It had been several weeks since Rhionne had revealed her possible marital arrangement to Pierce. And while the initial disappointment had weighed heavy on him for a while, Pierce had been forced to admit- to himself at the very least – that there really hadn’t been all that much there, romantically, to begin with. Still, …
Loona and Aisell – Part Two by Openhighhat Nomad Vignettes
“I know exactly where we’re going.” Aisell spoke without looking back. Loona wasn’t normally a nervous person. She was calm under pressure and thoughtful. Walking through a thick, unfamiliar wood on the far side of the planet as the sun was setting was making her a little jumpy. “We’ve been walking for quite …
Chapter Thirty-Eight: And I’ve Seen the Promised Land Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or …
Chapter 2: For She That Fights and Runs Away… The One Who Lived by Dann
The examination had gone as expected, ‘Mookie’ had shown about as much willingness to co-operate as a feral Shaar, and the small animal veterinarian technician had not practiced patience when dealing with the timid little human. Sarra was of course used to being poked, prodded and nudged by the Big ones in white coats. Humans …
Chapter Thirty-Seven: I am Thinking Most of You Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“The return makes one love the farewell.” –Alfred de Musset Two days later, the Freemans were assembled in the main briefing room of the Gyfjon, along with Lauryna, Izzy, Darren, and Lysis; the communique they’d received from Eyrn had been a bit terse, but she’d indicated that there was somebody who needed to meet with …
Part 2 Vignettes: Alex's Odyssey
Alex woke up when something tickled his nose. He opened his eyes and realized he had someone’s arms surrounding him. The nose-tickling culprit was a lone braid. And there was someone pressed against his back, still snoring softly in her sleep. It took Alex a moment to recall where he was and the events of …
Chapter Thirty-Six: And Before I’d be a Slave Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“The truth is messy. It’s raw and uncomfortable. You can’t blame people for preferring lies.” –Holly Black, Red Glove “We will have order,” the President of the General Assembly said, as the side discussion on the floor grew pitched. “We will have order, or we will adjourn.” “Maybe we should!” the Mandean delegate shouted. “Maybe …
Chapter Thirty-Five: The Considerate Judgment of Mankind Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” –Dr. Marie Skłodowska-Curie As the mutters in the crowd turned to shouts, Xú Mùlán looked back toward her friend. She could feel the crowd turning on Eyrn, or at …
Nomad Vignettes Loona and Aisell - Part One by Openhighhat
Loona walked a few steps behind Aisell through the tall, golden grass. It was late summer in Korafia and the stems of the grass were bursting with seeds which Aisell let her fingers drift through as she walked setting the new life adrift on the evening breeze. She couldn’t help but marvel at how …
Chapter Thirty-Four: Like Going Home Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.” –T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding” “Eight meters…six…four…mooring. Repeat, we have mooring.” “Asimov Station, this is Stanisław Lem actual. We show mooring, please confirm.” “Confirmed, Lem. We have mooring …