Flight Thirteen

By Adrian Holland

An epic space opera, adventure...
This thrilling twelve part series combines aspects of mythology with new technology, as the human race evolves into its true Galactic Human form.
Provisional membership of the ‘Galactic Council’ has now been granted, and the United Nations hurriedly gathers together teams of experts who begin to leave, as teams of alien workers also start to appear on Earth.
For ordinary people, there is the possibility of a trip on a Galactic Cruiser. Places on these ships are however very expensive, and the only way most can acquire a ticket is via a competition, but for Harvey the competition is just the beginning. A freak accident leaves everyone temporarily blinded, and it is up to him to try and get them all home...
Revised edition.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Adrian Holland
• Release date: Dec 10, 2012
• ISBN: 9781909466036

Adrian Holland

Adrian is primarily known for his artwork and book cover designs, although he is also an author. Originally, from Solihull, West Midlands, England, he now lives in Rural Cheshire.Adrian has now written over 40 books mostly Science Fiction, although he has also written in other genres including Spiritually Influenced, Mystery, and Fantasy.All of his work can be viewed on his website: www.amazola.co.uk

Book preview

INTERSTELLAR

A Series of Science Fiction Adventure Stories

4: Flight Thirteen

Adrian Holland

Published by AMAZOLA

The right of Adrian Holland to be identified as the Author of the work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988.

This Book is a Work of Fiction. Names, Characters, Places and Incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © Adrian Holland 2011

ISBN 978-1-909466-02-9

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior per-mission of the publishers.

For further information please contact the official website at

www.amazolapublishing.com

Cover design and illustrations by Adrian Holland

I was very close to both of my parents who were my best friends, and I have lost count of the number of happy times we shared, and all of the creativity and laughter. Like my beloved father Joe, my mother Margaret was so special, and my total inspiration. I would therefore like to dedicate this book to their memory.

Contents

Introduction

One

Two

Three

Four

Five

Six

Seven

Eight

Nine

Introduction

Following the official disclosure of contact with at least one alien species, and the further revelation that there was a star gate positioned on the far side of the moon, an official meeting was hurriedly convened with a representative from a collective known as the Galactic Council.

A space ship duly arrived several days later, and landed at a Royal Air Force base in the English countryside. Provisional membership was approved, although full membership now depended on the outcome of major negotiations, which were scheduled to take place over the next few months. The United Nations hurriedly gathered together teams of experts, which began to leave for the star gate on a regular basis.

Teams of alien workers also started to appear on Earth, helping to prepare for this membership.

There was also a clamour by ordinary people wanting to venture into space, so a series of deep space cruisers were hurriedly chartered to cope with the demand. Places on these ships were however very expensive, and even those with the means to afford them still had a long wait due to there restricted availability. For others all they could do was dream and hope that one day their dreams would come true…

One

Hurry up or we'll be late!

Harvey slumped in his seat, shuffling his feet as he reluctantly fastened his seatbelt.

Do I really have to go?

He looked up at his mother with a pleading expression on his face.

You know the situation. I feel just as unhappy about it as you do, but neither of us has any choice in the matter!

His head dropped, as the car’s engine started, and they began to move slowly down the driveway towards a set of low gate that marked the end of their property. Normally Harvey would have been excited at the prospect of a trip to the city, but not today.

They lived in a leafy suburb, with Harvey’s house lying right on the edge of the greenbelt. It normally took half an hour before they hit the dual carriageway, but today he was hoping that it would take considerably longer.

Another driveway appeared, with its little car parked neatly by the front door. Harvey watched as the occupants trooped out and clambered onboard, before following them to the first junction. They were the only traffic on the road, and he began to wish that they would get stuck behind a tractor.

It’s not too bad this morning!

His father spoke, as Harvey's mother adjusted her hair in the rear view mirror, giving a frown. His father pretended not to notice, returning his attention to a wad of documents he had just pulled out of his briefcase.

The two cars made their way along the lanes between fields of crops that were nearly ready for harvest. Harvey watched as a big black crow swooped down from the telephone wires, on its way to feed on the farmer’s produce. There was a scarecrow in the field, but it did not seem to be taking any notice of it.

It won't be long now!

His father looked at his watch, as they approached the turning for the dual carriageway which would lead them into the city.

I want to come with you!

Harvey stamped his feet on the floor, pulling faces out of the window, as a tear rolled down his mother’s cheek, dropping onto her neatly tailored outfit.

I know it’s not ideal, but Marjorie will look after you until we get back!

Harvey hated it when she cried, and seeing the tear made him stop his protests. He just sat there, as their car sped along at a steady fifty miles an hour. His mother looked back at him periodically out of the corner of her eye as he sat there with a look of total dejection on his face.

The car suddenly pulled off down a slip road towards the housing estate, which sprawled out into the distance. They turned a corner, and there in front of them lay the small parade of shops that would become his home for the next few days. Auntie Marjorie came out to greet them, and she did not appear to be very happy about the situation either, although she always looked miserable!

They were nothing like sisters, Auntie Marjorie was plain and overweight, whilst his mother was slim and attractive, which he felt sure was the main reason they did not get along very well with each other.

The car then stopped and his mother got out, kissing her sister on the cheek.

Well, this is it!

Before he knew what was happening, his mother had given him a final hug, leaving him standing on the pavement, as she drove off sobbing. Harvey turned towards the shop front, as his aunt carried his bag in through the open doorway.

Once inside, she led him up the stairs to the cramped box room, and without saying a word, she dropped his bag on the floor and left. Harvey jumped onto the small bed squeezed into a corner, pulling the pillow over his head, trying to block everything out. He was feeling tired after the early start that they had made, and closing his eyes he tried to imagine that he was still at home. With his heart still full of disappointment, he drifted off to sleep.

Whatcha Harvey!

He suddenly awoke and opened his bleary eyes to see his cousin’s jolly face,