There were times when Syon Fand truly hated people. That is not to say there were times when Syon Fand did not hate people; she found everyone outside her own skin to be some combination of insipid, incompetent, loathsome, or dull. The closest she came to liking someone was to view them as a competent …
Chapter Thirty-One: Your Life is Not Your Own Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina
Xyly gazed down at the sleeping man on her desk, and tried to ignore the buzzing of her pad. She was never totally sure what she felt for Nonull. It was a sort of love, but not the sort of love that they write about in poetry. It was possessive, destructive, a malevolent force that …
Interlude: Meanwhile…. Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
“So what is your assessment, Praetor-Imperator?” the Floor Leader asked. “And do I need to pay the Emperor a visit?” “As to the latter…you probably should reach out to him, yes,” Vanser said. “As to the former…Madam Floor Leader, do you want my official answer, or the unofficial one?” Loona smiled tightly. “Both.” Vanser briefly …
Chapter Thirty: The Solution to the Equation Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina
Rixie and Pryvani had discussed options for some time. Pryvani had made some calls to allies in the Imperial Senate, and had her press secretary make her available as a potential guest on chat shows; she intended to give a full-throated defense of the Emperor and Empress, and drop a mention that it was highly …
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Five to Four with One Challenged Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
Luviisa had not shown the slightest hint of being rattled by Rajenlif. Indeed, she had terminated the call with a gleeful grin, hoping that Rajenlif realized that she had been outplayed. But as the opening hours of the conclave droned on, Luviisa had the time to reflect on what Rajenlif said. And despite herself…she found …
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Outside the Conclave of Ten Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
“And Siru, you can stay in here. I assume you want Aleks to room with you?” Rhionne said, guiding them to one of the empty guest suites. She could have passed this duty off on staff, but she knew that her mother would want her to keep a lid on this. Even loyal staff could …
Chapter Twenty-Seven: Zero Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
A light rain was falling over Tuaut as the shuttle grounded on the grounds of the Imperial Palace. The door opened, and a young officer saluted Daz, and then Ulysses. Both returned the gesture, and Daz led the group through the rain to a doorway near the shuttle pad. Waiting inside was another, slightly older …
Chapter Twenty-Six: Four Three Two One Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
There was a knock at the door of 1124 Barreda Hall, and Aleks swore as he awoke. When the knock repeated, he sighed, and said, loudly, “Siru, I love you, but if you’re waking me up while you’re drunk so we can make out…you could have given me another hour to sleep.” The third time …
Chapter Twenty-Five: Five Minutes to Midnight Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
“The timing of this is the important thing,” Aud said. “Are you sure that Gudtormr Nieadlgisl won’t outrun the start on this?” “As I’ve told you, Gudda is an old friend,” Luviisa said, sipping her brewleaf. “And he knows that if he tries to break this early, I can share a few stories about him …
Chapter Twenty-Four: Three Axes and a Question Titan: Birthright by D.X. Machina and Johnnyscribe
Rixie was waiting to greet Taron and Fleita when the Galatea landed at Rabtes Station. While it was no more than a ten-minute trip for Rixie, it was not one she usually made, nor was it one Taron would have typically made for her. It’s not that they weren’t friends; it’s just that it was …