by
Marlene Fabian Stiles and
Hank Fabian
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Science Fiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
It is the year 2051 and the International Space
Institute has just sent two rival astrobiologists to search for
extraterrestrial life on Europa, the mysterious ice moon of Jupiter. What they
encounter could not only revolutionize science, it might make one of them the
most famous person on Earth. Or does the Universe have other plans?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
Charlie was right, the phenomenon was curious. If these
holes had been created by gas bubbles, why were they uniform and spaced so
evenly? Dismissing the peculiarity, she began a photographic assessment of the
tunnel wall.
At one point, she discovered a fissure wide enough to
squeeze through and marked her location on MySpeak’s guidance system so she
could retrace her steps. Then she crawled into the fissure on her hands and
knees. As her light relaxed the shadows’ grip, she stared in amazement at the
spacious chamber before her. Her headlamp revealed a domed ceiling interlaced
with natural archways reminiscent of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. Shimmering
bulbs of water the size of walnuts hung from the arches like crystal ornaments.
One by one they broke loose and fell in a reluctant rain, delicately splashing
into a shallow pool cradled on the rocky floor.
A translucent brilliance caught her eye, and she centered
her light on a glimmering mineral cluster that resembled a cache of rare
gemstones. Pale green crystals seemed to come alive as her light danced across
their facets. This is what he saw, it must be. Now she was grateful for her
hammer. Striking the crystal as hard as she could multiple times, she finally
broke off a small sample.
The raw beauty of this chamber invoked an overwhelming sense
of awe as well as a realization that nothing could live on this barren moon;
her mother had nothing to fear. Ming Yue conceded that she was relieved as
well.
She took one final picture, then closed her eyes and spoke a
silent prayer. Please let Pleiades find us so my brother can see these. A
sobering possibility crept over her: She was the first human to see this fantastic grotto, and
she might also be the last.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bios and Links:
The family that writes together stays together, so siblings Marlene Fabian Stiles and Hank Fabian co-authored a science fiction adventure that explores Jupiter’s moon Europa as two rival astrobiologists race to be the first to find extraterrestrial life. This discovery should ensure the winner fame and fortune, but the Universe has other plans.
Hank is the guy walking around with a long lens camera and binoculars, a tourist of the world fascinated by every creature that moves and every plant that grows. He teaches biology and helped devise a college genetics program. As a scientist he likes to work with facts, so there's a possibility that the creatures he’s created actually exist!
Marlene
is the president of a nonprofit, The I Will Projects, dedicated to advancing
educational venues that include a middle school aquaponics program in
partnership with the Boys and Girls Club which received a NASA grant. She writes
in multiple genres and also has published “Elderchild,” an Alzheimer’s
narrative written in the first person. She shares Hank’s love of the natural
world and is dazzled by the interconnectivity of all living things.
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GIVEAWAY
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ReplyDeleteThank you for featuring our sci fi adventure to Jupiter's mysterious ice moon Europa. Astrobiologist Charlie Adamson believes he'll gain fame and fortune if he discovers extraterrestrial life, but the Universe has other plans.
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