 8k (overall light/humorous)
Guardian of the Storm—science fiction; published NCP Jan 2004; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; 61k (overall light/humorous)
The Invitation—erotic romance; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k(drama)
Maiden of Atlantis—paranormal; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Marie Morin; 40k(drama)
Noccio—science fiction; published NCP Feb 2004; pen name Veronica Chase; 9k (overall light/humorous)
science fiction; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; co-authored 51k(drama)
The Shaman—erotic suspense; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 32k(drama)
Thief of Hearts: Stolen—erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 200
■Kaitlyn has written and completed nearly 140 intellectual properties under several pen names in different genres.
■She has written over 8,000,000 (yes, more than 8 million!) words in published works.
■She has nearly 50 partials in various genres in various stages of completion. :0
■In 2004 she wrote 27 different stories which, together, amounted to nearly a million ‘printed’ words.
■However her most productive year was 2009 when she completed 17 projects totaling well over a million words.
■Second runner up was 2007 when she completed 14 projects at just over a million.
■The year 2008 was a close tie to 2004 in number of words written.
■Her least productive year was 2011. Sorry!
■At 500 to 750 words per hour, the 8+ million written words constitute 10,666 to 16,000 hours, or 20 to 34 hours per week, devoted to Kaitlyn fans over the past 9 years!
■One title had over half a million copies pirated. She decided not to count anymore.
Kaitlyn O’Connor’s Bibliography
Liar’s Poker—romantic suspense; 1993; 93k
Lord of Chaos—historical suspense; 1993; pen name Goldie McBride; 98k
Moonlight Surrender—historical; 1993; 100k
Bond Unbroken—romantic suspense; 1993; 98k
* * * *
Bride of Atlantis—paranormal; published NCP March 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 47k (overall light/humorous)
Sexphiles: Haunting Melody—paranormal/erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; novella (overall light/humorous)
Four Play—erotica; published NCP Apr-June 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k
The Lion’s Woman—science fiction; published NCP Apr-June 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; 58k (drama)
Thief of Hearts— erotica; published NCP April 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 6k
Thief of Hearts: The Return— erotica; published NCP May 2003;pen name Kimberly Zant; 6k
The Claiming—science fiction; published NCP Apr-June 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; (drama)
The Assassin’s Blade—science fiction; published NCP July-Sept 2003;pen name Lyssa Hart (drama)
Blood Moon—paranormal/fantasy; published NCP July-Sept 2003;pen name Sylvia Kincaid; 59k(drama)
Doctor, Lawyer … Police Chief—erotica; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k
Neptune’s Daughter—paranormal; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 35k (overall light/humorous)
SexPhiles: The Howling—paranormal/erotica; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name (overall light/some humor)
Yar & the Orgasmizer9000—Science Fiction; published NCP July-Sept 2003; pen name Marie Morin; 23k (overall light/humorous)
Below—science fiction; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; novel(drama)50k
fantasy; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; co-authored ; (overall light/humorous)
The Prey—erotic suspense; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; pen name Kimberly Zant; 33k(dark)
science fiction; published NCP Oct-Dec 2003; co-authored 41k (overall light/humorous)
* * * *
The Djinn—paranormal; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Marie Morin; 29k(overall light/humorous)
The Fairy Ring—fantasy; published NCP Mar 2004; pen name Catherine Paige; 42k (overall light/humorous)
urban fantasy; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; co-authored ; 29k(drama)
Goldilocks—erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 8k (overall light/humorous)
Guardian of the Storm—science fiction; published NCP Jan 2004; pen name Kaitlyn O’Connor; 61k (overall light/humorous)
The Invitation—erotic romance; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 9k(drama)
Maiden of Atlantis—paranormal; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Marie Morin; 40k(drama)
Noccio—science fiction; published NCP Feb 2004; pen name Veronica Chase; 9k (overall light/humorous)
science fiction; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; co-authored 51k(drama)
The Shaman—erotic suspense; published NCP Jan-Mar 2004; pen name Kimberly Zant; 32k(drama)
Thief of Hearts: Stolen—erotica; published NCP Jan-Mar 200
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 12, 2018
More horror than sci-fi romance.
Mermen, flesh-eating creatures under a red sea and a few people on a suicide mission try to survive.
Mermen, flesh-eating creatures under a red sea and a few people on a suicide mission try to survive.
November 1, 2011
4 Shiny Stars:
This is a short and there are some major flaws to this book but overall I enjoyed it a lot. This stands out from O'Connor's other books which are typically less on the sci fi and heavy on the 'romance'. Typically O'Connor writes what I would deem a futuristic touch of sci fi survival romance stories. This particular book is more science fiction/suspense with romance.
This book isn't for you if:
-You're heavily invested in thorough world building
-You prefer your sci/fi romance books to weigh heavier on the romance side
- OR:
My major issue with the book was that it was too short. Although I am not a glutton for books upon books of world building before plot kicks in, I do think this book will benefit from more description of their environment.
This book is for you if you like firm HEA's, and mermen.
This is a short and there are some major flaws to this book but overall I enjoyed it a lot. This stands out from O'Connor's other books which are typically less on the sci fi and heavy on the 'romance'. Typically O'Connor writes what I would deem a futuristic touch of sci fi survival romance stories. This particular book is more science fiction/suspense with romance.
This book isn't for you if:
-You're heavily invested in thorough world building
-You prefer your sci/fi romance books to weigh heavier on the romance side
- OR:
My major issue with the book was that it was too short. Although I am not a glutton for books upon books of world building before plot kicks in, I do think this book will benefit from more description of their environment.
This book is for you if you like firm HEA's, and mermen.
November 3, 2010
This is a sci-fi / romance story about the monsters that attack a mining crew that is newly arrived on a planet.
It was ok, but I didn't enjoy this story as much as most of her Ms. O'Connor's other books. Strangely, it has one of the better endings of any of her books (and I have many of them).
I recommend that if you read this book, you also read 'Lords of the Sea' and 'Dark Abyss'.
It was ok, but I didn't enjoy this story as much as most of her Ms. O'Connor's other books. Strangely, it has one of the better endings of any of her books (and I have many of them).
I recommend that if you read this book, you also read 'Lords of the Sea' and 'Dark Abyss'.
May 15, 2011
I really like the mystery/suspense plot to this novel, which has a deep-space-mining feel even though the action takes place in a rig under water. However, the romance between Victoria, the supervisor of the crew sent to the watery planet to extract ore for the shadowy "company", and Raphael, the genetically-bred merman crewmember, left me feeling a little clammy. Maybe it was the whole tail fins, underwater breathing, "hatching" from an incubator, etc. But the two of them felt off, somehow. And Raphael was definitely the warmer of the two.
I finished reading the story while my daughter watched the latest episode of Ariel the Mermaid. Maybe I am okay with mermaid sex. Ariel's daddy sure is built for an older guy. ;)
I finished reading the story while my daughter watched the latest episode of Ariel the Mermaid. Maybe I am okay with mermaid sex. Ariel's daddy sure is built for an older guy. ;)
October 25, 2012
Before writing something "related" to SF (even with an erotic twist), please do some research. The story is cliché, full of references unexplored and the writing is boring and dull. I only got to page 27 when I almost fell asleep and for an erotic novel, that is not good.
April 29, 2018
One of my favorite sci-fi's
This is one of my favorite sci-fi books. I've actually read it several times since purchasing it and was my first read by the author.
This is one of my favorite sci-fi books. I've actually read it several times since purchasing it and was my first read by the author.
April 7, 2015
This book is more romantic than the other books I've read by Kaitlyn O'Connor, but not as good as The 9th Orb or The Enslaved series. Still it was quite an enjoyable read.
As usual I liked the female main character. Victoria a strong person who knows what to do when shit hits the fan.
Victoria arrives at Kay, a planet that had been partially explored by her company. Her mission is to find out what happened to the crew of miners that had been at Kay before her own crew, as they all mysteriously disappeared with no signs of struggle. As she and her current crew search through the last crew's files, one of the members of her crew vanishes.
Victoria and Raphael, one of the deep sea miners, who was genetically modified with aquatic traits, start developing a romantic relationship. Later, Victoria finds herself unexpectedly pregnant with Raphael's child.
As secrets start be revealed about her company's real intentions, Victoria discovers that her company had intended to abandon the deep sea miners after the minerals were explored.
After a few weeks on Kay, a jelly-fish like species is detected, and later, that they were the reason why people kept disappearing.
I recommend this book to Kaitlyn O'Connor's fans and of course, sci-fi romance readers.
As usual I liked the female main character. Victoria a strong person who knows what to do when shit hits the fan.
Victoria arrives at Kay, a planet that had been partially explored by her company. Her mission is to find out what happened to the crew of miners that had been at Kay before her own crew, as they all mysteriously disappeared with no signs of struggle. As she and her current crew search through the last crew's files, one of the members of her crew vanishes.
Victoria and Raphael, one of the deep sea miners, who was genetically modified with aquatic traits, start developing a romantic relationship. Later, Victoria finds herself unexpectedly pregnant with Raphael's child.
As secrets start be revealed about her company's real intentions, Victoria discovers that her company had intended to abandon the deep sea miners after the minerals were explored.
After a few weeks on Kay, a jelly-fish like species is detected, and later, that they were the reason why people kept disappearing.
I recommend this book to Kaitlyn O'Connor's fans and of course, sci-fi romance readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2017
I like the story
This book wasn't quite what I had expected from Mrs. Kaitlyn. This was a very refreshing read from her previous book that I had read. Sadly the world building was quite lacking and the conclusion to all the things that had happened was wrapped up in a rush. With how the angst had build up I had expected it to be more. Though I did like the idea of the story and would recommend it to everyone to give it a try not sure everyone would love it.
This book wasn't quite what I had expected from Mrs. Kaitlyn. This was a very refreshing read from her previous book that I had read. Sadly the world building was quite lacking and the conclusion to all the things that had happened was wrapped up in a rush. With how the angst had build up I had expected it to be more. Though I did like the idea of the story and would recommend it to everyone to give it a try not sure everyone would love it.
March 19, 2012
I really liked it, despite some glaring editorial errors. I did feel the ending was very abrupt, so it was a bit of a let down. 3.5 stars.
December 21, 2010
Love Kaitlyn O'Connors books but this is probably my least favorite. But not a bad read. 2.5 stars
June 17, 2011
Great sci-fi romantic thriller. good world building and action. recommended read.
January 7, 2013
The conclusion happened way to fast. The build up worked but wow way to blow past the wrapping things up. This book is also published as Abandoned.
February 24, 2016
The plot had potential but felt disjointed, like the author was writing something else or thinking about something else and this was typed up and sent off without proof reading :(
May 26, 2011
i really liked the hero in this one.. and of course the world.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews