First Endeavor's

By Ted Iverson

First Endeavors is two short stories written by Ted Iverson. Born and raised in northern Illinois, Ted has been married for twenty-nine years with two sons. Writing has always been a lifelong dream, and he pleased to share his first two short stories with you.
Also included in this novella are the first five chapters of his first novel: Mission to the Stars: The Search for FTL.
LunaTics
The Mercury Ad Agency had been looking for an advertising campaign that would save them from an ailing economy. Jonah Trotter’s team was the best that the agency had but even they had hit a dry spell. How could Jonah know that by spilling a cup of coffee on a book would lead to a new space race!
Rival, Luna Advertising steals one of Jonah’s team members and with him Mercury’s ideas! This carries two of the world’s greatest ad campaigns into space and then to the moon, touching off a chain of events that would change the way mankind lived forever...
Mine Alone
Artoro Coalter was one of the Expanse Mining Company’s best. A fatal matter transfer accident at the Kupier Belt ended his 16 years with the company abruptly. His wife Mileena must now decide whether or not to pick up her late husband’s contract with Expanse. If she doesn’t, how will she care for their two children? If she does, it would mean long dangerous periods away from home and someday mining the Kupier Belt, the very place where her husband perished. That day is now...
After a rouge asteroid explodes Mileena finds herself fighting for survival and questioning the need to go on without the love of her life...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ted Iverson
• Release date: Jun 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476114200

Ted Iverson

Born and raised in Rockford, Illinois, Ted started reading Science Fiction as an adolescent. Writing a book in this genre has been a dream of his since that time. When Star Wars came onto the big screen Ted was hooked and a Sci-Fi junkie was born! Ted left Rockford in 1981 when he joined the Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California when he married his wife Joanne in 1983. Married for twenty-nine years they have two wonderful sons, Christopher and Nathan. Living back in Illinois since 1985 he is fulfilling a lifelong dream of writing. He took a few writing classes at a local college and got started, all while working full time and raising his family. Ted’s first novel, Mission to the Stars: The Search for FTL was published in 2009 and the second installment in the series will be coming out in the summer of 2012. He is currently writing the third Mission to the Stars book. He is also working on a yet un-named project. Please visit his website: www.tediverson.com or contact him at [e-mail]

Book preview

FIRST ENDEAVOR’S:

Short Stories

By Ted Iverson

FIRST ENDEAVOR’S: Short Stories By Ted Iverson

Copyright: Ted Iverson, June, 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this novel may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are the products of the author’s imagination or are used factiously.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Other works by Ted Iverson:

Mission to the Stars

Book One: The Search for FTL

For more information on upcoming works please go to:

www.tediverson.com

Dedication

Mine Alone: To Nina, who inspired me to write a strong female character after a tragic loss and to never give up.

LunaTics: For everyone who enjoys a simple, fun, and entertaining sci-fi read.

Thanks to my family for allowing me to do what I love. My son Nate for the cover design, and last to Bryan for having such a great last name!

Special thanks go out to Shawn Weaver for formatting and publishing design. For further information, Shawn can be contacted at: [e-mail]

LunaTics

The Space Race began, not as it did in the late 1960’s, but on a piece of paper. It began as an idea that others had thought of, those in the business world. It could have been anybody who thought of the idea, but it was Jonah Trotter who had the vision, accidently, of course.

Jonah was just you’re average college student with no ambition. Until one Sunday in February, when he’d sat down with his college buddies, and turned on the TV to watch the Super Bowl.

Most people watched the Super Bowl for the game, or least that’s what they told their friends. Jonah had thought the same until the second intermission. It was then he saw it, and fell off his chair in laughter. It was an ad, and it was funny. He’d been searching for something real to major in. And it was that instant, when he realized he had found what he wanted to do with his life - advertising. The next day he visited his counselor and the events that would change the world as we knew it were set in motion.

April 12th, 2010

Fumbling with eyes shut, Jonah Trotter reached to shut off his alarm clock. Somehow he managed to push the button on the buzzing appliance without knocking it to the ground. Rolling over on his side, and barely opening his eyes. He could see that it was flashing 2:45 A.M.

Grumbling under his breath, he sat up baffled at how early the alarm had gone off. Last night’s thunderstorm must have interrupted the power to his duplex and it reprogrammed. Feet now solidly on the floor, he ran his hand through his dark hair and yawned.

Wondering what time it really was, he grabbed his watch. Looking down at it, he shook his head in disgust, 4:47. Resetting the alarm clock, he laid back down only to end up tossing and turning the entire time. Realizing that falling back to sleep wasn’t going to happen. He climbed back out of bed and began his day.

Normally rising at 6:15, Jonah knew that he had about an extra hour and ten minutes on his hands. He decided to just get ready for work. Once the tedious task of preparing himself for another workday was done, he sauntered into the kitchen.

Rummaging through his cupboards for the can of coffee was always a chore. He didn’t drink the caffeinated liquid often. But whenever he did, he could never find it. Moving several items around, he finally located it, filled the pot with water, dropped in a new filter, and added the grounds. Turning it on, he could hear the old machine cough and spit to life.

Sitting at his table with the mug next to him, Jonah pulled the book he was currently reading toward him. Adjusting his glasses, he began flipping through the pages. The book was about the upcoming final days and flights of the Space Shuttle.

Jonah had always been somewhat of a science enthusiast. So this book was just another read to him. Startled at hearing the newspaper thump at his front door, he turned quickly, spilling his cup of coffee across his book.

‘Blast,’ he muttered, as he grabbed the towel that hung over one of the chairs.

The book was ruined, stained with coffee, and he’d just bought the thing. This day was starting out just wonderful. After mopping up the mess, he sat down to survey the damage. Peeling the wet pages slowly apart, he inserted dry paper towels between each one. While doing this, Jonah’s mind drifted to work. For weeks his manager, Harry, had been applying pressure on everyone to come up with a new advertising campaign for a top client. His team had come up with several good ideas. Only to be shot down. Frowning, Jonah wondered how today would go after this inauspicious start. Still turning pages, he stopped and starred.

Gawking at the open page in front of him, the light bulb in his head went off. Jonah wasn’t sure if what he was thinking of could be done. If it could, not only would his team get the contract. But his company probably would obtain many new contracts from others. Carefully placing one last towel between the pages, he closed the book.

Grabbing his briefcase from its place leaning on the old curio cabinet, he tossed it onto the table. Popping the lock, he placing the book carefully into it, then closed it tight. Getting up, Jonah went back to the kitchen, shut off the gurgling coffee pot, grabbed a cereal bar and stuffed it into his pocket. Knowing that he had a long day ahead of him, he grabbed his briefcase and car keys and headed into what he hoped would be an interesting day.

Jonah was already hard at work when his team started to arrive at the office. The team consisted of himself, Kirk, who by industry standards was an artistic genius, and Dennis, a computer animations expert. What Kirk drew, Dennis brought to life. What Dennis brought to life, Jonah’s job was to put words to the campaign, once all that was in order, the trio would present the final advertisement to the company and its clients. They had been one of the top teams for years but with the economy taking a dive, even the top advertisers were cutting back. His company, Mercury Ad Corporation, desperately needed a slam dunk. His long shot would have to be the answer.

Kirk was the first to arrive. Hey boss, what’s up? How was your weekend?

Not too bad, didn’t really do anything exciting. And you? Jonah replied, not looking up from his computer.

Slipping in behind Kirk, Dennis cut in with a smirk, I can see that with that tone of voice he really doesn’t care about what you did. Giving Kirk a hard jab in the side, he continued. Me on the other hand, I know he wants to know what I did. Chuckling, he leaned in toward Jonah to see what he was peering at on the computer.

Rubbing his side, Kirk took a seat next to Jonah and said, What’s this? Dates for the last Shuttle launch? You gonna be taking vacation on us? Spending a little time in Florida?

Jonah just smiled and pumped a fist into the air, Delayed until October or even February of next year! A wide grin spread across his face. Well my good staff. If my latest idea works we’ll not be vacationing in Florida. It’ll be Monte Carlo for all of us!

Oh really? Dennis snorted, I’ll run home and get my bags packed.

Clearing his throat, Kirk commented, It’s not like anything we’ve come up with has been accepted lately. So I’m not gonna hold my breath. His tone was filled with disappointment.

Shaking his head, Jonah spoke, Okay, Okay, do you two want to hear my idea or just give up? So let me tell you about my morning…

Jonah quickly described the eventful morning, and then began to enlighten them about his idea. So here’s the good part. After spilling the coffee, I had this crazy idea.

Grabbing his briefcase he opened it and pulled out the book, Opening it he pointed to the page. "Look, my bookmark has a picture of the shuttle on it right? I left it in the same place as it was this morning. You’re both thinking ‘big deal’ right? Look at this."

Jonah took the bookmark and turned it gently onto the pervious page. The transparent portion of the marker now showed the shuttle on its back. Somehow a small ad had gotten stuck on the other page. It could be read through the transparent marker, and it was directly across the wings of the ship. It read, The Search for FTL, a great read!

Dennis looked at Kirk and scratched his head. Sorry, I don’t get it.

Shrugging his shoulders, Kirk frowned and added, Yeah, sorry Jonah, neither do I.

Guys, look where it is, Stabbing at the page, he continued excitedly, "It’s across the wings on the bottom. What if we got American News to advertise on the last Shuttle flight? You know something like, News around the World! Well?"

Kirk and Dennis burst out laughing. Then looking at their team leader, they could see that he was serious. Another glance toward Dennis, Kirk stopped laughing and said. "Wait, you are serious aren’t you?

Jonah, come back to reality. Do you have any idea what NASA would say? Not to mention that you have to spray the tiles. Heck, half those would fly off anyway. Then there’s the money issue, what company in their right mind would spend that kind of money?

Raising his eyebrows, Jonah said. Come on, who wouldn’t want their name on it. The last flight of a soon to be moth balled, once historic fleet. Really, who wouldn’t? Not to mention that NASA would probably welcome the extra funding. Remember that there will be a new fleet somewhere down the road. If this works, well as Luke Skywalker said, the reward would be more than you could think of."

Kirk retorted, I have the same answer Han Solo had to that question, It’d better be."

The three of them were now laughing uncontrollably.

I don’t know. This seems totally crazy to me. Even if we had a great ad campaign and we got it approved by Harry and American News. I highly doubt NASA would approve it. They are extremely safety mined, and I am sure there must be a rule against advertising. Heck even the NFL doesn’t allow advertising on equipment. Dennis said, as the laughing came to a stop as the discussion got serious.

Eyes narrowing slightly, the team leader questioned, Well? How about it?

Leaning back in his chair, Kirk threw his hands up and then clasped them behind his head clasped. Can’t hurt to look into it, he said.

Dennis? Jonah prodded.

Still seems like a crazy notion to me. But seeing as two thirds of the team is curious to see where this leads, why not. He replied, shrugging his shoulders.

OK then it’s settled. Let’s get crackin’!

April 29th, 2010

Working nonstop for almost two and a half weeks, Jonah’s team was finally ready to present their pitch to Harry. He was a decent manager. But with the executives putting pressure on him he had become short tempered with every team.

This better be a lot better than your last attempt. Harry snorted. Chop, chop boys! Others wait to knock my socks off.

Moving quickly Kirk switched off the lights. The room went dark and Dennis switched on the computers power point program. The board lit up with a flash and roar as a Russian rocket engine breathed fire in the first frame.

Before we make a complete animation out of this, we wanted to run the stills by you. Get your take on it, Okay? Jonah said, knowing that this pitch just had to fly.

Uh huh, Was Harry’s only reply.

The next three pictures were of the first satellite, Sputnik, then President Kennedy addressing congress about