A few Imperial months later, an Avalonian shuttle was on a slow, cautious descent toward the square in front of the council building. This was a delicate maneuver, both because of the smallness of the square, the people on board the shuttle, and the people waiting on the ground. Two of the best pilots on …
Category: Tales of Avalon
Go West, Young Man (Part Two) by D.X. Machina
It was perhaps a half-hour of walking, all of them carrying Darren the whole way, with Thomas carrying both his and Darren’s pack. It was not easy going, but soon enough, they came to a small encampment set into the woods. A middle-aged woman was the first to spy them, and seeing both Darren and …
Go West, Young Man (Part One) by D.X. Machina
“So Tommy Boy, you regretting this yet?” Thomas Archer-Kramer finished re-tying his boot, hoisted his pack back onto his back, and said with a smile, “Of course not, Darren, why would I?” Darren Xanthopolous grinned back at his daughter’s fiancé. He had promised Lysis before they set out that he wouldn’t do more than lightly …
This Torch that I Found (Chapter Four)
“Do you ever try to figure out what year it is?” Alex asked. “It’s 2113,” Zhan said. “No, he means Earth year, and it’s…2081, I think?” Nick said. “You’re both wrong. I mean…there’s gravel roads, the Lethior Motorcoach is like a souped-up model T, we’ve got electric lights and phones, but everything’s wired for holograms, …
This Torch that I Found (Chapter Three) by D.X. Machina
“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 …
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 …
This Torch that I Found (Chapter One) by D.X. Machina
You’d never know it, but buddy, I’m a kind of poet, And I got a lot of things I like to say. –Harold Allen and Johnny Mercer, “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)” Tuesday is always a quiet night at the bar, no matter where in the universe you happen …
Heist (Epilogues) by D.X. Machina
“I just received word,” Pryvani said, checking over her pad. “My asset in New Trantor reports that Margu Peten has been placed in custody.” “What’ll the charge be?” “Well….” “He was actually in trouble already,” Rixie said. “Those ‘bad runs’ that Palemst Themego documented. We felt it best if he faced the consequences of that, …
Heist (Chapter Five) by D.X. Machina
All in all, it was very different than what any of them had expected. “I do recommend this dish,” Lady Tarsuss said. “It’s called ‘Ravioli.’ It’s a version of an Earth dish.” “It would be better if Titans had managed to pick up tomatoes on one of your visits to Earth. Huipippa gets close, but …
Heist (Chapter Four) by D.X. Machina
Nest pushed the ATV up the ramp and onto the ship, ignoring the sudden drop from 1 G to .33 G. He zipped past the prone Titan, checking just long enough to confirm the man was breathing. He appreciated the training they’d done at Tayas Mons. Imperator Tam and Archon Raptis had set up a …