In the not too distant future, the world is a far different place. Human rights are non-existent. For those who disobey the many laws, the punishments are severe. Especially for those who practice manlove -- the crime of desiring another of the same sex. In a desperate attempt to flee the guards pursuing him, Taar runs into the slums of New Melbourne. As the voices of his pursuers grow louder in his ears, he is suddenly pulled into a disused service entrance. A homeless man guides him to the back of the darkened space, shushing him, and Taar couldn't be more grateful. Yet his relief is short-lived as the man begins shouting to attract the guards' attention. When Taar is finally captured, the homeless man asks about the reward. As Taar is escorted to an awaiting police vehicle, the homeless man is told there will be no reward, though that brings Taar no satisfaction at all. He knows the penalty for his crime is exile. Never again will he see his mother nor his lover to explain to them, to say sorry or goodbye. He will be a member of the first prison group to be abandoned on the newly discovered planet, Tansa. Even if he survives the space shuttle journey, what will become of him in the unexplored wilderness of Tansa? How will he survive? More importantly, will the handsome Bror, a fellow exile, be there for him the way he would like him to be?

The Twin Moons of Tansa

“Hey, Taar. How are we going to carry any of this water back? We didn’t bring any containers.”


Taar shrugged and sent a fresh wave of water splashing over his friend.


“Guess we’ll organise that when we get back. Important thing is we found it.”


He swallowed another gulp of water, then waded through the gentle current to a small island of sand in the middle of the river.


“That was fun,” said Taar, collapsing onto the sandbar.


Bror joined him, laying on his back, panting and staring up through the canopy of leaves at the darkening skies. “Do you remember our night in the holding cell? The night before we left for Tansa?”


“Remember what?” asked Taar. “It was a long time ago.”


Bror rolled onto his side, his head propped up by his hand. His eyes became fixed on Taar’s trim, muscular, twenty-eight-year-old body. “I was lying behind you…”


Taar was beginning to remember, though the memory was hazy.


“You were curled up between me and Tolen…”


Chapter 7