A couple Imperial months after the Battle of Tau Ceti…. Lemm Tam stood at the head of the table, and looked down at the board. “Archiploiarchos Merulon,” she said to her adjutant, “what is the fleet’s status?” The Titan man looked the board over carefully; he was just a month removed from the bridge of …
Category: Short Stories
The Transformation of the Tribe (Part Four) by D.X. Machina
Some Time Later…. The meeting had concluded with much less acrimony. There was a broad consensus about the outlines of the future of this place, though there were a great many details yet to be worked out. It would be a town, classed for both urban and rural use. The Maris and Prenn lands would …
The Transformation of the Tribe (Part Three) by D.X. Machina
Thurfrit’s outburst brought silence to the room. He continued on. “I am willing to listen to new and challenging ideas, but not that one! There will never be a rule saying that members of this Tribe cannot befriend or marry those from outside it. I wouldn’t be here, and neither would you, Othello! You want …
The Transformation of the Tribe Part Two by D.X. Machina
Othello didn’t panic, Thurfrit noted. He must have been expecting that line to land like a thud. He had to be. Othello Zonela was a bright kid. He had to understand what the reaction to this proposal would be. “Thello,” Nela said, calmly, “what the teth are you talking about?” “We would be building the …
The Transformation of the Tribe Part One, by D.X. Machina
A few Imperial days after the 2127 Walak Riots. Thurfrit settled into the chair in the conference room, and leaned back. He smiled as he surveilled it; the furnishings were modern and well-crafted, leather and metal imported from Avalon. The table was Tribe-built; it had been constructed here to replace the one that had stood …
La Résistance (Part Seven) Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
The woman heard the man walk into the barn, but she didn’t turn to face him right away. “Your herd of torzas are well-cared for, Mr. Hamac,” she said. “I think another three weeks before you have to worry about this girl here calving. But keep an eye on her anyhow, hydration’s important – but …
A Noble Heart Must Answer (Part 7) Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
[Author’s Note: Pushing this out today, because good news! OHH is going to post the next chapter of Hybrid tomorrow! -DX] Loona waited patiently for Pane Segdi to finish flipping through the report. The three other members of the cabinet whose portfolios were affected by it had moved through slightly quicker, but then, this was …
La Résistance (Part Six) Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
Three Imperial Weeks Later Palsa Temis shook his head in wonder at the sight. Two Imperial peacekeeping battalions had grounded in Walak. He had hoped to see this, on the night of Cesil’s attempt at secession, but he had assumed it would be after a long battle, and that the people of the Federation would …
La Résistance (Part Five) Background Chatter by D.X. Machina
The sound of a klaxon woke Jota Cesil from his sleep. He grunted, and pulled himself up onto the chair. He’d drunk a lot of kapskrasi. A lot. Been drinking a lot lately. To celebrate. He winced at his hangover. “Who the frak authorized the emergency alert system?” he barked, looking at his pad. “Where’s …
Chapter Ten: Phone a Friend Tales of Avalon: Training Day, by Dann
Raymund stood his ground as the distant figure grew larger, and more imposing with each stride of her long legs. Each foot fall caused a larger and more disruptive impact tremor, and the curious gathering of citizens near the city gate had quickly changed tone to that of tension and worry. It wasn’t exactly as …