David Selby

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

It was starting to get dark. We were very hungry and decided to look for a tavern to dine in and spend the night. As we strolled down the street, we saw several eateries. The Sack of Gold looked inviting and it had bunks for rent. We went in.


We checked in with the friendly guy at the registration desk. "Let me show you to your bunks, men." He took us upstairs and that's what they were-just your basic sleeping bunks, on compos shelves attached to the wall; a top one, middle, bottom. "Unless," he observed my attire, "You'd prefer a separate room?" I realized that the devil had made me wear one of my most exciting flashblu suits.


"No thanks, Marchan, this will be fine."


He smiled at me, "You must have come down from Garner. It's wonderful to have you here, but you might be aware that "Marchan" riles some of our Pyrites. It ain't nice, but there it is."


"Thank you for the warning," intoned Vuud. 


Chapter 41: A Visit to the South Part 2