Oasis of Mars: All Aboard

Posted on by Rachael Ritchey

Okay, so I actually used Mars as the setting for my Oasis #BlogBattle story. And as often happens, more story wanted to come from that short episode, so I wrote two more parts the next week. I tried to put it aside for the time being, knowing I want to really and truly write this story someday, but with a topic of MARS this week, I really couldn’t resist one more short episode for now. It is really just an awkward moment caught in time. 🙂

If you don’t want to go back and read or re-read the previous installments, here is a brief recap:

Earth Vegrandis’s water supply is dangerously low after six thousand Earth Prime days without rain. There’s one man who’s sworn off allegiance to the Federation of Interstellar Humanity, but hasn’t lost his own humanity completely. Zane is on a mission to gain new “seed water” for Earth Vegrandis, and the best place to get it from is the human outpost of Fruitful on the planet Mars. But when he arrives, it’s to find the city in chaos and the shield generator on the verge of exploding. He’s intent upon getting that seed water, but the minister of Mars and his daughter, Serena, are in desperate need of a ride off the planet before the dome shield is gone and they die with information essential to humanity’s survival.

Part One: Oasis of Mars

Part Two: Minister Sola’s Palace

Part Three: Final Troop

Part FOUR: All Aboard

Zane cursed his luck under his breath and absently helped Serena through the door where she collapsed against the wall inside the ship. She clutched at her side and breathed in the filtered air with short breaths. He didn’t notice anything as his mind worked out the amount of water they’d gained from Mars’s supply before the line had blown.

Zane stopped partway through the door when he looked at his new passenger and noticed the trickle of blood dripping down her temple from just above her right eye. He cringed, but before he could ask if she was all right Dragon gave him a shove from behind. If the man had been an average guy it might have only been a gentle reminder, but Dragon wasn’t average and often forgot his own strength. His tap sent Zane flying forward where he collided with Serena in an awkward moment of hot breath and flailing arms.

“Get off!” she said, practically yelling in his face.

He found her exaggerated reaction to the ridiculous circumstance amusing and braced himself against the wall with his hands on either side of her head.

“You’re welcome,” he said.

The flushed look of her face was the cake.

“What are you talking about?”

“Well, I did just save your life. So, you’re welcome.”

The flustered expression immediately switched to provoked indignation when her jaw dropped, nostrils flared, and her brows moved together in a downward slant. The whole transformation made her nose wrinkle. That was the icing.

Zane grinned.

She shoved him back, but at that exact moment the ship lurched off the landing pad and set them all off-balance. Serena stumbled toward Zane who caught her by her upper arms but released her as quickly as he’d grabbed on. She pushed him again, successfully putting space between her and him but it was with enough force to send Zane back a few steps to catch himself.

Zane’s shoulder knocked into Dragon when he found his balance, but they both just watched with stupid grins plastered on their faces as Serena yanked the edges of her tight jacket down and marched the short distance to the cockpit.

“Feisty, that one.”

Zane looked sideways at the ever-laconic Dragon.

“You could say that.”

on a side note, this is my 400th blog post! Woohoo! I’ve talked at you all four-hundred times. Thanks for sticking with me. 🙂

41 thoughts on “Oasis of Mars: All Aboard”

  1. Pingback: The Infinity Dreams Award | Sara Letourneau's Official Website & Blog

  2. Congrats on 400! I’ve enjoyed every bit of it too!
    Poor Serena having to tolerate their stupid grins, lol! That Zane is a naughty one. 😉 Nice to have them all back this week! It really was perfect for the Mars theme. 🙂
    Am eager to read this new sci-fi novel once you write it, Rachael.

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    1. Thanks, E. I feel like I haven’t been around to chat much lately and haven’t spent near enough time at your lovely blog. I will have to go catch up ASAP because I just don’t know what is happening with you!

      I’m soooo very happy you liked having Zane and the crew back. It does my heart good to hear you would be eager to read this story. I’ve got it plotting out in my head. Somewhere, sometime I’ll find the right time to write it. 🙂 haha THANK YOU, AFA (awesome friend author)! 🙂

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      1. Time is a hard thing to find, I understand–really I do. 🙂 I’m always happy when you hop on over to my blog! 😀 I did manage a book review over the weekend. 🙂
        Yes, one of these days you will find time for Zane, AFA! He will keep bothering you until you do: characters are like that. 😉

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        1. Oh, I saw your book review! 🙂 I’m so thankful for you. I can’t put into words exactly how much so. You have been an encouragement to me in so many ways. You’re a huge part of why I love blogging, and I’m not just saying that, either.
          You are so right about some characters. I still have one gal from way back toward the beginning who visited a farm that is pestering me to revisit her story…to dive deep and really find out what the conflict was. 🙂 Zane will not be forgotten. Although, I may need to rename him since it reminds me too much of Zaide and he’s a bad guy, but Zane is not. haha

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          1. That means a lot to me, Rachael! I’m glad to know I’ve been able to help out and give you some encouragement. You are a blessing in my life, not just as a fellow writer and blogger, but also as a person of faith. It’s exciting to see how God is using you as an author! I’m thankful for you, AFA. Blogging wouldn’t be the same without you, and I mean that.
            Characters, yes I think I remember that gal. Oh and Grecca too! I could never forget about her. 😉 Zaide/Zane, haha I didn’t think about that until now! 😀 You could add an “h” in there, like Zhane instead, maybe? I don’t know. X) That reminds me, my poor Clover and Fhern have been left hanging too! haha, I need to find time for them. 😀

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            1. That’s said so well. ♡ Thanks, E. 🙂
              I’ve got the warm and fuzzies. 🙂
              That’s certainly an idea with Z(h)ane’s. I kinda like it. 😀
              Yes! Loving Madnes, but I do miss Clover and Fhern! So much good stuff. I’m all smiles right now.

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    1. Thanks, Phoenix. I’m not sure if celebrating a lot of posts is wise since there is a good chance they are bit quality. Haha but still pretty exciting for me. And thanks about the characters. That is such a great thing to hear. 🙂

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    1. Well, that’s hard to say. It really depends on how bad Zane wants more water or how much stronger Serena’s will is than his. haha I really want to clean this up and make it into a full-length sci-fi novel. *sigh* thanks for enjoying it with me, Tess! ❤

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    2. Ooops didn’t mean to push send yet. Hehe I was saying I read it out loud and while it all flows okay in my head, it needs work for out loud reading, but I like the scene. Made me smile. The last part was definitely the best! 🙂 Thanks!

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  8. 400?!!? I don’t think I’ve managed 100 yet – but that’s why you’re the boss i guess lol
    Keep going with this story – You know I’ve got a bit more work to do on some of my work – how are we going to find the time?!?

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    1. Yep. 400 crazy posts. Haha It’s been just over a year and a half. Some people have mute in that amount of time. I’m sure a lot of then are due to the battles, though.

      Do you think? I’m always glad to have a vote of confidence when it comes to continuing. We will figure it out!

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  12. Pingback: #BlogBattle Week 32 “Mars” Entries & Voting | Rachael Ritchey

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