Symbiosis

By Lee Moan

The planet Verdana was supposed to be their new home, their new Eden. But shortly after arriving the human colonists were faced with a dilemma - join with the alaahi or perish. In the end, they chose the process of symbiosis, a physical conjoining with the native alaahi.

But now there are whispers amongst the colonists. The alaahi are not the benevolent beings they made themselves out to be. Before long a dark secret is about to be revealed, and young Jena must make a terrible choice . . .

*Note: Symbiosis is a 7000-word science fiction tale. This edition contains bonus content - the first chpater of 'The Vanished Race', the sequel to 'The Hotel Galileo', also available on Smashwords.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lee Moan
• Release date: Mar 5, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458143167

Lee Moan

Lee Moan grew up in the English seaside town of Torquay, birthplace of the 'Queen of Crime', Agatha Christie. He now lives in the neighbouring town of Paignton. His stories have been published in numerous magazines including Hub, Dark Recesses Press, Murky Depths, Jupiter SF, Twisted Tongue, as well as contributions in the Permuted Press anthology Best Tales of the Apocalypse and Anything But Zombies from Atria Books. 'The Infernal Realm' is the first volume in a new steampunk mystery trilogy entitled "The Darknoll Chronicles". He is hard at work on the second volume. Visit the Steam-powered Typewriter Blog at http://leemoan.blogspot.com/ for more details and all the latest news.

Book preview

SYMBIOSIS

by

Lee Moan

* * * * *

Copyright 2011 by Lee Moan

Smashwords Edition

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 author's work.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Cover art Copyright 2011 by Lee Moan

*****

Symbiosis

Neya was singing.

Jena closed her eyes, allowing the lilting melody and the sweet, familiar smells of the hayloft to soothe the ache inside her. Neya, her symbiont, sat cross-legged by the open loft hatch, staring out at the gathering dusk. The thin cord of grey flesh which joined them together was all but invisible in the sea of straw. Sometimes Jena liked to forget their physical bond and enjoy Neya's company for what it was.

When the song ended, Jena rolled onto her side and offered Neya a grateful smile. The symbiont, still luminous with a hazy white light, grinned back.

Jena studied Neya for a moment.

Neya, she said, what happens if I want to . . . be with a boy?

I don't understand.

Jena tried to hide her playful smile. She loved teasing her symbiont. I mean, what happens when I want to kiss a boy?

Neya shrugged. Then you kiss him.

But what if we want to . . . go further?

You mean travel?

Jena giggled. No! What if, after I've kissed this boy and I like his kisses, what if we then want to lie down and . . . Jena hoisted herself up on her elbows, studying her symbiont's features closely. What I mean is, Neya, what do you do if me and this boy want to . . . make love?

Oh, I see, Neya said. Well, as I am conjoined to you by our spirit-bond, I cannot leave your side, so I would have little choice but to remain . . . and, I suppose, enjoy the experience through you.

Neya! Jena said, flopping back down on the warm bed of straw. That's so . . . gross!

On the contrary, Neya went on, "I understand that the act of human love is a beautiful