Chapter Seven TCA: Sojourner by D.X. Machina

Two Days Later “It’s nice to meet you,” the boy said, shaking Izzy’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you…Ryan, you said?” Alex had been kind enough to escort Izzy into the city. Not that she didn’t think she could get there on her own – Atlantis wasn’t exactly big. Or at least, it didn’t used …

Read more

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 …

Read more

Chapter Six TCA: Sojourner by D.X. Machina

Lauryna entered sickbay, and was slightly surprised to see that it had undergone refit. It looked like the Sandava’s, for the most part, far sleeker than it had appeared when last she’d been here. “Crewmate Gwenn. Welcome back, ma’am,” Geoff said, with a curt nod. Lauryna chuckled. “We have the same number of squares, Doctor.” …

Read more

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 …

Read more

Chapter Five Titan: Sojourner by D.X. Machina

Nine Imperial Days Later “Crewmate Gwenn, you have a second?” Lauryna sighed internally. It wasn’t that she didn’t have a second. She just didn’t want to spend it with him. It wasn’t that he was bad. In her brief time on the Sandava, he’d been very pleasant. Hospitable. Federation hospitality, she thought, ruefully. No, Commander …

Read more

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 …

Read more

Chapter Four TCA: Sojourner by D.X. Machina

“All right,” Lauryna said, “so how long will this work for?” “With the power we’re using? About thirty minutes, forty-five, max. But that’s enough to confuse them,” Bres Gdiordo said. She was wiped out, and clearly exhausted, but she was still exhilarated by the idea that this might just work. The Captain’s idea was a …

Read more