First Excerpt
from A Diamond Found on Paradise
My latest novel, A Diamond Found on Paradise, was released this month. I’m going to post a few excerpts over the next week or so.
from Chapter III
[Vra and ye are words in Gladilatian, the language of the gladifers, who are the dominant species in the galaxy.]
Soupy said, “If you’ll excuse me,” and Beverly and Eagle both got up and moved to the side so that Soupy would be alone in the image sent with her reply.
“Live-reply.”
After fifteen seconds of waiting, Xresouop Baldwin appeared in yet another blue dress. “Miss Callidardin, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to get hold of you earlier. We’ve already released the newsbit.”
“I know. I’ve just seen it.”
“If you have a statement to make now, we can attach it to the bit, for people who request further information.”
“Certainly.”
“OK, whenever you’re ready.”
“It is true that the Resumptionist Council has suggested to me that I relinquish my diamond, as has Mister Arrow on his own accord. It is true that the image of me at the end of the newsbit was part of my refusal of Mister Arrow’s request, although it was a reply to a personal message which I never gave permission to make public. It is also true that this diamond, which you see on my chest, is adornment to me and sanctity to the Resumptionists. It is, however, not true that I honor the letter of the Paradisan United Law at the cost of its spirit. The spirit of Paradisan United Law is precisely the prevention of the application of religious principles to the lives of any who do not voluntarily submit to them. I told Miss Ester that I wear this stone because it is vra. Because of the council, I now also wear it because it is ye.”
After a few seconds, when it was clear she was done, Xresouop said, “Thank you. We’ll put that on file. We may even put some of that in a newsbit if we make a follow-up.”
“By all means do.”
“OK. I’ll be in touch if I need anything more.”
“Thank you. I’ll be happy to help.” Xresouop’s image disappeared.
Eagle said, “Ye?”
Soupy answered, “‘Proper.’ Vra is ‘fitting.’ My use of those words fit my understanding of them, but I’m not really sure any human truly understands them.”