David Selby was born and grew up in Berkeley, California. He taught elementary school in California, Mexico, and New Mexico for thirty-six years. He and his wife live in Northwest New Mexico.  He has written many short stories including the Joe the Man with Gills series. Mica is his first novel.

Mica, an expert navigator, uses the currents of the Darkstream to pilot his ship across the galaxy to join his love, Olivine. On the way, he befriends Ronnie, a stowaway who can look like a coat or a first aid kit, the mysterious Vuud, and the translucent “Slight People”. They experience the savage planet of Carnage and the whirling destruction of the Moon of 10,000 Drones before they even reach Olivine in the brand-new city of Garner in the midst of an unknown world.


Mica

My earbug was silent, but I felt an acute stemshiver which had to be Vuud. I was already on my way to meet my friends at a downtown eatery. We, actually Vuud, chose a modest neighborhood Bizeat. Ronnie greeted me, dressed to kill, outside the place, his furry face grinning up out of a sharp orange collar, brown jacket . A tall,batlike, brown shape stood up from where it had come to rest against the outside wall. I was so happy/fulfilled to see Vuud, he pulled back his hood from his somehow handsome head, somewhat glossy olive-brown skin with black flecks, still the slightest smell of something like peanuts and mushrooms. He smiled that quiet, intelligent smile. "Good to see you, Ronnie, Mica." "I'm happy to see both of you," sniffed Ronnie. "It's just great to see you Vuud, Ronnie. It's only been two weeks but--- Lets go in."


Chapter 21: Catching Up With Friends