How Shall We Sing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land?
Beginning of a new science fiction short story.
The automated distress call from New Jerusalem Colony went out over the tanglecom, so it was received instantaneously two hundred and thirty-seven light years away on Earth. Since a least-time hyperspace journey from Earth would take over three years, the message was forwarded to Mir Colony, which was the closest to New Jerusalem. Forty-three days later the starship Katiusha arrived in orbit around New Jerusalem.
Since the signal had contained no details beyond the code indicating catastrophic failure of the colony AI, the crew of the Katiusha were not sure what to expect. Repeated attempts to raise anyone on the ground via radio were met with nothing but static.
A robotic surveillance probe was sent down to the central city of the colony. The buildings appeared to be intact, but there were no people to be found. A few groundcars that had crashed were the only signs of violence, but there were no bodies.
There had been three hundred thousand colonists on New Jerusalem. Now there were none.
Eric, you are a very talented writer. I don’t usually comment on the little snippets of the stories you post, but I am always impressed at the way you can grab the my attention and curiosity almost immediately. Your lead-ins are very good, and make you want to read more to find out what’s going on, or how the character/story got in the situation it is.
Keep it up, I think you have a real shot of getting published some day. And I’m not just blowing smoke up your a**, I really mean it.
Thanks, Kevin. I’m glad you enjoy reading them.
As for getting published, both my Writers of the Future finalist and my Phobos winner should be published in their respective anthologies later this year. That’s 2/3 of what I need to become a full-fledged member of SFWA (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America). I feel very fortunate; some people have written for years without getting a qualifying publication, and I get two in one year.
Yeah, I saw that those two stories got published. That’s cool. When I said published, I was talking about the next big step … getting your own novel published.
Are you taking Caleb’s next class starting March 29th?
Ah, THAT kind of published. Yes, I do hope that happens eventually.
Caleb has several different classes. I’m not sure, but I think he has three levels, and if you want to continue after that, you join the advanced class (which is where I am, along with three other students.)
I found this opening segment one of the most intriguing of those you have posted recently. I do hope that you will write the complete story!
You caught my attention right away with your words you have the gift! I wish you the very best!
‘-)