The machine was fantastic, in that it looked like it ought not to exist in real life. In bulk and levitation it resembled a rim ship, but the smoke that billowed from its stacks was enough to make the light of the whole area hazey, and the maze of conveyor belts twisting in and out … Continue reading Year 352 A.E., Rotation 60: If Islands Screamed →

Vincent leaned against the brickwork in the alleyway to the side of the downtrodden's headquarters. His mother's old jacket was too hot for the weather here, but wearing it made him feel calmer than the cheap vodka shot Nim had forced into his hand back inside, or the second hand cigarette smoke clouding the basement. … Continue reading Year 352 A.E., Rotation 53: Tired of Fighting →

It was early morning. Vincent and Sibri were up before the sun after Nim had woken them up on her way back from night watch. Sibri was sipping black coffee, and Vincent was trying to get through a mug of cream, sugar and just enough caffeine to make the world feel real again. It had … Continue reading Year 352 A.E., Rotation 52: A Hero, Not a Martyr →

Rellion wandered the aisles of the grocery store. He stopped next to a can of peas, picked up two of the brand marked with the bright pink 3R tag, and put them in his cart. He ticked off the cans on his shopping list of Tier 3 Retirement approved items, then moved on to the … Continue reading Year 352 A.E., Rotation 51: Adrenaline →

Vincent wiped his hands on a rag after going over the colony’s steam combine. There’d been no major problems, just a few bolts to tighten here and there. Like mom had taught him--it was better to catch a problem before it happened.  He’d built the thing from boxes of parts they’d shipped here. It was … Continue reading Year 352 A.E., Rotation 50: The Free Islanders’ Republic →

Vincent sat in his parents’ driveway, drumming his fingers against Shelby’s steering wheel. Part of him wanted to back out, drive back to Nim’s place, load up the last of her things, and never look back. But they didn’t deserve to never get the chance to say goodbye. Dad didn’t, at least. He sighed and … Continue reading Year 351 A.E., Rotation 43: The Family Dinner →

It wasn’t long after the hearing. Vincent was just about to ask Nim if she wanted a ride home when there was a sharp wrap at Shelby’s door. He tensed as he opened it, ready to open it to some inquisitor with a parking violation that put him back over the edge, but instead it … Continue reading Year 351 A.E., Rotation 6: Green Magic →

The past two days had been a blur. The ride to the station. The useless pleas that it had only been self defense. The tedious paperwork for his confession. He’d never forget Arbiter’s sneer as he entered the fine into Vincent’s records: 576,000 cred. The money Bethlan would have likely earned if he’d lived to … Continue reading Year 351 A.E., Rotation 6: The Audit →

Vincent and Shelby slipped through the void. Dusk was falling, and they were close to their rendezvous point with Swift's ship. There was a small island framed by the windshield, just a little larger than Shelby. He had to get to the coreward side, cling to the underside of the coast until Swift's ship passed, … Continue reading Year 351 A.E., Rotation 4: One Last Job →

Vincent wasn’t sure how much time had passed. It must have only been a few minutes, but every second felt too long. The room was dark and smelled of rotting wood, dust, and the feint musk of mildew, and the cord around his wrists didn’t help the sensation that his skin was crawling. He strained … Continue reading Year 351, Rotation 3: Little Birdie, Part 2 →