Citra: Mermaid Stories

By Jacob Lindaman

Two great short stories are packed into this wonderful book.

Citra: A Mermaid - Peculiar things are happening to Earth in the future. Marcus chases after bounty in uncharted international waters. What he discovers is beyond his imagination. A suspicious creature finds him in a vulnerable situation. He learns that he has more in common with this creature than he ever thought possible, but is it friend or foe?

An Old Message - Martian researcher Dr. Winston Gravenstein comes across solid evidence that will rewrite human history and enshrine his name in glory. But in order to do that he must first confirm what the evidence suggests. And that means an encounter with a less than hospitable robot, interplanetary travel and some creative thinking.

From inside: "Yes, yes, yes. We're all familiar with your fondness for useless linguistics. What I want to know," Winston went on, "is what it says."

"...what do you say? Shall we take a trip to Earth?"

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jacob Lindaman
• Release date: Jul 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781300843146

Jacob Lindaman

When I was younger I hated reading. It wasn't until I grew up that I realized there is a world of literature out there I hadn't been exposed to. I write stories that I enjoy reading. Most of them are short stories, but I have written two novels. The thing that makes my stories so much better than the literature I was forced to read as a child is that I try to write fiction from a fresh perspective. Fiction From a Fresh Perspective is something I strive to incorporate into all of my works. The fresh perspective part means that in all I do I do with Christ in mind. I like to write about far away worlds and plasma bazookas that blow up mechanical armies and stories set in video game themes. How does this relate to Christ? Ah, dear reader, that is the challenge I accept. And you will have to read to find out.

Book preview

CITRENE STORIES

Citrene Stories by Jacob Lindaman

This book or the parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form stored in retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise – without prior written permission of the author except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any similarities to actual people, organizations, and/or events are purely coincidental.

Cover Art and interior art by cristallTG

Smashwords Edition

ISBN 978-1-300-84314-6

Copyright © 2013 by Jacob Lindaman

All rights reserved

Also by the author

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JESUS & Co.: The Safest Place (Coming Sept 1, 2014)

Victoria Dragon

Hit Points: Gettysburg Generals

Hit Points: Lincoln X

Citrene Stories

by Jacob Lindaman

09January1493

On the previous day, when the Admiral went to the Rio del Oro, he said he quite distinctly saw three mermaids, which rose well out of the sea; but they are not so beautiful as they are said to be, for their faces had some masculine traits. The Admiral says that he had seen some, at other times, on the coast of Guinea, where you find manequeta.

Christopher Columbus

15June1608

This morning one of our companie looking over boord saw a mermaid, and called up some of the companie to see her, one come up, and by that time shee was close to the ship’s side, looking earnestly upon the men: a little after, a Sea came and overturned her: From Navill upwards, her back and breasts were like a woman’s her body as big as one of us; her skin very white; and long haire hanging downe they saw her tayle, which was like the tayle of a porposse and speckled like a Macrel.

Henry Hudson

Citra

You’re not afraid are you? I asked Harry.

Of what? The island? No way. I don’t believe in that stuff, he said maintaining a perfect focus on the sea.

Even though scores of ships have disappeared there?

"Happens all the time. It is a major commercial route used by ships. Only the ships that disappear make the headlines."

Yeah, but not since Atlantis appeared near…

"You are calling it that?"

What? Atlantis?

No one knows what that thing is and it sure as hell ain’t no Atlantis.

I suppose you’re right, I relented, but when an island rises from the sea and lots of ships go missing at the same time it raises a lot of questions, don’t you think?

Harry let his steady seaward gaze answer for him. Slowly, the Nina drove across the Pacific Ocean towards a patch of sea near where the island had appeared. It was a festering hive for

pirates and lawless men of the sea. Westin, the captain of the Nina, figured the bounty would be an easy score. Two dozen ships had gone missing over the course of the last week. It was rumored for years that sailing vessels commonly disappeared after they set out to cross the ocean. Once the island was discovered some speculated that it must be the reason for the disappearances. Whatever the reason the captain was set on course to engage the mystery with his navy of privateers.

Westin was a tough brute, but had contacts in the various places in the world many would fear to tread. At first I reasoned that he knew what was up. Perhaps some pirates had formed a loose league of belligerent derelicts. There would be a small skirmish with the crew of the Nina becoming victorious. The apprehended captain would be delivered to international forces and we would receive our bounty. However, when we entered Bandlers Bay, the last known port on any map, my suspicion changed. Not a boat could be found. The village appeared all but abandoned.

It was nothing more than a shanty town run by questionable persons. Lawlessness abounded. The only women around were wenches of the first degree. No matter how charming they seemed, and charming they were, they were not to be trusted. Her one redeeming quality was the generous docks adorning her southerly side.

Fend for yourselves and leave not a stone unturned! Westin ordered. Return within the hour.

In town I found that she was in fact as empty as she had appeared from the sea. Not a soul could be found, but the most troublesome observation was that everyone seemed to leave in haste and in peace. There was no sign of invasion or pillaging. No military force had pounced upon this stain on the far end of the map.

Marcus! Harry yelled, come here.

What is it?

What do you make of this?

He handed me a pouch with 3 small silver coins in it.

Do you think someone lost it?

I’m not sure, but it gives me a funny feeling. You know the kind?

I’ll bet that someone left in such a hurry that they didn’t even notice it was missing.

Together we combed through an empty house. We found trinkets of small value and a few more coins. Then I found the mother lode; a lifetime of savings stored in a chest underneath a bed. There must have been half a million dollars in there. Instead of taking it back to the Nina and splitting it with the crew Harry and I decided to bury it in the cemetery just outside of town. We put it next to the biggest gravestone we could find.

Others had reported to the captain the presence of money. This persuaded him to permit another hour devoted to looting. It was much needed for there was little unspoiled food. Most munitions we found were small caliber and not useful to well-equipped privateers.

So we stocked our rig with already pilfered supplies and went on. A day passed. We discovered another smaller port in similar condition. We had not been through this part of the world in some time it seemed. Again there was no evidence of battle or fighting. Everything was simply gone.

So, I asked Harry, "Why don’t they just send out one of