“So here’s what I don’t understand,” Rixie said. “Why did you take the bait?” “I was mad,” Liss said. “I wasn’t thinking of it from his perspective, I….” “No, no, no,” Rixie interrupted, smiling inscrutably. “Liss Peten. The White Shaar. You’ve been smuggling for years. You’re very good at what you do, and you haven’t …
Category: Short Stories
This Torch that I Found (Chapter Two) by D.X. Machina
“So why are all of you here, anyhow?” Nest asked. “Narrative convenience,” Mak said, as he finished folding up some sheet music into a folder. “See you tomorrow, boss, and see you later, Nest.” “Huh?” “Mak, what are the lottery numbers for tomorrow night?” Alex asked. “Three of you have enough money, I think,” Mak …
The Promise: Chapter Eight Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
“You know, there’s part of me that’s tempted to quietly torpedo him,” Teddy Xanthopolous said, shaking his head, his long hair tracing concordant angles as he did. “Smitty? Why’d you want to do a thing like that?” his father said, stubbing out a cigar. “You can’t think Lethior is worth a goddamn penny.” “No, no. …
The Promise, Chapter Seven by D.X. Machina
“So like I was saying,” Alex said, like he had been saying, “we’re looking for someone who knows what they’re doing. If Theraxie Holdings is interested, we’d love to see a bid.” “The only question I have is supply chain,” Aoipr Theracy said, chewing on a stylus as she looked at her pad. “Yes, I …
The Promise, Chapter Six Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
The Senate Club is one floor below the Old Chamber, and is almost twice as large; while the Old Chamber is surrounded by offices, the Senate Club spans an entire floor of the Legislative building, giving a panoramic view of Tuaut to the fortunate people allowed in. The club itself is opulent in the old …
The Promise, Chapter Five Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
Eκ ixzα pαntᴋεp. Three simple words that brought the murmuring in the gallery to a sudden stop. Three words that nobody expected to hear from Forna Qorni. Not in public. I was wrong. Now, the eyes of everyone in the room, and everyone watching around the Empire, were on her. She had waded into the …
The Promise, Chapter Four Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
“Good afternoon, boss.” “Inna,” Loona sighed, as she and Aisell descended the stairs from the residence to the office, “how long have you been lying in wait for us?” “Twenty-five minutes. And pretend I’m not here, Madam Floor Leader, Inna just wanted company while she waited.” “Good afternoon, Minister Smit,” Loona said to the man …
The Promise, Chapter Three Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
“Well, I’d like to believe there’s gonna be a full house to see me sworn, but I know better.” Rodrec Zeramblin laughed at his colleague. “Yeah, when they swore me in there was maybe one reporter in the gallery. Funny how quick you become a has-been.” “You won’t be a has-been, Rodrec,” Forna Qorni said. …
The Promise, Chapter Two Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
The young officer’s stomach fluttered, just a little bit. She’d been on the Kopus a bit less than a year, and she thought she had acquitted herself well. So she’d been a bit surprised when she’d been ordered to come up and see the DSO. She’d met the DSO perhaps twice; generally speaking, she reported …
The Promise, Chapter One Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
Tiernan ColVanos, Fourth of that Name, leaned back in his chair. It was to be a busy day, as most days were. In a few hours, he would be going to the Senate, to see its new members sworn in. Three, to be precise, each of them taking their seats by his appointment. It was …