Winya dropped her bags on the floor. The metal floor rung out as the heavy bags slammed into the floor. Winya winced. Rugs, then, Winya thought, looking around her tiny apartment. The apartments on Esl-5 were small, expected really given the relative infancy of the nation. The habitable parts of the planet were only two … More The Runners
Nadine woke to the sound of birds singing. It was still weird, to hear that instead of the constant hum of the city traffic. Even after fifty years of the banning of fossil fuels, she still expected to hear the thrum of engine noise. Not that she’d change it for anything. This world was once … More A Green World
“You said you had a plan for this?! Flying into the port with no approvals is not a plan.” Taelew looked over at his co-pilot. Yivonn was not one for breaking the rules, which is why he hadn’t told her of the plan until they were on the final descent. “I do have a plan,” … More This is not a plan
“So,” Faiya said, moving her sword off the side of the bench and buckling it to her waist, “what do you say?” Ingeot tapped his leg thoughtfully. He always did that when he thought no one could notice. One of his ticks. “Sure,” he said, standing up, “fighting a horde of demons with you? … More Spark (From the Archives)
“I’ve got it,” Xanete said, pushing the box across the table. The room was silent. Xanete could feel the tension in the air from the other three gang leaders around the table. What she was proposing was unheard of – a truce to their fifty year war. A truce to allow them to focus … More Saturn’s Waves (From the Archives)
“Docked, Captain!” Captain Elaya Truthwatch tipped the edge of her hat at her First Mate, Rodgers, to acknowledge the information. “We’re here for five days, Crew!” she yelled over the ship. Her voice carried easily in the still breeze, “be respectful, but more importantly, drink them dry!” The Crew cheered. Those on the first … More Tiola’s Bay (From the Archives)
Nadine watched as the world crumbled at his feet. The magic tore through the town, turning the buildings and people alike into dust. He lowered his hand. “It is done,” he said, pulling his gloves over his decaying hands. It was the first sign, the skin rot, before the madness took hold. He walked … More Decay (From the Archives)
“Get up,” Unle said, resting her cutlass under her son’s chin. She could feel the eyes of the crew, watching her every move. Hulan looked up at her with hate and defiance in his eyes. Even from here, she could see the tell tale sign of the star sickness, the bruising down the neck … More Get Up (From the Archives)
“What is it?” Bethany said, as Trev pulled the box out of the ground. Even under the protective shade of their tent, the heat was still oppressive. “I think,” Trev said, breathing heavily as he heaved the box onto the top of the trench, “we’ve struck gold.” Bethany grinned. It was this. What they … More Discovery (From the Archives)
Penrif sighed into his hands. There was simply no other way. He had spent the entire night trying to find another way. But no matter how he looked at it, whichever way he cut it, it was just not going to end well. They’d want his feedback in the morning meeting. The admirals and … More Dawning Realisation (From the Archives)
Alex.J.Cobalt 