“The future depends on what you do today.” –Mahatma Gandhi “Titan Station, this is Avalon shuttlecraft Zeno’s Paradox, on final approach.” “Roger that, Captain Carey, this is Titan Control, we have you set for dock Gama-12, please follow the beacon in.” “Wilco, Titan Control. We’ll be wheels down in five.” It was a busy day …
Tag: Hala Nejem
Chapter Thirty-Two: Take My Hand, Come Along Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” –Mark Twain Depending on where you’d grown up and how you marked your calendar, either a week or eighteen days had passed since the Gyfjon had captured the Stanisław Lem. The Minatar had departed the station three Earth days before, the same day they’d moved the Lem …
Chapter Thirty: By the Dim and Flaring Lamps Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“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 …
Chapter Twenty-Five: Something Good Has Begun Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“There’s not a word yet For old friends who’ve just met.” –Kenny Ascher and Paul Williams, “I’m Going to Go Back There Someday” Tig sprinted through the corridors of Titan Station as fast as her legs could carry her, which in this case was approximately 300 miles per hour. She was heading to Hangar One, …
Chapter Twenty-Four: Lay Down My Burden Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“To be, or not to be, that is the question: Whether ’tis Nobler in the mind to suffer The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune, Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles, And by opposing end them.” –William Shakespeare, “Hamlet,” Act III, Scene i “Sally Ride, this is Captain Lauryna Gwenn of the …
Chapter Twenty-Three: And Mortal Life Shall Cease Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“But we in it shall be remembered – We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother….” –William Shakespeare, “Henry V,” Act IV, Scene iii “Hit the ground!” Kir shouted, on instinct as much as anything. The three Titans dove low, as …
Chapter Twenty-Two: Study War No More Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“When you’re getting ready to launch into space, you’re sitting on a big explosion waiting to happen.” –Dr. Sally Ride “My question is, at what point do we attack?” The question seemed to hang in the air; the various world leaders who fielded Admiral Harwell’s question seemed almost taken aback by it. It was Robyn …
Chapter Twenty-One: The Trumpet That Shall Never Call Retreat Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Battle is an orgy of disorder.” –Gen. George S. Patton, Jr. They say in battle, time slows down. Eyrn, Naskia, and Sorcha all wished what they said was true. Instead, the peacekeepers kept moving at a steady pace. Too steady, too fast. Almost. Almost…. A soft click and a whoosh came from the ceiling. It …
Chapter Twenty: Let Us Die to Make Men Free Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina
“Think not that your word and yours alone must be right.” –Sophocles, Antigone “All right,” Darren said, as they came to a ventilation grate. “We’re here. At least, we’re as close as we can get through the shaft. It’s sealed going forward.” “Very well,” Tatenda said, looking into the mass of men and women in …
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….” …