“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who …
Tag: Ammer Smit
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Hand in Hand Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“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 …
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 Nineteen: Soul Goes Marching Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“I feel small when I am next to you I feel big when I forget you.” –Luscious Jackson, “Deep Shag” “Boss!” Ammer and Inna both called, as Inna ran at a full sprint after Loona and Pryvani, carrying Ammer in her breast pocket. “This needs to be quick, we’re meeting with the floor leader in….” …
Chapter Eleven: Undaunted, True, and Brave Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Do I dare Disturb the universe? In a minute there is time For decisions and revisions which a minute will erase.” –T.S. Eliot, “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” “Thank you kindly for agreeing to see us on such short notice, Representatives.” “The pleasure is ours, Representative. Thank you for being willing to meet …
Chapter Nine: The Gracious Favor Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“O God, that I had loved a smaller man! I should have found in him a greater heart.” –Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Merlin and Vivien” “No signal from Ted?” “No, sir,” Viktor Frieden said. “Hala?” He shook his head. “All right. You’ve got the text message ready to send if we get contact?” “Yes, sir.” “Okay,” …
Chapter Seven: What You Can’t Understand Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“The Gods favor the strong.” –Tacitus “Stanisław Lem, this is Hercules Base. Helm answers all stop, we are wheels down on Titan.” “This is the Lem, roger that, Hercules Base. Per actual you are go for whatever recon is practicable.” “Affirm Lem. See you soon, Yelena. Hercules Base out.” “It’s funny,” Ted Martínez said. “This …
Chapter Five: Keep Your Eyes Wide Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“If life is going to exist in a Universe of this size, then the one thing it cannot afford to have is a sense of proportion.” –Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe “Mr. Secretary! We just received this! Code magenta traffic warning about the Sol System, sir.” “Criminy, Auren, don’t you …
Chapter Four: Lead Me Home Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Oh, nothing’s impossible. It’s just a question of when it gets too hard to imagine doing.” –Jeff Fecke, The Valkyrie’s Tale “ETA, Colonel?” “One hour, forty minutes. Twenty minutes since I told you we were two hours out, sir.” Tatenda Marechera paced, which took some doing in the cramped cockpit of the Sally Ride. “Can …
Chapter Six Titan: Campaign by D.X. Machina
“Those who cannot understand how to put their thoughts on ice should not enter into the heat of debate.” —Friedrich Nietzsche Two weeks before Election Day, and Tannhauser West was as close as it could get. The Kokinae Report had moved the race from “Leans Incumbent” to “Toss-Up,” and polls all put Armac and Zapat …