Tag: Zhan Tarsuss

Chapter Eleven The Debate by D.X. Machina

2164 AD ૨૧૨૫ MA Pryvani was rather pleased with herself; even by her own standards, she had managed this about as well as possible. The committee would be arriving on Avalon in three days, and when they did, they would have the opportunity not just to meet with Avalonians, but Terrans as well. The Alcubierre …

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Chapter Six Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? by D.X. Machina

“You don’t mean that,” Danae said. “What, that we’re awful? We are, Day. Ammer didn’t say it, but I know why he didn’t want to press charges against mom. Not because he was forgiving – though he is, Day, he is – but because he couldn’t. I could press charges against mom, for damaging my …

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Chapter Thirty-Four: Like Going Home Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina

“We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.” –T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding” “Eight meters…six…four…mooring. Repeat, we have mooring.” “Asimov Station, this is Stanisław Lem actual. We show mooring, please confirm.” “Confirmed, Lem. We have mooring …

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Chapter Thirty-Three: What’s Up There Beyond the Sky Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina

“All journeys eventually end in the same place – home.” –Chris Geiger “Okay, I think that’s the last of the big stuff,” Naskia said, looking over the suite that had briefly served as their headquarters at Titan Station. “Just personal effects, some small gear, and so forth. Pryvani, anything that shouldn’t be loaded on the …

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Chapter Thirty-One: And the Time’s Comin’ Near Titan: Contact by D.X. Machina

“If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I?” –Hillel the Elder It took a good five minutes before any of the people on Titan Station could find their voice. Xú, alone among her crew, was not crying. Not because she did …

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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 …

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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: 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 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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