Cute short story and a little cynical, angels at work terraforming Mars, or are they working?
Set fifty years in the future, with achievable technologies. Lucilla is one of the scientists observing the bacteria engineered to terraform Mars. Her quiet life is overturned by a series of disasters. Can she find love in spite of her weird artificial eyes?
Excerpt:
The buzz of the com interrupted her
perusal of the menu items. Jasper’s hawk avatar flapped across the screen.
Lucilla stifled a pang of regret that she couldn’t see his face. Of course, she
had met him. He had flown her from the orbiting spaceship down to her station
on Mars. But they had both worn helmets and their faces were distorted by the
visor. Cocking her head expectantly, she hit the switch, and prepared to enjoy
his call. The daily exchanges with Phobos station added a comic touch to her
life.
“Phobos to Mars three. Jasper here with
a song for Lucilla, Lu, Lu, cilla, cilla, la, la, la,” he warbled in falsetto,
and then dropped into his normal baritone, “How are you, Lucilla, babe?”
Lucilla was torn between laughter and
annoyance at his honeyed words. She cringed inwardly. He would never call her
babe if he saw her scarred face. It was best to ignore his silly song and sweet
words, “Mars three to Phobos. Hello Jasper, I’m fine. Just watching the angels
grow as usual. Any news from the moon?”
Interesting snippet, Aurora. Makes me want to know more.
ReplyDeleteOnly 99c and I'll have a party giveaway.
Deletelol, Jasper sounds like my kinda guy. I'll have to give this a read.
ReplyDeleteI have to send it to you for sfrstation
ReplyDelete