Tag: Niall Freeman

Chapter Seventeen: Finite Disappointment Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina

“A mistake is always forgivable, rarely excusable and always unacceptable.” –Robert Fripp Darren looked at his pad, trying his best to get a lock on someone, anyone, who was a friendly. This was necessarily going to be a human; the one salient part of being registered as someone’s pet is that you end up with …

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Chapter Sixteen: Whom Ventured All to Save Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina

“Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy.” –Sun Tzu, “The Art of War” Decanus Aigine Orgin had been a peacekeeper on four different stations, and had eleven years of experience dealing with criminals and thugs. He had once broken up a fight at Norvsekal Station that had involved six Insectoids, four Titans, and a …

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Chapter Fifteen: ‘Cause We Don’t Know the Game Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina

“I have a thing. It’s like a plan, but with more greatness.” –The Eleventh Doctor “What on Archavia happened here?” Aertimus looked around the wreckage of the infirmary which had until very recently housed Hala Nejem. The two idiot guards were just coming around from being stunned; Dr. Geen was tending to Rixie, a nasty …

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Chapter Thirteen: Loosed the Fateful Lightning Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.” –Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “They’re too quick,” Yelena Bobrova said. “They’re reacting almost as soon as we act.” The Lem had acquitted herself quite nicely. She’d actually managed to surprise the Gyfjon more than once, which had …

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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 …

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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,” …

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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 …

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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 …

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Chapter Five Titan: Campaign by D.X. Machina

“When I ran for governor, was I ambitious? Yes. Anyone, male or female, who goes through the trials of a campaign must be ambitious.” —Ambassador Madeleine M. Kunin The house was full-to-overflowing with guests, and Loona moved between them fluidly, like she’d been doing this her whole life. “So nice of you to come, Judicator. …

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