Starfall: Harpers Journey: STARFALL

By Carson Kelly

"STARFALL: Harper's Journey" is a captivating sci-fi novella that invites readers into a universe brimming with adventure and discovery. At the helm of the Starfarer, a vessel of exploration and hope, is Captain Harper – a bold and intelligent leader, driven by a passion for discovery and a deep sense of duty to the cosmos. Along with her diverse and talented crew, Harper embarks on a journey that takes them to the farthest reaches of the galaxy.

 

From the mysterious Echoing Expanse to the enigmatic Fringe of Infinity, Harper and her crew navigate through uncharted territories, uncovering ancient artifacts, encountering awe-inspiring phenomena, and making first contact with alien civilizations. Each step of their journey is filled with challenges that test their resolve, from cosmic storms to diplomatic standoffs, revealing the strength and unity of the crew.

As they delve deeper into the unknown, they become ambassadors of the Galactic Nexus Initiative, forging a network of cooperation among the stars. Their journey is not just one of scientific discovery but also of cultural exchange and diplomacy, shaping the future of interstellar relations.

 

"STARFALL: Harper's Journey" is more than a space adventure; it's a story that captures the essence of human curiosity and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. It's a tale that resonates with hope, unity, and the endless quest for knowledge. Perfect for fans of epic space operas and exploratory science fiction, this novella will leave readers dreaming of the stars and the infinite possibilities they hold.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carson Kelly Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Nov 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223945154

Book preview

OFFICIAL KEYART FOR CARSON KELLY PUBLISHING'S AND CARSON KELLY'S STARFALL: HARPERS JOURNEY

OFFICIAL KEYART FOR CARSON KELLY PUBLISHING'S AND CARSON KELLY'S STARFALL: HARPERS JOURNEY

STARFALL

HARPERS JOURNEY

CARSON J KELLY

CARSON KELLY PUBLISHING, LLC

Copyright © 2023 CARSON KELLY PUBLISHING, LLC

All rights reserved

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

ISBN-13: 9781234567890

ISBN-10: 1477123456

Cover design by: Carson Kelly Publishing, LLC

Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309

Printed in the United States of America

Contents

Title Page

Copyright

Introduction:

Prologue:

Chapter 1: The Red Sands

Chapter 2: Echoes of the Past

Chapter 3: DRIFTERS

Epilogue:

About The Author

Books In This Series

Books By This Author

Introduction:

In the vast reaches of space, aboard the Starfarer, I begin this diary to chronicle our journey through the cosmos. My name is Harper, captain of this vessel, a ship that has become more than just a means of travel – it's a symbol of exploration, unity, and the unquenchable human spirit. As we venture into the unknown, each entry here will capture our adventures, our discoveries, and the bonds we forge along the way.

Prologue:

In a time of burgeoning exploration and technological marvels, the Starfarer sets out from Earth, a jewel in the vast canvas of space. With a crew of the brightest minds and bravest hearts, our mission is one of discovery – to chart the unexplored, to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos, and to extend the hand of humanity across the galaxy. What lies before us is more than the stars; it is the potential for new beginnings, for connections that transcend light-years, and for the stories that will shape the future of humankind.

Chapter 1: The Red Sands

In the vast, crimson expanse of the Martian desert, Harper tread lightly, her boots leaving shallow imprints on the red sands. She was young, merely 16, but her eyes held a depth that belied her years. The sun, a distant, blinding orb, cast her shadow long and lean across the dunes. As a soldier of the Martian corps, Harper was accustomed to the solitude and silence of her patrols. But today was different. Her keen eyes caught a glint of something unnatural, half-buried in the sand. Little did she know, this discovery would unravel the hidden history of her red home.

The Martian wind, a constant companion, whipped around her, tugging at her uniform. The fabric was designed to withstand the harsh environment, but nothing could fully temper the feeling of desolation that the endless desert evoked. Harper knelt down, her fingers brushing away the fine sand to reveal the object. It was metallic, clearly artificial, and etched with symbols that seemed to dance and shift under her gaze.

Intrigued, Harper activated her comm-link. Base, this is Harper. I've found something... unusual. Requesting instructions.

Static crackled in her ear before the response came. Harper, this is Commander Ryke. Describe the object.

It's metallic, possibly ancient. There are symbols on it I can't identify, she reported, her eyes scanning the strange artifact.

There was a pause, then, Understood. Secure the object and return to base. We'll have the tech team ready to examine it.

Roger that, Harper replied, disconnecting the link.

As she carefully extracted the artifact from its sandy grave, Harper felt a thrill of excitement. Her life on Mars had been a routine of patrols, drills, and the occasional maintenance task. This was different; this was a discovery.

Her journey back to the base was filled with anticipation. The Martian landscape, usually so monotonous, seemed alive with possibilities. What secrets did this object hold? What stories of Mars' past would it reveal?

Upon reaching the base, Harper was greeted by a buzz of activity. Word of her discovery had spread, and curious eyes followed her as she made her way to the tech lab. The base, a sprawling complex of domes and tunnels, was the heart of the Martian military's operations, a hub of discipline and order. But today, it felt different. Today, there was a sense of wonder in the air.

Commander Ryke was waiting for her in the lab, a tall, imposing figure with a gaze that seemed to see right through you. Let's see what you've found, Harper, he said, his voice a mix of stern command and barely concealed curiosity.

As the tech team began their analysis, Harper stood back, her mind racing. This was more than just a routine find. She could feel it in her bones. This was the beginning of something big, something that would challenge everything she knew about her world.

And Harper, ever the seeker of knowledge and truth, was ready for whatever secrets the sands of Mars were about to reveal.

As the tech team huddled over the mysterious artifact, Harper's mind was abuzz with questions. The symbols on the object were unlike any language or script she had encountered in her Martian education. They seemed to pulse with an inner light, almost as if they were alive.

Any ideas what this could be, Commander? Harper asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Commander Ryke, usually a man of few words, stared intently at the artifact. Not yet, he finally said. But it's unlike any Martian relic we've discovered before. This could change our understanding of Mars' history.

Harper's heart raced. Mars was her home, a planet she had come to love. She had grown up listening to stories of Earth, the blue planet her ancestors had come from, but Mars was where her loyalty lay. Unraveling its secrets felt like uncovering her own past.

As the tech team worked, Harper's gaze drifted to the panoramic window, where the Martian landscape stretched endlessly. The red planet had always seemed so barren, so inhospitable, yet it had nurtured her and countless others. What if this artifact held keys to a past they had never imagined?

Harper, you should get some rest, suggested Lieutenant Vega, a fellow soldier and friend. You've had a long day.

Harper nodded, though she knew sleep would be elusive. Her mind was too full of the day's discovery.

Back in her quarters, Harper lay in her bunk, staring at the ceiling. The base was quiet now, the hustle of the day giving way to the stillness of the Martian night. Harper couldn't help but feel a connection to the artifact, as if it had chosen her to find it. Was it just her imagination, or was there a deeper reason she had stumbled upon it?

She thought about the ancient civilizations of Earth, the mysteries they had left behind. Was Mars also home to such wonders? The thought was both exhilarating and daunting.

Sleep finally came, but it was filled with dreams of strange symbols and whispered secrets. Harper found herself walking in a Martian landscape that was both familiar and utterly alien. The red sands swirled around her, revealing glimpses of a civilization long gone.

She awoke with a start, the first rays of the Martian sun creeping into her room. Today, she would return to the lab, and perhaps they would have uncovered more about the artifact.

As Harper prepared for the day, she felt a sense of destiny. She was a soldier, trained to protect and serve Mars. But now, she was also a seeker of truths, a role she had never expected but was ready to embrace.

The base was already buzzing when she arrived at the lab. Commander Ryke greeted her with a nod. We've made some progress, he said. The symbols are a form of ancient script, but translating them is proving difficult.

Harper leaned in to take a closer look at the artifact. The symbols seemed to dance before her eyes, as if teasing her with their secrets.

This is just the beginning, Harper, Ryke continued. This discovery could lead us to new understandings, new horizons.

Harper felt a surge of excitement. She was on the cusp of something monumental, a journey that would take her beyond the confines of her soldier's life and into the realms of history and mystery.

The red planet awaited, its secrets buried deep beneath the sands. And Harper, with her unwavering spirit and keen intellect, was ready to unearth them.

As the Martian sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the barren landscape, Harper found herself drawn back to the site where she had discovered the artifact. Accompanied by Lieutenant Vega and a small security detail, she retraced her steps, her eyes scanning the horizon.

The site was a lonely spot, miles away from the base,