wdhenning

The first terraformed world, Tau Ceti Four, was now ready for colonization. Some called it Paradise, and it seemed a fitting name. The initial conditions before the terraforming began were perfect, too perfect for botanist Mora Torr. Something was not right.Engineer Gan Finn came over with the other colonists on the Ark Hope ship. He, like Mora, was as much running away from an anguished past as seeking Paradise. But twelve light-years distance itself does not cure broken hearts."So, are there any alien jubjub birds, bandersnatches, or jabberwocks around here I should be worried about?"Laughter rolled from her mouth at the Alice in Wonderland reference. "Oh, nothing like that. It's not the big scary creatures we should worry about, besides other humans that is, but the tiny ones. History has shown us that things like bacteria, virus, and small parasites are the real killers. The deadliest creature in all the human history is a mosquito with a pathogen."** Re-edited **** Open Novella II - Short List and Ambassador Pick **** Wattpad Editor's Choice (January 2020) **…

wdhenning

The world changed forever after the Awakening. It activated long dormant genetic code, giving people degrees of telekinetic abilities, known as Talent. As certain that power corrupts, the Dynasties arose. To the favored upper classes came freedom and luxury, to the lower classes repression and poverty. The Blue Uprising emerged to overthrow the oppressive Dynasty.Terra Lorr was a top agent for the Blue Uprising, a stealthy spy and deadly assassin. As atonement for blowing a mission, she was sent to a remote province to find a mythical 'Hooded Man', if he existed at all. What she found was Will Sall, an enigmatic man who already knew far too much about her. He opened her eyes and challenged her to reexamine the cause she served, all the while touching deeply her heart. But there existed an unsettling darkness about him, one that could upset the very basis of the society they lived in.This is their story.Cover by IvoryKeen.…

wdhenning

A short story (~4100 words) written for the December 2018 @ScienceFiction challenge, "The Song of Sqia'lon Seven".The consciousness robbing Soul Blight began on the seventh planet of the Sqia'lon system and then spread across the Sol Commonwealth. Stricken with the Blight, Tahn made the decision to deny the terrible disease from taking what little was left of his self. But a scarred woman came across him, and she had a song. There was much more at stake than just his life.Further note: Another story, "The Secret of Tanencha Sky Tyrin", is the sequel to this one.…

wdhenning

This is a short story originally written from the Aim to Engage II, Day #28 prompt ("the return of magic"). It is also an epilogue to the novel "Dark Fall", set more than 25 years in the future.…

wdhenning

As he sought the soothing solitude of deep space, a sweet song that touched his soul beckoned him much deeper. So much like a mythical Siren, he feared she lured him to his doom, but he could not resist the song.A short story.*** Winner for Prompt 1 and second place overall in the BeyondSol writing contest "Into the Abyss". ***…