Captain Mike

By P.G. Henck

Marissa and Tadd were newlyweds on their way to a Montonga honeymoon, pre-paid and of course non-refundable. And then a rare super nova had to go off, canceling all commercial space flights to Montonga from Earth in its wake. But as incredibly good luck would have it, along came Captain Mike to get them there in just three hours. Well, that at least was what the jump plan said. Although this appeared to be a stroke of good luck to the couple, Captain Mike and his crew did seem a little different. Maybe the couple should have thought about it twice, but since Captain Mike was certified by the Exalted Official Order of Outer Space Operatives, it seemed legit, even though they had never heard of this group before. But their desperation to get to the honeymoon they had been dreaming about for months won, and they were on their way with Captain Mike.

Not long into the flight, though, things started to go wrong, or right depending on how you looked at them. Marissa and Tadd ended up shanghaied, shot at, sent down the galaxy’s highest falls, and swallowed by a giant worm looking for territorial vengeance, and a good meal. During the whole journey they followed Captain Mike as he led them down the thin line dividing right from wrong. After three weeks, that contained more adventure and new experiences than any honeymoon they could have ever dreamed of, the couple finally arrived at their destination. Or was it really where they wanted to be? Join Captain Mike, his crew of swabbies, and this honeymoon couple on a hair-raising but humorous voyage of discovery through outer space.

• Language: English
• Publisher: P.G. Henck
• Release date: Dec 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781951251253

P.G. Henck

About P.G. HenckP.G. Henck has written several science fiction and fantasy stories with more on the way. His first novel, ‘Beyond The Providers’, was self published in 2019 after many years in development. His next two novels, ‘Elementary Science 101’ and ‘Elementary Science 201’, entered the humorous side of science fiction, where many of his works now reside. The ‘Deep Space Rescue 911’ series has begun with two novellas, and may end with a novel in order to complete the whole story. The ‘Captain Mike’ series will eventually consist of three novellas, each with a different set of circumstances and characters, except for Captain Mike of course. Both series are comedies and follow P.G.’s favorite storyline of an unusual group of individuals making their way through space. The published short stories ‘Distant Neighbors’ and ‘Alien Vacation Invasion’ had parts inspired by real events, which P.G. thinks can be pretty funny in themselves at times. The next short story, ‘Bigfoot Dance Party’, relies on characters from ‘Elementary Science 201’. Being published in the fall of 2021 are the fantasy / science fiction novellas ‘Bring it Alien B’ and ‘Super Absorption’. Both go for the funny bone as well as presenting new interesting characters. Additional short stories and novellas are planned in the next few years along with another novel called Time Minds, which is expected to give readers a heavy dose of fictionalized history made possible through science fiction.P.G. Henck was born in Michigan, and lived in the Great Lakes region for a good part of his life with his wife, the girl next door. The couple then moved to southern Utah to experience the spectacular scenery and endless trails it provides. Though he spent most of his career as an accountant and financial administrator, P.G. Henck’s outside interest lay heavily in the sciences, space exploration, and history. Also a lover of science fiction and fantasy over the years, he has gone out of his way to see every movie and TV show available, both good and bad. His many other interests besides writing include hiking, travel, photography, and website development, along with designing and producing his own book covers.Please go to the author’s website at www.pghenck.com for more information and special deals on purchasing his books.

Book preview

Captain Mike

By P.G. Henck

Copyright 2020 P.G. Henck Publishing

Leeds, Utah

First 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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To my one and only everything.

In memory of my brother, Mike.

Cover artwork by Gerd Altmann - Freiburg, Germany

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Table of Contents

Chapter One - The Honeymoon

Chapter Two - Off Course

Chapter Three - Survival

Chapter Four - Seeing Beyond

Chapter Five - Starting Over

About P.G. Henck

Beyond the Providers

Elementary Science 101

Elementary Science 201

Deep Space Rescue 911

Distant Neighbors

Alien Vacation Invasion

Contact with P.G. Henck

Chapter One - The Honeymoon

Sweetheart, the transport just said they are 5 minutes out. Did you pack our interocitor, the replicator credits, and the neuralizer screen? Marissa then caught sight of her new husband and smiled to let him know that he was the most important thing in her life.

Tadd smiled back, feeling the same way as he reached out to hold her. I did everything you asked me to, Mrs. Doherty, your honeymoon will proceed as it was planned. He then got a kiss for that report, which was all the reward he needed.

I’m sorry for being a little paranoid, Marissa said softly, but after the mess-ups with the wedding and reception I’m just a little on edge. I still can’t believe that they brought yellow roses instead of cream, and I’ll never ever forget Uncle Harry throwing up just 20 feet from our cake.

Well, at least the cleanbot got to it quickly. And I might add it was my idea to station one right next to where Uncle Harry was sitting, knowing he usually makes a mess, Tadd replied smugly.

My hero, she said, as she put her arms around his neck.

Then the image of Tadd’s dad popped into his mind. My dad’s calling. I think I better take this. Hi Dad, Tadd said out loud, even though only he was privy to this mind conversation with his father.

Hi Bub. I’m sorry for calling you now since I know you are ready to leave, but I wanted to give you a heads up on a super nova that just blew on the West side. The news said that it might create disruptions in jumps throughout the galaxy.

Montonga and Earth are on the East side, so I doubt this will affect us much, Tadd replied, not wanting anything to jeopardize the honeymoon he had spent so many hours planning, setting up, and then fantasizing about. That was probably the fake news you were listening to, Tad said with a chuckle.

News is news, but the way they put together jump plans these days, you never know how many jumps in all directions even a short trip is composed of, his dad continued. So it’s possible that maybe some flights will be affected. I sure hope yours won’t be, but I thought you should know just in case.

Thanks, Dad, Tadd replied. We have been forewarned and will do everything we need to get to our honeymoon on time. That statement got Marissa’s attention, but she patiently waited until the conversation was over.

That’s the spirit, Son, his dad said with pride. Now don’t do anything I wouldn’t do, he added quickly with mirth, as Tadd could hear his mom in the background saying, Donny, just hang up or you will make them miss their space flight with that silliness.

Tadd could see that Marissa was about one second from asking, so he quickly filled her in on the details. A supernova went off on the other side of the galaxy, so my dad thought we should know about it. I think he really just wanted to tell me not to do anything he wouldn’t do before we left. Unfortunately for him, I already plan to do everything he wouldn’t do, so that call was a waste. He then squeezed her, displaying his best sexy smile.

Me too, she replied, while rubbing the worry of the supernova right out of their conversation.

When they stepped inside the space terminal, however, the worry came back quickly. It was obvious from the loud conversations, desperate looks, and frantic running here and there that something big was going on. And it wasn’t anything good. Sure enough, in keeping with the yellow roses and Uncle Harry’s vomit, their space flight had been canceled, along with those of all the others going to the planet of Montonga. After what seemed like an eternity, it was finally their turn in line.

Let me see here, the attendant said, not really caring what she found one way or the other. All flights anywhere close to Montonga have already been canceled for two days until they can recalibrate new jump plans. Rescheduled flight openings from here are now running eight days out. The best I have eight days out are two seats that would only add two hours to your flight time, but another two days Universe time to what you were looking at before. Would you like me to book those for you?

Tadd did some quick calculating in his head, and then replied, That’s when we were booked to come back. The resort was very clear that no refunds or changes were allowed, and they are booked solid for the next two months. We have to get there somehow during our original reservation or our money is lost. Are there independent flights of any type leaving today or tomorrow?

Now you do know that those usually run three to four times more than the commercial flights, and a few of the accommodations might make most species cringe. You won’t be getting inflight snacks unless you catch something yourself, the attendant concluded seriously, but with a twinkle in her eye.

Yes, it’s our honeymoon and we have to get there, regardless, Tadd said, hoping this information would give them special consideration.

Congratulations, the attendant said matter-of-factly, while reviewing a new set of schedules in her mind. She slightly shook her head no for a few moments as she reviewed what was still left. Everything out there seems to be taken already, this doesn’t look good. Montonga is the number one honeymoon location in the galaxy, so I guess you are two of thousands being affected by this disruption. Being the fine professional she was, she was able to hide her disappointment for them.

Tadd looked at Marissa as they both realized their long anticipated honeymoon had just been destroyed. She put her head on his shoulder and he felt more helpless in their relationship than he ever had before. She had organized their lovely wedding, but the honeymoon was his to bring to their new union. And now it was gone.

Then some emotion did come to the attendant’s face and a half smile broke through. Wait, this just came up, two tickets are available with Captain Mike. Leaves in about an hour, has a three hour flight time, three days Universe time like your old flight was, and get this, it is only double the price of your original tickets. Should I book them?

Yes, please, Tadd said quickly. Is Captain Mike the name of the company, the ship, or the master?" he questioned, never having heard of this outfit before.

Actually, all three it says here, the attendant replied, acting like she didn’t quite believe it herself. "Captain Mike, no last name, is the master of the Captain