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Gunslinger Trilogy #0.5
Jane Carter of Earth and the Rescue that Never Was: A Gunslingers Short Story
To boldly go where no Earthfleet Academy Xenolinguistics major has gone before.
Jane Carter never thought she'd be the first human in the galaxy to be sold at an alien slave auction. As a xenolinguics major, she always wanted to explore new frontiers, but not like this.
As the bid price rockets to staggering heights, it becomes increasingly clear that only one man can rescue her: the one who sold her out. Thankfully, there are alternatives to being rescued.
This book is rated T according to the AO3 content rating system.
Jane Carter never thought she'd be the first human in the galaxy to be sold at an alien slave auction. As a xenolinguics major, she always wanted to explore new frontiers, but not like this.
As the bid price rockets to staggering heights, it becomes increasingly clear that only one man can rescue her: the one who sold her out. Thankfully, there are alternatives to being rescued.
This book is rated T according to the AO3 content rating system.
23 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2017
26 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Joe Vasicek
123 books103 followersJoe Vasicek fell in love with science fiction and fantasy when he read A Wrinkle in Time and The Neverending Story as a child. He wrote several unfinished novels in high school and took Brandon Sanderson's writing class at Brigham Young University.
He first came onto the indie writing scene in 2011 with his debut novel Genesis Earth. Since then, he has written more than twenty novels and novellas, including Genesis Earth, Gunslinger to the Stars, The Sword Keeper, and the Sons of the Starfarers series. His stories have been published in Perehilion, Mirror Dance, Sci Phi Journal, Uprising Review, Kasma SF, and Leading Edge.
As a young man, he studied Arabic and traveled across the Middle East and the Caucasus Mountains. He has also traveled across the United States, and has lived in Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, Utah, Washington DC, and Iowa. Wherever he goes, though, he's always writing.
He first came onto the indie writing scene in 2011 with his debut novel Genesis Earth. Since then, he has written more than twenty novels and novellas, including Genesis Earth, Gunslinger to the Stars, The Sword Keeper, and the Sons of the Starfarers series. His stories have been published in Perehilion, Mirror Dance, Sci Phi Journal, Uprising Review, Kasma SF, and Leading Edge.
As a young man, he studied Arabic and traveled across the Middle East and the Caucasus Mountains. He has also traveled across the United States, and has lived in Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, California, Utah, Washington DC, and Iowa. Wherever he goes, though, he's always writing.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 2, 2024
Ad hoc short story read
This was sort of a random purchase as I was in such a funk reading wise, because of all the stress, I just wanted something quick that sounded fun, and Joe Vasicek is an author that I recently folllowed.
So cheap cheerful and sci fi, what more could I want, and it didn’t disappoint. I will certainly , when time permits , go on and read more of the trilogy.
This was sort of a random purchase as I was in such a funk reading wise, because of all the stress, I just wanted something quick that sounded fun, and Joe Vasicek is an author that I recently folllowed.
So cheap cheerful and sci fi, what more could I want, and it didn’t disappoint. I will certainly , when time permits , go on and read more of the trilogy.
May 15, 2021
An interesting, intriguing, short story about a human woman captured by alien slavers. A fun take on the classic story. I'd definitely enjoy a more fleshed out tale about Jane Carter of Earth.
July 9, 2025
gunslinger
I have not read the Gunslinger books and they really are not needed. It’s unclear if this is a prequel or just a reference to the books. I enjoyed the story although it does finish off with a cliffhanger. The only reason I did not give it full stars was are little editing errors which do not distract from the book as a whole. A BookFunnel offer is available at the end!
(Jorja Rae-indie author)
I have not read the Gunslinger books and they really are not needed. It’s unclear if this is a prequel or just a reference to the books. I enjoyed the story although it does finish off with a cliffhanger. The only reason I did not give it full stars was are little editing errors which do not distract from the book as a whole. A BookFunnel offer is available at the end!
(Jorja Rae-indie author)
April 3, 2022
Review of eBook
In the Scutum-Crux galactic arm, Jane Carter, Earthfleet Academy graduate and xenologist, finds herself in an alien slave auction. Thanks to the betrayal of their armed escort, including Sam Kletchka, Jane and the Setarni refugees fell into the slavers hands when they ambushed their ship.
Helpless, Jane watches the auctioning of a Setarni child snatched from its mother; the sale of the mother follows. Jane is the last; she has no idea who purchased her.
Who is the successful bidder? Why didn’t Sam come for Jane . . . and what awaits her?
=========
This prequel story, a Gunslinger story, is a companion to the author’s “Gunslinger to the Stars.” The basic plot of the story, the slaver’s auction, plays out to its completion; Jane and the readers meet the successful bidder. However, the story leaves the characters there, presumably continued in the companion book.
There’s not much character development, although there is some intriguing backstory related to Jane and Sam. There’s not much world-building here, but there are some interesting tidbits, such as the light-flashing batons used by the bidders at the auction. Predictably, the alien guards utilize shock prods to keep their prisoners under control.
The overriding question, the fate that awaits Jane, is compelling; after reading this introductory tale, readers are likely to be curious enough to check out the companion story.
In the Scutum-Crux galactic arm, Jane Carter, Earthfleet Academy graduate and xenologist, finds herself in an alien slave auction. Thanks to the betrayal of their armed escort, including Sam Kletchka, Jane and the Setarni refugees fell into the slavers hands when they ambushed their ship.
Helpless, Jane watches the auctioning of a Setarni child snatched from its mother; the sale of the mother follows. Jane is the last; she has no idea who purchased her.
Who is the successful bidder? Why didn’t Sam come for Jane . . . and what awaits her?
=========
This prequel story, a Gunslinger story, is a companion to the author’s “Gunslinger to the Stars.” The basic plot of the story, the slaver’s auction, plays out to its completion; Jane and the readers meet the successful bidder. However, the story leaves the characters there, presumably continued in the companion book.
There’s not much character development, although there is some intriguing backstory related to Jane and Sam. There’s not much world-building here, but there are some interesting tidbits, such as the light-flashing batons used by the bidders at the auction. Predictably, the alien guards utilize shock prods to keep their prisoners under control.
The overriding question, the fate that awaits Jane, is compelling; after reading this introductory tale, readers are likely to be curious enough to check out the companion story.
April 27, 2024
Jane Carter had dreams and ambitions. She wanted to go where no human had gone before, but being the first human captured and sold at an alien slave auction was not in her Xenolinguistics curriculum. She blamed her current circumstances on one Sam Kletchka of the Gliese colony of New Texas. He was the only human she had met out here in the Scutum-Crux galactic arm, and she both hoped that he was going to rescue her and not here because she did not want him to see her naked body because the slavers had removed her clothing. But what was in her future, not even she could have guessed.
This short story had me wanting more, and I’m so glad I have book one to look forward to. The physical world-building gives you more than enough to get an idea of the character’s location. The ethereal world-building adds to the atmosphere of the moment. The character’s interaction is believable. The character’s history is not only part of the story but is the story as this is a prequel to a series.
Yes, this is a science fiction story with action and adventure, and alien contact. I give this prequel to the Gunslinger series four stars out of five stars.
This short story had me wanting more, and I’m so glad I have book one to look forward to. The physical world-building gives you more than enough to get an idea of the character’s location. The ethereal world-building adds to the atmosphere of the moment. The character’s interaction is believable. The character’s history is not only part of the story but is the story as this is a prequel to a series.
Yes, this is a science fiction story with action and adventure, and alien contact. I give this prequel to the Gunslinger series four stars out of five stars.
February 15, 2024
This was more than just another interesting anthropological experience. It was real.
Jane Carter is part of the Earthfleet Academy.
Captured by hostile aliens, Jane is about to be the first human sold at an alien slave auction.
Jane’s a certified xenologist—she’s an expert in the study of alien species.
Before the slavers’ ambush, Jane was helping to escort the Setarni to a refugee colony.
The betrayal by her security forces is what hurts the most…especially that of Sam Kletchka—her ex.
Hating Sam, yet secretly hoping he can place the winning bid…he’s her only shot at an escape in one piece…Or is he?
Cool and unique. Sufficient world-building for the format. And clever.
“It doesn’t take anything from me?”
“Not at all. Your comfort and pleasure is entirely our own.”
Jane Carter is part of the Earthfleet Academy.
Captured by hostile aliens, Jane is about to be the first human sold at an alien slave auction.
Jane’s a certified xenologist—she’s an expert in the study of alien species.
Before the slavers’ ambush, Jane was helping to escort the Setarni to a refugee colony.
The betrayal by her security forces is what hurts the most…especially that of Sam Kletchka—her ex.
Hating Sam, yet secretly hoping he can place the winning bid…he’s her only shot at an escape in one piece…Or is he?
Cool and unique. Sufficient world-building for the format. And clever.
“It doesn’t take anything from me?”
“Not at all. Your comfort and pleasure is entirely our own.”
April 13, 2021
Jane Carter is kidnapped by alien slavers and sold at auction for a huge amount of money. Thank goodness her purchasers want only to learn about humans and to bask in human emotions. the purchasers (not owners; jane is free to leave) are shapeshifters.
This is a Space Opera type of story, and easy to read. I enjoyed it.
This is a Space Opera type of story, and easy to read. I enjoyed it.
December 29, 2021
Great short story
Although I felt like I started on chapter 2 and missed something at the beginning, the author does a great job of pulling the reader in and making them care about the characters in the book. I thought it was a good way to end a short story and I am looking forward to reading more about Kane and her adventures.
Although I felt like I started on chapter 2 and missed something at the beginning, the author does a great job of pulling the reader in and making them care about the characters in the book. I thought it was a good way to end a short story and I am looking forward to reading more about Kane and her adventures.
September 22, 2018
This was a fun short story. While it is not long enough to get a good feel for the universe it takes place in, it was interesting and (for such a short thing) pretty good at exploring the main character.
This author seems interesting enough, that I'll be adding him to my list of authors to follow.
This author seems interesting enough, that I'll be adding him to my list of authors to follow.
December 25, 2019
This is a very interesting, intriguing, clean short story about a human woman captured by alien slavers. The ending was rather abrupt and the author needs a better editor, but I would enjoy a longer, more fleshed out tale about Jane Carter of Earth.
September 4, 2023
This was a nice light introductory short story. I felt that the story had an 'old school' science fiction vibe at its core with some newer more modern components - a pleasing mix for me. The story certainly did enough to encourage me to what to see what happens in the series proper.
April 12, 2018
A fun pair of stories. My expectations were low and I was pleasantly surprised.
September 25, 2018
Fun but quick read
Quick read that makes you want more of Jane Carter's story. Can't wait to see what happens next to her
Quick read that makes you want more of Jane Carter's story. Can't wait to see what happens next to her
March 27, 2020
An interesting, but short introduction to what seems to be an interesting universe. Got a free copy from Book Funnel.
February 27, 2023
A neat new space story twist.
The story has a good and interesting beginning. Look forward to reading the rest of in the 3 books in the series.
The story has a good and interesting beginning. Look forward to reading the rest of in the 3 books in the series.
May 8, 2024
A very short story. I read this after reading the 1st book in the series. It would have been better to read before book #1. It helped give me more details on how Jane had survived slavery.
June 30, 2017
Short but well done. Not sure why, but it tickled my funny bone. I did wish gor more to the story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews