My head throbbed, as if in the grip of an angry giant. Crawling forwards, I encountered the bars of energy that sealed my cage and was thrown back with a jolt to lie retching on the asteroid’s cold surface. I could see one of my captors keeping watch on a ridge; her tall thin figure was silhouetted against the stars, the crest running down her back marking her out as a middle-rank detachment commander. She seemed impatient and I could guess why – they’d been hunting me for months.
Ceres had already set and Jupiter was only just visible above the horizon. I remembered training there with my grandfather: that thrill of diving into its swirling outer mantle, the exhilarating sucking gravity, the moment of terror when you feel you are about to be crushed, the skill (hard to master) of holding your nerve as you pass just beyond pain before the subtle change of trajectory that accelerates you out and away again at ten times your original speed. ‘Riding the sling-shot’ they used to call it.
My guard’s shape stiffened as bright lights emerged above the ridge. She waved her hand and the prison ship eased itself down close by.
Comments
Silver Spun Sand | October 2, 2010 - 08:24
Again, Rob - your mastery of words shines, almost as brightly as Ceres, or even Jupiter;-)
It never ceases to amaze me how you can create such atmosphere in so few words.
More than enjoyed.
Tina
rjnewlyn | October 2, 2010 - 09:11
Thanks very much Tina - that's great praise coming from you.
And thanks to the cherry-person!
Rob
insertponceyfre... | October 2, 2010 - 10:43
really liked this new part Rob - do all your ideas for plots come from dreams?
rjnewlyn | October 3, 2010 - 20:14
Many thanks Insert. I've no idea where they come from - they just come. The only dreams I seem to be able to remember (and there are precious few of these) are the irritating hassling ones where things keep going wrong - certainly nothing worth writing about.
Rob
fatboy74 | December 1, 2010 - 23:10
Rob, have you noticed the gigantic read count of Planet Earth is Blue 2 - it is somewhere over 800! Do you know what has happened here? if it carries on it will overtake Angela Bromley has got Massive Tits or whatever it is called. Looking forward to next installment. :-)
rjnewlyn | December 2, 2010 - 14:24
No I hadn't noticed. I wonder whether there's been a mis-counting though as I can't think of any particular reason, unless it's the rhyme in the title (?). Next instalment a bit delayed because of flu and brain-befuddlement. Hopefully soon ...
Rob
fatboy74 | December 2, 2010 - 14:55
It's strange, but it just being wrong never occured to me, the simplest answer is usually the correct one. Hot toddy recipe :Whiskey, Fortified Australian White Wine, Two Sugars, Lemon and Hot water. It's basically what we used to call a blob but with extra alcohol.:-)
Beeme | December 5, 2010 - 19:02
Very compelling stuff with beautiful imagery. Now I'm off to read part 3,4,5,6,7... ;)
Beeme xx
rjnewlyn | December 5, 2010 - 23:30
Thanks very much Beeme - don't worry about commenting on the others as you read them. I'm sure you've better things to do!
Rob
Sooz006 | May 12, 2012 - 22:05
I started reading this way back when, it's only polite to revisit and finish it. Love the writing, not sure about the story yet.
rjnewlyn | May 12, 2012 - 22:16
Hi Sooz. Well, thanks very much! I haven't read it myself for a while. Last time I did, I thought I might spruce it up and re-package at some point. I'm basically happy with it but it's a bit uneven in places.
Rob