Porter

by Laurence E. Dahners

Like the Science Fiction novel "Jumper" by Steven Gould, this is a Novelette about young Allie Dans, who has a surprising ability. Whereas most science fiction stories of "teleportation" such as Heinlein's "Tunnel in the Sky" or the "stepping discs" in Larry Niven's stories focus on the moving of large objects long distances, this one explores the notion that even the ability to open a small portal between nearby locations would give the possessor of such an ability tremendous power. Of course others would like to have Allie's power and try to gain control of it, first by capturing her father and then by kidnapping her family. This takes her away from her new career as a guitar-playing "Rock Goddess". To their dismay, the villains have not considered that the power to make "ports" gives Allie the ability to protect herself and her family.

Genres: Science Fiction

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2011

About the author

I was born on the island of Cyprus where my dad was employed as a mining engineer. We moved to the Philippines (more mining) when I was three and then to Arizona when I was 9. I went to med school at the University of Arizona and did a residency in Orthopaedics at the University of Kansas. I taught Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill until I retired in 2017.

I've always loved science fiction and it's been great fun getting to write some. I also like music and have a little home recording studio. You can read more, listen to some music and look at some of my art, at http://laury.dahners.com/ if you like.

If you want to contact me, or be put on my email list to be notified when new books come out, just email me at ldahners@gmail.com

Laury Dahners

Reviews

[D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I picked up this short story about a year ago as a free or cheap read on Amazon and just barely got around to reading it. Went to review it on Amazon and looks like it is no longer listed. It was a very quick read. Some interesting ideas. A fairly unique “super power” which was cool. Because of the length there were a lot of things that weren’t explored in the sort of depth I would have liked. Not sure the characters actions were all plausible given the premise but am intrigued enough upon finishing that I have just purchased an actual novel by the author. Have hopes that it will be worth my time and the small financial investment.