Out of Orbit

By Thea Landen

Following an explosive space battle, Captain Jasmine Hale’s escape pod crash lands on an unknown planet. She communicates with some of the world’s natives, but grows frustrated when she learns signaling her crew for help is impossible. Though she acknowledges she is stranded on Ryk indefinitely, she dreams of the day when she can return to piloting a ship through the stars.

Aras, leader of the Rykians, hasn’t had contact with a human in five hundred years. Due to his lengthy life span, little excites him in his day-to-day life, until he meets Jasmine. Captivated by the woman who was suddenly thrust into his world, he desires to ease her anguish while showing her the wonders of his kingdom.

Caught between two worlds, Jasmine struggles with a difficult dilemma—continue searching for a way home or accept her new life on Ryk. Choosing one means leaving the other behind forever. How will she decide?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Decadent Publishing
• Release date: Jul 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781683610717

Thea Landen

Thea Landen writes erotic literature, frequently in a sci-fi/fantasy setting. When she's not writing, or thinking about writing, her hands and mind are occupied by either yarn crafts or role-playing games.

Book preview

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

Out of Orbit

Copyright  2016 by Thea Landen

ISBN: 978-1-68361- 071-7

Cover art by Tibbs Designs

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC

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Also by Thea Landen

Second Skin

Elysium

Flight of the Dragon Queen

Out of Orbit

Following an explosive space battle, Captain Jasmine Hale’s escape pod crash lands on an unknown planet. She communicates with some of the world’s natives, but grows frustrated when she learns signaling her crew for help is impossible. Though she acknowledges she is stranded on Ryk indefinitely, she dreams of the day when she can return to piloting a ship through the stars.

Aras, leader of the Rykians, hasn’t had contact with a human in five hundred years. Due to his lengthy life span, little excites him in his day-to-day life, until he meets Jasmine. Captivated by the woman who was suddenly thrust into his world, he desires to ease her anguish while showing her the wonders of his kingdom.

Caught between two worlds, Jasmine struggles with a difficult dilemma—continue searching for a way home or accept her new life on Ryk. Choosing one means leaving the other behind forever. How will she decide?

Dear Readers,

If my previous book, Flight of the Dragon Queen, could have been subtitled Thea plays too many fantasy video games, then this one’s subtitle is Thea plays too many sci-fi video games. From Phantasy Star in the late 80s to Mass Effect more recently, I loved taking on the role of an adventurer flying through the stars and discovering new planets, along with their inhabitants. Fellow fans of the genre will most likely be able to spot my influences. Trust me, I’m not good at hiding it.

Good fiction provides an escape. Creating fictional worlds populated with endearing characters gives me a break from the monotony of the real world, and I’m thrilled to be able to share those people and places with you. If you want to check out more of my universes, or read my ramblings about my favorite works and how they shaped me as a writer, pop on over to www.thealanden.com or find me on Facebook. I’m always up for a good discussion, especially about beloved books and games!

~Thea

[e-mail]

Dedication

To Josh and Vlad, who are always willing to teach me about science; to Andrew and Chris, who help crack the whip when it’s time to get down to business and put words on the page; and most importantly, to my family, who makes my home the most amazing place in the universe.

Out of Orbit

By

Thea Landen

Chapter One

Captain Hale, are you okay?

Jasmine winced as she scrambled to her feet, trying to ignore the pain radiating from where her back had slammed into the floor. I’m fine, I’m fine. A quick glance around the spaceship’s deck indicated she hadn’t been the only one knocked off balance by the blast. Concern flitted through her mind, but tending to injuries wasn’t her responsibility or priority. Keep firing!

Her order resonated through every station on the TCF Orthrus, reaching all her subordinates. Through her window, she watched glaring white beams shoot forth from the combat ship’s massive cannons. Where are the others? she asked her second-in-command.

Commander Garrison tapped the controls in front of him. A holographic map of the region popped up, and several blinking lights approached the center. Moving into position now.

Excellent. She smiled. As long as we hold formation, we should—

Another explosion rocked the ship. This time, the lights flickered and dimmed as Jasmine landed hard on her shoulder. What the hell was that?

No definitive answer came amidst the buzz of confusion rippling across the main deck. She groped around for her earpiece and slid it back into place. Status report! Now!

The enemy’s attack must have breached our armor! a voice crackled in her ear.

Jasmine squinted into the shadows, searching for Garrison. She crawled forward until she reached his side. This ship has the finest shields available. She helped him into a sitting position. There’s no way their weaponry should have been able to penetrate!

The commander rubbed the back of his head and winced. Apparently, the enemy got an upgrade, he said dryly.

Before she could respond, the ship jolted again with enough force to send her rolling head over feet into the nearest wall. The lamps on the deck extinguished completely, replaced by the sinister red glow of the emergency lights. Wailing sirens blared through the ship as she struggled to right herself.

This can’t be good, Garrison mumbled.

The next jumbled report sent from a soldier on a lower deck confirmed his assertion. All defenses are down! Though marred by static, the urgency of the message came through. I repeat, all defenses are down!

Activate every backup we have. Jasmine jumped up, hauling Garrison after her. Quick, let’s review our options, she shouted over the alarm. If we retreat behind our allies, can our engineers get the shields repaired?

He averted his eyes. It’s possible.

Now is not the time for vague answers, Commander! She tapped his arm, her gloves clinking on the plates of his armor. Can they repair the damage in a timely manner?

His shoulders slumped. Doubtful. Even if we retreat, we’d be leaving a wide open space for enemy attacks to get through. As it stands, we’re an easy target. Notes of fear crept into his voice. A very easy target.

You’re not suggesting….

The crimson lights enhanced the creases in his brow as he frowned. Evacuation might be the best choice here.

Jasmine looked around the main deck of the vessel that had served as her home for years. The day the Orthrus was turned over to her control had been one of the proudest moments of her life. I’m not abandoning my ship.

Garrison’s face showed no traces of hope. With all due respect, ma’am, the next shot could kill us all.

For a fleeting instant, she considered sacrificing herself with the Orthrus, but she had a duty to protect the other men and women on board. Time was running out. She needed to act. Does the intercom still work? she asked softly.

He nodded. It should be powered by the emergency systems.

She took her place at her station for the last time and picked up the handheld device. "This is Captain Hale speaking. I am issuing the official order to evacuate the TCF Orthrus. She waited a beat and tried to ignore the outbursts of surprise around her. This is not a drill. Commence evacuation procedures now."

A bright ray of energy shot past the window, yet didn’t contact the ship. Send word to our nearby allies if outgoing communications are up and running, she instructed Garrison. It’ll be easier than having dozens of messages coming in from the escape pods, and at least they’ll know to expect us.

Yes, ma’am.

Jasmine repeated her orders into the intercom and then stepped back to survey her ship once more. She would have indulged in some nostalgic memories, but survival was her utmost goal. Nodding to the commander, she picked up her helmet and firearm, and headed for the staircase.

They joined the rest of their colleagues in descending to the lowest deck of the ship. With each step, she braced herself for the fatal blast. It didn’t come. When she reached her destination, she stood at the bottom of the stairs and watched her people file to the appropriate locations in a choreographed routine they’d practiced dozens of times. An eerie calm settled over the crew as they moved. Their lives depended on precision and efficiency more than ever before.

One by one, the doors to the escape pods shut and the miniature ships disembarked from their host. Only Jasmine, Garrison, and their assigned partners remained.

I guess this is it, the commander said.

She nodded, her throat tight.

I’ll see you soon, Captain Hale, and we’ll finish this fight. He stood up straight and raised his right hand to salute. She returned the gesture, though her arm felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.

He entered the pod with his pilot and they departed. Jasmine let out a long breath, her boots frozen to the floor. The sound resonated in the near-empty room, its echo a reminder of the difficult decision