Bones of Others

Book 2: A Cat and CoDee Story

by Cherime MacFarlane, Darc Wytch Grahics

Genres: Science Fiction Fantasy; Space Exploration

Synopsis

5 STAR Read
Cat and CoDee have refitted the Bond and are pursuing their dream of being space traders. Cat only wants to find goods to trade, CoDee yearns to experience and explore. The sector of space he longs to explore has a dark history. Ships vanish.
Cat can't recall the reason this area terrifies and revolts her. Because she can't explain there is no factual basis for resistance when CoDee insists they set a course there.
And CoDee has another need. He has discovered how to mimic Cat's physical form when they play. It adds so much more to their playtime and bonding experience.
Samueland is much more than they expected. And there are two other worlds CoDee wants to see Hunter and Pride. One of them may be their downfall.

Release date: January 1, 2018

Publisher: Paper Gold Publishing

Print pages: 186

Sample

 

His cheek rested on her soft fur. Like a lullaby, the deep, rumbling purr filled the sleeping space. Relaxed, he did not want to move. CoDee kneaded her shoulder muscles, and the purr increased in volume. "Pretty Kitty, we must get up. I sense the ship is reducing speed, so we must be nearing the quadrant."

How do you sense this? I feel nothing.

Rubbing his cheek against the dense fur, CoDee thought for a moment how to reply to her question. "I've gone over it from every angle, and I have no answer for you. Perhaps it's the resonance of the engines through the hull. I certainly do not hear it. If I did, you would know before I do as your hearing is far superior to mine."

Yea. Truly. She slipped off the bed and stretched.

The computer began its chiming which alerted them to the end of the flight. Shortly, the ship would start searching this area of space to see if there might be anything which warranted further exploration.

They chose this area due to the seeming mystery surrounding it. Several of the traders who traveled through the sector reported no issues. But several the ships that entered this quadrant vanished and were never seen again.

The mystery piqued CoDee's interest. Research on the area brought him to one vessel. That incident produced some documentation. But it still wasn't sufficient to quell his curiosity. He wondered what might be causing the disappearances.

Cat was a bit uneasy about being in this area and did not hold back her opinion. She argued for a voyage to Pacifica. There were some excellent goods to be had there. Shells of certain sea creatures were beautifully colored and prized as decorative items. CoDee teased her, insisting she was only interested in the incredible variety of seafood on the planet.

His Pretty Kitty voiced her displeasure with him physically. The thought caused him to finger the tiny scabs where the tips of her claws penetrated his shoulder. Thankfully, she did refrain from biting him.

CoDee smiled at his companion as she walked back into the berthing area from the cleaning station. "Are you finished being angry with me because of my insistence on coming here?"

You are referring to our disagreement over Pacifica as opposed to this wilderness?

"It does not meet the definition of 'wilderness.'"

I find this place to be every bit as harsh and unforgiving as the desert of Estevan.

CoDee first responded into her thoughts. Agreed, the planet is not a desert as such, but it is devoid of advanced life forms if the records are all correct. Then he changed to speech. "We must investigate if we are to determine the existence of higher life forms on any of the planets. There are three possibilities, and I see no reason to shy away from a little exploration."

Traders seek goods to trade. We are not explorers.  We should search for things of value to take back to Estevan.

He reached out to grab her tail and tug her back to the edge of the gel-bed. "I don't understand why you are so adamantly against our having a look at those planets. We could well find civilizations ready to trade with us."

Turning her head to the side, Cat glanced at him. I can't really give you an answer any more than you can give me one on the engines. This disturbs my internal balance. It is as if I should remember something critical, and I cannot.