In Ashes Born (A Seeker's Tale From The Golden Age Of The Solar Clipper Book 1) (44 page)

“Helm, lock course.”

“Aye, aye, Captain. Lock course.” Jones said. “Helm responding and course locked, sar.”

“Very good, Mr. Jones. Secure from navigation stations, Ms. Ross. Set normal watch. I believe first section has the honors.”

“Aye, aye, Captain. Securing from navigation stations. First section has the watch.”

I gave her a tick or three to make the required announcements and settle back into her seat. We sat there in the quiet for a few moments more. After weeks of frantic activity, I had very little to do. I savored the moment. With a glance at the chronometer I realized I had time for a nap before I had to relieve the watch. I stood and headed down the ladder. “See you in four stans, Ms. Ross.”

“Sleep well, Captain.”

For the first time in a very long time, I thought perhaps I might. In a few weeks, we’d jump to Dree. A few weeks beyond that, we’d settle the ship in the docks. I had been there at the end of the tragedy and it seemed somehow fitting that I should be there to finally put all the ghosts to rest.

Something about that idea gave me a sense of peace.

About The Author

Nathan Lowell has been a writer for more than forty years, and first entered the literary world by podcasting his novels. His science-fiction series, Trader’s Tales From The Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, grew from his long time fascination with space opera and his own experiences shipboard in the United States Coast Guard. Unlike most works which focus on a larger-than-life hero (prophesied savior, charismatic captain, or exiled prince), Nathan centers on the people behind the scenes—ordinary men and women trying to make a living in the depths of space. In his novels, there are no bug-eyed monsters, or galactic space battles, instead he paints a richly vivid and realistic world where the “hero.” uses hard work and his own innate talents to improve his station and the lives of those of his community.
Dr. Nathan Lowell holds a Ph.D. in Educational Technology with specializations in Distance Education and Instructional Design. He also holds an M.A. in Educational Technology and a BS in Business Administration with a minor in marketing. He grew up on the south coast of Maine and is strongly rooted in the maritime heritage of the sea-farer. He served in the USCG from 1970 to 1975, seeing duty aboard a cutter on hurricane patrol in the North Atlantic and at a communications station in Kodiak, Alaska.
He currently lives in the plains east of the Rocky Mountains with his wife and two daughters.

2011 Parsec Award Winner for Best Speculative Fiction (long form) for Owner’s Share
2011 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction (short form) for The Astonishing Amulet of Amenartas
2010 Parsec Award Winner for Best Speculative Fiction (long form) for Captain’s Share
2009 Podiobooks Founder’s Choice Award for Captain’s Share
2009 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction (long form)for Double Share
2008 Podiobooks Founder’s Choice Award for Double Share
2008 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction (long form) for Full Share
2008 Parsec Award Finalist for Best Speculative Fiction (long form) for South Coast

The Solar Clipper Diary
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