2k words
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“I know just the place,” Samiha replied with a grin.
-xXx-
“Welcome back, miss Samiha!” Jim called, hurrying over to the reception desk and holding out an arm. “And mister Cadell, Sir, always a pleasure. What’s it been, two months, three?”
“Somethin’ like that,” Cadell replied, shaking the offered hand. “How’re things?”
“Oh, couldn’t be better! People talked about your visit that day, place became ...
2025-04-30 03:59:54 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
Eleanor faced the door, her palms open and floating by her sides. There, she awaited her fate.
-xXx-
“Rise and shine, elevens!” Lieutenant Marek said, his grizzled body framed against the lights in the hallway outside.
Cadell blinked through groggy eyes, memories of being woken up in the middle of the night by angry drill Sergeants flashing through his mind. He threw off his bedsheets, standing beside his bunk as he wiped his hai...
2025-04-29 03:06:39 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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Chapter 5: First Strike
The importance of the Cordon Incident degraded aboard the shipyard like a discarded apple core. The minimalistic crew would force excitement out of anything – rumours always circulated that the shipyard was haunted, interpersonal affairs were spoken about in length, and bets were held in small circles for those who could correctly guess what class the next docking ship would be. It sounded mind-numbing, but that was because being a cre...
2025-04-26 01:39:12 +0000 UTC View Post2k words (It's a little less but that's because this is the end of the chapter)
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“You think a farmhand like me could afford to hire out a ship?” Cadell chuckled. “I suppose if I saved up I could have picked up an old rigger, but after spending my whole teens hearing about how the Confederates were raiding the Outer Reaches, that even Manildra wasn’t safe, I got to thinking on how I could help. The Alliance takes me in, and I get to see parts of the Reaches I’d never g...
2025-04-23 11:17:37 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
They made their way downspin to the recreation centre, the gentle mutterings of voices and the faint scents of cigarette smoke welcoming them as the team moved inside. Cadell always appreciated how less sterile this place was compared to the torus – the soft carpets and the yellow lighting providing a warm onset to the eye.
At this time of the afternoon, there were only a few other soldiers milling about, concentrating mostly around the card tables and dart bo...
2025-04-21 03:08:48 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
Kazlu copied her movements on the flank, Cadell finding himself surrounded by hard light energy. The shields weren’t quite big enough to meet at the sides and form a complete circle, small gaps of exposure leaving their east and west faces open, but it was the best they could do.
“Timing’s gonna be everthin’,” Cadell warned. “I’ll count down from two, when I saw one, Samiha step forward, Kazlu you step back. Ready?”
“Ready!” Ka...
2025-04-18 01:38:09 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
“Alright people,” Cadell announced, pulling back the loading bolt of his weapon. “You all know what to expect, but don’t get comfortable. The Lieutenant’s probably moved things around to try and surprise us. Let’s not give him the satisfaction. Got it?”
“Got it,” they all replied together.
Cadell took the lead, moving through the entrance to the first section of the sim at a brisk pace, his four companions flanking him. They were fired up...
2025-04-15 03:41:37 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
Her abdominals were like rocks beneath his knuckles, but as much as it hurt his hand, the attack sent Samiha reeling. She only tumbled maybe two small steps backward, but the alien looked like she’d just seen a ghost, a hand creeping to her stomach as she gave Cadell an astounded look.
“Not such a shi’ahk, after all…” Samiha murmured, and again those amber eyes burned into his own. That mockful energy behind them was gone now, replaced by a co...
2025-04-12 00:07:55 +0000 UTC View Post
Making audiobooks for my works has always interested me. However, the process is not too easy, and hiring/finding good voice actors is an expensive endevour, so the idea kinda faded into obscurity.
However, amazon selected me to be a part of their audiobook beta, which reads out a whole ebook using a virtual voice, and it sounds not too bad from my end, so I went and put my two og and favourite works - Panthea, and Folium Nebula - into the program!
They can be found and bought on ...
2025-04-10 00:29:03 +0000 UTC View Post3k words
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“On the contrary, our influence only expanded, with dozens of smaller Clans flocking to our borders with water in droves. My parents described it as a time of prosperity for the Kaalesh Clan, allowing us to set sail to the stars. I wonder if they have any idea what has happened…”
“Has what happened?” a voice interrupted. Cadell turned to see Kazlu striding up to them, her teal feathers glinting in the light. Slung over her arm was her custom coilgun, s...
2025-04-09 03:49:16 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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These were nothing much to make note of, but in that month leading up to their rerun of the sim (weeks now, time was flying by), there was one particular exchange that sat above the rest. They had returned to the range along with some of the other squads to brush up on their aim, his ears pricking as the electric snaps of the coilguns filled the air. He had gone off with Kurtis to practice his disassembly first, while Hunte rand the aliens had moved straight for the f...
2025-04-07 11:38:25 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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“I’d better not, cause if I see you at the bottom of that board again…” He let that bit hang in the air, turning his gaze to Samiha. “Not even the Kith’sla’s words will save you. Take my advice and can whatever issues you two have, for your own sakes.”
Marek left without another word, leaving Samiha and Cadell with wide eyes but thoughts of relief.
Chapter 4: Radio Silence
Ears open, eyes closed, Petty Officer Eleanor thought...
2025-04-05 01:10:20 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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“I take back what I said,” Samiha said, heaving her hammer from one shoulder to the other. “This is a lot of fun. I needed this.”
“Told you,” Cadell said, leaning on the wall as he took deep, hard breaths.
“Cadell? Are you well?” Samiha asked, her eyes tracing him from head to toe.
“Yeah. Why?”
“You are… all wet,” she explained. “Like you’ve just soaked in a bath.”
“That’s just sweat. The...
2025-04-01 06:38:34 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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“I think you’ll appreciate the surprise,” he said. “Come on, it’s this way.”
The two of them proceeded downspin for a ways, coming upon an arch that curved over the main street, held aloft by two pillars that were capped at the tops with scantily-clad women, moving their slim bodies in a smooth, distracting motion, their faded blue images not unlike the holograms in the simulation.
Beyond the arch was a world of colour. Neon signage jutted from...
2025-03-31 05:27:26 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
“A pragmatic outlook,” Samiha mused. “Perhaps there’s a shred of a Kith’sla in you after all.”
Cadell felt like they’d reached a level of understanding, however brief it might be. They were both at fault for ending up out here, potentially kicked off the program, the time for pointing fingers was long gone.
Jim returned with their meals, setting their dishes down on the table. The portions were generous, the slabs of beef inches thick, the sc...
2025-03-29 03:06:08 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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“This is the best I have on hand, ma’am,” Jim informed, setting the Ottoman down and wiping his brow. “Hope it’s to your satisfaction.”
“It will do.”
Samiha, undeterred, turned and planted her butt on the footstool, cocking her head as Cadell held back a snicker. She pulled her seat as far to the side as she could so he could squeeze into the booth.
The owner laid out some laminated menus before them, taking a notepad from his pocket...
2025-03-27 02:06:14 +0000 UTC View PostLike a protoss dragoon, I have returned and will get back on the horse shortly
2025-03-24 01:29:16 +0000 UTC View Post2k words. I wanted it to be more but I'm late for work. I'll see you guys next week!
***
“When do we go?” he sighed.
“You can leave right away. I’ll send word to the gate and tell them you’re expected. Unless you have any more protests, I suggest you both see yourselves out.”
Cadell rose to his feet, Samiha doing the same, the two of them leaving under the reproachful gaze of the Kith’sla. He’d come up here with the intent of giving Samiha the boot, and...
2025-03-19 05:29:32 +0000 UTC View PostTwo things. The first, is that I'm leaving town for a little trip, and wont be able to work on word updates until I get back, which should be on Monday. Couple thousand words later today will be the last update till then.
Secondly: want to thank each and every one of you for your generosity. Things have been busy round here and my time is limited, and I'm grateful for your patience!
2025-03-19 00:32:19 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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-xXx-
The administration building was only accessible by elevator or staircase, its façade extruding from one of the steep walls that flanked the Hub. From the torus it resembled a tower, stretching maybe a third of the way up the wall, but this was just an oversized balcony – the real contents of the administration were tucked away inside the hull.
It wasn’t far of a walk to get there, Cadell stepping though into a lobby furnished wi...
2025-03-17 04:39:42 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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Cadell motioned them all on, knowing now was the time not to test the Lieutenant further. They placed their simulation equipment back in the cavity, and left. The Lieutenant did not follow them out.
They all got a better look at the scoreboard in the hallway outside, the results projected onto the big screen they’d watched while they’d waited for their turn in the simulation. Their proverbial ‘death’ was plain for all to see, and word would quickly sprea...
2025-03-13 11:48:55 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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“Got it,” Kazlu said. “Stay close, little guys.”
The Balokarid turned into the hallway, the humans using her as mobile cover as the three of them pushed up towards the entrenched holograms. Cadell took a couple potshots at the targets, still trying to get used to how his weapon kicked but gave no real recoil, when he felt a presence approaching him from behind.
He twitched his weapon that way, then lowered it when he saw it was Samiha, hurrying ove...
2025-03-12 04:18:58 +0000 UTC View Post2k words. Things were pretty crazy over here, had my first cyclone ever (yay?) pass over, and I was a little busier than usual with some other stuff, so I apologise for the delay.
***
Its shape was not unlike an armband, and Cadell was proven right as Kazlu slipped her arm through the cylinder. There was a groove in the metal that made it so her wing didn’t chafe against it, the device almost as long a shirt sleeve.
“I think I’d better just show you once we’re in the...
2025-03-10 02:39:51 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
“No, Sir,” Cadell replied, knowing it was better to take it on the chin than try and find an excuse. He tried to ignore the gloating Samiha, watching him be tutored by the Lieutenant while she went about her own task without any visible difficulty, but he felt embarrassed all the same.
After too much time, the Lieutenant finally put him back on track, leaving Cadell to assemble the weapon by himself. He was maybe a third of the way through when there was a n...
2025-03-06 11:10:43 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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He flicked off the safety, then squeezed off a shot. There was a loud, electronic crack as the muzzle of the gun rocked, Cadell swearing he could hear the hiss of a static chasing after. The paper target flittered as a hole punched through the lower corner. Marek wasn’t kidding, the recoil had felt like a solid punch to the arm.
Cadell adjusted his grip and tried again, this time knowing what to expect. Now the electronic shot was chased by a direct hit to the...
2025-03-04 04:36:32 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
It was a needle.
-xXx-
Over the next week the exercise drills and study sessions blended together for Cadell. This wasn’t to say he was inattentive or hated fitness, however. He had gone through a similar routine back home, all of them had, and the officers took this into account, trusting the platoon to keep themselves fit on their own initiative, rather than force them into the gym and swimming pool facilities around the quadrant.
<... 2025-02-28 02:12:54 +0000 UTC View Post2k words. I made a mistake naming Kazlu and Kurtis - the first initials shouldn't be the same - and I'm going to rename one of them in the revisions phase. But for simplicity I'll keep their names as is for now.
****
“Just cause you can fly don’t make you any better,” Cadell pointed out. “a single shot from a rifle and you’re clipped. Yeah you’re bigger than me, but that makes you a bigger target too, how’s that an advantage?”
“We have ways to circumvent su...
2025-02-26 06:14:00 +0000 UTC View Post2k wods
***
With that, he turned and marched off, his gait made odd by his magnetic boots, soon disappearing behind a sloped panel. Cadell’s perception was all wrong, and with no frame of reference it looked as though the Lieutenant had crossed a vast distance in a matter of moments, vanishing over the curve of the hull.
The five of them looked to one another, sharing uncertain glances. Cadell seized the opportunity to take the first plunge – he was squad leader after al...
2025-02-25 06:47:02 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
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“We could do a lot better than you,” Samiha snarled, whirling on him. Her elbow hit her locker and the door slammed shut with a bang as loud as a gunshot. “Some of us have shed blood fighting the Confederacy, and the biggest danger you’ve ever faced are predators on your farm. What experience do you have of war? Have you even killed someone?”
“I… haven’t, no,” Cadell admitted, and he could see the disdain in her eyes deepen. “But I...
2025-02-22 07:15:07 +0000 UTC View Post2k words
***
“I did warn you,” Kazlu chuckled, watching as the substance made a mess of his uniform. “You’ve nothing to worry about,” she clarified. “We’ve been exposed to it all our lives, we’d know if it was toxic.”
Hunter reached over with his dusty finger to wipe it on Kurtis, who jerked his arm away in fright. “Touch me with that, and you die,” he warned.
Cadell chuckled under his breath, folding his arms on the table as he addressed the alie...
2025-02-20 06:23:32 +0000 UTC View Post