There were times when I felt less like my planet’s representative to the galaxy and more like a B-movie celebrity. Most events at UnionCon were at least nominally about promoting goodwill between the systems of the Galactic Union. The meet-and-greet, on the other hand, was primarily about signing autographed photos for groupies. Yes, I had groupies.
Tag: Umea Bakearen
Rules of Engagement, Part 2
This is the conclusion of a two-part story. If you’ve not read Part 1, you can link to it here. Search Ada gaped at the Denebian vessel. “How does it fly without wings or propellers? It’s too small to be an airship.” “It’s hard to explain in layman’s terms,” said Luken. “The engines manipulate gravity…Read More…
Asylum
This story first appeared in Captain’s Log, an anthology of sci-fi tales by members of the Facebook group The Dragon’s Rocketship. Dab stepped out into the warmth of the Denebian sunlight and contemplated her future. This place wasn’t home, but it was decidedly better than living on a Bhetangu conglomerate orbiting a dead planet. Assuming…Read More…
The Ground is Alive
Fear is often our first reaction to things we don’t understand. Sometimes, those things don’t understand us, either. Miles Lewis sat in Hendrickson’s office, trying to ignore the stink of the man’s cigarette smoke and focus on the recording of the survey team’s final transmission. The video was too snowy to make out anything, even…Read More…
The Waterfalls of Polaris
Polaris has long been known for its waterfalls which are regarded as the tallest, most extensive falls in the known galaxy. For millennia, Polarans have relied on the falls for hydroelectric and mechanical power as well as temperature and humidity control. Entire cities are built behind the falls, and on the surrounding cliffs. Over the…Read More…
Snippet: A Time to Heal
Don’t mess with Diana Diego… Trevor was the first guest to arrive and be scanned. A laser light outlined a shape in his pocket, and a DSS agent confronted him. “Please empty your pockets, sir.” “It’s just a pocketknife!” Trevor slowly pulled it out to hand to the agent. “See? I never go anywhere without…Read More…
The Void Crossing
The following is an excerpt from A Time to Mourn. It’s a tale of how the Jhelin came to this galaxy and settled in Vega. Long ago, the governing body of the galaxy became corrupt. Instead of serving the common good, they sought power for themselves. They passed laws that made it nearly impossible to…Read More…
Flora Prime and Symbiosis
Flora Prime is a unique world within the Umea Bakearen universe. Though it is a full-fledged member of the Galactic Union, the indigenous people never developed space flight on their own. They were approached by the Aldebarans because they were intrigued by the symbiotic relationship many Florans have with their great horned beetles. Aldebarans, of…Read More…
Arachnoids Are People, Too…
Most of the alien races in the Umea Bakearen series are humanoid, but not all… A welcoming committee was ready on the flight deck by the time the Sargazi vessel began its final approach. Before it docked, I addressed the crowd. “Please remember that showing revulsion toward the Sargazi is extremely ill-advised,” I began. “If…Read More…