This collection of short stories features a mosaic of stand-alone tales from the not too distant future: a future in which the bees have gone extinct, helium has been over-harvested, in short, Earth is dying. The resiliency of humanity is tested, faith is questioned, courage and hope scraped together in desperation. And life goes on.
Helium Quest
Helianthus
by Peter Schnake
Series: Helium Quest.
Price:
Free!
Words: 7,800.
Language:
American English.
Published: March 29, 2015
.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » LGBTQ+ » Gay
In this final transcript from the "Helianthus," First Lieutenant Hyland Rivera confronts his own desire to take the vessel on a collision course with the sun, because as he says, “God told him to.” Once Captain Zephaniah Cass gets wind of Hy's plans, the battle for the fate of the "Helianthus" begins. Torn between love and fears, the men grapple for the meaning in their lives.
The Snake-Bearer
by Peter Schnake
Series: Helium Quest.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 9,990.
Language:
American English.
Published: August 1, 2015
.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Literature » Literary
The Gathering begins like all others. The Healer claims unnatural powers and uses poor Latin. But the snake-bearer is new to brothers Mark and Orin. As the snake-bearer’s role becomes clear, Mark is scandalized. The prices the Healer demands are too high. And the outcomes, questionable. “He’s just another fraud,” Mark says. So then, why does Mark feel the Healer rummaging around in his head?
Titus Ad Larem
by Peter Schnake
Series: Helium Quest.
Price:
$0.99 USD.
Words: 31,710.
Language:
American English.
Published: February 29, 2016
.
Categories:
Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » LGBTQ+ » General
Titus’ life as a stay-at-home dad is disrupted when his husband, Lucas, loses his job. He re-enters the workforce as a stockboy at Glenn’s Value Plus, where an encounter with a woman stealing tunafood and a coworker vowing to get him fired cause him to wish he lived on Mars. The X-Tellus company wants to give him that wish. But what would it take to leave his life—and his family—behind?