Tag: Xú Mùlán

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, …

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Second Intermission Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina

“We do spend too much time on the telephone, and you know something? We love it.” –Dr. Michio Kaku Admiral James Harwell sat in mission control, Houston, not wanting to leave his workstation. It was very late in Texas. In just an hour or two, he would have to begin calling the loved ones of …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 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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