“Let us all meet each other with a smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.” –Blessed Teresa of Calcutta “Got’dang council. I was savin’ Atlantis back when half of ‘em were in diapers, and this is the thanks I get,” Darren muttered, sipping an Avalonian whiskey at a table in the restaurant, waiting …
Category: Contact
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Out on the Edge of Darkness Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Make me feel tiny if it makes you feel tall.” –Ben Folds, “Cooler than You” Sorcha arrived back in the Freemans’ suite with a new blouse and a bag in one arm, a tree in the other. “Okay,” Naskia said from the couch, where she was currently slumped, her husband asleep, curled up in her …
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Till Earth and Heaven Ring Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” –Semisonic, “Closing Time” “Will the Representative yield to a query?” “Will the Representative yield?” the chair asked Loona, for what felt like the five millionth time in the past three hours. “Yes,” she replied evenly. “The Representative from Telemaki Three Rivers may proceed.” “Thank you, Madam …
Chapter Twenty-Six: Times Must a Man Look Up Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” –Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land The chair struck the bell three times, and the Imperial House grew silent. “The House will be in order. The chair recognizes the Representative from Wedney.” “Thank you, madam chair,” Rodrec …
Chapter Twenty-Five: Something Good Has Begun Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“There’s not a word yet For old friends who’ve just met.” –Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams, “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” Tig sprinted through the corridors of Titan Station as fast as her legs could carry her, which in this case was approximately 300 miles per hour. She was heading to Hangar One, …
Second Intermission Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“We do spend too much time on the telephone, and you know something? We love it.” –Dr. Michio Kaku Admiral James Harwell sat in mission control, Houston, not wanting to leave his workstation. It was very late in Texas. In just an hour or two, he would have to begin calling the loved ones of …
Chapter Twenty-Four: Lay Down My Burden Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether ’tis Nobler in the mind to suffer The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune, Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles, And by opposing end them.” –William Shakespeare, “Hamlet,” Act III, Scene i “Sally Ride, this is Captain Lauryna Gwenn of the …
Chapter Twenty-Three: And Mortal Life Shall Cease Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“But we in it shall be remembered – We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother….” –William Shakespeare, “Henry V,” Act IV, Scene iii “Hit the ground!” Kir shouted, on instinct as much as anything. The three Titans dove low, as …
Chapter Twenty-Two: Study War No More Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“When you’re getting ready to launch into space, you’re sitting on a big explosion waiting to happen.” –Dr. Sally Ride “My question is, at what point do we attack?” The question seemed to hang in the air; the various world leaders who fielded Admiral Harwell’s question seemed almost taken aback by it. It was Robyn …
Chapter Twenty-One: The Trumpet That Shall Never Call Retreat Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Battle is an orgy of disorder.” –Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. They say in battle, time slows down. Eyrn, Naskia, and Sorcha all wished what they said was true. Instead, the peacekeepers kept moving at a steady pace. Too steady, too fast. Almost. Almost…. A soft click and a whoosh came from the ceiling. It …