Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 9

An encounter with a villain... -----   Chapter 9. Oasis' gut seethed with nausea and acid fire, staring at the urbanely smiling face. Though different in detail, the smile, the cadence of that voice was all too familiar, and brought back echoes of the nightmare on Hyperion Station.   Through the other part of herself, the not-quite-separate yet not-quite-merged Kimberley, aka "K", she got fury and fear that intensified her reaction. I'm actually trembling, so furious and terrified that my body's [ Continue reading... ]

Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 8

Oasis and Wu get an assignment! ------   Chapter 8. "Oh, that's just perfect," Ariane said, and Wu Kung thought he could see the sarcasm dripping from the last word. "Maria-Susanna's a Shadeweaver, or on her way to being one, Byto might have been killed over Hyperion, and Fairchild's disappeared in a way that indicates he's already got allies."   "Yeah, it's just a cornucopia of great news," DuQuesne said, grinning blackly. "What about on your end, Captain? Got anything to take the edge off?"   She shot a [ Continue reading... ]

Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 7

  Simon gets a date, gets some news, and gets an idea! -----   Chapter 7. The door chime finally drew his attention; Simon said "Come in," absently, while still focused on the tri-display in front of him.   "Since you were taking a break today," Oasis' voice came from behind him, "I thought we might –"   Feeling his face flaming scarlet, Simon hit the off control on the little console.   But by the raised eyebrow and widening grin on Oasis' face, he knew he'd been a split-second too [ Continue reading... ]

Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 5

There's been a murder, and DuQuesne was right there.. -----   Chapter 5. "You're back!" Ariane exclaimed as DuQuesne appeared in the doorway. Then, seeing how the massive frame sagged, she ran to him, caught his hands in hers. "You look terrible, Marc."   "I feel terrible. Klono and Noshabkeming, I feel terrible." The way he muttered off the outmoded Hyperion curses without so much as a selfconscious twitch told her just how bad it was. She exchanged glances with Wu Kung, as her bodyguard helped DuQuesne in, and saw [ Continue reading... ]

Shadows of Hyperion: Chapter 3

Time to move on -- and meet a new Hyperion! -----   Chapter 3. "That is … unwelcome news," Simon said, studying Wu Kung with a sour, sinking feeling in his gut. "You are certain?"   The Hyperion Monkey King grimaced. "Why do people always ask that? Would I say it that way if I were not? Yes, I am certain, as certain as you could tell me that I am wearing my robes! I can see your soul, and you have damaged it badly, about as badly as Ariane's." He raised both eyebrows. "Why are you upset, though? I thought you did not [ Continue reading... ]

Spheres of Influence: Chapter 19

  And it was DuQuesne who'd left Wu alone, wasn't it? Where was *he* when all this went south?   ------     Chapter 19.      One Sky Gate located,DuQuesne thought in satisfaction. And if we didn't just get lucky at the opening gun, we might have quite a few Sky Gates leading to a bunch of places.        It was true that there was some danger inherent in that, but overall it was probably a good thing; more options, more possible places to explore. As long as one of them doesn't lead to the Molothos homeworld [ Continue reading... ]