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Collateral Damage
No good deed ever goes unpunished.
Meyal Lit has been alone on an orbital for the past six months, analysing the remote planet of Falcin V. It’s a lonely job but, if it means financial security for herself and her family, Meyal is happy to grit her teeth and do it. That is, until a rival exo-geologist on a station on the opposite side of the planet contacts her.
Even though they work for competing companies, loneliness drives Meyal and Waryd together. In between work shifts, they indulge in small talk and chat-sex, knowing nothing can come from their liaison. Then Meyal gets confidential news that could change the entire way she and Waryd operate. If she does nothing, Waryd dies; on the other hand, if she saves her rival, she can kiss her dreams of financial independence goodbye.
What’s a smart, introverted geologist to do?
Meyal Lit has been alone on an orbital for the past six months, analysing the remote planet of Falcin V. It’s a lonely job but, if it means financial security for herself and her family, Meyal is happy to grit her teeth and do it. That is, until a rival exo-geologist on a station on the opposite side of the planet contacts her.
Even though they work for competing companies, loneliness drives Meyal and Waryd together. In between work shifts, they indulge in small talk and chat-sex, knowing nothing can come from their liaison. Then Meyal gets confidential news that could change the entire way she and Waryd operate. If she does nothing, Waryd dies; on the other hand, if she saves her rival, she can kiss her dreams of financial independence goodbye.
What’s a smart, introverted geologist to do?
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First published January 1, 2013
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60 people want to read
About the author
K.S. Augustin
35 books24 followersKS “Kaz” Augustin is an Australian author who considers herself a citizen of the world. She has several University degrees, ranging from Computer Science to International Politics, is an avid reader of military history and tactics, and writes in several genres, from space opera to romance to fantasy. The one thing that remains the same through all of this is the amount of research she brings to each world, peopled by rich and varied characters. She has visited, lived and/or worked on four continents and hopes to make it all seven in the future.
Kaz is Chief Editor of Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly and she and her husband run Sandal Press. The Augustin family consists of two human offspring, a brace of eccentric cats and a miniature Bull Terrier with a bark bigger than her entire body. Kaz is a Linux geek. For fun, she reads, cooks, is learning Latin and dotes on her twin-cab diesel truck.
You can find details of all my releases at http://www.KSAugustin.com
Kaz is Chief Editor of Sci-Fi Romance Quarterly and she and her husband run Sandal Press. The Augustin family consists of two human offspring, a brace of eccentric cats and a miniature Bull Terrier with a bark bigger than her entire body. Kaz is a Linux geek. For fun, she reads, cooks, is learning Latin and dotes on her twin-cab diesel truck.
You can find details of all my releases at http://www.KSAugustin.com
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 26, 2016
-Corporaciones del futuro, algo de sexo y algo de romance.-
Género. Novela corta.
Lo que nos cuenta. Meyal Li practica sexo telemático con Waryd pero su obsesión por los detalles técnicos estropea la sesión. Pero más importante que eso es el hecho de que Meyal Li es una exo-geóloga que trabaja para la XeGeTEch en el análisis y prospección minera del lejano planeta Falcin V y que Waryd tiene la misma profesión pero trabaja para la compañía rival ExoSystems y habita en una estación al otro lado del planeta que órbita de forma totalmente opuesta. Por razones profesionales ellos no deberían conocer la existencia del otro en la zona, tampoco deberían hablar, y menos comenzar una relación que basada en el sexo les va llevando a cierta intimidad. Cuando Meyal Li recibe la noticia de la adquisión de ExoSystems por parte de XeGeTech, descubre que no hay constancia de que ningún planeta tenga prospección simultánea de ambas compañía y le cuentan un plan para eliminar escombros al otro lado del planeta mediante una explosión nuclear, Meyal sabe que debe hacer algo.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
Género. Novela corta.
Lo que nos cuenta. Meyal Li practica sexo telemático con Waryd pero su obsesión por los detalles técnicos estropea la sesión. Pero más importante que eso es el hecho de que Meyal Li es una exo-geóloga que trabaja para la XeGeTEch en el análisis y prospección minera del lejano planeta Falcin V y que Waryd tiene la misma profesión pero trabaja para la compañía rival ExoSystems y habita en una estación al otro lado del planeta que órbita de forma totalmente opuesta. Por razones profesionales ellos no deberían conocer la existencia del otro en la zona, tampoco deberían hablar, y menos comenzar una relación que basada en el sexo les va llevando a cierta intimidad. Cuando Meyal Li recibe la noticia de la adquisión de ExoSystems por parte de XeGeTech, descubre que no hay constancia de que ningún planeta tenga prospección simultánea de ambas compañía y le cuentan un plan para eliminar escombros al otro lado del planeta mediante una explosión nuclear, Meyal sabe que debe hacer algo.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...
May 27, 2014
What I liked.
Good characters, though perhaps Waryd wasn't as rounded out as Meyal - probably down to the length of the story and being told mostly from her POV rather than half and half. Good tension, with some action/adventure, which I didn't expect from the blurb and setting. I thought this would be more psychological than action (and that aspect of it, the whole dealing with long term isolation in space was well done), so that really added to it and kept it interesting. Nice world building. I'd love to see more set in this universe, and with these characters.
What I didn't like.
After some nice tension throughout the story, I felt this really dropped off at the end. I'd really like to see this as the opening of a novella/novel - as a short it felt somewhat unfinished. Or perhaps as the first of a series/serial. The opening *no spoilers* made me wonder if the whole story would be nothing but the sexual fantasies of a solitary woman in space - very pleased that wasn't the whole of it.
In conclusion.
Enjoyable and interesting short with good tension, but somewhat let down by the ending. A quick read for those with limited reading time with a decent blend of tech, characters, action, and a thought-provoking setting.
Good characters, though perhaps Waryd wasn't as rounded out as Meyal - probably down to the length of the story and being told mostly from her POV rather than half and half. Good tension, with some action/adventure, which I didn't expect from the blurb and setting. I thought this would be more psychological than action (and that aspect of it, the whole dealing with long term isolation in space was well done), so that really added to it and kept it interesting. Nice world building. I'd love to see more set in this universe, and with these characters.
What I didn't like.
After some nice tension throughout the story, I felt this really dropped off at the end. I'd really like to see this as the opening of a novella/novel - as a short it felt somewhat unfinished. Or perhaps as the first of a series/serial. The opening *no spoilers* made me wonder if the whole story would be nothing but the sexual fantasies of a solitary woman in space - very pleased that wasn't the whole of it.
In conclusion.
Enjoyable and interesting short with good tension, but somewhat let down by the ending. A quick read for those with limited reading time with a decent blend of tech, characters, action, and a thought-provoking setting.
September 24, 2013
Collateral Damage is set back in the Republic's past. Hyperspace creases are still being found and explored. People want off of Earth and Meyal, the main character in the story, has accepted a difficult job that will pay her family's way off. She is orbiting a planet surveying it for minerals. They job is for a year and she is suppose to be the only one in the system. Imagine her surprise when she gets a call from Waryd who is working for another company. He is on the other side of the planet doing the same job she is. Their calls start as playful pretend sex but as they get to know each other a friendship develops. When Meyal realizes that Waryd is in danger she must decide what is most important, her job or Waryd.
This is a quick fun read. I am always glad to see new stories set in the Republic Universe and hope to see many more. The one I am still looking for is the rest of Quinton's story.
This is a quick fun read. I am always glad to see new stories set in the Republic Universe and hope to see many more. The one I am still looking for is the rest of Quinton's story.
February 22, 2013
Great short story about two spacefaring geologists in opposite orbit from each other, working for competitive corporations. Although they are not supposed to know of each other's existence or communicate with one another - well, you know, space can get lonely when you're out there for so long.
I loved the characters of Waryd and Meyal Lit and would enjoy reading more about them.
I loved the characters of Waryd and Meyal Lit and would enjoy reading more about them.
July 29, 2013
There's a lot of story packed into this short. Maybe too much, considering the length. I enjoyed the characters, the unusual beginning to their relationship, and the various twists and turns in the story. Wouldn't mind a sequel. Would like to explore this world some more. 3.5 stars.
owned-to-read
January 1, 2014*downloaded free on ARE
October 30, 2013
I'm typically more lenient when rating short stories,so this story gets four stars. I was not expecting the way the book ended- not a bad thing.
May 30, 2015
Sex in space, basically. Not quite what I was expecting but pretty good for a Kindle freebie.
March 17, 2016
I liked this. It was too short.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews