Part of Rixie wanted to be engaged in the questioning of the Aljansens, wanted to pick them apart piece by piece. But there were good imperators who were ready to do that, who had more recent practice at interrogation than Rixie did. Besides, she had more important responsibilities. She had spoken to her mother, and …
Chapter Forty: Castling Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina
“What are you reading?” Brinn asked, as she brought a suitcase into the entryway of the family’s home. “Same thing you were reading half an hour ago,” Nick said, sitting at the kitchen table – virtually, that is – and downing his brewleaf. “You know, when we were coming down to it, I almost sent …
Chapter Thirty-Nine: Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Variant Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
“High-born Rajenlif,” Luviisa said, as they entered the atrium of the building that housed the Chamber of the Ten. “I have heard terrible rumors. Audara accompanied us this morning, I…uh…well, duty calls, even in the worst of times. I wanted to be…prepared.” Rajenlif had been waiting for Luviisa to arrive, and it took a great …
Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Dronung’s Gambit Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
“You look exhausted,” said Rajenlif, looking over at her niece. “I’ve been much more exhausted than this,” Rixie said. “I just wish I had Alex here to talk me through. Of course, if we weren’t in the middle of a disaster, he might try to make me sleep – but only if he thought I …
Chapter Thirty-Seven: Setting Up the Board Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
Margu checked the chronometer on his arm, and sighed. “I’m surprised we haven’t heard yet. That may be good news for you; if this went bad, about all the option I’ve got is to request an early launch and get the frak out of here.” Liss looked over to the control panel, largely dark save …
Interlude: Elsewhere Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
For centuries, scientists have been aware of a particular class of experiences, and for just as long, they have been befuddled by them. The experiences themselves have been documented throughout history, and share some surprising cross-cultural commonalities. Many hypotheses have been put forward to explain them, most having to do with brain architecture and neural …
Chapter Thirty-Six: In That Moment of Revelation Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
Gravity on Jutuneim is 35 percent of that on Earth. If you’re a Titan, that’s slightly more than Archavian standard, but only slightly – just six percent higher than normal. Enough to notice for the first few days you’re on the planet, but nothing you can’t get used to after you’ve been there a while, …
Chapter Thirty-Five: The Game is Afoot Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
The Jacks had saved Cemerteus. If you grew up in Cemerteus, you knew that from the time you could talk. Four Titans had come to the town, trying to kidnap the humans who lived there. But the Jacks had been ready, and they had fought the Titans, and could have killed them – and the …
Chapter Thirty-Four: You See, But You Do Not Observe Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
“Karral, you look nervous,” Rixie said, as she stood by the airlock of the White Shaar. “Don’t be.” “Don’t be nervous. Sure. Easy for you to say,” Karral said, with a tight grin. “If I’ve screwed this up, the next Dronung gets killed. No big deal.” “First off, you ran it by me, and I …
Chapter Thirty-Three: To a Great Mind, Nothing is Little Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
“So, I would imagine you have a story,” Rixie said to the large man, who was making breakfast in the galley of the WV White Shaar. They had picked him up in the Daraean system, one of the three men and one woman who would comprise her private guard. The man had a chrome artificial …