First Contact Volume 2 Stryders Odyssey

This is the second book of Stryders Odyssey, a SciFi / Fantasy series. The ARK starship known as SolStar has been found and we begin to learn of its secrets. A failed attempt by the ‘Order to take control of the ship has instigated the Council Directive. The starship’s course is set. The vessel will visit each of the nine colonized planets and will not proceed without the relevant council representatives being onboard. But the next planet is not as expected. When the shuttle attemps to land the onboard systems fail and a grand sailing adventure to the northern kingdoms must be undertaken to prevent the ‘Order from achieving its goals. However help is available in the most unlikely of places. [Ver 1-223]

...and did I tell you there be Dragons!

For readers with a heart for adventure…


Excerpt…
Cody put on a brave stance and walked across the intervening gap. He was now standing face to face with a real live dragon. Again he felt he had been lied to for the dragons of myth and legend were real. The proof of it was standing directly before him looking him right in the eye.
Cody looked back at the Elder.
The old man simply held up his right hand.
Then Cody remembered he was to touch the side of the dragon’s face. He turned back to face the creature and lifted up his hand and gently touched its face.
Before he could think of what to do next a loud and very clear thought burst into his consciousness.
“I am told you are not to blame.” it simply said.
“I, I, I am not so sure.” Cody stammered back.
“A wise answer from one so young. The Elder has shown me what had happened, nonetheless I will expect you to attend the healing ceremony.”
At that the great beast turned and leapt from the cave.
Cody started breathing again.
“He expects me to attend the healing ceremony. But I don’t know how to heal anyone?” Cody said out loud.
“Then it is high time you learnt.” said the Elder. “We will have the afternoon to work on that for the healing ceremony will take place at moon rise and the great King of the Dragons will be most upset if his daughter is not healed.
“The great King of the Dragons? Who’s that?” Cody asked.
“You’ve just met him.” said the Elder.


Excerpt…
Then the old man wanted to make some tea.
Of course it had to be herbal tea.
So it was back upstairs to the garden. Cody was told to search for a specific plant. He couldn’t find it anywhere. Eventually the old man found what he wanted. As far as Cody was concerned it just looked like some old dandelions.
Then they had to wait for the kettle to boil.
Then the tea was too hot and they waited for it to cool.
Cody was beginning to lose it.
He was sure he was going to end up as dragon food.
“I don’t know if I can do this.” he cried out.
“Good.” the old man answered. “That was the first lesson.”


Excerpt…
“Young man,” he spoke loudly as he looked down at Berry, “Your actions today have saved the ship and all onboard.”
So saying, the Captain lifted the young lad onto his shoulders and placed his cap upon the boy’s head.
“To the crew of the Anistoria!” he cried loudly. “I give you the newest member of our company!”
Then he called out “What say you to Ensign Berry!”
A deafening response was heard from them all.
The youngster replied with the broadest of grins.

The author lives in San Diego, Southern California in the foothills of the Cuyamaca Mountains. To one side lies the nearby Pacific Ocean, on the other are the mountains and just past them, the Anza Borrego desert; with the determined traveler being capable of visiting all three in a single afternoon.

He lives with his parents (actually they moved in with him), along with his garden tractor, an acre and a bit of lawn, a plot of Idaho Russet and Yukon Golds, a forest of trees, a dozen or more computers of all shapes and sizes (he’s an embedded software engineer) and some tropical fish. [This list does not include the fire ants that live round the corner.]

He has written books on many subjects (his latest being the development of Embedded Computer Software Systems) but this is his first using a Science Fiction / Fantasy theme.

People say to write about what you know. He has applied this to his writing since he is well-traveled through the USA, Europe and Africa, is an open water certified SCUBA diver, has had some glider training, has an 1100cc Honda Blackbird sports bike in the garage and has been up and down Mount Palomar grade more times than he can remember.

He has always had a dream of finding / building / stealing (sorry, acquiring) a space ship and traveling the stars. Perhaps that was the inspiration that has materialized itself into this book.

He hopes you enjoy the adventure.