Author: markswritingcorner

Mark Ahern was born in 1979 and is from Ireland. He attained a Degree in Commerce from UCD in 2000 and a Masters in European Studies in 2001. He has written three novels to date encompassing science fiction and thrillers. At times Mark has used his experiences as an individual with a disability to write from a truly unique perspective. "Chronicles of Martan" which is his sole science fiction work to date, is an epic space odyssey inspired by his love of Star Wars. This was followed by "Not the Usual Suspect" and "Paradigm". His current project is called "The Irish Ripper" and should be available late 2019.

Pegasus (Part 123)

“What do you mean?” I couldn’t help but sound astonished. Doing a drug deal was never part of the plan.

The smuggler pursed her lips. “They’ll raise the alarm if they don’t get their drugs. They have always been clear about that with me. No drug deal, and you can kiss your other plans goodbye.”

Damn it, this was not good news.

Leanne piped up. Holding her head up high, she spoke confidently, “I’ll help her. We can do this.”

Muttering then broke out among the group.

I looked at Leanne straight in the eyes. “Are you sure you can do this?”

She nodded.

Her Mum and sister were eager to accompany her.

I had to put my foot down. “No way. You’d stick out too much. They can do the same drug deal, and we’ll look after the Emperor. You can mind the ship.”

It still took another uneasy hour before we docked. The smuggler knew all the correct codes and where to bring the ship down, which she did with a thud. “Don’t worry guys, I wouldn’t damage my baby.” Leanne walked beside her and rubbed her shoulder.

Tabitha whispered into my ear. “Ah, young love.”

I smiled. “Let’s go, people. Time is of the essence. We’re only going to get one chance to pull this off.”

Review of “All these Worlds (Bobiverse: Book 3) by Dennis E. Taylor

It is rare for the third book in a trilogy to be the best. Usually, I would think the writer is looking to make a few more euros. But not this time. It’s the best I’ve read since the first book in the Children of Times series.

You would need to read the first two books first, or you will be totally lost.

The Bobs are replicants who have now been copied many, many times. Each iteration is slightly different, and the varied experiences they each have, make them even more different. One Bob spends seventy years with a primitive, sentient species, who are in danger of extinction, and guides them as a quasi-sky God to a safer location. Another gets invested in the people on a colony world, and has deeper friendships than when he was flesh and blood.

There are many interwoven stories of love, friendship, and exploration. It makes you consider that immortality as a machine may not be all that bad. Of course, it’s not all plain sailing. “The Others” must be contended with, along with a pesky attempted coup on one of the human colony worlds.

What does it mean to be human?

What does it mean to be conscious?

Great science fiction makes you ask yourself difficult questions. And this is why this is so good.

There are some great action scenes too, especially with “The Others”. It invites you to imagine epic space battles where the very future of humanity is in danger.

Read this series. I can say no more, and naturally it gets five stars out of five,

Don’t forget to subscribe!

Pegasus (Part 122)

The entire rag group of rebels stood in astonishment when the Emperor’s habitat finally came into view by the naked eye. I believed it would look like all the others, but I was wrong.

It wasn’t that it was large, but rather the multitude of colors. Nobody could be left in any doubt that this was anything other than the residence of the star system’s ruler. It was semi-spherical, with a huge golden archway linking one side of the surface to the other.

The city, well, more like a town, was located near one of them. The habitat was sparsely populated with no real cities. Most of it was more like a huge wilderness.

I spoke to the others. “We’re about two hours from landing. Now we need a plan,”

“Kill the Emperor by blowing him up.” Tabitha looked at me blankly.

I allowed myself a small chuckle. “Yes, I know. But how and what role will we each play? I’m the only one who will not look out of place. Tabitha and I together should not arouse suspicion. Anymore, definitely will. The rest of you should stay in the ship.”

There were groans.

The smuggler interjected. “That won’t work. At the very least, you will need to complete the drug deal. Otherwise, you will be reported. Make no mistake about it.”

Pegasus (Part 121)

Drugs. I had thought as much. The latest craze was called “E77” and the ship was undoubtedly full to the hilt. Rumours had it that it was being manufactured “en masse” near Neptune. It was one of the most toxic substances known to man. The flesh of regular users just rotted away.

If we were caught with this amount of drugs, it would be an automatic death sentence for us all. Of course, that was what we were facing anyway. Nothing to worry about then.

I left the two ladies and went back to the ship’s controls. Leanne’s Mom gave me a knowing look.

We were three hours away from approaching the Emperor’s habitat. No sign of us being followed. I decided to look up this town called “Darius” on the ship’s computer and read silently to myself –

Darius is the third largest city on the Emperor’s habitat with a population of half a million residents, all of whom are directly related to the Emperor to some degree. It contains a military base and remains an important industrial base.

When I reach the end of the screen, it mentions that it is also a major smuggling hub for drugs and weapons, but these issues are being dealt with by a major clampdown currently underway.

Uug

Pegasus (Part 120)

An hour passed and I was sure we were not being followed. It was a huge relief. I had enough excitement for a while.

Our next destination was the Emperor’s Habitat. Everyone was on the bridge apart from Leanne and the smuggler. They were sleeping. I reckoned that the smuggler’s injuries should be well healed by now. A med laser was used on her a good forty minutes previously.

I rise slowly out of the chair and enter the cargo bay.

On the other side, Leanne and the smuggler are gazing into each other’s eyes, the smuggler’s hand caressing Leanne’s face.

I take a step back and clear my throat waking those around me before stepping back inside. The two ladies look at me with perplexed facial expressions.

Much better, I think to myself.

I walk over to them and look at the smuggler.

“You’re looking far better now anyway.”

“Thanks,” she replied. Her tone solemn.

“You said you could get us into the Emperor’s Habitat? How”

She looked over at some crates.

“Drugs. And there’s a high demand for them in the habitat. I have a contact in Darious, the main port. Actually, he looks quite like you. He makes sure I get through without any problems. Takes a cut, of course.”

Pegasus (Part 119)

There was not a second to waste as I heard laser fire blasting. I ran into the ship and straight to the bridge. Wide-eyed I took a moment to take in the different control panels and visual displays before sitting into the soft pilot’s chair.

Multiple cameras viewed outside the ship from every conceivable angle. From one viewing the rear, I could see that Leanne and her companion had hobbled in. The next minute seemed like an eternity as white flashes appeared. Then, I saw Tabitha, standing and returning fire.

Get into the ship for fucks.

Then the others appeared scurrying into the ship before Tabitha made a run for it.

Immediately, I pressed the button to close the cargo bay door and fired up the thrusters rattling the ship. Pulling back the lever, the ship began to rise just as the blue flashes of its force shield activated.

My finger hovered over the red button to return. Then I pulled it back.

Tabitha came up beside me, kissing me on the mouth. “That was close. I wasn’t sure I’d see you again.”

I reached out and held her hand.

The habitat receded into the distance and my heart began to beat more slowly.

Winding Up a Scammer: My Encounter with Ingrid

Ladies and gentlemen, I’ve been at it again – winding up a scammer. Should I be wasting their precious time? Of course, I should. Today, I talked to a lovely, scheming, evil woman called Ingrid. Little did I know, there was a massive grant I was missing out on.

M = me I = Ingrid

I: Hello. How are you doing.?

M: I’m good and you?

I: Am doing pretty good

Hey…..I have something important to discuss with you (I knew she was a scammer right about now)

M: You do Ingrid, what is it?

I: I saw your name on the NCG list..did you get anything from them? (Now the fun can begin)

M: That’s really interesting. Is that the Navan Carlow Galway rejuvenation list?

I: No…….this is about the national community grant from (Government) which assisted the employees, Old, retired, workers, non-workers, youth and disabled, did you get yours?

No, I’ve never heard about it. I heard that FG government never do nothing. How much is it Could really do with it. Need money for wheelchair

I: I got a hundred thousand dollars from them I had money delivered to me when I applied, you can get it too…I can give you their contact if you don’t mind

M: Wow, that’s cool. But should it be paid In euros. I’m so silly about these things.

Are you there? I really need this money? I’ll do anything.

I: Yeah… I think (to the euro question, wondering what is a euro?) Wait a minute Let me help you check for their website link and send it to you..

M: Cool

I: Link is forwarded to someone claiming to be an agent. Do that now and keep me posted.

M: Where is he based? How did you meet him?

I: A friend also told me about it like I told you..

I had some financial issues then but I have no hope than to try it because I thought it was a scam so after trying it I was surprised to recieve the money from them. I was surprised when they delivered to me. In front of my doorstep,

M: Where are you based again? Are you in the US?

I: Nope

Crokedwood

But they base in the US through my research

M: Where is Crokedwood? Never heard of it.

You there?

I: Really.

M: yes, honestly. Is it in England?

I: Yeah.

Hey… have you drop a message to them?

M: Where in England? You’re pretty, we might meet up (Is it ok to sexually harass a scammer? I’m probably talking to a guy pretending to be a woman so let’s make him squirm lol)

I: Huh

M: you know get it on.

Alas, the scammer stopped communicating for some reason. Don’t worry I’ll report them and remember – Don’t forget to subscribe! And stay safe too. There are bad people, or at least bad bots out there to get you.

Pegasus (Part 118)

There were no more guards. Two rows of fifty starships of various sizes, classes, and make were parked in front of us.

Sharon, still being aided by Leanne pointed in the direction of her one. I sprinted ahead wary of the reinforcements that I thought were imminent.

“This one?” I shouted pointing to a dishevelled white Betomez carrier.

“The next one,” Leanne shouted.

I ran forward.

No, it couldn’t be. Not a first-class Mitzu. The ship was famous throughout the system for its speed and agility. Then there were the armaments. Two immense laser cannons protruded on each side. They had enough destructive power to give small space habitats concerns for their continuing existence. In my youth, I went through a phase of our Mitzu idolatry, and this was the ship that I always wanted to fly.

“This one?”

“Yes. The code is 0575ew2”

I couldn’t help but smile.

Most others would not have known where to input the code but I did, and I immediately entered it into the panel input device under the left wing. The rear cargo bay began to open, and I heard the unmistakable clicking sound of the laser cannons becoming operational.

Then I heard the sound of distant laser fire – reinforcements had arrived.

Pegasus (Part 117)

We exited the room and were about to go to our left when Sharon spoke.

“Guys don’t go that way!” She pointed in the opposite direction.

Leanne made to go that way.

“Are we sure we can trust her?”

The others scowled at me and went the way she suggested. We turned right and right again. A service lift was there, She looked at me with a wry grin. I smiled back.

It was a small lift but we all managed to find space inside. Then Sharon inputted the setting for the very top level.

“Be prepared to open fire! There are usually a few guards up here.”

The lift swept us upwards. There were no stabilizers so you could feel the acceleration. With each second, my legs became heavier.

“Woohoo, we’re really traveling!” I exclaimed just before it came to a halt momentarily lifting our feet off the ground.

The door began to creak open.

One of the guards had their back to us. She was wearing a distinctive blue uniform with a handgun around her waist. No quarter was given.

Bullets ripped through his torso. Her body slipped to the ground revealing two. They put their hands up, and Chrissie and Pam ran towards them to tie them up.

Pegasus Part 116

She blubbed that her name was Sharon. Instantly, I remembered the name. I let go of my embrace with Tabitha and turned to face her. Her right eye was swollen and blood was still dripping from her mouth.

“You’re a smuggler,” I said.

She nodded her bowed head.

“Do you have a ship?

There was no response. I stepped in her direction, but Leanne blocked my way, her facial muscles tense.

“Leanne, she is the key to getting us to the Emperor’s habitat. You know what you signed up for joining the movement,”

Chrissie put her hand on my shoulder.

“We need her help Leanne.”

Leanne pouted her lips and glanced back at Sharon.

“Yes, I know. Let me talk to her first. The woman is petrified.”

Chrissie looked at me.

“Give them a few minutes. Let Leanne talk to her.

I went back and tended to Tabitha.

Minutes passed, and the two women murmured to each other. Whatever Leanne said was worth it because she agreed to take us to the Emperor’s habitat. Her ship was at the top of the building. I helped Tabiitha to her feet, as Leanne did likewise with Sharon. There was a silent groan after each step taken.