5 Books by Simon Haynes
Requirements: ePUB reader, 791 kb
Overview: Simon Haynes is an Australian writer of speculative fiction novels and short stories, particularly the Hal Spacejock series. Haynes also uses his experience with computers to write software which he designs for himself and then shares for free through his website. The most well-known of these programs is yWriter, a program designed specifically for composing novels. Haynes is a founding member of the Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine.
Genre: Fiction | Sci-fi
Hal Spacejock
1. Hal Spacejock (2005)
An incompetent space pilot, a massive debt and a twenty-four hour deadline…
Freighter pilot Hal Spacejock has a life to die for: His very own cargo ship, a witty and intelligent flight computer … and a debt so big it makes the GFC look like a rounding error.
Hal’s an upright sort of guy, and he won’t take jobs from gun runners, drug smugglers or politicians. On the other hand, a loan shark’s brutal enforcer is camped on his doorstep.
Faced with an impossible choice, Hal chooses an impossible job … and gains an impossible co-pilot into the bargain.
Loss Leader (novella)
After delays and last-minute setbacks, the first colony ship leaves planet Earth for a distant star. Join the crew as they discover all is not as it seems…
The flight deck was spacious, with a wide console across the forward end, a large screen and, incongruously, an aluminium table with four chairs.
‘Where’s the umbrella?’ said Greg Roth, as he stared at the furniture.
Erin ignored him, and addressed the computer. ‘Give me a news feed,’ she said.
The screen flickered into life, showing an outside view of the ship against a backdrop of stars. A talking head appeared, inside an oval in the corner of the screen.
‘This is it, ladies and gentlemen, your last sight of the Glory before it leaves. This is a historical moment without parallel, a moment which opens the book on the Human conquest of space!’
The commentator paused for breath as the rectangular grey slab vanished in a glare of white light. ‘And there she goes, departing on a journey of a hundred years! Don’t forget, folks, you can book your place right now. Just press the Order button on your remote. Please note, those under eighteen years will need permission from …’
Sleight of Hand (novella)
After a cosy meal, the protagonist retires to his host’s workshop for an
after-dinner drink … and becomes the unwitting subject of an
experiment.
I remembered a recent episode where Ralph had been demonstrating a hand-held cutting laser. It had gone through the apple sitting on my head, cut a slot in the wall and neatly pruned the neighbour’s jacaranda tree down to a six-foot stump.
‘What do you think?’ he asked, gesturing vaguely towards the bench.
I stared at the clutter of computer hardware and network cables. ‘Uh, yeah,’ I said. ‘What am I looking at?’
Ralph frowned. ‘The computers. I’ve got them set up so they can transfer electronic mail back and forth.’
I stared at him, wondering how this inventive genius had managed to remain completely ignorant of the internet. ‘I don’t mean to spoil your fun, but that’s been done.’
The Desolator (novella)
Join Hurm, Runt and Father Mephistophiles as they struggle to save the hamlet of Yendour from a marauding dragon.
*The cleric looked up as the halfling emerged from the group of groaning, doubled-up drinkers. ‘You took your time. Don’t they serve minors?’
‘Do I look like a dwarf?’
‘I meant … Oh, forget it. Sit down, you’re making people nervous.’ The cleric, who was travelling under the name of Father Mephistopheles, withdrew a well-worn book from his pocket and began turning the pages.
‘Expecting trouble, Father M.?’ asked Runt, clambering onto his chair.
‘There’s a dragon terrorising the town, Runt. Of course I’m expecting trouble.’
Escape Clause (novella)
A mistreated worker decides to take matters into his own hands. (An 1100-word short story first published in Andromeda Spaceways Issue #4)
I was just tidying my bench for tea break when the intercom buzzed in the next cubicle. Fernbark’s cubicle. Again. Now I’m not the nosy sort, but the boss has a loud voice and the words came through the cheap plywood like bullets.
‘One more cock-up like that and you’re history!’ he yelled, his deep voice rattling the intercom on my desk.
Download Instructions:
http://destyy.com/wLoOYr
http://destyy.com/wLoOYp
