Here’s the link to the Weekend Writing Warriors central page, so you can visit all the participants sharing excerpts today…a fun way to sample new books and find new authors! (Also welcome to the Sunday Snippet visitors!)
Here’s the second snippet from STAR CRUISE: OUTBREAK, which released in April. I picked a less gory scene for contrast to last week’s snippet (here). In this snippet (which takes place before the outbreak begins), Dr. Emily Shane has just been called upon to treat an animal, belonging to a princess traveling aboard the ship.
“I’m off to a great first day—undoubtedly broke fifteen or twenty regulations, not to mention a few medical canons.”
“Little girl with a sick pet.” He shrugged, “What could you do?”
“You don’t even need me for this situation – the AI is obviously prepared to diagnose and treat on its own.” Emily washed her hands again.
“Maeve.” His voice held a hint of impatience, “I did mention several times that the ship’s AI has a name—Maeve. She prefers to be addressed by name.”
“Not Nebula Zephyr?”
“No, Fleming brought Maeve over with us from the ship he commanded in our military days,” Jake said.
The story:
She saved countless soldiers in the wars … but does she have the weapons to fight an outbreak?
Dr. Emily Shane, veteran of the Sector Wars, is known as “The Angel of Fantalar” for her bravery under fire as a medic. However, the doctor has her own war wounds–severe PTSD and guilt over those she failed to save.
Persuaded to fill a seemingly frivolous berth as ship’s doctor on the huge and luxurious interstellar cruise liner Nebula Zephyr, she finds the job brings unexpected perks–a luxe beach deck with water imported from Tahumaroa II, and Security Officer Jake Dilon, a fellow veteran who heats her up like a tropical sun.
However, Emily soon learns she and Jake didn’t leave all peril behind in the war. A mysterious ailment aboard the Zephyr begins to claim victim after victim … and they must race against time and space to find the cause and a cure! Trapped on a ship no spaceport will allow to dock, their efforts are complicated by a temperamental princess and a terrorist–one who won’t hesitate to take down any being in the way of his target. If anyone’s left when the disease is through with them…
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Sounds like Emily is not a fan of the AI at all. Great snippet!
I got a chuckle out of his defending the feelings of the ship’s artificial intelligence. This passage says something about each of the characters, as well.
Artificial or not, Maeve has certainly found at least one “friend”.
The AI sounds a handful. LOL Thanks for sharing!
An AI with a preference? Interesting, and not a little creepy! I still remember HAL and VIKI all too well!
I wonder why he is so emotional abut the AI having a name.
Emly doesn’t care if the AI has a name. Emily is annoyed at the way Maeve inserts herself into conversations and doesn’t follow proper medical protocol. The thing here – and we didn’t have enough sentences to complete the thought – is that the AI usually takes the same name as the ship. So Emily is just surprised.
Oh, I see. somehow I had imagine that he liked the AI as more than an AI. That AI seems to have a personality unlike any others.
No worries! It;s hard to know the details from just our snippets each week. I didn’t want to leave the idea that this AI was scary though…she’s just overbearing!
Love the name! Sounds like there’s a history with this AI!
Thanks! Oh yes, I have lot of plans for Maeve in future books of the series 🙂
Interesting twist to have an AI with ideas of its own “helping” her out. Fun and revealing dialogue in this snippet.
A little touchy, are we Maeve? 😀 I get the feeling the AI is going to be less than helpful in the coming outbreak.
Big trouble on the way. Can’t wait. Hugs, you famous person.
Great snippet–love the dialogue.
Oh, an AI with attitude 🙂 Have you read any if Iain M Banks’s Culture novels? I think you’d like his ships…
Being completely unused to reading science fiction, I first read the name as Al (i.e. short for Alan), then realised it meant artificial intelligence. Seems strange that the AI should have a preference to be known as Maeve. Sounds like an AI with attitude. Fascinating read.
Loved this dialog exchange, her fun line about breaking regs, the reply about “girl with a sick pet…what could you do?” LOL! Seriously!
What is so special about Maeve? Why was this AI moved to the new ship?
I’m planning to write quite a few stories set on this ship – it’s my scifi equivalent of a ‘village’ and there’s a deep backstory to the AI, Maeve.I have a lot of plans for her character going forward, In OUTBREAK she plays a role but it isn’t her book, you know? So it’s “stay tuned” for more Maeve.
Interesting that the AI of one ship was moved to another. Does someone have feelings for the AI? And I love that her name is Maeve! 🙂
And when an AI has control over your ship, you have to make sure and keep them happy by doing things the way they want. Good stuff.
This sounds so good. Looking forward to reading the whole story.
Love the banter between these too as they discuss the name and ‘personality’ of the artificial intelligence. Enjoyed the snippet and look forward to knowing more.
How they react to the AI shows a lot about each character. Nicely done!
I really enjoyed the book. Finished it in two days.
AI has a name??? Suddenly I’m thinking about H.A.L. from 2001 Space Odyssey.
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Interesting snippet. I’m thinking of Hal too.
Who wouldn’t prefer to be addressed by their name? I can see how Maeve could diagnose, but treat?
Ohhh, I really like the little bit of snark that’s coming through and the fact she’s ready to help a pet. Says a lot about her.
It kind of disturbs me that the AI has a name… and a history with a crew member. Considering how the AI, excuse me, Maeve, interrupts, etc, I worry how much it/she is going to get “too personal”
That dialogue is seamless, and the opening line is fantastic. Excellent writing, as always!
I love the the dialogue between them … well done.
I really like these characters already, even Maeve! Great dynamic showing through in such a short snippet.
Not quite sure who has the attitude problem — Maeve or Emily. (Emily seems rather resentful of Maeve.)
There’s quite a bit of back and forth between Emily and Maeve….
HAL?
What fun, it sounds like bad blood between a human and an AI. I hope you’re planning to show us an interaction or two between Emily and Maeve, I’d love to see that!
Marcia
Hmmmm. An AI with an identity. What could go wrong?
An AI called Maeve – I love it! A really fun snippet, thanks 🙂