Terrified of being sealed in a tin can of a spaceship, he vows to change space travel forever.
Rai’s life is all about travelling beyond the Solar System. But when he’s trapped in his own Faraday cage, he’s overwhelmed by fear. All his hopes and dreams are shattered. In a burst of determination, he sets himself to outthink his claustrophobia. He will create a new phenomenon to take him to the stars without a spaceship. His tests on matter transfer are soon promising. Now, all he has to do is start testing it on the living.
Who will be first over the threshold and will they survive?
Threshold is a novella in Tech Array, an optimistic near future sci-fi series of short fiction. If you like sci-fi with heart and everyday heroes, this inventor story is for you. These standalone stories feature different characters from Helena Trooperman’s Age of Unity, set in the Firmament.
Pick up your copy of Threshold today and prepare to be transported.
Terrified of being sealed in a tin can of a spaceship, he vows to change space travel forever.
Rai’s life is all about travelling beyond the Solar System. But when he’s trapped in his own Faraday cage, he’s overwhelmed by fear. All his hopes and dreams are shattered. In a burst of determination, he sets himself to outthink his claustrophobia. He will create a new phenomenon to take him to the stars without a spaceship. His tests on matter transfer are soon promising. Now, all he has to do is start testing it on the living.
Who will be first over the threshold and will they survive?
Threshold is a novella in Tech Array, an optimistic near future sci-fi series of short fiction. If you like sci-fi with heart and everyday heroes, this inventor story is for you. These standalone stories feature different characters from Helena Trooperman’s Age of Unity, set in the Firmament.
Pick up your copy of Threshold today and prepare to be transported.
Blind in the instant darkness, Rai hurled himself toward the closed vault door and pounded as hard as he could. No, no, no! I can’t be boxed in. I can’t be. Do you hear me? I can’t be! Here he was, working on artificial wormholes, but not even that could get him out of this mess.
The surge of emotion rendered him exhausted in minutes. It seemed like hours heaped on top of his long workday, long week, and long month. He paused, grabbing his knees, his breath coming fast and furious. You silly sod, what are you doing? Now, think, you fool!
Once he had caught his breath, Rai gradually stood to his full height. He extended his fingers, stretching his raw knuckles, and slumped his back to the impenetrable door. He bumped the back of his head against the steel a few times, a tightness forming in his chest. I must not black out. I will not. He wrapped his arms about him, nursing the trembling sensation. Get a grip! Breathing is key, remember?
He had been here before as a child when potholing and almost suffocated alone in the dark. There had been a dank earthy smell then, which had permeated his clothes and hair. I didn’t die then. And I won’t die now.
A few deep breaths helped. Only the smell of old paper. Not really stuck, no. Not really.
He ran his ruined fingers through his short, spiky hair and slid down until he sat on the ice-cold surface, hugging his knees. He rested his chin there. Okay, that’s it, calm it down.
The next time the hermetically sealed vault could be opened again was at six in the morning, if anyone ventured to his loft office.
Breathing steadily, he smiled, remembering his NETcell in his back pocket. He typed a message to Blake. Mate, been bloody stupid. Stuck in my vault. Can you help? He had apps to pass the time while he waited for him to arrive. A short snort of laughter at his earlier foolishness broke the silence, and he hit send.
Seconds later, when the message failed, his eyes darted to his signal strength. “It’s just one night,” he muttered, but rather than projecting confidence, his voice betrayed him. Caught in my own Faraday cage.
Helena Trooperman’s Threshold is a science fiction novel that explores humanity’s ambitious goal of becoming multi-planetary through the eyes of Rai Lite, a brilliant scientist who has embarked on the never-done-before mission of creating a wormhole, a dream birthed after overcoming the fear he felt when he was sealed in the vault of a spacecraft. Creating a wormhole is one thing; keeping it stable is another; making it safe to transport people and objects from point A to B is a whole different discussion. The task before Rai is difficult and dangerous, and there will be no shortage of tests along the way. Will he be successful in pushing boundaries and creating history? Pick up a copy of this book to find out.
The book quickly thrusts readers into Rai’s personal struggle, as he faces a deep-seated fear in a sealed vault with no contact with anyone on the outside due to a poor reception, which makes him relatable to readers early on and builds a level of tension that is well maintained throughout the story.
Readers will be fully immersed in the world of science the author has created, as every phase of Rai’s exploration is narrated in detail, creating a thrilling ride that comprises navigating the complexities of exotic particles, energy redirection systems, protective coatings, and more. The author also does well to add depth to these parts of the story by including scientific concepts and technical terms that add authenticity to the story without overwhelming the reader. This impressive world-building will ensure that readers are fully invested in Rai’s quest.
Rai’s strong-willed personality is also worthy of note. Besides the first scene that illustrates this, he would come up against multiple challenges on this journey, including a mysterious realignment of all his organs, and how he found reasons to soldier on was inspirational. Throughout the story, he also comes across as a collaborative individual who values good friendships, especially with his friend and colleague, Blake.
Overall, Threshold is a gripping and thought-provoking sci-fi story with an inspiring central character in Mr. Rai Lite. The book will appeal to fans of the genre, especially people interested in space exploration and inspirational stories. The author’s engaging writing style and her ability to create a compelling narrative, as well as the book’s concise nature, will leave you wanting more at the end of the book and wondering why the story flew by.